CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MINUTES Charlestown Township Municipal Building 11 General Warren Blvd., Suite 1, Malvern, PA Monday, July 5, 2023

Present

Call to Order:

7:00 p.m.

Announcements

Mr. Kuhn announced that there was an executive session before tonight’s meeting regarding legal, real estate, and personnel matters.

Citizens Forum

Mr. Rubenfield reported possible noise violations for June 29^th and June 30^th. A pumping noise began before 8 a.m. Mr. Wright stated that this is the scheduled sewage pumping that was established by Beyond Meat. Mr. Wright was notified about the pumping; however, he will ask them to begin at a later hour next time.

Approvals

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

1. Minutes for the June 5, 2023, Business Meeting
2. June 2023 Treasurer’s Report
3. Accounts Payable Report - All Funds for July 5, 2023

Reports

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

Hearing

Dougherty Conditional Use Hearing

The proceeds were taken by Ms. Nancy Sciaretta, court reporter. Mr. McErlane opened the hearing for the William J. Dougherty Jr., Jo Anna Dougherty, and Kara A. Dougherty property at 69 Hillsover Lane. The parcel numbers are 35-6-2, 35-7-1 and 35-7-2 and total 99.4 acres.

Hillsover Farm’s home, called the Isaac Smith House, is on the Township’s historic register. Mr. Philips stated that one condition would be to provide written permission from the Township’s Historical Commission. Ms. Dougherty and a few Board Members wondered why there was a Conditional Use since it was already an equestrian academy. Mr. McErlane clarified that it was because the number of stalls was increasing.

Ms. Kara Dougherty spoke for the group looking for approval for an equestrian academy. The following exhibits were noted for the record:

	T-1	The Conditional Use Application with a statement from the French and Pickering Trust’s Karen DiLeo.
	T-2	Public Notice
	T-3	Proof of Publication of Public Notice
	A-1	Email from Kara Dougherty dated 4/28/23 extending the deadline to open the

Conditional Use Hearing to July 5, 2023.

A-2

A set of improvement plans received tonight from Applicant’s engineer.

Mr. McErlane closed the hearing. A written decision will be provided within 45 days.

Mr. Kuhn moved to approve the Conditional Use Application with written conditions to be prepared by Mr. McErlane. Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Old Business –

none

New Business

Zoning Hearing Board Overview

Mr. David J. Scaggs, Esq. represented W. Herbert & Janet L. Stauffer, of 6 Primrose Lane, for their Zoning Hearing Board application. They are seeking a variance to permit the construction of a detached garage in steep and very steep slopes.

Mr. Philips voiced his concern about disturbing Very Steep Slopes, and Mr. Scaggs said the slopes were not naturally occurring but were the result of the original development of the property. The proposed garage would impact .4% of the steep slopes on the property and 8.7% of the Very Steep Slopes. The grade of the property decreases towards the rear boundary line, where there is a small creek. The Applicant will install erosion and sedimentation control measures as required.

Mr. Kuhn moved to take a neutral position toward the application, and Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and then the vote. Mr. Philips was not in favor. Mr. Piliero, Mr. Kuhn, Ms. Bednar, and Mr. Willig were in favor.

Appointments

Fire Marshal & Public Property Coordinator

Mr. Heleniak gave a summary of the applicant’s resume, for Mr. Mark Koenig. Mr. Philips moved to appoint Mark Koenig as Fire Marshal and Public Property Coordinator, and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

EOC Coordinator

Mr. Heleniak gave a summary of his training in this area and offered to take on these duties for the Township. Mr. Philips moved to appoint Chris Heleniak as Emergency Operations Coordinator, and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Parks & Recreation Board

Mr. Heleniak reported that the Parks and Recreation Board has recommended appointing Ms. Mackinlee Fox and Mr. Scott Ammerman to fill two vacancies.

Mr. Kuhn moved to appoint Mackinlee Fox to an unexpired term ending 12/31/2026 and Scott Ammerman to an unexpired term ending 12/31/2024 on the Parks & Recreation Board, and Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Charlestown Landscaping Proposal for Phoenixville Pike Property

Mr. Heleniak said two clean-up proposals were received from Charlestown Landscaping for the former “Volpi” property now owned by the Township. The first proposal was for $20,618 and included brush and tree removal and turf restoration. The second proposal was for $5,840 and was just for brush removal and the removal of sediment along the curb line. This would be the first of several phases and would give us a better idea of what further work is needed once the brush is removed. The Board had a question about the depth from the road that the landscaper would clean up. The Board wants to match a neighboring property’s improvements also along Phoenixville Pike. The Board opted for the phase approach and authorized the first phase.

Escrow Release #9 Phase II Spring Oak

Mr. Wright indicated that the release request was in order. Mr. Kuhn moved to approve Escrow Release #9, Phase II for Spring Oak for $103,511.34, and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Escrow Release #14 Devault Village at Spring Oak

Mr. Wright stated that the release request was received late and due to a clerical delay, Escrow Release #14 for Devault Village at Spring Oak will be on next month’s agenda.

Other Business

Mr. Kuhn asked if the landscaping maintenance along Phoenixville Pike will impact the Volpe Tract stormwater basin installation. Mr. Wright said the two projects would not interfere with each other.

Adjournment

There being no other business, Mr. Piliero adjourned the meeting at 7:40 p.m. The next Business Meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 7, 2023, at 7 p.m., at 11 General Warren Blvd., Suite 1, Malvern, PA.