[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6241032,"mediaKeyId","3312148-8da1723d8aeb0bd851e5a4022c3e4269","parentId",3312148,"title","Council approves $30,000 budget modification for fire hoses and several equipment and service purchases","audioSeconds",122,"startMs",2008000,"endMs",2130000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3312148-8da1723d8aeb0bd851e5a4022c3e4269&start=2008&end=2130","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3312148-8da1723d8aeb0bd851e5a4022c3e4269/thumbnail_2008000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6241032/West-Chester/Chester-County/Pennsylvania/Council-approves-30000-budget-modification-for-fire-hoses-and-several-equipment-and-service-purchases","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241032-7fc0dc9312ddcea27589b387bbd897d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168730&Signature=eNf8GME5T7VbeSo123Pz6~Sy0Slbgj4u2yRWeyIFm1awaWL9zO5BEa25vkBXmDa6Lm2lRtaboDM00MKJSTd3BN0K7MbxHGQGuKryKS2LXrL4b-VUs0IgkAETtEVgtW-xH6khP~pog9pRg5BzNYHs5G3QU8SRpuehOJYxLPRc15RDcNXgtocGJ4o1tyaTE9uotDue2EZZ0rT88SWK-v8gzmlRwByA-gF5VHa-Q4KGqgLJBl3CJt4HVQiWsCCqAKAixj6iH0yycr5uvdLF~IfTbDdHcGHI5C3zdx5NrArZxy7EBv2FxCvCciin2p5qY2xGTFAThsZFmcYI1aXmN40YVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Borough of West Chester, PA","date","2025-05-15T07:12:59.243Z","article","West Chester Borough Council approved a budget modification to add $30,000 in grant funding to the cash reserve line item for standardized fire hoses and approved a set of vendor payments for municipal services and supplies.

Finance staff said the $30,000 came from PA DCED COVID-19 ARPA funds awarded to purchase standardized fire hoses for all three volunteer fire companies. The purchasing request for MES totaling $29,968.75 was listed under consent items.

Council also approved vendor payments and purchases under consent, including Big Belly solar trash and recycling units ($11,976), MuniBilling software ($18,014.40), Univar soda ash for sewage treatment ($12,709.50), Eusalco phosphorus removal chemicals ($12,835.20), WatchKeep disaster recovery services ($17,950.26), and an ambulance invoice to Good Fellowship Club of Chester County ($86,763.21). Council recorded these approvals as 3-0.

Council members praised staff work on specifying equipment needs; one councilmember noted that a prior proposal for Big Belly units had included solar features not necessary for every location and thanked staff for finding lower-cost alternatives.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Finance & Revenue - May 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","West Chester Borough Council approved a budget modification to record $30,000 in grant funding for standardized fire hoses and approved multiple vendor payments including trash/recycling units, software, sewage treatment chemicals, disaster recovery, and an ambulance invoice.","taxTitle","West Chester, Chester County, Pennsylvania","taxId",71483,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6241037,"Council approves applications for park grants and splash pad rehabilitation at John O'Grady Park",133,1822000,1955000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3312148-8da1723d8aeb0bd851e5a4022c3e4269&start=1822&end=1955","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3312148-8da1723d8aeb0bd851e5a4022c3e4269/thumbnail_1822000.jpg","/articles/6241037/West-Chester/Chester-County/Pennsylvania/Council-approves-applications-for-park-grants-and-splash-pad-rehabilitation-at-John-OGrady-Park","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241037-41990851f230c76ecdd4960dc11651a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168730&Signature=UuLn480TTzMfmVNsA6QTgYtDPTK64YgDAdughhaii0dHxxz--J45M-JwqYhLzj2ZSZn3OhWMo-pLwX8TFkWjw6kb9bhycs7r-KdAF9-YsxXtNgOc3raiCGBdaeI2G8rIijZI8ISG9h-68xCFL-rWlyDm4L4Yp~E2d7wZfRJL~CTDpq5OwXNQmeQpiXS7I0azLbDi7SRyIxKCDlr~5iMhEX7DGeGKXtefAu0T8g41esQbjJm85r1SNMRRfZ3rJEIijcAcXYOTa43g8dKwkei38PqUDIF7UPOZrW~J~xr3riBeCKr1dZo831IBwIZTlYkwAnTI61ikZDtWhnhOWoxf5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","West Chester Borough Council voted to approve grant resolution applications for park improvements at John O'Grady Park, including a DCED Greenways, Trails and Recreation application and a People, Parks & Community Foundation splash pad rehabilitation application.

