Charlestown Township
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The first business meeting for February was held February 2, 2004, at the Great Valley Middle School, Room 154. Kevin R. Kuhn, Chairman, Hugh Willig, Charlie Philips, Mike Rodgers, Paul Hogan, Surender Kohli, P.E., Jim McErlane, Esq., 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 7:30 P.M.
Mr. Kuhn announced an Executive Session was held on January 19, 2004 to discuss legal matters.
There were no Citizen’s Forum/Non-Agenda Items.
Mr. Hogan moved to approve January 5, 2004 minutes as written, and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Rodgers moved to approve the January 5, 2004 minutes as written, and Mr. Hogan seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Willig moved to approve the January 1-31, 2004 Treasurer’s Report, and Mr. Hogan seconded. Mr. Philips asked if the Solda Collateral Escrow Account is part of the Open Space Acquisition Fund or separate from it. Mrs. Csete indicated it is correct as is in the Treasurer’s Report. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Willig moved to approve the February 2, 2004 Accounts Payable State Fund, and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Willig moved to approve the February 2, 2004 Accounts Payable for the General Fund, and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
The Zoning Officer report is on file.
The Planning Commission report is on file.
The Historical Commission report is on file.
Mr. Kuhn said a sub-committee, consisting of Sue Staas, Rick Reis, and Bob Jones, was formed to concentrate on trail connections throughout the township. The sub-committee has organized a meeting with neighboring townships on February 17, 2004 at 7:30 P.M. to brainstorm about trail preservation. Mr. Philips asked why trails are a responsibility of the Open Space Commission as opposed to the Parks and Recreation Board. Mr. Kuhn said it is mostly due to the fact that the Open Space Commission would handle easement acquisitions associated with trails.
Mr. Hogan asked Mr. Alston about the ice on Yellow Springs Road. Mr. Alston said it is a PennDOT road and that PennDOT took measures to clear it after the Township threatened to close it.
Mr. Kuhn said he received a request from Mr. Churchill asking that Miss Betty’s bridge be closed for a wedding reception on the second Saturday evening in June. He asked if there are any issues with granting this request. Mr. Kohli said detour signs should be posted. Mr. McErlane concurred and said detour signs should be posted well in advance of the event. Mr. Hogan moved to approve the temporary closing of the bridge, and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
The Fire Marshal report is on file.
Mr. Hogan said signage was the main discussion at the last meeting.
There was nothing new to report.
Mr. Rodgers said the contract negotiations continue and, in April, will have been ongoing for two years.
Mr. Hogan said he received a proposal from Levi Stoltzfoos. It was a time and materials contract of approximately $33,000. Mr. Stoltzfoos would like to begin work approximately March 1, 2004. Mr. Hogan said he is also dealing with Mr. N. Porter for posts and lintels. Mr. Hogan requested a purchase order for $934.40 to N. Porter for lintels, and Mr. Kuhn suggested they wait on the posts.
Mr. Kuhn asked if there was consensus on the Township’s position with this project. Mr. Kohli said that Dale Frens had sent a fax dated January 22, 2004 recommending that all bids be rejected and re-bid. He added that the project should be re-bid as soon as possible and should include all lumber and windows. Mr. Kuhn asked if the bid list could be expanded, and Mr. Jacob Merriwether highly recommended Berks County Barn Builders be on the list.
Mr. Philips asked if a letter has been received from the State stating it is acceptable to use Township employees. Mrs. Csete will follow up directly with the PHMC. Mr. Philips asked if employment contracts are in place for the workers, and Mr. Kuhn said Mr. Oeste was to work on it, and that the only outstanding item is insurance from Stoltzfoos. Mr. Philips asked Mrs. Csete if she has checked with the Township insurance agent to ensure extra coverage needs were taken care of. Mrs. Csete said she had, and that the additional cost was well under $10,000.
Mr. Kuhn moved to notify Mr. Stoltzfoos he is hired pending the following:
Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in order.
Mr. Philips moved to reject the bids and have them re-bid without the stonework, and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mrs. Csete read the draft Certificate of Appropriateness for the Woolen Mill prepared by and recommended by the HARB. Mr. Philips moved to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness, and Mr. Hogan seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Merriwether said he felt a six-year term is too long, and Mr. Kuhn suggested it be four years. Mr. Kuhn also asked if liaisons should still be used and if yes, should they have voting rights. Mr. Hogan suggested having ad-hoc, non-voting members. Mr. Merriwether said he has no problem with having a voting Supervisor on the Committee. Mr. Philips disagreed, stating a Supervisor should not be able to vote twice. Mr. Rodgers agreed with Mr. Philips. Mr. Philips said he would like to have the appointed liaison position rotate. Mr. Kuhn said he was in favor of appointed terms rather than liaisons, as he felt those appointed would be more likely to attend meetings, etc.
