CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING JUNE 15, 1992 MINUTES

The Charlestown Board of Supervisors held a second monthly meeting on June 15, 1992 at the Charlestown Elementary School, Charlestown Road, Devault.

Present:

Irene W. Ewald, Chairman; John C. Martin, Jr., Vice Chairman; Vincent G. Kling, Sr., Member; James E. McErlane, Esq.; Surender S. Kohli, PE; Ruth W Buckwalter, Secretary; and those on the attached list of attendees.

At 8:00 pm, the Chairman called the meeting to order

Announcements: The Chairman reported: June 2 - meeting of the Open Space Task Force; June 4 - special meeting at Mr Kohli’s office attended by the Supervisors, the Solicitor, Mr. Kohli and the Ott family to review a possible out-of-court settlement re. Charlestown Brae; June 4 - meeting with Mrs. Ewald, Messrs. Kohli, Cockerham, Iacobucci, and Pennoni Engineers concerning Charlestown Oaks; June 4 - Mrs. Ewald attended a special meeting of the Chester County Historical Commission in East Pikeland; June 5 - Mr. Kohl and Mrs. Ewald met concerning violations on several sites and, in the pm, they both met with the Army Corps of Engineers and the Soccer Club re. summer maneuvers to be held in Charlestown Park to install 2 soccer fields; June 12 - Mrs. Ewald and Mr. McErlane met re MCF; June 13 - second annual Charlestown Picnic. Mr. Martin reported negotiations are proceeding re. Charlestown Hunt and hopes to have a report for the July 6th meeting.

Mr. Kling moved to approve the minutes of May 18, 1992. Mr. Martin seconded the motion, it carried unanimously.

Mr. Kling moved to approve the Accounts Payable for June 15, 1992. Mrs. Ewald seconded the motion, Mr. Martin abstained. The motion so carried.

The Chairman reported that the Planning Commission and Mr. Kohli had reviewed the proposed amendment to the Charlestown Subdivision Ordinance regarding the binder course construction Mr. Kling made a motion to approve the amendment as drafted in Mr. Kohli’s letter of June 11, 1992, and authorize the Solicitor to advertise, the matter to be expedited as soon as possible. Mrs. Ewald seconded the motion, it carried unanimously.

The re-zoning of the Valley Forge Christian College property was discussed. The Chairman noted that in previous meetings, the suggested underlining zoning should be R-1. Mr. Kling asked the Solicitor for an opinion, and Mr. McErlane recommended approving the R-1 pending, then schedule a public hearing and take final action in August. Mr. Martin so moved, Mrs. Ewald seconded the motion, it unanimously

The Kimberton Fire Company Inc. contract for the year 1992, along with a Financial Statement for 1991 and the Fire Chief’s Report for 1991, was reviewed. Mr. Kling made a motion to approve the contract for $22,000 Mr. Martin seconded the motion, it carried unanimously. Mr. Martin noted that Charlestown Township was not included in the list of donors and he stated he would call the Company’s attention to this omission by letter.

The Supervisors reviewed the Agreement submitted to the Township by the Army Corps of Engineers having to do with the summer maneuvers at the Charlestown Park. Mr. McErlane advised several changes: 1 the Township is the sponsor because they own the land; 2) strike #5 re labor unions; 3) #10 is ambiguous; 4) #12 was questioned by the township’s insurance carrier; Mr. McErlane stated this is the price you have to pay to have the work done; 5) #14 needs clarification. After further discussion, Mr. Kling made the motion to approve the Agreement. subject to approval of the final language by the Board. Mrs. Ewald seconded the motion, it unanimously carried.

Jack Leaman, representing Help System, gave a presentation. Help System may be used as an alternative to the County 911 system or to enhance the 911 system.

Mr. Martin reported that, assuming Charlestown Hunt is settled under the terms which have been presented, the Township will be receiving a certain amount of money to use for the purpose of open space. One of the tracts being considered is the Baughman Farm, in which case the Board needs to appoint an appraiser. After several inquiries, William Wood, of Harry F. Taylor Company, was recommended to Mr. Martin. Mr. Martin made a motion to appoint William Wood as appraiser, Mrs. Ewald seconded the motion. It unanimously carried.

