Charlestown Township Board of Supervisors Business Meeting Minutes of January 4, 2021

The first business meeting for January was held on January 4, 2021, via remote dial-in/log-in via Webex due to the ongoing coronavirus situation.

Present

Call to Order:

Announcements

Citizens Forum

Approvals

Mr. Kuhn moved to approve:

1. Minutes for the December 7, 2020, Business Meeting
2. The December 2020 Treasurer’s Report
3. The Operating Fund Accounts Payable Report for January 4, 2021.
4. The State Fund Accounts Payable Report for January 4, 2021
5. The Capital Fund - Open Space Projects Payable Report for January 4, 2021.

Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Reports

Mr. Philips moved to accept the December 2020 reports #1-17 as submitted and Ms. Bednar seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Old Business

Spring Oak Resident Complaints

Mr. Wright gave an update on Devault Foods beginning with the establishment of contact with the Beyond Meat management after they purchased Devault Foods. Mr. Wright has been working with Mr. Victor Davis the Director of Operations and Mr. Larry Elliott, the Beyond Meat Regional Manufacturing Manager.

1. Noise– Mr. Wright shared the November noise report and Mr. Elliot acknowledged that in November and December there was a high level of truck activity due to start-up. The plant did not have enough storage and has leased local space and purchased a warehouse in Oaks, PA. Trucks will deliver to the warehouses and then, as needed, the plant will obtain goods from the offsite locations. They promise quieter operations.
2. Carbon Dioxide deliveries will be between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. but they are working to push them towards midday. There were complaints due to a tank running out, which sounded an alarm and included a backfire sound.
3. The December noise report is not ready.
4. Odors– The reps also acknowledged that the odors were generally high.
5. They especially realize that the sausage odor was high and added filters to the meatless sausage mixers.
6. They also proactively added filters to the “Ready to Eat” line. The extra filters went in ≈12/18/20.

Mr. Rubenfield was told by Mr. Wright that Mr. Strunk will be contacted for an update on the lighting. He said they are still hearing a sustained high-frequency sound. Ms. Bednar asked Mr. Wright to check on the smaller box truck suggestion and the silencers that are on order. Mr. Wright expects the expansion plans by the March deadline.

New Business

Appointment to the Environmental Advisory Committee to fill unexpired term ending 12/31/2021

Upon recommendation from the EAC, Mr. Philips moved to appoint Ms. Sharon Richardson to the Environmental Advisory Committee to fill an unexpired term ending 12/31/2021, and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Resignation of Tax Collector and Appointment of Interim Tax Collector

The Board of Supervisors decided to move this item to the February meeting.

Mrs. Csete noted that since the Township real estate taxes are collected by the Chester County Treasurer’s office, the elected Tax Collector’s only duty will be to deputize the County to collect the taxes for 2021. The position is up for election this year, it will be posted on the website for the next meeting.

Hearing to Consider Ordinance to Regulate Generators

Mr. Thompson opened the hearing to consider an amendment for codification to Part 6 of the Township Code governing residential stand-by generators to Chapter 10, Health & Safety. Mr. Thompson asked if there were any questions. Mr. Willig asked about clarification of the emergency generators vs. the Noise Ordinance.

• If it is not deemed an emergency, then the Ordinance would apply.
• Portable generators are not regulated by this Ordinance.
• Mr. Allen reminded Members to consider clustered units.
• There may be a future discussion and an amendment about portable units not exceeding a wattage to control size.
• The only restriction in this Ordinance is the 21-foot setback to meet decibel restrictions.
• Supervisors are waiting to hear from residents of the TND’s and PRD’s so they can have a more substantial discussion.
• Mr. Rubinfield said portable unit restrictions will make many unable to have a portable unit, let alone a fixed generator. He did not want more restrictions.
• Mr. Ben James was for fewer restrictions on stand-bys since many are comparable to portables that are allowed.
• Ms. Palmer, of the Spring Oak HOA is having trouble producing a timely survey due to legal hurdles. She asked for the Board’s permission to send out a simple survey.
• The Board, very concerned about noise control, will send suggested survey questions to Mrs. Csete instead. After compilation, the Township will need to obtain email addresses for the PRD’s and TND residents.
• Board Members asked Mr. Wright to check on the redundancy switch with PECO.

Since a few corner lot residents have already obtained approval under the assumption that this would be passed, Members proceeded to vote to cover the approvals and then discuss amendments after obtaining feedback.

Mr. Philips moved to adopt Ordinance #213-2021 Amending Chapter 10 of the Charlestown Township Code to add regulations for standby generators, and Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Resolution Amending Fee Schedule for Recreational Fee-in-Lieu Ordinance

Ms. Csete referenced the 11/30/20 handout prepared by Tom Comitta reviewing the fee schedule currently in place for the Recreational Fee-in-Lieu ordinance. The current 5-year fee schedule concluded in 2020, so the Planning Commission recommended his proposed calculation for 2021. Since the 2020 census results will be out later this year, this resolution is for one year only. A new five- year schedule will be prepared to begin 2022.

Mr. Kuhn moved to adopt Resolution #982-21 setting the Recreation Fee-In-Lieu fees for 2021 as recommended, and Mr. Willig seconded. Mr. Piliero called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

PSATS Conference April 18-21, 2021

Mrs. Csete discussed registering for the convention amidst COVID-19 concerns. Ms. Bednar is likely to attend remotely as the voting delegate.

Adjournment

Mr. Piliero adjourned the meeting at 8:10 p.m. The next Business Meeting is scheduled for February 1, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. via Webex.