CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
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The Reorganization Meeting was held at the Great Valley Middle School, Room 154. Hugh D. Willig, Kevin R. Kuhn, Irene W. Ewald, Paul J. Hogan, Michael Rodgers, Jim McErlane, Esq., Surender S. Kohli, P.E. Linda M. Csete, Township Administrator, Melanie Lammers, Recording Secretary, and those on the attached attendee list were present.
Mr. Willig called the meeting to order at 7:35 P.M.
There were no Citizens’ Forum/Non-Agenda items.
Mr. Willig opened the floor to nominations. Mr. Kuhn nominated Mr. Hugh Willig for the position of Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. There were no seconds. Mr. Willig heard Mr. Hogan was interested in the position and asked if that were the case. Mr. Hogan expressed his interest and hence, was nominated by Mr. Willig. Mrs. Ewald seconded. Mr. Willig called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mrs. Ewald congratulated Mr. Hogan. He said he was very appreciative of the appointment and would do his best to uphold the integrity of the office. Mrs. Ewald called for a round of applause in honor of the first Democrat elected to this office.
Mr. Hogan opened the floor to nominations. Mrs. Ewald nominated Mr. Willig for Vice Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Hogan called the vote, and all were in favor.
Mr. Hogan moved to re-appoint Linda M. Csete as Township Administrator, and Mrs. Ewald seconded. Mr. Hogan called the vote, and all were in favor.
Mr. Hogan moved to re-appoint Linda M. Csete as Township Secretary/Treasurer, and Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Hogan called the vote, and all were in favor.
Mrs. Hogan moved to re-appoint Jan C. Bird as Assistant Township Secretary, and Mrs. Ewald seconded. Mr. Hogan called the vote, and all were in favor.
Mr. Hogan moved to re-appoint Melanie M. Lammers as Recording Secretary, and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Hogan called the vote, and all were in favor.
Mr. Hogan indicated he would have voted for Mr. Mark Cabot, however, it was felt by the Board that Mr. Cabot’s job would not allow him the freedom to respond to emergencies. Mr. Kuhn moved to re-appoint Fred Alston as Roadmaster, and Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Hogan called the vote. Four were in favor, and Mr. Rodgers abstained.
Mr. Willig moved to appoint Fred Alston as Fire Marshal, and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Hogan called the vote, and all were in favor.
Mr. Kuhn moved to appoint Fred Alston as Emergency Services Coordinator, and Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Hogan called the vote, and all were in favor.
Mrs. Ewald moved to re-appoint Mark Cabot for Parks & Recreation/Road Maintenance, and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Hogan called the vote, and all were in favor.
Mr. Kuhn moved to re-appoint Mark Cabot as Animal Control Officer, and Mrs. Ewald seconded. Mr. Hogan called the vote, and all were in favor.
Mr. Kuhn moved to re-appoint Surender S. Kohli of Kohli & Associates for Township Engineer, and Mrs. Ewald seconded. Mr. Hogan called the vote, and all were in favor.
Mrs. Ewald moved to re-appoint Surender S. Kohli of Kohli & Associates for Zoning Officer, and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Hogan called the vote, and all were in favor.
Mr. Kuhn moved to re-appoint Surender S. Kohli of Kohli & Associates for Building Inspector, and Mrs. Ewald seconded. Mr. Hogan called the vote, and all were in favor.
Mr. Hogan moved to re-appoint James E. McErlane of Lamb, Windle, & McErlane for Township Solicitor/Lead Counsel, and Mrs. Ewald seconded. Mr. Hogan called the vote, and all were in favor.
Mrs. Ewald moved to re-appoint Gary Bender for Alternate Counsel. Mr. Kuhn asked if there were any issues due to Mr. Bender also being a member of the Planning Commission. There were no issues, so Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Hogan called the vote, and all were in favor.
Mr. Kuhn moved to re-appoint Glenn Diehl for 2nd Alternate Counsel, and Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Hogan called the vote, and all were in favor.
Mr. Kuhn moved to re-appoint Thomas J. Comitta Associates as Land Planner, and Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Hogan called the vote, and all were in favor. Mrs. Ewald commented that she’d like to see more of Mr. Comitta at the meetings.
