Board of Supervisors Meeting Minutes

7:30 p.m., September 14, 2009

Present: Stephen R. Conary, Georgia F. Brutscher, Lauressa J. McNemar, P.E.

1. Call to order: The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Conary.

2. Pledge of Allegiance.

3. Announcements: Meetings continue with Castle Valley Consulting and Lenape Forged Products to finalize northern force main and easements for sewer connections. Board will meet with Delaware County Regional Water Quality Control Authority (DELCORA) on September 17^th to discuss terms and conditions regarding sale of the Riverside Wastewater Treatment Facility. Conary reported that the Township Solicitor is working with Toll Brothers to move forward in addressing dedication issues for Riverside. Board interviewed two finalists for the Public Works Crew positions. Board announced that Sarah Mims, Chairman, Township Historical Committee successfully applied for a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services in the amount of $121,700.00 to be used for the historic schoolhouse education expenses. Board met with Dennis Melton, Melton Architects, and Richard Basilio to review project status to date. McNemar announced the Township expects to learn next month if the Department of Environmental Protection PA Conservation Works! Grant will be awarded in the amount of $558,672 which includes adaptive re-use of the Barnard House and rehabilitation work for the Schoolhouse. Brutscher announced that the Kennett Area Regional Planning Commission will meet September 15^th, and the Commission plans to continue researching feasibility of a regional healthcare plan.

4. Public Comment: none.

5. Bell Subdivision – 1936 Lenape Road/63-5-2: Board discussed a request for an extension for the Bell Subdivision.

Motion: Conary moved to grant a 60-day extension for the review of the Bell Subdivision for the period September 20, 2009 to November 18, 2009; McNemar seconded; unanimously approved.

6. Founders Day September 20^th – Event Update: Zeke Hubbard reported the following on behalf of the Founders Day Committee:

a) Donations – $3,150.00 received to day representing about half of what was budgeted but a fair amount considering the current economy.

b) Request for generators – To control costs Hubbard requested and Harwood agreed to Founders Day use of a Public Works generator for the stage. Harwood offered use of personal generator to run the moon bounce.

c) Payments to vendors – Hubbard noted that requests are included in the Treasurer’s Warrants for all vendors who requirement payment in advance of the event.

d) Inclement weather – Board requested and Hubbard agreed that in the event of inclement weather the Township will record a message regarding status of the event. Equally important, decisions regarding the set up of the stage and activity stands will be made based on weather and site conditions.

e) Tents, banners, and information tables – McNemar and Bill Haaf will set up a table for recycling and conservation literature. Board requested that the information table for the Kennett Underground Railroad Center be set up adjacent to the Township information table. Board will use the information table to solicit sign-ups for the Deer Management Committee and to email addresses for the list serve notification project. Don Lane requested and Hubbard provided direction regarding installation of sponsor banners and flags on Friday before the event.

7. Public Works: Harwood reported the following:

a) Trail extension and storage bins – Public Works completed installation of the trail extension by the tennis courts so that it can connect with the existing trail. Construction of bins to store stone previously stockpiled at the farmhouse nearly complete.

b) Tree maintenance and tree removal – Boot Road Tree Service completed roadside tree trimming on Lenni Drive and Brandywine Hills. Harwood requested clarification regarding a request by a resident for the removal of a tree on Parkersville Road. Board asked if the tree was endangering the wires of a utility service provider. If so, Harwood should contact the appropriate utility service provider to remove the tree. Otherwise, if it is in the right-of-way the Township should take responsibility for its removal. Harwood should contact Boot Road Tree Service for the removal as soon as possible if an immediate risk exists of the tree falling in the road. The Township budget supports the expenditure for such removal.

c) Haines Mill Road bridge and Creek Road – TSG started work on Haines Mill Road today by completing saw cut but needs three rain-free days to complete the work. TSG will be in the Township September 17^th to resume work on Creek Road project.

d) Founders Day – Harwood suggested Founders Day Committee consider raffling the wooden arbor that serves as entrance to the park grounds because it was not meant to be moved and stored. He had the arbor repaired earlier this month because it fell apart in storage.

e) Other business – Public Works is hosting a winter maintenance class on September 15^th. Harwood is waiting for school bus drivers to become familiar with their routes before sending out the request for maintenance notification flier.

f) Public Works Crew – Motion: Conary moved to approve the hiring of Ronald Miller and Michael Cialini, effective September 21, 2009, as full-time employees for the Public Works Department; Brutscher seconded; motion unanimously approved.

