[{"_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",6167417,"mediaKeyId","5411249-15fd083bd5e4bb51f44ed66b6e658f22","parentId",5411249,"title","Goose Creek study planned; rain-garden project and $73,250 in change orders trigger procurement review","audioSeconds",3955,"startMs",4722000,"endMs",8677000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5411249-15fd083bd5e4bb51f44ed66b6e658f22&start=4722&end=8677","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5411249-15fd083bd5e4bb51f44ed66b6e658f22/thumbnail_4722000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6167417/West-Chester/Chester-County/Pennsylvania/Goose-Creek-study-planned-rain-garden-project-and-73250-in-change-orders-trigger-procurement-review","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167417-51600811b57c1a0e5e7d097f22bb6c32/orig.mp4?Expires=1775193946&Signature=IEYUkb8NW2uHkCy56KU79SxgtretSCoGGHmQeOnqP31Cmy0pQDSZMa-FqfU4Q1HeQfzvJL90V2DPwOKUbDZP~9Lv4RfRIDet74GPYTRJzMGS2E7F7ZSUHCt0--BTfCVifc-kpp-jiK8zlF4RtpNzUHpn2agps4P6iG6NvUoztkm-f7WnkfDhG35nII37XBhY~aAj-uCUZV3f5rPtbVco6MipTemRCT290pZby-Ae8lL~TKKC2oEmRA4lK4DjpzcEI8xj2n5cZ6HUw6rMP~eQQ~jHga-xlW-EQ9NLP44Ld3qBcP0Pw2NGV6nfMKqJ6gQXioWpfYgtsqHfQOJ~FHUqPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Borough of West Chester, PA","date","2025-07-17T12:19:00.177Z","article","The public works committee advanced two related items on July 15: (1) a recommendation to contract Remington Verwick for a Goose Creek flood study (committee vote 3–0) and to hold a public open house on Aug. 5, 2025 to present a proposed pollution-reduction plan; and (2) lengthy council debate over a completed rain-garden and stormwater project at the Public Works facility and Matlack Street, where change orders increased the final construction total well above the original contract and raised questions about planning, engineering and purchasing oversight.

Study and open-house: The proposed Goose Creek study covers the channel from Route 202 upstream toward the borough’s Public Works site and was described at the meeting as covering multiple municipal jurisdictions. The committee recommended a $38,500 contract to Remington Verwick and scheduled a public open house for Aug. 5, 2025 at Borough Hall (the time was adjusted in the meeting record to 5:00 p.m.). Council asked staff to contact neighboring municipalities (West Goshen and others named in the discussion) about possible cost-sharing because the watershed traverses multiple townships.

Rain-garden project and change orders: Council spent significant time on final certification of payment for a grant-funded Matlack Street / Goose Creek green infrastructure project. According to staff statements presented at the meeting, the original construction purchase order or contract (recorded in discussion as about $246,000) was increased by a series of change orders that together total approximately $73,250 — about 27–30% above the original contract — bringing the construction total to roughly $320,000. Staff said two grants together cover approximately $318,500 of construction cost; if reimbursements are approved the borough’s net construction out-of-pocket would be small (staff estimated roughly $1,500), but engineering and related project costs paid outside of construction remain and were discussed separately.

Finance Director Barb (present) said she halted ACH payment on the final certification after finding the cumulative change orders would push the project above the borough’s 10% purchasing threshold; she told council she flagged the invoices for review and that the payment will not be approved without council direction. The meeting record contains multiple council members’ criticisms of the planning and design process: planners and engineers were urged to attend committee meetings and to perform appropriate geotechnical or core sampling before construction where subsurface uncertainty exists. Several council members also recommended pushing the award back to committee, seeking participation or reimbursement from downstream municipalities, and expanding bidding/competition for future phases. One councilor suggested that the engineer (Pennoni) be reviewed for whether soil sampling or additional site inspection should have been included in the design scope.

