CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING MARCH 16, 1992 MINUTES

A joint meeting of the Charlestown, East Pikeland and Schuylkill Township Supervisors, Phoenixville Borough Council and the Valley Forge Christian College was held at the Charlestown Elementary School on March 16, 1992, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. The purpose of this meeting is recorded in the March 2, 1992 minutes of the Charlestown Board of Supervisors.

A meeting of the Charlestown Board of Supervisors was held to address unfinished business of March 2, 1992, and other business.

The Chairman called the meeting to order at 8:35 pm.

Present:

Irene W. Ewald, Chairman; John C. Martin, Jr., Vice President; Vincent C. Kling, Sr., Member; Surender S. Kohli, P.E.; Thomas Oeste, Esq.; Ruth W. Buckwalter, Secretary; and those on the attached attendee list.

Announcements - The Chairman announced the following activities of the Supervisors: Mrs. Ewald attended a site meeting re. Bridge #178 - Mar. 3, PECO award presentation at the Nature Center of Charlestown - Mar. 4, Mrs. Ewald and Mr. Martin attended the Chester County Supervisors’ Convention - Mar. 5, Mrs. Ewald met with Emory Todd to review the final draft of the audit - Mar. 9, Mrs. Ewald and Mr. Martin attended the East Whiteland Township meeting - Mar. 9, Mrs. Ewald and Mr. Martin attended an Executive Session re MCF - Mar. 11, Mr. Kling and Mrs. Ewald attended an Executive Session re. MCF - Mar. 13, the Heatherwood proposed Subdivision was appealed by John Samar - Mar. 9, Mr. Martin, as Township Fire Marshall, met with Tim Townes re the locations of fire hydrants at the Commons East. The Philadelphia Suburban Water Company’s policy requires his signature on Mylar copies of this information and Mr. Martin signed the copies at this time.

Mrs. Ewald proposed the following amendment to the January 6, 1992 minutes: page 4, paragraph 4, Heatherwood, after the third sentence, insert “The Solicitor advised that there is no time limit for a decision on a Conditional Use under either the Township Zoning Ordinance or the Municipality Planning Code.” Also add the word “However” to the beginning of the fourth sentence. A brief discussion followed, during which time Mr. Oeste stated that he had made this statement at the January 6 Board meeting but that it was not recorded in the minutes. Mrs. Ewald made a motion to approve the amendment to the January 6 minutes, Mr. Kling seconded the motion. It carried unanimously.

The Chairman reported that the independent audit has been completed, advertised, and is available to the public.

Mrs. Ewald made a motion to approve the transfer of funds from the Plgit account to a six month CID in the amount of $92,000 (check #6781). Mr. Kling seconded the motion, it carried unanimously.

Mr. Martin asked Mr. Kohli the status of PENNDOT’s 1 to 4 year project re. Phoenixville Pike. Mr. Kohli reported he is working on the right-of-way acquisitions and the area around the railroad tracks. He stated the plans are almost 95% complete and should be available within the next four weeks for cost estimate.

The Chairman asked Mr. Kohli to update the Buckwalter Road Conrail project. Mr. Kohli reported that he had discussions with Mr. Ottinger and Mr. Youngdahl of Conrail. It was agreed that Conrail would match the 5% of the cost to be shared between Charlestown and Schuylkill Townships (90% of the cost will be federally funded). Mr. Youngdahl has since been moved to a different position in Conrail and the new engineer needs to review the files. The contract will be drawn up by Conrail.

Mary Jane Duncan gave a report from Townwatch for the months of November, December and January. A total of 146 calls to the State Police were recorded for these three months compared to 141 calls in one month from a neighboring township. The Chairman thanked Townwatch and all the volunteers who donate their time to this organization. A copy of the report will be made for the Township files.

Jim Mitchell noted several intersections in the Township he felt were dangerous and in need of signs.

Mr. Martin inquired of Mr. Oeste how other townships are handling the Conditional Use - Special Counsel issue. Mr. Oeste stated one township uses an ad hoc basis. Mr. Martin noted that would be his preference. The Chairman asked Mr. Kling and Mr. Martin to submit names of candidates for this position by the April 6 meeting.

The contract with Signal Service, lnc. for the maintenance of the traffic light at [?] and Charlestown Road was approved for 1992, providing Signal Service, Inc. clears all work with the Township office and Engineer. Mr. Martin made the motion for approval, Mr. Kling seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

The Delaware River Basin Commission passed a Resolution requesting all townships and municipalities within the Basin area to use water saving plumbing devices. Mr. Oeste will draw up and advertise an Ordinance to this effect.

The Chairman read aloud an Ordinance which sets a 35 mph speed limit on Maryhill and Merlin Roads and also establishes a three-way stop at the intersection of Maryhill and Ravenhill Roads. Mrs. Ewald moved to approve the Ordinance, Mr. Kling seconded the motion. A discussion followed. The motion so carried.

John Panizza addressed the eight comments of Mr. Kohli’s review letter of Feb. 25, 1992, re. the Panilquin SID. Mr. Kohl suggested Mr. Panizza write a letter of reaffirmation of the new submission to the Planning Commission - copy to the Township Solicitor. Mr. Panizza will be placed on the April 20 agenda.

On January 17, 1992, Aldham Hills went to Sheriff’s Sale and Meridian Bank, the foreclosing mortgagee, took the property. The Bank is now requesting a one year time extension. Mrs. Ewald moved to grant the extension for one year With the following conditions: 1) this will be the final time extension, 2) the historic parcel is to be preserved, 3) the sum of $1,395 owed to the Township must be paid. Mr. Kling seconded the motion and it so carried.

Jack Loew presented a plan for Warner Lane improvements and requested the project be funded from the $175,000 Escrow deposited for widening Rt.#29. After the presentation and a discussion, Mr. Kling moved to approve in principle the conceptual idea of the Warner Lane extension to Phoenixville Pike and that Mr. Loew be directed to proceed with the next step with his engineering analysis and that the reallocation of funds be implicit in this motion. Mr. Martin seconded the motion, it unanimously carried.

Mr. Martin noted he received a brochure from Environmental Design Consultants, Inc. in regards to the Open Space Grant program.

Mr. Kohli reported that the Nature Center of Charlestown needs to expand their parking lot. He advised them they will have to submit a Conditional Use Application, as provided in the Zoning Ordinance.

The Chairman made the list of correspondence available to the public.

All business completed, Mr. Martin moved to adjourn the meeting, Mr. Kling seconded the motion, it unanimously carried. The meeting was adjourned - 10:45 pm.