Charlestown Township
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The first business meeting for February was held February 7, 2005, at the Great Valley Middle School, Room 154. Kevin R. Kuhn, Chairman, Mike Rodgers, Vice Chairman, Paul Hogan, Hugh Willig, Charles Philips, Tom 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 7:32 P.M.
Mr. Kuhn announced that Marcia Solda sent him information requesting that members of the Board attend the “Keeping Farming First” seminar at Penn State Great Valley tomorrow morning. Most Board members were unable to attend during daytime hours.
Mr. Willig asked Mr. Kuhn to announce the billboard decision. Mr. Kuhn said that the billboard application for Outdoor Partners, LLC, was denied by the Board, and that decision was upheld by the Court of Common Pleas.
Mr. Allen reminded the Board of the Executive Session to be held tomorrow night by the Planning Commission and Supervisors. Everyone indicated they could attend, although Mr. Philips and Mr. Willig may arrive late due to prior commitments.
Mr. Rodgers moved to approve the January 24, 2005 meeting minutes, and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Hogan moved to approve the January 1-31, 2005 Treasurer's report, 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 February 7, 2005 Operating Fund Accounts Payable report, and Mr. Hogan seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Philips moved to approve the February 7, 2005 meeting minutes, and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Rodgers moved to accept the January, 2005 reports, and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Kuhn read the email Mrs. Csete received from Mary Bird of Schuylkill Township asking if there was any interest among neighboring townships to form a joint UCC board of appeals. Mr. Kohli said originally there were stringent requirements for filling the 5-member review board. They have, however, since backed off of these requirements, which will make it easier to fill the positions of the board and perhaps make the forming of a joint board unnecessary. Mr. Kohli will email the new requirements to the Township office. Mr. Kuhn tabled this topic to the next meeting, pending input from Mr. Kohli.
Mr. Kohli indicated he will be providing building inspection services for another 4-5 years. When the time comes, the Board will have to decide whether to hire someone to train in-house, or whether to contract the service out to a third party. Mr. Kuhn asked what portion of the revenues are being used for this presently, and Mrs. Csete responded about 1/3 to ˝ of Mr. Kohli’s billings are for building inspection services. Mr. Willig said he did not feel it will be enough to warrant a full-time person in the future. The Board members agreed it may be better to have a third party service.
Mr. Rodgers moved to approve Gary Bender, Esq., as Solicitor to the Planning Commission, and Mr. Hogan seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Kohli suggested that if the Board wishes to accept dedication of Whitehorse Meadows Lane at this time, the builder be required to cover winter maintenance costs until the road is eligible to be added to the Liquid Fuels program in the spring.
Mr. Rogers moved to adopt the Resolution 645-2005 to accept the Whitehorse Meadows Lane deed of dedication, and Mr. Philips seconded, stating the builder should be made aware of his maintenance responsibilities. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Kuhn suggested the Resolution specifically spell out the taxes that will be collected by Berkheimer. Mr. Rodgers moved to adopt Resolution #646-2005 which appoints Berkheimer as Delinquent Tax Collector for Per Capita and Occupational Privilege taxes inclusive of Mr. Kuhn’s above-mentioned suggestion. Mr. Hogan seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Hogan moved to adopt Resolution #647-2005 to set the Elected Tax Collector compensation at $500 per year, and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Kohli provided brief comments on the amended submission. Mrs. Csete will check with court reporter Tom Corcoran as to what was in the record with regard to a continuance date, and will re-advertise if necessary.
Mr. Oeste said there is no reason for the Board to grant an extension since the ordinances have changed considerably since the original land development approval for this property was granted in the late 1980’s. Mr. Philips moved to deny the request for an extension to the approval, due to the plan not being non-compliant with current ordinances, and Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Committee member Vicki Duckworth is moving out of the area; therefore, it is necessary to fill her vacancy. Ms. Alix Coleman said the Brightside Farm Committee voted and recommended that Paul Hogan become a full-fledged member of the committee. Mr. Philips said he thought the position should be advertised to allow others who may be interested the opportunity to be considered for the position. When Mr. Hogan asked why the last vacancy was not advertised, Mr. Kuhn said it was because there was a requirement that it be filled with someone from the HARB. After some discussion, Mr. Willig reminded the Board members that they had previously agreed that Board members can attend any meeting and voice their opinions/concerns, but are not to be a voting member of any committee. Mr. Hogan noted that Mr. Kuhn is a member of the Open Space Commission, which was set up by ordinance requiring that a supervisor be a member. Mr. Kuhn agreed to withdraw from the committee and have an amendment to the Open Space Commission ordinance drafted which would remove the requirement that a supervisor be appointed as a member.
Mr. Kuhn asked Mrs. Coleman if they needed an additional person, and she said they did not. Mr. Willig asked how many people will be left on the Committee once Ms. Duckworth has left, and Mrs. Coleman said there would be five.
Mr. Philips asked Mr. Kuhn to explain to Mr. Hogan what the purpose of the Strategic Planning Committee for Brightside Farm is. He also said he did not appreciate the comments about the Committee's lack of progress.
Mr. Kuhn said the Strategic Planning Committee was created to get a fresh look into the facility--to determine what its purpose/uses should be. He said those things may or may not be what the Farm Committee wants. Mr. Philips added that their goal is to create a list of items or recommendations by the May timeframe. He said they plan to have two more meetings. He said the first two meetings brought forth numerous ideas in keeping with the agricultural theme.
Mr. Rodgers moved to approve the NVS Custom Homes L.P. escrow release #2 in the amount of $85,055.00, 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 Toll Bros. Phase I escrow release #3 in the amount of $292,095.00, 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 Toll Bros. Phase II escrow release #2 in the amount of $234,071.07, and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Kohli asked Mrs. Csete to hold the two Toll Bros. escrow releases until he can obtain and review the geotechnical reports.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:18 P.M. The next Board of Supervisors meeting will be held at 7:30 P.M. on February 28, 2005, in room 154 of the Great Valley Middle School.