Board of Supervisors Meeting Minutes

7:30 p.m., March 9, 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: Brutscher announced that George Zacharkiw has agreed to serve as a Township representative for the Scenic Byways. Motion: McNemar moved, Conary seconded, to appoint George Zacharkiw as Township Representative to Scenic Byways; motion approved unanimously.

Brutscher completed a drive-through inspection of the Township with Public Works personnel. Conary scheduled to complete April drive-through. Conary reported Board met with representatives from Riverside on March 3, 2009 to discuss status of the wastewater treatment facility. Conary met with Developer Magill regarding outstanding engineering invoices.   

4. Public Comment: Vince Buckwash on behalf of a number of residents of Lenni Drive appeared before the Board seeking assistance with controlling the deer and geese populations on County land adjacent to Lenni Drive. County is not responding to requests from residents to control a deer population that is destroying residential property. Conary contacted the County on this issue on or about March 6th but had not received a response. Board agreed that, generally, deer populations have increased in numbers but the Township has limited capability to reduce the numbers on private property. Board agreed to continue contacting the County on behalf of the residents. 

 

Arthur L. Sagnor, III, Esquire, appeared on behalf of Steven and Teresa Bell (Applicant), regarding the Bell Subdivision Extension Request. Sagnor apologized for not having contacted the Board to explain that the need for multiple extension requests is due in large part to an ancillary issue regarding title to the lot that might preclude conveyance of the subdivided parcel. Additionally, Applicant’s engineer continues to seek solutions to the lot configurations in order to comply with Township Code for steep slopes and minimum lot width at the building line. Board directed that Applicant should attend the Township Planning Commission (PC) meeting on March 18th to report on the status of the subdivision. McNemar suggested that the Applicant sign a Professional Authorization Request for the Township Engineer to review plan revisions prior to the PC meeting on the 18th. Secretary is directed to include Bell Subdivision Update on the next PC Agenda and, if needed, an application extension on the March 23 Board meeting

 

5. Final Plan Approval County of Chester Equipment Storage Building: Motion: Brutscher moved to approve and sign the Final Land Development Plan for the County of Chester Equipment Storage Building dated 11/11/2008, as prepared by Regester Associates, Inc., and subject to the recordation of the Stormwater Management Operation and Maintenance Agreement; McNemar seconded; motion unanimously approved.  

 

6. Public Works: Harwood reported that Public Works continues to conduct speed surveys by rotating the location of the speed monitoring sign. Board reviewed speed survey data and asked that Harwood include overall number of vehicles at each location as well as the number of vehicles exceeding the speed limit. Harwood reported that March projects will include the following: (1) repair to turf disturbed by snow removal activity; (2) obtain prices from tree service vendors to repair or remove hazardous trees; (3) replace diesel fuel tank at the Public Works Garage. Harwood obtained three prices with the best price of $890.00 for the tank and $390.00 for the pump. A vendor has been located to remove the old tank.

Motion: Brutscher moved to approve the purchase of the diesel fuel tank and pump; McNemar seconded; motion unanimously approved.

Harwood reported that Red Bridge Farm Homeowners Association (HOA) requested the Township purchase pipe for the stormwater repairs and the HOA would reimburse the Township. Following discussion, the Board agreed that the HOA should complete the purchase in accordance with the signed agreement. Board asked if Public Works will provide weed control for the Olmstead Trails. Harwood reported that Public Works personnel are not certified to handle poison but will contact East Marlborough Township personnel who are certified as herbicide handlers to provide weed control for the Trails. Similarly, Harwood reminded the Board that Public Works personnel are not certified to apply the tick borne disease repellent insecticide used in conjunction with deer feeders. Therefore, the Township would not be able to assist with tick borne disease control for deer populations. McNemar asked if speed control bumps could be installed on Haines Mill Road. Harwood reported that it is a consideration when the road is reopened.

7. Open Space Advisory (OSA) Committee Recommendation: Conary reviewed recommendation from the Open Space Advisory Committee. Following discussion, Board agreed that there is a need to incorporate the trail easement (with similar wording in the current Baily Agreement that specifies trail easements activated when land transfers out of the bloodline). The conservation easements should include provisions for the trail easements on both properties. These provisions would be triggered upon the transfer or sale of the land.

Motion: Brutscher moved to approve the expenditures as recommended by the Open Space Advisory Committee in a letter dated March 9, 2009 for the Elser Property, Cresta Property, and DeNenno Property and that language utilized for the Baily Subdivision relating to trail easements be incorporated in the event the property is sold; Conary seconded, motion unanimously approved.

8. Old Business: 

  • Secretary reported that the work continues in drafting the Omnibus Fee Resolution which will include re-inspection fees for building permits.
  • Request received from Brandywine Conservancy to amend Township Resolution 2009-6 Route 926 Bridge Replacement. Following discussion, Board agreed to draft a letter of support for the addition of pedestrian access and a bikeway to the bridge repairs but not to amend the Resolution.
  • Draft Ordinances for Keeping of Animals and Signs have been circulated for review and approval. Board reviewed and noted their approval of the detail provided in the February Code Enforcement Report submitted by Yerkes Associates.  

 

9. New Business: 

  • Act 537 Plan was not submitted by Castle Valley for review at this time.
  • Motion: Brutscher moved to request proposals for an owner/operator for the Riverside at Chadds Ford Wastewater Treatment Plant; Conary seconded; motion unanimously approved.
  • McNemar discussed the development of collateral material known as Pocopson Township Vision which will be used during potential grant and fundraising discussions. Board agreed that an outline of the material should be drafted in-house with the notion of outsourcing to a professional designer/marketing maven.
  • Motion: Conary moved to appoint Gary L. Burcham to serve as Landscape Architect for the Township at the rates and fees detailed in the agreement dated March 1, 2009; Brutscher seconded; motion unanimously approved.
  • Brutscher noted preliminary conversations with legal counsel representing the homebuyers of the Berlin property regarding the replacement of trees.
  • Brutscher reported completion of interviews and review of architectural proposals for the Barnard House restoration. Motion: Conary moved that the Township approve retaining  Dennis C. Melton, AIA, Melton Architects, to provide architectural services for the preservation, restoration, and adaptive re-use of the Barnard House at the rates provided in the proposal dated February 23, 2009 as revised subsequent to the meeting held March 5, 2009; McNemar seconded; motion unanimously approved. Motion: Brutscher moved and Conary seconded to appoint the following individuals to serve on the Barnard House Steering Committee: Georgia Brutscher, Chair, Jean Conary, Alta Hoffman, Kris Firey-Poling, Mary Dugan, Rusty Jones, John O’Neil, and Susan Simone; motion unanimously approved.   

 

10. Performance Bond Reduction Request from Toll Brothers & Partial Dedication:  No action taken at this time pending review of escrow allotted for construction of spray fields. 

 

11. Treasurer’s Warrants: Warrants approved as submitted. 

 

12. Correspondence: Conary reported proposal package completed for farmland lease which includes a copy of the conservation plan. Motion: Conary moved to approve the farmland lease and conservation plan as prepared by the Solicitor and to put the lease out for bid; McNemar seconded; motion unanimously approved. Secretary is directed to proceed with legal advertising for proposals on March 13, 2009. 

 

13. Review of Minutes: Motion: McNemar moved to approve the Minutes of February 23, 2009 as revised; Conary seconded; motion approved unanimously.

 

14. Adjournment: At 9:45  p.m., Conary moved to adjourn the meeting; Brutscher seconded.

 

___________________________________            _____________________________

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