[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",5981317,"mediaKeyId","5854248-a3d2154a80be8cfeec9bcf7100a4041d","parentId",5854248,"title","Council schedules Oct. 15 hearings on Comcast franchise review and community campus roles","audioSeconds",111,"startMs",2199000,"endMs",2310000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5854248-a3d2154a80be8cfeec9bcf7100a4041d&start=2199&end=2310","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5854248-a3d2154a80be8cfeec9bcf7100a4041d/thumbnail_2199000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5981317/West-Chester/Chester-County/Pennsylvania/Council-schedules-Oct-15-hearings-on-Comcast-franchise-review-and-community-campus-roles","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5981317-7917eb435197267d5c2295a645622528/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142459&Signature=RWNwoZBdInFI9foWkzOBO0bcTI47h8D0aFZOs-O8PqCrWGZO7LtB7Dt8k8~-EsXMoi79esiP9VNWaTpfvetzdSe-ywNQoAnLdXYU~o5FH55xrIsq9QJiQ0DS1kHbvwZzbHvjAHdADj~ort1kp0I-ZEumZIzxUVf8EwA77Pex9NStc4adSu~3BCT1jJY3PoVQeAUh-CdR9D9E~ZQuIgLZpj~7rqM48xnrJdPWNwLHlPSYbi9DHLoLvVKPyJpCT-R73zJmZqpH-TVociPNlkBi2iw~7IVlilAKveE5WYIoC5Ce5hfdHDD586aiCsHWMaUVMhmHvl76bSN4cg05WJagSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Borough of West Chester, PA","date","2025-09-17T00:11:35Z","article","The Communications and Technology Committee asked the council on Sept. 16 to schedule two public hearings on Oct. 15 at 6:30 p.m.: one to review Comcast's past performance under its current franchise agreement and a second to consider amendments to regulations (subsection 3‑38.t) to expand roles and responsibilities of the Community Campus Committee.

The committee reported a 2‑0 recommendation (one member absent) to schedule the hearings. A council member indicated an intent to recuse from the Comcast hearing for reasons not stated on the record. The hearings were placed on the calendar so the council and the public can review franchise performance and consider the proposed committee role changes at a formal public hearing.

No public comment was offered on the items during the meeting. The Oct. 15 hearings will be the formal venue for public testimony and any possible ordinance changes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Borough Council Worksession - September 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council voted to schedule two public hearings for Oct. 15: a review of Comcast's performance under its franchise agreement and proposed amendments to expand the membership roles of the Community Campus Committee.","taxTitle","West Chester, Chester County, Pennsylvania","taxId",71483,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5981320,"Council approves intergovernmental road‑maintenance agreement, vehicle sales and several purchase requests",138,2330000,2468000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5854248-a3d2154a80be8cfeec9bcf7100a4041d&start=2330&end=2468","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5854248-a3d2154a80be8cfeec9bcf7100a4041d/thumbnail_2330000.jpg","/articles/5981320/West-Chester/Chester-County/Pennsylvania/Council-approves-intergovernmental-roadmaintenance-agreement-vehicle-sales-and-several-purchase-requests","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5981320-88be1e0df0c726cf439aaafefe1fa483/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142459&Signature=afiYCySL4SSvM9FNbDw6IYSTRSjcM4iEmMmuW~9GTFxtJoo68CwzPqYXOWnU3ef5k-i0CNYAmF-dJ2DB1vAIRNL7T8YCtbkpzCYkVMt52qRVc3dHnBBbizNl87qI3db4ab2DfDuu10dfFft3TZNYcJh7nxxAVk2Mahzsnp3bs6dH0wQx4oHLfnv0o-j7~1aslbHiFhzG2fpqqE0-iPH2tpaNuoJO6R6jel9gwkz4zMBkLp12-arHqyqmoZJ1kiccwhfAeBF8oAfEo-yekeLmxv-keO0YK1Z2QUMwd2mSjgkp~Fb-9Cm5qF~fsBn~crrGwAuPv3qOeplxvk0ad8gE9A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The council approved a three‑party slate of public‑works items on Sept. 16, including an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with West Goshen Township to coordinate maintenance where borough and township roads meet, the sale of four decommissioned police vehicles via a mini‑sibid, and several purchase requests for operational items.

Public‑works representatives said the IGA addresses maintenance where borough and West Goshen roads abut; the committee recommended the agreement 3‑0 and the council approved it without further amendment. The council also approved placing four decommissioned police vehicles up for sale on a mini‑sibid as recommended 3‑0.

Staff presented multiple purchase requests the council approved, including a 2026 municipal billing software contract (~$15,816.76), a license‑plate reader system (Plate Logic, ~$11,200) for garage enforcement, chemical purchases for wastewater treatment (Univar soda ash; USALCO phosphorus removal) and an EV‑charger installation at Chestnut Garage by William S. Milani and Sons. A council member confirmed the EV work adds one more charging station at Chestnut Garage. The public‑works committee reported these procurement items and recommended them for approval.

