Charlestown Township Board of Supervisors Business Meeting Minutes of September 3, 2019

The first business meeting for September was held September 3, 2019, at the Great Valley Middle School Library, 255 N. Phoenixville Pike, in Malvern, PA.

Present

Call to Order:

7:06 p.m.

Announcements

Mrs. Csete announced that Charlestown Day is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 14^th from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. with a 5K beginning at 8:00 a.m. Proceeds from this event sponsored by Friends of Charlestown, will go to the French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust.

Citizens Forum

No one came forward.

Approvals

August 5, 2019, Business Meeting Minutes

Mr. Kuhn moved to approve the minutes for the August 5, 2019, Business Meeting, and Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Philips called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Treasurer’s Report August 1-31, 2019

Mr. Kuhn moved to approve the August 2019 Treasurer’s Report and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Philips called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Accounts Payable Report for the Operating Fund September 3, 2019

Mr. Kuhn moved to approve the Operating Fund Accounts Payable Report for September 3, 2019, and Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Philips called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Accounts Payable Report for the Capital Fund – General Projects September 3, 2019

Mr. Philips moved to approve the Capital Fund - General Projects Payable Report for September 3, 2019, and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Philips called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Accounts Payable Report for the Capital Fund – Open Space Projects September 3, 2019

Mr. Kuhn asked for information about check #3421 for the Cemetery Wall Project. Mr. Philips moved to approve the Capital Fund - Open Space Projects Report for September 3, 2019, and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Philips called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Reports

Mr. Kuhn moved to accept the August 2019 reports #1-14 as submitted and Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Philips called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Hearings

Conditional Use Hearing – Michael Richter

Mr. Thompson opened the hearing and the proceeds were taken by court reporter, Ms. Nancy Sage Sciaretta. Mr. Thompson entered the following exhibits into the record:

T-1	Public Notice
T-2	Certified Receipt of mailing by Applicant
T-3	Conditional Use Application to the Township
T-4	Review letter by Advanced GeoServices Corp., dated August 12, 2019
T-5	Review letter by Thomas Comitta Associates, Inc., dated August 6,2019

Mr. Richter distributed a packet to add more detail to what was shown to the Planning Commission. The exhibits were entered into record as:

A-1	Calculations
A-2	Schematic
A-3	July 16, 2019 updated version of a plan that includes a driveway and recommended impervious data

There is no future plan for subdivision and it will remain a single property. The sketch showed a one-story floor plan for a proposed guest quarters at his property at 141 Ravenhill Road (35-01D-0001.000). Mr. Richter fielded questions about his plans and impervious surface numbers for his construction of a garage with an in-law suite.

Following testimony, Mr. Thompson closed the hearing.

Following the close of the hearing, Mr. Kuhn moved to approve the Conditional Use for Mr. Richter, and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Philips called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Hearing to Adopt Phoenixville Regional Planning Commission Comprehensive Plan

Mr. Thompson opened the hearing and the proceeds were taken by court reporter, Ms. Nancy Sage Sciaretta. Mr. Thompson entered the following exhibits into the record:

T-1	Public Notice
T-2	Second Public Notice
T-3	Chester County Planning Commission review letter

Following the close of the hearing, Mr. Willing moved to adopt Resolution #947-2019 adopting the Phoenixville Regional Comprehensive Plan, and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Philips called for discussion and there being nothing further, called the vote. All were in favor.

Old Business

Meadow Maintenance at Devault Basins

Consultant Mr. Ed Theurkauf and Mr. Greg Nichols of GreenWeaver Landscapes Inc. were present to discuss ongoing meadow maintenance at the Devault basins along Route 29 at the Turnpike abutments. Mr. Philips discussed with Mr. Theurkauf the reason that the basins weren’t progressing as expected.

Points of Discussion:

1. Mr. Theurkauf felt that the meadow is where he expected to be, as far as design. He explained the natural succession, except they are stopping the woody and invasive vegetation. The basin at Phoenixville Pike and Morehall Road was badly overgrown with invasives, but now has much less with more grasses and flowers. There is beneficial habitat and better basin performance due to these efforts.
2. Mr. Philips stated there were some trees there that didn’t make it and some that don’t belong in that environment.
3. Mr. Theurkauf said the woody plants are evaluated twice a year. The soil is very rocky and hard to water, plus he admitted that some varieties were poorer choices than others.
4. Mr. Philips suggested adding some new varieties of shrubs, trees, and higher growing wildflowers, that would bloom above the grasses.
5. They discussed the smaller basins where many shrubs have died and overhead wires would hamper higher growing plants.
6. On the other side of the Turnpike, Mr. Theurkauf was pleased with the decrease of invasives, and the grasses and wildflowers beginning to show, but stated the smaller size makes it difficult to get a meadow effect. The larger basins are definitely looking better.
7. Mr. Nichols’ opinion was he thought the meadows were doing well. He felt that to bring the meadows to where Mr. Philips expected them to be, for a Township entrance, there would need to be an increase in budget.
8. Problems he encountered, not mentioned by Mr. Theurkauf were a high thistle count and the removal of them impacting the delicate wildflowers, salt spray, the water and contaminants in the run-off from the road, and a high pH from it being a recovered construction site. He suggested adding a few more varieties of wildflower and annuals so Mr. Philips would have the look he envisioned.
9. Mr. Philips and Mr. Nichols agreed that mowing, a sort of frame around the edges to enhance and make the area look more manicured, should be done.

The Board requested a 3-tier budget proposal for improvements from Mr. Nichols and Mr. Theurkauf. Signs will be designed by the Township collaborating with Mr. Theurkauf and GreenWeaver Landscapes and incorporated into the design.

