Charlestown Township
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The first business meeting for June was held June 7, 2004, at the Great Valley Middle School, Room 154. Kevin R. Kuhn, Chairman, Mike Rodgers, Vice Chairman, Paul Hogan, Charlie Philips, Surender Kohli, P.E., Tom Oeste, 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 said an Executive Session was held on June 1, 2004 to discuss legal matters.
Emory Todd, CPA for the Township, gave an overview of the 2003 Audit Report. He said most of the Township’s assets are in money market investments. He also stated there is a bond for the Brightside Farm. For 2003, the Township summary included $1.7 million in total revenues, with expenses being $1.3 million. He said the fund balance was $1,289,000 at year-end. He said the only expense items that were significant were plan reviews, and there was a $100,000 surplus in this area, which was balanced out by the highway maintenance that was over budget by $118,000.
Mr. Todd indicated that the GASB 34 (Government Accounting Standards Board) is requiring that all assets be capitalized beginning with this year. He said all owned assets must be capitalized, and indicated the only owned asset of the Township now listed is the Brightside Farm. Mr. Todd recommended the Township have all other real estate appraised and added to the balance sheet, as well as to add any new parcels from now on.
Mr. Kuhn asked how often appraisals have to be done and how formal must they be. Mr. Todd said they just have to do them this one time, and then they can carry them at that value from then on.
A resident asked if depreciation enters into this at all, and Mr. Todd said it did not, since most of the Township assets are land, and land is not depreciated.
When asked about electronic filing, Mr. Todd said the DCA report is already filed electronically, and that a hard copy is also available. Mr. Kuhn asked if there is a web site where this information can be viewed. Mr. Todd said there is and will provide that information to Mrs. Csete so she can post it on the Township site.
There were no Citizen’s Forum/Non-Agenda items discussed.
Mr. Rodgers moved to approve the May 17, 2004 minutes as written, 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 May 1-31, 2004 Treasurer’s report, and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion. Mr. Philips questioned why they were over budget on the CPA Audit amount, and Mrs. Csete said the expense is based on hours worked and that the cost overage was approximately 10%. Mr. Philips said they should try to get closer to the budget amount next year. Mr. Kuhn called the vote, and all were in favor.
Mr. Rodgers moved to approve the May 12, 19, 26 and June 2, 7, 9, 2004 Open Space Improvement Fund Accounts Payable reports, 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 June 7, 2004 General Fund Accounts Payable report, and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion. Mr. Philips asked for a status on the Solda easement acquisition. Mr. Kuhn said he would contact Mr. McErlane for an update, as he was told previously it would be done by the end of May.
Mr. Philips said monies were transferred from the building fund to cover cash flow and asked when it can be paid back. Mrs. Csete said she does not know if it can be repaid by year-end, due to the earned income tax coming in slower than expected. Mr. Philips asked if she knows when the earned income tax will come in, and Mrs. Csete said Centax was unhelpful when she inquired. Mr. Kuhn asked Mrs. Csete to have Mr. Diehl contact Centax to try to get better information.
Mr. Staas asked if the change in revenue and expenditures was enough to require the budget be revised and reissued. Mrs. Csete said it is too soon to know, and Mr. Oeste added that there is no timeframe requirement within which to reissue the budget if required. He added that the Township is not obligated to modify the budget in this circumstance.
Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Kohli said he needs more information about renters of the house owned by Pulte across from the Brightside Farm. Mr. Philips asked Mr. Kohli to follow up on the Charlestown Meadows construction. The Zoning Officer report is on file.
The Planning Commission report is on file.
The Historical Commission did not meet in May.
The Open Space Commission meeting minutes are on file.
Mr. Kuhn said Mr. Alston could not be present, because he was directing traffic at an accident site. Mr. Philips asked if there is a 5-year plan showing what roads would be considered for repair and their associated priority. Mr. Kuhn asked Mrs. Csete to pass this suggestion onto Mr. Alston. The Roadmaster report is on file.
Mr. Alston reported there had been a fire to a home on Church Road. It was a kitchen fire due to a faulty dishwasher. He said there was not much damage.
