Charlestown Township Board of Supervisors Business Meeting Minutes of July 2, 2007

The first business meeting for July was held July 2, 2007 at the Great Valley Middle School, Room 154. Kevin Kuhn, Chairman, Michael Rodgers, Vice Chairman, Paul Hogan, Charlie Philips, Hugh Willig, Mark Thompson, Esq., Surender S. Kohli, P.E., Tom Comitta, Linda M. Csete, Township Administrator, and those on the attached list were present.

Mr. Kuhn called the meeting to order at 7:40 P.M.

Announcements

Mr. Kuhn announced that an executive session was held prior to the meeting to discuss legal and real estate matters.

Citizens’ Forum for Non-Agenda Items

John Grove, 122 Avon Court, brought forward an issue regarding decks on his townhouse building in Charlestown Oaks. Because they would encroach on a buffer area, the six units in this building were not permitted to have decks, but a building permit for a deck on one of the units had been approved by mistake several months ago and that deck was built. The other owners of units in that building want to be able to build decks as well. Mr. Kohli said he spoke to the Solicitor on this matter and was advised that Mr. Grove or any of the other owners would have to go through the zoning hearing board and seek a variance to permit a deck. They would first submit a zoning application to the Township, which would be denied and serve as the basis for the zoning appeal. Mr. Kuhn asked if this process could be expedited, and Mr. Thompson said the appeals could be consolidated into one application. Mr. Kuhn asked if the fees could be waived, but Mr. Philips said they shouldn’t be.

Approvals

Minutes of June 18, 2007 Meeting

Mr. Rodgers moved to approve the minutes of the June 18, 2007 meeting, and Mr. Hogan seconded. Mr. Kuhn pointed out a correction for page one referring to a grant from the DCED which should be the DCNR. He called for discussion, and there being nothing further, called the vote. All were in favor.

Treasurer’s Report – June 1 - 30, 2007

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

Accounts Payable Report – Operating Fund July 2, 2007

Mr. Philips moved to approve the July 2, 2007 Operating Fund Accounts Payable Report and Mr. Hogan seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion and there being none, called the vote, and all were in favor.

Accounts Payable Report – Open Space Fund July 2, 2007

Mr. Rodgers moved to approve the July 2, 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. Philips moved to accept the June monthly reports and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion. Mr. Kuhn asked the Roadmaster about problems with defaced signs and one sign in particular. He suggested that a short article be added to the next newsletter asking the residents to be aware of the problem and assist the Township by taking down the license plate of anyone suspected of defacing the signs so they can be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Mr. Alston said thousands of dollars of damage has been done to various signs.

Mr. Philips asked if Mr. Alston had made arrangements yet to meet with PennDOT about the timing of the Route 29 signals. Mr. Alston said he had some information and would discuss it with Mr. Philips after the meeting.

Mr. Kuhn asked if Mr. Alston had made any progress on developing a scope of work for the Bodine Road traffic study, for which the Board wants to put out an RFP for the study to take place in the fall.

Mr. Philips said the Planning Commission will be reviewing a sketch plan for office buildings at the Volpi tract at Yellow Springs Road and Phoenixville Pike at their July 10th meeting. He suggested the Historical Commission be represented since the oldest house in the Township is on this property and it appears the applicant is proposing demolition. Planning Commission Chairman Andy Motel said the Historical Commission is represented through Wendy Leland, who is a member of both commissions.

Parks & Rec Chairman Bob Jones said the pipe leading from the Park under Coldstream Road is clogged and he would like approval to have it cleaned out. Mr. Hogan said this was examined some time ago and the exit for the pipe is located in East Pikeland Township. Mr. Kuhn asked Mr. Alston to coordinate this matter with the East Pikeland Roadmaster.

Mr. Kuhn asked if a site meeting with PennDOT had been arranged yet at the Solda property. Mr. Alston said the individual at PennDOT is on vacation until Thursday and he’ll set something up after she returns.

Mr. Kuhn called the vote on accepting the reports and all were in favor.

New Business

Robert & Mary Ellen Joos – Minor Subdivision

Neal Camens, P.E., of Chester Valley Engineers, and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Joos were present to discuss the minor subdivision plan for the Jooses. Mr. Camens outlined the revisions made to the plans in response to Mr. Kohli’s review letter dated 6/27/07 and indicated that the non-building waiver module has been signed by the Township and forwarded to the DEP. A note on the plan relating to this waiver will be removed per Mr. Kohli’s comment #4. Mr. Kohli indicated an improvements agreement must be executed prior to recordation of the plan.

Mr. Philips moved to approve the minor subdivision plan for Robert and Mary Ellen Joos last revised 4/11/07, subject to the review comments on Mr. Kohli’s review letter dated 6/27/07, and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, 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. There was some discussion but no testimony this evening.

The hearing was continued to August 6, 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.

Mr. Ryan moved to enter all his exhibits into the record and closed his case. Mr. Bender began the case for the Planning Commission, and entered the following exhibits into the record:

• C-1 Proposed TND Ordinance
• C-2 Excerpts from the 2001 Comprehensive Plan

The following witness gave testimony:

• Thomas Comitta

The hearing was continued to September 17, 2007, 7:30 P.M. at the Great Valley Middle School.

Traditional Neighborhood Development Ordinance

Mr. Thompson opened the hearing for consideration of the Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND) Ordinance, and the proceedings were recorded by Tom Corcoran, court reporter.

The following exhibits were entered into the record:

• B-15 Review Letter dated 6/25/07 from the Chester County Planning Commission.

Mr. Comitta and Mr. Motel provided background and a brief presentation on the ordinance followed by questions and answers. The hearing was continued to August 6, 2007, 7:30 P.M. at the Great Valley Middle School.

Old Business - None

New Business - Continued

Award Road Bids

Following upon the recommendations in Mr. Kohli’s letter dated 6/22/07, Mr. Rodgers moved to award the July 1, 2007 – June 30, 2008 Road Labor & Equipment Contract to Melchiorre Construction Co. and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Charlestown Park Project – Open Bids

The following bids were open for Phase I of the Park Improvements at Charlestown Park:

Jones Turf Management	$248,500
Melchiorre Construction Co.	$224,611
Lechmanik Inc.	$218,034

The bids were turned over to Mr. Kohli for review and recommendation. The contract award has been placed on the August 6, 2007 agenda.

Appoint Chief Administrative Officer for Pension Plan

The Secretary stated that the township’s pension plan requires a formal appointment of a Chief Administrative Officer for the Plan every year. She had been appointed to this position in 2006 but at that time hadn’t known the appointment must be repeated annually. This should have been done for 2007 at the January Reorganization meeting and will be added to the Reorganization meeting agenda for January 2008 to avoid this problem in the future. Mr. Rodgers moved to appoint Linda Csete as Chief Administrative Officer for the Charlestown Township Pension Plan and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion and there being none, called the vote and all were in favor.

Escrow Release #5 – NVS Custom Homes

Mr. Rodgers moved to approve Escrow Release #4 for NVS Custom Homes L.P. in the amount of $115,503.00, and Mr. Hogan seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Other Business

Adjournment

Mr. Kuhn announced that the Board would hold a brief executive session following the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 11:12 P.M. The next meeting is scheduled for August 6, 7:00 P.M. in Room 154 of the Great Valley Middle School.