Whitpain supervisors adopt airport overlay ordinance, approve community center contracts and pursue "Bird Town" designation

The Whitpain Township Board of Supervisors on May 20 enacted Ordinance No. 4-268 to update the township’s Airport Overlay District and approved a slate of contracts, grant documentation and procurement steps for township projects.

The ordinance, presented by Solicitor Gregory R. Heleniak and described as an amendment to Chapter 160 (Zoning) to implement height restrictions, permitting and enforcement measures under Title 74, Chapter 59, Subchapter B of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, passed unanimously after Chair Scott M. Badami moved for enactment and Vice Chair Kimberly J. Klauder seconded the motion. No members of the public offered comment during the hearing.

The board approved a consent agenda including the April voucher list totaling $1,371,549.33 and Resolution No. 1623, which confirms the township has the required matching funds for a $1.7 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant to support the planned Community Center.

On project contracts, the board awarded the Community Center fire protection construction contract to Anchor Fire Protection, Inc. (low bid $200,000) and approved a plumbing contract to Hirschberg Mechanical, LLC ($227,100). The board unanimously tabled the larger Community Center mechanical contract to allow final review; that mechanical award (low bid $908,200) is expected to return for consideration at a future meeting.

The township also approved the purchase of two Harley-Davidson police motorcycles from Hannum's West Chester Harley-Davidson for $49,750 after a direct-quote process. According to Township Manager Eric Traub, one existing motorcycle will be traded in and another retained for training; upfitting costs were estimated at about $1,000–$2,000.

Other approvals included authorization to advertise bids for the 2026 paving markings and line-striping contract (staff estimated costs would exceed the state threshold and anticipated the contract value to be over $30,000), authorization for the Township Manager to work with Centre Square Fire Company to arrange sale of the existing Engine 33 with proceeds to the fire capital fund, and a PennDOT video-sharing license that will give the Police Department access to SR202 traffic cameras for traffic observation (not enforcement).

The board also passed Resolution No. 1624 supporting Whitpain’s application to be recognized as a "Bird Town" by the Pennsylvania Audubon Council; Parks & Open Space volunteers and township staff will prepare the application and annual reporting. Resident Susan Mudambi, a member of the Bird Town committee, thanked the supervisors for advancing the initiative.

Votes at a glance: - Ordinance No. 4-268 (Airport Overlay District): motion by Chair Badami, second Vice Chair Klauder; outcome: approved unanimously (5–0). - Consent Agenda (including vouchers $1,371,549.33; RACP resolution No. 1623): approved unanimously (5–0). - Community Center Fire Protection (Anchor Fire Protection, Inc.): approved unanimously (5–0). - Community Center Mechanical (Hirschberg Mechanical, LLC, $908,200): tabled unanimously (5–0). - Community Center Plumbing (Hirschberg Mechanical, LLC, $227,100): approved unanimously (5–0). - Police motorcycles (Hannum's West Chester Harley-Davidson, $49,750): approved unanimously (5–0). - Advertise 2026 paving/striping bids: approved unanimously (5–0). - Authorize sale of Engine 33 (Centre Square Fire Company coordination): approved unanimously (5–0). - PennDOT video-sharing license (SR202 cameras): approved unanimously (5–0). - Resolution No. 1624 (Bird Town): approved unanimously (5–0).

The board did not take action on a list of Zoning Hearing Board cases scheduled for May 21. Several procedural and administrative items noted in the meeting packet — including grant match confirmation and contract documentation — were presented as routine and approved without board comment.

What happens next: the mechanical contract for the Community Center is expected back for board consideration at a future meeting; staff will advertise paving bids and coordinate the Engine 33 sale with the volunteer fire company. The board adjourned at 6:50 p.m.