CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
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The first regular business meeting for January was held January 4, 1999 at the Charlestown Elementary School. John B. Sauser, Chairman, Robert, C. Wert, Vice Chairman, Irene W. Ewald, James E. McErlane, Esq., Linda M. Csete, Secretary, and those on the attached attendee list were present.
The meeting was called to order at 8:30 P.M.
Mr. Sauser announced that the Chester County Commissioners and Department of Emergency Services have issued a drought warning with an early declaration of a ban on non-essential water uses expected.
Mrs. Ewald announced that she spoke with West Pikeland Supervisors’ Chairman George Irwin with regard to two items. First, Mrs. Ewald conveyed the Charlestown Board’s interest in sharing the cost of paving a portion of Newcomen Road provided the lower of two cost options is selected. The lower cost option does not include any widening of Newcomen Road and is expected to cost $15,000-20,000. The higher cost option was in the $40,000+ range. She stated that Mr. Irwin will confirm this option with his fellow board members.
Second, Mr. Irwin Confirmed that the West Pikeland Township Board has committed $25,000 in funding for the cost of signalization at the intersection of Newcomen Road and Road 401 and that they understand Charlestown’s total cost estimate is more in the range of $140,000 and they are willing to cover 50% of this cost.
Mrs. Ewald announced that she spoke with Schuylkill Township Supervisors’ Chairman Ted Ryan, who said his township has expressed an interest in joining Charlestown in the opposition of a slip ramp in or near Charlestown Township. They plan a letter of support for Charlestown Township with regard to this issue.
Mrs. Ewald commented that it was wonderful to see so many of the residents over the recent holidays.
Kevin Kuhn stated that he spoke again to William Fulton, Executive Director of the Chester County Planning Commission on the slip ramp issue. He announced that the Charlestown residents’ slip ramp committee will be holding a meeting at the Methodist Church on Thursday, January 7, 1999 at 7:30 P.M. when he will report on Mr. Fulton’s comments. The Supervisors were invited to attend the meeting.
Mr. Sauser moved to approve the minutes of December 7m 1988 with two amendments:
Mr. Wert seconded the motion to approve the minutes as amended. Mr. Sauser and Mr. Wert were in favor, and Mrs. Ewald was opposed.
Mr. Sauser moved to Approve the minutes of December 21, 1998 and Mr. Wert seconded. All were in favor.
Mr. Sauser moved that check #1969 to Voice Net is an annual fee, and made a comment on check #1979 to PECO Energy. He said the Secretary requested that the township office landlord check on the circuitry to the electric meter as the electric bill is disproportionately high compared to the bill for the first floor of the building leased by the Devault Post Office. Discussion was held on the paving of Wells Road, for which a leveling course was installed with the wearing course postponed to Spring due to the onset of cold weather. Mr. Thompson stated that the stones now breaking loose from the leveling course, particularly from high spots, is normal and won’t create extra preparatory work in the Spring. Mr. Rittenbaugh said that the finished product, expected to be completed in early April, will be of the same quality as would have been obtained had the final paving been completed before winter with an expected life of 20 years. Mr. Sauser moved to approve the January 4, 1999 Accounts Payable and Mr. Wert seconded. All were in favor.
Reports from the Planning Commission, Historical Commission, Roadmaster and Fire Marshal are on file. There was no Parks and Recreation Report. Minutes from the last meeting of the Valley Forge Sewer Authority are on file.
The Secretary will contact Mr. D’Annunzio and request that his construction crew maintain salting of the icy patch on Hollow Road created by runoff from the Somerset site. The problem is temporary and should be eliminated when the drainage pipe in that area is installed shortly.
Mr. Baldwin will contact the gravestone restoration experts in Massachusetts with whom she’s been consulting on Bill Hochwind’s proposal for constructing a temporary cover over the Dr. Kennedy gravestone.
Mr. Sauser announced that Mr. Kohli has been seriously ill and therefore there is no report for this evening. Mr. Kohli has everyone’s best wishes for a speedy recovery.
After some discussion, the Board directed the Secretary to carry through with the notification of contract renewal to the Soccer Club with no changes.
The Board requested that Mr. Alston assist the Township in determining whether or not their computer system, as well as the Tax Collector’s computer system, are Y2K compliant. Mr. Alston offered to do so on a volunteer basis, after which the Board members indicated that they would accept a proposal from him of the matter becomes involved.
Mr. Sauser announced that the Township will hold a logo contest for the best design of a new Township logo. Deadline for submissions is March 15th with the winner to be chosen by the Board at the April 5th meting. A certificate will be awarded to the winner. Mrs. Ewald moved to approve the Secretary’s draft of the rules for the contest and Mr. Wert seconded. All were in favor.
Mr. Sauser announced that the Township received a nice response from Mr. Durbin, the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission following his receipt of the citizens’ petition and Board’s accompanying letter. Mr. Sauser said that Walt Green of the Turnpike Commission expects their studies to be completed shortly and a public officials meeting to be scheduled for a date in February to be determined. This meeting is open to the local elected officials and state representatives and takes the form of a briefing. Shortly thereafter, a general meeting for the public is held.
Mr. Sauser said he plans to meet with members of the citizens’ slip ramp committee on January 6th.
Mr. Sauser said he asked for recommendations from Mr. Wert and Mr. McErlane on an individual qualified to act as a consultant to the Township on the Slip Ramp issue. Mrs. Ewald suggested that the Board first hold an executive session with its own consultants. Mr. Wert suggested that Mr. McErlane research the Pa statutes and have an outline of the Turnpike’s decision making process available for this meeting. An executive session was scheduled for January 14th, 8:30 P.M. at the Township office to include Board members, Mr. McErlane and Mr. Kohli.
Mr. McErlane stated that the agreement drafted for lease of a portion of the Township’s lot on Whitehorse Road in Devault for practice fields calls for Township approval of the School District’s planning consultant for the project. The Board indicated that Mr. Comitta would be acceptable in this position.
No matters were brought forward.
Mr. Sauser adjourned the meeting at 10:30 P.M. and stated that the next meeting of the Board of Supervisors will take place on January 18, 1999 at 7:30 P.M. at the Great Valley Nature Center at which time a hearing is scheduled to consider an Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance to include an open space option.