Committee approves 15‑year SEPTA lease and sublease to Westchester Railroad

At the Administration Communication Technology Committee meeting Tuesday, members approved a new lease between SEPTA and Westchester Borough and a related sublease allowing Westchester Railroad to operate the borough’s tourist train.

The chair introduced the item as a motion to approve a lease between SEPTA and Westchester Borough that sets up a new 15‑year arrangement and corrects logistical details changed since the prior lease. According to committee remarks, the solicitor reviewed the lease and the borough also reviewed a sublease to Westchester Railroad to operate the tourist string.

Derek Sleeper of Westchester Railroad spoke in support of the agreement and thanked borough staff for assistance. "Everything in both of the sublease and the lease with SEPTA, we're happy with," Sleeper said. He added that the railroad has "lots of things on our docket that we're gonna be doing in the next couple of years, as far as track and maintenance work," and said the company looks forward to the opportunity to do that.

Committee members recorded the motion as a 2‑0 decision. No further conditions or amendments were recorded in the transcript.

A separate motion to approve the sublease between Westchester Borough and Westchester Railroad was also moved and recorded during the same portion of the meeting; the transcript indicates the committee considered both agreements in succession and reached the same recorded outcome.

The committee did not provide further details about financial terms, specific lease locations, or additional conditions within the meeting record.