Charlestown Township Board of Supervisors Business Meeting Minutes of October 1, 2007

The first business meeting for October was held October 1, 2007 at the Great Valley Middle School, Room 154. Kevin Kuhn, Chairman, Mike Rodgers, Vice Chairman, Paul Hogan, Charlie Philips, Hugh Willig, Mark Thompson, Esq., Surender S. Kohli, P.E., Aliena Gerhard, 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 an executive session was held on Sept. 24, 2007 at 4:00 P.M. at the Devault Foods office to discuss legal matters and another meeting was held at 7:00 P.M. this evening to discuss real estate and legal matters.

Citizens’ Forum for Non-Agenda Items

No matters were brought forward.

Approvals

Minutes of Sept. 17, 2007 Meeting

Mr. Rodgers moved to approve the minutes of the Sept. 17, 2007 meeting, and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Mr. Philips moved to approve the minutes of the Sept. 24, 2007 meeting, and Mr. Hogan seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor. Mr. Philips commented that this work session with the Planning Commission was very helpful.

Treasurer’s Report September 1 - 30, 2007

Mr. Rodgers moved to approve the September 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 October 1, 2007

Mr. Rodgers moved to approve the October 1, 2007 Operating Fund Accounts Payable Report and Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion and there being none, called the vote, and all were in favor.

Accounts Payable Report – Open Space Funds October 1, 2007

Mr. Rodgers moved to approve the October 1, 2007 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.

Reports

Mr. Philips moved to accept the September monthly reports and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion.

Mr. Alston said he planned to pave Green Lane Road this month, for which there are sufficient funds in the budget. He provided some details on work performed during September, which included extensive crack sealing throughout the Township, cleaning of the deck bridge on Pickering Road, and work to open two storm pipes on Maryhill Road and Township Line Road. Attempts to clear the Township Line Road cross pipe failed, and he said the recommendation from the contractor was to abandon it and install a new one parallel to it. He said Parks & Rec Chairman Bob Jones wants to wait on this until work is completed at the Park.

With regard to the budget vs. actual report, Mr. Philips asked what donation was made for $4,051, and the Treasurer responded it was for the Chester County Library System. Mr. Philips noted that the line item for the Township Planner was over budget and asked if this was due to the planning work involved for the Devault Village. The Treasurer answered yes. Mr. Hogan asked about the project underway at Charlestown Park, and Mr. Kohli gave an update. Mr. Philips asked about the costs for the Jenkins property, and the Treasurer indicated most of the costs have been for the engineering firm preparing the subdivision plan.

Mr. Kuhn called the vote to accept the reports and all were in favor.

Old Business

Phoenixville Regional Comprehensive Plan

Mr. Philips asked about the status of the Phoenixville Regional Planning Commission Comprehensive Plan, following the news that the Phoenixville Borough Planning Commission recommended against adopting it. Mr. Willig said it’s hard to tell whether the Borough Council will adopt it or follow their Planning Commission’ recommendation. He said there wasn’t a lot of engagement with the borough Planning Commission during the process. He’s hopeful that the Borough Council will still support the Plan, because if they don’t adopt it, it would create an irreparable hole in the proposed plan and cause its abandonment. This would be a great disappointment after the member municipalities have worked together on it since 2000. The language on general consistency among the members is very broad and the regional group has no power to force its will on any individual municipality, which retains its veto power. Mr. Kuhn said it would act as an advisory body similar to the Chester County Planning Commission. Mr. Willig said the Plan recognizes that all the municipalities are works in progress and allows for flexibility for areas that are undergoing proposed changes, such as the Phoenixville Steel site in the Borough or Devault Village in Charlestown.

