Charlestown Township
Board of Supervisors Business Meeting
Minutes of February 20, 2007

The second business meeting for February was held February 20, 2007 at the Great Valley Middle School, Room 154. Charlie Philips, Acting Chairman, Paul Hogan, Hugh Willig, Mark Thompson, Esq., Surender S. Kohli, P.E., Linda M. Csete, Township Administrator, and those on the attached list were present.

Mr. Philips called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M.

Announcements

Mr. Philips he would be chairing the meeting at the request of the Chairman and Vice Chairman, who were not able to attend this evening.

Citizen’s Forum/Non-Agenda Items

No matters were brought forward at this time.

Approvals

Minutes of February 5, 2007 Business Meeting

Mr. Hogan moved to approve the minutes of the February 5, 2007 Business meeting, and Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Philips called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Check #4985

Mr. Willig moved to approve check #4985 to Gregory Blue in the amount of $1,570.00 and Mr. Hogan seconded. Mr. Philips called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Old Business - None

New Business

Stormwater Management – Municipal Separate Storm Systems (MS-4)

Mr. Kohli explained the stormwater management regulations requiring all municipalities to apply for an NPDES permit beginning in 2003. The DEP outlined a protocol for all municipalities to follow to meet compliance within five years, following the six elements of the protocol numbered MS1 through MS6. Charlestown is presently in Year 4 of the five year program. During the 4th year, which ends 3/10/07, the Township continued to implement education and public participation elements of the program. The Secretary worked with the Chester-Ridley-Crum Watershed Association (CRC) which assists Charlestown and neighboring municipalities with the education and public participation requirements. The Secretary noted the CRC’s assistance has been invaluable. They provide materials for the Township to distribute to developers, residents, businesses and schools, ads for publication in the local papers, newsletter articles, website links, and bulletin board posters.

Mr. Kohli said he prepared the township-wide outfall map during Year 2, and it was modified in Year 3. Field testing of these outfalls is a requirement of the program. So far this has been done through visual inspection and photographs to check for any sheeting of water. The DEP has stated that under the protocols, physical testing is also required, which will include tests for Ph, chlorine levels, copper, phenol, detergent, and bacteria levels. He said this will be expensive, and he will test 1/3 of the sites each year until all are tested. Mr. Willig asked how many outfalls there are, and Mr. Kohli said 89. He said he tested 29 of them last year. He added that for Year 4, he checks for runoff 72 hours after a rainfall, then performs testing. If a problem is found, he must determine where the illicit discharge is originating. He also works with the Chester County Conservation District on pre- and post- construction inspections. Mr. Kohli said the revised Stormwater Management Ordinance requires that a stormwater maintenance agreement be recorded with all subdivision and land development plans, with the contractors self-monitoring and submitting reports.

Mr. Kohli said MS-6 is the protocol addressed by the Public Works Superintendent, generally referred to as “good housekeeping” practices for road and inlet cleanup. The Secretary indicated she and Mr. Alston will be attending training for the MS-6 protocols next week.

Hearings:

Ordinance to Amend to the Official Map – Railroad Right-of-Way

Mr. Thompson opened the hearing to consider an ordinance to add seven parcels, consisting of the Pennsylvania Rail Lines rail road bed, to the Official Map as Open Space Reservations, and the proceedings were recorded by Tom Corcoran, court reporter.

The following items were entered into the record by the Township:

The following residents asked questions:

The hearing was closed. Mr. Hogan moved to adopt Ordinance #139-07, and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Philips called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Real Estate Transfer Tax Ordinance

Mr. Thompson opened the hearing to consider an ordinance to address the requirements of Act 40 for the collection of delinquent real estate transfer taxes, and the proceedings were recorded by Tom Corcoran, court reporter.

The following items were entered into the record by the Township:

The hearing was closed. Mr. Willig moved to adopt Ordinance #140-07, and Mr. Hogan seconded. Mr. Philips called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Leon and Carol Altemose Curative Amendment Application

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 following items were entered into the record by the Township:

The hearing was continued to March 19, 2007, 7:30 P.M. at the Great Valley Middle School.

Robal Associates Curative Amendment Application

Mr. Thompson opened the hearing for the Robal Associates Curative Amendment application, and the proceedings were recorded by Tom Corcoran, court reporter.

The following items were entered into the record by the Township:

The hearing was continued to March 19, 2007, 7:30 P.M. at the Great Valley Middle School.

Other Business

Phoenixville Regional Planning Commission

Mr. Willig indicated that the next meeting of the PRPC is scheduled for February 28, 2007 at 7:30 P.M. at the Phoenixville Borough building, and urged the board members to attend in order to support the Township’s position that the regional group members should remain equal partners, in response to Phoenixville Borough’s interest in changing to population-based representation.

Boy Scout Troop 76

Members of Boy Scout Troop 76 were present to fulfill part of their merit badge requirements for Citizenship in the Community. They expressed interest in participating in Earth Day and other township related projects, such as clean up at the Revolutionary War Cemetery or Charlestown Park.

Adjournment

Mr. Hogan moved to adjourn and Mr. Willig seconded. All were in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 P.M. The next meeting is scheduled for March 5, 2007, 7:30 P.M. in Room 154 of the Great Valley Middle School.

Respectfully submitted,


Linda M. Csete
Township Administrator