CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP
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The Charlestown Township Board of Supervisors held their regular monthly meeting on Monday, September 9, 1991, at the Charlestown Elementary School.
| Present: | Irene W. Ewald, Chairman; John C. Martin, Jr., Vice President; Vincent G. Kling, Sr., Member; James E. McErlane, Esq.; Surender S. Kohli, P.E.; Ruth W. Buckwalter, Secretary; and those on the attached list of attendees. |
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 8:07 P.M.
Mrs. Ewald reported three Executive Sessions were held since the August 12th meeting re. Charlestown Hunt and Charlestown Brae.
Mr. Martin moved to approve the minutes of August 12. 1991. Mr. Kling seconded the motion, the minutes were approved unanimously.
Mr. Kling moved to approve the August; 1991. Treasurer’s Report. Mr. Martin seconded the motion, the Treasurer’s Report was approved unanimously.
Mr. Kling moved to approve the September 9. 1991. Accounts Payable. Mrs. Ewald seconded the motion and it was unanimously carried.
Zoning Officer’s Report: Mr. Kohli submitted the list of Building and Use & Occupancy Permits issued during the month of August. He reported checking on complaints re. #5 Benburb Road where garbage was reportedly being combined with mulching for composting. The resident was given until the middle of September to clean this up. Mr. Kohli sent a letter to Mr. Shinski re. a clean up and also gave a report on Devault Quarry.
Roadmaster’s Report: As Acting Roadmaster, Mrs. Ewald reported that during August, three trees were downed on Blackberry Lane, a catch basin was rebuilt on Tyrone Road and catch basins were cleaned on Glenview, Tyrone, Marian, Benburb, Ravenhill, Maryhill Roads and Pine Drive. The paving on Tinkerhill Lane is completed and Union Hill Road is scheduled for September 10. Due to thefts of road signs, the installation of a new sign for Union Hill Road will be delayed for a time. Joe O’Brian thanked the Supervisors for the excellent work done paving Tinkerhill Lane.
Mrs. Ewald reported that Denny Kane and Bill Quay have volunteered to help with recycling in the Township.
Mr. Ewald called on Don Magargal who introduced Tom Floyd, President of the Phoenixville Area Soccer Club. The Soccer Club would like to have a contract with the Township similar to the one of PMYC. Mr. Floyd reported that this is their 19th season and there are 300 boys and girls registered. The clubhouse needs renovating, and security improvements. Before spending the money on this project, the club feels they should have a longer term contract than their present year to year contract. Mrs. Ewald gave Mr. Magargal a copy of the PYMC Agreement and suggested they model their proposal along the same line. She directed them to contact the Parks and Recreation Board to be scheduled for their next meeting at which time the proposal will be gone over and prepared for the October 7th Board of Supervisors’ meeting.
Mr. Martin opened the salt bids received from AKZO Salt Inc., Morton Salt, and Cargill Salt. The bids were read aloud and then given to the Township Engineer for his review, after which Cargill Salt was confirmed as the lowest bidder. Mr. Martin moved to award the salt bid to Cargill Salt, subject to that Company providing a Performance Bond, Mrs. Ewald seconded the motion, it carried unanimously.
Mr. Martin give the following summary on Charlestown Hunt: He prepared a proposal which was given to Charlestown Hunt in May. They prepared a counter proposal delivered to the Supervisors in August. On September 5th, Messrs. Martin, Snyder and McErlane met with Messrs. Duckworth, Kaplin and Riley in Mr. McErlane’s office. The issues discussed were primarily those on the developer’s “wish list”. Another meeting has been scheduled for September 25th.
At this time, the Supervisors changed their November monthly meeting from November 4 to November 11.
Mrs. Ewald reported that she and Mr. Kling had meetings re. Charlestown Brae. The outstanding issue is landscaping. The key points are: 1) there is a transition in use between one side of Rees Road and the other, 2) adjoining properties are impacted due to 90 acres of wetlands in the center of the project. When this is resolved, Charlestown Brae will be settled.
Mrs. Ewald reported on Charlestown Oaks. Borings done revealed springs at the western end of the site. Therefore, they will have to relocate some of the units planned for that area.
The Northern Chester County Community Nursing Services sent in their annual letter requesting financial support from the Township. This subject was tabled until after the 1992 Budget meeting.
Polly Quigley requested a copy of the Budget Review. The Chairman made this report available to the public and several items were discussed.
Mrs. Ewald commended Janet Baldwin for the marvelous job she did working with the rededication ceremony of the Revolutionary War Cemetery. She reported the following: the Patriotic Sons of America will donate a flagpole, the DAR will donate a flag which has been flown over the Capitol, the Sons of the Revolution are interested in working to save the old oak tree that embraces the cemetery, children prepared the soil and volunteers seeded. Two suggestions have been made to the Board: 1) reworking the rear wall of the cemetery (without mortar) 2) taking rubbings from the inscriptions of the tombstones to preserve those records.
The Chairman introduced Lindsey Brinton who requested a contribution from the Township for the Chester Springs’ Studio’s art programming. A request would then be made to the PA Council on the Arts Local Government Grants Program for matching funds. After discussing the project, Mrs. Ewald suggested looking into the extent of usage of the studio from Charlestown. If it is ascertained that there is a need in this Township for support, she would like to see a matching funds contribution be applied for next year.
Mrs. Ewald read one of several letters received protesting PENNDOTS spraying of vegetation in the Township. It was reported that considerable damage was done to some peoples’ landscaping. At the invitation of the Green Valley Association, a meeting was held with PENNDOT which included representatives of four townships, the contractor who did the spraying, a representative from DuPont, who supplied the chemicals, and people from Penn State Agricultural Extension. Mr. Kling gave a report on that meeting and requested residents to write to their representatives in Harrisburg to vigorously protest the horrible spraying of this Township. Unless residents do this, PENNDOT will continue to spray.
Newcomen Road was discussed and Mrs. Ewald moved to vacate that section of this road from Rt. 401 towards the Turnpike. Mr. Kling seconded the motion. Mr. Martin stated that since different surveys show different conclusions as to where the boundary line is, why not await PENNDOT’s reply according to their maps. Mr. McErlane advised waiting to hear from PENNDOT, so the motion was withdrawn and tabled until the next meeting.
Several requests have been received from residents who would like to have cable TV installed. The Secretary was instructed to contact Heron Cable and Suburban Cable and request their most recent maps.
The Correspondence List was made available to the floor.
All business completed, Mr. Kling moved to adjourn, Mrs. Ewald seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned – 10:28 pm.
Secretary