Charlestown Township
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The first business meeting for November was held November 3, 2003, at the Great Valley Middle School, Room 154. Paul Hogan, Chairman, Hugh Willig, Vice Chairman, Irene W. Ewald, Mike Rodgers, Kevin R. Kuhn, Thomas Oeste, Esq., Surender Kohli, P.E., Tom Comitta, Glenn Diehl, Esq., Mark Hagerty, Court Reporter, Linda M. Csete, Township Administrator, Melanie M. Lammers, Recording Secretary, and those on the attached list were present.
The meeting was called to order at 7:53 P.M.
An Executive Session was held prior to the meeting to discuss legal matters.
Resident, Mr. Rich Huey, said he wants to see the ADM railroad line put back into operation. He said that the Valley Forge Sewer Authority is charging ADM $75,000 per year, which is one reason the railroad is no longer in use. Mr. Huey asked the Board to try to influence the Sewer Authority to mitigate the cost so the railroad can be put back into operation. Mr. Rodgers suggested Mr. Huey attend the next Valley Forge Sewer Authority meeting and present his case to them directly. Mr. Hogan said he would also like to see the railroad used again. Mrs. Ewald said using it as a passenger train would also be positive. Mrs. Ewald asked Mr. Alston if he was aware of the condition of the railroad. He responded that the line is not in service, it is in poor condition, and it is for sale. Mrs. Ewald asked Mr. Alston to find out the sale price, and Mr. Alston said he would contact the railroad to find out.
Mr. Kuhn moved to approve the October 20, 2003, minutes as written, and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Hogan called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Kuhn moved to approve the October 27, 2003, minutes as written, and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Hogan called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mrs. Ewald moved to approve the October 1-31, 2003, Treasurer’s report as presented, and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Hogan called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mrs. Ewald moved to approve the November 3, 2003, Accounts Payable report as presented, and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Hogan called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Kohli indicated he contacted the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission regarding the planting of trees. The Turnpike Commission responded they could not plant due to the steep slope and because they do not have the right-of-way access to do so.
Mr. Kohli said graffiti is still appearing along the Turnpike underpasses. The Turnpike Commission said they will do what they can to clean it up during their regular maintenance, but other than that, they said the Township can take care of it on their own. Mrs. Csete asked if the Turnpike would reimburse the Township for this effort, and Mr. Kohli said they would not.
Mrs. Ewald told Mr. Kohli that shielding is needed for lights on the Charlestown Oaks signage that cause glare onto Yellow Springs Road. Mr. Kohli said he would have it taken care of.
The Planning Commission report is on file.
The Historical Commission report is on file.
Mr. Kuhn said the regular meeting was held and there was nothing new to report.
The Roadmaster report is on file. Mrs. Ewald asked Mr. Alston to explain a rescue made recently in the Township. Mr. Alston said a bow hunter was caught in a tree by his safety harness when his platform fell out from under him. The incident took place on McDevitt’s Farm, and the hunter was said to be a State Trooper.
The Fire Marshal report is on file.
Mr. Hogan said F Street (Academic Way) has now been paved.
Mr. Hogan announced, that the Township has received a $50,000 grant award approval from the Chester County Visitor and Convention Bureau for the rehabilitation of the Charlestown Township Woolen Mill.
The Brightside Farm Committee report is on file.
The Valley Forge Sewer Authority report is on file.
Glenn Diehl, Esq., outlined the purpose of the ordinance, which is to collect 1/2 of 1 percent as an earned income tax. At the request of Mr. Willig, Mr. Diehl also outlined the collection procedure. He added that if the ordinance is adopted, Regulations with the chosen tax collector will need to be negotiated and adopted. Mr. Kuhn moved to close the hearing, and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Hogan called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor. Mr. Kuhn moved to adopt Ordinance #110-03, and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Hogan called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. Four were in favor, and Mrs. Ewald was opposed. The details of this hearing were court reported by Mr. Mark Hagerty.
The details of this hearing were court reported by Mr. Mark Hagerty. Due to some changes recommended by the Township Solicitor, Mrs. Ewald moved to table this topic, and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Hogan called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor. Mr. Oeste continued the hearing to the November 17, 2003 meeting.
This Ordinance Amendment references the above-mentioned Major/Minor Home Occupations, therefore, this item was also tabled to coincide with the enactment of the other ordinance at the November 17, 2003 meeting.
Mrs. Ewald said she thinks putting businesses in residential areas causes a negative impact. She said it would be turning historic homes into stepchildren. Mr. Hogan responded that this ordinance amendment is just for historic buildings in order to help preserve them. Mr. Willig said he did not feel it was turning historic homes into stepchildren, but rather giving owners of those homes one more option.
