Caln Township
Chester County, Pennsylvania
Board of Commissioners
September 10, 2026
Board Workshop Meeting Minutes
Chester County, Pennsylvania
Board of Commissioners
September 10, 2026
Board Workshop Meeting Minutes
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:40pm 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, JoEllen McBride – Office & Sustainability Coordinator (online)
Commissioner Young noted that an executive meeting was held to discuss legal and personnel matters before the meeting tonight.
The Board of Commissioners’ September 10, 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. Presentation – No presentations
4. Township Solicitor – No business
5. Township Manager
5.1. Fleet Safety Manual (Discussion)
Mr. Vymazal presented the Fleet Safety Manual that the Safety Committee would like the Township to adopt. The template for this manual was provided by the insurance company and the Safety Committee made changes to the manual so it is pertinent to the Township.
Commissioner Evans asked what benefits this provides to the Township.
Mr. Vymazal explained that it consolidates all of our current policies into an up to date version.
Commissioner Kennedy asked if there is someone on staff dedicated to doing vehicle inventories.
Mr. Vymazal explained that departments are responsible for vehicle maintenance and that they all have their own policies which supersede this manual. Chief Elias confirmed that the Police Department does inspections of vehicles every Sunday and Mr. Stackhouse also confirmed that Public Works and Building & Life Safety do routine inspections.
Commissioner Thomas asked if we have it in our budget to cover any unexpected maintenance costs.
Mr. Vymazal replied that since inspections are done regularly we aim to have a reduction in maintenance costs by catching problems early.
5.2. 5-year Fixed-Rate Municipal Electricity Procurement (Discussion)
Mr. Vymazal presented a memo outlining the different energy source options and rates for the Township to consider for their properties. He noted that the rates change daily.
Commissioner Evans noted that the rates are different depending on the time of year so locking in now would be ideal. He also noted that there is a $1000 difference between the standard mix and the wind and solar sources so going with the green option would be great.
Commissioner Young asked if it was possible to mix the nuclear and green options.
Ms. McBride replied that this provider does not currently offer that option.
Commissioner Mullin asked if the accounts are all ours or shared with other municipalities. He also asked if it would save money to consolidate the accounts.
Mr. Vymazal replied that they are the Townships accounts and they are working with PECO to try to merge them.
Commissioner Kennedy asked what our projected YTD is.
Mr. Vymazal replied that we would get those figures.
Commissioner Mullin asked if the percentages for the Standard Mix fluctuate or if the prices change based on supply costs.
Ms. McBride replied that they were standard and the rate you lock in is the rate you pay.
Commissioner Kennedy asked what we are currently paying now.
Mr. Vymazal read the rates off that were provided by Constellation this morning.
5.3. Adoption of the 2026 Chester County Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) (Discussion)
Mr. Vymazal introduced Mr. Stackhouse to summarize the plan. Mr. Stackhouse explained that the County asks municipalities to adopt this every 5 years to address hazardous situations that could happen. There is a process to update in between adoption and Mr. Stackhouse noted that he had recommended some changes to critical infrastructure and vulnerabilities for next time.
Commissioner Kennedy asked if there is training for employees/staff for this.
Mr. Stackhouse replied that there used to be more trainings in-person but now they are all online. He offered to share those links with the Board.
6. Resolutions – No resolutions
7. Board Minutes
7.1. August 27, 2026 (Discussion/Action Item)
Commissioner Young entertained a motion to approve the August 27, 2026 Commissioner’s Meeting Minutes.
Moved by Commissioner Mullin
Second by Commissioner Thomas
Vote: unanimous (4-0) with Commissioner Evans abstaining
8. Finance Department
8.1. Financial Report (Discussion)
8.2. Check List (Action Item)
Commissioner Young entertained a motion to approve checks numbered 56,308 to 56,379 and manual checks numbered 333 to 337 and 1121.
Moved by Commissioner Mullin
Second by Commissioner Thomas
Commissioner Mullin asked about the water heater replacement.
Chief Elias explained that it was for the men’s shower room.
Vote: unanimous (5-0)
9. Summary by applicable Board liaison
9.1. Parks and Recreation Board
Commissioner Kennedy shared that the Board will meet next week because of the holiday. Ms. Swan is busy getting ready for Community Day this weekend.
