Charlestown Township
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The first business meeting for April was held April 5, 2004, at the Great Valley Middle School, Room 154. Kevin R. Kuhn, Chairman, Mike Rodgers, Vice Chairman, Paul Hogan, Hugh Willig, Charlie Philips, Surender Kohli, P.E., Jim McErlane, Esq., Tom Comitta, 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 7:35 P.M.
Mr. Kuhn announced there were Executive Sessions held on March 29, 2004 and just before this meeting.
There were no Citizen’s Forum/Non-Agenda items discussed.
Mr. Rodgers moved to approve the March 15, 2004 minutes, 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 March 1-31, 2004 Treasurer’s report, 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 March 24, 2004 Accounts Payable report, and Mr. Hogan seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Hogan moved to approve the March 31, 2004 Accounts Payable report, and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Hogan moved to approve the April 5, 2004 Account Payable report, 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 April 7, 2004 Account Payable report, and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
The written report is on file, and there was nothing new to report.
The written report is on file, and there was nothing new to report.
The written report is on file, and there was nothing new to report.
The minutes are on file, and there was nothing new to report.
Mr. Hogan reported a pothole on Township Line Road. The written report is on file.
The written report is on file, and there was nothing new to report.
Mr. Hogan said Mr. Cabot made some wooden trash can holders for Charlestown Park at a more economical cost than purchasing would be. He also wants to write to the College and ask them to contribute to the cost of the proposed new fencing.
Mr. Hogan said Newell Burdick spent 30 hours cleaning at the farm.
Mr. Rodgers said they have reached the second anniversary of union negotiations. He said they met on Saturday and were very close to an agreement; however, a new issue caused the negotiations to fall apart.
Suzanne Riley, Chairman of the Parks & Recreation Board came before the Board to request approval for fencing to be purchased and installed for safety reasons at the tot lot and around the basketball court. She said the P & R Board recommended that a commercial grade fence withstanding 1000 psi be used. Fencing for the Park is proposed in three phases, with the fencing of the tot lot and basketball court as Phase I. Mark Connolly showed a sample of the proposed fencing, which would be four feet high. Ms. Riley said there are just a few design elements to complete.
Mr. Philips noted there is no money in the budget allocated for this. Mr. Connolly said only 400 feet of the total 920 feet for all three phases is being proposed for 2004. The cost of this 400 feet of fencing will be approximately $14,000. Ms. Riley added that they hope to share the cost with the Valley Forge Christian College and possibly the Renaissance Academy, which uses the Park regularly. Mr. Hogan said Mr. Werkheiser of the College seemed positive toward contributing to the fence, and said he still needs to talk to someone at the Renaissance School. Mr. Philips suggested they exhaust other revenue stream avenues before approving the fence. Mr. Hogan moved to approve the concept for a cost up to $10,000 with the remainder to be funded by contributions, and Mr. Philips seconded with the proviso that the total cost remain within the budget line item for 2004 park improvements. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
The applicant did not appear for this overview.
Ben Weigand, Minister of the Apostolic Christian Church, explained that their current church building does not fit their growing needs. Their request is for a zoning variance permitting a small addition to the east, close to the property line and exceeding the setback limitations. He said it was also include a slight encroachment to the setback at the northern end of the site. The Board had concerns about going so far into the setback and so close to the property line. After some discussion, Mr. Kuhn suggested they talk to the Planning Commission and see if they can provide some assistance. He also suggested they talk to the abutting property owners of the Chester Valley Grange for their input. He said it is an issue being right on the property line. Mr. Kohli added that parking requirements, steep slopes, and other items must be examined.
Jim McErlane, Esq., announced a decision was drafted containing 20 conditions and briefly outlined them.
Ginny Durkan asked what the next step is, and Mr. McErlane said if the applicant rejects the conditions, it would be deemed a denial, at which time the applicant could appeal if they so choose.
Mr. Willig moved to accept the Decision, and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Ginny Durkan thanked the Board for their consideration of the neighbors’ concerns.
