Council passes mask ordinance

Residential gatherings limited to 15 people

WEST CHESTER » By the slimmest of margins, borough council voted, at Wednesday’s virtual meeting, to require masks in most public instances and limit gatherings at residences to 15 people.

Councilors were sharply divided. The measure to enact the ordinance passed with a 4-3 vote. Council members Lisa Dorsey, Bill Scott, Michael Stephano and Nick Allen voted in favor. Bernie Flynn, Don Braceland and President Michael Galey voted “Nay.”

The action comes in wake of Mayor Dianne Herrin’s Oct. 2 state of emergency COVID declaration to require masks when within six feet of others, except in some commercial places, and limit gatherings in private places to 10 people. The mayor later amended the declaration to allow up to 25 people to meet, with a permit.

The ordinance passed Wednesday would stay in effect for 60 days unless council votes to alter it. The vote sets the limit for gatherings at private residences at 15. The ordinance would not impact diners, while seated at the borough’s restaurants. Those in violation could realize up to a $300 fine.

Police have served several warnings, with three violations.

Democrat Herrin is running to fill Carolyn Comitta’s state representative seat in the 156th Legislative District against Republican Len Iacono.

Herrin released the following statement, Wednesday night: “I am grateful for the council’s decision to prioritize the health and safety of our entire community. In the middle of this pandemic, the choice between doing nothing and a total lockdown is a false choice, and we need proactive solutions that will help protect the community while keeping the town safely open for business.

“As elected officials, it is our job to find policy solutions that balance everyone’s interests, and I believe Borough Council did that tonight.”

Herrin has cited data and statistics showing that borough 19- to 22-yearolds recently experienced a large spike in COVID infections. Since the order went into effect, the number of recent positive tests has decreased.

Most West Chester University classes are held virtually. The university maintains that a vast majority of those infected have not stepped foot on campus.

Stefano represents the 4th Ward, which is the home of many college age renters.

“I understand how hard it is to tell someone you can’t do this in your own home or property but sometimes we need to do for the greater good,” Stefano said. Flynn disagreed. “Punishing other wards is extremely unfair,” he said.

Allen voted in favor of the ordinance. He said that efforts to curtail Spanish Flu during the early 20th Century were “way more intense and extreme.” Dorsey voted in favor. “This is an unprecedented time and we have to strike a balance in the interest of our greater community,” Dorsey said.

Kevin Gore, director of the Building and Housing Department said he received four reports of large gatherings since the mayor’s declaration. At one event, 56 people were present. Police Chief Jim Morehead said there was a “big drop off” and decline in the number of parties and for those not wearing masks.

Jack Guida PHD, said that if there are not enough hospital beds, the death rate will sky rocket.

“We are approaching a critical point in the pandemic and this is not the time to let our guard down,” Guida said. “For Thanksgiving people will be coming from around the country and gathering in homes.”

Assisted living facility Barclay Friends executive director Linda Sterthous voiced a passionate plea to enact the ordinance. She said that the average age at the facility is 92 and the oldest resident is 109.

“We are caring for some of the most vulnerable members of our community,” she said. “COVID-19 can be a death threat to a 90-year old.

“It would break my heart to close to visitors. We all have rights, but we all have civic responsibilities.”

Jennifer Karsten is executive director at the Hickman. She also talked about quarantining assisted living care center residents.

“It’s like losing a person if they are still alive,” she said. “We are all in this together.”

Maggie McIntosh organized a petition drive with 445 signatures in favor of the mayor’s declaration.

“We all want this to end, if we can all go in … then we will be able to bring down this spike in cases.”

Resident Beth Rosica has organized a petition drive opposing the declaration, with 173 signatures.

“Get government out of our living rooms,” she said. “Giving up our Constitutional rights is not for the greater good.

“The greater good is not served by taking away citizens’ rights.”

Funeral Director Lillian DeBaptiste said she knows firsthand of the devastation of death.

“Rights are not violated because we must put a mask on our face,” she said. “We should want to do that.”

Resident Kimberly Spusta said that residents have a right to host events in their homes without asking permission.

“I refuse to miss any more of these special days,” she said. “We can make our own healthy decisions.

“It is not my job to protect you.” Herrin thanked council. “As we enter the eighth month of this pandemic, we are beginning to see a record number of new coronavirus cases across the country,” Herrin said. “Our national leadership has failed to take proper measures to keep coronavirus under control, and the burden has fallen on local officials to navigate these complex waters and do the hard work necessary to protect our communities.”

Resident Kyle Hudson supported the majority on council.

“It really stinks if we miss out on these family moments,” he said. “We all have to work together to get through this.”