Board of Supervisors Meeting Minutes

7:30 p.m., February 8, 2010

 

In attendance: Supervisors – Stephen R. Conary, Georgia F. Brutscher, Lauressa J. McNemar, P.E.; Ross Unruh, Township Solicitor; James Hatfield, P.E., Township Engineer; Toll Brothers – Fronefield Crawford, Jr., Esquire, and Tom Kessler; Beverly Bruns, Chair, Founders Day Committee; Ezekiel Hubbard, Park Director.

 

1. Call to order: Conary called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

2. Announcements: Board met in executive session on February 8th to discuss personnel topics. On January 27th met with personnel from Risk Associates at the Barnard House regarding construction management proposal. Met with landowner Cresta regarding open space acquisition on February 3rd. On February 4th Conary and McNemar met with Ezekiel Hubbard and Tom Bierl, Trails Feasibility Study Committee, regarding Trails Feasibility Study report. Board noted completion of repairs to Township Administration Building due to storm damage. Don Lane is commended for the great job Public Works Crew did to clear the roads during the February 6th snow storm. McNemar and Secretary attended a census information session on January 29th sponsored by the Pennsylvania 2010 Census Full Count Committee. Township will do its part to encourage all residents to complete the simple ten-question census form. Toll Brothers continues to work through the punchlist of items to be completed prior to dedication of Riverside Wastewater system to Township and subsequently toDelaware County Regional Water Quality Control Authority on March 1st.

 

3. Public Comment: none

 

4. West Chester Public Library Presentation: Victoria Dow, Director, West Chester Public Library, reviewed the 2010 West Chester Library Budget approved November 16, 2009 noting a 20% reduction in state funding. Library operations will continue a full line of children and teen programming. County-wide library usage increased by 20% over the past year. Library Board Member Sue Woodward commented that the 2010 budget represents a concerted effort on the part of the Library to operate within its means in a beneficial way for the community-at-large. She urged the Supervisors to consider a full allocation to the Library for 2010. Brutscher acknowledged the “open door policy” of the West Chester Public Library in their annual budget presentation. She encourages the Supervisors to consider full allocation to the Library. Board recognizes that Township residents also make use of Bayard Taylor Library. For this reason the Supervisors will hear from the Bayard Taylor Library Board in March. 

 

5. Founders Day Update: Bruns reported that planning is well underway with contracts in place for the tents, moon bounce, and Sleepy Hollow Enterprises. The next Committee meeting will be February 23rd. Bruns noted that sponsorship letters will offer sponsors opportunity to list their name on the Township web site and will not include posting an electronic link or sponsor logos. Board confirmed those terms are the same as 2009. Sponsor letters are approved for mailing. Secretary will re-circulate the letter to homeowner associations for Board review.

 

6. Berlin Subdivision:

a) Lot 3 – 63-3-89.1B Building Permit Application and Landscape Plan – James Barone, Barone Homes, LLC, and Joseph and Cheryl DelGrippo (Applicant) appeared before the Board regarding status of the review of the building permit and the landscape plans. Board received from Gary Burcham, Township Landscape Architect, a Comment Letter dated February 4, 2010 for the review of the Landscape Plan prepared by Greenroots Landscaping, LLC, dated December 19, 2009. Secretary noted that Yerkes Associates completed the zoning and land disturbance review. With regard to the landscape plan, Applicant confirmed the removal of eleven (11) trees from the site and that no trees will be planted on adjacent Township property. Applicant reported that project financing includes costs for landscape installation with funds to be disbursed as each component of the landscape plan is installed. Board agreed to finalize details for a Landscape Cash Escrow Agreement following the initial site work and pending request for issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy.

 

b) Shared Driveway – Lot 2 landowner Donna Maston brought to the attention of the DelGrippos that during construction care must be taken to prevent damage to the pervious pavement specifically clogging the surface with sediment. Hatfield directed that the builder take steps necessary to keep construction vehicle tires clean and have a water truck on site. Ultimately, any damage to the shared driveway is the responsibility of the three lot owners. Maston requested the Township Engineer provide assistance with her concern that the porous asphalt pavement on her property and the shared driveway is showing signs of distress. Board agreed that Hatfield should complete a site visit for the purpose of making an assessment. Required repairs are the responsibility of the landowners.  

 

7. Corinne Village/Toll “The Preserve” – Discussion ensued regarding recent email transmittals for the following documents that are not yet finalized:

a) Agreement to Vacate Portion of Larkin Baily Road and Grant Trail Easement – The northern portion of Larkin Baily will not be designated an emergency access road. A driveway access between lots 38 and 39 will serve as an access road for the wastewater treatment facility.

 

b) Open Space Management Plan – Crawford noted that while a performance standard does not exist a maintenance schedule will be identified in the Plan. Responsibilities are outlined in the homeowner association (HOA) documents including a contingency in the HOA budget.

 

c) Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions – Township provided suggested changes but is not a party to the Declaration.

