Charlestown Township
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The first business meeting for April was held April 7, 2003, at the Great Valley Middle School, Room 154. Paul Hogan, Chairman, Irene W. Ewald, Mike Rodgers, Kevin R. Kuhn, Thomas Oeste, Esq., Surender Kohli, P.E., Linda M. Csete, Township Administrator, Melanie M. Lammers, Recording Secretary, and those on the attached list were present.
The meeting was called to order at 7:33 P.M.
Mrs. Ewald announced that she attended the funeral service for Mr. Dick Witlock. Mr. Witlock was the Supervisor for South Coventry Township since 1977, and a long-time friend who has done a lot for Charlestown Township.
Long-time resident, Carole Krische, read aloud a letter dated April 7, 2003 commenting on the recent open space newsletter and asking neighbors to abide by the ordinances set forth by the Township.
Mr. Hogan moved to approve the March 17, 2003 minutes as written, and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Hogan called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mrs. Ewald indicated she was opposed to payment of invoice #1698 to Allen G. Heist Consulting Services and invoice #1710 to East Pikeland Township for a portion of the worker’s compensation insurance costs for the Kimberton Fire Company. She said she would approve the payment of invoice #1710 as long as the lump sum donated to the Fire Company was adjusted accordingly. Mr. Hogan moved to approve the April 7, 2003 Accounts Payable report, and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Hogan called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. Three were in favor, and Mrs. Ewald was opposed.
Mrs. Ewald moved to approve the March 1-31, 2003 Treasurer’s report, and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Hogan called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Hogan, at the request of Mr. Oeste, requested that the hearings be moved ahead of other business in order to allow the Court Reporter to exit as early as possible.
Mr. Oeste announced the Official Map hearing would be continued to May 19, 2003.
Mr. Oeste announced the Outdoor Advertising Conditional Use Application hearing would be continued to May 19, 2003.
Mr. Oeste announced the Conditional Use Application hearing for Sean and Jill Maher would be continued to April 21, 2003.
The Zoning Officer report for March is on file. There was no discussion regarding this report.
The Planning Commission report for March is on file. There was no discussion regarding this report.
The Historical Commission report for March is on file. Mr. Hogan said he is still working with Mrs. Wallace regarding the Longwood School. He also said he received a communication from Mrs. Elizabeth Thornton-Johnson of Phoenixville, who is interested in the project.
Mrs. Ewald moved to approve the agreement of sale for this property, but Mr. Kuhn indicated he would like to postpone the vote, as he has not yet had a chance to review it. Mr. Hogan said the approval of the agreement of sale would take place at the next meeting.
There was some discussion on appointing a replacement for Ray Ott as the HARB’representative on the Brightside Farm Committee at his request. No action was taken.
The Roadmaster report for March is on file. Mr. Alston thanked everyone for their condolences over his recent loss. Mrs. Ewald asked if the Road Tour hs been re-scheduled. After some discussion, the tour was scheduled for April 13, 2003 at 1:00 P.M. beginning from the Township Office.
Mr. Rodgers asked if Mr. Alston has seen the abandoned telephone poles along Valley Hill Road, stating that there are many in disrepair. Mr. Alston responded that he had already contacted Verizon regarding the removal of them. Verizon has removed one and has the other nine planned to be removed as their work orders allow. Mr. Rodgers suggested sending a letter to Verizon to notify them that they would be liable should any accidents occur. Mr. Alston said he would contact Verizon the next day.
The Fire Marshal report for March is on file. Mr. Kuhn asked about a garage collapse which took place on Whitehorse Road. Mr. Alston confirmed the garage collapsed due to bad weather and then a small fire started in the back of the structure after it had collapsed. PECO had been out to disconnect the electric feed, but it turned out there were two feeds. The remaining feed led to the fire.
The Open Space Commission report for March is on file. Mr. Kuhn indicated the Open Space Commission met and discussed the planning of the April 28, 2003 Charlestown Township Tour. He said there was a speaker, Dr. Mark Sarcino, at the meeting who presented on building with recycled materials. Mr. Kuhn stated the Korean Church property was also discussed at great length.
