West Chester, Pennsylvania Development News
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Borough Council Committee Meetings
Published: Jul 8, 2026
Borough Council and Mayor Stipend Increase Proposed with Phased Approach
The committee is proposing a phased approach to increasing the stipends for borough council members and the mayor. The current stipend of $4,125 annually has not been increased in approximately 20 years. The state has recently raised the cap to $6,915 for council members and $8,400 for mayors of similar-sized municipalities. This represents a potential 63% increase for council and 103% for the mayor. Council members who voted against the increase previously argued that public service should not be primarily driven by compensation and noted that they did not run for office expecting to be paid. However, the council directed the committee to develop a plan for an increase. The current proposal suggests staggering the increases over election cycles and possibly into increments (e.g., quarters of the allowable increase) to remain fiscally responsible and mitigate immediate budget impact. The goal is to attract a broader range of residents to consider running for office. A decision on whether to implement the full increase immediately or phase it in, and the exact amounts, is pending further discussion and potential ordinance drafting.
Borough Develops Regulations for Large Private Parties
The committee discussed the development of regulations for large parties on private property, aiming to create an easy-to-follow permit process. The discussion is evolving from agreeing on the need for regulation to addressing execution details. A recent meeting with staff and the police chief focused on 'unruly gatherings' as a component of regulating large events. The goal is to align with requirements for public events, balancing regulation with not stifling fun. The committee is looking at ordinances from other towns, like Bloomsburg, for guidance on outdoor gatherings and is considering updating existing ordinances for carnivals, shows, and parades. Potential regulatory approaches include a tier system based on occupancy, similar to Rally, North Carolina. Key considerations for the new ordinance include frequency of events, notification to landlords, and event size. The proposal is to present a draft special event ordinance at the August work session for council review.
Resident Argues Proposed Zoning Ordinance Conflicts with Home Rule Charter
A resident, Joe Norley, expressed strong opposition to a proposed ordinance that would amend zoning 112 of the borough code, arguing it conflicts with the Westchester Home Rule Charter, specifically Article 9, Section 904, the Community Bill of Rights. He stated that the charter, voted on by citizens in 2015, establishes environmental rights over corporate rights and prohibits certain infrastructure that the proposed ordinance would authorize. Norley argued that an ordinary ordinance cannot lawfully authorize what the charter prohibits, as the charter holds a higher legal standing. He cited specific charter sections that prohibit corporations, businesses, or government from violating recognized rights and supersede state laws if they conflict with the charter. Norley urged the council to reject or substantially review the ordinance, emphasizing that it goes against the citizens' vote for environmental protection. He recommended that the ordinance be returned to committee to align it with the Home Rule Charter.
Borough Considers Ban on Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers Due to Pollution and Noise Concerns
The discussion on restricting gas-powered leaf blowers gained momentum, with over 200 municipalities nationwide, including several in the Philadelphia area, having already implemented bans. These blowers contribute significantly to air pollution (50% from small gas-powered yard equipment) and noise pollution (90-100 decibels). Management strategies include incentives for alternatives (battery-powered), noise level restrictions, time/seasonal use limitations, and phased or complete bans. While professional landscapers have expressed concerns about battery-powered equipment performance, improvements have made them competitive with gas-powered units. Numerous states and cities have enacted or are considering restrictions, with California banning sales in 2021. Locally, Lower Merion, Pennsylvania, is phasing out gas blowers, with a year-round ban planned for 2029 and noise levels capped at 65 decibels. Neighboring municipalities in Chester County are also reviewing bans. The proposal is to consider similar restrictions for the borough, potentially with a phased-out approach and a long horizon to minimize hardship for local businesses and homeowners.
Pension Fund Performance and Budget Modifications Detailed
The report on the police pension fund and non-uniformed fund performance for the second quarter showed gains. The police pension fund grew from \$56.4 million to \$61.9 million, with a portfolio return of 9.8% compared to a benchmark of 9.3%. The non-uniformed fund grew from \$27.6 million to \$30 million, mirroring the police pension fund's performance. Both funds are operating within their investment policy allocations of 50% stocks, 35% fixed income, and 15% international stocks. Discussions also touched on the potential addition of international bonds to the portfolio. Additionally, the report highlighted that since taking over assets in 2023, both plans have grown significantly in market value, with fees remaining stable, a stated improvement over previous fee structures. A budget modification was requested for playground equipment at Horace Pippen Park and the parking garage capital project, totaling \$165,826. This modification is needed because the playground equipment project, budgeted for 2025, was not completed until 2026, and the funding was not carried over. The parking garage portion of the modification reallocates \$104,400 from wayfinding signage to the garage camera project due to higher-than-expected signage costs. Council members expressed dissatisfaction with the oversight leading to the need for this budget modification.
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The West Chester News archive
Finance & Revenue - July 8, 2026
Smart Growth - July 8, 2026
ACT - July 8, 2026
Public Safety & Quality of Life - July 7, 2026
Parking - July 7, 2026
Public Works - July 7, 2026
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