 

d) Infrastructure and Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) Escrows – Township has not received escrow details for sewer system from Castle Valley Consultants, Inc. Site improvements will be incorporated into one agreement. Three escrows will be established for use of funds in accordance with recent discussions. Capital reserve issue is resolved for the sewer agreement. Provisions for road improvements including widening of Corrine Road and intersection construction are in accordance with Resolution 2009-5. Toll confirmed that in accordance with Hatfield’s review, allocation is adequate for Locust Grove realignment and shifting of Corrine Road. Escrow will include Township Engineer review for stormwater management for each lot.

 

e) Landscape Plan/Agreement – Brutscher asked that Toll install Corrine Road buffer landscaping as soon as possible. Toll acknowledged that aesthetically it is in the best interest of the community to provide mature landscaping as soon as possible. Revised landscaping plan to be reviewed by Township consultants.

 

f) Other – Township will continue to research genesis of the Plan note restricting sewer for the basements. There will be nine (9) off-site sewer connections with valve boxes for the individual homes. All agreed to target February 22nd, the next regular meeting of the Board, as an opportunity to sign the Final Major Subdivision Plan and principal agreements.

 

8. Public Works Department: Lane submitted and the Board accepted as written a public works report for the week of February 8, 2010. The Report was supplemented with the following discussion: three complaints received from residents regarding snow removal. Township plowed Taylors Run at Red Bridge during the December 2009 storm and the February 6, 2010 storm. Secretary is directed to contact Executor for Gorman Estate to correct snow removal contact on Township web site and to bill the Estate for snow removal. Township will not cover the cost to repair cosmetic stone work on the Red Bridge Farms Lane bridge. Board approved purchase and installation of caution sign for Haines Mill Road. Lane is reviewing signal work recommendations from Signal Service Inc. regarding Route 926 and Pocopson Road intersection. Minimum pay for Public Works Crew on-call responsibilities was discussed at length. Citing on-call responsibilities in the formal job descriptions, the Board clarified that Public Works Crew are to be paid for time worked.

   

9. Township Engineer Project Status Report: Hatfield submitted and the Board accepted as written a Status Report dated February 8, 2010. The Report was supplemented with the following discussion: Hatfield submitted a formal report regarding 100 Hickory Hill Road, Tax Parcel 63-1-53 documenting three separate site visits about flooding and review of building permit plans for the horse stable constructed in 2006. His investigations will continue including inspection of the underground infiltration facilities installed during construction. Board agreed to send a copy of the report to the landowner. Brandywine Valley and Red Clay Valley Associations request written response from the Township regarding interest in participating in a municipal/county partnership to manage the MS4 and TMDL (total maximum daily load) sediment program. Board requested Hatfield to draft a response citing pros and cons for Township participation.  

 

10. Barnard House Update: Board reviewed Melton Architects proposal dated January 25, 2010 for fundraising participation and presentation materials for Barnard House/School House renovations.

Motion: Brutscher moved to approve the proposal for scope of architectural services submitted by Melton Architects dated January 25, 2010 in an amount not to exceed $2,500.00; Conary seconded; motion unanimously approved.

 

11. Pocopson Park Usage Permit for Unionville Recreation Association (URA): Discussion ensued regarding providing adequate park usage for residents while accommodating requests from organizations. Board noted that the request from URA should be processed in accordance with Township Fee Resolution 2009-17. Hubbard noted that URA’s request for Sunday usage of the Park is denied. Board anticipates fees assessed for park usage will help defray the cost of maintaining the athletic fields.

 

12. Resolution No. 2010-10 – Board reviewed Chester County Commissioners directive regarding ratification of the Chester County Municipal Waste Management Plan Revision.

Motion: Conary moved, Brutscher seconded to adopt Resolution 2010-10 ratifying the 2009 Plan Revision prepared and adopted by Chester County in accordance with the provisions of Act 101; motion unanimously approved.  

 

13. New Business: Secretary is directed to contact Yerkes Associates regarding zoning compliance by the landowner of the train station housing the veterinary facility.

 

14. Old Business: Secretary reported that Lieutenant Sneed from the Pennsylvania State Police responded to the request for monthly activity reports. Sneed cited the Pennsylvania Open Records Law as the determining factor in withholding or redacting the reports. Sneed will schedule time on the agenda in the near future to update the relocation of the police barracks.

 

15. Correspondence: Board reviewed letters of interest and resumes for four individuals interested in filling the Planning Commission vacancy. Board endorsed a letter of denial to one individual who did not meet the requirement of resident as stated in Section 205 of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code. Secretary is directed to determine availability of current Planning Commission members to begin interview process to fill the vacancy.

 

16. Treasurer’s Warrants: Conary moved, Brutscher seconded, to approve the Bill Payment Lists for February 8, 2010 recommended for payment by the Treasurer. General Fund: 12 bills due for payment totaling $8,846.47; 2 debit card purchases totaling $1,546.19. Highway Aid: 5 bills due for payment totaling $7,111.81. Parks, Recreation and Trails: 1 bill due for payment for $704.46.

 

17. Approval of Minutes of January 25, 2010: McNemar moved, Brutscher seconded to approve the January 25, 2010 Minutes as revised; motion unanimously approved.

 

18. Adjournment: At 11:30 p.m., Conary moved to adjourn the meeting; Brutscher seconded.

 

 

___________________________________            _____________________________

Susan E. Simone, Administrative Secretary                    Georgia F. Brutscher, Vice Chair