Hearing delayed in proposed West Alexander Borough project
A hearing on Thursday in the Washington County Court of Common Pleas about the validity of signatures on a petition submitted to Donegal Township by a group called West Alexander Borough Project – which aims to incorporate West Alexander as independent borough – was delayed until January 2026.
The group had collected signatures from a majority of freeholders within the proposed borough, as part of the legal process required in Pennsylvania, and presented the petition to Washington County Court, which will rule on a decision regarding the independence of West Alex following a review and a recommendation by an independent committee.
However, Donegal Township supervisors have challenged the validity of 117 signatures on the petition, for reasons ranging from illegible signatures to challenges of residency.
In a letter sent to township residents in October, supervisors wrote, “the township has determined that the petition does not meet the legal minimum thresholds for the action to proceed forward,” and filed an objection.
The proposed borough has met requirements for population and its map of borough boundaries has been approved.
Dr. Kathleen Miller, a lifelong resident of West Alexander Borough who leads the West Alexander Borough Project, said she was disappointed the hearing was moved.
“I was really hoping we’d be able to do this today, because we have gone meticulously through their objections and we can debunk every one of them,” said Miller.
So far, the West Alexander Borough Project has met requirements for population – the borough would have 770 residents, exceeding the 500 required – and has completed a map with proposed borough boundaries.
A discovery meeting is slated for Jan. 12.
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