Charlestown Township Board of Supervisors Business Meeting Minutes of August 7, 2017

The first business meeting for August was held August 7, 2017 at the Great Valley Middle School in the Choral Room, #154, 255 N. Phoenixville Pike, in Malvern, PA.

Present

Call to Order:

7:00 p.m.

Announcements

Mrs. Csete stated there was an executive session following the July 10^th meeting to discuss legal matters.

Mrs. Csete reminded everyone that the September meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 5^th due to the Labor Day holiday.

Citizens Forum

No issues were brought forward at this time.

Approvals

July 10, 2017 Business Meeting Minutes

Mr. Philips moved to approve the minutes for the July 10, 2017 Business Meeting and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Treasurer’s Report July 1 – 31, 2017

Mr. Philips moved to approve the July 2017 Treasurer’s Report and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Accounts Payable Reports for Operating Fund for August 7, 2017

Mr. Kuhn moved to approve the General Fund Accounts Payable Report for August 7, 2017 and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Accounts Payable Report for Open Space Fund for August 7, 2017

Mr. Kuhn moved to approve the Open Space Fund Accounts Payable Report for August 7, 2017 and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Reports

Mr. Kuhn moved to accept the July 2017 reports #1-13 as submitted and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor. Mr. Hubbard told Supervisors that West End Ambulance had a new reporting system.

Presentation

Valley Forge Military Hospital Historic Marker

Eagle Scout Candidate Tommy Brower presented 5 versions of the marker draft, as suggested at the July meeting. Supervisors made their selection and also congratulated Mr. Brower regarding the Township Newsletter article.

Mr. Philips moved to approve the draft historic marker and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Hearings

Andersen Conditional Use Application

Mr. Thompson opened the hearing that was continued from July 10, 2017. The proceedings were taken by Mr. Mark Hagerty, Court Reporter. Mr. Thompson read a letter dated August 2, 2017 from the Andersens’ counsel, Wendy McLean, Esq. She requested a further continuance until September 5, 2017, to allow for more engineering.

Mr. Philips moved to continue the hearing to September 5, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. at the Great Valley Middle School, 255 N. Phoenixville Pike, Malvern, PA, Room 154. Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Conditional Use Hearing – Carl Lillmars

Mr. Thompson opened the hearing and the proceedings were taken by Mr. Hagerty, Court Reporter. The applicants are seeking approval for construction of a single family home and on-lot sewage system in areas of steep slope at 2212 Bodine Road. No one present requested party status. Mr. Robert Sebia, Esq. of Hamburg, Rubin, Mullin, Maxwell & Lupin was there to represent Mr. Lillmars.

The following exhibits were entered into the record:

T-1	Application #CU-17-012
T-2	A revision of the original plan for 2212 Bodine Road dated July 24th, 2017
T-3	Public Notice
T-4	Proof of Publication
T-5	Review letter by Advanced GeoServices
T-6	Evans Mill Environmental, LLC letter dated August 7, 2017 regarding hydric soils.

Testimony was given by Mr. Bradford Grauel, PLS, OTM Engineering, LLC.

The hearing was closed. A decision will be provided within 45 days. Mr. Kuhn invited Mr. Lillmars to discuss a Township conservation easement, within the next 45 days.

Ordinance to Amend Historical Resources Map

The proceedings were taken by Mr. Hagerty Court Reporter. Mr. Philips gave a brief overview of the changes to the map and site listing. Next, Mr. Thompson entered the following into the record:

T-1	Zoning Ordinance draft
T-2	Letter from M. Thompson Esq. to Daily Local News requesting public notice
T-3	Proof of Publication
T-4	Review letter from Chester County Planning Commission

Mr. Thompson asked if there were any questions from those present. No one came forward. Mr. Thompson closed the hearing.

Mr. Kuhn moved to adopt Ordinance #203-17 Amending Chapter 27 of the Charlestown Township Code by amending the Historical Resources Map, and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor. The Supervisors realize that the Volpi and Altemose properties may require another map update.

