CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP
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The first regular business meeting for January was held January 5, 1998 at the Charlestown Elementary School. John B. Sauser, Chairman, Irene W. Ewald, James E. McErlane, Esq., Surender S. Kohli, P.E., Linda M. Csete, Secretary, and those on the attached attendee list were present.
The meeting was called to order at 8:20 P.M.
There were no announcements.
Nominations for Supervisor:
Mrs. Ewald suggested accepting recommendations and volunteers for Supervisor from the floor in order to develop a list of names for consideration. Liz Willow asked to be considered for the position. The following recommendations were also made:
Regina Notar recommended Kevin Kuhn, who declined.
Kevin Kuhn recommended Charles Philips.
Marcia Solda recommended Robert Wert.
Ellen Behrle recommended Joe O’Brien, who declined.
Clarence Rittenbaugh recommended John Martin, who declined.
Ellen Behrle recommended Stephen Schlichter.
Ellen Behrle recommended Durando Faggioli.
Marcia Solda recommended Vincent Kling.
Mr. Sauser stated that the Second Class Township Code outlines the legal procedure for appointing a Supervisor to fill a vacancy, which gives the remaining Board members 30 days to agree on an appointment. Otherwise, the Vacancy Board is activated and there is an additional 15 days to act. He pointed out that public input is not a part of this procedure.
Mr. Sauser nominated Robert Wert for Supervisor. Mrs. Ewald nominated Charles Philips, Stephen Schlichter, Durando Faggioli and Vincent Kling for Supervisor. There were no seconds. Mr. Wert indicated that he would be willing to serve if appointed.
No action was taken at this time.
Mr. Sauser moved to approve the minutes of December 1, 1997 and Mrs. Ewald seconded. The motion passed.
Mrs. Ewald moved to approve the minutes of December 15, 1997 with a correction in the first sentence on the second paragraph on page two. She moved to strike this sentence and replace it with “Mrs. Ewald stated that the original road plan was imposed by Judge Gavin and is not the plan approved by Charlestown Township.” Mr. Sauser seconded and the motion passed.
Mr. Sauser requested that checks #1432 and #1433 to W.T. Jones and R. Merryman, respectively, be held for clarification. Mrs. Ewald requested that check #1434 to Rittenbaugh Inc. be held pending a review with the Roadmaster of their invoice and work referenced in it. Mr. Sauser moved to approve the January 5, 1998 Accounts Payable with the understanding that these three checks would be held for clarification and review. Mrs. Ewald seconded and the motion passed.
Mrs. Ewald requested that Mr. Kohli check on additional complaints at the Jones residence on Valley Hill Road, where deliveries are continuing to be received despite a court order prohibiting the operation of his business at this location.
Mr. Churchill reported that no actions were taken at the December 9, 1997 meeting. The Planning Commission discussed two proposed ordinance amendments and a subcomittee meeting was held with John Panizza to discuss the Pyle/Coryell tract. Mrs. Ewald indicated that there are two vacancies on the Board due to two expired terms which remain to be dealt with. Mr. Churchill stated that the Board will continue to include the two expired term members on non-voting issues until the Board has taken action.
Mr. Thompson had nothing to add to his written report.
Mr. Alston had nothing to add to his written report.
Mr. Connolly had left the meeting prior to this time.
Minutes from the December meeting have been received.
Mr. Kuhn, president of Charlestown Green, read a statement indicating that Charlestown Green is circulating a petition to include the question of increasing the number of members on the Board of Supervisors from three to five as a referendum item on the next primary ballot.
Megan Connolly urged the Board to work together toward a consensus on selecting a supervisor for the vacant position.
Robert Wert, Director of Charlestown Township Emergency Operations, gave a summary of events leading up to the move of the EOC from the Charlestown Elementary School to the Great Valley High School. Benefits of the move include a dedicated facility that won’t require tear down and set up for each drill and a location outside the 10 mile limit of the Limerick Generating Station. In answer to Mrs. Ewald’s question, Mr. Wert stated that the fact that the Board wasn’t notified prior to the move was an unintentional oversight.
Mrs. Ewald moved to direct the Solicitor to draw up a draft agreement permitting the Pyle family to plant and harvest crops on the parcel recently acquired from them by the Township until they move to another farm. She stated that it is to the advantage of the Township to keep the land in use. Mr. Sauser seconded the motion and the motion passed.
Mr. Sauser stated that he spoke with Mr. Kohli about design and landscaping shortcomings at the Little People Day School in the Commons at Great Valley. Mr. Kohli requires more time to review the information before making a recommendation to the Board.
Mr. Sauser moved to approve the 1998 contract pending the solicitor’s review. Mrs. Ewald seconded and the motion passed.
Mr. Sauser explained that Janet Baldwin obtained signatures from property owners who, combined, own more than 100 non-contiguous acres of land that are eligible to form an agricultural security district. Mrs. Ewald stated that the next step is to appoint a committee to include one resident, three active farmers and one member of the Board. She suggested Mrs. Baldwin as the resident member and volunteered herself as the Board member. Mrs. Ewald moved to request that Mrs. Baldwin contact eligible farmers to submit a list of names for consideration before the next meeting. Mr. Sauser seconded and the motion passed.
Escrow Release Requests submitted for review by the Township Engineer were tabled until the next meeting on January 19, 1998.
Mrs. Ewald provided a brief background on those nominated, and Mr. Schlichter and Mr. Kling added some details on themselves. She suggested that interviews be scheduled with any interested individuals. Mr. Sauser disagreed with this suggestion. Mrs. Ewald moved to direct the Secretary to send postcards to all residents informing them of the vacancy and inviting applicants to come forward. Mr. Sauser moved to direct the Secretary to advertise the vacancy in a local newspaper of general circulation. Neither motion was seconded. Mrs. Ewald stated that she intended to meet any interested candidates on January 12, 1998 at the Charlestown Elementary School at 7:30 P.M. Mr. Sauser stated that the next meeting of the Board of Supervisors will take place on January 19, 1998 at 7:30 P.M. at the Great Valley Nature Center.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:05 P.M.