Introduction of Rep. Chrissy Houlahan by Noah Levine

Mr. Noah Levine, Constituent Advocate & District Scheduler for U.S. Representative Chrissy Houlahan introduced himself to the Members. His goal was to report to the Board what her first 200 days entailed. He reminded the Members, that communicating with their office, is what helps them know what is important. The district lines have been redrawn to include all of Chester County. Rep. Houlahan is able to assist with Federal agencies and policies and advocate at the federal level for township concerns.

New Business

Conservation Easement – Seibert Property

Mr. Kuhn discussed the Seibert property (19.7 acres) at 2125 Pikeland Road (Tax Parcels 35-4-33.2 & 35-4-34). There has been money set aside from Harry Burham’s estate to use for appraisals. Ms. Pam Brown suggested that money be used to pay for the conservation easement appraisal and therefore the Township would pay the landowner’s fees. But Mr. Kuhn does not want the Township to be cutting a check to the landowner and prefers to have the landowner pay for the easement fees. Mr. Willig and Mr. Philips were in agreement.

Also, Ms. Brown said the Trust has $3,400 in a dedicated fund received at the passing of Supervisor Mike Rodgers, but Members agreed they would like to use it for a more prominent project.

Mr. Kuhn moved to recommend the French & Pickering Creeks Trust conservation preparation agreement following a change to have the $7,500 fees paid by the donor. Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Philips called for discussion, and there being none, called for a vote. All were in favor.

Appointment to the Environmental Advisory Committee for remainder of a term ending 12/31/19

Mrs. Csete discussed Ms. Meg Solomon and her impressive background with the Board.

Upon recommendation by the EAC, Mr. Kuhn moved to appoint Ms. Meg Solomon to the Environmental Advisory Committee for the remainder of an unexpired term ending 12/31/19, and Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Philips called for discussion, and there being none, called for a vote. All were in favor.

Appointment of Assistant Township Secretary

Mrs. Csete recommended the appointment of Ms. Mary Ann Donnelly to the position of Assistant Township Secretary following Ms. Jan Bird’s retirement on September 27^th. Ms. Donnelly has extensive experience with municipal administrative work and was highly recommended by Radnor and Easttown Townships.

Mr. Philips moved to appoint Mary Ann Donnelly as Assistant Township Secretary to begin on October 2nd, subject to her acceptance of the position, and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Philips called for discussion, and there being none, called for a vote. All were in favor.

Brightside Farmhouse Repairs – Change Order #2

Mr. Philips moved to approve Change Order #2 to the contract for Brightside Farmhouse Repairs with J.D. Bravo Company, to include the replacement of front steps and sidewalk leading to the farmhouse, and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Philips called for discussion, and there being none, called for a vote. All were in favor.

Discuss: Revision to Stormwater Management Ordinance

Mr. Wright explained that the purpose of the model Act 167 Stormwater Management Ordinance provided by the County is to provide a description and an exemption for a structure called a “High Tunnel”, which is structure used for storing agricultural materials. These types of structures have a floor made of various materials (but not a solid concrete or paved floor) and would be not be required to provide stormwater management facilities. The structures or its flooring cannot result in an impervious area exceeding 25% of all structures located on the owner’s total contiguous land area. This prevents an excessive number of tunnels. Also, they are unlike a glass greenhouse, having a flexible covering. Enacting the ordinance would amend the recently updated Stormwater Management Ordinance.

The Solicitor was directed to prepare a draft ordinance amending the Township Stormwater Management Ordinance in order to schedule a hearing later this fall.

Resolution to Adopt Revised Permit Fee Schedule

Mrs. Csete said she met with Building Code Official Anthony Merklinger on August 8^th to review the Township’s permit fee schedule. Most of the proposed changes were to the minimum charges for specific projects and not a change in the cost per square foot or percentage of job cost. Mr. Kuhn moved to adopt Resolution #948-2019 amending the Permit Fee Schedule, and Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Philips called for discussion, and there being none, called for a vote. All were in favor.

First Resource Bank CDARS Funds Maturing 10/4/19

Mrs. Csete said that one of the two CDARS investments at First Resource Bank is maturing on 10/4/19, and she recommended redeeming the proceeds and returning the approximately $1.5 million in funds to the PLGIT Open Space Capital Account as a temporary measure. Since interest rates have improved since the initial CDARS investment was made, the Township should research the best option for these funds.

Mr. Kuhn moved to authorize Mrs. Csete to redeem the CDARS funds held in First Resource Bank maturing 10/4/19 and return them to the PLIGT Open Space Capital Fund. Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Philips called for discussion, and there being none, called for a vote. All were in favor.

Minimum Municipal Obligation 2020 – Pension Plan

Mrs. Csete stated the Township is required to vote each year to provide for the Minimum Pension Plan Obligation in the next year’s budget.

Mr. Philips moved to authorize funding the Employee Pension Plan for 2020 in the amount of the Minimum Municipal obligation provided by Trustees Insurance of $17,723 and to include this amount in the budget for 2020. Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Philips called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Other Business

Mr. Philips raised a question about the proposed Conditional Use Ordinance. Mr. Thompson responding he’s preparing it for a hearing later this fall.

Adjournment

Mr. Philips adjourned the meeting at 8:25 p.m. There will be an executive session after tonight’s meeting. The next Board of Supervisors meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 7, 2019, 7:00 p.m. at the Great Valley Middle School, Room #154, 255 N. Phoenixville Pike, Malvern, PA.