9.2. COG
Mr. Vymazal shared that they have reached out to municipalities for information regarding the regional plan update.
9.3. Municipal Authority/DARA
Commissioner Mullin shared that Municipal Authority had an Aug 20th pre-construction meeting for the Kings Grant Electric Upgrades. They also voted on their 2027 budget and signed an agreement to encroach on a sewer easement at 7 Marshall Dr. They also authorized Pennoni to file for the grant for the Dogwood Scott Drive Phase 2 Sewer Extension Project. The sewer specialty project in Wedgewood should be wrapping up and Pennoni issued a notice of intent to award Eagle Contracting and Landscaping the Railroad Phase 2 project.
FEMA informed DARA that they are approved to be considered for federal emergency brick funding for flood control measures and they are still working on the expansion and modernization project which should be ready for bidding in late 2026 or early 2027.
9.4. Fire Board
No meeting
9.5. Historical Commission
Commissioner Evans shared that the Historic Commission will have a public meeting on the Historic Preservation Ordinance in lieu of their September meeting on the 16th at 6:30pm. They also approved their 2027 budget and are planning for Community Day. Commissioner Evans also heard from the Coatesville High School Principal who would like to schedule a meeting with Mr. Vymazal and the Commission about the Gardner Beale House. CASH History Chair Joe Tasoni wants to schedule a student field trip to the Spackman Davis Farm and the Schoolhouse tour had 14 visitors and there is one tour left!
9.6. Lincoln Highway
Commissioner Thomas shared that the committee met with Mr. Stackhouse and Mr. Vymazal to go over improvements to Lincoln Highway for future discussion and encouraged everyone to take the DVPRC Lincoln Highway survey before it closes on September 15th.
10. Additional Business
11. Public Comment
Commissioner Young recognized George March Treasurer for the Old Caln Historical Society who thanked Ms. Swan and Mr. Vymazal for all their support and their work on lease that will be considered at the next meeting.
12. Adjournment
Commissioner Young entertained a motion to adjourn.
Moved by Commissioner Thomas.
Second by Commissioner Evans.
Vote: unanimous (5-0)
The meeting adjourned at 8:14pm.
Respectfully submitted,
JoEllen McBride, PhD
Office & Sustainability Coordinator
The meeting was called to order at 7:40pm 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, JoEllen McBride – Office & Sustainability Coordinator (online)
Commissioner Young noted that an executive meeting was held to discuss legal and personnel matters before the meeting tonight.
The Board of Commissioners’ September 10, 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. Presentation – No presentations
4. Township Solicitor – No business
5. Township Manager
5.1. Fleet Safety Manual (Discussion)
Mr. Vymazal presented the Fleet Safety Manual that the Safety Committee would like the Township to adopt. The template for this manual was provided by the insurance company and the Safety Committee made changes to the manual so it is pertinent to the Township.
Commissioner Evans asked what benefits this provides to the Township.
Mr. Vymazal explained that it consolidates all of our current policies into an up to date version.
Commissioner Kennedy asked if there is someone on staff dedicated to doing vehicle inventories.
Mr. Vymazal explained that departments are responsible for vehicle maintenance and that they all have their own policies which supersede this manual. Chief Elias confirmed that the Police Department does inspections of vehicles every Sunday and Mr. Stackhouse also confirmed that Public Works and Building & Life Safety do routine inspections.
Commissioner Thomas asked if we have it in our budget to cover any unexpected maintenance costs.
Mr. Vymazal replied that since inspections are done regularly we aim to have a reduction in maintenance costs by catching problems early.
5.2. 5-year Fixed-Rate Municipal Electricity Procurement (Discussion)
Mr. Vymazal presented a memo outlining the different energy source options and rates for the Township to consider for their properties. He noted that the rates change daily.
Commissioner Evans noted that the rates are different depending on the time of year so locking in now would be ideal. He also noted that there is a $1000 difference between the standard mix and the wind and solar sources so going with the green option would be great.
Commissioner Young asked if it was possible to mix the nuclear and green options.
Ms. McBride replied that this provider does not currently offer that option.
Commissioner Mullin asked if the accounts are all ours or shared with other municipalities. He also asked if it would save money to consolidate the accounts.
Mr. Vymazal replied that they are the Townships accounts and they are working with PECO to try to merge them.
