West Chester historical commission seeks borough funding, liability for Lafayette Memorial parade; council asks for scaled plan

Tom Walsh, chair of the Historical Commission, told the West Chester Borough Council on May 21 that the commission is planning events for a Lafayette Memorial commemoration on July 26 and requested conditional approval so planning could continue.

The request included a parade that would begin at the historic courthouse steps, use road closures on High Street and end at Marshall Square Park. "We're looking at approximately $7,000," said Keith Karoski, director of Parks and Recreation, summarizing the borough's estimated costs for police overtime, public-works staffing and parking support.

The commission asked the borough to assume both the liability and the cost for the event. Council members pressed for more modest, lower-cost options and for clarity on where event funding would come from. Barb, the borough finance director, said that the boards-and-commissions line item had about $9,500 remaining through April 30 and that the total 2025 allocation for boards and commissions had been $10,000; she emphasized the money is distributed across multiple commissions, not available as a single lump sum for one event.

Historical Commission Chair Tom Walsh said the commission could modify the plans to reduce cost and police needs, proposing smaller indoor and outdoor events and a shorter parade route. Council members agreed to discuss the request further under other business rather than approve borough liability or payment that night.

No formal motion to appropriate funds or to accept liability was voted on. Council directed the historical commission to work with Parks and Recreation and the police department on a reduced-cost plan and said the item would return for formal consideration under other business or at a later meeting.

Community organizers and commission members said they will pursue lower-cost options such as a walking event with no police road closures or a short rolling block limited to one block to reduce expense. The commission also reported it is exploring sponsorships and is seeking to keep total outlays in the $2,000–$3,000 range if possible.

The council did not adopt any appropriation or commit to covering insurance or indemnity for the event at the May 21 meeting. The Historical Commission said it will return with a revised proposal and coordinate directly with borough staff on logistics and costs.