Mr. Kuhn moved to re-appoint Dale Frens as Historical Architectural Consultant, and Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Hogan called the vote, and all were in favor.
Mr. Hogan read Resolution #599-03 in its entirety, appointing Emory S. Todd, CPA, as auditor for Fiscal Year 2002. Mr. Kuhn moved to approve Resolution #599-03, and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Hogan called the vote, and all were in favor.
The Board made nominations among its members to act as liaisons to the following Boards, Departments, and other interests as follows.
| Subject | Liaison |
| Administration | Paul Hogan (as Chairman) |
| Historical Commission/HARB | Paul Hogan |
| Parks & Recreation Board | Paul Hogan |
| Planning Commission | None |
| Roads | None |
| East Pikeland Township | Hugh Willig |
| East Whiteland Township | Irene Ewald |
| Great Valley School District | Kevin Kuhn |
| Phoenixville Borough | Kevin Kuhn |
| Schuylkill Township | Michael Rodgers |
| Tredyffrin Township | Kevin Kuhn |
| Valley Forge Sewer Authority | Michael Rodgers |
| West Pikeland Township | Irene Ewald |
Mr. Willig proposed a change from previous years. He suggested that the position of the Roadmaster fall back under Administration. He felt there was not a need for a liaison for that position. He added that the Roadmaster and the Administrator work closely enough. There were no objections. Mr. Kuhn recognized that Mr. Hogan also has the HARB and Parks & Recreation, and asked Mr. Hogan if he wanted to off-load something. Mr. Hogan indicated he would like to continue with all of his current associations. Mr. Kuhn moved to approve the liaison nominations, and Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Hogan called the vote, and all were in favor.
Mr. Hogan moved to re-appoint Janet Baldwin to the Historical Commission/HARB for a 5-year term ending 12/31/07, and Mrs. Ewald seconded. Mr. Hogan called the vote, and all were in favor.
Mr. Willig asked if the other two participants, Sheila Klement and Francis Puleo, have been active and whether these two appointments should be tabled in order to offer more names. Mrs. Philips indicated they are both active real estate brokers and that they do try to make it to the meetings. She indicated that Mr. Puleo attended all of the HARB meetings for the Mill, and added that she asked Mr. Jacob Merriwether to post the position on the Township web site in order to attract any licensed real estate brokers; however, there was no response to the posting. She also mentioned that Ms. Klement often talked with her when she was unable to attend a meeting, in order to gather the details of the business discussed. Mr. Kuhn said he would not have a problem going along with the HARB’s recommendation and confirmed with Mrs. Philips that, if the appointees were not living up to their obligations, she would make a recommendation to replace them. Mrs. Philips added, that due to an ordinance, whoever takes this position is required to be a licensed real estate agent.
Mrs. Ewald indicated Mrs. Ruth Van Tassel Bowman expressed an interest in this position, and moved to table the voting of this position until such time that she can be interviewed by the HARB Board. Mr. Kuhn moved not to table the issue. Mr. Willig asked Mrs. Philips what her thoughts were on the matter. She responded that she would call Mrs. Van Tassel Bowman the following day to inquire of her interest. Mr. Kuhn asked Mrs. Philips if she would want to replace Ms. Klement with Mrs. Van Tassel Bowman, assuming an interest, or expand the Board. Mrs. Philips answered she would not want to replace Ms. Klement after notifying Ms. Klement of her support. Mr. Kuhn indicated he would not have a problem expanding the Board. Mr. Willig asked if this would be a reasonable solution, and Mrs. Ewald responded that it would.
Mrs. Ewald reiterated that she believes anyone interested should be given an opportunity to be interviewed. Mrs. Philips agreed and added she hoped anyone with an interest would come forward and notify the HARB of their interest. Mrs. Ewald withdrew her motion to table the voting of this position, and Mr. Kuhn amended his motion to leave an opening on the Board for the possible inclusion of Ms. Van Tassel Bowman.
