Charlestown Township
Board of Supervisors Business Meeting
Minutes of October 21, 2024

The second business meeting for October was held on October 21, 2024, at the Charlestown Township Office, 11 General Warren Blvd., Suite 1, Malvern, PA 19355.

Present

Supervisors:
Frank A. Piliero, Chairman, members Kevin R. Kuhn, Louis P. Rubinfield, and Hugh D. Willig. Vice Chairman Charles A. Philips was absent.
Staff:
Chris Heleniak, Manager, and Linda Csete, Treasurer
Public:
none.

Call to Order:

6:00 p.m.

Announcements

Citizens Forum –

No matters were brought forward.

Old Business –

none

New Business –

none

Budget Work Session

Proposed Updated Format for Treasurer’s Report and Accounts Payable Report

Mrs. Csete showed samples of new formats she’d like to use for the Treasurer’s Report and Accounts Payable Report each month. The former is more simplified with summary figures for revenues and expenditures, and the latter is created from a Quick Books file to eliminate redundant entry work. The Board was agreeable to the changes.

Update Wiring Instructions for Keystone Collections

Mrs. Csete said that to update wiring instructions for receiving Local Services Taxes and Real Estate Taxes from Keystone Collections, they require documentation that the request was approved by the Board by producing a copy of the minutes and a written request on Township letterhead.

Mr. Piliero moved to authorize the Treasurer to execute Keystone Collections’ Depository Update Form providing the new Operating fund account number for receiving real estate taxes and local services taxes, and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Review Draft 2025 Budget for all Funds

Mrs. Csete gave an overview of the nine funds, consisting of three operating funds: General Fund, Liquid Fuels Fund, and ARPA (Covid Relief) Fund, two capital funds: General Projects and Open Space Projects, and four Special Funds: Transportation Improvements (Act 209), Stormwater Management, Swiss Pines, and Recreation Fee-in-Lieu.

Budget in Depth

The Board reviewed the draft budget prepared by Mrs. Csete and Mr. Heleniak. No tax increase is proposed with the millage rate remaining at .75 mils (3/4 mil).

The following changes were made to the proposed draft budget:

  1. General Fund Revenue & Expenditures
    Acct # Category Adjustment
    454.07 Charlestown Day & Special Events Increase budget from $17,500 to $25,000
    414.15 Planning Commission Solicitor Increase budget from $10,000 to $12,000 for additional work needed for ordinance amendments
  2. State Fund Revenue and Expenditures
    Acct # Category Adjustment
    355.02 Liquid Fuel Taxes reduce account #355.02 to $188,000 from $190,000 in response to notice from PennDOT that Liquid Fuel Taxes for 2025 are expected to decrease by approximately 2%.
  3. Capital Reserve Fund Revenue and Expenditures
    Acct # Category Adjustment
    433.03 Signal Improvements increase account #433.03 from $120,000 to $170,000 to cover half the additional cost of adding ADA ramps to the signal improvements at Phoenixville Pike & Yellow Springs/Sidley Road
  4. Capital Reserve Fund for Open Space Projects
    Acct # Category Adjustment
    454.90 Great Valley Nature Center Remove all funds for Nature Center since this acquisition will not move forward.
  5. Recreational Fee-in-Lieu Fund - no changes
  6. Act 209 Transportation Fund - no changes
  7. Stormwater Management Fund - no changes
  8. ARPA Fund - no changes
  9. Swiss Pines Fund - no changes

The budget will be revised and re-distributed to the Board prior to the November 4, 2024 Supervisors’ meeting, at which time Mrs. Csete will be authorized to advertise and post it on the Township website.

A salary worksheet was circulated for discussion with regard to setting pay rates at the January Reorganization meeting.

There was general discussion on the following items:

The Township Website must be upgraded to comply with ADA requirements by 12/31/26. Prompt posting of materials, such as Agendas, remains critical in order to meet Sunshine Law Obligations.

The Board suggested including QR codes on the historic signage being replaced throughout the township to refer to additional information on the website. Mr. Heleniak said the printer can do this.

Mr. Kuhn said the roof on the mill should be cleaned and inspected over the coming months.

Brief discussion was held on insurance renewal procedures and additional personnel needs.

Adjournment

Mr. Piliero adjourned the meeting at 7:05 p.m. The next Business meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 4, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. at the Township Office.

Respectfully submitted,


Linda M. Csete
Township Treasurer