CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING APRIL 19, 1993 MINUTES

The Charlestown Township Board of Supervisors held a second monthly meeting on April 19, 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; Thomas F. Oeste, Esq.; Ruth W. Buckwalter, Secretary; those on the attached attendee list

The Vice Chairman opened the meeting at 8:06 pm.

Mr. Martin introduced Emory Todd. the Township’s independent auditor, who gave an in-depth explanation of the 1992 audit. Mr. Todd commended the Township’s Treasurer and Secretary for the manner in which the records are kept. Mr. Martin questioned Mr. Todd on contingent liabilities (note C), restricted funds set aside for the Phoenixville Pike road improvements (note D), and the end of the year payables carried over to the first month of the new year. Mr. Todd stated that payables often carry over as a result of Townships working on a cash basis.

The Chairman opened the discussion on PENNDOT road maintenance in Charlestown. Mr. Kling feels we should undertake a discussion with PENNDOT’s regional engineer regarding poor snow removal service, rights of way littered with tree branches, a major overhaul of Pikeland Road with attention given to the narrow bridge, poor road signage and serious shoulder erosion causing water to course over the roads. Mrs. Ewald stated she and Mr. Kling have worked with Jim Gerlach the past few years on the problem of poor maintenance of vegetation on state roads. An appointment will be made to discuss these issues with Carole Rubley.

The next item on the agenda was the Phoenixville Spur discussion. Mrs. Ewald explained that there was a proposed Phoenixville spur going from Rt 422 and Rt 29 in Collegeville with the termination point at Rt 23 and 724, west of Phoenixville. Mr. Kling pointed out that the termination point didn’t make any sense in this pattern and all parties agreed. The Phoenixville Borough is the primary mover in this case and they recognize the impact this will have on surrounding townships. For this reason, they have invited the townships to their meetings to look at a plan, now called the Chester - Montgomery Connector. Mr. Kling read aloud a letter to Howard Yerusalim, Chairman of the State Transportation Commission, drafted by the Chester County Planning Commission. The Commission would like all the townships to sign a copy of this letter and return it to Lee Whitmore of the Chester County Planning Commission (a copy of this letter is attached to the minutes). The Chairman asked the consensus of the Board on this action. She noted that the key thing now is getting a new origin and destination study and a review of the traffic patterns from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission. The Board agreed to complete and send the letter.

The Chairman opened a discussion on the proposed renewal of the Joint Maintenance Agreement between Schuylkill and Charlestown Townships. Mrs. Ewald noted that there is a change to paragraph 4 in the Agreement which raises the question - would this eliminate the participation in cost for Schuylkill Township in putting in the railroad gates on Buckwalter Road? Mr. Colket has assured Mrs. Ewald that they will pay their share. Mr. Martin said this should be put into the Agreement. Conrail would like to install blinking lights and dinging crossing gates. Ruth Buckwalter objected to the noisy gates because the train comes and goes at night. Mr. Kling suggested installing just the lights, if this would be possible. Mr. Kling also thought we should have Conrail’s Project Engineer come to a meeting to hear if they have taken steps to eliminate the causes of fires the engines have started over the past two years. Mrs. Ewald reported that Warner Quarry is applying to have the old Cedar Hollow line restored so they can cross Rt 29 and connect with the Phoenixville line. Also, there is a track that goes into the Industrial Park that the PUC allegedly never approved and Conrail didn’t know existed. The food processing company wants to start rail service to their warehouse. Mrs. Ewald also noted that Conrail has done nothing as yet to repair the Rt 29 intersection of Buckwalter Road and she will contact them to attend the next meeting or set up a location meeting. In regards to the contract on joint road maintenance, Mr. Martin noted (1)the date was wrong, should be August 1, (2)railroad expenses should be equally shared, (3)Schuylkill is responsible to pick up the trash on their side of roads. The Agreement was turned over to Mr. Oeste to add these items. The Supervisors will then sign and return the Agreement to Robert J. Sugarman, Esq.

The next item on the agenda was a request from PENNDOT, for the Supervisors to consider taking back 7 state owned roads in Charlestown Township. Mr. Kling read a letter, dated April 7, 1993, received from Donald Hitner, Assistant County Manager, which listed the roads and noted that PENNDOT would continue to be responsible for the keeping and maintenance of the bridges on these roads. Mr. Kling felt that the Supervisors should not go that route. Mrs. Ewald said one of the problems is that Pickering Dam Road and Yellow Springs Road are practically destroyed from lack of maintenance by PENNDOT. Mr. Martin pointed out that most of the roads were paved over mud without a proper base. Mrs. Ewald asked if the Board wants to pursue summer maintenance with PENNDOT. Mr. Martin suggested exploring it to see what kind of contract we could get.

Ray Raynor discussed briefly the change he would like to make on the drive of lot 5 of Heatherwood. The Board agreed to allow Mr. Raynor to work this out with the Township Engineer.

Charlestown Open Space Plan: Mr. Martin reported that the changes the County wanted in the Open Space Plan were made and are acceptable. In order to be reimbursed for 75% of the grant, we need to adopt it. Mr. Oeste advised it should be adopted as a free standing Ordinance and not as part of the Comprehensive Plan. This will be done at the May 3rd meeting of the Board.

The Chairman asked for the Board’s approval for check #7201 in the amount of $500, made out to Petty Cash. This money is to cover the expenses of a mailing to notify the public of the April 28th public hearing on the Charlestown Oaks plan. Mr. Kling moved for approval, Mrs. Ewald seconded the motion, it unanimously carried.

The Commons at Great Valley Escrow Release #3, in the amount of $67,218.75, was submitted for approval. Mr. Kling moved to approve Escrow Release #3, Mrs. Ewald seconded the motion, it unanimously carried. The money is directly related to putting down the wearing course on General Warren Boulevard, a new road in Charlestown Township.

Schuylkill Township Supervisors will be hosting a meeting having to do with the Liberty House project on April 28th at 7:30 pm. Since this conflicts with the public hearing on Charlestown Oaks, ways of covering both meetings were discussed.

Mrs. Ewald reported she attended the State Convention of Second Class Township Supervisors at Hershey on the 6th of April. One item of interest at the Convention was a pamphlet on “Structure and Maintenance of Septic Systems”, which she has asked Mr. Kohli to review.

The Chairman called attention to a letter received from the Chester County Commissioners inquiring if Charlestown wished to opt out on HUD. Mrs. Ewald asked

Mr. Oeste to check this out before the May 3rd Supervisors’ meeting.

The Chairman reported that the Township has applied to the Federal Emergency Management for reimbursement on the snow plowing which cost the Township approximately $30,000 throughout that storm.

The Chairman announced receiving the East Whiteland Volunteer Fire Association’s report for the month of March.

The Chairman reported there was a meeting on April 15 with the PUC and Conrail about the railroad tracks in the Industrial Park area. Also, the Spring Road Tour was held on Saturday, April 17th.

Mr. Martin drew a comparison between Charlestown Oaks and Laura Brooke regarding the number of units per acre. Charlestown Oaks is down to two units and Laura Brooke, a smaller plan, is showing eight units per acre. Mr. Martin felt someone should give Mr. Mondzelewski some direction.

All business completed, Mr. Kling moved to adjourn the meeting. Mrs. Ewald seconded the motion, it so carried. The meeting was adjourned - 9:40 pm.