Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes - July 9, 2026

Caln Township
Chester County, Pennsylvania
Board of Commissioners
July 9, 2026
Board Workshop Meeting Minutes 

1. Call to Order 
   The meeting was called to order at 7:32pm and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 
   Commissioners present: Josh Young – President; Mark Evans – Vice President; Adam Thomas – Commissioner; Paul Mullin – Commissioner; Jane Kennedy – Commissioner 
   Township Staff present: Don Vymazal – Manager; Abbey Swan – Assistant Manager; Joe Elias – Police Chief; Ray Stackhouse – Building & Life Safety Director 
   Guests: Jasmine Smith – Downingtown Library Director; al Dimatteo – Treasurer of Friends of Spackman Davis Farm; Erin von Hacht – Gilmore Engineer 
   Commissioner Young noted that an executive meeting was held to discuss legal matters before the meeting. 
   The Board of Commissioners’ July 9, 2026 agenda was posted on the Township website and at the Township Building prior to the meeting. The 2026 Township meeting schedule was advertised in the Daily Local Newspaper on 12/18/2025.  
2. Citizens to be Heard 
   No citizens to be heard. 
3. Presentations  
   1.  Downingtown Library Annual Report 
      Ms. Jasmine Smith went over the annual report for the Library. Saw a big increase in visitors, attendance at programs, and circulation this year. Added new clubs, Mahjong game days, and a sensory story time to their normal clubs and weekly schedule. She also summarized the expansion process for the building. 
      Commissioner Young mentioned that the Library will be at Caln Community Day. 
      Commissioner Evans asked if any had approached the Library about Dare to Declare. 
      Ms. Smith mentioned that they had their event last month. 
   2.  Friends of the Spackman-Davis Farm 
      Mr. Al Dimatteo reported on the financial status of the Friends of Spackman Davis Farm.  
4. Township Solicitor 
   1.  Cohen Tract Final Land Development (Discussion/Action Item) 
      Commissioner Young tabled for next meeting. 
5. Township Engineer 
   1.  Hazelwood Guiderail Repair Bid Award (Discussion/Action Item) 
      Ms. Erin von Hacht reviewed the recommended bid for the Hazelwood Guiderail Repair. She noted that all the bids were higher than expected. 
      Commissioner Mullin asked how long the project will take. 
      Ms. von Hacht will email the answer to Mr. Vymazal. 
      Commissioner Young entertained a motion to award the Hazelwood Guiderail Repair bid to Joseph J. Daniel, LLC in the amount of $111,179.46. 
      Moved: Commissioner Mullin 
      Second: Commissioner Thomas 
      Vote: unanimous (5-0)
      
