CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MINUTES Charlestown Township Municipal Building 11 General Warren Blvd., Suite 1, Malvern, PA Tuesday, February 5, 2024

Present

Call to Order:

7:00 p.m.

Announcements

Tonight, there was an executive session regarding litigation and personnel matters.

Mr. Heleniak thanked everyone for their patience since the walkway lights are not functioning.

Citizens Forum

No subject was brought forward.

Approvals

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

1. Minutes for the January 2, 2024, Reorganization Meeting
2. Minutes for the January 2, 2024, Business Meeting
3. January 2024 Treasurer’s Report
4. Accounts Payable Report - All Funds for February 5, 2024

Reports

Mr. Kuhn moved to accept the January 2024 reports #1-16 as submitted, and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Old Business –

none

New Business

Resignation of Supervisor Susan Bednar

Mr. Kuhn moved, with great regret, to accept the resignation of Supervisor Susan Bednar, and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Resignation of Auditor Francis Cantwell

Mr. Philips moved to accept the resignation of Auditor Francis Cantwell, and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Appointment to the Parks & Recreation Board for unexpired term ending 12/31/27

Mr. Heleniak summarized the background of Ms. Kyla McFadden who is proposed as the final member to complete the Parks and Recreation Board. Mr. Kuhn moved to appoint Ms. Kyla McFadden to the Parks & Recreation Board for an unexpired term ending 12/31/2027, and Mr. Piliero seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Presentation on Beyond Pesticides/Osborne Organics’ Site-Specific Program

EAC Chairperson, Ms. Carol Armstrong, gave a presentation called Parks with a Sustainable Future. She discussed site-specific organic land management principles from the non-profit group, Beyond Pesticides, and OsborneOrganics.com. The project provides useful information on organic fertility and weed control alternatives. Her focus tonight was on a sustainable future for the publicly used land in Charlestown Township.

1. Two properties can be selected within the Township for the grant program.
2. The EAC suggests Charlestown Park and the Mill (alongside Pickering Creek).
3. The initial step is to test the soil at the sites at the Township’s expense.
4. The Board thought it was worthwhile to test the athletic fields after Ms. Armstrong obtains more detailed information about testing.
5. The soil tests would be analyzed and a report and recommendations would follow.
6. Ms. Armstrong said the prescription would lead to healthier soil that would remove the need for synthetic treatment/pesticides by changing the chemistry of the soil. She added that the program avoids and reverses problems, and provides weed control.
7. Supervisors suggested there be a meeting of the athletic clubs that use the Park fields, plus Charlestown Landscaping (servicing Charlestown Park), and GreenWeaver Landscapes (servicing the Mill).
8. The contracts with the athletic clubs do not state whether the Township can restrict what the clubs use on the fields.
9. Mr. Heleniak said Charlestown Landscaping has not sprayed synthetic herbicides at the Park.
10. Mr. Kuhn asked why other companies contracted by the Township wouldn’t offer this avenue and Mr. Philips mentioned the tenacity of invasives.
11. Mr. Piliero asked if this is an effective substitute for the Township to use (as weed control, avoiding and reversing problems). Ms. Armstrong said yes, organic substitutes would be used on a recommended schedule.
12. Mr. Kuhn asked about the success of the program. Ms. Armstrong said the benefits/ results are expected within a year.

PECO Right-of-Way Agreement for Township-Owned Properties Along State Road

Mr. Heleniak said he was contacted by PECO representatives requesting approval of a right-of-way agreement to allow them to enter a portion of the Township’s property. Parcel #35-2-66.1 is part of the Pickering Preserve. PECO wishes to install 4 anchor guys (covered support cables) on 4 poles within the property and perform tree maintenance work. Mr. Thompson reviewed the agreement and does not have an issue with it.

Mr. Philips moved to approve the proposed PECO Right of Way Agreement, and Mr. Piliero seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Bamboo Mitigation at Swiss Pines

Mr. Heleniak contacted Chester County Bamboo and obtained a quote for $3,000. This would cover removal of the bamboo that is a liability along the Charlestown Road frontage of Swiss Pines. After this step, further steps to manage the bamboo will be investigated. No Township measures have been taken to date.

Authorize Advertising for Landscaping Contracts 2024-2026

Mr. Heleniak said the 3-year landscaping contract with Charlestown Landscaping ends on March 31, 2023, and it is time to advertise for bids for the 2024-2027 period.

Mr. Piliero moved to direct Mr. Heleniak to advertise for landscape bids, and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Adjournment

There being no other business, Mr. Piliero adjourned the meeting at 7:33 p.m. The next Business Meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 4, 2024, at 7 p.m., at 11 General Warren Blvd., Suite 1, Malvern, PA.