Mr. Philips moved to approve four-year terms and a non-voting Board member to be appointed annually, and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Rodgers moved to approve the following simultaneous appointments and setting of terms, and Mr. Philips seconded:
Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Merriwether said a woman from West Chester contacted him requesting a garden plot at Brightside Farm this summer and asked if it were allowed. Mr. Kuhn said it was fine.
Mr. Rodgers moved to appoint June Gorman to the Planning Commission for a term to end 12/31/05, and Mr. Hogan seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Davison thanked the Board of Supervisors for allowing the Planning Commission to have input into appointing Planning Commission members.
Mr. Philips questioned the County grant deadlines, and Mrs. Csete said the Township could lose $41,000 if ordinance amendments are not wrapped up by March 31, 2004.
Mr. Kuhn asked if the Planning Commission is sold on adopting a TDR ordinance, and Mr. Allen said it depends; a receiving area is needed.
Mr. Kuhn will call Wendy Leland regarding the Girl Scout presentation expected to take place with regard to the Longwood School.
Chris Schubert, Esq., indicated the McCarthys have an application before the Zoning Hearing Board. They would like to install a drip septic system in a high ground water area. Mr. Schubert is looking for interpretation of the ordinance and a variance to install the system in a high ground water area. He said the McCarthys have hired a sewer expert, Russ Loskow, who feels there are no problems associated with installing this system in a high ground water area. Mr. Schubert also stated that, from the County Department of Health’s standpoint, all requirements have been met. Mr. Kuhn voiced his concerns over the water run-off problem. Mr. McErlane recommended the Board write a letter to the Zoning Hearing Board regarding their issues of concern. Mr. Willig asked that they schedule an Executive Session after the meeting to discuss this action with the Township solicitor.
This item was tabled.
Mr. Kohli provided review comments. Mr. Philips moved to approve the lot line change, and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Kuhn provided an update. He said the consultants considered were Comitta and Associates, Inc. and Kise. Kise was selected. The plan requires a unanimous vote for adoption.
Mr. Rodgers moved to adopt Resolution #621-04, and Mr. Hogan seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mrs. Csete read the highlights of the Resolution. Mr. Philips recommended that Mrs. Csete be notified of expenditures between $500-$1,000. Mr. Philips moved to adopt Resolution #622-04 subject to the above-mentioned recommendation, and Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Comitta summarized the status of various ordinances. He said the Article IV Farm Residential and Historic Resources Protection ordinances are ready, and the SLDO ordinance must undergo a VPP review by next Friday. Article IV (Farm Residential) and Historic Resources Protection can be advertised for the February 23, 2004 meeting, and the SLDO and Storm Water Management ordinances for the March 15, 2004 meeting.
Mr. Kohli indicated everything is in order. Mr. Rodgers moved to approve the Sal Lapio Escrow Release #10 in the amount of $112,384.80, and Mr. Hogan seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
This hearing was continued to February 23, 2004.
This hearing was continued to February 23, 2004.
This hearing was continued to February 23, 2004.
Mr. Kuhn received a call from Mr. Churchill saying Ben Campbell called regarding the use of East Pikeland’s speed limit sign. Mr. Willig said Tim Cahill had offered it due to speeding that was occurring by the Playschool while his child is there.
Mr. Kuhn suggested removing the piece regarding the Devault area from the Township newsletter. After some discussion, it was decided the piece would simply be changed to indicate ongoing discussions would be taking place.
Mr. Willig suggested the newsletter contain a reminder to residents of the protocol to be followed in getting items added to the Board of Supervisor’s agenda.
Mr. Kuhn asked Mr. Hogan if he had followed up on the gun shot report. Mr. Hogan said he had not yet, but that he would call the person involved. Mr. Kuhn asked Mrs. Csete to obtain the phone number to pass to Mr. Hogan.
Mr. Rodgers asked if the Township would be willing to pay for 50% of the electric bill for the building that houses the Township archives. Mr. Kuhn suggested this topic be put up for discussion. Mr. Philips said he thought there was to be half an acre available for the Historical Society and agreed this should be discussed. It was decided that the Historical Society needs to come up with a plan for its use and present it to the Board.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:31 P.M. The next meeting will be held on February 23, 2004, 7:30 P.M. at the Great Valley Middle School, Room 154.