West Chester Weekly News Roundup: Nov. 14, 2025

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It’s Friday, Nov. 14, 2025: Iron Hill has been sold. What we know about the plans. Plus, one for the history books, West Chester needs your help to commemorate the Nation’s 250th birthday, Greystone Hall has sold, and we talk with new Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce President Laurie Ryan on her plans for the future and the upcoming holiday season.

But wait, that’s not all - Henderson Boys’ Soccer team is playing for the state championship, West Chester’s hidden gem museum, and a new cafe just opened on Gay Street. 

Ok, who’s ready? Let’s catch up.

Get Those Creative Juices Flowing - America 250 is Calling

Having the Borough’s 225th birthday celebration and the nation’s 250th only two years apart is kind of like being the maid of honor at two weddings in the same weekend with many of the same guests. You don’t want to repeat your speech, but you still need to say something. And so it is for the Borough of West Chester. 

“We had done a parade for the 225th,” said Mayor Lillian DeBaptiste. “So, I thought maybe a mural would be nice?”

She was spot on. West Chester Public Arts Commission (PAC) Chair Jimmer Breen attended an America 250 planning session held by the county and came away with the same conclusion. 

“They all wanted to do something that would commemorate, be educational, and be lasting. That’s a mural,” he said. 

So, early this fall, the Mayor’s office partnered with the PAC to put out a call for art. They want a mural that “honors the history, diversity, and evolving identity of West Chester.” If that seems vague, that’s intentional. 

“We lay out the broad strokes of the theme, but it’s a dance. We don’t want to tell the artist what to do,” said Jimmer. “This is where it gets exciting for me.” 

As for how it should look - classic, modern, avant-garde - that is also being left to the imagination of the creator. 

Honoring Caregivers This November

As we move through November and the excitement (and chaos!) of the upcoming holiday season, it’s important to pause and recognize the millions of Americans who show up every day for loved ones who depend on them.

These caregivers are spouses, parents, adult children, and neighbors. They provide essential support without pay—often while juggling their own families, jobs, and responsibilities. Their dedication deserves our gratitude and our support.

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Let’s chat — give us a call at 610-265-4300. We’d be happy to share how an Aging Life Care Professional can be a trusted partner for your family.

**This is a sponsored post.**

The Warnings.

Mark your calendars now. West Chester Borough has several key public hearings scheduled for Wednesday, starting at 6:30 p.m., at Borough Hall,  including a proposal to adopt the 2026 Budget. When last we chatted budget, West Chester Borough hadn’t quite figured out how it was going to pick up those additional EMS service charges. Well, in this version, which was previewed briefly by Budget Director Barb Lionti on Wednesday night, those costs have been accounted for in part by pushing out three planned capital budget projects, raising rental license fees from $44 to $66, and borrowing $143,000 from the more than $9 million we have in reserves. 

With the changes, Borough residents will not see a tax increase this year. There is still discussion about earmarking portions of the millage rate for specific uses, namely, EMS and the library. While that would make it easier to raise rates in the future, or as Borough Manager Sean Mettrick put it, “communicate” tax increases, who’s going to say no to EMS service or the library? It would also limit what the Borough can do with the collected tax revenue.  

“What is the benefit of so many specific allocations? Doesn’t it take away our flexibility?” asked Borough Councilwoman Nicole Scimone.

Before adding, “Can’t we just show [where the funds are going] through transparent accounting that Barb is so good at?”

It also doesn’t address those not currently paying into the system, particularly in regards to EMS services. The budget update does note that a written request for reimbursement has been drafted for West Chester University. However, there is no mention of letters being sent to other heavy users like Haven Behavioral Health Center. This discussion will likely continue in December when a second hearing will need to be scheduled to raise the sewer rate. A separate hearing would also be required to make any changes to the millage rate, including adding specific allocations. 

Also, on Tuesday, three public hearings to update the zoning code.  

This is not going away. On Nov. 4, 75,076 voters were omitted from poll books across the county. Poll workers had no record of independent and third-party voters, nor did they have people who moved into districts after the spring primary, voters who registered for the first time, or those who recently changed political affiliation. In total, roughly 20 percent of registered voters were excluded. Now Chester County officials are tasked with counting 12,000 provisional ballots and cleaning up this mess. 