Mr. Alston reminded residents that a Fireworks Permit is required when arranging for private displays and that he should be contacted for permitting. Mr. Kuhn asked Mr. Alston to do a 5-year road report on road repairs as discussed previously, and Mr. Alston agreed, asking if the Board could give him budget numbers. Mr. Philips said the report must come first, and then the Board can budget the proper funds.
There was nothing new to report.
The Brightside Farm Committee report is on file. Mr. Philips said he saw $1,000 expended for Visioning and wondered why. Alix Coleman said it was asked of Dale Frens by Rosemary Philips.
Mr. Rodgers said the report is on file. He also said a meeting is scheduled for Thursday at 7pm with the union. He said it will probably be the last meeting before an agreement is signed.
Ms. Alix Coleman said it was the decision of the Brightside Farm Committee to leave the lease the way it is and said that is their recommendation to the Board. The proposed lease is for one year at a rate of $750/month including 6 tanks of oil.
After extensive discussions surrounding whether or not the tenants should pay for the oil, Mr. Kuhn suggested Ms. Coleman revisit the issue with the Brightside Farm Committee and the tenants. He said the Board will make a decision when all Board members are present. He asked that she come back and sell the Board on what the tenants are doing that deserves such a lease. This issue was tabled until July 12, 2004.
Mr. Richard A. D’Ginto said he applied for a permit to build an accessory building and was notified by Mr. Kohli that he needs Board approval for building in a side yard that abuts the street. Mr. Kohli said this is outlined in Section 1607 A.3 of the Zoning Ordinance. Mr. Rodgers moved to approve the construction of the garage in the side yard, and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Also, Mr. Kohli indicated that the building encroaches in front yard setback, which will require that the applicant go to Zoning/Hearing Board to request a variance.
Mr. Chip Vaughn said the Planning Commission recommended final plan approval subject to certain revisions. He reviewed the Kohli & Associates letter dated May 6, 2004. Mr. Kohli said he had no problems with the stormwater calculations, and Mr. Oeste said the Homeowner documents were in order. Mr. Vaughn said, as far as he knows, all the permits are in place, and he is here to ask for approval.
Mr. Oeste recalled a condition in the preliminary plan that there would be an easement given for the trail. Mr. Kohli also said the increased right of way needs to be dedicated to the Township and that there should be a note on the plan to indicate this.
Mr. Hogan moved to approve the Final Plan subject to the notations that the engineer and solicitor will review, and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Mark Connolly explained the fee schedule that included a registration fee to reserve a pavilion or basketball court at Charlestown Park. It also included the fee for reserving a garden plot at the Brightside Farm community garden. Mr. Rodgers moved to approve Resolution #625-04, and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
In a separate matter, Mr. Connolly said he is looking for a direction on the fence procurement process for fencing at Charlestown Park. Mr. Kuhn confirmed with Mr. Oeste that he can move forward with the proposed fencing as long as the fencing itself is under $10,000 and township employees do the installation.
Mr. Oeste requested approval from the Board to allow him to represent the Township at the Zoning Hearing Board hearing in order to defend the ordinance. Mr. Philips moved to approve Mr. Oeste as Township counsel before the Zoning Hearing Board, and Mr. Rodgers, seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Rodgers moved to ratify Change Order #1. Mr. Hogan seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Kuhn suggested that the project status be reviewed at the next meeting.
Mr. Philips moved to approve Resolution #626-04 to accept a deed of dedication for approx. 6 acre Parcel #35-2-115, and Mr. Rodgers, seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mrs. Csete said the insurance agent recommended the Township get terrorist insurance. Linda said their service has been very good. Mr. Philips moved to approve the insurance renewal without the terrorist coverage, and Mr. Rodgers, seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mrs. Csete proposed that the current seven day vacation for employees working 1-3 years be changed to two weeks. Mr. Rodgers moved to approve Mrs. Csete’s proposed change, and Mr. Hogan seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Allen asked if the Board needs to do anything with regard to looking at the LI districts, or if the Planning Commission should just proceed. Mr. Kuhn said it is the Board’s desire that the Planning Commission proceed. Mr. Philips moved to authorize the Planning Commission to look at the LI 1 and LI 2 districts concerning zoning for density, and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:28 P.M. The next meeting will be held July 12, 2004, at 7:30 P.M. in Room 154 of the Great Valley Middle School.