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Council tables household hazardous-waste program extension; discusses sidewalk–street-tree conflicts and new arborist RFP
Summary
Council tabled a motion on a Chester County Solid Waste Authority household hazardous-waste program because members wanted more information; staff said the borough's share is under $7,000. Council also discussed recurring conflicts between street trees and brick sidewalks, slow arborist response times and an issued RFP for a new arborist.
West Chester Borough Council tabled a motion to approve participation in the 2025 household hazardous-waste program with the Chester County Solid Waste Authority after members said they needed more information; staff later reported the borough—s share is estimated under $7,000 and that the program provides collection events for residents and neighboring townships.
Dana, a borough staff member, said the county program allows residents to bring items such as gasoline, motor oil, pesticides and spray cans to designated events; latex paint can be disposed of at home if dried first. "We—re participating," Dana said of the county program, adding that the borough would inform residents of event locations and that electronics and e-waste are accepted separately at borough public works.
Council agreed to table an initial motion because details were not included on the agenda; at a later point staff clarified the program is recurring, the borough typically contributes an estimated portion share based on census data and the borough—s exposure is under $7,000. Council recorded a 3-0 procedural result to table the motion earlier and later indicated consent to extend the program with new terms.
Sidewalk–tree conflicts: Council members also discussed recurring problems where large street trees lift brick sidewalks, creating trip hazards. Staff and council said the current sequence of notice, arborist evaluation and code enforcement can take months; council asked for faster, clearer resolution for residents. Staff said they had issued an RFP for a new arborist and expected proposals by the end of the month. A resident, Lisa Kearns, spoke about losing a mature neighborhood tree when roots precluded repair options.
Staff emphasized case-by-case solutions: trimming, sidewalk mounding or targeted removal where ADA access or safety is compromised. The borough confirmed that, when trees are removed for safety, the borough shares partial removal costs under existing programs but that residents sometimes prefer removing mature trees rather than recurrent repairs.
