Committee approves Pride‑month colored lights, reviews six special‑event applications

The committee approved a motion to permit installation of colored lights on Gay Street in recognition of Pride Month and reviewed six special‑event pre‑applications that require coordination with police, public works and parks staff.

Michael Hartman told the committee the Chester County Equality Alliance will help fund the lights and volunteers will install and remove the display. Chair Brian Travis put the motion forward and there were no objections.

Parks & Recreation Director Keith Kowski presented six special‑event items: a potential Clydesdale parade (last run two years ago, estimated police‑overtime costs around $5,200 under the borough's pricing policy), a World Cup watch party (to be gated with a limited attendance area and paid officer support), an annual rooftop fundraiser, the F4 Chili Cookoff, Unite for Her (a downtown festival format that has attracted roughly 2,000 participants in prior years and will require downtown closures and special event fees), and the Jingle Run 5K.

Kowski said organizers will cover services rendered (police, public works, parking management) and that event details remain conditional on firm organizer commitments and weather for outdoor events. Committee members asked clarifying questions about gating, expected officer minimums for the watch party, event setup and cleanup windows, and revenue/fee expectations for downtown events that close the business district.