CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP
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The Charlestown Township Board of Supervisors held their regular monthly meeting on Monday, July 1, 1991 at the Charlestown Elementary School.
| Present: | Irene W. Ewald, Chairman; John C. Martin, Jr., Vice Chairman; Vincent G. Kling, Sr., member; Surender S. Kohli, P.E.; James E. McErlane, Esq.; Ruth W. Buckwalter, Secretary; and those on the attached attendee list. |
Mrs. Ewald called the meeting to order at 8:07 P.M.
Mr. Kling moved to approve the minutes of the June 3. 1991 meeting. Mr. Martin seconded the motion, it carried unanimously.
Mr. Martin moved to approve the June. 1991 Treasurer’s Report. Mr. Kling seconded the motion, it carried unanimously.
Mr. Kling moved to approve the July 1. 1991 Accounts Payable. Mr. Martin seconded the motion, it carried unanimously.
Checks #6430. 6431 and 6432 were approved for payment on a motion by Mr. Martin which was seconded by Mr. Kling. The motion carried unanimously.
Zoning Officer’s Report: Mr. Kohli submitted a report on Permits issued during the month of June for the files. He reported the following complaints received: 1) Mrs. Street complained of excessive noise after hours from Devault Quarry. Mr. Kohli met with Mr. Hess who claims the noise is not from his business. Mr. Kohli will meet with the two parties and Mrs. Street suggested noise testing might be appropriate at that time. 2) A complaint re. grading the pond on the Dixon property was investigated. Mr. Kohli has been in touch with DER and Soil Conservation and they have written a report and will follow up on the matter. 3) Burning at Heatherwood was checked and Mr. Kohli stated the burning was of cardboard boxes which appeared to look more serous that it actually was. Mrs. Ewald reported that she had received several calls in reference to a resident running a chipper for 8 to 10 hours at a time. Mr. Kohli reported receiving a quotation of $825 to remove the white ash from Sycamore Lane. Mr. Faggioli felt he should have the opportunity of submitting a price. Mr. Kling suggested two prices: 1) cutting and hauling away all wood plus grinding out stump 2) cutting and grinding out stump, but leaving cut up wood. The Board agreed to this and the matter was tabled until the August meeting.
Roadmaster Report: Acting Roadmaster Mrs. Ewald reported a tree down on Yellow Springs Road on June 18. On June 19, Mrs. Ewald and Mr. Faggioli did a road tour and Mr. Faggioli was authorized to do mowing and trimming. On July 2, Mrs. Ewald again toured the roads and thanked Mr. Faggioli for doing a fine job for the Township. Due to his health, Mr. Pyle has resigned his position as Roadmaster and the Board is looking for a replacement. Applications have been received and Mrs. Ewald noted any interested party should submit a letter to the Board.
Parks and Recreation Board: Bob Elmer reported the Township Picnic was a success. Albert Van Brunt stated that over $1,000 was made in profit which was divided according to the number of tickets sold by participating organizations. The Park improvement fund gained $320.90. Mr. Elmer thought it appropriate that the many services of Steve Fahir were recognized by presenting him with a certificate and also by planting a copper beech tree near the entrance to the Park. Mr. Elmer further reported that the Valley Forge Christian College has agreed to open and close the Park gates daily on a trial basis.
At this time, Mr. Elmer stated that a Public Hearing to consider the Phoenixville Marian Youth Club’s proposal to use a portion of the Park for sports will be held at 8:00 p.m. at the Nature Center of Charlestown on Monday, July 22. Mr. Elmer introduced Greg Grover, Vice President of PMYC, who in turn introduced Harry Dawson, President; Bill Kriegur, Football Commissioner; and Chuck McQuison, Coach and Sports Representative to the Board. Mr. Grover displayed a site plan and listed the improvements to be made at the expense of PMYC. The organization’s funding was explained and insurance listed. Mrs. Ewald noted that, beginning this fall, the VFCC will use the student parking lot located on their property thereby vacating the Township parking lot. PMYC would like the use of the pro-shop and agree to improve the building at their expense. After further questions and discussion, Mr. Martin stated the Board would have Mr. McErlane draw up a contract.
Mrs Ewald introduced Priscilla Crowell who gave an overview of the Middle Pickering Rural Historic District, a large district consisting of 1,055 acres in the Pikelands and Charlestown Townships. Mrs. Crowell credited Estelle Cremers for the considerable research which was necessary for filing the nomination papers in Harrisburg. The project was approved at the meeting in Harrisburg on June 11 and will now be forwarded to Washington for final approval. Mrs. Crowell noted that photos of some of the buildings in the district were on display at the rear of the auditorium. Mrs. Eleanor Morris, French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust, expanded on the report saying that it had begun as the Pigeon Run District which was enlarged to include the present acreage, a project that was 4 years in completion. Mrs. Morris expressed her gratitude to Priscilla Crowell, Janet Baldwin and Grace Mohler who spent many hours researching the 34 sites considered for the report.
The September meeting of the Board of Supervisors was rescheduled to Monday, September 9th, 8:00 P.M., at the Charlestown Elementary School.
Mr. Kling moved to approve the Township Treasurer’s request to attend a course on Basic Accounting for Municipal Officials at a cost of $30. Mr. Martin seconded the. motion, it carried unanimously.
Drew Alleva submitted his final plan for the Alleva Subdivision to the Board for approval. This plan creates a 3 acre lot on the corner of Hilltop Road. Mr. Churchill reported that the Planning Commission approved the plan subject to the Applicant complying with all items contained in Mr. Kohli’s letter of July 1, 1991. After a discussion with concerned attendees and reviewing the conditions of approval with Mr. Kohli, Mr. Kling moved to approve the plan subject to Mr. Kohli’s letter of July 1, 1991, and Mr. Kohli being the party to enforce the agreement between the Applicant and Frank & Elizabeth Mastrangelo. Mrs. Ewald seconded the motion, it so carried.
Mrs. Ewald announced that the Township meeting would be continued later this evening and the Public Hearing re Ordinance #60-91 would commence at this time. A Court Reporter recorded the minutes. At the conclusion of the Hearing, Mr. Kling moved to table this issue until the August 12th meeting, Mr. Martin seconded the motion, it carried unanimously.
At this time, the Supervisors resumed the regular meeting.
Jim Mitchell questioned the Board regarding a newspaper article which stated that three buildings at the former Valley Forge Army Hospital are to be made available for the homeless. Mrs. Ewald replied that the Board has had no official notice on this but she will contact the Schuylkill Supervisors and the Christian College to see if she can clarify this issue.
Mr. Martin stated that Charlestown Township seemed to be the only Township in the surrounding area without a recycling program. He proposed initiating such a program and requested the Planning Commission gather information and present a recommendation to the Supervisors.
Mrs. Ewald reported that the Supervisors received a copy of a letter written by Meta Miller, Secretary to West Pikeland, to Senator Earl Baker re. Newcomen Road. The letter claims that this road lies entirely in Charlestown Township and therefore is not West Pikeland’s responsibility. This issue has been turned over to Mr. McErlane.
Mrs. Ewald made the List of Correspondence available to the public for review after the meeting.
All business completed, Mrs. Ewald entertained a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Kling so moved, Mrs. Ewald seconded, the motion so carried. The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 P.M.
Secretary
