Charlestown Township Board of Supervisors Business Meeting Minutes of January 7, 2019

The first business meeting for January was held January 7, 2019 at the Great Valley Middle School in room 154, 255 N. Phoenixville Pike, in Malvern, PA.

Present

Call to Order:

7:14 p.m.

Announcements

Mr. Philips announced that the improvements to the Charlestown Mill were now complete.

There was an executive session held following the December 3, 2018 meeting to discuss legal matters.

Citizens Forum

No matters were brought forward at this time.

Approvals

Correction to Minutes of November 5, 2018

Mrs. Csete said EAC Chairperson, Mr. Pete Goodman, contacted her regarding a one-word correction needed in the approved minutes for November 5, 2018 on page 1, where the minutes read “the Township paid for the walls and the residents paid for the legal fees” it should read “the Turnpike paid for the walls and the residents paid for the legal fees”.

Mr. Kuhn moved to approve this correction to the November 5, 2018 Business Meeting minutes and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

December 3, 2018 Business Meeting Minutes

Mrs. Csete said EAC Chairperson, Mr. Pete Goodman, contacted her regarding amendments to the draft minutes of December 3, 2018, which have been circulated to the Supervisors for consideration. Supervisors limited the changes to the third page, item 7, which should read Keystone 10 Million Tree Partnership and not 10,000 Trees Alliance.

Mr. Kuhn moved to approve the minutes for the December 3, 2018 Business Meeting with the proposed edits, and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Treasurer’s Report December 1 – 31, 2018

Mr. Kuhn moved to approve the December 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 Report Dec. 31, 2018 Operating Fund Year End Payroll

Mr. Philips moved to approve the Operating Fund Year End Payroll Report dated 12/31/18 and Mrs. Bednar seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Accounts Payable Report for the Operating Fund January 7, 2019

Mr. Kuhn moved to approve the Operating Fund Accounts Payable Report for January 7, 2019 and Mrs. Bednar seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Accounts Payable Report for the Open Space Capital Improvement Fund for January 7, 2019

Mr. Philips moved to approve the Open Space Fund Accounts Payable Report for January 7, 2019 and Mrs. Bednar seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Accounts Payable Report Jan. 7, 2019 Liquid Fuels Fund

Mr. Philips moved to approve the Liquid Fuels Fund Accounts Payable Report for January 7, 2019 and Mrs. Bednar seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Reports

Mr. Philips referenced the initial survey done at Brightside Farm for the suitability of the habitat for the bog turtle. Ms. Armstrong said buffer planting should not impact the habitat, but care must be taken not to destroy any possible bog turtle habitat.

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

Old Business - none

New Business

Ordinance to Create Environmental Advisory Committee

Mr. Thompson opened the hearing to consider the creation of an Environmental Advisory Committee. Mr. Thompson said the Ordinance had been advertised as required. He stated a new chapter is in the Township Ordinance to enumerate EAC powers and its seven members, one being a Planning Commission Member (when available). He then asked if there were any comments. Ms. Armstrong asked for 30 days to review the draft; Supervisors explained why that was not necessary. The Ordinance was simply establishing the organization.

Ms. Armstrong discussed with the Board:

1. Usage of the word committee vs. counsel.
2. Section 6103 of the Ordinance- (one point as an example) references the officers being elected for one year by the EAC except the chairperson (appointed annually by the Supervisors).
3. Allowing the EAC to propose ordinance amendments. The Board explained that the EAC is not prevented from doing so. If it is a land use amendment, then it must go through the Planning Commission, and if not, then the suggestion goes to the Board.
4. Reviewing what comes to the Planning Commission for environmental impact.
• The Board explained that this is why there is a PC Member on the EAC.

• Mr. Thompson explained that it is not appropriate, or mandated, in Charlestown Township, for the EAC to review everything that the PC, the Township Land Planner, or the Township Engineer, will be reviewing.
• Further expectations were clarified and the EAC was welcomed to attend each Planning Commission meeting to establish communication between the committees.

Following the hearing, the record was closed. Mr. Philips moved to adopt Ordinance #_209-2019 creating the Environmental Advisory Committee, and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Appointment of Chairman and Members to the Environmental Advisory Committee

Mr. Kuhn moved to appoint the following individuals to the newly created Environmental Advisory Committee:

3 terms ending 12/31/2021: Carol Armstrong, Pete Goodman, and Greg Nesspor
2 terms ending 12/31/2020: Veda Maany and Daniel Walker
2 terms ending 12/31/2019: Richard Findlay and a yet to be decided Planning Commission Member.

In addition, Mr. Pete Goodman was appointed as Chairperson of the committee. Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Riparian Buffer Project at Brightside Farm Park

Ms. Armstrong updated the Supervisors on the proposed plantings for the riparian buffer project at Brightside Farm Park. She stated that the map for the project is still being drafted and they are investigating sources for grant money.

Resolution Authorizing Beam-Dugdale Easement Purchase

Mr. Philips moved to authorize the acquisition of an easement for the 10.4 acre Beam-Dugdale property, tax parcel #35-2-45. The property, on Buckwalter Road, will first obtain an appraisal report to justify the easement price. This Resolution #935-2019 was seconded by Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Resolution to Authorize the Sale of Auchincloss Property

Mr. Philips moved to authorize the sale of tax parcels 35-3-75 and 35-3-75.1 via Resolution #936-2019, and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Authorize Offer for Davis Conservation Easement

Mr. Philips moved to authorize an offer to purchase of the Davis conservation easement, tax parcel #35-4-70, and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

PSATS Conference April 14 to 17, 2019

Mrs. Csete asked if any of the Supervisors would like to be registered to attend the conference. Mrs. Bednar confirmed that she would like to be registered this year. Mrs. Bednar will be the voting delegate representing Charlestown at the conference.

Schedule Three Conditional Use Hearings

Mr. Philips moved to schedule the (1) Conditional Use Hearing for Crown Castle, (2) the hearing to consider amendments to the Zoning Ordinance for Conditional Uses, and (3) the hearing to consider adoption of the Updated Agricultural Security Area Map, for February 4, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. at the Spring Oak Clubhouse. Mr. Piliero seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Other Business

Mr. Kuhn and Mr. Philips briefly discussed Mr. Theurkauf’s report on the condition of the meadows in the Devault basin areas.

Mr. Kuhn asked Mr. Wright to visit the basin at Rees and Whitehorse Roads. It does not appear to be functioning correctly.

There is an executive session after tonight’s meeting to discuss legal issues.

Adjournment

Mr. Piliero adjourned the meeting at 8 p.m. The next monthly Board of Supervisors Meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 4, 2019, 7:00 p.m. at the Spring Oak Clubhouse, 4090 Whitehorse Road, Malvern, PA.