Donegal Township residents continue to work to bring back West Alexander Borough
A group of Donegal Township residents continues to work on plans to reestablish the former West Alexander Borough, and a certified map of the proposed borough is expected to be completed sometime mid-January.
“We’re ready to go,” said Dr. Kathleen Miller, coordinator of the West Alexander Borough Project.
In 2009, the former West Alexander Borough – a historic town just off Interstate 70, which, at the time, consisted only of Main Street – merged with Donegal Township.
Miller, a lifelong West Alexander resident who operates Kleine Klasses Schulte on Main Street, said the move would be a “win-win” for the proposed borough and the township.
“I believe we’re going to be able to revitalize the (West Alexander) community. It’s making people excited, and people are wanting to get involved,” said Miller. “We’re going to bring back and emphasize our history, we’re bringing back festivals and activities. There’s an excitement and revitalization that’s happening, and that revitalization will only help Donegal Township.”
If the proposed borough charter is approved, West Alexander would encompass 16 miles of borough and state roads, include 750 residents who have access to city water and/or sewage, and operate with an approximate $635,000 budget.
The project includes six committees that have worked to address the map, budget, and other related matters.
Miller said about half a dozen financial experts evaluated the proposed borough budget, and agree with the committee’s assessment that the break-up would cost Donegal Township about $20,000.
The committee is hosting seminars in upcoming weeks for residents interested in running for mayor or borough council. West Alexander currently has fire protection and a post office.
Once the map, which has been prepared by Cenker Engineering, is complete, the project committee will seek signatures on a petition in favor of moving ahead with forming West Alexander Borough.
A Washington County judge would then have to approve the petition.
If the judge gives the proposal the green light, the question would be placed on the ballot for a referendum vote, and the proposed borough could become a reality within a year.
“It will be a nice, fresh start,” said Miller, who started looking into the idea in 2021 after conversations with her father, the late John P. “Jack” Vensel. “It makes a lot of sense. We’re getting closer to becoming a borough again.”