WEST GOSHEN TOWNSHIP
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING
July 9, 2003

A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of West Goshen Township was called to order by Chairman Edward G. Meakim, Jr., at 4:04 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9, 2003, at the West Goshen Township Administration Building. All members were present. Mr. Meakim opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

Mr. Meakim opened the floor for public comment. No comments were made.

Ms. Sharon Lynn, Township Manager, stated that bids were opened and read at the June 25, 2003, Board of Supervisors meeting for the General Construction, Mechanical and Plumbing and Electrical work for the West Goshen Maintenance Garage Renovation Project. She said the Board will be accepting the low bid for the electrical work pending the successful re-bidding of the project for the General Construction and Mechanical and Plumbing. She added that this will delay the start of the project.

Ms. Nancy D. Rodgers, Zoning Officer, announced that the West Goshen Township Zoning Hearing Board will meet on Wednesday, July 16, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. in Meeting Room B of the Administration Building to consider the following: ZHB 7-03 – Order for 704 East Market Street Associates, L.P., ZHB 8-03 – Order withdrawn without prejudice for Joseph T. Hash, ZHB 9-03 – Order for Chester County Mall, Inc.

On motion by Dr. White, seconded by Ms. McIlvaine, the Board unanimously approved the Board of Supervisors minutes from June 11 and June 25, 2003. Included in the motion by Dr. White was the addition of the action taken on the signing of the agreement with K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. for the installation of a Hershey's Mill identification sign.

On motion by Ms. McIlvaine, seconded by Dr. White, the Board unanimously approved the Treasurer's Report dated June 30, 2003 for the General Fund, the Sewer Revenue Fund, the Waste and Recycling Fund, and the Capital Reserve Fund, as well as the bills to be paid from the General Fund, the Sewer Fund, the Capital Reserve Fund, and the Waste and Recycling Fund.

Chief Michael Carroll gave the Police Report for the month of June, 2003. Dr. White noted that Det. Lewis W. Knerr had made 102 arrests in the month of June. Chief Carroll acknowledged this and added that Det. Joseph Carabba had recovered latent fingerprints at the scene of an armed robbery and from a stolen vehicle which led to the identification of suspects and the issuing of warrants for their arrests.

Ralph Brown, Fire Marshal, gave the Fire Marshal Report for the month of June, 2003. Mr. Brown also gave the report for Goshen Fire Company, Good Fellowship Ambulance Company and West Chester Fire Department. Mr. Brown reminded everyone that the 2003 Goshen Fair will be held from July 28 to August 2 and he invited everyone to attend.

The Building Inspection Activity Report for June, 2003 was not available.

On motion by Ms. McIlvaine, seconded by Dr. White, the Board unanimously approved a Final Land Development Plan for reconstruction of Good Fellowship Ambulance for Good Fellowship Club of Chester County, Inc., located at 600 Montgomery Avenue. Mr. Timothy Bossert from Good Fellowship Club of Chester County, Inc., was present to represent the plan.

Mrs. Evelyn Baker, 900 Sheridan Drive, asked if the parking requirements for the plan would be sufficient to accommodate rental of rooms for public gatherings at the site of Good Fellowship Ambulance Club and Mr. Richard J. Craig, Township Engineer, replied that there will be no space available in the new building for public use.

On motion by Dr. White, seconded by Ms. McIlvaine, the Board unanimously approved a waiver of Subdivision Plan Application for establishment of a lease line for Richard Schramm, Schramm, Inc., located at 830 East Virginia Avenue. Mr. Schramm was present to represent the plan.

On motion by Dr. White, seconded by Ms. McIlvaine, the Board unanimously approved the signing of the contract with Dan Malloy Paving, Inc., for the 2003 Resurfacing Program. Bids were opened and read at the June 11, 2003 Board of Supervisors meeting.

Mr. Meakim opened the floor for public comment.

Mr. Michael Lorello, 105 Snyder Avenue, stated that he had a petition to present to the Board of Supervisors from 46 residents of Guinta Lane, Anthony Lane and the 100 block of Snyder Avenue asking for the installation of storm drains in that area. He said that he has lived in his home for 20 years and that when it rains heavily his yard becomes a lake. He added that West Goshen Township had dug a ditch to drain the area but that the slope of the land in that area is downhill and he and his neighbors are receiving the drainage from two streets above their residences. He stated that he had spent $5,000 to have French drains installed in his backyard which saved his house from flooding but not his garage or driveway.

Ms. Kathleen Lorello, 105 Snyder Avenue, said that Mr. Craig has been to the area in the past to inspect it. She said that the last heavy rain in July completely flooded the wheelchair ramp at her home that must be used by her disabled son. She added that the drains may not solve the entire problem but it would help. She added that she has brought this to the attention of the Township in the past and nothing has been done to correct the problem. Mr. Lorello said the ground at his neighbor's house is so wet that the small child who lives there cannot play outside. Mr. Meakim said the Board will accept the petition and see what can be done to alleviate the situation. Ms. Lorello said that the volume of water could not be handled by the culvert in the area the last time it rained and it is dangerous for small children.

Mr. Lorello requested that West Goshen Township monitor the drains that go through the area and remove any accumulating debris. He stated that he had called Mr. Raymond H. Halvorsen, Public Works Director, last year about the blockages and Mr. Halvorsen had arranged for the drains to be cleaned out at that time.

Mrs. Baker inquired about the stormwater from recent rains in the area of Matlack Street and Rosedale Avenue where a future parking lot is to be constructed. Mr. Meakim stated that he did not see any problems when he recently checked the area. Dr. White said that the new parking lot will be built with an underground seepage system that will provide an improved method of handling stormwater than the way it is handled presently.

Ms. Lynn told Mr. and Mrs. Lorello that West Goshen Township will contract with an outside engineering firm to study the area around their house and submit to the Township suggestions for correcting the problem with the stormwater runoff.

Mr. Craig explained that the topography of the site is one cause of the problem with the drainage issue and that the Lorello property is located in the low spot of the area. Ms. Lorello asked if putting in stormwater drainage in the area above her house would help and Mr. Craig said it would intercept some of the water but not all of it. He added that a wider study for the whole area needs to be completed and that it will not be a simple remedy. Ms. Lorello asked for a time line for the study to be completed. Ms. Lynn said the Township can initiate a search in 90 days for a proposal from engineering firms and in another 60 days have a firm signed on to do the study. She added that it would most likely take another 30 – 60 days to complete the study by the engineering firm. Ms. Lorello asked if a swale could be installed to handle the water and Mr. Craig replied that it might be possible but that in in-depth hydraulic study needed to be completed prior to this decision being made.

There being no further business, on motion by Ms. McIlvaine, seconded by Mr. Meakim, the meeting was adjourned at 4:29 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Sharon Lynn
Township Manager