CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP
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The Charlestown Board of Supervisors held their regular monthly meeting at 8:00 pm on Thursday, May 9, 1991, in the Charlestown Elementary School.
| Present: | Irene W. Ewald, Chairman; John C. Martin, Jr., Vice Chairman; Vincent G. Kling, Sr., member; Surender Kohli, P.E.; James E. McErlane, Esq.; Thomas Comitta; Ruth W. Buckwalter; and those on the attached attendee list. |
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 8:15 P.M.
The Chairman reported that an Executive Session was held at the home of John Martin at which the three Supervisors and John D. Snyder, Esq., (by speaker phone) discussed the following two items: 1): Linda Halteman is expecting a baby and wished to be relieved of her position as Township Treasurer. She will be replaced by Linda Csete, who is well qualified for the position. At this time, Mrs. Ewald moved to formalize the appointment of Linda Csete as Township Treasurer at a monthly salary of $350, Mr. Martin seconded the motion, it carried unanimously. 2) Mr. Martin reported the Charlestown Hunt matter was reviewed. He spent two half-days giving his deposition at the request of Marc Kaplin, and now Surender Kohli is giving his deposition. Mr. Martin hopes that at the June meeting we may have a more definitive announcement as to where we are with Charlestown Hunt.
Mrs. Ewald reported a meeting took place April 26 between representatives from Charlestown Township, Schuylkill Township, Evergreen Acres Citizens Organization, and the Army Corps of Engineers for the purpose of discussing the Phase III funding for a risk assessment and remediation effort at the VFAH grounds. Funding has been secured.
Mrs. Ewald reported a meeting was held between the County Engineer, Dr. Foster, Senator Baker, PENNDOT, Mr. Kling and herself to get an update re Bridge #178.
The minutes of the April 1.1991 meeting of the Board of Supervisors were approved by a motion made by Mr. Martin and seconded by Mrs. Ewald. The motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Martin moved for approval of the April 1991 Treasurer’s Report. Mr. Kling seconded, the motion carried unanimously.
The Supervisors reviewed the May 9. 1991 Accounts Payable. Mr. Kling moved to approve the payables with the exception of check #6486, made out to Chester County Construction Co. Mrs. Ewald seconded the motion, it carried unanimously.
Mrs. Ewald read aloud the outstanding Escrow Accounts.
Zoning Officer’s Report: Mr. Kohli submitted a list of Permits issued during April for the Township files and reported the following: 1) A complaint was received that a single family dwelling on Charlestown Road was occupied by a family living downstairs and a boarder upstairs. Mr. Kohli is trying to get in touch with the owner, Mark Matsinger, to resolve this. 2) A complaint was received regarding a violation of the Weed Control Ordinance: this will be remedied. 3) An inquiry was made as to where in the Township can a veterinarian practice and dog kennel be located. According to the present Zoning Ordinance, this is permitted in the Institutional District, which has no available space. After a discussion, the Supervisors decided to refer this to the Planning Commission for their review and recommendation.
Planning Commission Report: Mr. Churchill reported that Michael Bowell is seeking approval for the placement of a driveway and storm management basin in a flood hazard district and a home in a high groundwater area. The Commission members indicated they would be willing to grant the application, provided that feasible engineering plans are provided. Spring Oak Business Center is still pending. Also, Mark Connolly discussed with the Commission the possibilities of the Parks and Recreation Board using open space and developing a park on a small parcel of land adjacent to Yellow Springs Road.
Parks and Recreation Report: Bob Elmer gave an update on the plans for the Charlestown Picnic. He also inquired about the use of the Township owned property on White Horse Road. Mrs. Ewald commended Mr. Elmer for his assistance to the Great Valley High School Ecology Club on clean-up day. Two 20 ton trucks of trash were collected. Mr. Martin moved to approve a $500 contribution to the Ecology Club, Mrs. Ewald seconded the motion, it carried unanimously.
Mrs. Ewald reported that she spoke, per telephone, to Minor Johnson of Conrail and he assured her that 95 % of the clean-up is completed. Conrail has offered to pay 5% of the 10% cost of installing signal lights at the Buckwalter Road crossing. A resident reported an accumulation of water at the intersection of Charlestown Road and Route #29. Mr. Kohli stated that there is a drain under the tracks which is plugged. Mrs. Ewald will contact Conrail regarding this.
