CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP
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The Charlestown Board of Supervisors held their first meeting of the month on December 7, 1992, at the Charlestown Elementary School, Charlestown Road, Devault.
| Present: | Irene W. Ewald, Chairman; Vincent G. Kling, Sr., Member; Surender S. Kohll, P.E.; James E. McErlane, Esq.; Thomas F. Oeste, Esq.; Thomas Comitta and Paull Nation, T.C.A.; Ruth W. Buckwalter, Secretary; those on the attached attendee list. |
At 8:10 pm, the Chairman called the meeting to order.
Mrs. Ewald made the following announcements: Nov 17 - After the Board meeting, Mrs. Ewald and Mr. Hiller went to the scene of a fire at the 1880 Smith house off Rt. #29. Six Fire Companies attempted to put out the fire.; Nov 19 - Mrs. Ewald and Mr. Kling met with Mr. Comitta, Mr. Nation, Mr. Kohli and Hough/Loew Associates to review the Spring Oak plan, Nov 20 - Mrs. Ewald met with Mr. Kohli re. the Merriwether Subdivision plan; Nov 23 - Mrs. Ewald, Priscilla Crowell and Janet Baldwin met for a site visit of Aldham Hills; Nov 30 - Mrs. Ewald and Mr. Kling interviewed an Architect Consultant candidate; Dec 1 - Mrs. Ewald met with Mr. Nation to sign Open Space documents; Dec 3 - Three Supervisors met with Messrs. Kohli, Snyder and Oeste in an Executive Session re. the Merriwether and the Charlestown Brae plans; Dec 5 - Mrs. Ewald met with Mr. Viscuso to discuss the duties of the Tax Collector; Dec 7 - Mrs. Ewald and Messrs Kling, Oeste and McErlane met in Executive Session re. Liberty House.
At this time, the Chairman presented Representative Peter L. Vroon with a plaque in appreciation of his 18 years of public service for the 157th District. Earlier in the year, Mr. Vroon had announced his plan to retire at the end of this term.
Mr. Kling made the motion to approve the 1992 minutes of October 17, November 2 and November 17. Mrs. Ewald seconded the motion which carried unanimously.
Mr. Kling made the motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report of November, 1992. Mrs. Ewald seconded the motion. It unanimously carried.
Mr. Kling made the motion to approve the December 7.1992 Accounts Payable. Mrs. Ewald noted there was a deferred payment of $635 regarding check #7057 and seconded the motion. It unanimously carried.
Roadmaster’s Report: Mr. Hiller submitted a report of his November activities for the files. He reported removal of a rock from the shoulder of Foster Road and a tree branch on Green Lane. Also he closed Buckwalter Road during A.M. rush hour due to a disabled school bus.
Zoning Officer’s Report: Mr. Kohli submitted his list of Building and Use & Occupancy Permits issued during November for the Township files. He stated there was nothing special to report for this month. Mrs. Ewald noted the letter of December 2, 1992, received from Zynaxis re. Public Notification of Application for plan approval to construct and a Permit to operate a Pilot Development area and asked Mr. Kohli to look into the matter.
The Chairman called attention to a revision made to the proposed 1993 Budget:
$4,000 was subtracted from the item “Road Maintenance” and applied to the item “Planning Commission Maps”. Mr. Kling moved to adopt the revised 1993 Budget, Mrs. Ewald seconded the motion. It carried unanimously.
Resolution #459-92: tax of 11.5 mills levied on all property within the Township. Mr. Kling moved to adopt Resolution #459-92, Mrs. Ewald seconded the motion, it unanimously carried.
Resolution #460-92: to enact the 1993 Budget. Mr. Kling moved for approval of Resolution #460-92, Mrs. Ewald seconded the motion, it unanimously carried.
Mr. Kling moved to approve the Recycling Ordinance # 66-92. Mrs. Ewald seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. Mrs. Ewald explained that, although Charlestown Township is not required to recycle, this Ordinance makes recycling available to residents on a volunteer basis
The Chairman read aloud the Animal Control Proposal submitted by Mr. Hiller. After a brief discussion, in which Mr. Hiller was advised to look into vaccine against rabies, Mr. Kling moved to approve Mr. Hiller’s Proposal. Mrs. Ewald seconded the motion and it unanimously carried. Mrs. Ewald requested Mr. Hiller to submit a report in three months time.
Mr. Kling reported on the vandalism to the school buses. valves were unscrewed and the air left out of a front tire on each of 17 buses. Also, a fire extinguisher was squirted all over the interior of one bus. Mrs. Ewald added that a suspect, identified through Townwatch, has been picked up for questioning.
At this time, the Chairman turned the meeting over to Thomas F. Oeste, Esq., to conduct the Conditional Use Hearing for the Merriwether Subdivision. A Court Recorder took the minutes. At the conclusion, it was noted that Ronald Nagle, Esq., had not notified the surrounding neighbors regarding this Hearing. The Applicant requested the Hearing be continued at the January 4, 1992 Board meeting. Mr. Oeste stated that the time extension will run to the close of the Public Hearing and may require another letter of time extension. Mr. Nagle was requested to send the Township a letter confirming that he agreed to this.
The Chairman stated that she met with Andrew Viscuso, Tax Collector, to go over the internal work done by him. Mr. Viscuso outlined and explained the many duties related to this job and submitted a written report for the Township files.
Mark Connolly gave a report on the activities of the Parks and Recreation Board. He listed the following items: ParKling lot lining deferred until spring; vehicles entering the park from the Coldstream Road side of the damaged fence; reviewed with the Nature Center their open space management proposal and established budget milestones. Mrs. Ewald suggested using some of the stock pile stone to block the access way as an effective way to keep out unwanted vehicles.
Thomas J. Comitta, AICP, gave a presentation on the Township’s open space. A map and outline of the program are available at the Township office. Mr. Comitta stated that the work program was outlined by the County and he carefully adhered to this. His presentation was made with maps and colored overlays showing existing open space and trails, existing land uses, high ground water areas, steep slopes, woodland and other items of importance. Key Ordinances need to be developed.
At this time, Tina Daly requested the Board to hear her statement on behalf of the Stonorov family. The statement had to do with the easements on the land that was formerly the Stonorovs’ and now belongs to the Township. She stressed the fact that the deed restrictions clearly stated that no buildings or structures are to be built or maintained, but that the land is to be kept natural in perpetuity. A discussion followed. Mrs. Ewaid asked Mr. McErlane to review the deed restrictions to make sure the Supervisors know what the limits are.
The Chairman requested Mr. McErlane to submit a draft Ordinance of the Environmental Constraints Plan that it might be reviewed and advertised.
The Chairman opened the monthly correspondence for the public’s review.
All business completed, the Chair entertained a motion to adjourn. Mr. Kling so moved, Mrs. Ewald seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned - 10:45 pm.
Ruth W. Buckwalter
Secretary