CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP
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Present: |
Hugh Willig, Chairman, Kevin Kuhn, Vice-Chairman, Paul Hogan, Mike Rodgers, Irene Ewald, Tom Oeste, Esq., Gary Bender, Esq., Surender Kohli, P.E., Ed Theurkauf, Planner, Linda M. Csete, Township Administrator/Secretary-Treasurer, and those on the attached attendee list. |
The meeting was called to order at 7:40 p.m.
Mrs. Ewald announced that the Board held an executive session at 6:00 P.M. this evening to discuss personnel issues.
Mr. Hogan announced that work has started on the hiking trail at Charlestown Park.
Cathy DiFilippo, Pikeland Road, presented a complaint to the Board that the State Police were unresponsive to her reports of a series of burglaries that took place at her residence last fall and winter. She was told that her case was not a priority, and when she contacted the District Attorney’s office today she was told that the State Police had shut down any further investigation. Mrs. Ewald said she has spoken to Lt. Teper of the State Police and will follow up tomorrow.
Andy Motel, Whitehorse Road, asked for confirmation of a rumor he heard today that the Board of Supervisors is planning to sell the Pyle Farm. Mr. Willig said this is not the case. Mr. Kuhn said that in the course of discussions on the Farm, he has several times voiced his concern over the disposition of the house and outbuildings clustered at one end of the site, and said he would consider a proposal to subdivide that section off and sell to an organization such as the Great Valley Nature Center, which has expressed interest in the buildings. Mr. Willig said that this suggestion was discussed along with various others during the visioning process. He added that the Board does see value in the structures. Mrs. Ewald said she fought to purchase the property and would absolutely oppose selling it.
James E. DelBello, attorney for Michael Main, was present to propose amendments to the Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions for the Whitehorse Meadows subdivision. Mr. Main said the changes are proposed as follows: inclusion of a standard gatepost design to avoid a proliferation of varying types, to correct a mistake in the fencing requirements that are now contrary to the Zoning Ordinance, to disallow fencing in the front yards, to alter the landscape plan for the community’s entryway for easy maintenance, and to incorporate the Board approved roadway streetscape plan in the document in order to maintain it in perpetuity. Mrs. Altemose, an abutting landowner, requested a copy of the proposal. Mr. Kuhn said the by-laws may be amended following an approval by 67% of the property owners, and that he would consider approving it after this approval was gained. Mr. Main said he would have the property owners’ signatures by the end of the week. Mrs. Ewald asked the solicitor to review the proposal for consistency with the 1995 approved plan and its supporting documentation. The matter will be reviewed and placed on the July 2, 2001 agenda.
Dave Beideman, P.E. said the Emma Conditional Use hearing had been continued to this evening but was not listed on the agenda. He understood that the matter was almost concluded and he is anxious to close the hearing. Mr. Oeste asked if he would agree to a further continuance to July 2nd if he was assured the hearing would be closed at that time. Mr. Beideman agreed to the continuance.
Dan Aquilante distributed his proposal to each Board member for maintenance and repair of the Brightside Farm in exchange for living at the house for a two year period.
Charlie Philips reported that the intersection of Hollow and Charlestown Roads has still not been cut back by PennDOT and has created a dangerous situation. Mr. Rodgers said PennDOT did cut the growth in the right of way but can’t take care of the high growth that remains on private property without obtaining the owner’s permission. Mr. Philips also made the Board aware that 3 deer were recently poached and dumped on a neighbor’s property on Hollow Road.
Mr. Kuhn moved to approve the minutes of June 4, 2001 with a correction on page 6, second paragraph, replacing the phrase “replacing the culvert” with “replacing the grate”. Mr. Rodgers seconded. With no further discussion, the vote was called and all were in favor.
Mr. Kuhn moved to approve the minutes of June 11, 2001 as submitted, and Mrs. Ewald seconded. With no further discussion, the vote was called and all were in favor.