Mr. Schindler came before the Board re. Aldham Hills. The outstanding issue is the matter to convey lot 6 without funding Escrow. Mr. Kohli noted that since the plan had been approved as an entirety, there was a need for Escrow Funds before any work could be done or it could possibly be a breach of agreement. Mr. McErlane said Mr. Schindler’s request conceptually could be done. Mr. Churchill stated that the Planning Commission recommends improvements be made on the historic house rather than allow it to further deteriorate. After .further discussion, it was determined that Mr. Schindler may consult with the Township Solicitor and Engineer regarding procedure with this project providing he agrees to reimburse the Township for their fees. Mr. Schindler did agree to so do. Mr. Kling requested an updated plan, a word picture accompanying it, and a sequence by which he would proceed. Mr. Comitta noted that new wetland delineation may be necessary.
Mr. Pyle submitted his monthly Roadmaster’s Report and verified the bill submitted by Chester County Construction Co. re. the sweeping and cleaning up of many of the Township roads. He also called attention to the disintegrating blacktop on Mine Road. Mr. Martin moved to approve for payment check #6468, Mr. Kling seconded the motion, it so carried.
Mr. McErlane took charge of the Public Hearing to amend the Zoning Ordinance, section 605 D3, so as to alter the mandated dwelling types in the PRD2 district by elimination of the required single family detached dwelling units. This proposed amendment arises from the plan of Charlestown Meadows. When it was realized that the neighbors surrounding the development had not been individually notified of this Hearing, the Supervisors were reluctant to continue. Mr. McErlane stated for the records that the Zoning Ordinance has different requirements for amendments to text and for things such as hearings for Zoning Hearing Board. Also, in the Subdivision Application, notice must be given to certain property owners. He noted that, since this notice had been given at an earlier date, this was a legitimate Hearing. It is, of course, within the Supervisors’ discretion to give as much additional notice as they deem appropriate. Mr. Kling moved to continue this Public Hearing at the June 3rd meeting, Mrs. Ewald seconded the motion, it was unanimously carried. Mr. Powell was instructed to give written notice to the surrounding neighbors.
Jack Loew stated he was requesting preliminary approval tonight for the Commons of Great Valley. He stated that Mr. Kohli had recommended approval, as had also the Planning Commission, upon conditions as listed in Mr. Kohli’s letter of April 23, 1991. After a discussion re. Warner Lane and Route #29, Mrs. Ewald moved for approval of the Preliminary Plan, subject to the conditions of Mr. Kohli’s April 23 letter, Mr. Martin seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Mr. McErlane was requested to advertise the Road Bids, to be received before 8:00 p.m. at the June 3 Supervisors’ meeting. Mr. Kohli noted that costs of road work on Tinkerhill and a portion of Union Hill will be paid from the Liquid Fuel fund. Mr. Martin moved to advertise the bids, Mrs. Ewald seconded the motion, it unanimously carried.
Mrs. Ewald read a letter from Roslyn Epstein re. the Charlestown Playschool’s need for traffic signs and a flashing signal light to control speeding at the school area. The subject was discussed. Mr. Kling moved to approve a channel grant in the amount of $2900 for the funding of the flashing signal, Mrs. Ewald seconded the motion, it unanimously carried.
Janet Baldwin reported that the Scout Troop of the Church of the Latter Day Saints of Trooper spent 200 man-hours cleaning out the old Revolutionary War Cemetery. She suggested a monthly mowing to maintain the Cemetery. To mark the tremendous effort put into this project by the scouts, Mrs. Ewald suggested some sort of celebration be held at the Cemetery on the 4th of July. Mrs. Baldwin will be in charge of organizing this event.
Mr. Martin brought up the matter of Devault Crushed Stone using part of the Township owned property on White Horse Road. They have offered to purchase or lease 1½ acres from the Township. Mr. Kling noted that Devault Crushed Stone has not lived up to the agreement they had with the Board to 1) complete the construction of an earth berm, 2) berm partially on neighbor’s property, 3) trees are threatened because of piles of stone. Mr. Kling made the motion to authorize Mr. Kohli to investigate this matter and have the above listed violations remedied and the land restored to it’s original condition. Mr. Martin seconded the motion, it unanimously carried.
Mr. Kohli brought the Philip/Hall Subdivision to the attention of the Board. This 3 lot subdivision was approved in 1988 and a lot line change was approved in 1989, but never recorded. The original signed plan has been lost and the Supervisors were requested to sign a duplicate plan for recording. Mr. Churchill signed the plan for the Planning Commission.
Due to the late hour, the Correspondence List will be attached to the minutes instead of the usual procedure of being read aloud.
The subject of delinquent Occupation Taxes had been brought to the Supervisors’ attention. Mr. Martin stated the Board should take appropriate action to collect this tax, starting with a letter from Mr. McErlane giving all delinquents 10 days to pay the tax.
All business being completed, Mr. Kling moved to adjourn the meeting, Mrs. Ewald seconded the motion, the meeting was adjourned – 11:11 p.m.
Secretary