Mr. Oeste felt it would be a good idea to have objective criteria added to Subsection C, therefore Mr. Kuhn moved to recommend this amendment go out for Solicitor review, and Mrs. Ewald seconded. Mr. Oeste announced this would also be tabled to November 17, 2003. Mr. Hogan called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor. The hearing was continued to November 17, 2003. The details of this hearing were court reported by Mr. Mark Hagerty.
Mr. Oeste opened the hearing and marked exhibits. The hearing was continued to December 1, 2003. Mr. Oeste said he would look at the document in its current state and make recommendations to the Planning Commission. The details of this hearing were court reported by Mr. Mark Hagerty.
Mr. Oeste opened the hearing and marked Exhibits B1 through B6. Mr. Comitta indicated these were mostly housekeeping changes. Mr. Rodgers moved to table the topic to the November 17, 2003 meeting, and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Hogan called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor. The hearing was continued to November 17, 2003.
Mr. Rodgers moved to table this topic to the November 17, 2003 meeting, and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Hogan called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor. Mr. Oeste continued the hearing to November 17, 2003.
Mr. Oeste opened the hearing and marked Exhibits B1 through B6. Mr. Rodgers moved to approve Ordinance #111-03, and Mr. Hogan seconded. Mr. Hogan called for discussion, and Mr. Kuhn questioned whether plans submitted should include adjoining municipalities if they border the site. Mr. Oeste said that was covered by the verbiage that stated all adjoining properties would be shown, and this is not limited to Township properties. Mr. Kuhn asked how much the trail piece could be enforced, and Mr. Oeste replied they did the best they could with the ordinance language. Mr. Hogan called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Kuhn moved to award the Salt Contract to Oceanport Industries, Inc., and Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Hogan called for discussion, and Mr. Rodgers questioned whether a mistake on the bid had been made, since the delivered price was less expensive than the price to pick up. Mr. Kohli explained that the company charges less to deliver, because they do not want trucks coming into their facility to pick up their own salt. They charge a higher rate for pickup as a deterrent. Mr. Hogan called the vote, and all were in favor.
Mr. Oeste indicated he had no problems with the October 20, 2003 memo from MacElree Harvey, Ltd., Attorneys at Law, regarding their offer to post a $63,450 bond to be made payable to the Township if the warrants for traffic signals are met at Charlestown Hunt Drive and Route 29, and Buckwalter Road and Route 29 within 18 months. According to Mr. Kohli, the PennDOT warrants were not met up till now for PennDOT to approve the requirement for these traffic signals. Mr. Kohli said the cost to install those lights today would be more than when those monies were first set aside approximately 10 years ago, and suggested the Township ask Realen to increase the amount of the bond.
Mrs. Ewald suggested having a meeting with PennDOT to try to persuade them the lights are needed. Mr. Rodgers asked Mr. Kohli if having a meeting with PennDOT could prove fruitful. Mr. Kohli responded that it never hurts to try, but said it was unlikely they would change their decision.
Mr. Kuhn asked Mr. Alston if there have been accidents at these locations. Mr. Alston said there have been some, but not a significant number. He added that he would check with the Schuylkill Police for the exact number of accidents. Mr. Kohli said he would meet with PennDOT with an accident history report and attempt to get them to provide warrants for a traffic signal, at least at the Buckwalter Road intersection.
Mr. Oeste suggested the Township go back to Realen and request more time to respond. Mr. Kuhn suggested they keep Schuylkill Township in the loop on this issue.
Mr. Oeste said the Township should use the ‘prudent person’ philosophy when determining what to invest the pension monies in. This means they should act as if they are investing their own money. Mrs. Ewald suggested having Mrs. Csete make this decision since she is the only one affected by it. Mrs. Ewald moved to have Mrs. Csete and Mr. Kuhn meet to determine the investment strategy, and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Hogan called the vote, and all were in favor.
Mrs. Ewald moved to authorize advertisement of the 2004 proposed budget, and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Hogan called the vote, and all were in favor. Mrs. Csete asked if the $50,000 grant money mentioned above should be included. The Board members agreed it should not since there is some risk in whether or not it will be received.
Mr. Kuhn moved to approve the grant application and Resolution #611-03 seeking funding for the Phoenixville Regional Planning Committee Comprehensive Plan, and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Hogan called the vote. Four were in favor; Mrs. Ewald was opposed.
Mr. Hogan suggested lumber to redo the floor of the Brightside Farm should be purchased by the end of this year to give it ample time to dry. He will get an estimate and report back at the next meeting. Mrs. Ewald suggested he discuss the matter with the Farm Committee for approval before moving forward.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 P.M. The next meeting will be held on November 17, 2003, 7:30 P.M. at the Great Valley Middle School, Room 154.