The Parks and Recreation report for March is on file. Mr. Hogan indicated he has been working with David Reis on his Eagle Scout project. He noted that $235 for the project has already been collected and he is offering handmade benches for $75.00 each to anyone interested to further support the project.
Mr. Connolly added the design of the project is being put onto a CAD system and contains two nice design elements: 1) it is oriented in a unique way, and 2) it has two levels. He said Mr. Reis has requested an additional scout to join him on the project due to its scope.
Mrs. Margie Crawford displayed sample signage, created by Graphic Artist Al Derkas, that may be used throughout the Township park areas. Mr. Kuhn said he likes the idea of consistency, but isn’t sure a butterfly should be used as a logo for the Township. Other Board members agreed.
Mr. Connolly said he felt this was a good first step and that the concept should be rolled into the next stage of development. He suggested the determination be made of all the locations where signs are needed and go from there. Mr. Kuhn suggested the possibility of using the outline of the Township on the signage, and Mr. Hogan suggested the possibility of using a wild turkey on the signage, as Ben Franklin had supported in the past.
Mr. Connolly suggested the Board create an ad-hoc committee and said he would then provide a resource on that committee from the Parks and Recreation Committee.
Mr. Kuhn said he is not sure if it is something worth looking into, but mentioned the possibility of holding a contest in order to get input from the residents. Mr. Kuhn said, in any case, he is in favor of assigning a drop dead date to this project.
Mr. Kuhn was concerned that the proposed signage wouldn’t meet the requirements set forth by the County for grant funding of certain projects. Mrs. Ewald indicated this signage is totally separate from the signage required by the County. She suggested carving the County requirements into rock. Mr. Kuhn agreed this is a good idea, but felt an inexpensive sign should be ordered in the meantime. It was agreed that Mrs. Csete would order an inexpensive sign that would fulfill the County’s requirements, and Mrs. Ewald offered to call an obtain pricing information for carving into the rock.
The Brightside Farm report for March is on file. Mr. Connolly asked if a design for the picnic bandstand is available, and Mr. Hogan indicated there was a sketch available that had been reviewed by Mr. Kohli. After some discussion, Mr. Hogan indicated he would do a more elaborate plan in order to satisfy everyone.
There was no March meeting, therefore, there was no report. Mr. Rodgers did, however, mention that there is a regional Act 537 plan which needs to be approved prior to sending it on to the DEP. Mr. Rodgers had one full copy sent to Mr. Kohli and said he will have the appropriate sections which relate to Charlestown Township copied and distributed to the Board members for their approval.
Mr. Oeste read the conditions of the draft Decision and Order which indicate that the Conditional Use Application for Robert Cottone would be approved as long as the applicant abides by the conditions outlined in this document. Mrs. Ewald moved to approve the Decision and Order, and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Hogan called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Ewald moved to approve Resolution #603-2003 to allow the Township Secretary to act on behalf of the Board of Supervisors in filing for PEMA disaster relief funding relating to the President’s Day snowstorm. Mrs. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Hogan called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mrs. Ewald moved to table this subject in order to have it reviewed by legal counsel, and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Hogan called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
The Conditional Use hearing for Paul and Alexis McCarthy was scheduled for May 19, 2003 in room 154 of the Great Valley Middle School.
Chris Schubert, Esq., legal counsel for Toll Brothers, Inc. indicated he forwarded the required information to Mr. Kohli. Mr. Kohli indicated the Planning Module was in order. Mrs. Ewald moved to approve Resolution # 604-2003, and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Hogan called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mrs. Ewald moved to approve the Highlands at Charlestown Sewage Facilities Planning Module Resolution #605-03, and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Hogan called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote.
Mrs. Ewald moved to approve the Brooklands escrow release #4, and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Hogan called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Michael Allen questioned the need to table the Authorization of Advertising of Ordinance for Height Restrictions and Adaptive Reuse of Historic Structures. Mrs. Ewald responded it was being tabled in order to review it with legal counsel.
Mr. Hogan adjourned the meeting at 8:37 P.M. The next meeting will be held on April 21, 2003, 7:30 P.M. at the Great Valley Middle School, Room 154.