Council members did not request further study on these items; the approvals were included in the consent agenda.","The council authorized an intergovernmental agreement with West Goshen Township for road maintenance, approved the sale of four decommissioned police vehicles, and approved a set of purchase requests including municipal billing software, license‑plate readers and an EV charger installation.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5981323,"Council allows fundraising signs under existing temporary‑sign rules and appoints Aaron Flook as zoning officer",166,2800000,2966000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5854248-a3d2154a80be8cfeec9bcf7100a4041d&start=2800&end=2966","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5854248-a3d2154a80be8cfeec9bcf7100a4041d/thumbnail_2800000.jpg","/articles/5981323/West-Chester/Chester-County/Pennsylvania/Council-allows-fundraising-signs-under-existing-temporarysign-rules-and-appoints-Aaron-Flook-as-zoning-officer","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5981323-9ff6d1506669195f17b0e409b862793e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142459&Signature=euKPCFsLNYsWXRk-dSIqED~1uBoMgpq-LN-exR~M~tvlv~KNWWgeQfKgL6cftbbapy1sDeckJNLTEJfJ7qDSuW4ZTlm0hbIVy1QyYGXJZrGbzaqjYgDyNTxv-tX4uGvSBZLO7cnLD9JB0fJFtmpW50dCTEaBW~ZFyaDuGmE8E7ZxDei4L9mpfdOi1PQVXsi3FsCmERjMZR7jsnhhhG7OhTU-6P6aSBfncMhbAAN858WyVX6AvSp9-cidonA1Mwu6E3pXMv4d7OVZMpIHy6mwE5q-DsScrSjH0RcQIbUwaGbVnxebHB2oYKZv0SxNg8bJYMk35IovPJwtmOhgau1dGA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Westchester Borough Council approved a request from Good Fellowship to permit temporary fundraising signs on borough property and moved to appoint Aaron Flook as the borough's zoning officer during the Sept. 16 meeting.

Council members expressed support for the fundraising efforts — noting local ambulance and EMS fund drives — and also relayed constituent concern about excess signage and the need to remove signs promptly. Aaron Flook, director of building and housing, explained the borough's ordinance allows temporary signs for a maximum of 60 days in a calendar year at a given location. \"Temporary signs are a non permit. For a maximum of 60 days out of a calendar year,\" Flook said, and clarified that moving the same sign to a different park counts as a different sign and restarts the 60‑day period for that location.

Council members said appointing Flook as zoning officer would bring in‑house expertise, reduce reliance on consultants and provide a local backup; the council noted the borough will retain third‑party support as a secondary backup. The council approved the request for signs and the zoning‑officer appointment; no changes to the sign ordinance were made at the meeting.","The council approved allowing temporary fundraising signage for Good Fellowship under the borough's sign rules and appointed Aaron Flook as the borough's zoning officer; staff clarified temporary‑sign limits are 60 days per location per ordinance.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5981328,"Council approves mutual‑aid agreement with regional emergency response team; insurance questions raised",252,2546000,2798000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5854248-a3d2154a80be8cfeec9bcf7100a4041d&start=2546&end=2798","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5854248-a3d2154a80be8cfeec9bcf7100a4041d/thumbnail_2546000.jpg","/articles/5981328/West-Chester/Chester-County/Pennsylvania/Council-approves-mutualaid-agreement-with-regional-emergency-response-team-insurance-questions-raised","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5981328-024d6158786617b5f8a4d55491f82e74/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142459&Signature=hJd-5XoYDaPjG4ba-sLQfODiEn7EHAYdBw7nsruAG4Ko86ea~8kyCKICLewNjRWYtwWaYK7Y0EojN~stguuIZFlLebNOMqYjNvmRQFBrw7b6UpmcnZjppocLjTX91iitd15BPoemBClbSfzRDQh1h8GvIK-X5acZYafmXwgEDu63DW43MetAppOcSrNWtjzC9owGJP6ZfE73y4WkaR0kcMflQ1v6y3cIWigyL~bctmhSvQD4YGH58-FLEvQ45qIQBTa2OzkDn84fXI~fi7oyvCu8EZhHObmTLLNEfEjIFqVhHpOEFTa6fFLlp8rpcqRuRbJTZHzIBuTIz3ZCV7cfaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Westchester Borough Council voted to adopt a resolution formalizing a mutual‑aid agreement with the Westchester Area Regional Emergency Response Team on Sept. 16 to coordinate regional emergency response. The motion was recommended 3‑0 by the public safety committee and approved by the council as presented.

Council members asked whether borough employees who join the regional team are covered by borough insurance when they respond outside the borough. Borough staff and the manager responded that work‑related injuries to borough employees are covered by the borough's workers’ compensation when the employee is acting in the course of duty; municipal members must maintain minimum liability coverage, and the regional team also carries its own liability insurance. \"If it's a borough police officer going off on emergency response, it's covered by the borough's workers' comp insurance,\" the manager said, and he added that participating jurisdictions typically require minimum liability limits.

