CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP
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The Charlestown Township Board of Supervisors held their second meeting of the month on Monday, December 20, 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.; Surender S. Kohli, P.E.; Ruth W. Buckwalter, Secretary; those on the attached attendees list. |
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 8:04 pm.
The Chairman turned the meeting over to Robert Wert who represented Charlestown Townwatch, the Civic Association, the Historical Society, Charlestown Green and the Emergency Coordination workers. Mr. Wert expressed the gratitude of these organizations, plus that of the citizens of the Township, for the years of service Vincent G. Kling .Sr. has given to Charlestown Township. Mr. Kling’s office as Township Supervisor will terminate the end of this month. Mr. Wert presented him with a hat and a jacket patch. Michael Churchill thanked Mr. Kling and noted how fortunate this Township has been to have had the kind of expertise and knowledge that Mr. Kling has offered. Mr. Kling was presented with a plaque. Mrs. Ewald also recognized Mr. Kling’s valued input as a Supervisor and presented him with a framed piece of campaign memorabilia. John DiLello read his statement of appreciation and John Martin said that having an architect on the Board has been helpful and a great resource to the Township.
Citizens Forum: Mr. Martin brought up the 911 system which goes into effect January 1, 1994. He asked about the readdressing and Mrs. Ewald responded that would not be resolved until the middle or end of 1994.
The next item on the agenda was the Schulze Plan. Mrs. Ewald called attention to the December 7th letter from the Chester County Planning Commission that referred to the Horseshoe Trail as a hiking trail and a foot path with no vehicular access. She suggested this be amended to read “Horseshoe Trail Road”. Mrs. Ewald also suggested that section 3-c of the December 22nd decision letter, having to do with the escrow fund, should contain some means of compliance to keep this fund replenished as needed. The letter of December 15th from Mr. Colagreco, attorney for the Schulze family, recommended Mr. Kohli walk the Horseshoe Trail before construction begins to determine the present condition of the Trail. After further discussion of the project, during which Mr. Kohli agreed that he felt $1, 000 was sufficient for the escrow fund, Mr. Kling moved that the plan be approved as amended. Mr. Martin seconded, the motion unanimously carried.
The Stewart Preliminary Plan was the next item of business. Bob Plucienik, representing Dr. and Mrs. William G. Stewart, addressed the issue of individual driveways versus shared driveways. Mrs. Ewald noted that the revised plan shows a common access to individual driveways. Mr. Plucienik stated that the Planning Commission recommended option 3 be presented to the Supervisors for their consideration. The Stewarts still prefer single individual driveways per lot, he said. Mr. Plucienik gave sight distance figures and noted that there is no speed limit posted in this immediate area. Mrs. Ewald asked the following questions of Mr. Plucienik:
- This property was the subject of a prior subdivision which had to do with the quarry and there were certain requirements at that time having to do with the back portion of these lots. What is the status of that plan now?
- Mr. Comitta’s review letter of December 16th, item 3, paragraphs 2 and 3 and also items 10 and 11; all of which need to be addressed.
- The language needs to be clarified regarding the portions in the LI-2 district. Deed restrictions, afforestation, historic portion of the plan and landscaping were reviewed.
Mr. Kling stated that the landscaping plan submitted by Thomas Comitta Associates is not feasible nor necessary. Mrs. Ewald suggested the plan should go back to the Planning Commission because it is not complete. Mr. Martin stated that he felt the Board should resolve this tonight. He would support Option 3 in regards to the driveways but grant the applicant a review on this matter at the time a building permit was requested. Mr. Kling moved for plan approval based on Mr. Martin’s statement, Mr. Martin seconded the motion. The Chairman asked for a roll call vote: Mrs. Ewald - No, and she requested an indemnification from the Stewarts if the plan was approved. Mr. Martin - Yes, he supports the motion to approve the plan as presented using option 3. Mr. Kling - Yes. Mrs. Ewald stated for the record “ this plan is illegal and both Mr. Martin and Mr. Kling will be inviting law suits by this action”. The Chairman called a recess. Mr. Martin objected, Mr. Kling supported the objection. Mrs. Ewald withdrew from the room to consult with Mr. Kohli and Mr. Oeste.
The Chairman and Messrs. Kohli and Oeste returned to the meeting. The Secretary submitted the resolution of approval for the Stewart’s Planning Module. The Chairman rejected the resolution. The Chairman reconvened the meeting at 9:20 P.M..
The Spring Oak Plan had no representative present at the meeting, so this item was tabled.
The Chairman reported that there have been continuing negotiations between the Township and Mr. Kellett on the Eastwick Plan. She stated that progress is being held up because of the lack of any plan submission to the Township.
The Chairman made a motion to adopt the 1994 Budget as presented. Mr. Martin seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. Resolutions #474-93 and #475-93, having to do with the Budget, were approved by a motion from Mrs. Ewald, seconded by Mr. Martin. The motion carried unanimously and the Supervisors signed the resolutions.
The next item on the agenda was a discussion of a Township Building. Mrs. Ewald was of the opinion that this would be a need in the near future. Mr. Kling and Mr. Martin were both against building a Township Office on the Township owned property at this time.
Mrs. Ewald reported that at the last meeting of the Fire Company a discussion was held regarding the County Commissioners’ attempt to develop new Fire Company Districts to suit their emergency dispatch concepts. If the County Commissioners are successful, we may lose our Fire Company contracts. This could have an adverse impact on municipality budgets.
The Rosewood Farm Escrow Release #6, in the amount of $13,362.44, was approved by a motion made by Mr. Martin and seconded by Mrs. Ewald. The motion carried unanimously.
Check #7462 from the December 6th Accounts Payable had been approved but was withheld for payment until the Supervisors had the opportunity to review the Lamb, Windle & McErlane billing statement. This check was now released.
At this time, Mr. Kohli reported on his inspection of Buckwalter and Ashenfelter Roads in connection with the proposed Road Agreement from Schuylkill Township. He stated that Buckwalter Road has water problems, pipe crossings, deteriorated pipes, a railroad crossing and road painting. Ashenfelter Road has no serious drainage problems. Mr. Kohli recommended sharing expenses with Schuylkill Township on these roads.
Mr. Kling referred to the “house-keeping” items of the Stewart Plan which needed attention and asked who would do this. Mrs. Ewald replied Mr. Comitta and Mr. Frederick. Mr. Plucienik said he will communicate with Mr. Comitta and Mr. Frederick and ask them to meet and resolve the issues. Mr. Plucienik requested the Planning Module for this plan be approved. Mr. Martin asked Mr. Oeste if the Vice Chairman could sign since two Supervisors approve. Mr. Oeste stated yes. As Vice Chairman, Mr. Martin signed the Planning Module.
The Chairman announced that the next Board meeting will be held at the Barn of the Nature Center on Wednesday, December 29th at 7:30 pm. The LauraBrooke Curative Amendment will be addressed at this meeting.
All business completed, Mr. Kling moved to adjourn the meeting.
[Missing] seconded the motion, it so carried. The Chairman adjourned at 9:46pm.
Ruth W. Buckwalter
Secretary