Charlestown Township
Board of Supervisors Business Meeting
Minutes of February 6, 2012

The first business meeting for February was held February 6, 2012 at the Great Valley Middle School, Room 154, 255 N. Phoenixville Pike, Malvern, PA

Present:

Supervisors:	Kevin R. Kuhn, Frank A. Piliero, Michael J. Rodgers, Hugh D. Willig
Consultants:	Surender Kohli, P.E., Dan Wright, P.E., Mark P. Thompson, Esq
Staff:	Linda Csete, Manager, Jim Thompson, Roadmaster
Boards & Commissions:	Bob Jones, Alix Coleman, David Greer
Public:	See attached list

Call to Order:

7:40 p.m.

Announcements

Mrs. Csete made the following announcements:

The Board held an executive session just prior to tonight’s meeting to discuss legal matters.
Girl Scout Leader Laura Assayag contacted me in January to ask permission for her daughter’s troop to perform a clean-up at the Brightside Farm on Martin Luther King Day as a MLK Day of service. We want to express our thanks to farm manager Alix Coleman, who worked with the following girls and moms on January 16th at the Farm: Erin Cracas, Jenny Huffman, Kerry Cantrell and mom Lorraine Palita, Gemma Zucchi and mom Jane Zucchi, Olivia and Claire Stewart and mom Jen Stewart, and Kyla Assayag and her mom, Laura Assayag.
Again this year, Charlestown will participate in a community shredding event with neighbors Schuylkill Township, East Pikeland Township and Phoenixville Borough. This year’s event will take place on Saturday, May 5, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the CAT Pickering VoTech Campus. Flyers are available here tonight and info is on the Township website.
Tomorrow night, Jim McErlane from our legal counsel firm of Lamb, McErlane P.C. will be named Outstanding Citizen of the Year for 2011 by the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce. He’s being recognized for his service in many local organizations such as the Community Volunteers in Medicine, the West Chester University Foundation, the Paoli Hospital and the Chester County Food Bank.
She thanked the Board and particularly Jan Bird, Assistant Township Secretary, for their help while she was out of the office for a week.

Citizens’ Forum

– No matters were brought forward.

Approvals

Minutes of January 3, 2012 Reorganization Meeting

Mr. Kuhn moved to approve the minutes of the January 3, 2012 reorganization meeting, and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Minutes of January 3, 2012 Business Meeting

Mr. Rodgers moved to approve the minutes of the January 3, 2012 business meeting, and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Treasurer’s Report January 1 - 31, 2012

Mr. Rodgers moved to approve the January 2012 Treasurer’s Report and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Accounts Payable Report February 6, 2012 Operating Fund

Mr. Kuhn moved to approve the February 6, 2012 Operating Fund Accounts Payable Report and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote, and all were in favor.

Accounts Payable Report February 6, 2012 Liquid Fuels Fund

Mr. Rodgers moved to approve the February 6, 2012 Liquid Fuels Fund Accounts Payable Report and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote, and all were in favor.

Accounts Payable Report February 6, 2012 Open Space Fund

Mr. Kuhn moved to approve the February 6, 2012 Open Space Fund Accounts Payable Report and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote, and all were in favor.

Reports

Mr. Rodgers moved to accept the January reports as submitted, and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion. Mr. Kuhn asked when the next East Whiteland Fire Company meeting, is, and Mrs. Csete said February 13th. Mr. Willig indicated he plans to attend. Mr. Piliero called the vote. All were in favor.

Hearings

Conditional Use Application for Apartment Use– Tashir and Maria Kassam

The proceedings were taken by Mark Hagerty, Court Reporter. Mr. Thompson entered the following into the record:

•	T-1	Public Notice
•	T-2	Conditional Use Application Form with attachments

Testimony was given by the following:

Tashir Kassam

No exhibits were entered into the record by the Applicant and no one from the public came forward.

Mr. Thompson closed the record. Mr. Kuhn moved to approve the apartment use at the Bell & Clapper, and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Kuhn congratulated the Kassams on their restoration work of the home. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote, and all were in favor.

Mr. Thompson said a formal written decision will be made within 45 days.

Conditional Use Application for Home Occupation - Drs. Antonio Goncalves and Ellen Davis -

The proceedings were taken by Mark Hagerty, Court Reporter. Mr. Thompson entered the following into the record:

•	T-1	Public Notice
•	T-2	Conditional Use Application Form with attachments
•	T-3	Review Letter dated 1/3/2012 from S. Kohli, P.E. to W. Leland
•	T-4	Sketch of the parking area

Testimony was given by the following:

Dr. Antonio Goncalves

The following exhibits were entered into the record by the Applicant:

•

A-1

Return receipts from neighbor notifications

Mr. Thompson asked if there were any further questions from those present. No one came forward and the record was closed.

