Charlestown Township Board of Supervisors Business Meeting Minutes of February 4, 2008

A business meeting was held February 4, 2008 at the Great Valley Middle School, Room 154. Kevin Kuhn, Chairman, Michael Rodgers, Paul Hogan, Mark Thompson, Esq., Surender Kohli, P.E., (arrived later) Tom Comitta, Aliena Gerhard, Linda Csete, Township Administrator, and those on the attached list were present.

Mr. Kuhn called the meeting to order at 7:32 P.M.

Announcements

Mr. Kuhn announced that supervisors Charlie Philips and Hugh Willig are out of town but there is still a quorum this evening.

Citizens’ Forum for Non-Agenda Items

 – No matters were brought forward.

Approvals

Minutes of January 22, 2008 Meeting

Mr. Rodgers moved to approve the minutes of the January 22, 2008 meeting, and Mr. Hogan seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Treasurer’s Report January 1 – 31, 2008

Mr. Hogan moved to approve the January 2008 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 February 4, 2008

Mr. Rodgers moved to approve the February 4, 2008 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 February 4, 2008

Mr. Rodgers moved to approve the February 4, 2008 Open Space Fund Accounts Payable Report and Hogan seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion and there being none, called the vote, and all were in favor.

Accounts Payable Report –State Fund February 4, 2008

Mr. Rodgers moved to approve the February 4, 2008 State 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.

Reports

Mr. Hogan moved to accept the January monthly reports and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Hearings

Robal Associates

Mr. Thompson opened the hearing for Robal Associates and read an email dated 2/4/08 from Debbie Woodall at Tupitza and Associates requesting a continuance due to the unavailability of their witness, Wayne Grafton. No testimony was heard. The hearing was continued to March 3, 2008, 7:30 P.M. at the Great Valley Middle School, Room 154.

Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND) Ordinance

Mr. Thompson opened the hearing and the proceedings were taken by Tom Corcoran, Court Reporter.

Mr. Kuhn called for comments from those present. The following individuals made comments for the record:

• Dennis Parisan
• Rick Ford
• Amy Bunten
• Gail Stewart
• Carol Gallo

The hearing was continued to March 3, 2008, 7:30 P.M. at the Great Valley Middle School, 255 N. Phoenixville Pike, Malvern, PA 19355, Room 154.

Old Business

Recycling

The Secretary indicated that the Township’s recycling ordinance needs to be updated. The Board requested that the solicitor draft a new ordinance that includes mandated recycling for businesses and residences, registration of waste haulers so the Township can report their recycled tonnage more accurately to the DEP, and specific hours of operation to curtail complaints received in the past of noisy hauler operations in the pre-dawn hours.

Historical Signage – tabled to 3/3/08

New Business

Wind Energy

Mr. Kuhn referenced an email received from resident Janet Toole by Hugh Willig inquiring as to whether the township had looked into PECO’s wind energy program. There is an incentive offering a free solar energy panel to the first 20 communities to sign up 7% of their residents. Mr. Kuhn said this program, as well as the Township itself committing to clean energy for its own electricity needs, has been discussed in the past. He placed this on the March 3rd agenda for future discussion.

(Mr. Kohli arrived at this time.)

Annual MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Systems) Engineer’s Report for Year 5

Mr. Kohli explained the stormwater management regulations requiring all municipalities to apply for an NPDES permit began 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 5. During the 5th year, which ends 3/9/08, 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.

Mr. Kohli said he is in the process of testing the 89 mapped outfalls, using a testing kit. This procedure is permitted for groundwater sources, but the DEP also requires some testing in the lab. Lab testing is extremely expensive, at $400-$500 for each test. There is no funding provided for this requirement.

Mr. Kohli said that beginning in year 4 and continuing for the present year, he also tests for runoff 72 hours after a rainfall. If a problem is found, he must determine where the illicit discharge is originating. The first round of this testing has been completed. Due to weather conditions this past year, the DEP expanded the five year program to include a Year 6, where a second round of testing will be done.

Mr. Kohli said other requirements of the program that have been completed include the passage of a new Stormwater Management Ordinance, monitoring of stormwater runoff from construction, and inspections of post construction systems.

Mr. Kohli said MS-6 is the protocol addressed by the Public Works Superintendent, generally referred to as “good housekeeping” practices. He said the DEP was satisfied with the Operations and Maintenance Manual drafted by Mrs. Csete last year addressing this protocol.

Mr. Motel asked for the definition of an outfall, and Mr. Kohli said it’s any physical structure, such as a pipe or detention basin, that discharges water.

Open Space EIT Referendum

The Board and Open Space Director received guidance from the solicitor as to how to proceed with communicating with the public on the referendum question that will be placed on the ballot this spring.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 P.M. The next business meeting is scheduled for March 3, 2008, 7:30 P.M. in Room 154 of the Great Valley Middle School.