Charlestown Township Board of Supervisors Business Meeting Minutes of June 4, 2007

The first business meeting for June was held June 4, 2007 at the Great Valley Middle School, Room 154. Kevin Kuhn, Chairman, Paul Hogan, Charlie Philips, Michael Rodgers, Hugh Willig, Mark Thompson, Esq., Surender S. Kohli, P.E., Linda M. Csete, Township Administrator, and those on the attached list were present.

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

Announcements

Mr. Kuhn announced that the Board held an executive session from 7:00 – 7:40 p.m. this evening to discuss legal matters.

Mr. Kuhn announced that Mr. Hogan recently celebrated his 80th birthday, followed by good wishes from those present.

The Secretary announced the 10th anniversary of the Citizen’s Website, reading from an email from webmaster Jacob Merriwether, who commented that he believed the site represents a win-win situation for the township, its residents, and himself. Board Members and the Secretary emphatically agreed that it is.

Approvals

Minutes of May 22, 2007 Business Meeting

Mr. Rodgers moved to approve the minutes of the May 22, 2007 business meeting, and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Treasurer’s Report – May 1 - 31, 2007

Mr. Hogan moved to approve the May Treasurer’s Report and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Accounts Payable Report – Operating Fund June 4, 2007

Mr. Rodgers moved to approve the June 4, 2007 Operating Fund Accounts Payable Report and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion. The Secretary requested that everyone be more cognizant of the deadline to submit invoices, which is 5 days prior to the meeting where they are to be approved. Mr. Kuhn called the vote, and all were in favor.

Accounts Payable Report – Open Space Fund June 4, 2007

Mr. Rodgers moved to approve the June 4, 2007 Open Space Fund Accounts Payable Report, and Mr. Hogan seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Other Reports

Mr. Rodgers moved to accept the May monthly reports and Mr. Hogan seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion.

Open Space Director Aliena Gerhard announced that the Pennsylvania Land Use Coalition invites community members for a morning in Harrisburg to discuss with state legislators the critical land use and financial issues affecting southeastern PA. The session is scheduled for June 12, 2007 from 9 am – 12 pm at the Harrisburg Hilton. She may be contacted for additional information or to ask questions or raise concerns on the Township’s behalf.

Mr. Kuhn related that Sue Staas provided him with information on the Duncan property, located on Howell Road. The property is up for sale in the $350,000 range, and the Horseshoe Trail Club is in need of parking in that area. They asked the Board to consider acquiring the parcel to provide a small municipal park and parking for both the trail and the park. She said that since the trail has been moved off Howell Road in most areas, trail traffic has picked up significantly. Mr. Kuhn suggested a more practical alternative for trail parking, which would be to work it into the plans for the Spring Oaks site. A small parking area could be provided in the future TND in the area across from Blackstone Lane. Prior to development, he suggested Mrs. Staas contact Tim Townes at J. Loew & Associates to request permission for parking in the existing field. Mrs. Staas suggested that the request for the future provisions for parking at that site be incorporated into the TND plans.

Mr. Philips said he spoke to Mr. Alston about asking PennDOT to remove bushes at the Hollow Road & Charlestown Road intersection, where they are blocking the sight lines. He also asked that the traffic light timing in Devault be addressed, as several requests have been made to PennDOT with no response. Mr. Kuhn asked Mr. Alston to set up a meeting with the PennDOT representative that Mr. Philips can attend.

With regard to the concrete work at the Woolen Mill, Mr. Kuhn said he was frustrated at the increase in price, which he feels is disproportionate to the change in scope. Additional areas will be included, but the concrete ramps originally proposed have been removed from the scope. Mr. Alston said the contractor determined the price after meeting with Dale Frens. Mr. Hogan said he’d like to bid out the work, and Mr. Kuhn and Mr. Willig agreed. Mr. Rodgers and Mr. Philips felt the proposed additional cost was justified and wanted to proceed with the present contractor. After further discussion, the Board opted to have Mr. Kohli prepare a bid package on the concrete work, with bids to be opened July 16, 2007. Mr. Kuhn said a pump truck should be included in the specifications, because a concrete truck is too heavy to be placed on the Mill driveway.

Mr. Kuhn called the vote for acceptance of the monthly reports, and all were in favor.