Ordinance to Amend Parking Regulations

The proceedings were taken by Mr. Hagerty, Court Reporter. Mr. Wright gave Supervisors a review of the criteria measured to arrive at the ordinance amendment. Mr. Thompson entered the following into the record:

T-1	Zoning Ordinance Draft
T-2	Letter from M. Thompson Esq. to Daily Local News requesting public notice
T-3	Proof of Publication
T-4	Review letter from Chester County Planning Commission

Mr. Thompson asked if there were any questions from those present. No one came forward. Mr. Thompson closed the hearing.

Mr. Kuhn moved to adopt Ordinance #204-17, amending Chapter 27, Section 1302 of the Charlestown Township Code. Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Old Business

Forming an Environmental Advisory Council – Next Steps

Resident Ms. Carol Armstrong said she attended the June 13^th Planning Commission Meeting as the Board recommended. Her proposal that an Environmental Advisory Council be created was well accepted. She felt the next step was to tailor a State Enabling Statute template, distributed tonight to the Board, and begin forming the EAC. She had inserted comments on a digital copy, but this was not available for tonight’s meeting.

Mr. Philips suggested her next step would be to obtain recommendations from the PC on which duties the EAC should have. The Board would not be assisting her with this task. Supervisors suggested she return to the PC with the statute, and discuss mission, council size, makeup of the group, etc. Mr. Kuhn felt it was pertinent to include this new venture in the next newsletter see if there is anyone who is willing to serve, and what type of abilities and talents can be pooled together. She was invited to return to the Board after obtaining a list of ideas regarding duties, mission statement, and describing how it will assist the Township.

New Business

Interpretive Signage Project at Charlestown Mill

Mr. Dettore stated he is finalizing the bid document for the interpretive signage project at the Mill. He suggested the Board consider the legal option of expanding the current contract with F.W. Houder Inc. to include this work, rather than go out for public bids. This could be achieved by offering F.W. an overhead and profit rate against the direct cost of the graphics and signage. After paying these percentages the project can move forward much quicker and be more cost effective.

There is of course the chance that the contractor would not accept the proposal. Then the Township would simply continue the traditional route and issue the request for bids. The traditional bid process estimates the finish date in March 2018. The proposed option would save about two months, for a new date of January 2018.

Mr. Kuhn moved to expand the current contract with F. W. Houder to include the interpretive signage project, with a negotiated rate for overhead and profit. If the contractor denies the expansion of the scope, Mr. Detorre is to resume with the bid process. Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Charlestown Parks Update

1. The south lot parking project has a walk through tomorrow at 10 a.m.
2. The Surety was given a list of improvements in mid-July and has rejected two of them. They were given an expected finish date of August 17^th, but there has been no activity. The doors in the restrooms are one of rejected items. There can be no automatic locks installed until the doors close correctly.
3. Brightside Farm has a walk through at 8:30 a.m. on the 11^th of August for bathroom repairs.

Auchincloss and Jenkins Properties – Listing Agreements

Mr. Thompson stated that a resolution was adopted at the April meeting authorizing the sale of the Auchincloss property. Since there were no bids received from the first listing, the Board discussed entering into a new agreement with Ms. Thompson Ilaqua to re-advertise the properties in September-October.

Supervisors discussed the possibility of re-subdividing the Jenkins property to reduce the probable infrastructure cost by reducing the number of lots from the current 4 lots to 3 or less. Mr. Kuhn will meet with Mr. Thompson and Ms. Thompson Ilaqua to research this strategy.

Resolution to Authorize Manager to Call Series 2010 Bonds

Mrs. Csete reviewed for the audience, the benefits of refunding and redeeming bonds to reduce interest costs (Series 2010) since there are funds available to pay the debt early. Michael Wolf, Boenning & Scattergood, had provided the financial criteria that supported this decision.

Mr. Philips moved to adopt Resolution #891-2017 authorizing the refunding and redemption of the General Obligation Bonds, Series of 2010 in the principal amount of $2,210,000, and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Interim Budget Review

Mrs. Csete gave a brief review of the budget vs. actual figures for 2017 through July 31^st.

The overall balances in the General and State Funds are very favorable at 30% and 35% above budget primarily due to the lack of snow this winter. The Open Space Fund balance is slightly favorable at 11%.

