Charlestown Township Board of Supervisors Business Meeting Minutes of March 1, 2021

The first business meeting for March was held on March 1, 2021, via remote dial-in/log-in via Webex due to the ongoing coronavirus situation.

Present

Call to Order:

7:01 p.m.

Announcements

The Board of Supervisors announced the passing of former Supervisor Paul Hogan, who served as supervisor from 2001-2009 on the Parks & Recreation Board from 1990-1995 and as a Planning Commissioner during the 1960s.

Mr. Philips reminded everyone to donate to Kimberton Fire Company’s Annual Fund Drive.

Mr. Sheridan stated Mr. Matt Fink is retiring as East Whiteland Fire Chief.

Citizens Forum

Mr. Matt Cole introduced himself as the Deputy Fire Chief for Kimberton Fire Company.

Approvals

Mr. Philips moved to approve:

1. Minutes for the February 1, 2021, Business Meeting
2. The February 2021 Treasurer’s Report
3. The Operating Fund Accounts Payable Report for March 1, 2021.
4. The State Fund Accounts Payable Report for March 1, 2021.
5. The Capital Fund - Open Space Projects Payable Report for March 1, 2021.

Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Reports

Mr. Kuhn moved to accept the February 2021 reports #1-17 as submitted and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Report #18, Beyond Meats update, was given by Mr. Wright. The additional filters will address the sausage line odor and residents should notice an improvement. Mr. Rubenfield confirmed that this was the case. Three lights were receiving new filters in addition to the use of l.e.d. fixtures for March. The Thornton Acoustics & Vibrations consulting contract will be extended an additional 6 months. The focus on high-pitched sounds should be reflected in the next report, due in a week. However, Ms. Filippo stated that the employee traffic and idling trucks are still a substantial nuisance. Mr. Wright will check on this and also on the landscaping for bordering neighbors. Lastly, March should see Land Development Plans coming to the Board.

Guest – Scott Neumann

Mr. Scott Neumann, External Affairs Manager for PECO in Chester and York Counties, was present to give an update on PECO’s efforts to address outage concerns following two major outages in 2020 (multiple days) and one 11-13-hour outage on Christmas Day. Of the 4 outages, he said the key was that 3 were due to storms, all involving vegetation. This quarter, Charlestown Township is due for a (vegetation) “trim-out” so this should help reduce outages. Two new devices were installed in the fall to isolate outages.

Spring Oak residents thought they were simply at the “end of the power line” but Mr. Neumann stated that restoration is done to restore larger groups using the same source before smaller groups in order to maximize the number returned to service more quickly. Spring Oak would be more in the middle of this process, not at the end. Mr. Neuman will contact Mrs. Csete and update her about the second power source for Spring Oak mentioned by a PECO employee during a phone conversation with a Spring Oak resident.

Old Business

Update on Jenkins property – Park & Rec Board’s Recommendation

Parks & Recreation Board Chair, Mr. Lawrence, provided his group’s recommendation for the Jenkins property. Portraying the map from the Township’s website, Mr. Lawrence displayed the entire area as park with a picnic grove, walking trail, natural play area, and proposed disc golf course. The play area is a grassy open area that may need a fence to designate areas separated for parking and traffic. Supervisors discussed the addition of portable restrooms. Mrs. Csete suggested adding a reserve for future parking, and Ms. Bednar suggested seating for the play area. Mr. Hubbard suggested lighting, electricity, and Wi-Fi. Running water for handwashing could be added after witnessing the amount of usage. Mr. Lawrence will return to the next meeting with a revision to the plan incorporating suggestions.

Tree Replacement Plan – Stoudt Lot 1

David E. Rentschler, P.E. and property owner Amitava Ghosh were present for the discussion. Mr. Lawrence displayed a map of Charlestown Park and suggested the location of about 25 of the 55 available trees from the Stoudt Subdivision. He suggested placing them in a wet area along Township Line Road and some near Charlestown Road, but the Park does not need all 55. There is also a riparian buffer near Brightside Farm that could handle a few trees, and Mr. Wright said the PMYC Clubhouse could use some.

The Board wants Mr. Wright to contact Mr. Comitta to devise an equation or a monetary amount for the applicant so he can satisfy the development requirement. One 3” caliper tree is needed for every 12” tree removed from the site. Also, a notation was made, that the map of the Charlestown Park Trail area needs updating.

PMYC Building Roof Replacement – Building Assessment Report

Mr. O’Brien will return to the next meeting with a final estimate for 5 windows with rotting sashes and frames, plus the quotes for the roof replacement. The area where the side flat roof is will be demolished. The concession area of this former golf starter house will have a new roof estimated at approximately $12,500 to $18,500 (plus ≈$3,500 for the windows). Mr. Willig stated that the Board will need to plan a new facility for a seamless transition when this building is obsolete (in less than 10 years).

New Business

Zoning Hearing Board Application Overview – Carlo Failla

Mr. Carlo Failla explained his request for a variance to permit a wall sign on his restaurant located in the R-1 Zoning District at 2669 Charlestown Road. The maximum size allowed would be one non-lighted 6 square foot sign. Mr. Failla proposes a 32 square foot lighted sign that is 107” by 28”. He said he has no close neighbors in front of the establishment, except one that is buffered by trees.

