Board of Supervisors Meeting Minutes

7:30 p.m., November 23, 2009

 

In attendance: Stephen R. Conary, Georgia F. Brutscher, Lauressa J. McNemar, P.E.; Sarah Mims, Chair, Pocopson Township Historic Committee; Randy Mims and Paul Haldeman, Co-Chairs, Pocopson Open Space Advisory Committee

 

1. Call to order: Conary called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.  

 

2. Pledge of Allegiance.

 

3. Announcements: Budget work sessions held on November 4 and November 17, 2009 in accordance with legal adverting. Offer of dedication for improvements at Riverside and sale of the wastewater treatment facility rescheduled for January 4, 2010. Conary announced open space offer discussed with Cresta/Johnston with discussions with Open Space and Trail Committees to follow. McNemar announced meetings with Barnard House Architect Dennis Melton on November 11 and November 16, 2009, regarding construction management personnel. McNemar attended meeting sponsored by Brandywine Valley Association on November 20th regarding water quality issues. Brutscher announced Kennett Area Regional Planning Commission (KARPC) met on November 17th and will not meet in December. New Garden Township will chair the KARPC in 2010. Barnard House Steering Committee met on November 19th and set up a subcommittee to research available grants. McNemar reported that the Township was not awarded the PA Conservation Works grant submitted as a joint application with the Kennett Underground Railroad Center (KURC) for the adaptive re-use of the Barnard House. 

 

4. Public Comment: none.

 

5. Public Hearing: Acquisition of Conservation Easement/350 South Wawaset Road (Elser)/Parcel 63-3-30.0.

Motion: At 7:40 p.m., Conary moved, McNemar seconded to close the public meeting and open the hearing on the acquisition of the conservation easement on the Elser property.

 

a) Presentation – Board conducted the hearing in accordance with provision of Act 153 which allows the landowner to present evidence regarding the Township’s acquisition of the easement. Andy Elser appeared as representative for landowner Henry Elser. Substantive components of the conservation easement prepared by Brandywine Conservancy are approved with minor details under review. The appraised value for the 90+- acres is $21,667 per acre.

Motion: At 7:45 p.m., Brutscher moved, McNemar seconded to close the hearing and reopen the public meeting.

b) Resolution 2009-20 – Board reviewed Resolution for Open Space Preservation, Tax Parcel 63-3-30.3, 350 South Wawaset Road (Elser).  The purpose of the conservation easement is to retire specified development rights and to protect and preserve the open space, scenic and other natural resource values and attributes of the property as part of the Township Open Space Program.

Motion: Brutscher moved to adopt Resolution 2009-20 as presented for acquisition of the conservation easement on the Elser Property known as Tax Parcel 63-3-30.3; McNemar seconded; motion unanimously approved. 

c) Resolution 2009-21 – Board reviewed Resolution authorizing a member of the Board of Supervisors to sign, acknowledge, and deliver documents in connection with the conservation easement on the Elser property per Resolution 2009-20. Conary noted that the Closing is tentatively scheduled for December 18, 2009.

Motion: McNemar moved to adopt Resolution 2009-21 as presented; Conary seconded; motion unanimously approved. 

 

6. Public Hearings – Adoption of Ordinances:

Motion: At 7:55 p.m., Conary moved, McNemar seconded to close the public meeting and open the hearings for adoption of ordinances.

 

a) Ordinance No. 1 of 2009 Grinder Pumps: Conary reviewed the Ordinance creating Article IV in Chapter 170, Sewers, to establish procedures for the installation, use and maintenance of sewage grinder pumps, and providing for amendments therein. Exhibits presented as follows – B-1 authorizing legal advertising; B-2 submission to Chester County Law Library and public notice; B-3 submission to Daily Local News; B-4 proposed ordinance; B-5 proof of publication. There were no comments or discussion.

Motion: Brutscher moved to approve Pocopson Township Ordinance No. 1 of 2009 as presented regarding establishing procedures for grinder pumps; Conary seconded; motion unanimously approved.  

 

b) Ordinance No. 2 of 2009 Amending General Provisions of Keeping of Animals §250-6 and §250-92: Proposed amendment available to the public since October 29, 2009. Discussion included clarification for 3-acre requirement for large animals with 1 acre for each additional animal to accommodate calculations for structures and impervious surfaces. Exhibits presented as follows – C-1 through C-3 Township and County Planning Commissions reports and notices; C-4 authorizing legal advertising; C-5 submission to Chester County Law Library and public notice; C-6 submission to Daily Local News; C-7 proposed amended ordinance; C-8 proof of publication.

Motion: Brutscher moved to approve Pocopson Township Ordinance No. 2 of 2009 as presented amending the general provisions of Keeping of Animals; McNemar seconded; motion unanimously approved.   

 

Motion: At 8:20 p.m. Brutscher moved, McNemar seconded to close the hearings and reopen the public meeting.

 

7. Barnard House: Sarah Mims discussed the application for historic signage for the Barnard House and the Locust Grove Schoolhouse. She reviewed the application process as required by Pennsylvania noting that once approved the Township purchases and installs the signs. She reported that the Schoolhouse is not significant on a state level; however, with focus on African-American History in 2010 the timing is appropriate to apply for historical signage for the Barnard House. Board authorized Historic Committee to work with KURC to submit an application for the Barnard House sign. Mims will work with Gary Summers, Eagle Scout Project Coordinator, to assist with the Schoolhouse sign. Board requested Secretary send Mims a copy of the draft amended sign ordinance for review and that care should be taken regarding sign placement in relation to the Locust Grove intersection. With regard to grants for the adaptive re-use of the Barnard House, Mims noted that statistically, it has been the experience of the Historic Committee that grantees must submit multiple applications. She noted the submission of at least 52 grants in the last 6 years for the Schoolhouse with few grants awarded. Once awarded detailed administration of the grant is required. 

