June 10, 2026 PBPA General Meeting Recap
On June 10, 2026 the PBPA held our General Meeting at Alleva Funeral Home in Paoli. The following are the minutes for those who could not attend.
Presenters:
Yonathan Kebede - President, Paoli Hospital
Don Curley - Township Manager, Easttown Township
Nicole Whitaker - Borough Manager, Malvern Borough
Robert Emmanuel - Planner, Planning & Zoning, Tredyffrin Township representing Bill Martin, Township Manager, Tredyffrin Township
Shanna Lodge - Township Manager, Willistown Township
Meeting called to Order
Michael welcomed and thanked all for coming.
First order of business was Nomination of 2026 to 2027 Board of directors up for re- election
Motion to approve the nomination of:
Steve Alleva - Board member
Jen Wilkins - Board member
Maureen Hennessey - Vice President
Michael Jackson - President
Motion Approved
Michael - PBPA Award presented to Steve Alleva as 2026 Paoli Business Person of the Year
To acknowledge Steve as an outstanding member of our community and organization. He goes above and beyond to support our PBPA organization and community events. He offers his building and staff to us. He is a wonderful host and we could not do what we do without his support. Thank you, Steve!
Congratulations to Riddima Pandey, a recent Conestoga High School graduate, who has been accepted to the University of Pennsylvania as a Freshman this Fall, on a full scholarship.
Riddima has brought the voice of the youth of our community to the PBPA; she was nominated as an PBPA associate board member to participate in our board meetings. Riddima pens our PBPA monthly newsletter, organizes local high school youth volunteers to assist in our events, documents events with her excellent photography and video skills; plus adds her perspective to our PBPA webpage and social media sites.
She has most generously brought her brother, Yash; to continue her youth legacy on the Board when she cannot be with us.
Riddima is a perfect example to what all organizations should consider; bringing youth and young adults into their organizations. "The elders create the foundation; The youth build on it."
Michael introduced the Presenters:
Yonathan Kebede, President of Paoli Hospital
His goal is to bring more services to Paoli Hospital.
Spoke of challenges of hospitals in our area today. Especially critical capacity pressures.
What Paoli Hospital is planning to do to accommodate the patients that come to Paoli when their local hospitals are no longer open:
Yonathan is presenting to the Governing Board a proposal for a new project, construction of a new tower with 100 beds and associated services.
The hospitals 2009 expansion; cannot meet the needs of the hospitals 2026 demands.
Paoli sees 55.000 emergency room patients each year.
Zoning Board of Willistown Township has approved the new plan
The Hospital Financial Committee have approved the new plan
His positive prediction is that the Hospital Governing Board will approve the new plan at their meeting tonight.
The support of the local community and PBPA is critical in the future success of the Paoli hospital. Yonathan expressed his deepest appreciation to all.
Townships Supervisors Reports:
Shannon Lodge - Willistown Twp
Reported on the ongoing circulation study of non motorized, walkable connections for all Walkers , Bikers and Equestrian users. This is in the planning stages.
June 1st , 2026 Sewer Authority established Willistown Sewer Authority
New Public Works campus , includes new offices, salt shed, garages construction continues.
No longer will Willistown be using the Valley Forge plant.
3..GO WILMA established in 2012, continues Summer outdoor programs, Summer reading program , Events, America 250 celebration June 27; Willistown County Fair, July 16. More to be announced as plans solidify.
Nicole Whitaker, Borough Manager - Malvern Borough
They are merging King Street Malvern Association with the Malvern Business Association.
One of the primary goals is to fill the empty commercial spaces in Eastside Flats. They have been vacant for the past several years, post covid era.
They are working on new projects and appeals with the zoning board to reduce dwelling units and provide mix use buildings
Phase One of Randolph Woods Nature Preserve improvement project is beginning.
They are hiring a full-time Police officer and Administrative Coordinator
Searching for more of volunteers
Lynne Williams commented that part of her business is advertising job requests and offered to assist by advertising Malvern Borough opportunities.
The Malvern Borough has a new website. http://www.malvern.org
Don Curly - Easttown Twp
The Township focus is on people-oriented projects
How are they communicating messages to their residents
Considering merging Easttown with the T/E Fire and EMS
Generating revenue [real estate tax and earned income tax]
Biggest change is the township demographics
They have created an advisory board to develop new policies and guidelines
Sidewalk projects are being explored and investigated
An example of better community communication is providing text alerts for emergency purposes only; not general information
The focus is on identifying the best methods to engage the community; Cadence Channel, Content
View enacting legislation; Recognizing the critical importance of clear, effective, modern communication between government and residents; the Board's mission is to build stronger connections with our citizens by delivering timely, relevant, and meaningful communications through the channels
Comment/Question: Michael DiAndrea - What can be done about the old Handel's Ice Cream property appearance?
Jay Dempsey's new project is on hold due to high interest rates for the construction of a three-story apartment / retail building, and parking garage, on this location. Basically, the township feels it is difficult to enforce better upkeep, during the delay.
Rob Emmanuel (Bill Martin unable to attend) Tredyfferin Twp
His task is to connect with the Business Community. Rob’s updates:
PennDot installing stop signs on S Valley Road at Central Ave
Amtrak will be working on electrical sub-station improvements related to the upcoming Darby Road Project
Because only Amtrak employees are allowed to work on these projects, that has contributed to the delay of the Darby Road Construction Project. They have an overwhelming amount of work to do which will delay the start of the new overpass project.
PennDot has put out bids for 2027 and 2028 projects related to the Paoli Train Station and the Darby Road Project.
Paoli Train station is 3rd busiest in state of PA (surpassing Pittsburgh, Pa.)
Paoli is considered a major gateway and cross-road in PA.
Feasibility studies of Town Center District, incorporating the Historical essence of Paoli!
Types of new development the planning commission wants to see; i.e. new Paoli Library
Comment/Question: Ed Auble - The center of the town has the old church and is a perfect place to move the new Paoli Library (which has outgrown its present location)
Besides the new library, this church location has space for, new offices.
Preparing a survey to gather information on relocation of Paoli Library and Strafford Library renovations.
New Town Center Project manager; George ?? (no info on last name)
America 250 - Paoli Events
Plans include: Summer concerts, movies, film screenings,
Re-enactments from a New England group representing "the British Troops Encampment" at the Tea Garden in Berwyn.
Use of Chester County Trail for the Re-enactment
Planned for the Fall 2026
Comment/Question: Bob Di Simone - Re: Electricity wastefulness
Driving around the area noticed that local Office Parks; all night-long, the interior electric lights are on everywhere in the empty buildings and all parking lots.
It is very wasteful
Why can't motion sensors be installed to save on electricity
There is "Only one new building", in Great Valley Corporate Center, that is dark except for the interior Exit Signs
What is the possibility of having regulations for lighting for energy efficiency?
There is a planned June 16th, 2026 meeting at Lower Merion Township Building in Ardmore, at 6pm, regarding the Project and Amtrak.
Wrap Up - Michael Jackson
Tim Phelps, from the County-wide Transportation Agency will be speaking again at a PBPA meeting in the Fall 2026; he will be presenting an update on the Darby Rd Overpass/Bridge Project. We will notify all the Chester County Township Representatives, so they can attend.
Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted;
Linda Goldstein, Secretary, Paoli Business and Professional Association.
Michael Jackson, President, Paoli Business and Professional Association