CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP
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Present: |
Hugh Willig, Chairman, Kevin Kuhn, Vice-Chairman, Paul Hogan, Mike Rodgers, Irene Ewald, Tom Oeste, Esq., Surender Kohli, P.E., Planner, Linda Csete, Township Administrator, and those on the attached attendee list. |
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m.
Mr. Hogan announced that he worked with Boy Scout Troop 67, Bill Davison and Mark Cabot on several projects for Charlestown Park over the weekend, including the positioning of mile markers every ¼ mile on the new trail for a length of 1 ¾ miles and the construction of a 5’ x 16’ bridge across a wetland swale. He provided pictures for the Township’s archives.
Fran Iacobucci, Jr. introduced Sal Lapio and Wayne Slaughter of Sal Lapio Homes, and Bill Fell and June Gorman of the Charlestown Oaks Homeowners Association. Mr. Iacobucci explained that Phase II of the Charlestown Oaks subdivision has been sold to Sal Lapio Homes. Phase II consists of 125 townhouses and the associated improvements. New escrow documents have been prepared and reviewed by the Township Solicitor, and Mr. Lapio was present to request they be approved and executed this evening.
Mrs. Ewald asked if the trees that died this summer will be replaced and Mr. Iacobucci said yes, all trees planted this year are guaranteed. They will be replaced within the next 2 to 3 weeks.
Mr. Kuhn asked if Mr. Iacobucci is familiar with correspondence from Kenneth Brennan, 111 Tudor Court, who expressed concerns over water run off from Tudor Court. Mr. Iacobucci said he would like to pave the private courts this year, and leave the 2 loop roads for later paving and dedication to the Township. This will be part of a punch list developed between himself and the Township Engineer. This is all part of Phase I, for which funding is in place. Bill Fell said the Homeowners Association has discussed Mr. Brennan’s concerns with him. They agree that the drainage problem on Tudor Court is in need of immediate redress. He added that since the Homeowners Association met with Mr. Iacobucci on October 18th, they have had their concerns addressed and feel it’s in the best interest of the development for the documents to be approved by the Township this evening so things can move forward.
Mrs. Ewald said she would have liked for representatives of Sal Lapio homes to approach the Board earlier in the process, as the Board members received numerous communications from Charlestown Oaks residents expressing concerns and asking questions over the past several weeks. Mr. Iacobucci apologized for the delay and explained that this was due to the nature of their negotiations in finalizing the sale. Mr. Lapio introduced himself and said he’s been in the construction business for 30 years and has constructed over 2,000 single homes. The majority of his work has been in Montgomery County, including recent jobs in Kulpsville, Hatfield and Franconia Township. He named Glen Rose in Upper Merion Township as a good nearby example of his work that will be similar to that at Charlestown Oaks. Mr. Slaughter said they plan to upgrade the façade of the townhouses at Charlestown Oaks for Phase II while keeping the basic plans the same. Mr. Willig cautioned Mr. Lapio that Phase II is the most difficult phase of the project due to the character of the area and the mature, high quality of the woods, and their work will invite scrutiny from the Township.
Mr. Oeste said the escrow documents are in order; however, there is a signature missing from the Tri-Party Agreement and also, no “Exhibit A” attached. He suggested that if the Board approves this agreement it be made contingent upon the applicant producing these missing items before they execute the documents. Mrs. Ewald moved to approve the Subdivision and Land Development Agreement and Subdivision Escrow Agreement documents, subject to the inclusion of the missing signature pages and Exhibit A prior to execution. Mr. Kuhn seconded. There was no further discussion, and Mr. Willig called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Iacobucci presented the Board with a check for $200,000, representing a contribution in lieu of providing additional trees at Charlestown Oaks per the final plan. These trees won’t physically fit on the site.
Mrs. Ewald moved to approve the Accounts Payable Report dated October 29, 2001 and Mr. Kuhn seconded. There was no further discussion, and Mr. Willig called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Willig said he received a call from Andy Viscuso with regard to his reaching his income cap of $8,000 for the year 2001. Mr. Viscuso asked if the remainder of his salary for 2001 could be paid in January 2002. Mr. Oeste said this would affect the amount to be paid to the newly elected tax collector and can’t be done. He’ll check the statute in general to determine if any other adjustments can be made.
This is the first year the cap was triggered since the 1993 Tax Collector Compensation Resolution was passed. Mr. Kuhn asked why a cap was set at that time and suggested getting rid of the cap for the next election in four years. This must be done by ordinance or resolution by February 15th of the election year. Mrs. Ewald said John Martin was on the Board with her in 1993 and she will try to recall some details and get back to the board members. She does recall that in 1993, many municipalities were going to tax collection firms like Centax as a way to save on the cost of tax collection. These agencies are a great deal less money than utilizing the elected tax collector. Charlestown decided it preferred the personal touch and was not interested in using an agency at that time. As a compromise, they passed a resolution lowering the tax collector’s compensation to 3% of collected taxes with an $8,000 cap.
Mrs. Ewald recommended a year-end recognition for Mr. Viscuso with the awarding of a certificate and possibly a monetary gift.
Mr. Willig said that in speaking with several members of the Brightside Farm Committee, he understands they wish to include Bob Elmer on the Committee and further, they wish to instate him as Chairman of the Committee. Mrs. Ewald explained that at the last BFC meeting, they voted to elect Mr. Elmer Chairman as a non-voting member of the Committee, and subsequently voted to recommend to the Board of Supervisors that he be appointed to the Committee as a voting member.
Mr. Rodgers asked why the Board did not interview Mr. Elmer. Mr. Hogan said he made a presentation relating to the Brightside Farm several months ago, so the Board is familiar with him.
Mr. Willig moved to appoint Bob Elmer to the Brightside Farm Committee and accept the Committee’s recommendation that he be made Chairman. Mr. Kuhn seconded, and Mr. Willig called for discussion. There being no additional discussion, he called the vote. Four were in favor. Mr. Rodgers abstained.
Mr. Hogan asked that in future, an effort be made not to schedule conflicting meetings of the BFC and the Parks & Rec Board, as he was unable to attend the last Committee meeting due to this situation.
Joseph End III, 2078 Bodine Road, was present to make two complaints against his neighbors, who live opposite his next-door neighbors, the Beattys. He said the neighbors installed a colonial lamppost with a hi-tech light bulb that spills onto his property and is extremely bright, describing it as having the effect of a welder’s arc. He had two lighting experts measure the light and once compared it to a 3X flare response. Second, they installed a diesel generator on their property that they run once a week for one hour. He had the noise measured and it was found to be just over the maximum of 67 dB daytime. He said that the EPA states a 70 dB noise is not appropriate for residential land use and that the Township should reconsider its requirements. Mr. Kuhn said the noise level allowable is on par with the dB measurements of farm equipment, since this area is zoned Farm Residential. Mr. End objected to the lack of regulation in the Township’s ordinances on these issues and asked what support he can expect from the Township. Mr. Hogan asked if he has tried to discuss his concerns with the neighbors. Mr. End said he spoke to the neighbor’s wife on one occasion but she didn’t respond to his concerns. He agreed to speak with his neighbor once more before asking for assistance from the Zoning Officer. Mr. Kohli will speak to them afterward if necessary.
At 8:45 P.M., Mr. Willig moved to adjourn the meeting and Mr. Rodgers seconded. All were in favor. A Work Session for the proposed 2002 Budget followed the meeting.