Charlestown Township
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The second business meeting for April was held April 15, 2002 at the Great Valley Middle School, Room 154. Hugh D. Willig, Chairman, Paul J. Hogan, Vice Chairman, Irene W. Ewald, Kevin R. Kuhn, Thomas F. Oeste, Esq., Linda M. Csete, Township Administrator and those on the attached list were present.
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 P.M.
Mr. Hogan distributed pictures of the Pickering Trail, which he said needs to be made more accessible. He reported that Mark Cabot is one third of the way through the clean up of the barn at Pyle Farm, a painstaking process.
Mrs. Ewald wished to remember local photographer Eugene Baldwin, husband of Historical Commission member Janet Baldwin, who passed away last week. He was well known for his photographs of the Pickering Hunt Club activities.
Mrs. Ewald asked Mr. Philips if the primary election date had been rescheduled yet, and he responded that he has no update.
Bob Harbison asked the Board to consider a “right hand road has right of way” type of sign to post on Charlestown Road heading south toward the intersection with Pikeland Road. Pikeland Road’s stop sign includes a “right turn keep moving” sign that causes confusion at that intersection and may one day cause an accident. Mr. Kuhn suggested that the Township request a survey from PennDOT for a 3-way stop at this intersection, since both roads are state roads.
Mr. Kuhn moved to approve the minutes of 4/1/02 and Mr. Hogan seconded. Mr. Willig called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Jane Opie, Court Reporter, took the proceeds. The hearing was opened and continued to May 6, 2002 at the request of Mr. Bender, who was unable to attend this evening.
Jane Opie, Court Reporter, took the proceeds. The hearing was opened and testimony given. The hearing was continued to May 6, 2002 to allow time for the submission of an abbreviated EIA statement and for proper notification of neighboring property owners.
Jane Opie, Court Reporter, took the proceeds. The hearing was opened and testimony given. The hearing was continued to May 20, 2002 to allow time for the submission of a revision to the plan and an abbreviated EIA statement.
Jane Opie, Court Reporter, took the proceeds. The hearing was opened and testimony given. The hearing was continued to May 20, 2002 to allow Mr. Kohli time to review the documents submitted and issue a review letter.
Mr. Kuhn provided an overview of the revised scope of work being completed by Dale Frens, which will now include some of the Phase 3 portion of the Mill and amounts to approximately $217,000.
There was some discussion on stabilizing the mill as necessary prior to receiving any grant funds, which would not take place until the fall. Mr. Hogan suggested asking builders to provide timber from any oak trees they take down that could be used for beams. This would be done on a voluntary basis.
With regard to the subdivision needed for the Township to receive the transfer of property surrounding the mill from Swiss Pines, Mr. Kohli said the survey work is in process and that he is waiting for information on the road right of way from PennDOT. Instead of a full property survey, he’ll be able to work from two corners of the property to delineate what is required. The Planning Commission and County Planning Commission will review the plan when it becomes available.
Mr. Hogan said he and Mr. Kohli met with the Engineer on PennDOT’s Ice Dam Bridge project to discuss the possibility of PennDOT handling the tree removal needed from the Dam. Mr. Hogan felt optimistic that something can be worked out while PennDOT has their heavy equipment close by for the bridge reconstruction work. He will pursue this further.
Mr. Kohli reported that PSW Co. has turned down his request for data to back up the need for an increased size for the water pipe that will service the Charlestown Elementary School. They said their policy is to install 12” pipe on new projects. They offered to provide the Township with a letter assuring that they will use this new pipe only to service the school property. Mr. Oeste said this would be acceptable. Mr. Willig said he still wants to see the pipe size justified by engineering calculation. Mrs. Ewald suggested she be afforded time to contact a local representative from PSW on this issue, and the Board agreed.
Mr. Oeste provided a Public Improvement Construction Agreement for the Board’s consideration for the construction of an addition and renovations to the Charlestown Elementary School. In lieu of the standard Escrow Agreement, this agreement would accept a pledge of taxing powers from the School District as security for the improvements being constructed. Mrs. Ewald said she would like some assurance that the School District would reimburse the Township in a reasonable time period for the cost of inspections during the construction process. After some discussion, it was determined that Net 30 days would be acceptable. Mr. Kuhn moved to approve the Public Improvement Construction Agreement with a revision to include a statement that all invoices for the cost of inspection submitted to the School District by the Township would be paid within 30 days of receipt. Mr. Hogan seconded. Mr. Willig called for further discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Oeste gave a summary of the Memorandum Agreement, which would allow for the completion of a series of road improvements referred to as “Charlestown Highway Improvements” to be undertaken by Trammell Crow in place of J. Loew Associates. This includes widening and signalization improvement at the intersections of Charlestown Road, Phoenixville Pike and Route 29, Whitehorse Road and Route 29, Yellow Springs Road and Route 29, and signalization and reopening of Warner Lane between Route 29 and Phoenixville Pike. The escrow fund for these improvements would be held by East Whiteland Township as part of the financial security agreement between Trammell Crow and East Whiteland Township. He said that in effect, J. Loew Associates proposes to hire Trammell-Crow as its subcontractor to complete the improvements required of J. Loew for final plan approval of Spring Oaks. The Trammell-Crow project, Atwater, is underway and cannot obtain any U & O approvals until the improvements are made, hence their interest in accelerating this project.
