CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING FEBRUARY 1, 1993 MINUTES

The Charlestown Township Board of Supervisors held their regular monthly meeting on February 1, 1993, at the Charlestown Elementary School, Charlestown Road, Devault.

Present:

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

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

Announcements: Mrs. Ewald announced that Messrs. Kling and Martin met with Andrew Viscuso, Tax Collector. to review the work and procedures involved with the office of Tax Collector; Jan 27 - the three Supervisors met with the County Commissioners re. the Liberty House project; Jan 30 - the three Supervisors met with Mr. Kohli and Mr. McErlane to review some aspects of both the Merriwether and the Eastwick plans. Mr. Martin noted errors in the Newsletter of December. 1992 having to do with the Rt. #29 & Charlestown Road Intersection Improvements. Mr. KIing suggested another Newsletter be put out in a few months. Mr. Martin agreed and noted that past procedure had been for the Chairman to circulate a draft copy for review and comments from the other two Board members,

Mr. Martin moved to approve the minutes of January 4, 1993. Mr. Kling seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Martin moved to approve the minutes of January 19, 1993. Mrs. Ewald seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

A revised December, 1992 Treasurer’s Report, showing Bank interest for December which statement was received in January and therefore omitted in the December’s report, was brought before the Board for approval. No motion was made, no action taken.

Mrs. Ewald moved to approve the January, 1993 Treasurer’s Report. Mr. Martin seconded the motion which carried unanimously

Zoning Officers’ Report: Mr. Kohli reported that he and Mr. McFadden Chester Co. Health Dept., investigated the complaint re water from Brownies’ Tavern washing down the road. (amended 3/1/93.) The Tavern owner claimed this was due to a faulty valve in the upstairs apartment which is now vacant. Mr. McFadden asked Mr. Kohli to monitor the place and try to take pictures. Another item, having to do with wells going dry in the Hillside and Maryhill Roads area, was reviewed by Mr. Kohli. He stated the wells in question are monitored by the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) and calls regarding this issue should be referred to Dave Brown, DRBC, telephone 1-609-. 883-9500, ext. 270. David Yaeck, Chester County Water Resources Authority, informed Mr. Kohli that there is no discernable lowering of the water table. The Chairman noted she had received calls on this matter from residents of Galacia and Tyrone Farms.

Planning Commission Report: Mr. Churchill reported the Commission approved the boundary line change at Rosewood Farm; approved the Eastwick Subdivision, subject to certain conditions; and considered the request of Laura Brooke for a change in zoning. Mrs. Ewald noted that the Supervisors had received a number of calls on the Laura Brooke issue from residents of that area stating they were never informed of this charge request. Mr. Churchill said that the Applicant indicated he had discussed this with a number of the neighbors.

Roadmaster’s Report: Mr. Hiller has the flu and will give his report at the February 15th meeting.

Fire Marshall’s Report: Frederick C. Alston submitted a written report, dated February 1, 1993, which included information on burning permit activities during his absence, four burning incidents investigated and a list of items requiring action or clarification by the Supervisors. Mr. Alston noted that it has been extremely dry - don’t burn. If burning is necessary, use a 55 gal. drum with a quarter inch mesh covering.

Parks & Recreation Board: Mark Connolly reported meeting with Bob Elmer and the Nature Center to review the proposal for open space management. A revised proposal will be submitted to the Supervisors in two weeks. He reported on maintenance, indoor activities and the access gate on Township Line Road. Repairs by PMYC are being done at the club’s expense. Mrs. Ewald mentioned to Mr. Connolly that she had a request for an Eagle Scout project and why not use the clearing out around the fence as such a project. Mr. Connolly expressed his interest in this.

At this time, the Chairman turned the meeting over to Mr. Oeste for the continued hearing on the conditional use application of Merriwether for conditional use approval necessary 10 construct certain dwellings and other structures in steep slope areas and high ground water areas. A court recorder took the minutes. At the conclusion of the hearinq, Mr. Oeste noted that the time extension expired on February 28. The Chairman requested a letter be sent to the Township office stating the time extension would continue to March 5th.

The next item to be considered by the Board was the change in zoning for Laura Brooke, 9 + acres of ground located on Phoenixville Pike in the LI district. The Chairman stated that only recently had residents become aware of this zoning proposal. Bob Devlin urged the Supervisors not to see fit to grant this zoning change. Mr. & Mrs. Elwood Edgin, Mrs. Hope Janes and Merida Featherston also argued against the change. Mr. Martin stated he was against this change of zoning since it first was proposed to the Board on January 4, 1993. At the conclusion of the discussion, the Chairman requested all interested parties to write their name and address on paper so that the Secretary can notify each party when Laura Brooke is on the Supervisors’ agenda.

Due to the late hour, all other items on the agenda were tabled until the February 15th meeting, with the exception of the VFSA joint meeting date, which was agreed upon by all three supervisors for February 24th.

Mrs. Ewald moved to adjourn the meeting, Mr. Kling seconded the motion, it unanimously carried. The Chairman adjourned - 11:55pm.