Council did not approve final payment at the meeting and moved the item to the discussion agenda for the next meeting. Staff and council directed follow-up actions: reach out to neighboring municipalities about shared responsibility for the watershed study, consider reopening bidding or getting additional proposals for the flood study, and ensure project engineers and project managers attend future public works committee meetings to provide more prompt updates.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Borough Council Worksession - July 15, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The public works committee recommended a $38,500 Goose Creek flood study and scheduled an Aug. 5 public open house; a separate rain-garden/stormwater project drew scrutiny after roughly $73,250 in change orders pushed construction about 27–30% above the original contract, triggering a purchasing-policy review.","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},6167422,"Council committee recommends $20 all-day town-center event parking fee; businesses, churches ask for more notice",845,3709000,4554000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5411249-15fd083bd5e4bb51f44ed66b6e658f22&start=3709&end=4554","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5411249-15fd083bd5e4bb51f44ed66b6e658f22/thumbnail_3709000.jpg","/articles/6167422/West-Chester/Chester-County/Pennsylvania/Council-committee-recommends-20-all-day-town-center-event-parking-fee-businesses-churches-ask-for-more-notice","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167422-7a131451e426586b48455d5103cc215a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775193946&Signature=Io~6X8A1h7tQP0AY33eesiBDahMIYoXIMM6rv-rYo0zN-K2bj0-FQzk2KVM4w5xVrhvh1BF4BgmqQn8KJOxuN9lsbN1suOxeJmYhFs45rU3SA4EVVHE4B0wNzNPuL~q7kejtr82rK14Bp-3qP0ScaITwB8Pe7TRDBiM10IkU288z1gsbIpkksjw1n6TJOS1x15eNAwT43qeBbptQIqHx~PoGA0VQcXLVB6gq6LpGuLEQDlBEbtD1FAYok4NrsSdWgfFzNpl5gIT98OBdxSgC0F~yi8S2Mo19akyyMotvW5~2uCYVFJe1fuLIy2naO73mJglfdBjxJG6~hksb3OYXdQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The borough’s parking committee recommended instituting a $20 all-day parking fee for special events in the town center, a policy intended to standardize visitor parking during heavily attended events. The proposed schedule starts at 8 a.m. on event days and runs until the event ends; the policy would not apply to the weekly open air market, and vendors would receive one free parking pass. Monthly garage account holders may park during their regular paid hours with no additional fee but would be charged if they park outside that window.

The committee framed the fee as a response to full garages for large events and inconsistent visitor behavior that reduced revenue capture under the prior system. \"This does not include the open air market, which is not considered a standard special event and is exempt from this requirement because that is...every weekend,\" the committee summarized. The draft policy also specifies that revenue from special-event parking be retained by the borough’s parking services department and not shared (with the earlier practice of sharing revenue with partners called out in the meeting).

Several councilors and business representatives raised concerns about the effect of an all-day fee on employees who work at downtown restaurants and shops and may not have monthly garage passes. Christopher Curtin, a business representative who attended committee meetings and emailed council, expressed concern about workers who do not work standard hours. Council members asked staff to check with business owners and the BID — and asked for better advance notice for churches (the committee initially proposed two weeks; one councilor requested at least a month). Some council members urged proceeding while making clear that the policy can be amended after implementation; another council member asked that the item be put on the discussion agenda for the next meeting. The committee’s recommendation carried as a 3–0 committee vote and will be further discussed at the next council meeting.","Parking committee proposed a $20 all-day fee for town-center special events, beginning at 8 a.m., with vendors and monthly parkers exempted; council members and business representatives asked for more outreach and to examine worker impacts, and the item was moved to discussion for the next meeting.",{"_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},6167427,"Council interviews multiple candidates for planning and transportation advisory panels",2635,989000,3624000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5411249-15fd083bd5e4bb51f44ed66b6e658f22&start=989&end=3624","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5411249-15fd083bd5e4bb51f44ed66b6e658f22/thumbnail_989000.jpg","/articles/6167427/West-Chester/Chester-County/Pennsylvania/Council-interviews-multiple-candidates-for-planning-and-transportation-advisory-panels","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167427-5765abe43de2b752c2356fb7089b88a3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775193946&Signature=gwKta27QipBA8LHzzvC5WJmGvgqeybnIKWNa1j-oqKZdWYhMOZIy6bYQMgvD9P~2Thq9McGAeH3kKR4sxrCOqfjJo0HYfOlh2wR2GhjFtKE9CqznrXu0-n5aSZGi7FsMsDfFz~PZtWQd8gUV9QZvGYJ6fEG9uwZM0vi3eAn9LgxJlIyQbLMLfHSL-812~RT3kaP9uqjgUjMEMZgOPtQiP7f9CEHPDK3s3SCxcEA~ttwia7GFNYSd~6rYZVDXkOk6qz-Izs0oUsKdiys8x~dxxhGvkIVKPG9O0Y32FL~6yIGsoRPyvtTWFpyHVCnXgHyBD5MGaF~UnM8juNxV1AQTtw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Westchester Borough Council conducted interviews on July 15 with several candidates seeking appointments to the planning commission and the transportation advisory committee. Applicants who spoke included Quentin Burrell, a recent Temple University graduate in community development; Brandon Emmig, an architecturally trained heavy-civil contractor; Janine Ramagana Howder (identified in the record as Janine Halder), a construction estimator with 30 years' experience; and Dr. Thomas Jagas, a civil-engineering graduate and residential contractor.

