Charlestown Township Board of Supervisors Business Meeting Minutes of October 1, 2018

The first business meeting for October was held October 1, 2018 at the Great Valley Middle School in Room 154, 255 N. Phoenixville Pike, in Malvern, PA.

Present

Call to Order:

7:17 p.m.

Announcements

There was a brief executive session prior to tonight’s meeting, at 7 p.m.

Citizens Forum

There are prospective owners interested in opening an Italian restaurant in the “as is” building at 1 Charlestown Road in Phoenixville. Mr. William Dungee, owner of the bar called Stables, asked the Board what his next step would be to obtain a letter promising prospective owners the Township’s consent. The Township Zoning Officer had stated that since the business was no longer in operation, the property’s non-conforming use had lapsed. Mr. Dungee will need to approach the Zoning Hearing Board, after receiving a review letter from Mr. Wright, of Advanced GeoServices Corp.

An audience member will be contacting the Township Office regarding an interest in the Jenkins property.

Approvals

September 4, 2018 Business Meeting Minutes

Mr. Kuhn moved to approve the minutes for the September 4, 2018 Business Meeting and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Treasurer’s Report September 1 – 30, 2018

Mr. Kuhn moved to approve the September 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 October 1, 2018

Mr. Kuhn moved to approve the General Fund Accounts Payable Report for October 1, 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 Open Space Fund for October 1, 2018

Mr. Piliero moved to approve the Open Space Fund Accounts Payable Report for October 1, 2018 and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Reports

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

Old Business

Charlestown Day Recap

Mrs. Csete read a recap of the Day prepared by Karen Schlichter, who was unavailable this evening.

• The students from the Sports Management studies at the University of Valley Forge ran the basketball tournament. The students are already planning for next year.
• All vendors had positive comments.
• Vendors suggested running until 3 or 4 p.m.
• The banners were the largest expense followed by the bounce units.
• There were 15 non-profit groups and 13 for profit groups represented.
• There were no band or loud noise complaints.

Update on Charlestown Mill Opening

Mrs. Csete provided an update on the November 11^th Grand Opening for the Charlestown Mill, noon to 4p.m. The committee met on September 28^th and has arranged for refreshments, shuttle transportation from the Charlestown Methodist Church, portable restrooms, fire police for parking and traffic control, and announcements to be placed on the website and in the fall newsletter. The Historical Society is arranging a tour through the village, and the shuttle will also take visitors to the Revolutionary War cemetery on its continuous loop.

The committee will meet once more in October to finalize plans and discuss setting a regular schedule for visiting the Mill.

Update on the Historic Resource Atlas Project

HARB Co-Chair Ms. Rosemary Philips, and historic consultants Jane Dorchester and Nancy Sarcinello, were present to provide an update on the project to create a historic inventory for the Township.

The team will be doing site visits to update existing Chester County reports and records of notable historic resources beyond 50 years old. These sites will be matched with addresses and tax parcel numbers, while including the historical resource identification number, and any pertinent information, such as date of construction. The important criteria, or significant resources, will be added to an Excel spreadsheet giving municipalities the option to easily filter and search. There will also be a wall map available along with the spiral bound atlas. This effort (including architectural language and photos) will help municipalities make informed decisions when planning growth within the County. The project is estimated to take until the end of the year.

New Business

Devault Village at Spring Oak

Mr. John Jaros, Esq., with Mr. Jason Engelhardt, P.E., and Mr. Thomas Filippo, came before the Board for consideration of Final Approval. Mr. Piliero requested that Mr. Jaros provide a list of items for discussion before approval could be considered. Then there will be a special meeting, October 8^th, with the Township to review the points, so the project can proceed. On October 22, Final Approval could be considered.

1. Mr. Philips reminded Mr. Jaros that a complete Design Manual was also needed.
2. Mr. Jaros was not aware that the Design Manual was still considered unresolved.
3. Mr. Thompson reminded the Applicant that the final product would need to be consistent with the desire of the Township and would be a topic of discussion at the October 8^th meeting.
4. Mr. Thompson also reminded Mr. Jaros that the MacIntyre and Mahoney properties required agreements of sale.
5. Mr. Allen, of the Planning Commission and Design Review Committee, offered a list that would expedite the process, if shared at the meeting.

