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Charlestown Township
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The first business meeting for January was held January 3, 2011 at the Great Valley Middle School, Room 154, 255 N. Phoenixville Pike, Malvern, PA.
Present:
| Supervisors: | Hugh Willig, Chairman, Frank Piliero, Vice Chairman, Kevin Kuhn, Charlie Philips, Mike Rodgers |
| Consultants: | Surender S. Kohli, P.E., Dan Wright, P.E., James E. McErlane, Esq. |
| Staff: | Linda Csete, Administrator, Fred Alston, Public Works Superintendent |
| Public: | Andy Motel, Sue Staas |
Call to Order:
8:05 p.m.Announcements
Mr. Kuhn thanked Mr. Philips for his past Chair experience and efforts during several challenging meetings and application matters.
Citizens’ Forum
Mrs. Staas repeated her comment from the reorganization meeting that she hopes to see more activity from the Open Space Commission this year.
Approvals
Minutes of December 6, 2010 Business Meeting
Mr. Rodgers moved to approve the minutes of the December 6, 2010 business meeting, and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Willig called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Treasurer's Report December 1-31, 2010
Mr. Kuhn moved to approve the December 2010 Treasurer’s Report and Mr. Piliero seconded. Mr. Willig called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Accounts Payable Report – Operating Fund January 3, 2011
Mr. Rodgers moved to approve the January 3, 2011 Operating Fund Accounts Payable Report and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Willig called for discussion and there being none, called the vote, and all were in favor.
Accounts Payable Report – Open Space Fund January 3, 2011
Mr. Kuhn moved to approve the January 3, 2011 Open Space Fund Accounts Payable Report and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Willig called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Accounts Payable Report – Liquid Fuel Fund January 3, 2011
Mr. Kuhn moved to approve the January 3, 2011 Liquid Fuel Fund Accounts Payable Report and Mr. Piliero seconded. Mr. Willig called for discussion and then the vote. All were in favor.
Reports
Mr. Philips moved to accept the December reports as submitted, and Mr. Piliero seconded. Mr. Willig called for discussion.
Design Review Committee
Mr. Philips said the Tyler Griffin application is moving along and will attend the January 11th Planning Commission meeting to review several items. Mr. Willig asked when they expect to break ground, and Mr. Philips said they’re hoping to begin in late summer.
Public Works Superintendent
Mr. Alston reported that the traffic counting equipment on loan to the Township is currently installed along Valley Hill Road. He said several of the Board members wanted to see a demonstration and they could let him know to arrange it. He said he used it on Bodine Road prior to the new speed limit and signage approval and will take new readings once the signs are installed.
Mr. Alston reported on his efforts to obtain a source of brine to use in winter maintenance this season. He said his original source, the Turnpike Commission, is no longer an option as they stopped using the material. Mr. Kuhn asked what their reason was, and Mr. Alston said they encountered problems in the colder regions of the state and switched to a calcium chloride solution, which is placed in a tank that feeds onto a spinner to mix with the salt and allow it to work at lower temperatures. He said a new source of brine he’s looking into is from West Chester Borough. They currently sell it to West Goshen Township and may be willing to set up an agreement with Charlestown. Mr. Piliero asked if he’s obtained pricing yet, but Mr. Alston said he’s still looking into it as well as the cost of a 2,000 gallon storage tank. He said Melchiorre Construction Co. has offered the use of a trailer for the winter at no cost that can be used to both transport the material and house the storage tank at the township yard.
Mr. Piliero expressed frustration that he asked for a spreadsheet listing various sources and pricing for brine and this hasn’t been done yet. He also asked why the brine has to be stored instead of being picked up and used as needed. Mr. Alston said that the storage tank would allow them to haul 3X the amount of brine, saving two trips.
Mr. Piliero asked if the Turnpike Commission is no longer using brine, should this bring up concerns that the material is not effective or worth the investment. Mr. Alston said the PTC hasn’t been specific on the exact problem they had. Mr. Rodgers said he spoke to a retired superintendent of maintenance for the Turnpike who said brine is good to 19 degrees; although Mr. Alston countered he heard it’s good to 5 degrees. Mr. Willig said objective information is needed. Mr. Kuhn asked if the material isn’t dry on the road. Mr. Rodgers said it remains liquid and can refreeze.
Mr. Kuhn asked how many gallons of the material are needed per mile. Mr. Alston said it takes 50 gallons per lane mile and the Township has 37 lane miles, translating to 1,850 gallons per application for a cost of about $200.00 for the material. He said it will take 5-8 hours to apply and can handle up to two inches of snow.
Mr. Piliero said the Township just spent $34,500 on snow removal for December. Mr. Alston said there were two snow events, the first of which could have been taken care of by brine alone. The second snowfall would still have needed plows, although brining would have helped.
Mr. Piliero suggested that Mr. Alston get all the facts together as discussed previously. Mr. Kuhn asked for the information by the end of the week. Mr. Willig suggested there may be an industry fact sheet available.
Mr. Kuhn said a 2,000 gallon storage tank should cost under $1,000.00. Mr. Alston said Melchiorre Construction Co. is ready with all the equipment necessary and just needs the material. Mr. Kuhn moved to approve the purchase of the tank for a price not to exceed $1,000.00, but there was no second.
Mr. Willig said the Board wants details on the lowest temperature at which brine is effective, how much the Township will save over the traditional salting method, and how fast they will recoup their investment in the new equipment.
