CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP
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The Charlestown Board of Supervisors held their regular monthly meeting on Monday, April 1, 1991 in the Charlestown Elementary School
| Present: | Irene W. Ewald, Chairman; John C. Martin, Jr., Vice Chairman; Vincent G. Kling, Sr., member; James E. McErlane, Esq.; Surender Kohli, P.E.; Ruth W. Buckwalter; and those on the attached attendee list. |
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 8:05 pm.
Mr. Kling moved to approve the minutes of the March 4, 1991 meeting. Mr. Martin seconded the motion, the minutes were unanimously approved.
The Chairman entertained a motion to approve the March 1991 Treasurer’s Report. George Snyder requested the Treasurer’s Report be read aloud. Mrs. Ewald complied, afterwhich Mr. Kling moved for approval, Mr. Martin seconded, the Treasurer’s Report was unanimously approved.
The Supervisors reviewed the April 1, 1991 Accounts Payable. Checks no. 6430, 6431, 6432 (auditors) and 6448 (Thomas Comitta Assocs) were withdrawn from payment. Mr. Kling moved to approve the payables, with the exception of the above numbered checks, Mr. Martin seconded the motion, it so carried.
Zoning Officer’s Report: for the Township file, Mr. Kohli submitted a list of Building Permits issued during March. A letter had been sent to Hough/Loew requesting them to clean up the trash accumulating on their property. Mr. Kohli reported the trash was gone and chains had been put up to discourage the use of this area as a dumping ground. Also noted was the plan for the Commons at Great Valley, which had just this day been submitted to his office. Mr. Kohli had not had time to review them. Another item reported was the desire of Mr. Fanfero to operate a kitchen from the presently vacant house at 10 Yellow Springs Road.
Planning Commission Report: Michael Churchill stated the proposed Alleva subdivision is still pending due to the access problem. Panilquin subdivision is also still pending.
Parks and Recreation Report: Bob Elmer submitted a report of the March activities by this Board which included a copy of the Press Release re the Charlestown Family Picnic to be held June 15 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at “Charlestown Park”. The report contained a list of the work completed, and that which still needs completion, on the grounds maintenance and the Township Line Road entrance to the park. Further planning for the Charlestown Family Picnic will be held April 22 at 7 p.m. at the Nature Center. Mr. Elmer requested a meeting be held between the Supervisors, the Parks & Recreation Board and an area sports club.
Roadmaster’s Report: Mr. Pyle reviewed his written report which he submitted for the Township files. A number of roads were patched, storm gutters were cleaned throughout the Township and roads were salted and cindered on March 14 & 15. Mr. Pyle reported the roads in the Hollow Run Farm development need to have seams between the road and rolled gutters sealed to keep water from undermining the road. This will be reviewed during the Spring Toad Tour on April 6th.
At the March 4th meeting of the Board, Mr. Elmer requested the $1500 allocated in the 1991 Budget be made available for the library of the Nature Center. Mrs. Ewald moved to approve the $1500 allocation, Mr. Martin seconded the motion, it carried unanimously.
No representative of Conrail was present to report on the progress being made on cleaning up old ties. Mrs. Ewald instructed the Secretary to contact Conrail and set up an inspection tour.
Mr. Panizza presented a preliminary plan of the Panilquin subdivision. The issue in this subdivision is the wetlands. Mr. Churchill gave a brief review of the project and stated the Planning Commission had given the plan approval subject to conditions stated in the Planning Commission minutes of February 12,1991. Mr. Ziegler and Mr. Hasselquist were appointed by Mr. Churchill to review the impact of sewer lines traversing the wetland area. Mr. Ziegler reported that the developer sought and obtained authorization for crossing the wetlands from both the Army Corps of Engs. and the PA DER, He stated final plans need to show: (a) construction sequence, (b) erosion and sedimentation control in more detail, (c) indicate the building material and an explanation of building procedure. Mr. Kohli noted that this plan has been submitted to the Soil Conservation District, who have a long list of items to be addressed. Also, Mr. Kohli’s letter of January 22, 1991, lists 19 items to be satisfied before approval. Mrs. Ewald stated the Supervisors had not received the latest revision of the plan as presented. After further discussion, including the subject of an access road, Mr. Kling moved the Supervisors approve the preliminary plan subject to the conditions stated in Mr. Kohli’s letter of 2-12-91, the conditions set forth by the Planning Commission and those set forth by the Soil Conservation District. Mr. Martin seconded the motion, it unanimously carried. Mrs. Ewald amended the above motion to include the condition of payment of all money owed to the Township by Mr. Panizza, Mr. Martin seconded the motion, it carried unanimously.
The Chairman read aloud and explained to those in attendance the reason for an Escrow Ordinance. This Ordinance is being considered by the Board to protect the Township against developers who do not reimburse the Township in a timely manner for the various charges owed. A request was made for the names of those developers who are in arrears. Mrs. Ewald said she would bring the invoices to the next Supervisors’ meeting. Mr. McErlane will work with Mr. Kohli to revise the present draft in time for the May meeting.
