Charlestown Township Board of Supervisors Business Meeting Minutes of June 3, 2019

The first business meeting for June was held June 3, 2019, at the Great Valley Middle School in Room 154, 255 N. Phoenixville Pike, in Malvern, PA.

Present

Call to Order:

7:02 p.m.

Announcements

Mr. Kuhn said that he attended a Kimberton Fire Company dinner with Mrs. Csete and Mr. Philips. The dinner was informational and will be followed by a request for contributions. More information will be distributed.

The next Township meetings will be in the Great Valley High School. Beginning with the next Park and Rec meeting on June 20 and continuing through the summer. Please park in back and enter through Door #6.

Citizens Forum

No one came forward.

Approvals

May 6, 2019 Business Meeting Minutes

Mr. Kuhn moved to approve the minutes for the May 6 2019 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 – 30, 2019

Mr. Kuhn moved to approve the May 2019 Treasurer’s Report and Mr. Piliero seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote, all were in favor.

Accounts Payable Report for the Operating Fund June 3, 2019

Mr. Kuhn moved to approve the Operating Fund Accounts Payable Report for June 3, 2019 and Ms. Bednar seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Accounts Payable Report June 3, 2019 Open Space Fund

Mr. Kuhn moved to approve the Capital Improvements - General Fund Accounts Payable Report for June 3, 2019 and Mr. Piliero seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Reports

Ms. Bednar asked a question about the Salita Planning Module. Mrs. Csete answered that it was the DEP process required for approval of new individual septic systems.

Mr. Kuhn moved to accept the May 2019 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

Appointment to the Vacancy Board

Mr. Kuhn moved appoint Mr. John Horstmann to the Vacancy Board for 2019 and Mr. Piliero 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

Mr. Michael Keffer of Devault Foods explained that the demand for additional production and warehousing facilities did not require exterior additions as of yet. He requested 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 to 15-year period.

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

Clean Energy Resolution – Discussion

Ms. Bednar updated the Board on the subcommittee meeting on May 29^th with Supervisor Philips, members of the Planning Commission and Environmental Advisory Committee. The subcommittee focused on actionable steps within the Township’s control, supportive to the community, but not inadvertently impeding residents from alternate energy choices.

A draft Clean Energy Resolution was prepared for consideration at the July 1^st meeting.

Two suggestions were made.

1. Item #7 will read Investigate cooperative energy purchasing opportunities.
2. The second paragraph will begin with Whereas, Charlestown Township through its purchase of renewable energy for township owned properties….

The resolution will be reviewed at the next Planning Commission meeting for a recommendation. If the resolution is passed by the Supervisors on July 1^st, the Planning Commission will be tasked with defining the action plan. The draft will be posted on the Township website to invite public comment prior to the vote. Residents may comment by email, Facebook, or at the July 1^st meeting. Supervisors thanked Ms. Bednar for spear heading this resolution.

New Business

SLDO Waiver Request from Hyung Joo and Laurie Anne Lee – 5 Whisper Lane, for construction of an above-ground stormwater basin

Mr. Nick Vastardis, P.E. was present to request an approval of a waiver from the Stormwater Management Ordinance to permit the construction of an above-ground stormwater basin at 5 Whisper Lane. He also requested a waiver for a signed stamped landscape design, since a comparable design was given to the consultants and the PC at their last meeting. Mr. Wright stated that the combination infiltration bed and stormwater basin was barely visible by any neighbor and was in the back of the property. There will be a retaining wall, it will have a structural engineer’s approval.

Mr. Kuhn moved to approve the waiver from the Stormwater Management Ordinance and for a stamped landscape design, for Hyung Joo and Laurie Ann Lee at 4 Whisper Lane, and Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

SLDO Waiver Request from Diament Building Corp. for 2100 Foster Road, for construction of an above-ground stormwater basin

Mr. Lull, of Diament Building Corporation, was present to answer any questions about a waiver request from the Stormwater Management Ordinance to permit the construction of an above-ground stormwater basin. Mr. Wright gave a brief overview. The pond requires the approval of the French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust since there is an easement at 2100 Foster Road (owned by Mr. and Mrs. Larry and AnnDee Feiner). The French and Pickering Creeks Trust has issued a letter in favor of the project.