Next step, the Township and the representatives of the Devault Village at Spring Oak will meet at the Township Office on October 8^th to discuss and resolve points vital to moving to Final Approval.

Authorize Appraisal for Potential Conservation Easement – Parcel #35-2-119.1H

Mr. Kuhn said he met with Ms. Pam Brown from the French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust and property owners Mr. and Mrs. Jim and Mary Jo Thompson. They discussed the possibility of placing a conservation easement on their 23-acre property on Union Hill Road. Next step would be to obtain an appraisal at no cost to the Township.

Mr. Philips moved to authorize the appraisal for parcel #35-02-0119.01H0 and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

SPCA Contract

Mrs. Csete said the Brandywine Valley SPCA circulated a draft 5-year agreement to all participating municipalities in Chester County, over the summer. The Chester County Managers Consortium formed a committee and met with the SPCA to address questions and make changes agreeable to both sides. This resulting document is a five-year contract with a flat fee of $1,639.09 per year for Animal Protective Services, along with various fees per incident for stray animal transport, boarding, activity, and animal acquisition. There is a 3% per year escalation clause. Mrs. Csete said Mr. Thompson reviewed the final contract document and found it acceptable, which he confirmed.

Mr. Willig moved to approve the 2019-2023 S.P.C.A. Animal Control Contract, and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Schedule Conditional Use Hearing for Donald and Elizabeth Andersen

After a discussion regarding prior submittals, driveways, waivers, neighbor reactions, and amending of the private road agreement, the Board agreed to schedule the Conditional Use Hearing at the November 5^th meeting for The Andersens. The applicant is also on the Planning Commission Agenda for October 9^th. The Board directed the Solicitor to advertise for the Conditional Use Hearing.

2019 Budget Matters

Schedule Budget Work Session

Mrs. Csete asked the Board to schedule the Budget Work Session for review of the draft 2019 Budget, on October 22, 2018. The Budget Meeting will be at the Great Valley Middle School, Room 154, 255 N. Phoenixville Pike, in Malvern, PA, at 7 p.m.

Identify Projects from the Long Term Plan to be included in the 2019 Budget

Mrs. Csete said she had circulated an updated long-term plan to the Board last week in order for them to provide input this evening on recommended projects. The following are listed on the plan:

1. Brightside Farm: the roof, stairs, ADA bathroom, and electrical improvements were estimated 2 years ago at $45,000, and raised tonight to $60,000
2. Two historic markers for Spring Oak and Pickering Crossing: $4,000
3. Easement purchases: $1,250,000
4. Bond payments: $301,310
5. Great Valley Nature Center: $250,000
6. Traffic Consulting to determine future improvements to Act 209: $30,000

First Resource Bank CDARS Funds Maturing 10/4/18

Mrs. Csete stated a CDARS account (ID# 1020632654) matures on October 4th for $1,508,839.16 plus accrued interest. She obtained interest rates for a 1 year and 2 year renewal. She proposes renewing for a 1 year period since the previous quarter’s funds were renewed for 2 years, in order to provide some staggering of maturity dates.

She noted that there had been some interest in investigating higher interest options for these funds and plans to allow time to meet with other financial institutions prior to the next opportunity to invest or reinvest funds.

Mr. Philips moved to authorize Mrs. Csete to redeem CDARS account #1020632654 and to reinvest the proceeds in a new CDARS account for a period of 12 months. Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Other Business

Mr. Kuhn discussed Mr. Theukauf’s enforcement of Open Space easements with Mr. Wright. Mr. Wright said that HOAs will be receiving letters from the Township reminding them of their obligation to maintain easements. This will surely result in a short list of offenders that will get a second letter stating that the Township has the power to charge the HOA for non-compliance. He will begin this fall and follow through to compliance.

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

Adjournment

Mr. Piliero adjourned the meeting at 8:15 p.m. The next monthly Board of Supervisors Meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 5, 2018, 7:00 p.m. at the Great Valley Middle School, in Room 154, 255 N. Phoenixville Pike, in Malvern, PA 19355.