The amendment to eliminate the required 10% of single family dwelling in the PRD#2 for the Charlestown Meadows subdivision was approved by a motion from Mr. Kling, seconded by Mrs. Ewald. The motion carried. Mr. McErlane will advertise for a public hearing at the May meeting.
Mr. Martin updated the present standing of the Charlestown Hunt subdivision. He stated that the next major event is that his Deposition has been requested by Mr. Kaplin. The public and the press are invited. This will take place on Tuesday, April 9 at 9 a.m. at the offices of Lamb, Windle & McErlane.
Mr. Kling gave a report on the meeting he had with Steve Lester. Regional Chief Engineer for PENNDOT. re Charlestown Township road pavements, tree taking on Pikeland Road, and mud holes across the street from the school. PENNDOT says they do not have funding this year for the extra paving, but if the school could find the money to do this, Mr. Lester would give full approval to use PENNDOT’S right of way. Mr. Kling brought the following issues to Mr. Lester’s attention: (a) flooding of the road due to the catch basin across from Three Ponds - PENNDOT agreed to fix this (b) when PENNDOT paves the roads, can they not pave the full width - PENNDOT cannot do this due to lack of funds to do the many roads for which they are responsible (c) 15 giant trees marked by PENNDOT to be removed on Pikeland Road -PENNDOT’S Chief Forester will review this tree taking with Mr. Kling (the result of this meeting was that less than half the trees will be removed) (d) the lack of federation between the Turnpike Authority and PENNDOT re the proposed exit in Devault of the Turnpike - PENNDOT will try to remedy this (e) bridge on Pikeland Road too narrow and a 2 car replacement is desirable - PENNDOT did not agree to do this (f) preserve the present antique bridge on Pickering Road - PENNDOT must abide by 1990 standards which require a 2 lane bridge replacement.
The question was raised from the floor re the state of the proposed Ordinances. Mrs. Ewald reported the Ordinances were turned back to the Planning Commission with directions on suggestions of improvements and eliminations. The Planning Commission met at public meetings at least four times during which a rough outline of the redraft was hammered out. They were then sent to Mr. McErlane’s office to be worked out as legal documents according to law. The target date for completion is the second Planning Commission meeting in April.
Mr. Martin noted that no action nor correspondence had occurred re Newcomen Road.
Mrs. Ewald announced that preceding the Supervisors’ meeting this night, an Executive Session was held re Charlestown Brae. Charlestown Hunt, and the Escrow Ordinance.
Andy Ewald, representing the Great Valley Ecology Club, requested the Supervisors provide trucks to haul away the trash that will be collected from Township roadsides on Clean-up Day. April 20th. He also requested traffic assistance from Townwatch. Bob Elmer suggested residents cleaning up around their own property call the Nature Center. He requested 4 pick-up trucks to be used to haul the trash to the school - the center for collecting. Mr. Kling offered the use of his truck. He also suggested signs stating “this is our scenic route - please don’t pollute it”. This seems to be working in a neighboring township. Mrs. Ewald complimented the Great Valley Ecology Club, stating that last year 135 students turned out to clean the roads. The Supervisors will supply dump trucks for disposal of the trash. Mrs. Baldwin was pleased to report that Brad Berges and a number of his friends are doing an excellent job of cleaning up the Charlestown Revolutionary Cemetery. Brad took this job on as part of his goal for the award of Eagle Scout.
Resolution #441-91 .re the County Commissioners’ request of Charlestown Township to provide the Commissioners with a Resolution outlining the methods and agencies chosen to meet and fulfill the public safety needs of the Township. Mr. Kling moved to approve the adoption of Resolution #441-91, Mrs. Ewald seconded the motion, it carried unanimously.
Resolution #442-91. re the County’s Solid Waste Management Plan was discussed. Mr. McErlane recommended the Board adopt the Resolution, which supports the County’s plan. Mr. Kling so moved, Mrs. Ewald seconded the motion, it so carried.
Mrs. Ewald read a Proclamation sent by the Chester County Bar Assn. proclaiming May 1st as Law Davin the United States of America. Mrs. Ewald signed the Proclamation.
Mrs. Ewald noted the Road Bids would be advertised after the Road Tour.
The Secretary reported she had received a request from Dennis Mahoney, Manager/New Business & Records, Philadelphia Suburban Water Company, for a copy of an agreement between PSW Co. and Charlestown Township re. water supply to the community formerly supplied by the Warner Co. system. Mr. McErlane stated that there was no written agreement and recommended the Board turn over the waterline to PSW Co. for liability purposes. Mr. Kling moved to turn over the title to this waterline, Mr. Martin seconded the motion, it carried unanimously. Mr. McErlane will take care of this matter.
Mrs. Ewald read aloud the February and March 1991 Correspondence.
All business completed, Mr. Martin moved to adjourn the meeting, Mrs. Ewald seconded the motion, the meeting was adjourned - 10:45 pm.
Secretary
