CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS APRIL 20, 1992 MINUTES

Prior to the Board meeting, a public meeting was held between Charlestown and surrounding townships plus the borough of Phoenixville to discuss the Valley Forge Christian College grounds.

On April 20, 1992, the Charlestown Township Board of Supervisors held a meeting at the Charlestown Elementary School for the purpose of completing the April 6th agenda and other business.

Present:

Irene W. Ewald, Chairman; John C. Martin, Jr., Vice Chairman; Vincent G. Kling, Sr., Member; Thomas F. Oeste, Esq.; Ruth W. Buckwalter, Secretary; and those on the attached list of attendees.

The Chairman called the meeting to order at 8:40 pm.

Announcements: The Chairman reported speaking to the Editor of The Phoenix regarding complaints from residents about the accumulation in the Township of the VOICE, a publication put out by The Phoenix. She was advised to inform the public that anyone not wishing to receive the VOICE should call the Circulating Manager, John Bacansks, and request to be taken off their list. Apr.7- there was a meeting with PENNDOT on Valley Hill Road, followed up with discussions with Messrs. Tritle and Hitner re. summer maintenance contracts. Apr.8 - there was a Zoning Hearing Board meeting to consider the application of Lesia Hrysio. The variance request was denied. Apr. 13- Mr. Kling and Mrs. Ewald were subpoenaed to give depositions regarding the MCF application; also, there was a drainage problem on Ravenhill Road that was inspected and resolved. Apr. 14- attended Planning Commission meeting at which time 2 new Subdivisions (Eastwick and Merriwether plans) were reviewed. Apr. 20- Mrs. Ewald appeared in Court re. MCF plan; Mr. Kling and Mrs. Ewald made a site visit to a property at Three Ponds where clearing and grading was being done without a permit. Mr. Martin held a discussion with John D. Snyder, Esq., in the matter of Charlestown Hunt public meeting to be held at 9 am on April 30 in Courtroom #9, the Courthouse, West Chester.

The need for separate counsel regarding Conditional Use applications had been discussed at previous meetings. The Chairman submitted the names of Ken Werner and Ed Mullen, Mr. Martin submitted Robert Sugarman and Mr. Kling submitted Gary Bender. Letters requesting an interview will be sent to each of the above named.

The Delaware River Basin Commission has requested all municipalities in the Delaware River Basin to adopt a water conservation Ordinance requiring new buildings, additions or remodeling projects to use water conservation plumbing fixtures fittings. Therefore, Ordinance #62-92 was adopted by the Board of Supervisor and Mr. Kling so moved, Mr. Martin seconded. The motion unanimously carried.

Ordinance #63-92 an Ordinance amending the Township Zoning Ordinance, Sec.1084B, concerning change in Use Occupancy, Re-occupancy, Change of Tenancy or Ownership was enacted and ordained by the Board of Supervisors. It was noted that this Ordinance was needed primarily in non residential districts. Mr. Martin made the motion, Mr. KIing seconded, it unanimously carried.

Charlestown Hunt has complied with the request to stake the proposed choices for access on to Route #29. The Supervisors arranged for public site inspections with the Township Engineer for 9am Saturday, April 25 and 12 noon Sunday, April 26. A public hearing was set for 8: 30pm, Monday, April 27 at the Nature Center of Charlestown. The Secretary was instructed to reserve the Nature Center meeting room and to notify all persons listed on the April 6 list of attendees. Mr. Oeste will advertise, Mrs. Ewald will contact The Phoenix.

After a brief discussion, Mr. Kling moved to approve the proposed contract on Open Space from Thomas Comitta Associates. Mrs. Ewald seconded the motion, it carried unanimously.

The Chairman announced that on April 3rd Conrail, for the third year in a row, burned Charlestown Township. This time it was a 6 alarm fire in the same location and the same reason - faulty spark arrester. The Solicitor, in response for more aggressive action, suggested the Township file with the I.C.C. Mr. Kling moved to have the Solicitor proceed with this action, Mr. Martin seconded the motion, it unanimously carried.

