Pocopson Township
Chester County, Pennsylvania
 

   Sellers called the meeting to order at 8:50 a.m. and opened with the pledge of allegiance.  Supervisors Brutscher and Hubbard were in attendance.  Also in attendance were Township Solicitor, Ross Unruh, and Planning Commission Member, Steve Conary. 

Announcements:  There were no announcements.

DEP - MS-4:  Jane Fava, BVA, was present to discuss the Storm Water Phase II program.  Ms. Fava explained MS-4’s are municipal separate storm sewer systems.  Ms. Fava reviewed the definition of a watershed for the meeting attendees.  Fava said that Storm Water is a problem due to increased run-off that is polluted with farm pesticides, bacteria, and toxic wastes.  This is a state created permitting program to meet federal regulations for controlling storm water requiring NPDES permits for all MS-4’s.  This program will reduce the discharge of pollutants to the maximum extent practicable by implementation of BMP’s, and the 6 minimum control measures; public education and outreach, public involvement and participation, illicit discharge detection and elimination, construction site storm water runoff control, post construction storm water management, pollution prevention/good housekeeping, and total maximum daily load.  Ms. Fava said that by 2008 DEP will require sediment reductions written into the MS-4 permits.  Ms. Fava thanked the Board for their time.

Resolution #05 - Budget 2006:  Sellers reviewed the proposed budget and said that the budget that was adopted in December was not advertised with the tax increase.   At a budget discussion in December, it was determined that a tax increase for 2006 would be necessary.  Bruce Yelton had several questions on the proposed budget. 

Motion:  Brutscher moved Hubbard seconded to adopt Resoultion #05 that adopts the budget for 2006 with the tax increase of .20 mils.  The township taxes for 2006 are 1.2 mils.  Motion carried with all in agreement.

Brenda White Farm /Bragg Hill Road:  John Grace and Steve Woodward were present to discuss development options for the Brenda White Farm located off of Bragg Hill Road.  Woodward said this is a very sensitive piece of property with extensive view sheds.    Woodward said the purpose of talking to the Board today is because the applicants would like to do a limited development.  A limited development would not support extensive public improvement costs i.e. bringing Bragg Hill Road up to township standards.  Woodward said the property could probably support about 17 to 18 homesites.  Sellers said that Bragg Hill Road is a sub-standard road and could not support the traffic this number of units would generate.  Woodward requested the Board for direction on developing this property.  The Board agreed that 8 or 9 units on this property including the Bedwell property, which is 10 acres, could be a starting point for discussion of development.  Woodward said he would develop a sketch plan for discussion at a future Planning Commission meeting.  

Township Auditor:  Sellers said that Jamie Kiernan, resident, has agreed to fill the open auditor’s position and will need to be appointed.  The secretary will check with the township solicitor to see what procedures will need to be followed since the elected auditor, Chris Bell, cannot be located. 

Scenic Byway/Ordinance:  Motion - Brutscher moved, Sellers seconded to advertise the Scenic Byway Ordinance for adoption.  Motion carried with all in agreement.   

Special Counsel - Appointment:   Motion - Sellers moved, Hubbard seconded to appoint David Bortner, Esq., as special counsel in the event that Unruh, Turner, Burke and Frees are not available at a time when the Board of Supervisors need representation.  Motion carried. 

Approval Minutes of January 23, 2006:  Motion - Sellers moved, Hubbard seconded to accept the minutes of January 23, 2006 as amended.  Motion carried.     

Open Space Referendum:  Steve Conary, Planning Commission Member, pointed out that ordinance #01 of 2006, Item 3 has a typographical error in the wording and must be corrected; (0.27%) must be omitted.  The secretary will contact Ross Unruh’s office and inform them of the correction; (0.27%) should be eliminated from Item 3 in the ordinance.

Treasurer’s Warrants:  The warrants were approved and signed as submitted. 
 

Adjournment:  The meeting was adjourned at 10:25 a.m

______________________                                                    ________________________
Karen J. Eckard, Secretary                                                       H. William Sellers, Chairman