CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP
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The Charlestown Township Board of Supervisors held their regular monthly meeting on Monday, October 4, 1993, at the Charlestown Elementary School, Charlestown Road, Devault.
| Present: | Irene W. Ewald, Chairman; John C. Martin Jr., Vincent G. Kling, Sr., Member; Surender S. Kohli, P.E., James E. McErlane, Esq.; Ruth W. Buckwalter, and those on the attached list of attendees. |
At 8:06 pm, the Chairman called the meeting to order.
Announcements: Mrs. Ewald announced the following: September 14 - there was a meeting attended by Janet Baldwin, Thomas Comitta, representatives of Charlestown Brae including Mr. Featherman, Mr. England, Sarah Peck, the two Ott sisters and a gentleman who was a structural engineer. Sept. 29 - Mr. Kling reported that the Limerick drill went very well and he pointed out that when residents hear that siren, they must listen to their radio for instructions on what to do in your section of the County. Sept 29 - there was a meeting in East Whiteland Township regarding truck traffic being routed to Rt. 29. Sept. 30 - there was a meeting concerning Charlestown Meadows. Charlestown Meadows have their PRD plan and they requested a meeting with Mr. Kohli and the Supervisors to review where they are in plan submission. They reiterated that their intention is to come back with a revised plan and withdraw the plan that is currently before the Township.
The Chairman amended the minutes of September 8, on page 3, paragraph 4, line 15 - insert “lot 11” in place of “his property”. Mr. Martin moved to approve the minutes of September 8, 1993 as amended Mr. Kling seconded the motion, the motion carried unanimously.
The Chairman entertained a motion to approve the September 1993 Treasurer’s Report. Mr. Martin so moved, Mrs. Ewald seconded, the motion unanimously carried.
The Chairman entertained a motion to approve the October 4, 1993 Accounts Payable. Mr. Martin moved for approval, Mrs. Ewald Seconded the motion, the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Martin requested Mr. McErlane to send a bill from Lamb, Windle & McErlane for the month of September in time for the Supervisors’ budget meeting.
Zoning Officer’s Report: Mr. Kohli reported that he is trying to reach Mr. Mahoney, the real estate broker for the Bell Property, located on West Valley Hill Road. This is a 3 story building with 15,000 sq. feet on each floor. He stated that they are trying to maintain the tower for transmission purposes. Another item of his report was a complaint of black liquid running down onto Phoenixville Pike; he investigated but could find nothing. At this time, the annual Fall Road Tour was rescheduled to Saturday, October 30th, starting at 8:00 am from the Charlestown Elementary School parking lot. Mr. Kohli reported that the sewer work is done along the road for Charlestown Meade, the contractor at Rosewood is putting in curbs and will then fix up the road, the Wyndham contractor is working on the road for this subdivision. Mr. Kohli recommended the Escrow Release for Paniquin, in the amount of $91,620 be approved. Mr. Martin moved to approve the Escrow Release, Mrs. Ewald seconded the motion, the motion so carried.
There was no Planning Commission Report.
Roadmaster’s Report: Mrs. Ewald said that the Roadmaster is in Washington D.C. and will give his report next month. However, Mrs. Ewald reported that he did go out and document the signage on Rt. 29 between Charlestown Road and Buckwalter Road. He found a lack of posted speed limit signs and inconsistency in posting.
Parks and Recreation Report: Mr. Connolly was not present to give a report. Mr. Martin questioned what happened to the $15,000 grant. Mrs. Ewald said she was present with Mr. Connolly at a meeting with the soccer club and she expressed concerns about the broadness with which Mr. Connolly was approaching the issue. The issue is simply the stabilization and regrading, where necessary, of the soccer field, adding the top soil and seeding it. Mrs. Ewald suggested the Supervisors give Mr. Connolly some direction and narrow his approach. Mr. Martin agreed with her suggestion.
Fire Marshal’s Report: Fred Alston reported that during on of the past meetings with Conrail, they offered to take the Fire Marshal and the Supervisors on a train ride to see what they were up against and what we were up against with regards to the fires Conrail has caused in the Township. Mr. Alston contacted Conrail and several dates were given him to arrange with the Supervisors. Mr. Alston reported that during the month of September, there were 1 ambulance assist, 2 trees and wires and 7 vehicle accidents reported to the fire companies that serve Charlestown Township. He also investigated 2 open burning incidents. A complete report was submitted to the Secretary for the Township files.
Valley Forge Sewer Authority Report: Steve Winckelman reported that this year the VFSA expanded their administration building, refinanced the bond issue, built a new clarifier in the municipal plant, and noted there was no need to raise rates.
Citizens Forum: Steve Winckelman questioned work being done on Yellow Springs Road off Rt. 29, below Brownie’s Tavern. He stated it looked like a new driveway is being cut. Mr. Kohli will investigate this. Next, Mr. Martin asked the Township Engineer when Philadelphia Suburban Water Company is going to finish laying the water main between the top of Diamond Rock and Roads which has been going on since May 10th. Mrs. Ewald informed him this project would be completely finished in the next two weeks. On the subject of giving financial aid to Public libraries, Mr. Martin asked how the public felt about this. There was no comment from the public.
