CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
REORGANIZATION MEETING
JANUARY 5, 1998

The Reorganization Meeting was held at the Charlestown Elementary School. John B. Sauser, Robin J. Kohn, Irene W. Ewald, James E. McErlane, Esq., Surender S. Kohli, P.E., Linda M. Csete, Secretary, and those on the attached attendee list were present.

The meeting was called to order at 7:35 P.M. and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Announcement

Mr. Sauser announced that Vice Chairman Robin Kohn has submitted a letter explaining his intention to resign from the Board, which necessitates the appointment of a replacement. He stated that the meeting will follow Robert’s Rules of Order as has been his policy in the past.

Mr. Kohn stated that he appreciated the opportunity to serve the public for the past two years, but for personal reasons felt it best for him to resign. He said it was a pleasure to deal with the people of Charlestown and looks forward to participating in some way in the future. He stated his intention to participate in a minimal reorganization but that his successor should be involved in some of the appointments with the Board considering a reorganization at that time.

Chairman, Board of Supervisors

Mr. Kohn moved to nominate John B. Sauser for Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. Mr. Sauser seconded. Mr. Sauser and Mr. Kohn were in favor, and Mrs. Ewald was opposed stating the reason of the disfunctionality of the Board over the past year and the fact that Mr. Kohn gave no reason for his resignation.

Vice Chairman, Board of Supervisors

Mr. Kohn moved to nominate Mrs. Ewald for Vice Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. Mrs. Ewald respectfully declined. Mr. Sauser then moved to nominate Mr. Kohn for Vice Chairman and Mr. Kohn seconded. All were in favor.

Secretary-Treasurer

Mr. Sauser moved to nominate Linda M. Csete as Secretary-Treasurer for the Board of Supervisors. Mrs. Ewald seconded and all were in favor.

Roadmaster

Mr. Sauser moved to nominate James Thompson for Roadmaster and Mrs. Ewald seconded. All were in favor.

Township Engineer/Zoning Officer/Building Inspector

Mr. Sauser moved to nominate Surender S. Kohli of Kohli & Associates as Township Engineer, Zoning Officer and Building Inspector. Mrs. Ewald seconded and all were in favor.

Solicitor

Mr. Sauser moved to nominate the law firm of Lamb, Windle and McErlane, P.C. as counsel for the Township. Mrs. Ewald amended the motion to specify James E. McErlane as lead counsel. Mr. Sauser seconded the amended motion and all were in favor.

Vacancy Board

Mr. Sauser explained that the individual on this Board serves to break a tie if the Board of Supervisors are unable to appoint a third Supervisor within thirty days of the vacancy.

Mr. Kohn moved to nominate William Gordon of Hollow Road for the Vacancy Board. Mr. Gordon has served in the past on the Valley Forge Sewer Authority Board and worked on the township’s zoning ordinance. Mrs. Ewald called for discussion. She noted that this appointment is a pivotal one this year and suggested that nominations be taken from the Board for the position of Supervisor before filling this position. Mr. Sauser stated that this would not be appropriate since Mr. Kohn remains on the Board at this time. Mr. Sauser then moved to nominate Giovanni Farra for the Vacancy Board and Mr. Kohn seconded. Mr. Sauser and Mr. Kohn were in favor and Mrs. Ewald was opposed.

Establishment of Rates of Pay

Mr. Sauser moved to set a salary of $30,000 for the Township Secretary-Treasurer pending negotiation of office hours. Mrs. Ewald seconded and all were in favor.

Mr. Sauser moved to set a salary of $7,800 for the Roadmaster. Mr. Kohn seconded and all were in favor.

Resolution #528-98

Mr. Sauser read Resolution #528-98 in its entirety, which sets the depositories for Township funds for 1998. Mr. Sauser moved to approve Resolution #528-98. Mrs. Ewald seconded and all were in favor.

Resolution #529-98

Mr. Sauser read Resolution #529-98 in its entirety, which names the emergency service providers for 1998. Mr. Sauser moved to approve Resolution #529-98. Mrs. Ewald seconded and all were in favor.

Independent Auditor

Mrs. Ewald moved to nominate Mr. Todd for Independent Auditor to conduct the 1997 audit and Mr. Kohn seconded. Mr. Kohn and Mrs. Ewald were in favor. Mr. Sauser was opposed, stating that he had no objection to Mr. Todd but feels that the elected auditors should conduct the audit rather than an appointee.

Meeting Schedule for 1998

Mr. Sauser moved to set the 1998 meeting schedule for the Board of Supervisors for the first and third Mondays of each month to take place at 8:00 P.M. at the Charlestown Elementary School. Mrs. Ewald moved to set the 1998 meeting schedule for the first and third Mondays of each month to take place at 7:30 P.M. with a 10:30 P.M. curfew. Mr. Kohn seconded Mrs. Ewald’s motion. Mr. Kohn and Mrs. Ewald were in favor and Mr. Sauser was opposed.

Fire Marshal

Mrs. Ewald moved to nominate Frederick C. Alston as Fire Marshal. Mr. Sauser seconded and all were in favor.

Adjournment

Mr. Sauser moved to adjourn the Re-Organization Meeting at 8:00 P.M. Mr. Kohn seconded and all were in favor.

Resignation

At this time, Mr. Kohn tendered his resignation as Township Supervisor to the Board and Township Secretary to be effective immediately.

Respectfully submitted,


Linda M. Csete
Township Secretary