CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MINUTES Charlestown Township Municipal Building 11 General Warren Blvd., Suite 1, Malvern, PA Monday, March 6, 2023

Present

Call to Order:

7:00 p.m.

Announcements

Mr. Philips stated that RES (Resource Environmental Solutions, LLC) will be mowing the basins and spot-treating the invasives at the end of March.

Mr. Philips stated that the Devault Village Spring Oak walk-thru went well. Mrs. Bednar added that the Rees Road fence subject will be seen on the HOA agenda soon.

Mr. Heleniak stated that there was an executive session tonight regarding litigation.

Citizens Forum

No attendees came to the podium.

Approvals

Mr. Philips moved to approve the reports listed below and Ms. Bednar seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

1. Minutes for the February 6, 2023, Business Meeting
2. February 2023 Treasurer’s Report
3. Accounts Payable Report - All Funds for March 6, 2023

Reports

Mr. Kuhn moved to accept the February 2023 reports #1-16 as submitted and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Hearing

Hearing for Zoning Ordinance Amendment to Chapter 27 Part 2 Definitions

Mr. Thompson provided background on the amendment for a definition. The proposed additional wording would provide for properties over 20 acres, that are subject to a conservation easement, to be able to be considered an existing structure with separate utilities as an accessory dwelling unit. No one came forward for comments. The exhibits were entered into the record, then Mr. Thompson closed the hearing.

T-1	Proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendment
T-2	Letter from Mr. Thompson to Daily Local News requesting public notice
T-3	Review letter from the Chester County Planning Commission dated 2/7/23
T-4	Proof of Publication

Mr. Kuhn moved to adopt Ordinance 223-23 Amending Chapter 27 of the Charlestown Township Code by amending the definition of Accessory Dwelling Unit. Ms. Bednar seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Old Business –

none

New Business

Waiver Request – Accessory Structure in Front Yard

Mr. David Danilowicz requested a waiver to permit the construction of a detached 24 x 24’ garage in his front yard setback at 516 Conestoga Road. This location is the only clearing on the narrow property and already contains a nearby existing garage. Placing it anywhere else on the property would disturb valuable wooded areas or their landscaping.

Mr. Kuhn moved to approve the waiver request as stated, and Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Waiver Request to Permit Above Ground Stormwater Basin

Mr. Stillittano explained the waiver request for an above ground stormwater basin for his property at 3041 Hollow Road. At last month’s Board Meeting, the engineer was told to return after researching the possibility of placing the basin underground. However, this testing for the underground basin failed during infiltration testing as it is a wet area.

• There will be no adverse impact on any neighbors.
• Mr. Stillittano said it will be mowed.
• Mr. Wright told Supervisors that he will use the DEP’s Manage and Release Concept as recommended for poor soil basins like this in the post-construction phase.
• He will work with the engineer and they will include an emergency drain and use replacement soils.

Mr. Kuhn moved to approve the waiver request as stated, and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Appointment to the Environmental Advisory Committee to fill unexpired term ending 12/31/23

Mr. Kuhn moved to appoint Anuradha Soundararajan to the EAC for the remainder of Veda Maany’s term ending 12/31/23. Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

GreenWeaver Landscapes Proposals for the 2023 Spring Clean-up and Maintenance of the Charlestown Mill

Two proposals from GreenWeaver Landscapes were received by the Township. One was for the 2023 Meadow Maintenance Services at the Woolen Mill, quoted at $90.00/hour not to exceed 5 hours.

The second quote was for the 2023 Spring Cleanup. The price is $350.00 higher than in 2022, due to fuel costs.

Mr. Philips moved to approve the Charlestown Woolen Mill Spring clean-up at $5,150.00 and the 2023 Maintenance Services. Ms. Bednar seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Advertise for Road Maintenance Contract Bids

Mr. Heleniak stated that he circulated a draft of the annual Road Equipment & Labor Bid document to the Board and the Roadmaster for review.

Mr. Philips moved to authorize the advertising of the bid, to be due at the Township Office, 11 General Warren Blvd., Suite 1, Malvern, PA, on April 3, 2023, at noon. Bids will be opened at 7 p.m. at the April 3^rd Business Meeting. Ms. Bednar seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Brightside Farmhouse Lease 6/1/23 – 5/31/24

The lease for the Brightside farmhouse will expire on 5/31/23. Since any increase must be communicated to the tenants 60 days before the expiration, it does not provide enough time for a thorough look at the home’s condition. Supervisors discussed raising the rent to $1,000 a month and then having Ms. Thompson conduct a rent assessment for the coming year.

Mr. Philips moved to direct the Manager to inform the current tenants that the rent would be $1,000 per month for the 6/1/23-5/31/24 term and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Preliminary Discussion on 2023 Road Improvement Projects

Mr. Wright circulated a draft of the annual Road Equipment & Labor Bid document to the Board and Roadmaster for review. Mr. Thompson, after close inspection, suggested these Township Roads be improved in 2023.

1. Three Ponds Road Part 1
2. Three Ponds Road Part 2
3. Pickering Road Spur

Mr. Wright also reviewed the (below) roads improved in 2011, when the improvement cycle began.

1. Buckwalter Road
2. Charlestown Park Parking Lot
3. Union Hill Road

He stated to the Board and Township Manager that there should be a few years until Township roads need improving again. Mr. Kuhn asked Mr. Wright to have ballast placed on Rees Road due to the construction traffic.

Mr. Wright will prepare the bid documents for approval at the April 3^rd meeting so they can authorize advertising of the bid for opening at the May meeting.

Consider Rescheduling July Meeting

Mr. Heleniak said that since the July business meeting falls on July 3^rd between the weekend and the Independence Day holiday on the 4^th that the Board may want to consider changing the meeting date to Wednesday, July 5^th since many people will likely want to take a 4-day holiday. The Supervisors were in agreement, so the meeting will be rescheduled for July 5^th.

Adjournment

There being no other business, Mr. Piliero adjourned the meeting at 7:25 p.m. The next Business Meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 3, 2023, at 7 p.m., at 11 General Warren Blvd., Suite 1, Malvern, PA.