Charlestown Township
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The second business meeting for December was held December 18, 2006 at the Great Valley Middle School, Room 154. Kevin R. Kuhn, Chairman, Mike Rodgers, Vice Chairman, Paul Hogan, Charlie Philips, Hugh Willig, Mark Thompson, Esq., Surender S. Kohli, P.E., Linda M. Csete, Township Administrator, and those on the attached list were present.
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M.
Mr. Kuhn announced that an executive session took place following the December 4, 2006 meeting to discuss legal and personnel matters.
No matters were brought forward at this time.
Mr. Rodgers moved to approve the minutes of December 4, 2006, 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 December 18, 2006 Operating Fund Accounts Payable 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 December 18, 2006 Open Space Fund Accounts Payable report, and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Thompson opened the hearing for the Stonorov application, and the proceedings were recorded by Tom Corcoran, court reporter.
The following items were entered into the record by the Township:
| • | T-1 | Proof of Publication of legal notice in the Daily Local News |
The following items were entered into the record by the Applicant:
| • | A-1 | Copies of certified return receipts from adjoining property owners |
| • | A-2 | Supplemental Information to Application |
| • | A-3 | Sheets 1-5 of the Conditional Use Plan |
| • | A-4 | Alternative Driveway Alignment Plan |
The following witness testified for the Applicant:
The hearing was closed. Mr. Rodgers moved to approve the conditional use application subject to driveway location alternative 3, and subject to stormwater management controls acceptable to the township engineer. Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor. A written decision will be rendered within 45 days.
Mr. Thompson opened the hearing for the Leon and Carol Altemose Curative Amendment application, and the proceedings were recorded by Tom Corcoran, court reporter. The applicant had requested a continuance, so there was no testimony. The hearing was continued to January 22, 2007, 7:30 P.M. at the Great Valley Middle School.
Mr. Thompson opened the hearing for the Robal Associates Curative Amendment application, and the proceedings were recorded by Tom Corcoran, court reporter. The applicant had requested a continuance, so there was no testimony. The hearing was continued to January 22, 2007, 7:30 P.M. at the Great Valley Middle School.
The following bids were opened at the Township Office on December 14, 2006 at 2:00 P.M:
| Powder Valley Contractors Inc. | $62,950.00 |
| CRJ Construction Co. | $78,900.00 |
They had been forwarded to Dale Frens for review, and Mr. Frens recommended the contract be awarded to the low bidder, Powder Valley Contractors Inc. Mr. Kuhn asked if the bid included the railing, and Mr. Kohli said yes. Mr. Kuhn moved to award the contract to Powder Valley Contractors Inc. subject to Mr. Frens’ recommendation and having budget funds available. Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Wendy McLean, Esq. was present on behalf of the applicants to discuss a two lot subdivision adding about 1 ˝ acres to Charles & Roslyn Epstein’s parcel 35-2-142 from Aileen Epstein’s 50 acre parcel 35-4-7.1. and subsequent subdivision of parcel 35-2-142 into two lots, each containing an existing dwelling. Ms. McLean said the easement document has been revised and includes access to Lot #1 to the shared driveway traversing Lot 2 and places a conservation easement on Lot #2.
Mr. Thompson said his office reviewed the easement document, and that it was strengthened after input from the Open Space Director and is now acceptable. Mr. Kohli said the Supervisors should review the waiver notes in the revised plans. Mr. Thompson said the conservation easement should be referenced in a note on the plan. The Township Administrator suggested that one copy of the revised plan be sent to Mr. Kohli for final review, and after he finds it acceptable, the applicant can submit seven executed copies to the township for recordation. The conservation easement document is to be recorded along with the plan.