According to a message last week from State Sen. Carolyn Comitta, County officials have indicated that they will conduct a formal review into what happened and take action to ensure it does not happen again.  They are employing a third party to conduct the investigation. Who that will be will be announced on Monday.  State Senators Comitta, Katie Muth, and John Kane are pushing for the PA Department of State to take the lead. You can find the County timelines and updates on the process here. 

Double-check those trash cans. West Chester Public Works Department did a sweep of the streets last week to make sure residents and property owners were complying with the new trash ordinance - and guess what? Many are not. The department found that between 40 to 50 residences were in violation.  

“Hopefully we can clean up this mess, because it is a mess,” interim Public Works Director Don Anderson told members of the Public Works Committee this week. 

Letters will begin going out to residences in violation this week. Public Works will also be placing an orange sticker with a reminder of the ordinance rules on all illegal canisters. When asked by a resident how they are making sure residents are aware of the change? Building and Housing Director Aaron Flook assured the resident that they are starting with education first.  

“[The sticker’s] so bright, you can’t miss it,” added Mr. Andrews.

You can review the substantive changes in the ordinance here. 

Careful who you butt dial. The West Chester Fire Department reported a significant number of false alarms in October’s call report. Actually, more than half of all calls to the department were deemed a “false alarm” or “false call.” There was no specific source for the increase (yes, WCU, we were looking at you.) “What we found was the fire alarms were spread out through all areas,” said West Chester Fire Chief Mark Scanlon. 

Homecoming behavior review. While according to this month’s Police Report, serious crimes are down slightly in the Borough over the previous two months, alcohol related crimes are up significantly. “That’s mainly from homecoming that happened in October,” West Police Chief Josh Lee told Public Safety Committee members this week. Not only were so-called “quality of life violations” up over September, but noise complaints and alcohol offenses were also up over Homecoming 2024. Fortunately, public urination and assaults were down slightly. Sometimes, you’ve got to take the little wins.    

The Sunshine Report.

Your inside look at local government at work.

A familiar vacant corner in West Goshen may be headed for a major reboot. Spotless Car Wash, led by a former CEO and Chairman of Rite Aid, has its eye on the empty Rite Aid site at 1307 Phoenixville Pike (Boot Rd. intersection). Their attorney, Mark Damico, brought a preliminary pitch to West Goshen's Land Use Planning Committee, the Township's low-stakes "first look" venue where developers float ideas, test reactions, and quietly scope out whether a proposal has any real chance with the full Board of Supervisors.

The big ask? Spotless would need a zoning change, and this meeting was step one in figuring out whether supervisors are even willing to consider it.

While the meeting was informational, several issues are already on the horizon. The’re the same issues residents are likely to raise as this moves forward:

• Traffic and vehicle stacking at an already busy Boot Rd. intersection

• Noise from vacuums, dryers, and high-volume customer cycles

• Hours of operation near residential neighborhoods

• Stormwater runoff and environmental considerations

A Green Light to Proceed; At Least for Now

Supervisors John Hellmann and Ashley Gagné, the two Board members who sit on the Land Use Planning Committee, indicated they were comfortable allowing the application to move forward in the process. This does not mean final approval, but it does mean the plan has enough viability to take the next formal step.

Third time’s the charm: Greystone Hall has been sold to developer Mirbeau for $6.5 million. West Goshen Township had previously approved a plan for the redevelopment, but a deal was never finalized.

More on this next week and a "first look" at West Goshen’s 2026 budget.

Keep shining! - Margie

Hello.

Goodbye.

The Accolades.

Soccer stars. Another week, another state champion? While not there yet, the Henderson Soccer Team is close. For the first time in 20 years, Henderson is playing in the PIAA 4A Boys’ Soccer Championship. Right now. As you read. 

Ok, to catch you up. On Saturday, Henderson traveled to Quakertown Community High School and beat Emmaus 1-0 on penalty kicks to advance to the state semifinals. Credit goalkeeper Dylan Arrison with the save. They then faced District 11 champ Parkland at Hatboro-Horsham High School on Tuesday evening - and the boys were feeling good. Well, they were, once they got motivated by Parkland’s early score. 

