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West Whiteland PSC outlines 2026 priorities, cites $1.5M trail grant application and sewer concerns
Summary
The Public Services Commission presented a topics chart for 2026, reported a $1.5 million grant application to connect the Chester Valley Trail through township parkland, noted sewer clogging from rags at the Downingtown treatment plant, and scheduled an HOA Open House in March.
At its Jan. 7 meeting the West Whiteland Township Public Services Commission reviewed a chart of recurring topics and proposed priorities for 2026, including parks planning, stormwater, trail connections, and sustainability initiatives.
Chair-nominee Brian Dakin presented a topics chart covering PSC work since 2022 and identified items for continued review in 2026 such as park activity planning, stormwater management, the bike/pedestrian plan, township communications, traffic impacts, trash/recycling/sewer, and sustainability/renewable energy.
Township Manager Pam Gural-Bear told commissioners the township has applied for a $1.5 million grant to connect the Chester Valley Trail from Uwchlan through the park. During public comment, resident Theodore Speedy asked about the Chester Valley Trail timeline and the Whitford Road bridge work; Gural-Bear said the Chester Valley Trail is a County project scheduled to run through April or May and she will check with the County to confirm whether it is on schedule.
Gural-Bear also reported that the owner/developer of the Joseph Price House has appeared before the Historical Commission and “indicated that at this time, he plans to use the home as offices for his business.”
Brian Dunn reported the PSC would benefit from proactive outreach about sewer maintenance after a tour of the Downingtown Area Regional Authority treatment plant showed “numerous rags are being flushed into the sewer system,” which clog pumps and create costly repairs; Dunn recommended photographing the evidence and including it in outreach to HOAs and residents.
Other proposed 2026 items included an HOA Open House scheduled for March (which will include a National Fire Protection Association sprinkler-service demonstration and information about trash/recycling and the Comprehensive Plan), a possible presentation from renewable energy consultant Wyatt Williams, a meeting with the Exton Chamber of Commerce (which plans to rent three offices in the township building), inviting volunteer firefighters to brief the commission on emergency roles, and a park tour to inspect the new disc golf course and signage. Friends of the Parks was noted as having contributed $15,000 to township projects.
Next steps noted in the meeting record: staff will confirm county trail schedules and follow up on sewer outreach; the HOA Open House will be held in March and will be used as an opportunity for multiple informational demonstrations and resident education.
