CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP
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The Charlestown Township Board of Supervisors held their regular monthly meeting on Monday, May 1, 1995 at the Charlestown Elementary School, Charlestown Road, Devault, Pa.
Present: |
John C. Martin, Jr., Chairman, John B. Sauser, Vice Chairman, Irene W. Ewald, Member, Thomas F. Oeste, Esq., Surender S. Kohli, P.E., Linda M. Csete, Acting Secretary and those on the attached attendee list. |
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 8:05 P.M.
The Supervisors held a brief executive session prior to the meeting to discuss the conditional use hearing scheduled for Comcast/Metrophone this evening. Comcast’s attorney, John E. Good, Esq. requested a continuance as he was unable to attend. Mr. Oeste asked whether any were present in the audience for this hearing; there was no response. The hearing was rescheduled for May 22, 1995 at 8:00 P.M. The Secretary was asked to check on the availability of the school for this date.
Mr. Martin announced that the Board has requested of the applicant a time extension to June 5, 1995 to render a decision on the Altemose Zoning Hearing for Curative Amendment. If the extension is not granted, the Board will arrange to meet earlier with the decision.
Mrs. Ewald announced that the Philadelphia Suburban Water Co. has clarified the Charlestown Hunt water routing issue for Sycamore Lane residents, who had submitted recommendations for rerouting that would protect the sycamore trees and wetlands along their road. Mrs. Ewald stated that maps submitted by PSW with the new route are available to the public for their review.
The Chairman entertained a motion to approve the minutes of April 3, 1995. Mrs. Ewald so moved. The motion was seconded by Mr. Sauser and carried unanimously.
The Chairman entertained a motion to approve the April 1995 Treasurer’s Report. Mrs. Ewald so moved. The motion was seconded by Mr. Sauser and carried unanimously.
The Chairman entertained a motion to approve the May 1, 1995 Accounts Payable. Mrs. Ewald so moved. The motion was seconded by Mr. Sauser and carried unanimously.
Mr. Kohli reported that construction is under way in both the Charlestown Hunt and Charlestown Brae developments. The process of filling in the mine shafts on the Charlestown Hunt tract was completed over the past weekend.
Mr. Churchill reported that at the April 18, 1995 meeting, the Commission recommended approval of the Ward’s driveway relocation request. They also approved the Whitehorse Meadows preliminary/final subdivision plan subject to the Solicitor’s and Engineer’s approval. Preliminary/Final approval was given to Whiteland Ridge subject to the Board’s satisfaction with the road agreement between West Whiteland and Charlestown. Denial of Comcast/Metrophone’s conditional use application was recommended on grounds that there are various zoning code violations as well as the applicant’s failure to appear on two occasions before the Planning Commission.
Mr. Hiller reported that during the month of April, missing signs were replaced throughout the township, a downed tree was removed on Bodine Road and a washout on Aldham Road was repaired. He submitted an itemized list of findings from the Spring Road Tour, which was held on April 30, 1995.
Mr. Alston reviewed his April Report. During April there was one dwelling (furnace) fire, one field/woods fire, one brush fire, one rubbish fire, one trees and wires, one automatic fire alarm and one vehicle accident. Mr. Alston stated that the lack of proper addressing continues to be an urgent problem which needs to be resolved immediately.
To facilitate spring clean-up efforts by residents, Mr. Alston was authorized by the Board to issue burning permits when conditions allow.
Mr. Connolly was unable to attend the meeting.
John DiLello asked about the status of the double utility poles on Charlestown Road, created when new poles were installed without removing the existing ones. He has spoken with representatives at Bell Atlantic, PECO Energy, and Harron Communications without satisfaction. Mr. Sauser stated that he has been in touch with PECO and will redouble his efforts to resolve the issue.
Mrs. Baldwin asked about the status of Bridge 178. Mr. Kohli stated that the County signed an agreement to refurbish the bridge several months ago. He will contact the county engineer’s office to see where the matter stands.
The Chairman opened and read aloud bids for Equipment Rental, Bituminous Concrete and Stone. The bids were given to Mr. Kohli for his review. The bids will be awarded at the June 5, 1995 meeting.
Mr. and Mrs. Ward presented their request for approval of their driveway relocation, for which the presented plans and photographs depicting the steepness of the present location and sight line problem. Mr. Ward was unable to reach an agreement to share a driveway with the adjacent lot as initially suggested by the Board and now wishes to relocate the driveway to the southern end of the property so that it works better with the natural contours of the land. Mrs. Ewald moved to approve the driveway relocation. Mr. Martin seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.
The final order was circulated with some minor changes highlighted and discussed. Mr. Martin moved to approve the signing of the final order. Mr. Sauser seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.
The question of police protection in the Charlestown portion of the development was discussed. The Board authorized Mr. Oeste to look into the mutual aid agreement between the State Police and the East Whiteland Police and obtain recommendations from both organizations to clarify the issue.
The Board took a ten minute recess for an executive session to discuss this real estate matter. Mr. Churchill expressed his concern about the deteriorating condition of the mill, which has great significance as one of the township’s most historical buildings and which still houses Mr. Allender’s equipment. Mr. Martin requested that Mr. Oeste review the ordinance and recommend an action for the Board which would serve to protect this landmark.
At this time, the meeting was turned over to Mr. Oeste, who conducted the hearing. Notes were taken by a court reporter.
Mr. Souder agreed to note on the plans that the smaller house and spring house are to be preserved in perpetuity, while the lot with the larger house and barn will be sold as is, to be renovated or demolished at the buyer’s discretion. Mr. Sauser moved to conditionally approve the final plan subject to: the applicant’s off-site improvement contribution of $1,000.00 per lot for the Phoenixville Pike intersection; deed restriction against further subdivision on all lots; reasonable steps taken to prevent demolition by neglect of the small house and springhouse; conditional use approval; and revocation of lot lines for Lots #2, 3 and 4 if sold to the Great Valley School District. Mrs. Ewald seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.
Mrs. Ewald asked the Secretary to copy the Board on Mr. Kohli’s letter of April 3, 1995 to Gannett Fleming. Mr. Sauser reported that Joe Bateman offered to make a presentation to the Board on the plan.
Mrs. Ewald moved to adopt Ordinance #69-95. Mr. Martin seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Martin stated that he reviewed the materials sent by BABB Inc., the township’s current provider and suggested continuing the policies for another year. He will contact Shirley Dorsett at BABB Inc. to arrange the renewals.
Mr. Oeste stated that he has not contacted the Suburban Federal Savings Bank or Rewis & Dambly regarding a quit-claim on the road. He will follow up.
Mrs. Ewald moved to approve Escrow Release #4 subject to the sum of $8,900.00 being released to the township to be applied to costs incurred by the township for inspections and on and off site improvements as needed. Mr. Martin seconded, and all were in favor.
Signing was deferred until the next meeting to allow time for the Board to review the documents.
All business was completed at 11:00 P.M. The Chairman adjourned the meeting.