 

8. Public Works: Don Lane submitted and the Board accepted as written a project report for the week of November 23, 2009. The report was supplemented by the following discussion:

a) Creek Road repair – Township will submit bid proposal to PennDOT Liquid Fuels representative for review prior to soliciting bids.

b) Haines Mill Road Bridge – Lane will meet with Township Engineer regarding the weight limits for the bridge. Discussion continues regarding use of the bridge by school bus and commercial traffic. Motion: Conary moved, McNemar seconded, to authorize Township Engineer to submit a weight analysis evaluation.

c) Infrastructure – Lane requested and Board approved Township to modify a pipe at the Gilpin property as requested by Longwood Fire Company. Centerline rumble strips will be considered for Lenape Road during next scheduled repaving. Gas main installation on Lenape Road precludes remediation of the standing water issue at Lenni Drive. Lane is preparing a list of Township roads requiring paving in 2010. Lane continues to work with PennDOT regarding standing water issues at the entrance of the Grace property.  He reported that there may be standing water issues on Pocopson Road at the Toll entrance.

 

McNemar noted and the Board agreed that Don Lane be recognized for the exemplary manner in which he has carried out the responsibilities of Director of Public Works. 

 

9. Committee Updates:  

a) Founders Day – Ezekiel Hubbard and Ricki Stumpo reported that the Committee is looking at September 19th for Founders Day 2010. Committee is reorganizing and seeks a chair. Stumpo is willing to serve as Vice-Chair. The spring newsletter would be too late to solicit interest in a volunteer to serve as chair as the work for the event must begin in January. Stumpo reported that some volunteers will not be returning for 2010. Board requests the Founders Day Committee seek to garner more support by sending a letter to homeowner associations requesting volunteers. A call for volunteers notice should be posted on the Township web site. Hubbard has agreed to serve as liaison to the Treasurer and Board for 2010. Board asks that the Committee assign a volunteer to monitor recycling and waste management during Founders Day.   

b) Deer Management Committee – Lane reported Committee met November 20th during which time locations were designated for archery and firearms hunting to begin November 30th. Seven hunters were chosen to participate in the hunt. Pocopson Park and a portion of the trail section on the Barnard House property will be closed during hunting and posted accordingly. Letters will be sent to landowners adjacent to the designated hunting areas. Lane will monitor hunting activity and respond to citizen questions and complaints. Lane noted discussions stalled for approval of a deer hunt on the adjacent County property.

 

10. 2010 Budget: Conary reported that the proposed 2010 budget is available for inspection. Legal advertising is complete regarding the Board’s intention to consider adoption of and action on the Budget during the next regular meeting on December 14th. Public comment included a review of certain budget line items including but not limited to clarification of professional and association dues, public water installation for the garage, library allocations, and Barnard House renovation funds that may be used for a matching grant.

Motion: Conary moved to adopt the budget as a preliminary budget for 2010; Brutscher seconded; motion unanimously approved.

 

11. New Business: Secretary reported the Solicitor reviewed notice from Chester County Civil Court Administrator regarding termination of Kretzschmar case.

 

12. Old Business:  Secretary reported that Lot 1/Borel continues to work toward finalizing a line of credit for tree replacement. Hubbard noted that the Township Emergency Response Plan should be updated including necessary credentialing.

 

13. Taylors Run at Red Bridge Landscaping Escrow Release – Applicant must submit documentation to the satisfaction of the Board regarding creation of a homeowners association.

 

14. Treasurer’s Warrants: Motion: Brutscher moved, McNemar seconded, to approve the Bill Payment Lists for November 10 – 23, 2009 recommended for payment by the Treasurer. General Fund: 20 bills due for payment totaling $24,804.22, 5 debit card purchases for $437.13. Highway Aid: 2 bills due for payment totaling $1,763.83. Open Space Loan: 3 bills due for payment totaling $2,351.61. Parks Recreation and Trails: 1 bill due for payment of $328.01. Road Improvements/Route 52 Intersection: 1 bill due for payment of $31,845.67.

Motion: Conary moved, Brutscher seconded, to accept the October 2009 Financial Report prepared by the Township Treasurer. 

 

15. Correspondence: Board approved renewal of the 2010 contract with the Chester County SPCA for animal control. Board reviewed and agreed to renew participation in the Southeastern Chester County Refuse Authority Municipal Recycling Program. McNemar reported that the Chester County Conservation District is submitting another stimulus grant for a tree replacement project on behalf of several municipalities. Board agreed to endorse the landowner letter of commitment to participate in the project.

 

16. Approval of Minutes November 9, 2009: Motion: Conary moved to approve the November 9, 2009 Minutes as read; Brutscher seconded; motion unanimously approved.  

 

17. Adjournment: At 9:35 p.m., Brutscher moved to adjourn the meeting; McNemar seconded.

 

___________________________________            _____________________________

Susan E. Simone, Administrative Secretary                    Stephen R. Conary, Chair