CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
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The first regular meeting for November was held November 1, 1999 at the Charlestown Elementary School, 2060 Charlestown Road, Devault. John B. Sauser, Robert C. Wert, Irene W. Ewald, Surender S. Kohli, P.E., Thomas F. Oeste, Esq. , Bob Adams, Esq. , Linda M. Csete, Secretary, and those on the attached attendee list were present.
The meeting was called to order at 7:45 P.M. and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Mr. Sauser announced that the Altemose v. Township case is expected to be scheduled in Third Circuit Court during the week of December 13, 1999.
No items were brought forward at this time.
Mr. Sauser moved to approve the minutes of October 4, 1999 with one correction on Page 4, 3rd paragraph, 3rd sentence, to read “Ordinance #82-99” instead of “Ordinance #81-99. Mr. Wert seconded. Mr. Sauser and Mr. Wert were in favor. Mrs. Ewald was opposed.
Mr. Sauser moved to approve the minutes of October 18, 1999 and Mr. Wert seconded. Mr. Sauser and Mr. Wert were in favor. Mrs. Ewald was opposed.
Mrs. Ewald moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report for October 1-31, 1999 and Mr. Wert seconded. All were in favor.
Mrs. Ewald moved to approve the Accounts Payable Report for November 1, 1999 but noted her objection to check #2398. Mr. Wert seconded and all were in favor.
Reports from the Zoning Officer, Planning Commission, Historical Commission, Roadmaster and Fire Marshal are on file. Minutes from the last meeting of the Valley Forge Sewer Authority are on file.
Mr. Sauser asked Mr. Philips to have the Planning Commission discuss the “Fee-in-Lieu” Ordinance in further detail. Mr. Comitta noted that a draft must first be prepared for their review.
Mr. Comitta noted that he’ll meet with Mr. Oeste shortly to finalize the ordinance revision to Article XV.
Mrs. Baldwin said she was very disturbed to learn that Mr. Panizza has filed for a demolition permit for the Cornog-Supplee house at Phoenixville Pike and Yellow Springs Road on the former Volpi tract, noting that he rushed to submit the permit prior to the December 6, 1999 hearing to consider the historical resources preservation ordinance. She said this 1790’s house is one the Commission will fight very hard to preserve.
Mr. Thompson stated he had nothing to add to his report. Mr. Sauser noted the following:
Mr. Alston reminded the public to call 9-1-1 for emergencies and not the firehouses directly, stating that they aren’t equipped to handle these calls and it delays the response time.
He announced that the traffic light at Route 29 and Charlestown Road is now equipped with emergency pre-emption.
He reminded the public to be careful of deer while driving.
Mrs. Ewald asked for statistics on Coldstream Road accidents at the curve. The Board directed the Solicitor to contact PennDOT again to request milling of this curve, stressing liability issues.
Mr. Philips stated that he and alternate member Sue Staas attended the first meeting of the CAC. His impression was that approximately 2/3 of the 20 members are in favor of a slip ramp at Route 29 in order to relieve traffic. Much concern was voiced over Trammel-Crow’s proposal for a corporate center in East Whiteland at the quarry site off Route 29 that will be 2/3 the size of the Great Valley Corporate Center with 2.3 million square feet of office space. The next meeting is scheduled for November 9, 1999 and will be attended by John Martin and Sue Staas. Mr. Philips stated that the meetings are open to the public but comments aren’t permitted. Mrs. Ewald suggested hiring a court reporter to record these meetings, and Mr. Oeste confirmed that this would be permitted. Mr. Wert moved to approve hiring a court reporter to record the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Community Advisory Committee meetings, and Mrs. Ewald seconded. Mr. Sauser called for discussion and invited comments from the public. There being none, he called for the vote. Mr. Wert and Mrs. Ewald were in favor, and Mr. Sauser was opposed. Mr. Wert suggested that other members of the CAC may be willing to share in the cost.