Mr. Rodgers moved to approve the home occupation use for Dr. Goncalves, subject to Mr. Kohli’s review letter dated 1/3/2012 and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote, and all were in favor.

Mr. Thompson said a formal written decision will be made within 45 days.

Open Space Act Hearing: Acquisition of Harry and Marjorie Gill Easement

Mr. Thompson stated that under the Open Lands Act, the Board is required to hold a hearing prior to considering an open space acquisition using open space tax funds so that property owners have notice and an opportunity to comment. He said a notice was published as required twice in the Daily Local News stating that the Board will consider the acquisition of the 21.4 acre Gill property, tax parcel #35-3-24.1 and 10.6 acre parcel #35-3-24.3

Mr. Kuhn moved to approve Resolution #769-2012 moving forward on the acquisition of the Gill Easement and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion. Mr. Kuhn said the Township is fortunate to have so much of Green Lane Road protected, with the Gill, Coleman, Burgoon and Piliero easements, and Hevner being finalized. Mr. Piliero called the vote. All were in favor.

Old Business

– none

New Business

Award Signal Service Contract for 2012

Mrs. Csete referred to Mr. Wright’s letter dated 1/5/2012 reviewing the three bids received for the 2012 traffic signal maintenance contract and recommending Armour & Sons as the lowest responsible bidder.

Mr. Kuhn asked the Roadmaster if he was satisfied with Armour, and Mr. Thompson responded yes. Mr. Kuhn moved to award the 2012 traffic signal maintenance contract to Armour & Sons Electric, Inc., for the period of 2/8/2012 to 2/8/2013 and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Appointment to Parks & Recreation Board – Term to 12/31/2015

Mr. Kuhn moved to appoint Mary Lou Forcine to the Parks & Recreation Board for a term ending 12/31/2015, and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

2012 Road Improvement Projects

Roadmaster Jim Thompson said he’s spoken with Mr. Wright about possible milling and resurfacing projects for 2012. He mentioned Tinkerhill Road, Dobbs Lane, Oak Lane and Ridgewood Lane for consideration. The Board asked him to meet with Mr. Wright and prepare a list for review at the March 5, 2012 meeting. Mr. Willig suggested he look at the shoulders of Pickering Road, which are developing rutting. Mr. Kuhn said attention to the shoulders should be added to the contract to avoid this problem in the future.

Oversight for Charlestown Park, Brightside Farm and Open Space

Mrs. Csete asked for clarification from the Board as to who should provide oversight for the various parks and open space in the township and the following was determined:

Charlestown Park and General Open Space: Bob Jones, as Parks & Rec Chairman, will oversee with Jim Thompson’s assistance,

Brightside Farm Property: Alix Coleman will oversee with Jim Thompson’s assistance;

Brightside Farm House: Tenants will report problems to Mrs. Csete, who will refer them to Mrs. Coleman.

Authorize Advertising for Mowing, Tree, Road Labor & Equipment Bids for 4/1/2012- 3/31/2012

Mrs. Csete said she circulated the previous years’ bid documents to the Board, Mr. Thompson and Parks & Rec Chairman Bob Jones for comments before finalizing them for the contract period to start 4/1/2012.

Mowing

Mr. Jones said they’ve had trouble with the mowing bids in the past, and he recommends a three year contract so smaller bidders can afford the Performance Bond.

Mr. Kuhn asked if the bid is for $15,000 per year, does this constitute a $45,000 bid since it’s for three years. Mr. Thompson said yes. Mr. Kuhn suggested that the contract allow the successful bidder an extension clause to continue longer than the three year period if the situation warrants it.

Tree Work

The Tree Work bid will also be for a three-year period, and a cancellation clause will be added.

Road Labor & Equipment

The contractor will be required to provide their own brine supply source.

Mr. Kuhn moved to authorize advertising of the mowing, tree, and labor & equipment bids with the changes discussed tonight to be incorporated in the bid documents. The revised documents will be circulated to the Board for final approval before advertising. Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Authorize Baldwin Appraisal

Mr. Kuhn said the Baldwins contacted the Township with an interest in conserving their 16 acre property on Bodine Road, so the Township authorized a yield plan which indicated six parcels could be created.

Mr. Rodgers moved to authorize an appraisal of the Baldwin property, subject to the Baldwins agreeing to pay half the cost. Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Other Business