Keith (presenter) described the DCED application as an 80/20 split program; if the borough requested the full $250,000 award the borough’s match would be roughly $37,500. “If we were to get the full grant amount of $250,000 the borough match would be $37,500,” the presenter said, and added the borough will not know award results until roughly early February next year.

Separately, staff said the People, Parks & Community Foundation grant relates to phase 1 of splash pad rehabilitation and that the borough already budgeted roughly $65,000–$70,000 for the work this year. The foundation will award up to $30,000 with no required match. Staff said they will prepare two scopes: one for the currently budgeted funds and one that includes the additional $30,000 if awarded, with construction planned for late summer or early fall contingent on award timing.

Council recorded each grant resolution as approved 3-0. Staff noted the parks master plan consultant has prioritized John O'Grady as a park needing attention and that additional meetings with local stakeholders are underway to form a friends group and further scope the work.

No additional spending was approved at the meeting beyond the grant application approvals; the People, Parks & Community Foundation award would be an additional funding source if granted.","Council approved two separate grant application resolutions to support improvements at John O'Grady Park: a DCED Greenways, Trails and Recreation application (up to $250,000 with a borough match) and a People, Parks & Community Foundation application for a splash pad rehabilitation (up to $30,000, no match).",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6241040,"West Chester council approves resolution to seek $500,000 DCED flood mitigation grant for storm sewer relining",87,1718000,1805000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3312148-8da1723d8aeb0bd851e5a4022c3e4269&start=1718&end=1805","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3312148-8da1723d8aeb0bd851e5a4022c3e4269/thumbnail_1718000.jpg","/articles/6241040/West-Chester/Chester-County/Pennsylvania/West-Chester-council-approves-resolution-to-seek-500000-DCED-flood-mitigation-grant-for-storm-sewer-relining","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241040-d1060d72098bae70c0a1956659c6f94e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168730&Signature=cL2SFZvZoSxiatnf0HKXDJQpk2OjZSNKmYjPmm5g5ECWjQ-2raTbdPC4v10QqjiPxUyzj4w5dKPwO-oW5dbdhlh2v5DJrf4rfwzhbdDzkD~u5Lyj31Zw0KxeJcZqTJVVd9jF8nTMbjlvpLlPN3iNNW60-h7ZLAbxrrvMgHvuvguS7PHq5UPZkj1C9BoMbFV1Gs5xTerLynEj~vE1tjtQuS8vcpAnqD8fkeD~qfnXg2pW4RK2c3jo6Pa1H~9Tagul-4zF8x~ODJ7jqaKnMYX2EcGtt4ByZBYgFNNqHa7AYmp6MRtdGmNW2e3xhdslnm5EjR8u7WyyDT0Zs05I3-P0zw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","West Chester Borough Council approved a resolution authorizing a grant application to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) seeking $500,000 for phase two of stormwater infrastructure relining.

Public works staff told council the borough inventoried its remaining vitrified (bridal) storm sewers about 18 months ago and identified assets at risk after a major collapse on North New Street several summers ago that required a road closure and six-figure repairs. “Relining buys us time. It buys us several decades of time, and is the most cost effective way to reduce the risk of future collapses,” said Mr. Williams, who presented the item.

Williams said the borough previously received a $200,000 grant and expects to complete about $300,000 of work with that award later this year. The new application seeks the additional funds to cover remaining work. Williams noted he would update the project name in the resolution to make it more “grant fundable.”

Council called for no public objection; the item was recorded as approved 3-0.