The next item on the agenda was the dangerous curve on Route 29. Mrs. Ewald reported that Mr. Kohli is trying to arrange another meeting with PennDOT. She noted 4 developments on this issue: 1) a local asphalt company had made an offer to PENNDOT to resurface and build up the road at that curve as a community service at their own expense. PENNDOT was not receptive, to date. 2) the Supervisors received a letter from Kevin Miller, Allstate Insurance Claims Department, regarding an accident which occurred on Rt. 29. 3) there was a citizen’s inquiry asking if PennDOT allows transport of hazardous materials on that curve. 4) Sergeant Naylor of the State Police informed Mrs. Ewald that the State Police checked the signage of Rt. 29 and found it to be inadequate and made recommendations directly to PennDOT. Next week the State Police will be in the vicinity of that curve with radar. Mr. McErlane advised the Board to make it clear in response to Mr. Miller’s letter that Rt. 29 is a state road over which the Township has no jurisdiction.
The Chairman reported that there was a memo from East Whiteland Township and that all businesses along Phoenixville Pike were contacted and requested to re-route their trucks along Phoenixville Pike and down Rt. 29 through Charlestown. Robert Devlin attended a meeting on this subject and he reported that the safety issue of the high school children was their argument. He added that they have requested PENNDOT to put up signs on Rt. 29 in Charlestown Township advising Route 29 south is the most direct road to Rt. 202. Mrs. Ewald noted that, at that meeting, Mr. Devlin pointed out to East Whiteland that they are the ones responsible for the heavy traffic on Phoenixville Pike because they closed Sidley Road, Flat Road, Mill Road and Moore Road, which are the roads that come out of the other entrance to the Industrial Park in their Township, forcing all that traffic onto Phoenixville Pike.
The Chairman reported that the PUC appeal from Charlestown or East Whiteland on adding another railroad crossing at Rt. 29 just below Yellow Springs Road is scheduled for the 12th or 13th of October. Mr. Reimenschneider of East Whiteland will try to negotiate with the new contact person for Warner Quarry re. Use of the railroad during off peak hours. A discussion ensued on what would be the best time with consideration of traffic at the crossings and the many residences along this track.
The next item on the agenda was the Valley Forge Army Hospital updated. Mrs. Ewald stated that a letter was sent, in response to the comments on their feasibility study, outlining the items discussed at the last Board meeting. In response to the correspondence they received, an advanced copy on a new study having to do with veterans and agent orange was sent to the Township. Agent Orange is believed to contain a chemical component linked to Hodgkin’s disease available to anyone interested. In addition, they are bringing together doctors and scientists that specialize in Hodgkin’s disease and will schedule a meeting in early November to address the Hodgkin’s issue.
Key ’93 (Act 50) is a $50 million state bond issue to be used to upgrade and expand Pennsylvania’s parks, recreational and natural areas, historic resources and libraries. The proposal was approved for the November 2, 1993 ballot by the General Assembly and the Casey Administration. The Chairman read a letter received from Representative Carole Rubley requesting the Supervisors endorse this project by adopting a resolution and mailing a copy to the Steering Committee. The matter was opened for public comment. Mr. DiLello spoke against Key ’93 and the $2 per capita for the library noting he doesn’t like to see more taxation with such short notice. Eleanor Morris spoke for the Key ’93 funding noting that preservation is struggling and needs funding. After further discussion, Mr. Kling moved to approve Resolution #472-93 supporting Key ’93, Mr. Martin seconded the motion. The motion unanimously carried.
The Chairman brought to the attention of the Board for review the amendments to the Municipal Planning Code. She requested the Secretary to copy this for each Supervisor and recommended the Board conference on this before the 15th of October, which is when the comments are due.
The next item on the agenda was RIRA. The Chairman reported that last year the Board applied for funding from RIRA to acquire the Baughman farm. The application was not successful. The Chairman proposed the Board resubmit in the same amount ($15, 000). Mrs. Ewald made the motion for re-submission, Mr. Martin seconded, the motion unanimously carried.
The Chester County Fall Conference is scheduled for November 18th. Messrs. Martin, Kling and Kohli are unable to attend. Mrs. Ewald will attend the conference.
Mr. Martin reported that in response to his letter to Thomas J. Comitta regarding the $6.000 overrun in the open space plan, Mr. Comitta wrote to say he accepts Mr. Martin’s proposal to split this amount and will credit the Township $3, 000.00 in his next statement.
The Chairman gave the proposals to supply the Township with salt during the upcoming winter months to Mr. Martin to open and read. The following proposals were read:
| Cargill | $34.96 per ton, delivered |
| Ocean Port | 33.40 " |
| Morton | 35.27 per ton, delivered |
| AKZO | 37.62 per ton, delivered |
Mrs. Ewald noted the Roadmaster should review these.
There being no further business, the Chairman canceled the October 18th meeting. The next meeting of the Board will be held on Monday, November 1, 1993. The Secretary was instructed to so advertise.
Mr. Kling moved to adjourn the meeting. Mrs. Ewald seconded the motion, the motion carried unanimously. The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 9:40 P.M.
Ruth W. Buckwalter
Secretary