Mr. Kuhn moved to direct the Roadmaster to provide the following: the price per gallon of brine from West Chester Borough or other source, a proposed contract for it, at least two quotes for the storage tank and information on the process. Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Willig called for further discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Willig called the vote on acceptance of the reports, and all were in favor.
Ordinance to Create the Position of Township Manager
Mr. Philips explained that the purpose of the proposed ordinance is to establish the office of Township Manager and set forth the qualifications, powers and duties of the position. Mr. Willig noted that the ordinance has been previously circulated and reviewed by the Board. Mr. Philips said he went over the ordinance, which was generic in most respects, with Mrs. Csete and some adjustments were made to the job description.
Mr. Philips moved to adopt Ordinance #168-2011 establishing the office of Township Manager and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Willig called for discussion, and there being none called the vote. All were in favor.
Old Business
Brightside Farm Easement
Mr. Philips asked for the status of the plan to place a conservation easement on all of the Brightside Farm property. Mr. Kuhn said they received feedback from the HARB but still need to determine how to designate portions of the property. For example, the area that contains the buildings should preserve the critical structures but make allowance for some expansion and possible subdivision. He said he had concerns over some items in the French & Pickering Creeks Trust’s easement document but thinks they can come to an agreement. He discussed other options with solicitor Mark Thompson, although Mr. Kuhn said he preferred to use a conservation agency. He said this may be a task for the Open Space Commission to work on.
Chuck’s Wagon
Mr. Philips said the deadline for Chuck’s Wagon to relocate is January 5th, after which time the Board indicated it would take enforcement action. Mr. Kuhn said he needs to contact the grange representative about options for the Grange, which depends on the rental income from the business to cover its expenses. They had been unaware that the previous owner of the business had been informed they could operate it at this location as long as it didn’t change hands. The new owner wasn’t informed of this. Meanwhile, the Grange group wants to reach its 100th anniversary next year and needs income. Mr. Kuhn said they discussed the possibility of the Township purchasing the building and creating a recreation center. If the local chapter of the Grange gives up ownership of the property, it reverts to the State, which will sell to the highest bidder.
The Board determined to have Mr. Kuhn follow up on these discussions and offer the grill business an additional 30 days to resolve the matter.
New Business
Appointment of Township Manager
Mr. Philips moved to appoint Linda M. Csete as Township Manager and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Willig called for discussion and then the vote. All were in favor. Mrs. Csete expressed her appreciation to the Board.
S.P.C.A. Contract 2011
Mrs. Csete provided some details on the proposed contract and recommended its approval, indicating that the annual contract fee has been the same for the past three years. Mr. Philips moved to approve the 2011 S.P.C.A. Animal Control Contract, and Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Willig called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
PSATS Conference April 17-20, 2011
Mrs. Csete asked if any of the Supervisors were planning to attend the annual PA Assoc. of Township Supervisors conference April 17-20, 2011 so she can register them for the event. Mr. Rodgers indicated he will attend.
Request for Release of Maintenance Bond – Highlands Lane
Mr. Kohli said he and Mr. Alston inspected the road and inlets and everything was satisfactory.
Mr. Philips moved to approve the release of the Highlands Lane Maintenance Bond and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Willig called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Schedule Hearing to amend sewer use ordinance
Mr. Rodgers moved to schedule a hearing to consider the draft amendments to the sewer use ordinance for February 7, 2011, 7:30 p.m. at the Great Valley Middle School. Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Willig called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Schedule Hearing to amend sign ordinance
Mr. Philips moved to schedule a hearing to consider the draft amendments to the sign ordinance for March 7, 2011, 7:30 p.m. at the Great Valley Middle School. Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Willig called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Philips commended the Roadmaster for the swift removal of illegal auction signs that had recently appeared in the Township.
Mr. Motel said Tom Comitta brought an issue to his attention regarding digital signs and whether the ordinance was required to provide for them. They were prohibited in 2009 when the sign ordinance was last amended. Mr. McErlane will discuss the matter with Mark Thompson.
Other Business
Agricultural Use Regulations
Mr. Motel said Mr. Thompson drafted a minor amendment to the agricultural use regulations in the Zoning Ordinance to clarify the number of animals permitted per acre per the recommendation of the Chester County Planning Commission. Mr. Kuhn moved to schedule a hearing to consider the draft amendment to the agricultural use ordinance for March 7, 2011, 7:30 p.m. at the Great Valley Middle School. Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Willig called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Resolution to adopt Act 537 Plan Revision for the Valley Creek Trunk Sewer
Mr. Kohli referred to the 12/14/10 letter from Valley Forge Sewer Authority Operations Manager, Marty Goldberg, in which the VFSA requests that Charlestown not support the request for the resolution at this time for the reasons outlined that would burden the VFSA municipalities disproportionately and in disregard for the Valley Creek Trunk Sewer (VCTS) Agreement currently in place should repairs or upgrades be needed to the section of the VCTS that passes below Route 202.
Mr. Philips moved to table the resolution and direct the Manager to send a letter to Tredyffrin Township explaining Charlestown’s decision, and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Willig called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Adjournment
Mr. Philips moved to adjourn and Mr. Kuhn seconded. All were in favor. The meeting was adjourned the meeting at 8:55 p.m. The next business meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 7, 2011, 7:30 p.m. at the Great Valley Middle School, Room 154, 255 North Phoenixville Pike, Malvern, PA.
Linda M. Csete
Township Secretary