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Residents urge township to preserve 905 Westtown Road after recurring floods; Aqua reservoir drawdown pushed to September pending engineering review
Summary
A community representative asked West Goshen to explore acquisition or conservation for 905 Westtown Road, citing repeated flooding and streambank erosion; staff said Aqua will likely delay an initial reservoir drawdown until Sept. 1 pending engineer confirmation to meet a PADP permit deadline of Oct. 1.
A resident representative speaking on behalf of a community group called attention to recurring flooding and streambank erosion near 905 Westtown Road and along Foresight Run, urging the West Goshen Township Board to consider acquisition, conservation or preservation if the property becomes available.
"Given the existing conditions, it is clear that this location is unsuitable for development," the commenter told the board and provided a video taken upstream from 905 Westtown Road as supporting evidence. The speaker said channel destabilization, bank erosion and faster stormwater flows — worsened by increased impervious surfaces from development — are creating public‑safety and infrastructure concerns.
Board members asked follow‑up questions about the video location and whether the speaker had secured partnerships for acquisition. The speaker said the group is pursuing 501(c)(3) status and seeking partners, private donors, conservation groups and county or state funding to share acquisition costs.
Separately, staff gave an update on Aqua Reservoir: Aqua has requested more time to resolve legal issues with Westchester Borough over a right‑of‑first‑refusal for the reservoir property and to ensure professional representatives will be available for a planned joint meeting. Staff said they asked Aqua to delay an initial 8–10 foot drawdown and that Aqua indicated, pending engineer confirmation, the drawdown could begin September 1 instead of July with a requirement to complete dewatering by Oct. 1 to comply with a PADP permit.
Staff also noted a potential conflict-of‑interest issue: the township solicitor also represents Westchester Borough on related matters; if the borough decides to exercise its right of first refusal, the township would need to appoint conflict counsel for further work on potential acquisition.
What's next: staff will follow up on the video's location details, monitor Aqua’s engineering confirmation on the drawdown schedule and report back to the board. The public commenter said the group will continue seeking partners and funding for conservation options.
