Charlestown Township
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The first business meeting for January was held January 5, 2004, at the Great Valley Middle School, Room 154. Kevin Kuhn, Chairman, Mike Rodgers, Vice Chairman, Charlie Philips, Paul Hogan, Hugh Willig Tim O'Neill, Esq., Gary Bender, Esq., Surender Kohli, P.E., Linda Csete, Township Administrator, Melanie Lammers, Recording Secretary, and those on the attached list were present.
The meeting was called to order at 8:00 P.M. following the 2004 Reorganization meeting.
There were no announcements.
There were no Citizen's Forum/Non-Agenda items.
Mr. Rodgers moved to approve the December 15, 2003, minutes as written, and Mr. Hogan seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Rodgers moved to approve the December 1-31, 2003, Treasurer's report as presented, and Mr. Hogan seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion. Mr. Philips asked why there are still monies in the Phoenixville Pike fund, and Mr. Kohli said the funds would be released soon. Mr. Kuhn called the vote, and all were in favor.
Mr. Willig moved to approve the December 29, 2003, Accounts Payable report as presented, and Mr. Hogan seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Philips asked why the PECO Energy bill seemed so high, and Mr. Kuhn responded that it was due to the poor insulation at the township office building. Mrs. Csete added that the temperature in the Township office is very hard to regulate, and Mr. Hogan suggested the possibility of purchasing a fan to help circulate the air. Mr. Kuhn added that the rent on the building is so low at just $575 per month that it helps compensate for the cost of the heat.
Mr. Philips questioned why there was a need for check #2349 to Sunoco Oil for the Brightside Farm. Mr. Kuhn indicated that the current lease states that the Township pays for oil for the Brightside Farm to help keep the building at a warmer temperature in order to help preserve it. The rent was increased to cover this expense. He said the lease would be re-evaluated in six months. Mr. Philips suggested this expense be put into a separate accounting category. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Kuhn asked if anyone had anything to add to any of the reports, and there were no comments.
Mr. Philips moved to continue the hearing until March 15, 2004, and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
There was no old business.
Mr. Tim Townes presented some alternatives previously presented to the Planning Commission for the Tyler Griffith property at the corner of Charlestown Road and Route 29. He indicated his company was interested in moving forward.
Mr. Townes said two concept plans have been submitted. One is considered a by-right plan, which includes flex buildings of approximately 30% office space and 70% warehouse space. The other alternative, a higher density use, consists of 173 townhouse units arranged in clusters of 6-8 units maximum per building. He said the latter alternative allows for a greater area of greenery, including a high berm and buffer against the asphalt plant.
Mr. Townes said a detailed financial and traffic impact report, including population, school, traffic, etc. impacts, has been prepared, and he looks forward to attending the joint meeting in February. He said he is anxious to do something in this area, and asked if anyone had any questions.
Mr. Willig asked if there is no economical equivalent using single-family homes, and Mr. Townes said they had not looked into that.
After some discussion regarding the school numbers, Mr. Kuhn asked what price Mr. Townes envisioned selling the townhouses for. Mr. Townes said they would expect to sell them in excess of $300,000. Mr. Eli Kahn said their goal is to do the highest end product this area will accept.
Mr. Willig asked if there are any other options for this space. Mr. Comitta said both plans are too intense, but have the ability for their designs to be tweaked to make them more attractive. Mr. Kahn said they have a vested interest in making the area attractive and said they would be willing to come up with a concept. He asked if the Township wants to have the area developed as zoned or if they want to work together to make it better than it could be. Mr. Allen said the Township is looking for an opportunity to do something different than flex space, which is why they called the joint meeting in February. Mr. Townes said they have held off to date, but need to make a decision on which way to go. Mr. Kuhn thanked them for their work, and said he was looking forward to the February joint meeting.
Mr. Townes said he would provide a package this week, and Mr. Willig asked that it include both an elevation and cross-section for each alternative.
Mr. Philips moved to appoint Linda Csete as Program Director for the project, and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.Mrs. Csete will execute the Terms and Conditions agreement.
Mr. Rodgers moved to approve the 2004 Traffic Signal Maintenance Contract with Signal Service, Inc. and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Rodgers moved to approve the 2004 S.P.C.A. Animal Control Contract, and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Philips moved to approve the annual S.P.C.A. contract payment in the amount of $1,029.50, and Mr. Hogan seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
The Altemose Conditional Use hearing was continued to January 26, 2004.
Mr. Kuhn suggested having only the first meeting of the month when possible. He said hearings should be scheduled only for the second meeting of the month unless there is a time clock issue, and regular business should be scheduled only on the first meeting of the month whenever possible.
Mr. Kuhn said he was in favor of an 'Internet only' communication policy and asked if anyone had any problems with doing that. There were no comments. Mr. Kuhn added that Mr. Comitta's office should send a copy of all correspondence electronically to Mrs. Csete, who will then distribute it internally. Mrs. Csete would also like one hard copy for her files.
Mr. Philips recommended the Brightside Farm be separated from Park & Recreation in the Budget. He also indicated the audit report performed by Mr. Emory Todd is not formatted in alignment with the State categories, and therefore, is difficult to read. Mr. O'Neill said Mr. Todd must use generally accepted accounting practices. Mr. Kuhn asked Mrs. Csete to obtain a quote from Mr. Todd for putting the audit into a both formats.
Mr. Rodgers moved to adjourn the meeting, and Mr. Philips seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 P.M. The next meeting will be held on January 26, 2004, 7:30 P.M. at the Great Valley Middle School, Room 154.