After going down 1-0, Henderson responded with a goal by Ralph Mendoza, another by Chase Rettnour, and to put a bow on the performance, Arrison scored on a 67-yard slammer for the third and final goal of the match.

Now they are playing Abington for the state championship. The game started at 10 this morning at Northeastern High School. A championship game on a Friday morning makes absolutely no sense to me, but at least they excused the students. 

“We need the entire school in attendance to support the lads…Excused absences, so there is no reason to miss this game. Pack UR cars and buses and be in the stands by 9:45,” the Hendy.Footy Instagram account posted yesterday.

Other things we’re celebrating this week: 

Hidden gems. Last week, I reached out to West Chester University’s Museum of Anthropology and Archeology for hours of operation (9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays for the upper exhibit, 10 - 4 p.m. for the lower, if you are curious) and came away with an invitation to visit, which I did this week. The museum currently has two active exhibits: “Panel by Panel” explores the diversity of comics, and “Roaring in Secret” looks at life in the 1920s. A third, for the Nation’s 250, is being planned for next year. 

The museum itself is housed on two floors in WCU’s Old Library. The space is a little less polished than a formal museum, but the exhibits, designed by students, are no less engaging than you would expect from a museum of its size  - the 1920s exhibit even has a hidden speakeasy, if you can find it. 

The exhibits, says Museum Director and Professor of Anthropology Michael Di Giovine, need to be relevant to the year and to the students. The comic exploration features several items from one student’s grandfather’s private collection.  

Aside from family members and University stores, students source items from collectors and institutions around the world and across the Borough to bring their exhibits to life. (The Chester County History Center is a frequent collaborator, and Malena’s Vintage Boutique lent several items to the Roaring 20s collection.) 

Looking for an excuse to check it out? The Incorruptibles author, Dan Slater, will be giving an exclusive public lecture on Tuesday from 3:30 - 5 p.m. at the Philips Autograph Library, with a reception and tour to follow at the museum. Several of Dan’s pictures depicting life in 1920s New York City are featured in Roaring in Secret.   

Legacy plantings. Speaking of past acts, this year, the West Chester Garden Club is celebrating its 100th anniversary.  The club was founded in 1925 by Charlotte Waln with an eye toward town beautification. Today, the 35-member club, which includes two men, maintains several garden spaces around the area, including at the Myrick Conservation Center on Unionville Wawaset Road, the Oakland Cemetery on Pottstown Pike, and Chester County Hospital. Daily Local News reporter Bill Rettew profiled the club in Friday’s newspaper. You can read more about the club and learn how to get involved here. Don’t worry, they have long since abandoned the required home garden inspection. 

Friday Night Lights. Last Friday, Rustin Football took another step in its quest for a second straight District 1- 5A championship. The third-seeded Golden Knights made quick work of sixth-seeded Kennett, scoring early in the first and running the score up 28-0 by half. Rustin was led by senior Will Garner, who rushed for 340 yards and four touchdowns. Rustin now faces second-seeded Chester tomorrow night at Chester High School. Winner advances to next Friday’s championship game.

Also, peaking at the right time, the West Chester University Women’s Soccer team. The Golden Rams finished the season with a 14-game unbeaten streak and ranked 15th in Division II Women’s Soccer. They are now working their way through the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Tournament. They started with a 5-1 victory over Clarion on Tuesday and will now face Shepherd at home this afternoon. Winner will advance to Sunday’s final. 

The inspired play of the Golden Rams did not go unnoticed by the PSAC. WCU placed eight players on the All-League Squad, including Kianna Barber, who was named Player of the Year, Katie Dougherty, Rookie of the Year, and Betty Ann Kemf Townsley, Coach of the Year. 

Most clicked. Last week’s most clicked link was in relation to a crash investigationin West Goshen. Officers were seeking help identifying the driver of a pickup truck involved in the incident. The second most clicked story, Good Fellowship Executive Director Chaz Brogan will be happy to know, was his column on ambulance subscriptions.

Pay it Forward.

“I'm writing in a dual role as a musician and as Minister of the Unitarian Congregation of West Chester,” Unitarian Minister and Grammy-nominated folk singer Dan Schatz shared last week. 