Mr. Kohli said the traffic improvement plans have been approved by PennDOT, and were upgraded to take the Atwater development into account. This was shown in yellow on the traffic improvement plan Mr. Kohli displayed for the Board. PennDOT has issued the permits for these improvements. Mr. Kohli noted that state road improvements do not require the posting of escrow.
Mrs. Ewald said Tredyffrin Township met with PennDOT and obtained approval for a “no right turn” sign coming out of Atwater onto Yellow Springs Road, in order to keep traffic out of Tredyffrin and divert it towards Route 29. She said Charlestown should arrange for its own traffic study to determine the impacts on the Township.
Mr. Kuhn asked if Trammell-Crow must obtain any approval from Charlestown before proceeding with the improvements. Mr. Oeste, responded no, with the possible exception of Warner Lane, which is a Township Road. It is in question, however, since these improvements were approved at the time of preliminary plan approval for Spring Oaks. Mr. Kohli said he stopped tree clearing work last week on Warner Lane until this matter is clarified.
Mrs. Ewald said she wants Trammel-Crow to come to the Charlestown Township Board of Supervisors and make a presentation of the traffic improvements. Mr. Willig agreed, and requested that Mr. Kohli make this request of Trammel-Crow, suggesting that their traffic design people and decision makers be present.
The Board members opened four bids for the Basketball Courts to be constructed at Charlestown Park and read the following results:
| Bidder | Base Bid - All Work & Materials | ||||
| Item #1 | Item #2 | Total Tons | Item #3 | Total | |
| Dan Malloy Paving Inc. | 46,571.00 | 4,706.50 | 413 2B/240 2A | 5,618.00 | 56,895.50 |
| Associated Paving | 52,663.22 | 6,345.18 | 710 | 6,741.60 | 65,750.00 |
| Brandywine Valley Contractors | 59,660.00 | 6,244.00 | 600 | 8,000.00 | 73,904.00 |
| G. Antonini Construction Inc. | 97,250.00 | 11,800.00 | 680 | 20,340.00 | 129,390.00 |
| Bidder | Bidder Alternative #11 | |||
| Item #1 | Item #2 | Total Tons | Total | |
| Dan Malloy Paving Inc. | 46,571.00 | 4,706.50 413 | 2B/240 2A | 51,277.50 |
| Associated Paving | 52,697.06 | 6,345.18 | 710 | 59,042.24 |
| Brandywine Valley Contractors | 54,360.00 | 6,244.00 | 600 | 60,604.00 |
| G. Antonini Construction Inc. | 83,250.00 | 11,800.00 | 680 | 95,050.00 |
| Bidder | Deduct A | Deduct A | ||
| Item #1 | Tons | Item #1 | Tons | |
| Dan Malloy Paving Inc. | (4,706.50) | 413 2B/240 2A | (2,000.00) | blank |
| Associated Paving | (6,345.18) | 710 | (4,886.10) | 650 |
| Brandywine Valley Contractors | (4,000.00) | 600 | (2,000.00) | 600 |
| G. Antonini Construction Inc. | (4,700.00) | 680 | (2,000.00) | 680 |
Mr. Connolly will review the bids and make a recommendation to the Board as to the lowest responsible bidder.
Mr. Kuhn moved to donate $500.00 to the State Police Camp Cadet program. If records indicate this amount was $600.00 in past years, the Treasurer will increase this amount to $600.00. Mrs. Ewald/Mr. Hogan seconded. Mr. Willig called for further discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mrs. Ewald moved to approve Charlestown Oaks Phase II Escrow Release #1 in the amount of $448,020.00, and Mr. Willig seconded. All were in favor.
Mr. Willig adjourned the meeting at 12:20 A.M. The next meeting will be held on April 22, 2002, 7:30 P.M. at the Great Valley Middle School, Room 154.