Charlestown Township Board of Supervisors Business Meeting Minutes of June 4, 2018

The first business meeting for June was held June 4, 2018 at the Great Valley Middle School in Room 154, 255 N. Phoenixville Pike, in Malvern, PA.

Present

Call to Order:

7:00 p.m.

Announcements

Mr. Piliero welcomed new Supervisor Susan Bednar to the Board.

Mrs. Csete announced that the Supervisors held an executive session following the May 7th meeting to discuss legal matters.

Citizens Forum

Mr. John Martin thanked the Board for advertising the Memorial Day Cemetery Service, it was well attended this year. Also, the ground penetrating survey is finished. The next step is contacting HARB (Historical Architectural Review Board) about marking the mass grave and the foundation of the old church. The Historical Commission will also be replacing two flags.

There are two concerts scheduled for the summer, the first being on June 21. Mr. Martin requested the grass be mown on the other side of the Wisner-Rapp house for more spots for the July concert. Mr. Martin will be contacting Mr. Hubbard regarding parking personnel for the events.

Approvals

May 7, 2018 Business Meeting Minutes

Mr. Philips moved to approve the minutes for the May 7, 2018 Business Meeting and Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Treasurer’s Report May 1 – 31, 2018

Mr. Kuhn moved to approve the May 2018 Treasurer’s Report 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 June 4, 2018

Mr. Philips moved to approve the General Fund Accounts Payable Report for June 4, 2018 and Mr. Kuhn 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 June 4, 2018

Mr. Kuhn moved to approve the Open Space Fund Accounts Payable Report for June 4, 2018 and Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Reports

Mr. Philips moved to accept the May 2018 reports #1-14 as submitted and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Dr. Veda Maany introduced herself as the EAC representative for Board meetings. Their first meeting was held on May 9^th.

Mr. Philips stated the most recent Design Review Committee meeting focused on establishing a standard operating procedure to ensure there is an audit trail with details for changes that are beyond minor field changes done at the site. There is no final draft yet. The problem arises when determining what is a minor vs major change prior to the permitting.

Mr. Wright suggested the DRC play an active role as follows:

1. A site Plan Review for the Zoning Permit on a unit by unit basis. DRC automatically notified of changes.
2. Architectural reviews are documented.
3. During construction, notify the DRC with emails of minor changes.

Old Business

Project Updates

Charlestown Park South Parking Lot -

This is complete. The next step is to meet with the University regarding shared concerns about boundaries, utilities, and traffic flow.

Re-establishment of Southwest Avenue -

The clean-up of Southwest Avenue Right of Way is complete; the dumpsters and portable toilets have been relocated. Mr. Wright has a site meeting tentatively scheduled for this week with a PennDOT representative. Mr. Kuhn and Mr. Dettore are also attending.

• The intersection at Charlestown Road and Coldstream Road is getting very backed up certain times of the day. Mr. Allen does not want to make that intersection worse, while making the University’s traffic better.
• Mr. Wright believes opening up the new Park access road would allow better traffic flow since visitors could enter without driving around the perimeter of the Park.
• Mr. Dettore stated that the access would reduce travel time to a possible future Township building, making it easier to reach from the Township’s center. Members said a future traffic study could be beneficial for many reasons. The need for a study has come about from the Township Building Concept Study and the usage/success of the Park. The study is not necessarily for the new building. The access road looks difficult on paper, but a site visit reveals the sight line is adequate, Mr. Dettore, and Mr. Wright confirmed.

Brightside Farm Park –

complete

Charlestown Mill –

The signage was returned due to poor workmanship. Replacements are expected at the end of the week. Then, there will be some final adjustments to lighting and electrical work.

• Mr. Philips and Mrs. Csete suggested a soft opening for the Mill. Invitations will be sent to the many people in the Township that have had any part in the financial or physical restoration of the historical site.

Great Valley Nature Center –

The cost estimates are being reviewed by Supervisors.

The Stables –

The For Sale sign, posted at this establishment, advertises zoning information that Mr. Wright will verify.

New Business

Adelphia Pipeline

Mr. Thompson gave a brief update on the Adelphia Pipeline project, which traverses properties in Charlestown Township (one of them is Brightside Farm). Adelphia plans to repurpose its existing pipelines, that now carry a petroleum product, into high pressure natural gas pipelines. Construction is slight, since valves will be changed out on only one property in the Township.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)’s certification process allows “intervenors” such as townships, state agencies, and individuals, to provide comments to FERC. Because the certification is a federal action, FERC must complete an environmental analysis of the proposal under the National EnviPolicy Act (NEPA). The Township is on record with FERC as an “intervenor”.

Dr. Maany asked Mr. Thompson if FERC would accept a compilation of resident concerns and wondered how feedback would be received. Mr. Thompson said he was unsure if questions would be answered, that FERC simply receives comments and releases notifications. He reminded the Board and audience that this pipeline project is nothing like the Mariner Pipeline. There is very little construction in this changeover.

The EAC will give comments to the Board, the Board will then forward the comments to Mr. Thompson, and Mr. Thompson will send them to FERC. He is not sure that the EAC will receive any comments back. Mrs. Csete suggested receiving the resident’s comments via email. Mr. Goodman, the Chairperson of the EAC will then receive them from Mrs. Csete for compilation.

Appointment to Valley Forge Sewer Authority 6-Member Board for term ending 12/31/2020

Mr. Piliero said a vacancy on the Valley Forge Sewer Authority 6-member board was created with the passing of Mr. Rodgers. The term is the remainder of a 6-year term ending 12/31/20. A letter of interest was received from Mr. Samuel B. Cupp Jr., a 20-year resident of the Township.