New Business

Chesco Coring & Cutting – Request for Public Water

Todd Cliggett, Vice President of Chesco Coring and Cutting, Inc. at 2047 Charlestown Road, was present to discuss his request for access to public water due to insufficient well water for their 15 employees and for their manufacturing process. He said they’ve operated at that location since 1999, and the business has expanded considerably as they do more bridge and road related work. Mr. Philips said this property is part of the proposed Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND), which will have public water access. Mr. Kuhn asked if the adjacent Entre Computer property has public water, and Mr. Kohli answered yes, accessed from Phoenixville Pike. Mr. Philips moved to approve the extension of the public water franchise to the property at 2047 Charlestown Road, provided the extension is limited to that parcel, and in consideration that this parcel will be part of the proposed TND district, and Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

David Allen – Request for Public Water

Mr. Kuhn referenced another request for public water received by the Township office today on behalf of David Allen, 4111 Whitehorse Road. Mr. Willig noted that this property is surrounded by public water uses and by the proposed TND, although this parcel and another small parcel adjacent to it were not included in the TND. Mr. Kuhn moved to approve the extension of the public water franchise to the Allen property at 4111 Whitehorse Road, provided the extension is limited to that parcel, and in consideration that this parcel will be made part of the proposed TND district, and Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor. The Secretary will communicate to the Planning Commission that the Supervisors wish to have this parcel and the adjacent parcel included in the TND area.

Request for Attendance at Seminar

Mr. Kuhn said that Parks & Rec Chairman Bob Jones requested approval to attend a seminar hosted by the DCNR on Shaping Natural Surface Trails on October 15 & 16th. Mr. Kuhn moved to approve his request and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion and then the vote. All were in favor.

Boy Scout Troop 482

Mr. Hogan welcomed the members and adult leaders of Boy Scout Troop 482, who were present to work on their Citizenship in the Community merit badge. He offered to assist them with Eagle Scout or other community projects they may be interested in.

Open Road Salt Bids

The following bids were opened and read aloud:

North American Salt Co – No bid
Morton Salt – No bid
Cargill Deicing Technology – No bid
International Salt Co. – $60.00/ton FOB Plant, $60.27/ton delivered
Oceanport Industries - $55.00/ton FOB Plant, $59.50/ton delivered

The bids were turned over to Mr. Kohli for review and a recommendation for the contract award scheduled for the November 5th meeting.

CCATO Fall Convention

Mr. Rodgers, Mr. Willig and Mr. Philips indicated they will attend the fall convention of the C.C.A.T.O. on November 8, 2007 at the Mendenhall Inn.

Schedule Budget Work Session

The work session for the 2008 budget was scheduled for Monday, October 29, 2007 at 6:00 P.M. at the Great Valley Middle School, Room 154.

Other Business

Lechmanik Invoice #1 – Charlestown Park Lacrosse Field

Mr. Kuhn moved to approve Lechmanik Inc. payment request #1 for work completed to date on the installation of the Lacrosse Field at Charlestown Park. Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Historical Commission Signage

Mr. Philips noted that the Historical Commission sent draft wording for signs at various historical sites in the Township and asked for the next step. The Secretary indicated that after the Board approves the wording, design specifications should be developed so the project can go out to bid. At the Board’s request, she will contact Dale Frens and ask for a recommendation on who should prepare the specs.

Resolution #686-07

Mrs. Gerhard indicated that the meeting she attended in Harrisburg with state legislators to discuss open space access requirements with representatives from the DCNR went very well. Mr. Kuhn moved to pass Resolution #686-2007 thanking each of the legislators for their support for open space preservation in Chester County and in Charlestown Township specifically. Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Bernhard Open Space Easement

Mr. Kuhn moved to authorize the Open Space Director to tender an offer to the Bernhards for the purchase of the development rights on their property, and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor. Mr. Philips noted that by the end of the year, an additional 470 acres will have been preserved this year by the Township.

Citizens’ Forum

Resident Meryl Senft asked to be heard at this time, having missed the citizens’ forum at the beginning of the meeting. She said that visibility at the intersection of Valley Hill and Yellow Springs Roads is low year round due to vegetation growth at the corner property. Mr. Alston said the property owner has been cooperative in the past on this matter, and he’ll make a request that the vegetation be cut back. Ms. Senft asked if anything else could be done, suggesting installing a mirror opposite the intersection. Mr. Kuhn said the Supervisors can make a request to PennDOT for a study to determine if a 3-way stop would be warranted. Mr. Alston indicated there have been no reported accidents at this intersection, which is the main criteria used by PennDOT make their determination. Mr. Philips moved to direct the Secretary to send a letter to PennDOT requesting the study, and Mr. Kuhn 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 adjourn to an executive session to discuss legal and real estate matters. The meeting was adjourned at 8:12 P.M. The next meeting is scheduled for October 15, 7:30 P.M. in Room 154 of the Great Valley Middle School.