“The congregation is joining with the West Chester Green Team and the West Chester Food Cooperative to sponsor a 'Feed Our Neighbors' concert,” he continued. 

The concert, being held on Saturday night at the Unitarian Congregation on S. High St., is just one of a growing number of community efforts to help support local food banks and community resource centers as area organizations face supply shortages and growing needs heading into the holiday season. 

“While many of our neighbors continue to experience hardship due to the pause in SNAP payments, and we face the challenging uncertainty brought by the state budget impasse, Chester County Food Bank will be able to continue to meet the growing need because of how much our community has rallied around us,” the Chester County Food Bank wrote in a Facebook post last Friday. 

The Unitarian Congregation, the West Chester Green Team, and the Co-op aren’t the only ones stepping up.  I know I’ve recently participated in food drives held by our local Girl Scouts Troop, Peirce Middle School, and the soccer team. The West Chester Food Cupboard has also received recent donations from the West Chester Friends School, Westtown School, and residents of the Knolls of Birmingham. 

If you are looking for a way to help, there are literally dozens of options, but here are a few more - 

West Chester Borough will be collecting canned goods for the West Chester Food Cupboard. You can drop your donation at Borough Hall during regular business hours. (I’ve just learned there is one set up at the library as well.) 

The American Helicopter Museum will operate as a donation site for the Chester County Food Bank through the end of the month. Anyone who brings at least two items from the “must-needed” list will get a free admission to the museum with the purchase of another general admission ticket. So buy one, get one free with a qualifying donation. 

Most needed items include:  White rice (16 oz. bags only), jelly, canned tuna, canned chicken, canned spam, canned fruit, and prepared meals such as canned chili or Chef Boyardee meals

The "Feed Our Neighbors" Concert is tomorrow at 7 p.m. at 501 S. High St. There will be performances by family-friendly Two of a Kind, singer-songwriter Lisa Jeanette, folk-singer (and Unitarian Minister) Dan Schatz, and accomplished lute musician Mark Rimple. Admission is a suggested $20 donation. Proceeds benefit the West Chester Food Cupboard and the Senior Center's food pantry. 

Ways to give back this week: 

Join a West Chester Board or Commission. It’s that time of year again when the West Chester Borough sees a significant turnover in Board and Commission members. If you start looking closely, you’ll see several community members doing double duty, rotating from one volunteer position to another. If you can help or have expertise in a needed field, consider volunteering your time. Open commissions include just about everything from the Library Board to the Recreation Committee to the Public Arts Commission. Resume and letter of interest due Dec. 5. You can find a complete list of open positions and how to apply here. 

Donate your “free turkey.” Here’s a good tip from the West Chester Food Bank. You know that free turkey coupon you get from the grocery store each November? If you can’t use the turkey, donate it.  “We cannot accept free turkey coupons because they are linked to your store card. You must redeem the coupon, and then donate the frozen turkey to us directly,” the WCFB shared on Facebook recently.

Sticking with the same home insurance could cost you

Home insurance costs are rising fast, up nearly 40% nationwide in just the past few years. With premiums changing constantly, sticking with the same provider could mean overpaying by hundreds of dollars. Shopping around and comparing multiple insurers can help lock in better rates without losing the protection your home needs. Check out Money’s home insurance tool to shop around and see if you can save.

Shop around

The Freakin’ Weekend.

What are you up to this weekend? We have been working for the last several months renovating our downstairs half bath, and I resolve to finish this weekend. Wish me luck. We’re also going to an adult birthday party. I am looking forward to some relaxed socializing among friends.  

If you are around this weekend, West Chester University Opera is performing The Three Feathers. I am not up on my operas, but I am told this magical fairy-tale opera is very family-friendly. Plus, kids under 12 are free. There are two performances tonight at 7:30 p.m. and tomorrow at 3 p.m. Also, this weekend, the Melton Center is hosting its Grand Reveal gala on Saturday, and Safe Harbor has a Take What You Need Fair planned for Sunday afternoon. Browse through clothing, household goods, and other essentials, all free for the taking. And if none of that sounds good, the Social Lounge has maple-glazed pork belly with a side of perogies. 

