CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MINUTES Charlestown Township Municipal Building 11 General Warren Blvd., Suite 1, Malvern, PA Monday, August 7, 2023

Present

Call to Order:

7:00 p.m.

Announcements

There was an executive session before tonight’s meeting to discuss real estate matters.

Mr. Kuhn stated that the Township received a letter from Ms. Pam Brown of the French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust. Charlestown Township has been selected to receive French & Pickering’s Morris Award. It will be presented at the Easement Landowner Appreciation Gathering. The award is presented for extraordinary conservation achievements.

Citizens Forum

Mr. Dan Walker from the Planning Commission announced that the EAC had successfully secured a place for Charlestown Road on the PennDOT Adopt a Highway Program. The first tentative cleanup date is scheduled for September 16^th, 2023.

Approvals

Mr. Kuhn moved to approve the reports listed below and Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Philips called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

1. Minutes for the July 5, 2023, Business Meeting
2. July 2023 Treasurer’s Report
3. Accounts Payable Report - All Funds for Aug. 5, 2023

Reports

Mr. Kuhn moved to accept the July 2023, reports #1-16 as submitted, and Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Philips called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Old Business –

none

New Business

Greene-Marks Final Subdivision Plan

Mr. Greg Adelman, Esq., who was later joined by Mr. Brynn Schaffer, PE, PLS, was present requesting Final Approval for the Greene-Marks subdivision at 4219 Howell Road. The only change to this revision is the added 2 acres of reforestation area. All technical comments by the Township Land Planner and Township Engineer have been resolved. They have the PA DEP issued NPDES permit.

Mr. Philips asked for comments from the Board and there were none. There was one comment from the audience by Ms. Jill Greene. She read a prepared statement voicing opposition to plan and to the various waivers granted by the Township. The statement is available at the Township office. She asked the following 2 questions:

1. Accessory Dwelling-Does the current stormwater management plan take into consideration anticipated additional impervious surfaces? The Applicant and Mr. Wright both responded yes to this question. The stormwater management system is designed to handle 2,000 square feet of additional impervious coverage per lot. Also, any accessory structure would be factored into the equation and impervious usage is tracked. Mr. Wright stated that if a lot exceeds the permitted additional 2,000 square feet of impervious coverage, then they would be required to install additional stormwater management MBPs.
2. What determines the need for a cul de sac? Mr. Kuhn said any local road exceeding 1,000 linear feet is required to have a cul de sac.

Mr. Kuhn moved to approve the Final Plan for the Green-Marks Subdivision Application subject to the consultant review comments. Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Philips called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Dougherty Conditional Use Decision

Mr. Thompson outlined the conditions of the draft decision for the Dougherty Conditional Use Application. A summary is below:

1. The Equestrian Academy, its improvements, and all activities shall comply with Township Zoning and other ordinances and regulations.
2. The Township Engineer is to be consulted for improvements.
3. A letter is required from the Township Historical Commission.
4. Prior approval is needed for horse shows.
5. The Academy must comply with all Township Engineer review letters.
6. The construction must be the same as presented at the hearing.
7. The approval tonight does not include approval for horse shows.

Mr. Wright added that a lighting plan was submitted and it complied with Township provisions.

Mr. Philips moved to approve the Conditional Use Decision for William and Joanna Dougherty, and Kara Dougherty. Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Philips called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Turnpike Maintenance Facility Conservation Easement Agreement

Mr. Thompson provided basic details on the proposed agreement to create a conservation easement for approximately 18 acres of the property where the new Turnpike Commission maintenance facility is located. This was a condition of land development approval. Mr. Thompson is working with the Turnpike Commission’s counsel on the language in the agreement and the proposed agreement will be forwarded to the Board for further review. Mr. Kuhn suggested the 18-acre easement be held by a third party. This will be addressed at the September meeting.

