CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP
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The Charlestown Township Board of Supervisors held their regular monthly meeting on Monday, April 5, 1993, at the Great Valley Nature Center (formerly the Nature Center of Charlestown), Rt. 29 and Hollow Road.
| Present: | Irene W. Ewald, Chairman; John C. Martin, Jr., Vice Chairman; Vincent G. Kling, Sr., Member; Thomas F. Oeste, Esq.; Surender S. Kohli, P.E.; Ruth W. Buckwalter, Secretary, and those on the attached list of attendees. |
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 8:03 pm.
Announcements: Mrs. Ewald stated that beginning March 4, and daily for the next two weeks, she was in touch with AMRAN working with Larry Grimm and Mr. Kohli regarding the collapse of the tower on Valley Hill Road due to ice and high winds; Mar 10 - Mrs. Ewald met with Louise Wennberg, representative of the County Emergency Services, in charge of readdressing for the 911 system; Mar 11 & 23 -Mrs. Ewald met with Emory Todd. the independent auditor, who submitted the audit and the management letter; Mar 12 to 15 - severe snow storm - Mrs. Ewald commended the Roadmaster and the road crew for the excellent work they did in keeping the roads open; Mar 23 - Mrs. Ewald met with Darin Fitzgerald. Fire Chief and John Mott at the Firehouse; Mar 25 & 30 - Mr. Kling represented Charlestown Township at meetings in West Pikeland reviewing a border subdivision plan called the Galbraith tract, a 1 20 acre tract for which a change in the Ordinance is requested to accommodate cluster and village arrangement; Mr. Martin and Mrs. Ewald attended the Chester County Supervisors’ Convention and Mr. Martin noted that at the Convention the subject of Townships using the State Police, not having their own Police Department, was discussed. The possibility exists that the State Police wilt assess Townships for their services. Mr. Martin suggested forming a citizens committee to look into the matter. Mrs. Ewald stated that an agreement has been reached with the Charlestown Brae plan - the next step will be for the Applicant to come back with a fully engineered final plan. Mr. Martin announced that there has been no decision yet on Charlestown Hunt.
The Chairman entertained a motion to approve the minutes of March 1,1993 Mr. Martin so moved, Mr. Kling seconded the motion, it carried unanimously.
The Chairman entertained a motion to approve the March. 1993 Treasurer’s Report. Mr. Martin so moved, Mr. Kling seconded the motion, it carried unanimously. The Chairman entertained a motion to approve the April 5, 1993 Accounts Payable. Mr. Martin opened a discussion on the item of reimbursement of telephone expenses.
The discussion included looking into the use of a conference call system. Mr. Kling moved to approve the Accounts Payable Report, Mr. Martin seconded the motion, it unanimously carried.
The Chairman requested approval of the Board for a $150 Petty Cash expenditure in order to attend the State Convention of Township Supervisors for one day. Mr. Martin moved to approve the expenditure, Mr. Kling seconded the motion, it unanimously carried.
Zoning Officer’s Report: Mr. Kohli reported the collapse of a corridor between two buildings at the Valley Forge Christian College. Mrs. Ewald and Mr. Kohli inspected the site. Mr. Kling questioned why the expense of a site inspection should be billed to the Township since the Township does not own the buildings. Mr. Martin said the Township should not service the College since they do not pay real estate taxes. A discussion on the subject of Township responsibility for buildings on the campus, including the collapsed roof of the Bowling Alley, resulted in the Board requesting Mr. Oeste to investigate the Township’s obligation regarding the College property. Following this, Mr. Kohli reported that the Aldham Hills property was sold at auction as also was the house at Mine and White Horse Roads.
Roadmaster’s Report: Mr. Hiller reported on the March snow storm and credited Delaware Paving Co. for keeping the roads open in the Township. He reported the filling of potholes as directed and is currently coordinating with the Township contractor for Spring clean-up. Mrs. Ewald thanked the roadmaster for his sensitivity during the storm to those residents with medical problems and thanked him for the overall work done keeping the Township roads cleared. At this time, Mr. Martin opened a discussion on winter maintenance of private roads and suggested that before next winter this issue should be resolved. The Roadmaster submitted his written report for the files.
Parks & Recreation Report: Chairman Mark Connolly introduced Forrest “Chip” Downing to the Supervisors as the Parks & Rec Board’s choice to fill a vacancy on their Board. (see letter of recommendation dated April 1, 1993). The Chairman stated Chip was to consider his name in nomination. Mr. Connolly listed the following work proposed for the park: the PMYC parking lot improvements for safety reasons; an on site dumpster to collect trash; removal of access road; Park maintenance; a request from Paul Hogan for up to $500 funding to repair the playground: the Biennial Report. Mr. Connolly announced the transfer to New York of Thomas Floyd, President of the Soccer Club. At this time, the Supervisors authorized the funding of up to $500 for repairing the playground. The Chairman requested Mr. Connolly to be careful that the park lighting does not effect the residents of surrounding properties.
Fire Marshal’s Report: Fred Alston stated that the area covered by the East Whiteland Fire Company has access to both ambulance and fire trucks (4 wheel drive) during storms. Mr. Alston noted that during March he investigated three open burning incidents. two requests to burn trash and followed up on a complaint regarding rubbish. He submitted his written report for the files. Mrs. Ewald reported when she met with Darin Fitzgerald and John Mott, they discussed considering a substation in the area in future plans. At present, the key problem is not enough volunteers in Charlestown to man the station. Mr. Martin and Mr. Kling both voiced their opinion against having a fire station on the Township owned six acres located off White Horse Road. Mrs. Ewald noted that an additional point made at that meeting was that the Supervisors should re-examine the maximum grade of roads and drives. At a 15 % or greater grade, it is difficult to get a pumper up such a road. The Fire Company would like to review some of the subdivision plans for road grades and Mrs. Ewald asked Mr. Alston to begin this process. The Chairman instructed the Secretary to include the Fire Marshal in the distribution of subdivision plans.
The Chairman asked for approval of check #7165 (Lamb, Windle and McErlane) which was held over from last month. Mrs. Ewald made the motion to approve payment of check #71 65, Mr. Kling seconded the motion and it so carried.
The next item on the agenda was the driveway for lot 5 of Heatherwood. Roy Raynor explained the change he would like to make. Mr. Kohli asked Mr. Raynor to submit a plan showing the original drive as approved and the change he desires. This plan should be submitted to the office. During the April 17 Road Tour, Mr. Kohli and the Supervisors will inspect this property.
The Chairman announced that on April 28, there will be a joint meeting with East Whiteland Township Supervisors to review the Charlestown Oaks plan. This meeting will be held at the Charlestown Elementary School, if the school is available. Also, there will be a meeting on April 1 5 at 7:30 at the East Pikeland building having to do with the Phoenixville spur.
At this time, the Chairman turned the meeting over to Mr. Oeste to conduct the continued public hearing on Charlestown Meadows. A Court Recorder took the minutes. Primary subjects presented were wetlands, high groundwater area and open space. This hearing will be continued at the regular Board of Supervisors’ meeting on May 3.
Darwin Ferguson inquired as to the status of the Eastwick Subdivision plan. Mrs. Ewald explained the Applicant has requested work sessions before reappearing on the Board’s agenda.
John Sauser raised questions regarding the meeting of Supervisors and the Engineer with plan Applicants at work sessions outside of public meetings. The procedure was explained to him.
All business completed, Mr. Kling moved to adjourn the meeting, Mrs. Ewald seconded the motion and it so carried. The Chairman adjourned - 11:45 P.M.
Ruth W. Buckwalter
Secretary