Haines & Kibblehouse have a contract to do widening on the Turnpike. They have acquired a temporary easement from the Grange. The Chairman noted that they did not submit a Land Development plan. Mr. Budenz contacted Mrs. Ewald and requested formal permission from the Board to exit the Turnpike at Yellow Sprinqs Road in front of Jim Schinski’s property. Haines & Kibblehouse are willing to enter into a contract stating they will repair any damage to Yellow Springs Road. Mrs. Ewald informed them that they need to submit 8 set of plans for the Planning Commission. Mr. Kling feels they should agree to remake the land they so dramatically changed at the Grange. Mr. Kling moved to approve the request with the above conditions to be met. Mr. Martin seconded the motion. The Chairman added that they would also like the Board to consider a westerly access on Blackberry Lane, as Mr. Kohli had previously suggested. There was some discussion as to whether Blackberry Lane is or is not a private road. This will have to be clarified with Mr. Kohli. This became a part of the motion and it was unanimously approved.

The Chairman reported she had received complaints against the Kimberton Gun Club from Greg MacMichael and Ditmar Wulff. The gun club is located in East Pikeland Township and Mrs. EwaId, assisted by Supervisor Barbara Appleman, have thoroughly checked out this complaint over a period of 13 months and find the gun club in no violation whatsoever. Mrs. Ewald proposed writing a letter to Mr. MacMichael and to Mr. Wulff advising them of the above and that any further action will have to be a private civil matter. Mr. Kling and Mr. Martin concurred with Mrs. Ewald.

Jim Schinski wrote to the Supervisors to again request some type of screening of the Turnpike rest stop near his property. Mrs. Ewald reported that the Spring Road Tour revealed that Mr. Schinski has not complied with the 1991 request to remove the soil he placed into a berm which encroaches on the roadway. She suggested that when Mr. Budenz renovates the property, Mr. Schinski could contribute to the screening of the area. Mr. Kling and Mr. Martin agreed the Board should so notify Mr. Schinski.

The Roadmaster needs a means of contact when out on the roads. Mrs. Ewald looked into a portable car phone and obtained costs from Bell Atlantic. Mr. Martin reported Metrophone has a better price. After a brief discussion, the Board decided to go with Mr. Martin’s recommendation of a Novatele transferable phone and to proceed with the purchase immediately.

The re-zoning of the Valley Forge Christian College Property was initiated. The Planning Commission must be notified that this property is to be re-zoned R-1 as the underlining zoning. The Solicitor will draft and advertise this document.

Mrs. Ewald reported the Warner Quarry has done a test burn using hazardous waste and sludge as an alternative fuel. Tredyffrin and East Whiteland Townships are both pursuing this. None of the townships were noted on this. Mrs. Ewald stated this would be put on the May agenda with Mr. Kohli’s input.

Mrs. Ewald stated she would like to respond to Louis Moskowitz that what the Board previously offered is as far as they are willing to go until such time as a plan is submitted. All Board members agreed on this matter.

The decision handed down by Judge Joyner on Charlestown Brae was issued on the 31st of March. Mrs. Ewald made public that the November 9th offer is still open and she would like to have Mr. McErlane contact Mr. Colagreco with this offer. If there is no further interest, the issue will be closed.

The Chairman announced the list of correspondence was open to the public.

The next meeting of the Board of Supervisors will be held on April 27, 8:30pm at the Nature Center of Charlestown. This meeting will deal only with the issue of the Charlestown Hunt access to Route #29.

The next regular Board meeting will be held on May 4th at 8pm at the Charlestown Elementary School.

The Open Space Task Force will meet on May 5th at 7:30 pm at the Nature Center of Charlestown. Mr. Martin reported the County requests a public meeting on Open Space. This has been arranged to be held in the gym of the Charlestown Elementary School on May 19th at 7:30 pm.

All business completed, Mr. Kling moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Martin seconded the motion, the meeting was adjourned - 10:06 pm.