Gary Pilgrim, White Horse and Mine Roads, informed Mr. Martin, Township Fire Marshal, that he had received a letter from his Fire Insurance Co. requesting confirmation of a plan for handling a major fire. After a brief discussion, Mr. Kohli suggested Mr. Pilgrim write a letter to the Fire Co. giving the right to access his property for service even if it means damaging the electric gate, for which they will not be held liable. Mr. Martin will make this suggestion to Mr. Pilgrim.

Mr. Kling opened and read aloud the bids for road work and materials. Three companies bid on Equipment and Road Work: Delaware Valley Paving Co. - $109,633, Chester County Construction Company - $111,345, S. A. Macanga, lnc. - $145,550. Two bids were received for Bituminous Concrete: Great Valley Materials - $25,625, Highway Materials Inc. $29,555. One bid was received for stone: Warner Company - $6,650. All bids received will be reviewed by the Supervisors and Mr. Kohli, to be awarded at the July 6th Board Meeting. Delaware Valley Paving Co. agreed to cover the period until the bids are awarded.

Mr. Kohli updated the progress of the intersection improvements at Rt. #29 and Charlestown Road. Slope easements are needed re. three properties - PA Railroad,

J. Tyler Griffen and RMCTS Inc. Mr. Kohli is in the process of notifying these property owners and requesting they donate the right-of-way slope easements to the Township. Mr. Kling stated that he would like this Board to go on record with PENNDOT that they shall not, under any conditions, repeat the ballast or gravel type shoulders at this intersection as they have on other Township roads. Mr. Kohli stated these will be paved shoulders. Messrs. Kling and Martin agreed the Chairman should sign the letters to J. Tyler Griffen and RMCTS Inc. requesting donation of the slope easements.

The re-written version of Resolution #455-92 (Heatherwood) was signed by the Supervisors. This Resolution had been approved, subject to certain language adjustments, during the May 18th Board meeting. Mr. McErlane noted changes were made in paragraphs 2 and 3.

Mr. Martin raised a question regarding the Township taking ownership of County Bridge #178. Mrs. Ewald said the County made ownership a requirement for rehabilitation rather than replacement of this bridge. in a letter from Howard Yerusalem, Secretary of Transportation, certain conditions were set forth. Mrs. Ewald noted that there would be no additional insurance charge from Babb, Inc. Mr. Martin feels the taxpayers of Charlestown Township should not have to pay for maintenance of the bridge. Mr. Kling gave a brief history of the original building of the bridge and stated it would be 50 years before any further maintenance would be required -meanwhile, residents can enjoy the rural character of that river, it’s banks, it’s bridge and tree stand. After further discussion, Mr. Kohli suggested a meeting with the County to resolve maintenance matters. Mrs. Ewald noted that to rehabilitate the bridge will cost an estimated $200,000 whereas the proposed replacement bridge would cost approximately $450,000.

The last item on the agenda was a plan review of Charlestown Oaks. Messrs. Frank and Tony Iacobucci are looking for direction and clarification on several items: 1) Home Owners’ Document - being updated, 2) any change in road dedications from previous years?, 3) elevations - does not want to be locked into any single elevation because the building will be over a 5 year period, 4) conditional use listed on plan -needs clarification from Solicitor, 5) other items written on the plan will be discussed between Mr. Kohli and Mr. Iacobucci’s engineers, 6) wetlands - walls are built around the wetlands - Mr. Kohli did not like the walls at one place involving 3 units, 7) Charlestown Oaks’ engineers are acting under the Resolution and interim Order of December 18, 1990. Mr. Iacobucci submitted a complete list of items to Mr. Kohli for clarification and direction, hopefully in 2 to 4 weeks.

All business completed, Mr. Kling made a motion to adjourn, Mr. Martin Seconded the motion, it unanimously carried. The meeting was adjourned at 11:15 p.m.