Mr. Kuhn moved to approve the waiver from the Stormwater Management Ordinance for the Feiners at 2100 Foster Road to build a pond equal or less than 2,000 square feet, and Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Joint Presentation by the Phoenixville Area Soccer Club and Phoenixville Marian Youth Club to Propose Turf Fields at Charlestown Park

Mr. Keith Maurer, along with Mr. Casey Shure (Treasurer) of the Phoenixville Area Soccer Club presented a proposal for the installation of a turf field at Charlestown Park. They distributed a rough drawing of the proposed field bordering Academic Way. Their committee met with the Parks & Rec Board and Mr. Wright in May, and were told visiting the Board was the next step. They wish to gain approval to begin a feasibility study and estimate of installation costs. Details listed below:

1. PMYC & PASC formed a joint committee to solve a playing space shortage. The next meeting will verify the two clubs can coexist if the turf field is installed.
2. The PMYC is growing, especially the flag football club.
3. The PASC is growing and has about 2500 players using the Park, 1500 of them for soccer.
4. There are two spots where the new field could fit, one off of Coldstream Road and one near the pavilions.
5. Due to location (nearer to parking and flatter), the PMYC field is the best candidate.
6. The PASC area is a few yards shy of the yardage needed.
7. They are renting play space from at least 5 other locations.
8. They need play space less susceptible to wet weather.
9. The fields get too much practice usage to be ready for game play.
10. Upkeep on the fields is a problem; many are dirt or mud by the end of the season.
11. Some fields have drainage issues.
12. This is causing cancelations especially in the fall.
13. The older kids and adults would use the turf since the younger kids are not as hard on the grass.
14. It would not be enclosed for winter.
15. They have no preliminary costs yet.
16. Mr. Andrew Chain, of IMC Construction, will likely be involved in the estimating process.
17. Mr. O’Brien of the PMYC arrived during the discussion.
18. The drawing distributed portrays a zone where two full soccer fields can fit:
    
    120 yards x 70 yards/360 feet by 210 feet x 166 yards/498 feet.

A few comments by the audience were heard. Ms. Armstrong was concerned about the large impermeable area and its impact. Mr. Maurer said the soil moved would be used to benefit the Park in other areas. In addition, there is no more need or cost of herbicides or pesticides, or a need to mow. Mr. Piliero responded that stormwater and other impacts would be evaluated in the next step of the process. Mr. Connolly said that there is very little to argue about from a green energy standpoint. He also noted that the synthetic turf material would become an environmental problem at the end of its life span when it would need to be disposed of. Mr. Findlay reminded Supervisors about the clubs being on a term of 7 years for their lease that is expiring later this year.

Supervisor Willig said the next step would be to provide the Board with a “test fit drawing”. It will give the Board a better scope of the project. Mr. Maurer was instructed to contact Mr. Adam Brower at EB Walsh for engineering drawings of the Park if needed, and to consult Mr. Wright with other questions. After this step, then there can be discussions about the items such as the need to consult Mr. Dettore, traffic, parking, etc. Mr. Maurer said he would begin the test fit drawing.

Award Bid for Auchincloss Parcel

Mr. Thompson said the bids received for the 29.6 acre lot, parcel #35-3-75.1 were:

1. Robert J. Schena$550,000
2. Jason P. and Nancy A. Gosselin $605,000

The winning bidders have 48 hours to accept the offer, and then must pay 10% of the agreed price. They will have 60 days to close.

Mr. Kuhn moved to accept the bid of $605,000 from Jason P. and Nancy A. Gosselin for parcel #35-3-75.1, and Mr. Piliero seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor. Mr. Thompson will make arrangements for closing on the sale.

Letter of support for Intersection Improvement Funding Application – Route 401 & Valley Hill Road

Mrs. Csete said that Traffic Planning & Design, Inc. is preparing a CMAQ funding application for improvements to the signals at Route 401 (Conestoga Road) and Valley Hill Road per the Township’s request. Due to PennDOT’s support as a department-led project, the Township would not be responsible for any of the project costs other than to pay for the services of its consultant, TPD. PennDOT would design, manage, and fund the construction through state and federal dollars.

Mr. Piliero moved to authorize Mrs. Csete to prepare a letter of support for the CMAQ funding application for improvements to the signals at Route 401 and Valley Hill Road, and Ms. Bednar seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Award Contract for 2019 Paving Project

Mr. Wright stated that his firm had closely reviewed the three bids received on May 6, 2019 for the 2019 Road Improvement Project. Dan Malloy Paving met all the qualifications and was recommended for the contract. The bid of $167,131.25 when added to the COSTARS materials quote from Independence Construction Material of $193,590.28 results in a total of $360,721.53. Mr. Wright will coordinate the buying of materials.

Mr. Kuhn moved to award the 2019 Road Improvement Bid to Dan Malloy Paving excluding materials, and Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Insurance Renewal 6/11/19 – 6/11/20

Mrs. Csete said that the proposals for the annual insurance renewal had previously been circulated to the Board for review. She said the same coverage as the previous year, with a few small price changes that offset each other’s cost. There was discussion about the cyber threat policy but the board determined it was not necessary to add it to the package.

Mr. Piliero moved to accept the Scottsdale Insurance proposal obtained through Simkiss Agency Inc. for the period of June 11, 2019 to June 11, 2020 and Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Other Business

Mr. Findlay asked about the process of drafting resolutions, especially how they originate.

Adjournment

Mr. Piliero adjourned the meeting at 8:00 p.m. The next Board of Supervisors Meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 1, 2019, 7:00 p.m. at Great Valley High School, Room #227, 255 N. Phoenixville Pike, Malvern, PA.