Crown Castle Right of Way Use Agreement – Spring Mill Drive

Mr. Thompson said he, Mr. Wright and Mrs. Csete met with Mr. John Shive of Crown Castle USA on June 26, 2017 to discuss the location of DAS equipment at four locations in the Township. Two are on Phoenixville Pike, a state road, one is on General Warren Boulevard, a private road, and one is on Spring Mill Drive, a Township owned road. For the Spring Mill Drive location, Crown Castle proposed a right-of-Way Use Agreement providing a 5% of adjusted gross revenues annual fee.

This matter was tabled to September 5^th to allow Mr. Thompson time to review the proposed agreement.

Authorize Advertising – Wireless Facilities Ordinance

Mr. Thompson stated that the Township needs to review where these could be permitted. As of now, these boxes that usually rest on a utility pole are only permitted within the B1 district.

Mr. Thompson suggested further discussions of the draft ordinance by meeting with Mr. Wright and Mrs. Csete. He suggested authorizing advertising at the next Board Meeting to which the Board agreed.

Authorize Advertising – Floodplain Ordinance

Mr. Wright reviewed the Township’s compliance status for a FEMA deadline (September 29^th 2017).

Mr. Kuhn moved to authorize advertising for the hearing to consider the Floodplain Ordinance for September 5th, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. at the Great Valley Middle School, Room 154, 255 Phoenixville Pike, Malvern, PA, and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Escrow Releases

Mr. Philips moved to approve Spring Oak Phase III Escrow Release #3 in the amount of $207,519.00 and Cedar Run Escrow Release #1 in the amount of $98,782.43. Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Other Business

Mr. Kuhn stated that he and Mr. Wright met with Mr. Boyle, owner of The Office Bar and Grill, along with a representative of PennDOT, and a representative of Traffic Planning and Design, Inc. They met on site to discuss the problem of drivers driving on the wrong side of Warner Lane. Since a driver actually did exactly that while it was being discussed, PennDOT was very open to changing the striping. In addition, they are adding a Keep Right sign. Other changes were discussed among the Supervisors.

Mr. Kuhn moved to approve of modifications to the traffic calming devices for Warner Lane, subject to the review of Advanced GeoServices. Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there was none. Mr. Piliero called the vote, all were in favor.

Mr. Kuhn mentioned an inquiry regarding the Epstein property.

Mr. Thompson stated that Tredyffrin wants to sell the Valley Creek Sewer Trunk Line, which requires all owners, including the Valley Forge Sewer Authority of which Charlestown is a member, to sign the settlement agreement. Since Mr. Rodgers was unable to attend tonight, Supervisors requested Mr. Thompson contact East Pikeland Township for their position. The vote is due August 31^st, 2017.

Mrs. Csete requested permission to close the Township Office at 1 p.m. on August 21^st to allow her and Mrs. Bird to be home to view the solar eclipse. Mr. Kuhn move to approve the request and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Mrs. Staas asked about the status of the pipeline work at Spring Oak and also parking for the Horseshoe Trail that was disturbed by the construction. He also inquired about general pipeline safety. Mr. Hubbard’s general update stated that:

• The parking area at the Horseshoe Trail will be returned to its pre-construction state.
• The list of pipelines in the area can be forward to Mrs. Staas.
• The emergency response teams and areas deemed “congregational” are receiving welcomed attention. (Schools, public buildings, etc.)
• All pipelines are regulated by the PUC, who also provides aerial patrols and inspections.
• The current pipeline construction is only mildly delayed or affected by municipal interaction or legal activity.

However, Mr. Wright reviewed the Township’s success with moving the Transco construction back onto their easement at Rees Road. The pipeline progress will now include a landscaping plan for Spring Oak, to be approved by Mr. Comitta.

There will be a brief executive session following tonight’s meeting to discuss real estate matters.

Adjournment

Mr. Piliero adjourned the meeting at 9:10 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 5, 2017, 7:00 p.m. at the Great Valley Middle School, Room 154, 255 N. Phoenixville Pike, in Malvern, PA 19355.