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

The Charlestown Township Board of Supervisors held their second meeting of the month on Monday, July 19, 1993, at the Charlestown Elementary School, Charlestown Road, Devault.

Present:

Irene W. Ewald, Chairman; John C. Martin, Jr., Vice Chairman; Thomas F. Oeste, Esq.; Surender S. Kohli, P.E.; G. Paull Nation, Al CP; Ruth W. Buckwalter, Secretary and those on the attached list of attendees.

The Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:10 pm.

Announcements: July 7 - Mrs. Ewald, Representatives of the Eastwick Estate, Mr. Kohli and the Township Consultants met at Mr. Kohli’s office regarding the Eastwick project; July 8 - there was a meeting attended by Mrs. Ewald, the Department of Forestry, Conrail, DER and the Township Fire Marshal having to do with fires started in the Township by Conrail. Conrail made a four point proposal which they felt would address the outstanding issues involved in the setting of the fires.

Because the representatives of Charlestown Meadows were late, the first item on the agenda was Bridge #178. Mrs. Ewald stated that this was a two part issue: 1) Who will be the engineer for designing the rehabilitated bridge. There previously had been an agreement with the County Commissioners that A. G. Lichtenstein & Associates, Inc., would design the bridge. The County, in a letter dated July 7, 1993, stated their preference for Jastrzebski Engineers, Inc. 2) A Release by the Board of Supervisors of liability for the Commonwealth of PA, Department of Transportation, and the County of Chester for the fact that this bridge would be slightly narrower than normal specifications. It was Mrs. Ewald’s recommendation that the Supervisors sign the Release which has been reviewed by the Solicitors. Mr. Martin briefly reviewed the options listed in the letter and suggested the Supervisors couple the Option with the Release. Mrs. Ewald agreed to this. Mr. Martin volunteered to go to the County Commissioners’ office to discuss this project. No further action was taken at this time.

The Township Insurance Policies renewed the middle of June. The agent put them on binders and Mrs. Ewald recommended approval of payment. The Commercial Package is invoiced for $4,927 and the Umbrella Policy is invoiced for $1,050 - an increase on both policies from last year. Mr. Martin suggested looking at an increase in deductibles next year. Mrs. Ewald will write to the agent for a quote. Mrs. Ewald made a motion to approve payment of both policies, Mr. Martin seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. The Secretary was requested to inform the Treasurer that the Public Liability portion, in the amount of $6,215, has not been invoiced and this needs to be followed up.

The Kimberton Fire Company. Inc. sent a Contract to the Township for signatures along with a copy of their Budget. Mrs. Ewald moved to approve the Contract and Mr. Martin seconded the motion. It carried unanimously.

The next item on the agenda was a letter received from Andrew J. Viscuso, Township Tax Collector, regarding a homeowner who refuses to divulge the names of occupants renting from him. Mr. Viscuso is unable to collect per capita taxes and seeks direction from the Supervisors on the matter. Following a brief discussion, Mrs. Ewald recommended going through Mary Jane Duncan and Townwatch channels for results. If this fails, the matter will be discussed with Mr. Oeste at the August 2nd meeting.

The Chairman announced that LauraBrooke has asked to be rescheduled from tonight until the August 2nd meeting of the Board.

At this time, the Chairman started the Continued Public Hearing of Charlestown Meadows – located at Rt. 401 and Newcomen Road, consisting of 210 units on 78 acres. The Chairman turned the Hearing over to Mr. Oeste who stated that tonight the Township would present it’s case. The first witness for the Township was Surender S. Kohli, P.E.. A Court Recorder took the minutes of the Hearing. Mr. Kohl reviewed items of his March 4th letter which included: open space; set backs between buildings and elsewhere; reduction of road right-of-ways; side by side water and sewage and utility lines; sidewalks; setback of parking spaces; 5% grade for parking spaces; Newcomen Road; flood water boundary; high water and wetland areas. At this time, the Chairman called a 10 minute break and also announced the Blood Drive at the East Whiteland Fire Company Hall on August 4,1993. The meeting reconvened at 9:1 5pm. Mr. Kohli continued his review of water and sewer supply to the property; fire hydrant locations and approval of the Fire Company; street trees; utility letter stating utilities accept placement. At the conclusion, questions were asked by Mrs. Ewald, Mrs. Elaine Harrington of Wyndham Lame, Jay and Sylvia Cooperman of Oak Lane and Joseph Hilhere of West Pikeland Township. The Chairman called for a 5 minute recess to meet with Mr. Martin and Mr. Oeste. Following this, the Chairman stated that this Public Hearing would be continued on Monday, July 26th at 8:00 pm at the Charlestown Elementary School, if the school is available.

Mrs. Ewald moved to adjourn the meeting, Mr. Martin seconded the motion, it unanimously carried. The meeting adjourned - 10:15 pm.