Dale Frens summarized the status of the mill contract after confirming Mr. Kohli had received a copy of the bid breakdown. Mr. Kuhn asked Mr. Frens to send a materials list to Mrs. Csete so she can provide it to Mr. Hogan. Mr. Hogan said he would work on getting the materials right away. Mr. Frens indicated a credit would be issued by the contractor for any demolition work the Township had already done that would have been part of the contract. However, he said the clean-out of the North end of the building was the responsibility of the Township and not part of the contract. He added that he didn’t think the Township would receive a substantial credit, because most of the work done so far was the Township’s responsibility. He said the contractor is very fair.
There was some discussion regarding covering up the pointing, but Mr. Frens said the entire mill never existed in an exposed pointed state. He said preservation logic is that you do not restore a building to a period that never existed. He added that the decision could be made at a later time. Mr. Hogan said he’d like to see a demonstration area and go from there. He expressed a strong desire to leave the mill with exposed pointed stone because it looks so beautiful.
Mr. Allen asked if there is a master plan, stating that this type of project can run out of control. Mr. Kuhn said there is no master plan, but that there is no desire to make it an operating mill. He said they received bids ranging from $329,000 to $600,000. He said they are looking at an approximate cost of $300,000 with $190,000 plus $45,000 in matching grants. He added that the goal of the Historical Commission is to restore the building by stabilizing it, nothing more.
Mr. Hogan suggested soliciting contributions from the community with plaques bearing names of the contributors on the window lentils. Mr. Philips moved to accept the bid of CRJ Construction for the Stabilization of the Woolen Mill, and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor. Mr. Frens will prepare the agreement and deliver it to the Township Office for execution.
Mr. Bill Davison was present to represent the Friedmans’ application for a two-lot subdivision on Blackberry Lane that has been recommended by the Planning Commission. The recommendation of the Planning Commission was subject to an escrow agreement for the possible widening of Blackberry Lane in front of the lots between Sidley Hill and the eastern boundary. Mr. Davison has no problem with the escrow, but is not in favor of widening the road. He said if the road is widened there, it would cause a saw-tooth effect where the road is wide, then narrow, then wide again. He also showed pictures of very large trees that would be destroyed if the road widening would occur.
Mr. Philips moved to approve the subdivision subject to a 5-year escrow agreement with an amount to be determined, soil conservation plan approval, and planning module approval, and Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. McErlane marked the following Exhibits for the record:
The application is for an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance that would change the boundaries of the PRD-1 Zoning District. Mr. McErlane asked Mr. Comitta to provide some details of the proposed amendment.
Mr. Comitta marked the following Exhibits:
Mr. Comitta read the benefits of the proposed zoning map change per his memo to the Township dated April 5, 2004.
Mr. Comitta responded to questions from the following individuals:
Mr. Philips moved to approve the motion as drafted, and Mr. Rodgers. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
The resolution proposes to authorize the Chairman, as Charlestown’s representative on the Phoenixville Regional Planning Commission, to enter into a contractual agreement with the State of Pennsylvania, Chester County and Kise, Straw and Kolodner upon review and approval of all contract documents by the Township Solicitor. Mr. Rodgers moved to approve Resolution #624-04, and Mr. Hogan seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Escrow release #1 was approved in the amount of $149,469.79.
Mr. Kuhn proposed a $1,000 contribution to the French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust for their French Creek Iron Tour annual cycling fund raiser on June 20, 2004 to be expended from the Open Space budget, following agreement from Open Space Commission Chairman Andy Motel. Mr. Philips said they should be careful of other organizations coming in asking for money. Mr. Kuhn felt this organization supported the Township and found them grants, and wants to reciprocate that support in this way. Mr. Hogan moved to approve giving $1,000 to the Trust. Three were in favor, one was opposed, and there was one no-vote.
Mr. Kuhn said Walter (Pete) Goodman offered to represent the Township in meetings related to stormwater management for the Valley Creek watershed, a small portion of which is in Charlestown. Mr. Willig said he will talk to him first.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 P.M.