8. New Business

a) Open Space Opportunities – Board discussed status of current open space opportunities as recommended by the Open Space Advisory Committee (OSAC) including moving forward with Elser and Cresta. Brutscher requested further information from the OSAC regarding the inclusion of Cresta.

Motion: Conary moved that the Open Space Advisory Committee proceed with the Elser Property at the appraised value of the development rights; McNemar seconded; motion unanimously approved.

b) Deer Management Committee – Conary reviewed previous requests from residents regarding the need to manage the overpopulation of deer in the Township that are destroying landscaping and are a source of Lyme disease and accidents on area roads. He reported that he attended the Kennett Township Deer Management Information Forum on September 9^th. He suggested that the Township use the Kennett Township deer management protocols as a model and suggested Founders Day as an opportunity for residents to sign up for a Pocopson Deer Management Committee. The Committee would be charged with educating hunters, coordinating hunting on Township land and private land, posting of property, and identifying safety zones. He noted the Brandywine Valley Association has a managed hunt every year and Jim Jordan has offered to help the Township establish a program.

Motion: Brutscher moved to establish the Pocopson Township Deer Management Committee with a sign up sheet for volunteers available during Founders Day; Conary seconded; motion unanimously approved.

c) Tax Collection Committee Update (Act 32) – Bruce Yelton, Township Delegate, provided a written report regarding the initial meeting held September 10^th. The Tax Collection Committee is part of a state mandate to centralize the collection of earned income tax and possibly property taxes. Yelton’s report noted that there is a strong recommendation for expedition of the centralized tax collection process to begin January 1, 2011 instead of January 1, 2012.

9. Old Business: Riverside at Chadds Ford Homeowners Association Board will review sewer easement agreement with their solicitor. Conary reported that Jack Becker (Applicant) recently raised an issue with the Township Engineer regarding the building line for the mixed-use project he proposes for the 3.091 acre tract being parcels 63-4-148 and 63-4-148.1. Applicant may seek Board support for his petition to the Zoning Hearing Board for nonconforming use due to what may be additional right-of-way requirements. The Board agreed to support the Applicant’s petition when submitted by his Engineer.

10. Treasurers Warrant: Motion: Conary moved, Brutscher seconded, to approve the Bill Payment Lists for September 1 – September 14, 2009 recommended for payment by the Treasurer. General Fund: 26 bills due for payment totaling $23,533.12; 4 debit card purchases totaling $129.29. Open Space Loan: 1 bill due for payment totaling $35.00.

Board reviewed and approved the Minimum Municipal Obligation Worksheet submitted for pension plan year 2010 as required by Act 205 of 1984. Minimum municipal obligation to be paid out of General Fund or with any General State Aid to Municipal Pensions is $5,699.00.

Motion: Brutscher moved, Conary seconded to establish a financial account for the Historic Schoolhouse for the purposes of accounting and tracking the expenditure of funds received from the Institute of Museum and Library Services grant; motion unanimously approved.

11. Correspondence: Brutscher noted a request received from the Scenic Byways Committee to appoint an alternate to represent Pocopson Township.

Motion: Conary moved to appoint Bruce Yelton as Alternate to the Scenic Byways Committee; McNemar seconded; motion unanimously approved.

12. Approval of Minutes of August 17, 2009 and August 31, 2009: Brutscher moved, McNemar seconded to approve the Minutes of August 17, 2009 as revised; motion unanimously approved. Conary moved, Brutscher seconded to approve the minutes of August 31, 2009 as revised; motion unanimously approved.

13. Adjournment: At 8:45 p.m., Conary moved, Brutscher seconded, to adjourn the meeting.

___________________________________ _____________________________

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