Also, if you are looking ahead at your event calendar, Uptown is currently running a buy-one-get-one-50 percent-off deal on all November shows. Just use the code WARMUP50 and purchase by Sunday night. 

Welcome sign winner: The Parking Committee unanimously selected option 1. Fans of option 2 might want to know that 1799 reads backwards as you are leaving town, which is kind of weird. If you feel strongly about an opposing conviction, this is not the end for the signs. They will go before full council at next week’s Borough Council worksession for final approval.  

And finally, thank you to this week’s Community Sponsor the Kit Anstey Real Estate Team. The “#1 team to know,” Kit Anstey’s team makes it their mission to provide the ultimate in personal service and sales results. They are proud once again this year to be the recipient of Best of Chester County Readers Choice Award 2025 for the category of Best Realtors of Chester County. We thank all our clients and friends for their votes. It is an honor and a privilege to be called " The Best."

View a list of all our amazing Community Sponsors here.

Business leaders: Want exclusive access to this amazing community? Of course, you do. There are only three spots an issue so each one gets a lot of attention, and from what I hear, responses. Placements are filled first come- first served. Send me an email if you are interested.

Mark Your Calendars:

Nov. 14 – And Now: A Word From Our Friends, WCU Ware Family Recital Hall, 11 a.m. West Chester University’s jazz lecture series featuring esteemed guests from the world of jazz. This is a free event. Tickets are not required. RSVP to [email protected] if you need a parking pass. 

Nov. 14, 15 – WCU Opera Fall Performance: Three Feathers, Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall,7:30 and 3 p.m. 

Nov. 15 – West Chester Growers Market, corner of Church and Chestnut Streets, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Nov. 15 – Grand Reveal: Unveiling Possibilities, Melton Center, 501 E. Miner St, 6 -9 p.m. Join the Melton Center for its 2025 Melton Center Celebration. Tickets: $150/person. That includes dinner, drinks, and live music by Tony “Big Cat” Smith.

Nov. 15 – Feed Our Neighbors Benefit Concert, Unitarian Congregation of West Chester, 510 S. High St., 7 p.m. Join the West Chester Green Team and the Unitarian Congregation for an evening of music in support of the West Chester Food Cupboard. Tickets: $20 and available at the door. (Don’t have $20 to spare – pay what you can. All are welcome.)

Nov. 16 – Take What You Need Fair, Safe Harbor, 1 – 4 p.m. A free community event offering clothing, food, household items, and essentials for anyone in need. Light refreshments provided.

Nov. 17 – $5 Monday Movie: Cinderella Story, Uptown Theater, 7 p.m. includes complimentary popcorn

Nov. 18 – Science on Tap- Chemistry, Barnaby’s Restaurant, 6 p.m.Each session will feature a different WCU expert sharing interesting ideas and new research. The program invites audience participation and, of course, food and drink will be available for purchase. Cheers to science!

Nov. 20 – The Beans: Story Slam, Sidebar Restaurant, doors open at 7 p.m., storytelling starts at 8 p.m. To participate, sign up on arrival and be prepared to tell a 5-minute story related to the theme of the night. Tickets: $14. November’s theme: TBA

Nov. 21 – And Now: A Word From Our Friends, WCU Ware Family Recital Hall, 11 a.m. West Chester University’s jazz lecture series featuring esteemed guests from the world of jazz. This is a free event. Tickets are not required. RSVP to [email protected] if you need a parking pass.

Nov. 21-23  – Little Women, The Broadway Musical, WCU  E.O. Bull Center for the Arts, various. See the beloved classic come to life.

Nov. 22 – West Chester Growers Market, corner of Church and Chestnut Streets, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Nov. 22 – Better Than Bacon Gives Back, Uptown Theater, 7:30 p.m. Bacon Gives Back fundraising show supports Act in Faith and Safe Harbor. Opening act Hot Breakfast

Reader tip: If you have trouble with these emails going to spam or promotions, reply to this email. Nothing particular, even a random letter will do, but that should keep them coming to the inbox.

That’s it. Stay safe, stay happy, and thanks to everyone who helped make this week’s issue possible. I’ll see you next week!

Hello, West Chester Community Sponsors