Charlestown Township
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The first business meeting for May was held May 3, 2004, at the Great Valley Middle School, Room 154. Kevin R. Kuhn, Chairman, Mike Rodgers, Vice Chairman, Paul Hogan, Hugh Willig, Charlie Philips, Surender Kohli, P.E., Jim McErlane, Esq., 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 7:40 P.M.
Mr. Kuhn announced an Executive Session was held prior to the meeting to discuss real estate and legal matters.
There were no Citizen’s Forum/Non-Agenda items brought forward.
Approval
Mr. Philips moved to approve the April 19, 2004 minutes, and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Rodgers moved to approve the April 1-30, 2004 Treasurer’s Report, and Mr. Hogan seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Rodgers moved to approve the April 14, 2004 Accounts Payable report, and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Rodgers moved to approve the April 21 and 28, 2004 Accounts Payable reports, and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Philips moved to approve the May 3, 2004 Accounts Payable report, and Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Philips moved to approve the May 5, 2004 Accounts Payable report, and Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
The Zoning Officer report is on file. There was nothing new to add.
The Planning Commission report is on file. There was nothing new to add.
Mr. Philips asked for a status on the Solda property, and Mr. McErlane said everything would be in order by the next meeting, and payment could be expected a few weeks thereafter.
Sue Staas said there were some resignations from the Open Space Commission and that suggestions for new candidates will be brought up at the next meeting. She also asked whether there were easements in place on the Brightside Farm property, and Mr. Kuhn indicated they were set by the County when the land was acquired. Mrs. Csete said she will send a copy of the easement documents to Mrs. Staas.
The Roadmaster report is on file. There was nothing to add.
The Fire Marshal/EOC report is on file. There was nothing to add.
Mr. Hogan said Mark Cabot finished the housings for the park trash containers. He said the cost came to about one-half of that of commercial ones. He said 24 gallon containers were used at the basketball court and 50 gallon containers were used at the pavilion. All are in place. Mr. Hogan said he hasn’t written to the Valley Forge Christian College or the Renaissance Home regarding sharing in the cost yet, but will do so.
Mr. Kuhn said a task list and report was received and he noted the work going on at the Farm is amazing. Mr. Kuhn said the Committee will follow up in writing regarding the lease, but their general thought is to leave it as it was last year. Mr. Kuhn suggested the possibility of instituting a cap on the oil in case oil prices increase significantly. Mr. Willig asked what the length of the lease is. Mr. Kuhn said it was previously a 6-month lease, but that the Committee would now be comfortable with a one year lease.
Mr. Hogan said the overhead door in the bank barn has a loose spring that is in need of repair. He also added that the garden lots are 100% occupied.
Mr. Rodgers said the Union gave their best offer. He said the negotiating committee plans to meet on June 5, 2004 to determine their next course of action. He said they would likely counter-offer.
Mr. Kohli’s letter dated April 29, 2004, stated he recommends approval of the above referenced Subdivision Plan subject to the Township receiving satisfactory review comments from the Chester County Planning Commission. Mr. McErlane said he wanted a separate declaration to embody the text of note #14. The deed description contains this already, so Mr. McErlane was said that was sufficient.
Mr. McErlane said he believed everything should be completed within two weeks and the plan could then be recorded.
Mr. Willig moved to approve the subdivision, subject to receipt of the Chester County Planning Commission approval, and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mrs. Csete said this is a parcel that should have been conveyed to the Township at final plan approval, but was overlooked at that time. Mr. Kohli and Mr. McErlane would like to review it before it is voted upon.
Mr. Rodgers moved to table this agenda item, and Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Willig asked when the bids would go out, and Mrs. Csete said the documents need to be finalized. Mr. Kuhn confirmed it was Mr. Alston’s intention to get a pricing quote for mowing just the Township roads, just the PennDOT roads, and one for all roads combined.
Mr. Kuhn asked what CM Jones’ marching instructions are for mowing right now, and Mr. Alston said at least one mowing will be needed. When Mr. Kuhn asked how quickly the contract can get out, Mrs. Csete said she has copies and just needs to incorporate the appropriate wording. Mr. Kuhn asked Mr. Alston to work with Mrs. Csete on the documents.
Mr. Hogan moved to authorize the advertising of the road bids, and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Kuhn asked if road striping can be done through the Agility program, and Mr. Alston said it can. Mr. Alston said he would do a quick comparison to see what the cost would be through an outside contractor rather than PennDOT. Mr. Kuhn suggested it may be possible to walk out on the Agility program if there is not enough value in it.
Mr. Rodgers said he would like to ask PennDOT to remove the tree stump they left at 2140 Pikeland Road.
This agenda item was tabled.
Mr. Kuhn asked for approval from the Board for Andy Motel, a person from the Parks & Recreation Board, Glen Diehl, Esq., and he to create a sub-committee to work on the Jenkins property subdivision. Mr. Kuhn said the Township purchased this property for $850,000, and their intention is to subdivide two to three lots and retain 10+ acres for a park. He said the house property was appraised at $300,000. Mr. Philips indicated he would like to see a sense of urgency around moving this forward, and Mr. Kuhn agreed.
Mr. Philips moved to appoint the above-mentioned members to a sub-committee, and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor. Mr. Kuhn will call Suzanne O’Brien regarding a representative from the Parks & Recreation Board to serve on the sub-committee.
Mr. Kuhn suggested that if the property is rented, the rental fee be $800 per month plus utilities. The term of the lease would be for one year with a month-to-month lease thereafter. There was a consensus from the Board that Mr. Kuhn execute the real estate documents putting the house up for lease with the terms outlined from realtor Pat Thomas.
Mr. Philips said he was asked to redraft a letter to Pennsylvania Turnpike regarding the Horse Shoe Trail. Mr. Kuhn moved to have Mrs. Csete draft a formal letter and send it, and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Philips asked for a status of the Longwood School, and Mr. Kohli said Mr. Oeste has the plan and deed. Mrs. Leland said the Girl Scouts are scheduled to begin cleanup there from 2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. on Saturday, and they have been given permission by the current owner.
Mr. Kuhn said that Uwchlan Township sent a letter asking Charlestown to join them in requesting a PennDOT traffic study for Newcomen Road. Mrs. Csete will respond affirmatively.
Mr. Hogan said the High School is having an auction dinner at his house for anyone who wants to attend. The cost is $50.
Mr. Rodgers said a past Board promised to transfer ˝ acre of land to the Rapp House property from the adjacent Pyle tract, and asked if this was going to move forward. Mr. Kuhn reiterated that, as he has said in the past, he has no problem in giving them whatever is appropriate, but he would first like to know what they plan to do with the land. Mr. Rodgers said they plan to build a pavilion and turn the first floor of the Rapp House into a museum. He said he would get the plans started with the Historical Society.
Mr. Hogan indicated the $46,000 estimate of remaining costs associated with the Mill masonry project is a high estimate. Mr. Kuhn asked for the cost to date, and Mrs. Csete answered $84,000. Mr. Hogan will ask the contractor providing the scaffolding to leave the scaffolding behind and cut the Township a break on the price. Mr. Kuhn was happy to report the project is still within the bounds of the original projected bid cost estimate.
Mr. Rodgers moved to adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 8:42 P.M. The next meeting will be held at 7:30 P.M. on May 17, 2004, in Room 154 of the Great Valley Middle School.