CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING AUGUST 17, 1992 MINUTES

The Charlestown Township Board of Supervisors held their second meeting of the month on August 17, 1992 at the Charlestown Elementary School, Devault.

Present:

Irene W. Ewald, Chairman; John C. Martin, Jr., Vice Chairman; Vincent G. Kling, Sr., Member; Thomas F. Oeste, Esq.; Ruth W. Buckwalter, Secretary

The Chairman called the meeting to order at 8:00 pm.

Announcements: From July 30 to August 14 there was a daily monitoring of the Army Corps of Engineers’ maneuvers at the Park; August 4 - contact with PECO re. underground service at Maryhill Road; August 7 - a picnic of the Corps of Engineers and the Soccer Club at the site of the maneuvers; August 10 - a meeting with Joseph Bateman, VFSA re. the cooperative effort of the Sewer Authority and the Township on the paving of Pine Drive; August 13 - a meeting and tour of the Phila. Suburban Water Co. at their Pickering site. In addition, re. Charlestown Brae, a time extension was filed with the Court on August 12 because the Township and the Ott family are in negotiations to resolve the issue out of Court. At this time, the Chairman noted the four Ordinance revisions (see minutes of August 3) are scheduled for the September 14 Supervisors’ meeting. Also, at the August 3 meeting, the Board passed a Resolution to send a letter to the County Commissioners concerning the appointment of Joseph Duckworth to the Chester County Planning Commission. That letter has been sent and the Chairman noted copies are available.

The original plan for Rolling Meadows - lot #3 was reviewed. A revised plan was then presented showing the house moved to the East, which diminishes the sight line to the historic buildings of the adjoining lot situated downhill. Planting of some pine trees at the edge of the grove of trees would aid the visual intrusion. The plan was discussed. Mrs. Ewald proposed the plan be reviewed by Mr. Kohli and, with his input, Mr. Oeste would draft a document to be reviewed by the Supervisors and a written decision sent to Messrs. Kenney, Stuart, Pinard and Stanley. Mr. Kling requested a site plan be submitted showing Mine Road, neighboring properties and the two adjacent lots of the Subdivision with building envelopes.

Mrs. Ewald gave an update on the work being done by the Army Corps of Engineers at Charlestown Park. The two new soccer fields are finished and are scheduled to be hydro-seeded this week. Three collapsing buildings have been demolished. The overgrowth of vegetation along the fences was discussed.

The consensus of the Board of the Fire Department was that if 911 itself were implemented without the required substitution of all the equipment, it would be more. cost effective. A survey of the 800 frequency is being done to enumerate the ways in which that system has been unsuccessful.

The Chairman read a report she had requested and received from the East Whiteland Fire Company on the number of accidents that have occurred to date on Route #29. A total of 15 accidents were reported, 11 of which involved injuries. The recommendation was the Township notify PENNDOT of these dates and times and ask for a review of that area.

The next item on the agenda was the Fee Schedule for Conditional Use. Mr. Kohli had suggested $1,0O0 as a base figure. Mr. Oeste was requested to draft a fee schedule to cover the cost, excess money to be refunded. Mr. Kling moved to approve the action, Mr. Martin seconded the motion, it carried unanimously.

The Chairman brought three types of appointments before the Board at this time: (1) The Municipal Authority has three vacancies, at least a quorum of the Authority is needed to sign off on the Agreement between the Township and Philadelphia Suburban Water Co. re. the water line in Devault. Marsha Solda has agreed to serve on the Authority. Mr. Kling moved the Board approve the appointment of Marsha Solda to the Municipal Authority, Mr. Martin seconded the motion, it carried unanimously. (2) A Conditional Use Solicitor is necessary in cases when the applicant chooses not to use the Township Solicitor. Four attorneys were interviewed for this position in June of 1992. Mr. Ewald proposed that Ken Werner be appointed as special counsel for Conditional Use to the Board of Supervisors of Charlestown Township at the rate of $65 per hour. Mr. Kling seconded the motion, it carried unanimously. (3) Special Counsel to the Board of Supervisors in cases where the Township Solicitor may not be able to represent the Board was the next appointment. Mrs. Ewald proposed Gary Bender be appointed to serve the Board in such cases. Mr. Kling seconded the motion. Mr. Martin objected and requested a roll call vote: Mr. Martin - no, Mrs. Ewald - yes, Mr. Kling - yes. The motion so carried.

The Chairman noted the Supervisors had received a request from a number of Conservation Organizations stating their concern re. the contamination of Valley Creek and encouraged the Township to support the move to have Valley Creek designated as an exceptional value creek. Mrs. Ewald read a letter from Earl Baker supporting this view and recommended a similar letter be sent from the Board to PA DER. Mr. Kling agreed that Valley Creek should be protected against storm water infiltration and sewage dumping. Mr. Martin felt a letter written jointly with East Whiteland would carry more impact. Mrs. Ewald agreed to contact the East Whiteland Board or Supervisors.

A copy of a letter sent to a Charlestown resident from District Justice John T. Jeffers was received by the Supervisors. The letter stated that the resident, ticketed by the State Police for going through a stop sign at Maryhill Road, was found not guilty because the stop sign was 60” from the ground to the top of the sign rather than 60” from the ground to the bottom of the sign. The stop signs on Maryhill Road have since been adjusted.

A draft of the Heatherwood Agreement was reviewed by the Board and several changes were suggested. Mr. Oeste will re-draft the Agreement.

At this time, Mr. Kling stated that he felt the Board should include in the laws of the Township that all major storm water basins and pipelines be appropriately investigated for substructure failure due to limestone. Mr. Kohli will be asked to look into this and make recommendations. Mrs. Ewald and Mr. Martin agreed and Mr. Oeste will draft a document on the matter.

Mr. Kling reported that on Pikeland Road there has been a very intensive chemical spray for broad leaf control which resulted in the demise of some Canadian geese and some ground animals. What can be done about chemical spraying washing into ponds and streams was discussed at length. Mr. Kling felt there should be some means of preventing any future contamination of vital streams that traverse private properties.

All business completed, Mr. Kling moved to adjourn. Mrs. Ewald seconded the motion and it unanimously carried. The meeting was adjourned - 10:00 pm.