Mr. Philips moved to appoint Samuel B. Cupp Jr. to the Valley Forge Sewer Authority’s 6-member Board for the unexpired term ending 12/31/2020 and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Eric Davison Conditional Use Decision

Mr. Thompson reviewed the draft Conditional Use decision for Eric Davison to permit the construction of an accessory structure in a side yard (needing Conditional approval) and being one that is abutting a street (needing Board approval). Mr. Davison will be making changes to areas covered in stone and an easement needs to be extinguished on the deed. Mr. Willig moved to approve the Conditional Use decision for Eric Davison, and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Devault Foods Inc. Request for Extension of Preliminary Plan

Mrs. Csete stated that she received a request for a one-year extension to the deadline for filing the Phased Final Plan associated with the five phase Preliminary Plan that was conditionally approved in June 2005. It is to be completed over a 10-15-year period. Mr. Keffer PE, gave the Board and audience the historical background of this company’s right for an extension.

Mr. Kuhn moved to approve a one-year extension to the Preliminary Plan, and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Recommendations on Spring Oak Ordinance Violations

Mr. Wright made the following recommendations on violations found at the Spring Oak development after distributing the document entitled Spring Oak Walk Through Response. The occupied (80) and unoccupied (23) units totaling 103, had 4 types of violations.

The first violation was unpainted roof vents that the developer has agreed to paint for residents. The other problems are electrical meters in the front of the homes (instead of the rear), air conditioner units in front of the homes (instead of the rear), and wall mounted air conditioner units (that should be ground level). None of these are in agreement with the standards in the Design Review Manual, the vision of the Board, Planning Commission, or DRC.

Electrical Meters in Front of Home – Mr. Wright said there were 17 total, 4 that could easily be moved since the homes were not occupied. The other 13 JP Orleans will need to move.

AC Units in Front of the Homes – Mr. Wright said JP Orleans offered to place vegetative screening around the 3 units that are all occupied. This was not a satisfactory option for the Board.

Wall Mounted AC Units – There are 5 wall mounted units and 4 of these homes are occupied. Slope or grading brought about these violations.

Mr. Kuhn stated that the 13 units in violation should not have received U&O’s. Since the developer needs to rectify the violations, the residents will be greatly inconvenienced. The imposition could include changes to siding, excavation, and interior spaces. Mr. Wright stated that it was not clear to Code Official Mr. Merklinger that these 4 violations were not acceptable site adjustments by the developer. Mr. Wright stated that he would add more checks and balances to the procedure, and personally visit the site. He will be visiting each home with Mr. Merklinger to assess the developers cost of compliance per home. He will provide this report to the Board and discuss it with JP Orleans.

All movements, towards compliance, need to be done with a well detailed, legal agreement with an informed homeowner. Mr. Thompson will draft the document, while consulting with Mr. Wright, Mr. Comitta, and the DRC, to work out the details and follow Design Manual guidelines.

Historical Marker at Charlestown Park – Valley Forge Military Hospital

Mr. Kuhn brought up a concern received by Parks & Recreation Board Chairperson Mr. Lawrence. A visitor to the park questioned the use of a picture of Edward and Wallace Simpson on a historical marker. This marker was placed at the Park to honor the history of the Valley Forge Military Hospital. The Board discussed whether to change that section of the marker or produce a new one. But factually, the two visitors pictured were there on a goodwill mission and it is historically accurate.

Mr. Philips said that the Historical Commission is interested in introducing QR codes, and background information like this, may be added to signage at the Park and Charlestown Mill, etc. This marker could be a good starting point.

Insurance Renewal 6/11/18 – 6/11/19

Mrs. Csete said that the proposals for insurance renewal had previously been circulated to the Board for review. The Board decided to raise the umbrella limit to 10 million.

Mr. Piliero moved to accept the Scottsdale Insurance proposal obtained through Simkiss Agency Inc., including a 10-million-dollar umbrella limit, for the period of June 11, 2018 to June 11, 2019 and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Final Escrow Release – General Warren Village

Mr. Wright said that Mr. Townes has addressed the outstanding site punch list items and Mr. Mallach’s punch list today. The final escrow release is in order.

Mr. Philips moved to approve the final escrow release in the amount of $239,678.44 for General Warren Village, and Mr. Piliero seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Resolution to Dispose of Records in Accordance with Records Retention Schedule

Mr. Piliero moved to adopt Resolution #917-18 authorizing the disposition records as listed, and Ms. Bednar seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Other Business

Mr. Philips stated that the Preservation Alliance owns an Oskar Stonorov steel house that has historical value. Mr. Stonorov was renowned architect who lived in Charlestown. Mr. Philips wondered if the Township wanted to set it up, use it as a museum, or even use as a tenant or club house. Members discussed using it as a display piece.

Mr. Lawrence updated the Board about Charlestown Day, since there was a meeting prior to the last P&R meeting, that wasn’t covered by minutes.

Mr. Lawrence complimented Charlestown trail walker volunteers, and to please see the website and Newsletter for details.

Mr. Lawrence and the Roadmaster discussed the orange flag markers at Brightside Farm, and the importance of removing them entirely.

Mr. Lawrence offered Mrs. Csete a cyber security/data security meeting, his specialty.

Mr. John Grosch introduced himself and his wife. He shared with the Board his desire to live in the Great Valley Nature Center farmhouse. He is a stone mason and carpenter and proposed living in it as he restored the roof, fencing and stone walls. He shared his contact info with the Board, wanting to be part of the solution.

Adjournment

Mr. Piliero adjourned the meeting at 9:15 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 2, 2018, 7:00 p.m. at the Great Valley Middle School, in Room 154, 255 N. Phoenixville Pike, in Malvern, PA 19355.