This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Borough Council Votes Tonight On Acquiring the Barclay Grounds

The following editorial was first published in the Daily Local News

As we approach the New Year, I always think it’s a good time to continue the season of appreciation and gratitude.  With that in mind, I would like to thank an important part of our local government whose members rarely get a “shout-out,” let alone a public acknowledgment of their hard work and thorough attention in carrying out their duties. I am speaking of the Borough Council of my hometown of West Chester. 

In recent months, Council (which includes the Mayor) has faced development pressures that have demanded the weighing of many factors  - economic, quality of life, and sensitivity to West Chester’s historic and small town character, to name three considerations.Perhaps Council, particularly those long-term members who have recently  stepped down to pursue other interests, are now accustomed to the shooting gallery of issues that seemingly pop up at every turn.                                            

What has stood out for me, though,  is the Council’s willingness to be flexible: to adapt and  to accommodate when a crisis arose.   As an early promoter of the “Save the Barclay Grounds,” I find no need to put quote marks  around the word crisis. This summer, my fellow volunteers were not exaggerating when we distributed flyers announcing that the towering specimen trees on the Barclay Grounds would be “clear cut” if residents did not join our cause and stop a proposed development.  According to a news story in the Philadelphia Inquirer,  one of the considerations –  having the Borough take over the property by eminent domain – hadn’t been on the table since 1998. I found it commendable that the Council not only held a special meeting on Dec. 4th to hear all sides of the issue, they notified local residents through the robo call system normally reserved for telling the public about  local events or leaf collection.The robo call was so effective in bringing out a standing-room only crowd, out-going Council president Holly Brown made a point of encouraging Council, in her parting speech, to made it a permanent part of the Council’s  method of getting the word out about special meetings and hearings. 

I hope that the Council will use the automatic calling system (which reaches every resident with a land line in the borough) for its special meeting tonight (Dec. 30th)  at 6 p.m. at Borough Hall. That is the night Council will vote on an ordinance to purchase the Barclay Grounds from the developer and owner StanAb , LP.  It should be pointed out that the Council’s decision to even vote on this ordinance shows a real understanding and faith in what the majority of local residents expressed during  the Dec. 4th meeting.

Tonight, Council will not vote on the usual form of eminent domain but one that is typically described as a “friendly” form of acquisition (i.e. it will be freely negotiated and based on an offer initiated by  StanAb. )  More to point, Council understands and has explained in borough newsletters and announcements that  this type of purchase arrangement will pose no additional tax burden on borough residents. That’s because  the purchase funds will be obtained from open space preservation grants from the county and state. It’s the proverbial “win-win” situation for all parties.  Let’s show Borough Council that we care about their efforts: come to the Dec.30th meeting and “vote” with your presence. 

Catherine Quillman, West Chester resident since 1995 

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?