Mr. Kuhn asked what party will hold the easement, and Mr. Thompson said just the Township. Mr. Philips moved to approve the Epstein Minor Subdivision Plan subject to Mr. Kohli’s approval of the revised notes. Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
The Township Administrator referred to a memo from the Recorder of Deeds indicating that the County can no longer collect delinquent taxes or real estate transfer tax unless the Township tax ordinance is in compliance with Act 40 of 2005. They enclosed a sample ordinance, which has three alternatives for collecting interest. The Administrator recommends Alternative #1, which imposes an interest rate on delinquent tax that is equivalent to the rate imposed by the Commonwealth. Mr. Philips moved to authorize Mr. Thompson to draft the ordinance and advertise the hearing for January 2, 2007, 7:30 P.M. at the Great Valley Middle School. Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Willig outlined a list of repairs to be made at the Brightside Farm, including:
Mr. Willig said that the wall is being repaired by Fred Pier, as had been previously agreed upon. Some bulging of the wall and a collapsed section need to be checked by Mr. Kohli to determine the structural condition of the wall, which has been affected by water infiltration.
Mr. Willig said Alix Coleman would like for these repairs to be investigated by a mason to see what needs to be done. There was some discussion on whether it would make the most sense to develop a masonry labor & materials bid for 2007 for this and similar work or whether they might consider adding a mason, such as Fred Pier, to the payroll. Mr. Philips said they should approve a specific amount for the investigative work only, and Mr. Willig added, if the repairs then look to exceed $10,000, they will go out to bid. Mr. Willig displayed pictures taken by Mr. Hogan of the area around the bank barn. Mr. Kohli offered to speak with Dale Frens to see if he can develop an estimate. Mr. Philips asked if there is a possibility that it’s a big restoration project, and Mr. Willig responded no, that corrective measures are needed but there’s no general failure. The Board discussed generating a list of all the work needed at the Farm and putting out a general bid for services, which Mr. Kuhn felt would be easier for the farm manager to work with. He asked Mr. Willig to draft a bid package for a general repair person for the farm.
Mr. Willig said there is standing water at the springhouse, and the cause needs to be determined. A clogged drain is suspected as being the problem.
Mr. Philips suggested that Mr. Frens make recommendations on windows and roofing to determine what fits in with the detailed conditions report he prepared for all the farm structures several years ago.
The Administrator will contact Mr. Alston about taking care of this item. Mr. Willig said the grading that was done around the house earlier was an incomplete job. The contractor should be contacted to fix the work.
Mr. Willig said the conditions have changed since the estimates on this work were received. Grading was done that should bring the price down.
Mr. Jones asked what is the end result of all the repair work? Mr. Kuhn said the purpose is to maintain the asset at this point in time. Mr. Jones said the Board is taking a piecemeal approach.
Mr. Kuhn suggested that the Supervisors, Mr. Frens, Ms. Coleman and Mr. Kohli do a site visit to inspect all the structures at the farm, and asked the Administrator to schedule a meeting, inviting the tenants so that the house can be looked at as well. Mr. Willig will arrange for the standing water at the spring house to be pumped out a few hours before the meeting so they can investigate the cause.
Mr. Kuhn referenced the draft memo from the Township Administrator outlining the policy to be followed when ordering goods, services, or work. The memo will go out for the first of the year.
The Board discussed work being done at Charlestown Park. Mr. Hogan preferred to use the laborers on the payroll for limb cutting, and asked for a replacement of his chainsaw, which had been broken beyond repair doing work for the Township. The other board members preferred that the employees be used for less mechanical work, such as weed whacking and trimming smaller limbs by hand. For liability and safety purposes, they preferred to use contracted labor for heavier work.
Other options were discussed, including exchanging some work with the Christian College so they can handle the mowing of the Park, or, using Bill Jones for Park maintenance again if he’s willing to obtain the required insurance coverage.
Mr. Rodgers moved to adjourn and Mr. Philips seconded. All were in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 9:06 P.M. The next meeting is scheduled for January 2, 2007, 7:30 P.M. in Room 154 of the Great Valley Middle School.