Commissioner Kennedy asked what our projected YTD is.
Mr. Vymazal replied that we would get those figures.
Commissioner Mullin asked if the percentages for the Standard Mix fluctuate or if the prices change based on supply costs.
Ms. McBride replied that they were standard and the rate you lock in is the rate you pay.
Commissioner Kennedy asked what we are currently paying now.
Mr. Vymazal read the rates off that were provided by Constellation this morning.
5.3. Adoption of the 2026 Chester County Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) (Discussion)
Mr. Vymazal introduced Mr. Stackhouse to summarize the plan. Mr. Stackhouse explained that the County asks municipalities to adopt this every 5 years to address hazardous situations that could happen. There is a process to update in between adoption and Mr. Stackhouse noted that he had recommended some changes to critical infrastructure and vulnerabilities for next time.
Commissioner Kennedy asked if there is training for employees/staff for this.
Mr. Stackhouse replied that there used to be more trainings in-person but now they are all online. He offered to share those links with the Board.
6. Resolutions – No resolutions
7. Board Minutes
7.1. August 27, 2026 (Discussion/Action Item)
Commissioner Young entertained a motion to approve the August 27, 2026 Commissioner’s Meeting Minutes.
Moved by Commissioner Mullin
Second by Commissioner Thomas
Vote: unanimous (4-0) with Commissioner Evans abstaining
8. Finance Department
8.1. Financial Report (Discussion)
8.2. Check List (Action Item)
Commissioner Young entertained a motion to approve checks numbered 56,308 to 56,379 and manual checks numbered 333 to 337 and 1121.
Moved by Commissioner Mullin
Second by Commissioner Thomas
Commissioner Mullin asked about the water heater replacement.
Chief Elias explained that it was for the men’s shower room.
Vote: unanimous (5-0)
9. Summary by applicable Board liaison
9.1. Parks and Recreation Board
Commissioner Kennedy shared that the Board will meet next week because of the holiday. Ms. Swan is busy getting ready for Community Day this weekend.
9.2. COG
Mr. Vymazal shared that they have reached out to municipalities for information regarding the regional plan update.
9.3. Municipal Authority/DARA
Commissioner Mullin shared that Municipal Authority had an Aug 20th pre-construction meeting for the Kings Grant Electric Upgrades. They also voted on their 2027 budget and signed an agreement to encroach on a sewer easement at 7 Marshall Dr. They also authorized Pennoni to file for the grant for the Dogwood Scott Drive Phase 2 Sewer Extension Project. The sewer specialty project in Wedgewood should be wrapping up and Pennoni issued a notice of intent to award Eagle Contracting and Landscaping the Railroad Phase 2 project.
FEMA informed DARA that they are approved to be considered for federal emergency brick funding for flood control measures and they are still working on the expansion and modernization project which should be ready for bidding in late 2026 or early 2027.
9.4. Fire Board
No meeting
9.5. Historical Commission
Commissioner Evans shared that the Historic Commission will have a public meeting on the Historic Preservation Ordinance in lieu of their September meeting on the 16th at 6:30pm. They also approved their 2027 budget and are planning for Community Day. Commissioner Evans also heard from the Coatesville High School Principal who would like to schedule a meeting with Mr. Vymazal and the Commission about the Gardner Beale House. CASH History Chair Joe Tasoni wants to schedule a student field trip to the Spackman Davis Farm and the Schoolhouse tour had 14 visitors and there is one tour left!
9.6. Lincoln Highway
Commissioner Thomas shared that the committee met with Mr. Stackhouse and Mr. Vymazal to go over improvements to Lincoln Highway for future discussion and encouraged everyone to take the DVPRC Lincoln Highway survey before it closes on September 15th.
10. Additional Business
11. Public Comment
Commissioner Young recognized George March Treasurer for the Old Caln Historical Society who thanked Ms. Swan and Mr. Vymazal for all their support and their work on lease that will be considered at the next meeting.
12. Adjournment
Commissioner Young entertained a motion to adjourn.
Moved by Commissioner Thomas.
Second by Commissioner Evans.
Vote: unanimous (5-0)
The meeting adjourned at 8:14pm.
Respectfully submitted,
JoEllen McBride, PhD
Office & Sustainability Coordinator