The application is a request to DCED; the final award amount and timeline will depend on DCED’s review and allocations. No detailed engineering schedule was presented at the meeting.","Council approved a resolution to apply for a $500,000 Pennsylvania DCED flood mitigation grant to fund phase 2 of a stormwater infrastructure relining project. Staff said relining is a cost-effective way to reduce collapse risk following a prior major sewer collapse on North New Street.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6241045,"West Chester Chamber asks council for $20 special-event garage fee or budgeted sponsorship to sustain annual Christmas parade",1072,625000,1697000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3312148-8da1723d8aeb0bd851e5a4022c3e4269&start=625&end=1697","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3312148-8da1723d8aeb0bd851e5a4022c3e4269/thumbnail_625000.jpg","/articles/6241045/West-Chester/Chester-County/Pennsylvania/West-Chester-Chamber-asks-council-for-20-special-event-garage-fee-or-budgeted-sponsorship-to-sustain-annual-Christmas-parade","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241045-212a9d166bd3a8e87203827c0981c7a2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168730&Signature=bmRoV8AS3MoE2hz8T0-MHZREkyNHcCzBsr3EXcGT0IVVP8ghNoPGhaFJNRe9gCHyacydUTbKyLqOw739ryMI4~AulGST3cZacSpacL1X-5wOHlkczVmbncaLDFbHaaQY3tGbOGnBeSJeXkaL3p6vj2MpM6m28j-AxOegkzG28wZq4XjNFKRQEGrypTT8iThKmp0InCempghIij8h-yDpsV~5HtSt0LdsDIGd1yilj~z5q4W13OfMMw4L2vSkvOZgISFk0lnkyQc1LrxOfp7uipJOjBZhaekuwQdF0CgQdMKWQlDItQYrnBh3uNIT1O8QNSi4lOdg5sQnzMzqWEkNwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Katie Walker of the Greater Westchester Chamber of Commerce asked West Chester Borough Council to consider a $20 special-event parking fee or a borough sponsorship to help sustain the 2025 Christmas parade.

Walker, who identified herself as representing the Greater Westchester Chamber, told council the chamber raises funds primarily through membership dues and sponsorships and spends about $80,000 in personnel costs plus roughly $130,000 in event expenses annually. “We organize a toy drive…we bring Chester County Hospital lights up holiday weekends to Westchester,” she said, and added that the chamber’s events are free to the public.

Walker said the chamber is planning professional lighting valued at about $40,000, a tree lighting on Nov. 29, a parade planned for Dec. 5 with roughly 80 parade elements and 150 volunteers, and other holiday events. She told council she reviewed historical payments the chamber made to the borough and found pre-pandemic invoices from 2017–2019 of roughly $9,300–$9,800, while recent final invoices were nearly $18,000. “I just thought it was important for you to have those numbers in mind when the chamber's considering almost an 82% increase from when we were operating this pre pandemic, to our current year,” Walker said.

Council members discussed options including creating a $20 garage parking surcharge for parade patrons, adding a line item sponsorship in the borough budget, or developing a formal partnership agreement such as a memorandum of understanding to clarify recurring support and avoid ad hoc discounting. One councilmember said putting the parade in the annual budget “would be setting a precedent, but…the taxpayers want a Christmas parade.” Another said any support should be structured to avoid creating a pattern where many events expect discounts.

Council agreed to revisit the issue in June and directed staff to work with the chamber on options; the mayor indicated council was “probably in agreement plus 3 about a $20 fee” while noting the need for a structured policy to avoid repeat requests from other events. Walker said she would participate in follow-up conversations.

