Charlestown Township Board of Supervisors Business Meeting Minutes of January 2, 2018

The first business meeting for January was held January 2, 2018 at the Great Valley Middle School in Room 154, 255 N. Phoenixville Pike, in Malvern, PA.

Present

Call to Order:

7:12 p.m.

Announcements

The Board of Supervisors held an executive session following the business meeting on December 4, 2017 at the Great Valley Middle School in room 154.

Citizens Forum

Mr. Gary Sheridan thanked the Supervisors for their continued support of East Whiteland Fire Company. The new tanker truck is now under contract. There was a brief discussion regarding branding, name change, and vision for next year.

Approvals

December 4, 2017 Business Meeting Minutes

Mr. Kuhn moved to approve the minutes for the December 4, 2017 Business Meeting and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Treasurer’s Report December 1 – 31, 2017

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

Accounts Payable Reports for December 1-31, 2017 Operating Fund Year End Payroll

Mr. Rodgers moved to approve the December 1-31, 2017 Operating Fund Year End Payroll and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Accounts Payable Reports for Operating Fund for January 2, 2018

Mr. Philips moved to approve the General Fund Accounts Payable Report for January 2, 2018 and Mr. Rodgers 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 January 2, 2018

Mr. Kuhn moved to approve the Open Space Fund Accounts Payable Report for January 2, 2018 and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Accounts Payable Report for Liquid Fuels Fund for January 2, 2018

Mr. Rodgers moved to approve the Liquid Fuels Fund Accounts Payable Report for January 2, 2018 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 December 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.

Hearings

Ordinance to Amend Historical Resources Map

The hearing was postponed to allow time for advertising.

Old Business

Project Updates by Mr. Dettore

Charlestown Park South Parking Lot

Mr. Dettore stated that even though the weather has not cooperated the lot has seen much improvement in December. Earth work and drainage are complete, and the concrete is about half finished. The electricians were on site today, and he estimates about one month until completion with good weather. The fencing will stay to keep conditions as safe as possible.

Brightside Farm Walking Trail & Parking Lot

The trail is substantially complete and will officially open on January 6^th. One more course on the lot will be applied as soon as weather permits, and spring will allow some minor touching up with seeding and grading.

Charlestown Mill Lighting & Signage

The electricians were also on site today, roughing in equipment and installing lighting. Graphics and signage are in the review stage.

Pickering Creek Bridge

Supervisor’s gave a big thank you to the Kimberton Fire Company for power washing the bridge, decking, and entrance areas. This maintenance will prevent premature deterioration of the bridge deck and allow a few repairs to be initiated. A donation of $1,000 was made by the Township in appreciation of the service the fire company provided.

Swiss Pines

Mr. Dettore stated that he is currently working with PECO teams to repair service to the area impacted by an outage (of unknown cause).

Further Brightside Farm Discussion

Ms. Alix Coleman raised a concern regarding the stormwater tubes (biologs or silt socks) that are in the fields. The logs are due to the new construction of an 8-foot path paved throughout the Farm. She felt they were in the way of mowing or typical farming practices. The field is high, therefore has never had water problems, and she is also concerned about invasives appearing on the logs.

Supervisors agreed with Ms. Coleman. Mr. Wright stated the socks, used for erosion control and the reduction of stormwater impact, are required by the state. Some socks are temporary and will be removed, but some are in permanent locations. These will be replaced at a cost to the Township with new permanent ones. Some socks are 36” in diameter and Ms. Coleman wondered how they would be moved.

Mr. Wright has already established a new layout for the logs and will be meeting with the conservation district to receive approval of the new locations. He stated the new placement will improve aesthetics and improve the ability to mow, etc. The socks will either be removed or if permanent, pushed to the perimeters. At the next Board Meeting he plans on bringing approved log placement plans. Supervisors were still unhappy with the fact that some of the unsightly socks must stay. Supervisors thought they all would be removed when construction was finished. Mr. Wright said some must stay, and that the state would not allow a waiver in this instance.

Mr. Dettore will take the cost of moving the socks into consideration when spring touchup is performed under contract. Mr. Kuhn suggested contacting Representative Milne, so he can see how bad the aesthetics are under the current stream buffer legislation.

New Business

Resolution Authorizing the Acquisition of Tax Parcels 35-2-68; 35-2-85; 35-2-91.1; 35-2-94 & 35-4-149

Mr. Philips moved to adopt Resolution #905-2018 approving Charlestown Township as a beneficiary and holder of a conservation easement on parcels 35-2-68; 35-2-85; 35-2-91.1; 35-2-94 & 35-4-149 totaling 81.95 acres. Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Mr. Philips moved to authorize the acquisition of certain lands and approve the execution of an Agreement of Sale via Resolution #906-2018, after obtaining an appraisal report (required to justify purchase price) for tax parcels 35-2-68; 35-2-85; 35-2-91.1, and 35-2-94. Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

PSATS Conference April 15 to 19, 2018

Mrs. Csete asked if any of the Supervisors plan to attend the conference. Mr. Rodgers confirmed that he would like to be registered again this year.

Resolution to Update Fee Schedule for Recreational Fee-in-Lieu Ordinance

Mrs. Csete explained that the Planning Commission reviewed two options provided by Mr. Comitta, at their November meeting. He suggested raising the fee that has been in place since 2015.

Since Charlestown Township did not adjust the fee in either 2016 or 2017, the Planning Commission recommended Mr. Comitta’s proposed Option #2, which will increase the fee to $499 per dwelling unit and per each 2,500 square feet of Non-Residential development. This took into consideration the cost of recent improvements at Charlestown Park, Brightside Farm and the Mill.

Mr. Kuhn moved to approve Resolution #907-2018 updating the Fees under the Recreational Fee-in-Lieu Ordinance, and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Escrow Release – Pickering Crossing #31

Mr. Philips moved to approve the Pickering Crossing Escrow Release #31 in the amount of $67,275.95 and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Other Business

There will be a brief executive session after tonight’s meeting.

Mr. Philips wanted information on garden plots vs. the waiting list at Brightside Farm. Mrs. Csete stated that there are 60 spots, and last year about 3 people were on the waiting list and no one had requested more than one spot. Mr. Philips wanted to be sure Charlestown Township residents had priority on the waiting list.

Mr. Philips was wondering where the Jenkins property subdivision stood. Mr. Kuhn stated that the package will be offered as a 1, 2, or 3 lot subdivision so that Charlestown Township can complete the Park section of the development. Mr. Thompson will contact the realtor and will need to adjust the plan since it is approved for 4 lots.

Mr. Kuhn asked Mrs. Csete to recirculate the Pulte Homes document for a 106-unit subdivision in Schuylkill Township. The subdivision will be using Buckwalter Road for access, a road that both townships share. Supervisors discussed the significance of Act 209 and will wait to hear comments from the Regional Planning Commission.

Adjournment

Mr. Piliero adjourned the meeting at 8:03 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 5, 2018, 7:00 p.m. at the Great Valley Middle School, in the Library, 255 N. Phoenixville Pike, in Malvern, PA 19355.