Resolution to Acquire Property

Mr. Thompson indicated that the 2022 resolution to approve the acquisition of property, including Swiss Pines, the Bartschi Foundation, and the Henriette Bumeder, and Arnold Bartschi properties, needed to be revised because it included the incorrect number of acres to be acquired. However, rather than pass a resolution just to correct this issue, he suggested we wait until closer to settlement in case there are other things that need to be cleaned up by resolution. This would be in light of the July 24^th judge’s settlement order allowing the Township to take ownership of those properties. Once the court order is final in 30 days, the Township can move forward and establish a date for settlement. Further action on this was tabled.

Appointment to the Uniform Construction Code Board of Appeals for an unexpired term ending 12/31/2027

Mr. Heleniak noted that there is a vacancy on the 3-member Uniform Construction Code Board of Appeals for a member with fire protection experience. Ms. Bednar moved to adopt ordinance #1036-23 appointing Mark Koenig to the UCC term ending 12/31/2027, and Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Philips called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Resolution to Amend Credit Card Policy for 2023

Mr. Heleniak proposed an amended credit card policy to make adjustments for personnel changes and to add Mark Koenig as an authorized user of a Visa and Home Depot account. Mr. Kuhn moved to adopt ordinance #1037-23 amending the Credit Card Policy, and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Philips called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Change Order to 2023 Paving Project – Three Ponds Ln

Mr. Wright explained that due to the age of the road and the materials used during construction at that time, a change order is needed to increase the cost of labor but reduce the cost of materials. The net change is a slight decrease from the contract.

Mr. Willig moved to approve Change Order #1 to the paving contract with Long Asphalt, and Ms. Bednar seconded. Mr. Philips called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

PMYC Building Repairs

Mr. Heleniak stated that the estimated cost for the proposed repairs to the PMYC building at Charlestown Park was $28,700 and included in the 2023 budget. The PMYC received a quote for $28,750.00 and would like to move forward. The PMYC previously invested in the complex with improvements to lighting and a new clubhouse roof. They hoped to proceed with repairs since they are rebranding and having a celebration in September. Mr. Heleniak suggested a donation to the PMYC to cover these improvements. Mr. O’Brien thanked the Members for their consideration.

Mr. Kuhn moved to approve a donation to the PMYC for $28,750.00 to cover the costs of the repairs to the clubhouse building, including siding, doors, and windows, and Ms. Bednar seconded. Mr. Philips called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Authorize Advertising for Bids to Repair Pickering Creek Footbridge

Mr. Heleniak stated that the Township has been awarded a FEMA disaster assistance grant to cover part of the expenses to repair the footbridge over Pickering Creek. Mr. Wright is working to prepare a bid document for the project.

Mr. Kuhn moved to authorize advertising for bids to repair the Pickering Creek Footbridge, and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Philips called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Interim Budget Report

Mrs. Csete referenced the Interim Budget Report and explained that there are eight separate funds. She indicated that balances in the General Fund, Liquid Fuels Fund, and Capital Fund for Open Space, are favorable or very favorable and are expected to remain so at the end of the year (an estimated 5% above for carryover). The Covid Relief Fund is on target. Three additional funds have no activity budgeted for the year including the Recreational Fee-in-Lieu Fund, Stormwater Management Fund, and Transportation Impact Fund.

The Capital Improvement Fund for General Projects will be unfavorable compared to the budget due to change orders approved for the new office fit-out.

Escrow Release #14 Devault Village at Spring Oak

Mr. Wright indicated that the release request was reduced by $3,772.50 for backfill curbing that is unfinished. Mr. Philips moved to approve Escrow Release #14, for Devault Village at Spring Oak for $207,230.00, and Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Philips called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Other Business

Mr. Kuhn asked about the Hoopes subdivision and Mr. Heleniak said they have not formally withdrawn the sketch plan application, but they requested to be removed from the Planning Commission agenda and we have not heard from them since.

There is a special meeting for the Township’s property/casualty risk management renewal scheduled for noon on Monday, August 14^th, 2023.

Adjournment

There being no other business, Mr. Philips adjourned the meeting at 7:38 p.m. The next Business Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023, at 7 p.m., at 11 General Warren Blvd., Suite 1, Malvern, PA.