The request was discussed during the public comment period; no formal council vote on a fee or budget sponsorship was taken at the meeting.","The Greater Westchester Chamber of Commerce requested a $20 special event parking fee or a borough sponsorship to help cover rising costs of the Christmas parade, citing volunteer time, professional lighting costs and a large increase in recent borough invoices.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6241051,"West Chester reports $3.0 million general fund net income; warns on sewer receivables and audit findings",463,122000,585000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3312148-8da1723d8aeb0bd851e5a4022c3e4269&start=122&end=585","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3312148-8da1723d8aeb0bd851e5a4022c3e4269/thumbnail_122000.jpg","/articles/6241051/West-Chester/Chester-County/Pennsylvania/West-Chester-reports-30-million-general-fund-net-income-warns-on-sewer-receivables-and-audit-findings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241051-98890814f1c6cbb23744b0a304b4d8d2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168730&Signature=Tod~O~D2e4X70QGzxBcPjfAeRlyQ8ueD7Ze-IrBckSmatcifbV7cej7Ta9hrkq4U-Rvo1Z8JLn45~-qgV1B6Wj08YDQVu0FCMcbpiplnRSyL1zxJIDYC3QSu5kln94o5PVNyUJyEJ7udKWD9kWcmLXQbPMhzmm6ZVdE7y5keMf1f8osjcq-lksOjeOQTxpOVEGHYb63Dkse5Rp89EJGEfFKlCAfHDAvHrc5ElIn4XyELIwz-bAXcxmYlkGoMpqRWhe2x0I4RxwxL8jCbFn7Uj7p2P432kxmcYCO5Yx82WVHP-1BDPpmO8rrxXnTDGX6BNm33hOgGSpROw0~AdwVEbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Finance director Barb Liante reported to West Chester Borough Council that the borough’s general fund had a net income of $3,000,004.98 as of April 30.

Liante said revenue highlights included stronger-than-expected real estate tax collections for 2025 and “prior real estate taxes are also doing well compared to last year.” She also told council that business privilege and interest earnings are ahead of budget.

“Looking at the expenses for the general fund, everything seems to be in line, but I do want to caution about the housing department,” Liante said, adding that building, mechanical and electrical permit revenues were trailing expectations through April 30. She said the borough had “put some big numbers in the revenue line items to help offset some of the third party costs, and expenses are still coming in.”

Liante flagged two audit findings in the borough’s special revenue funds. The liquid fuels fund showed a net income of $1,331,422 through April 30, but the auditor general’s office identified (1) a late deposit of the annual liquid fuels allocation and (2) a nonconformity related to salt purchases that did not follow the borough’s purchasing policy. Liante said the late deposit was caused by delayed submission of required forms and that the borough will transfer $33,000 for a 2022 issue noted in the audit.

On enterprise funds, Liante said wastewater had a net income of $23,009.39 and the parking fund had modest positive results. She warned that wastewater revenues were “a little lighter than what I would expect at this point in time” because the fund is facing capital expenses.

To shore up the wastewater fund, Liante said she recently transferred $1,500,000 in sewer cash from a Santander account to Cliggett to earn interest, and that the borough has been moving sewer balances to Portnoff for collections. “We are sending out monthly letters,” she said, and added that she is exploring alternative collections options because Portnoff prefers annual handling of accounts.

Liante also said the borough’s audit field work for the fiscal year is nearly complete but that the borough still needs the actuary’s 2024 financials to finalize the valuation and employee pension statements. She said she plans to revise the chart of accounts to conform with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) and to pursue a Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) distinguished budget award in future years.

Council members asked questions about typical receivable patterns and collection vendors. In response, Liante said sewer receivables “have been issues for years,” and described past remedies including liens and outsourcing collections.

No formal council action was taken on the financial report; the item was presented for information and discussion.","Finance director Barb Liante told West Chester Borough Council the general fund showed a $3,000,004.98 net income through April 30, highlighted strong real estate tax receipts, and flagged ongoing issues with sewer receivables and two audit findings in the liquid fuels fund.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves $30,000 budget modification for fire hoses and several equipment and service purchases

Council approves applications for park grants and splash pad rehabilitation at John O'Grady Park

West Chester council approves resolution to seek $500,000 DCED flood mitigation grant for storm sewer relining

West Chester Chamber asks council for $20 special-event garage fee or budgeted sponsorship to sustain annual Christmas parade

West Chester reports $3.0 million general fund net income; warns on sewer receivables and audit findings