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

Present

Call to Order:

Announcements

There was an executive session before tonight’s meeting regarding real estate and legal matters.

Mr. Kuhn stated that Charlestown Township has been selected to receive the French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust’s Morris Award. It will be presented at the Easement Landowner Appreciation Gathering on September 15. This award is presented for extraordinary conservation achievements.

Citizens Forum

Ms. Armstrong stated that the EAC submitted to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) a Lenape Native American name for the small stream going through Charlestown Township Park. The name was provided by Jeremy Johnson, the Cultural Education Director of the Delaware Tribe of Indians in Bartlesville, OK after consultation with the Tribal community. The proposed stream name, Kwiamwis Siput, which means “Hawk Creek”, will be published if approved by the USGS.

Approvals

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

1. Minutes for the August 7, 2023, Business Meeting
2. Minutes for the August 11, 2023 Special Meeting
3. August 2023 Treasurer’s Report
4. Accounts Payable Report - All Funds for Sept. 5, 2023

Reports

Mr. Kuhn moved to accept the August 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.

Old Business –

New Business

Single Use Plastics

Ms. Armstrong introduced EAC Member Ms. Anuradha Soundararajan. She presented a PowerPoint and recommendations for the Board to consider adopting an ordinance prohibiting single-use plastics by commercial establishments.

Points discussed during the presentation:

• The breakdown of single-use plastics is followed by leeching into the water, air, etc. Micro and nano plastics are present in fish and our bodies and are dangerous to health.
• 22 Pennsylvania townships, some of these near Charlestown Township, have passed ordinances regulating the use of these plastics (ex. Easttown, Uwchlan Township, and the Borough of West Chester).
• Mr. Philips wants a list of businesses that use single-use plastics (bags, straws, stirrers, and polystyrene take-home containers).
• There are other ways to move away from these plastics such as small fees for single-use bags, offering plastic utensils upon request instead of putting them in the bag each time, and offering eco-friendly options.
• An audience member mentioned the need for the businesses to have company wide policies and not just minor changes like small fees for bags that ultimately benefit the company.
• The last point of the presentation mentioned “exemption” items that may be captured in the future.

Mr. Kuhn stated that the Township cannot require businesses to charge bag fees. Mr. Philips suggested contacting East Whiteland Township to inquire whether they are considering similar restrictions on single-use plastic bags.

Lastly, Mr. Piliero suggested the EAC move forward and obtain names of businesses that use single-use plastics in the Township. Also, they are to circulate the Uwchlan Single-Use Plastics Ordinance to the Charlestown Township Planning Commission for review.

Escrow Release #3 – The Meadows

Mr. Wright said there is one last home under construction.

Mr. Philips moved to approve Escrow Release #3 for the Meadows in the amount of $30,489.26 and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Other Business – None

Adjournment

There being no other business, Mr. Piliero adjourned the meeting at 7:26 p.m. The next Business Meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 2, 2023, at 7 p.m., at 11 General Warren Blvd., Suite 1, Malvern, PA.