CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING OCTOBER 12, 1992 MINUTES

The Charlestown Board of Supervisors held their regular monthly meeting on Monday, October 12, 1992, at the Charlestown Elementary School, Devault.

Present:

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

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

Announcements: An Executive Session will be held on October 17th at 8:30 am re outstanding issues on Charlestown Oaks and any other matter that may come before the Board; September 25 - all three Supervisors appeared in Court in West Chester re. the MCF case; September 24 - Mrs. Ewald and Mr. Kohli monitored a Quarry blast; September 26 - an oil spill originating at Devault Crushed Stone was investigated; September 30 - a second Quarry blast was monitored by Mrs. Ewald and Mr. Kohli; October 1 - Technical Committee meeting for VFAH remedial plan was attended by Mrs. Ewald and Mrs. Tina Daly of Green Valleys Association; October 5 - Mrs. Ewald and Mr. Hiller inspected the culvert at Charlestown and Hilltop Roads, it was reported that five accidents have occurred at this site in the last three months; October 8 - a meeting attended by Mrs. Ewald, Mr. Kohli, John D. Snyder, Esq., and representatives of Charlestown Oaks to review outstanding items in the plan submission; October 9 -a meeting sponsored by PECO having to do with ventilation of heating units inspections, this issue remains unresolved; October 10 - semi-annual Road Tour attended by Mrs. Ewald and Messrs. Martin, Kohl and Hiller. Mr. Martin reported he held numerous meetings re. Charlestown Hunt.

Mr. Martin moved to approve the minutes of September 14, 1992. Mrs. Ewald seconded the motion, it carried unanimously.

Mr. Martin moved to approve the minutes of September 21, 1992. Mrs. Ewald seconded the motion, it carried unanimously.

Mr. Martin moved to approve the September 1992. Treasurers’ Report. Mrs. Ewald seconded the motion, it carried unanimously.

Mr. Martin moved to approve the October 12, 1992. Accounts Payable. Mrs. Ewald seconded the motion, it carried unanimously.

Occupancy Permits for the month of September. The zoning of the Matsinger property is being looked into; monitored blasting at Devault Quarry and found they are normal; discussed with the University of PA the constraints on the former Bendiner property which the University would like to market; investigated a complaint re the Calicyo and Higgins property - the use of this property is in appeal and therefore no action can be taken by the Township at this time.

Roadmaster’s Report: Mr. Hiller submitted for the files his monthly Roadmaster Report and also a report on the Fall Road Tour. Road signs are being maintained and new signs installed as needed. He met with PENNDOT to discuss the problems with the culvert at Charlestown and Hilltop Roads and to establish whose responsibility it was. Nothing was resolved at this time, so Mr. Hiller has contacted the State Police for an accident report regarding this site. Upon receiving this report, a letter will be written to PENNDOT. Mr. Hiller reviewed the Fall Road Tour which he noted is basically to review the condition of roads and take the necessary actions to stabilize any poor conditions before the winter season begins.

Parks & Recreation Report: Mark Connolly reported that during August, the new soccer field was completed and seeding has been done. Both PASC and PMYC are operating in full force. The September meeting of the Parks & Rec. Board was held at the PMYC Club House on the fourth Monday and Mr. Connolly requested the Secretary to contact the “Municipal Meetings” column, published by the Phoenix, and notify them that this will be the norm for future meetings. Mr. Connolly addressed several issues discussed during the September meeting: repainting the lines of the parking lot to prevent further accidents, a request that the Supervisors close off interior roads 6 and E, issues having to do with water and sewer, mowing the grounds, and a number of items the Parks & Rec. Board hope to address but will need funding. Mr. Martin stated he did not feel Charlestown Taxpayers should pay in taxes for the upkeep of a park used by the public. Mr. Connolly said his Board would like to see the Township own the open space area at Charlestown Meadows. Mr. Martin stated that the Homeowners should own this area.

The Chairman called attention to a letter received from the East Whiteland Volunteer Fire Assn. Board which stated that, although this Board maintains a position for a representative from Charlestown Township, representation during 1992 has been lacking. They feel it is imperative that Charlestown be represented at their meetings in order to keep both parties informed. Mr. Martin will attend their meeting on November 2nd. Mrs. Ewald asked Mr. Martin to respond by letter.

A grant application from the Department of Community Affairs was discussed. This will be reviewed at the October 20th meeting of the Open Space Task Force meeting.

The Chairman announced the Budget meeting will be held at 7:30pm on October 21st at her home on Pine Drive.

The next item on the agenda was the 1993 SPCA contract for the sum of $1,575.

Mrs. Ewald feels the SPCA is a worthwhile organization, but the fee is excessive. She is looking at other options and requested alternative proposals be brought to the Supervisors’ November 2nd meeting.

The Chairman reported numerous complaints have been received from residents regarding dumping on private property. To control this, Mrs. Ewald suggested the public be more alert to the problem and try to get license numbers so the Township can prosecute. Also, the Board will look into penalty fees.

The Township recently had a situation which pointed out that the Historic Commission procedures are inadequate. Mrs. Ewald asked Mr. Comitta and Ms. Davidson to provide standards and procedures for the Historic Commission that might help in the evaluation process. She now has a packet of information that will give support and assistance needed to strengthen our Ordinance provisions as well as the Charter of the Historic Commission. Mrs. Ewald would like to see Mr. Comitta assist the Commission in future evaluation of historic properties and a recommendation brought to the Supervisors before a decision is given to the applicant. Mrs. Ewald will have the packet copied for distribution to the Supervisors and the Historic Commission members.

At this time, Mr. Kohli brought to the Board the need for land development procedures, referring to the application for a large addition filed by Great Valley Materials, located in the Township’s Industrial District. Following a brief discussion, Mr. Kohli suggested having the applicant file a full land development application. Mrs. Ewald and Mr. Martin agreed.

The chairman announced that the County Convention will be held on Thursday, November 12. The three Supervisors and Mr. Kohli will attend.

Mr. Martin referred to a letter received from Mrs. Roberta Bash regarding her daughter’s automobile accident on Howell Road. Since the accident occurred in Tredyffrin Township and not Charlestown Township, the Secretary was instructed to inform Mrs. Bash by letter that she needs to address Tredyffrin Township on the matter.

The Chairman opened the correspondence for the month of September to the public.

Ray Hallett requested the Supervisors attend the annual meeting of the Charlestown Green and the Charlestown Civic Associations on Sunday, November 8th, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at the Nature Center. The annual meeting is held to elect new Board members. Mr. Hallett is as Kling the Supervisors to attend the meeting to give an overview of major problems and situations facing the Township.