Mr. Rodgers indicated that Roberts Rules were not being following. Although Mr. Willig answered that the Board has not had to be so stringent in the past, Ms. Ewald put forth a new motion to leave an opening on the HARB in order for Ms. Van Tassel Bowman to be interviewed. Mr. Kuhn retracted his original motion and seconded Ms. Ewald’s new motion. Mr. Hogan asked for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Rodgers moved to re-appoint Kevin Kuhn as Supervisor on the Open Space Commission for a 3-year term ending 12/31/05, and Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Hogan called the vote, and all were in favor.
The Historical Society Member was left vacant by Priscilla Crowell, and the Commission requested that a current ‘at large’ member be moved into this slot, with either Mary Ellen Joos or Rosemary Philips being eligible. Mr. Rodgers moved to appoint Mr. Bill Andersen for a 5-year term ending 12/31/07, and Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Hogan called the vote, and all were in favor.
There are four additional Open Space Commission vacancies which the Commission wishes to leave vacant. They feel there are currently enough members whom are all working well together.
This position is currently vacant, however, a letter of interest was received from Suzanne O’Brien of 3230 Blackberry Lane. Mr. Hogan would like to have her come to the next meeting in order to meet the Board. He moved to table this appointment, and Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Hogan called the vote, and all were in favor.
Mr. Kuhn moved to re-appoint Wendy Leland to the Planning Commission for a 4-year term ending 12/31/06, and Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Hogan called the vote, and all were in favor.
Mr. Hogan moved to re-appoint Russell Hanscom to the Vacancy Board for a 1-year term ending 12/31/03 and Mrs. Ewald seconded. Mr. Hogan called the vote, and all were in favor.
Mrs. Ewald moved to appoint Ms. Aliena Gerhard to the Zoning Hearing Board for a 3-year term ending 12/31/05, and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Kuhn added that he thinks Ms. Gerhard will be excellent in this position. Mr. Hogan called the vote, and all were in favor.
Mrs. Ewald moved to table, and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Hogan called the vote and all were in favor.
Mr. Kuhn moved to set the Township Administrator/Secretary/Treasurer salary at $42,800.00. Mr. Willig seconded, and all were in favor.
Mr. Hogan moved to set the Assistant Township Secretary salary at $14.00/hour. Mrs. Ewald seconded, and all were in favor.
Mr. Willig moved to set the Recording Secretary’s salary at $13.50/hour. Mrs. Ewald seconded, and all were in favor.
Mr. Hogan moved to set the Parks & Recreation/Road Maintenance salary at $16.50/hour. Mrs. Ewald seconded, and all were in favor.
Mr. Hogan moved to set the Animal Control Officer’s salary at $16.50/hour. Mrs. Ewald seconded, and all were in favor.
Mr. Hogan moved to set the Fire Marshal Salary at $8,400.00 per year. Mr. Kuhn seconded, and all were in favor.
Mr. Hogan moved to set the Roadmaster’s salary at $10,000.00 per year. Mr. Kuhn seconded, and all were in favor.
Mr. Hogan announced the mileage rate for 2003 would increase to the IRS allowable reimbursement rate of $0.36 per mile.
Establish Employee/Employer Match for Employee Benefits
Mr. Hogan announced that this benefit was 100% Employee/0% Employer match for 2002 and would remain in effect.
Mr. Hogan read aloud the Holiday Schedule as proposed in Mrs. Csete’s memo. Mr. Kuhn moved to adopt the Holiday Schedule as proposed, and Mrs. Ewald seconded. All were in favor.
Mrs. Csete read Resolution #600-2003 in its entirety, which sets the depositories for Township funds for 2003. Mrs. Ewald moved to approve Resolution #600-2003. Mr. Kuhn seconded, and all were in favor.
Mrs. Csete read Resolution #601-2003 in its entirety, which names the emergency service providers for 2003. Mr. Kuhn moved to approve Resolution #601-2003. Mrs. Ewald seconded, and all were in favor.
Mr. Hogan moved to set the 2003 meeting schedule for the Board of Supervisors for the first and third Mondays of each month at 7:30 P.M. at the Great Valley Middle School Room 154, with the following exceptions due to holidays:
In lieu of January 20, February 17, and September 1, meetings will be held January 27, February 24 and September 8 respectively. Mrs. Ewald seconded, and all were in favor.
Mr. Hogan moved to adjourn the 2003 Reorganization Meeting at 8:15 P.M., and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Hogan called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.