Mrs. Ewald suggested obtaining a list of the Boards of Directors of companies supporting the slip ramp in order to contact them and communicate the Township’s concerns.
Mr. Oeste explained that Bob Adams, Esq. of Gawthrop, Greenwood and Halstead, PC would be representing the Planning Commission in the Conditional Use hearing for General Residential Properties application for “Brooklands”, a proposed subdivision on Bodine Road. Mr. Oeste opened the hearing and the proceedings were recorded by a court reporter. The hearing was continued to November 15, 1999 at 7:30 P.M. at the Charlestown Elementary School.
Mr. Oeste stated that the applicant, General Residential Properties Inc., had waived independent counsel for the Planning Commission. Mr. Oeste opened the hearing for the Deerfield Conditional Use application and the proceedings were recorded by a court reporter. The hearing was continued to November 8, 1999 at 7:30 P.M. at the Great Valley Nature Center, or if needed, an alternate location to be announced and posted at the Nature Center to begin at 7:45 P.M.
Mr. Oeste stated that the applicant, General Residential Properties Inc., had waived independent counsel for the Planning Commission. Mr. Oeste opened the hearing for the Spring Lane Conditional Use application and the proceedings were recorded by a court reporter. The hearing was continued to November 15, 1999 at 7:30 P.M. at the Charlestown Elementary School to begin at 7:30 P.M. Mr. Panizza agreed to notify additional surrounding property owners of the hearing per Mr. Wert’s request.
PennDOT Reconstruction of Bridge over Route 29 – Rights of Way and Easement
Chester County Park Land and Open Space Acquisition Grant – Round X – Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions – 11/15/99
Resolution Dedicating Phase III Roads – Charlestown Brae
Township Roads – Review Speed Limits
Charlestown Park Master Plan – 12/6/99
Mr. Oeste stated that he reviewed PennDOT’s Five Year Agreement for the Township to provide snow and ice removal on specified state roads and found it satisfactory. He noted that Joe Merchant of the Simkiss Insurance Agency also reviewed it and had no problem with it. Mr. Sauser moved to approve the Five Year Winter Traffic Services Agreement by Resolution #547-99 and Mr. Wert seconded. All were in favor. Mrs. Ewald suggested incorporating the fact that the Township will be maintaining the Coldstream Road curve into the letter to be sent to PennDOT requesting milling, indicating that it’s necessary for proper winter maintenance of that portion of the road.
Mr. Oeste reported that Mr. McErlane has been in contact with Curt Weldon’s office and was told the process to reduce the parapet height from 42 inches to 32 inches would be difficult. Mr. Wert suggested that Mr. McErlane get a definitive answer in writing from Mr. Weldon on this issue, and the Board agreed. The matter was tabled to November 8, 1999.
The Board directed the Township Treasurer to provide highlights of all changes on the budget worksheet and circulate it to them prior to the November 8, 1999 meeting at which time the final drafting of the budget will take place.
Curative Amendment Hearing for Altemose: November 15, 1999
Conditional Use Hearing for Kurtz: December 6, 1999
Conditional Use Hearing for Miles: December 6, 1999
Budget Adoption: December 6, 1999.
The following salt bids were received:
| Cargill Salt: | $32.83/ton delivered |
| Oceanport Industries: | $29.50/ton delivered |
Morton Salt and IMC Salt responded with no bid.
Mrs. Ewald moved to accept Oceanport Industries as the low bidder for the 1999-2000 winter season and Mr. Wert seconded. All were in favor.
Mrs. Ewald moved to approve Charlestown Hunt Escrow Release #3 for Phase 4 and Escrow Release #3 for Phase 5. Mr. Wert seconded and all were in favor.
The Open Space Survey was discussed and revised with a deadline for response of December 1, 1999. It will be mailed to all residents and property owners later this week.
A resident asked for verification of the scheduling for the Deerfield Conditional Use Hearing and was provided with the information.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 P.M.