Citizens’ Forum for Non-Agenda Items

Nicole Palmer, 2127 Valley Hill Road, informed the Board that her family would be moved out of the Jenkins house by the afternoon of June 9th and asked for an inspection and the return of their security deposit, less the prorated rent for the days they occupied the house in June, as soon as possible thereafter. Mr. Alston indicated he would be available to inspect the house on June 9th. Because the Township is holding a pet deposit as well as one month’s rent, Mr. Kuhn moved to release the pet deposit this evening, and hold the balance of the security deposit until after the inspection. Mr. Hogan seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being nothing additional, called the vote. All were in favor.

Hearings

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 witnesses gave testimony:

• Robert Bruce Balbirnie
• Wayne Grafton, The Grafton Association

  The following exhibits were entered into the record:

• A-7 Resume of Wayne Grafton
• A-8 Concept Plan
• A-9 5/8/07 Letter from James Tupitza amending the curative amendment application

The hearing was continued to July 2, 2007, 7:30 P.M. at the Great Valley Middle School.

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. There was no testimony as the applicant had requested a continuance. The hearing was continued to June 18, 2007, 7:30 P.M. at the Great Valley Middle School.

Old Business - None

New Busines

Insurance Renewal

The Secretary said she has been working with Ken Moyer of the Simkiss Agency for the past several weeks on obtaining the township’s annual insurance coverage. Mr. Moyer made a concerted effort to obtain additional quotes in order to bring in the best price, and as a result, insurance costs for the next period are approximately $2,500 lower than last year. She noted she’s been very pleased with the support and prompt response time from Mr. Moyer.

Mr. Kuhn referenced the recommendations provided by Mr. Moyer, specifically the recommendation to increase the umbrella policy from $5 million to $10 million for an additional $2,500 cost. After discussing the question with the Solicitor, the Board decided they would keep the umbrella limit at $5 million.

Mr. Kuhn had questions on the General Liability Exclusions as to whether some or all of the items were covered under other policies. The Secretary will contact Mr. Moyer for clarification.

Mr. Rodgers moved to authorize the Secretary to bind the insurance policies for the June 11, 2007 - June 11, 2008 period subject to receiving clarification on the general liability exclusions to the Township’s satisfaction, and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Request for Extension of Preliminary Plan – Devault Foods

Mr. Philips moved to approve the extension requested by Devault Foods for the submission of their Final Land Development Plan for an additional year, and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Bottle Law

Mr. Kuhn indicated he was in support of sending out Mr. Hogan’s letter to Sen. Dinniman and Rep. Milne urging the state to consider passage of a ‘bottle law’ to reduce littering and improve recycling in the state, and to copy the letter to the other 72 municipalities in Chester County requesting their support. The other Board members were in agreement. Mr. Hogan provided the Secretary with additional information to be included with the letter to the Senator and Congressman. Mr. Kuhn asked Mr. Thompson to draft a sample resolution to be included with the copies to the county municipalities they could use if they wished to add their support for the law.

Recycling

Mr. Kuhn referred to a quote for commercial recycling service for the Devault Building that would cost the Township $100.00 per month. He spoke with a representative of the Post Office, who indicated it would be a difficult and lengthy process to get approval from the U.S. Postal Service to share this cost. Mr. Kuhn suggested an alternative, which would be to separate recyclables upstairs at the Township Office and arrange for an employee to pick up the materials on a weekly basis to take to a recycling center. The other Board members opted to go with this alternative.

Other Business

Charlestown Park Deed

Mr. Willig brought up two items mentioned by Irene Ewald that need some follow up. Mr. Kuhn said he already asked Mr. Thompson to look into the first issue of whether the Township ever received the permanent deed to Charlestown Park after acquiring the parcel in the 1970’s. Only a quit-claim deed is on file at the Township Office.

Commercial Business

Mr. Willig said Mrs. Ewald asked that the Township look into what appears to be a commercial landscaping or tree business operating from a property in the vicinity of Crestview Road and Pine Drive. Mr. Kohli will investigate.

Phoenixville Regional Planning Commission

Mr. Willig reported that the Regional Planning Commission voted at their May 30th meeting to move forward with adoption of the regional comprehensive plan and regional agreement. Documents will be finalized so each municipality can schedule a hearing to adopt. Mr. Kuhn moved to authorize advertising for a hearing at the earliest possible meeting after receiving the documents that meets the statutory requirements for adoption. Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Adjournment

Mr. Kuhn announced that the Board would hold an executive session to discuss legal matters following adjournment. Mr. Rodgers moved to adjourn, and Mr. Hogan seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 P.M. The next meeting is scheduled for June 18, 7:00 P.M. in Room 154 of the Great Valley Middle School.