Candidates outlined relevant experience and priorities. Quentin Burrell emphasized local planning, parks, and housing and said, \"I really developed interests mainly in...community planning, especially after interning for the county planning commission last summer.\" Brandon Emmig focused on regional connectivity and transit access, discussing rail, trail, and electric-vehicle charging sites and telling council that ADA access and trail connections should be priorities. Janine Halder highlighted construction estimating, blueprint reading and cost analysis, saying she could support review of project impacts such as noise, HVAC placement, and pedestrian circulation. Dr. Jagas pointed to preservation of the borough’s character, his civil-engineering background and recent work restoring a neglected home in town.

Councilors pressed candidates on specific technical skills — AutoCAD and GIS experience came up repeatedly — and on how applicants would prepare to be effective quickly if appointed. Several council members encouraged candidates to consider alternate commissions when appropriate; multiple applicants said they would accept either the planning commission or the transportation advisory committee if asked. The council did not make appointments at the meeting and said it would consider and likely act on the candidates at the next council meeting.","Council held extended interviews with candidates for the planning commission and transportation advisory committee, hearing from college graduates, engineers, builders and residents about affordable housing, connectivity, accessibility and construction expertise; appointments were deferred to the next meeting.",{"_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},6167432,"Westchester reports $5.1M general fund balance, readies public for budget talks",872,63000,935000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5411249-15fd083bd5e4bb51f44ed66b6e658f22&start=63&end=935","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5411249-15fd083bd5e4bb51f44ed66b6e658f22/thumbnail_63000.jpg","/articles/6167432/West-Chester/Chester-County/Pennsylvania/Westchester-reports-51M-general-fund-balance-readies-public-for-budget-talks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167432-f4b618bc12860805ced35a6aad0ffafa/orig.mp4?Expires=1775193947&Signature=XYApX2w~FVTKBXsgcEqCpN2vPQ2aesMa79Aqk1fCc9qQDk~EGqnV5mo34CAMka1Gf08MSkIa8h0uM2LfdDRay2xTOBlUhXlbsVXRMm5wzAnFhISPPOuetC7UxD8FrIaLO84DiVpJzfEtWMLoN8HUU2xFw2s6qKpRMvBskCA1GmtSHP8el8Hdh2Vgm6vRt-CCoADkx4C-bZvQTd5baKH-VkymvhKE0WzFjNfzb-QDZsjOKzQtuQpK9g11RyTGG5KyuA2UGCPqqDiTinzqjCjaZP7FsL5R1oa87GSQLVNr5VNVrcz0E2-pLmqUl-Y2qqbiCZAL73gaQvpkdCMTKnAFgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Borough Manager Sean Metrick reported at the July 15 Westchester Borough Council meeting that the borough ended 2024 with a general fund balance of $5,100,000, equivalent to more than two months of operating expenditures, and previewed the schedule for the 2026 budget process. \"And it is the season where we start thinking about the budget,\" Metrick said, adding that department heads will present operational and capital goals at September committee meetings and the borough will work through details in October. The council must adopt a preliminary budget and schedule a public hearing before the November meeting, when adoption or continuation to December is possible.

The manager framed three budget objectives for the coming year: improving customer service, increasing maintenance of parks and open spaces, and expanding training for administrative and public works staff. He told council the borough’s recent financial performance reflects four straight years of positive outcomes in the general fund and gains in the parking and wastewater funds. \"We are at a moment where we've established practices and we have a track record now that says we are managing our finances responsibly,\" Metrick said.

Metrick noted the borough’s operating scale — roughly a $22,000,000 general fund budget and moving about $1,820,000 a month — to explain why liquidity is important and why stable reserves matter. He also described a capital operating reserve funded decades ago by proceeds from the sale of the water system (to Aqua Pennsylvania, circa 1990) and said that reserve has grown since 2020 because the borough has avoided frequent draws and benefited from higher interest rates on short-term investments.