Mr. Failla was instructed to personally visit surrounding neighbors and discuss his project’s sign, then the Zoning Hearing Board’s solicitor will notify the neighbors officially. The Board was hesitant to recommend the lighted sign on the gable for zoning relief, and Mr. Philips was concerned about the size of the sign for that area. The Board took a neutral position to the request.

Zoning Hearing Board Application Overview – Commons at Great Valley Lot One

Ms. Gina Gerber, Esq., and Mr. Townes, hoped to obtain a variance recommendation to expand the existing parking at their property on General Warren Blvd, Lot 1, which includes the Marriott and P.J. Whelihan’s. Mr. Philips wanted a note added that no “chiclet spots” were allowed. They are requesting a variance for a 1.8% overage of proposed lot coverage since coverage will be 61.85%. This is in addition to the 28 new spots in East Whiteland being reviewed simultaneously. The Board took a neutral position to this request. Mr. Allen stated the DRC is in favor of this revision of the Plan.

Meyer Subdivision Documents for Approval

Mr. Thompson suggested the approval to execute the following agreements associated with the Plan for the Meyer’s Subdivision that had previously been approved:

• SLDO Agreement
• Escrow Agreement
• Stormwater Management Agreement
• Trail Agreement

Mr. Philips moved to approve the execution of the above agreements and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Ordinance Amendment – Environmental Advisory Committee

This item was removed from the agenda.

Thornton Acoustics Proposal to Extend Sound Study for 6 Months

Mr. Wright introduced the extension of the noise monitoring contract with Thornton Acoustics for 6 months. There will be more of a focus on high-pitched sounds from Devault Foods heard by the neighboring Spring Oak development.

Mr. Piliero moved to accept the proposal from Thornton Acoustics for an additional 6 months of noise monitoring of Devault Foods for $18,240 and Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Open Bids

The following bids were to be received by the deadline at noon today and read-aloud tonight:

• Road Equipment & Labor for April 1, 2021 - Mar 31, 2022 No bid was received.

Three suggestions were discussed to obtain bids. A less specific contract (ex. not requiring the use of certain equipment #1), separating the contract into parts or tasks (2), and asking the Roadmaster for input. Melchiorre Construction, a common bid winner of the Township, may be going through organizational restructuring and did not bid.

• Tree Equipment & Labor Contract April 1, 2021 - March 31, 2024 No bid was received.

The Davey Tree contract expires on March 31. Ms. Csete suggested the contract be extended by 3 months to ensure coverage and Mr. Thompson agreed that indemnity language could be negotiated during this time. Clarification of the Roadmaster’s duties and liability of volunteers also were minor issues that arose.

Mr. Piliero moved to approve the extension of the Davey Tree contract for three months (while the indemnity clause is negotiated) and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

• Mowing Equipment & Labor Contract April 1, 2021 - March 31, 2024

Mr. Philips moved to approve the bid from Charlestown Landscaping subject to Mr. Wright’s review and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Mr. Wright offered to work with the Roadmaster on the Labor & Equipment bid document to increase the number of potential bidders next time. If no bids are received in the second attempt the Township may seek services from private sellers under certain conditions. Further discussion of bids will be on the agenda for the April 5, 2021 meeting.

Preliminary Discussion on 2021 Road Improvement Projects

Mr. Wright proposed the following roads for resurfacing this year; Wells Road (1) being resurfaced and widened in areas and roads within Charlestown Hunt (2) to the extent possible under the budget. Discussion followed regarding the outstanding question of whether ownership of portions of PennDOT-owned Whitehorse Road might be exchanged for Township-owned Warner Road in future. Rees Road is still being used by construction trucks and is not a candidate for this year’s project. Mr. Wright will return to the next meeting with preliminary estimates and measurements.

Brightside Farmhouse Lease 6/1/21 – 5/31/22

Mrs. Csete said the rent was increased last year for the Brightside Farmhouse ($900.00 per month) following the completion of improvements to the lower-level bathroom, laundry room, and outside walkway. This year the roof has been replaced. Any rent increase must be communicated to the tenants 60 days before the end of the lease period. No increase was recommended by the Board tonight.

Approval of Needs Analysis for Valley Forge Sewer Authority

Mr. Wright referred to the updated version of the Needs Analysis (consisting of sanitary sewer projections) that was requested by the Sewer Authority.

Mr. Philips moved to approve the Needs Analysis Study and directed the Manager to transmit it to the VFSA, and Ms. Bednar seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote, and all were in favor.

Scheduling of a Zoning Amendment Hearing and Two Conditional Use Hearings

Mr. Piliero moved to authorize the advertising and scheduling of three hearings.

1. Zoning Ordinance Amendment Hearing for Equestrian Regulations for April 5, 2021
2. Conditional Use Hearing for Derek & Jamie Finger for April 5, 2021
3. Hearing for Potters Industries for April 5, 2021

Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor. Hearings will take place at 7 p.m. via Webex.

Other Business

Adjournment

Mr. Piliero adjourned the meeting at 8:50 p.m. The next Business Meeting is scheduled for April 5, at 7:00 p.m. via Webex.