CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MINUTES Charlestown Township Municipal Building 11 General Warren Blvd., Suite 1, Malvern, PA Tuesday, December 4, 2023

Present

Call to Order:

7:00 p.m.

Announcements

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

The Parks and Recreation Board will move the monthly meeting due to the upcoming holiday. The meeting will be next Wednesday, December the 14^th and not on the 21^st.

Citizens Forum

Mr. Louis Rubenfield told Supervisors about the loud noise from Beyond Meat over the Thanksgiving weekend. Although the plant was supposed to be empty, there were loud noises both days. Mr. Wright said the Beyond Meat plant manager was not sure what caused the problem, but the discussion is still open.

Approvals

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

1. Minutes for the November 6, 2023, Business Meeting
2. November 2023 Treasurer’s Report
3. Accounts Payable Report - All Funds for December 4, 2023

Reports

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

Old Business –

none

New Business

A Resolution to Deputize Keystone Collections to Collect Real Estate Taxes and a Resolution to Establish Attorney Costs for Collection of Delinquent Real Estate Taxes and Delinquent Municipal Claims

Mr. Heleniak discussed the increasing costs for the County Treasurer’s office to collect the Township real estate taxes, prompting the search for alternative tax agencies.

Mr. Kuhn moved to approve Resolution #1042-2023 deputizing Keystone Collections to collect the Township real estate tax and to approve Resolution #1043-2023 establishing costs for collection of delinquent real estate taxes and delinquent municipal claims. Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Resolution to Revise Official Sewage Facilities Plan – Pellegrini Planning Module

Mr. Wright stated that the module for the Pellegrini Module was complete. The health department required extra testing of the nearby groundwater due to nitrate levels beyond the acceptable level that were within a quarter-mile. Now that the Planning Commission has signed off on Component 4-A it will go to the Dept. of Environmental Protection to get approval for the applicant.

Mr. Kuhn moved to adopt Resolution #1044-2023 revising the Official Sewage Facilities Plan to include the Pellegrini planning module, and Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

A Resolution for Tax Levy 2024 and the Resolution to Adopt the 2024 Budget

Mrs. Csete gave an overview of the Tax Levy Resolution and noted the proposed real estate millage has remained the same at .75 mils for the last 19 years. She also listed the Local Services Tax, Real Estate Transfer Tax, and Earned Income Tax for 2024, which will all remain the same as in 2023. Mrs. Csete stated that input has been received from the Township boards, commissions, and committees, therefore, the 2024 budget is proposed for consideration this evening.

Mr. Piliero moved to approve Resolution #1045-2023 setting the tax rates for 2024, and to approve Resolution #1046-2023 adopting the 2024 budget. Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Schedule and Authorize Advertisement for Reorganization Meeting

Mr. Piliero moved to approve advertising of the Reorganizational Meeting on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. at the Township Building, 11 General Warren Blvd. Suite 1, Malvern, PA. Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Other Business

Mr. Willig asked to place Swiss Pines maintenance matters on the January agenda, including selection of a landscaper to work toward eradicating the bamboo at Swiss Pines and for a contractor to take care of the broken chain link fence.

Ms. Armstrong told the Board that the EAC surveyed the local businesses regarding single-use plastic bags for the Plastic Pollution Reduction Ordinance. They also informally polled residents at the recent election. 86% of the residents said they favored adoption. The Planning Commission will review the ordinance next week.

The EAC spent three days maintaining the Brightside riparian buffer plantings. They asked the Board to reduce the riparian area mowing but wanted to add a mown path to the fruiting trees for access.

Adjournment

There being no other business, Mr. Piliero adjourned the meeting at 7:20 p.m. The next Business Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at 7 p.m., at 11 General Warren Blvd., Suite 1, Malvern, PA.