Tree‑planting plan and wastewater cost overruns top Board of Supervisors report to Westtown planners

During the March 4 meeting, commissioners summarized highlights from the Board of Supervisors workshop and regular meeting that are relevant to planning and public works.

The Environmental Advisory Council proposed planting roughly 250 bare‑root saplings — some to be distributed to residents — and suggested offering a tree‑care seminar. Public works staff (Mark Gross was named) expressed concerns about watering, long‑term maintenance, mowing impacts and the potential effect on stormwater‑credit accounting if trees are planted along stream corridors. Commissioners said supervisors and EAC representatives agreed to meet to resolve siting and maintenance approaches.

On infrastructure, commissioners reported a large cost overrun tied to the Pleasant Grove force‑main reconstruction. Staff described two unanticipated expense categories: pavement repair after horizontal directional‑drilling operations damaged surfacing and additional test pits after utility‑location errors. The transcript cites an overage figure of about $333,000 for one category and another midpoint figure of roughly $157,000 for related downtime and additional work; the board decided to pay the additional costs rather than pursue contract litigation, noting the project total rose from about $1.66 million to approximately $1.8 million.

Commissioners said the force‑main outcome and the tree‑planting questions will both require continued coordination between public works, the EAC and the Board of Supervisors.