Jane Opie, Court Reporter, was present to record the proceedings. The hearing was opened and continued to July 2, 2001, 7:30 P.M. with an emergency date of July 16, 2001 at the Great Valley Middle School, Room 154.
Jane Opie, Court Reporter, was present to record the proceedings. The hearing was opened and continued to July 16, 2001, 7:30 P.M. at the Great Valley Middle School, Room 154.
Jane Opie, Court Reporter, was present to record the proceedings. The hearing was opened and continued to July 16, 2001, 7:30 P.M. at the Great Valley Middle School, Room 154.
Mr. Kuhn moved to approve the letter drafted by Mark Connolly to residents along the Horseshoe Trail informing them of the Board’s stewardship project that will preserve and enhance the trail as it passes through Charlestown Township. Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Willig called for discussion and then the vote. All were in favor.
Mrs. Ewald moved to approve Resolution #578-01, authorizing the use of Liquid Fuel funds to resurface Bell Circle, Bodine Road, Howells Road, Peaks Pike and Valley Hill Road west of Route 401. Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Willig called for discussion and then the vote. All were in favor.
The following bids were received for stone and bituminous materials, all FOB plant, for the contract period of July 1, 2001 – June 30, 2002:
| Glasgow Inc. | $10,072.00 |
| Independence Construction Materials | $ 8,406.25 |
| Glasgow Inc. | $52,625.00 |
| Independence Construction Materials | $42,150.00 |
| Highway Materials Inc. | $52,680.00 |
Mr. Kuhn moved to accept Independence Construction Materials as the low bidder for both stone and bituminous materials, subject to Mr. Kohli’s review and recommendation. (See correction: Minutes of July 2, 2001) Mrs. Ewald seconded. Mr. Willig called for discussion. Mrs. Ewald asked for Mr. Kohli’s opinion of Glasgow Inc.’s comments that the bituminous mix required by the bid were poorly specified. Mr. Kohli responded that the bid specifications were in order and prevented too dry a mix. Mr. Willig called the vote and all were in favor.
Mr. Willig asked for comments and suggestions on arranging for a group or individual to secure and maintain the farmhouse and other structures. Mrs. Ewald said two parties have indicated interest and she suggested scheduling interviews with them and to create the position of manager, responsible for maintenance and program management. Mr. Willig said the need for a manager is not immediate, just the security and maintenance of the property. Mr. Kuhn said he’s not opposed to a manager for the facility but that one isn’t needed until there is a program to manage.
Mr. Rodgers said that the Great Valley Nature Center had sent a letter of inquiry dated 3/26/01 to the Board expressing the desire to meet with them to discuss a possible use of the Farm. He said the Nature Center deserves a response, and as a real estate matter, this could be discussed in executive session. Mr. Kuhn said he spoke to a GVNC representative and invited them to the June 11th visioning meeting to discuss their needs, but no one attended from their group. He took this to mean they are no longer interested.
Mr. Willig suggested a small committee that would be empowered to take quick action. He asked Mr. Connolly to create a list of items to be addressed and make a recommendation of people to serve on such a committee. Mr. Connolly agreed with the idea of a committee to obtain various points of view and to review and make recommendations. Sue Staas said in the short term, security is the main issue. Debbie Kuhn suggested opening the facility for site visits, invite proposals and select one. Loretta Watson suggested allowing an individual to live in an RV on site for the first few months while the house is brought to livable condition. Mr. Willig said he’s in favor of having a cleaning service go through the house first. Mr. Connolly suggested that interviews be scheduled between now and August 1st while the committee works on requirements. The Township should take care of clean up and have a goal of getting someone in residence by September 1st.
Mr. Kuhn made a motion to have a decision on a proposal by August 6th and to assign the house to an individual for a period of not less than twelve months. Mr. Hogan seconded and all were in favor.
Mrs. Ewald will arrange for a clean-out company to provide an estimate on all structures as well as the house by the next Board meeting.
There was consensus to adjourn. Mr. Willig adjourned the meeting at 11:35 p.m.