Council members asked how many months of expenditures the reserve covers; Metrick replied the 2024 balance exceeds the two-month minimum commonly used as a municipal financial-health benchmark. He also said the borough no longer takes short-term \"swing\" loans to cover early-year payroll as it had in the past. Several council members praised the finance team for the turnaround and the clarity the audited, accrual-basis statements provide.

The manager emphasized that the September committee meetings will be the first public opportunity to hear department-level project narratives and to question staffing and capital needs; he said definitive numbers generally arrive in October. The council directed staff to proceed with the published calendar and prepare the preliminary budget presentation for the September business meeting.","Borough Manager Sean Metrick told council the 2024 audit shows a $5.1 million general fund balance and outlined a budget schedule that begins with department presentations in September and detailed work in October; he highlighted customer service, parks maintenance and staff training as priorities.",{"_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},6167412,"Council schedules hearing on proposed retail ban of cats, dogs and rabbits; advocates cite puppy-mill pipeline",622,5400000,6022000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5411249-15fd083bd5e4bb51f44ed66b6e658f22&start=5400&end=6022","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5411249-15fd083bd5e4bb51f44ed66b6e658f22/thumbnail_5400000.jpg","/articles/6167412/West-Chester/Chester-County/Pennsylvania/Council-schedules-hearing-on-proposed-retail-ban-of-cats-dogs-and-rabbits-advocates-cite-puppy-mill-pipeline","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167412-f6b8f8810e4b533096594f8aa9d90662/orig.mp4?Expires=1775193946&Signature=GVatoGOSxMRhxz-TJJ4w477nuL0ecS67tM7C1V47k4BLNViAqsGbAjREhiHX-9NsCbdZy8OYfRuuaRVEn2ed5Qo1SHR0mazKrxSsMjm3PT8dFqZFiY9otIuCahadEj0E2gStN6ifG5mQJ1mIlEegWhsEwEBjDcdVLC-G7lGcahy-T5Z1WWSCzZ0yOCw6QvZMilN9W1SHdS1-VxofshU6TzOjW7Hj6L--1qAYO1AyDf-q9E2-8sWi-ra8xcUTGpwPnm~jpPucRY9fFpoAo0qJb94NKrZ7u1i2SEKAcbOCiGymm5CbSu8lenn2SBfe8XY2aQ-ZgjQ0VEdHzqMM1eZopg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The council moved to schedule a public hearing on Aug. 20, 2025 to consider an amendment to chapter 37 that would prohibit retail stores from selling cats, dogs and rabbits in the borough. The public safety committee recommended the hearing by a 3–0 vote.

Ariel Lefkowitz, a public policy specialist with the Stop Puppy Mills campaign at Humane World for Animals, addressed council during the meeting and described the intent of the ordinance: to block the pipeline that funnels animals from large-scale breeders into retail outlets. \"The ordinance is preventative,\" Lefkowitz said, explaining that many breed clubs and responsible breeders do not sell through third parties and that rescues and shelters would still be able to showcase animals in stores as long as the actual transaction — adoption or sale — occurs at the rescue or breeder’s licensed location.

Council members asked whether licensed breeders could legally transact on-site if a pet store sought to sell animals. Staff and the advocate said the ordinance is commonly written so that breeders may transfer animals from the premises where they were bred and raised, but a third-party retail sale would be prohibited; rescues would still be able to host adoption events but would complete placement paperwork at their licensed shelter. Councilors requested legal guidance from the solicitor about any free-enterprise or constitutional concerns and noted that a number of Pennsylvania municipalities already have similar ordinances — Ariel Lefkowitz cited 13 localities including Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Allentown and Doylestown that have passed comparable measures. The council placed the item on the discussion agenda to receive solicitor input at the next meeting.","Council voted to schedule a public hearing Aug. 20 on an ordinance amending chapter 37 to prohibit retail sale of cats, dogs and rabbits; an animal-welfare advocate said the measure prevents third-party sales that can hide puppy-mill conditions, while councilors sought solicitor guidance on free-enterprise impacts.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Goose Creek study planned; rain-garden project and $73,250 in change orders trigger procurement review

Council committee recommends $20 all-day town-center event parking fee; businesses, churches ask for more notice

Council interviews multiple candidates for planning and transportation advisory panels

Westchester reports $5.1M general fund balance, readies public for budget talks

Council schedules hearing on proposed retail ban of cats, dogs and rabbits; advocates cite puppy-mill pipeline