The council also discussed the practical effect of multi‑jurisdictional responses. The manager said that in multi‑party claims arising from regional responses, multiple jurisdictions could be named in a lawsuit, and each municipality's liability policies would be implicated. No changes to insurance programs were adopted at the meeting; the council approved the mutual‑aid resolution and asked staff to confirm specific insurance details and carriers as needed.","The council approved a resolution formalizing mutual aid with the Westchester Area Regional Emergency Response Team and discussed insurance and liability coverage for participating municipal employees.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5981333,"Borough manager warns of large general fund gap, urges three-year capital plan",1903,107000,2010000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5854248-a3d2154a80be8cfeec9bcf7100a4041d&start=107&end=2010","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5854248-a3d2154a80be8cfeec9bcf7100a4041d/thumbnail_107000.jpg","/articles/5981333/West-Chester/Chester-County/Pennsylvania/Borough-manager-warns-of-large-general-fund-gap-urges-three-year-capital-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5981333-0cd91fc7ec30c477806ace270fc6528b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142459&Signature=Sc68cT1lh502V1zIH1~rdewXXuIIsj2VCdF3sF9c1TM-FJ7JVn4iZi50KF3W6QKpO1Btd8RQ4JHSXypw4YfAnbWXbLWyXVWhhVfo51QOXehoIw7JSl3CFVsz810AeB3ORc4RAB3RSPnDZOEUcDtczHLfCyeYylyQNXxzVtb3dXa8tVZYoUPA9niZhqHl46SMRUTE7Xf3N1ioGiQgw7S5d~zegRDftKwgrg9LT~muRpt4HlsscpVlZxe2clUnxdTBYHY~tG-LirO~SajfGfsKUlOPdQ2RcfeLirsClCIafxQVc7Xxc~1QCxOdBMpqi9lvgxYmDjPzeAk5iV~EKgfxCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Borough Manager Sean Metrick told the Westchester Borough Council on Sept. 16 that the borough is facing a significant gap in its general fund and urged council and staff to adopt a multi‑year capital plan, pursue grants and other revenue, and avoid unplanned tax increases. \"We are really in the embryonic stages of putting this budget together,\" Metrick said, noting capital spending volatility and a $2.3 million year‑over‑year net expenses increase.

Metrick said the borough relies heavily on tax revenue and parking operations and that the general fund is the principal budget the council should focus on because it affects property taxes. He told council the borough manages a roughly $5,000,000 parking operation and that about 60 percent of borough income comes from taxes; he estimated the borough's taxable assessed base at about $775,000,000 and said property taxes account for roughly $13,600,000 of revenues in the figure he cited.

The manager outlined expected modest revenue gains — a projected 3 percent growth in earned income tax that he estimated would generate about $195,000 and improved parking revenues — and proposed a proposed increase in rental‑license fees (he said the current average inspection cost effectively made the fee
\"$44 per unit\"). He also noted progress on pension obligations, saying transfers to two defined‑benefit pension plans have declined over eight years, providing relief to the general fund.

On the expense side, Metrick identified public safety costs — including a $130,000 year‑over‑year EMS change and a 3 percent contracted fire increase — and higher net capital expenses driven by public‑works and parks projects as the main upward pressures on the budget. He warned that capital spending swings wildly year to year and advocated budgeting to a steadier three‑year (or longer) trend line and holding reserves for high‑cost years.

Metrick said the borough has been active in grant applications: staff have seven pending grant applications requesting about $4,000,000 and have secured approximately $5,300,000 in funding across sewer, general‑fund and stream‑protection needs. He said the Goose Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant permit process will likely demand costly improvements, that permit limits are set iteratively by the Department of Environmental Protection, and that sewer funds may require slow, modest rate increases to fund anticipated work.

Metrick concluded by asking council and staff to focus on sustainable, year‑over‑year funding for capital needs and promised to provide detailed numbers to council in the coming weeks. \"Our goal is always to work to eliminate or reduce a property tax increase,\" he said, adding that staff will return in October with more concrete figures.

The presentation drew a brief council comment urging strategic prioritization and recognition that state and federal funding uncertainties (the state budget and federal grants) will affect the borough's options.","Borough Manager Sean Metrick told the Westchester Borough Council the town faces a growing general fund shortfall driven by rising operating and capital costs and urged a multi-year capital plan and grant-seeking to avoid a property-tax increase.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council schedules Oct. 15 hearings on Comcast franchise review and community campus roles

Council approves intergovernmental road‑maintenance agreement, vehicle sales and several purchase requests

Council allows fundraising signs under existing temporary‑sign rules and appoints Aaron Flook as zoning officer

Council approves mutual‑aid agreement with regional emergency response team; insurance questions raised

Borough manager warns of large general fund gap, urges three-year capital plan