6. Township Manager 
   1.  Move dates for the November and December meetings (Discussion) 
      Mr. Vymazal reminded the Board that the Township usually has one meeting in November and December due to holidays. There are conflicts with the currently proposed dates so wanted to discuss moving the dates. Proposing moving November 12th to the 19th and December 10th to the 17th. The Board will approve the dates at the next meeting and the Township will advertise them. 
   2.  Command Vehicle Replacement Request (Discussion/Action Item) 
      Director Stackhouse reported that there was a critical failure of a 19 year old vehicle which means they need to replace it earlier than expected for safety and emergency response. They are currently repurposing a vehicle for Chief Taylor to use as Command 2 but it is not really set-up for that purpose. The money is budgeted in the capital account. 
      Commissioner Young asked for a full page copy of the plan. 
      Commissioner Kennedy asked who would be selling the old car. 
      Director Stackhouse said the Fire Company would sell it. 
      Commissioner Young entertained a motion to purchase command vehicle number 2 at a price not to exceed $108, 620.12. 
      Moved Commissioner Thomas 
      Second Commissioner Evans 
      Vote: Unanimous (5-0) 
   3.  ACG Service Agreement (Discussion/Action Item) 
      Chief Elias summarized the rewrite of their policies and regulations to be in compliance with accreditation standards. The next step is to get officially accredited by the state and prove we complying. The Police Department would like to hire a consultant to assist in the process of getting officially accredited by the state.  
      Commissioner Evans asked if the accreditation helps in the grants process. 
      Chief Elias mentioned that it helps in a lot of ways. There may be insurance benefits as well. 
      Commissioner Young entertained a motion authorizing the Police Chief to sign the ACG Service Agreement for Pennsylvania Police Accreditation contract. 
      Moved unanimously 
      Second unanimously 
      Vote: Unanimous (5-0) 
7. Resolutions 
   No resolutions. 
8. Board Minutes 
   1.  June 25, 2026 (Action Item) 
      Commissioner Young entertained a motion to approve the June 25, 2026 Meeting Minutes. 
      Moved: Commissioner Evans 
      Second: Commissioner Thomas 
      Vote: Unanimous (5-0) 
9. Finance Department 
   1.  Financial Report (Discussion) 
   2.  Check List (Action Item) 
      Commissioner Young entertained a motion to approve checks numbered 56020 through 56090 and manual check 330. 
      Moved Commissioner Mullin 
      Second Commissioner Thomas 
      Vote: Unanimous (4-0) - Commissioner Evans stepped out of the room 
10. Summary by applicable Board liaison 
    1.  Parks and Recreation Board 
       Commissioner Kennedy summarized upcoming Summer Series events and clean-up events in July and discussed the past Art in the Park events. She also mentioned the Community Day on September 12 and National Night Out on August 4. They are planning a joint event with Downingtown Chamber of Commerce for a Reading Phillies night out. 
    2.  COG 
       COG meeting was postponed last month. 
    3.  Municipal Authority/DARA  
       Commissioner Mulllin summarized signing the sewer capacity allocation and maintenance agreement for the Cohen Track Development Project, adopting a resolution accepting the certain deed of dedication of sanitary sewer lines that were repaired at Kia leasing office, the 2026 grouting project at Wedgewood development will begin in early July, and authorized the release of Jay Phillips excavating and hauling final payment for Caln Meeting House sewer extension project. For DARA, the final design is nearly complete and they are applying for the FEMA and PEMA grants. 
    4.  Fire Board  
       Commissioner Mullin reported they welcomed their new 38 fire truck at an event last month and that he and Commissioner Thomas attended one of their training sessions at the Chester County Training Center in Coatesville. 
    5.  Historical Commission  
       Commissioner Evans reported they discussed ideas for Community Day installations and fleshing out the 2027 budget. They also recapped the two large June events. The June 18th tour had 160 attendees and there were 3 feature articles written about the events in the Daily Local.  
       Commissioner Young thanked the Historical Commission, Friends of Spackman Davis Farm, Township staff, and road crew for representing the Township well. 
    6.  Lincoln Highway 
       Commissioner Thomas summarized the public meeting held with TMAC on revisioning Lincoln Hwy. Got a lot of great feedback from the public about ways to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety. 
11. Additional Business 
    Commissioner Young wanted to follow up on the request for the speed in Carver Court, one-way traffic jams, and the truck parked. 
    Chief Elias mentioned the safety unit plans to paint there and will follow-up on the other concerns. 
    Commissioner Kennedy noted that people are happy to see the patrol units. And asked if there are more signs we can put out that speed is being monitored. 
    Chief Elias commented that he can look into the small portable signs. 
12. Public Comment 
    Commissioner Young recognized resident David James (47 Williams Way). Mr. James mentioned that foot golf will happen July 29th, 2:00pm at Pavilion at Ingleside and there will be an awards after party catered by Midway Grill. Fundraising is for Coatesville Youth Initiative. 
13. Adjournment 
    Commissoner Young motioned to adjourn. 
    Moved Commissioner Evans 
    Second Commissioner Kennedy 
    Vote: Unanimous (5-0) 
    The meeting was adjourned at 8:49 pm. 

Respectfully submitted, 
JoEllen McBride, PhD 
Office & Sustainability Coordinator