Board of Supervisors Meeting Minutes

7:30 p.m., March 10, 2008

 

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

 

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

 

2. Pledge of Allegiance

 

3. Announcements: Conary reported that he and McNemar met with representatives from Toll Brothers and East Penn Railroad regarding the stormwater flows into/under the rail bed near Pocopson Road entrance to Riverside. There is an agreement between these parties on the next steps. Conary attended Representative Barrar’s Town Hall meeting on March 6th.  McNemar will attend Barrar’s next meeting on March 13th. Settlement of the conservation easement on the Cousins’ property is expected before the end of March. Finally, he reported that the Board met with Gannett Fleming on the next steps regarding the submission to PennDOT of the roundabout plans. VanDemark & Lynch expect to submit Safety Review Plans within a week.

 

Brutscher reported that the Board met with County personnel for updates on the status of the two-lot subdivision and the transfer of the 85± acres plus historic Barnard House to the Township. She also completed a walk-through of the Barnard House. In addition, she and McNemar met with Brandywine Valley Association personnel for the purpose of providing guidance on the steps required for the approval of plans to build a garage-type barn.

 

McNemar reported that a sewer ordinance and a resolution on the rates are being prepared so that the billing of residents in Riverside can begin. She also met with the Township Engineer and Road Master on the status of MS-4 activities. MS-4 is on track this year, and we anticipate meeting or exceeding all requirements by the June Annual Report deadline. Finally, she announced that we are applying for a grant from the E. Kneale Dockstader Foundation, through SECCRA, for sampling equipment and tree planting structures for the Stream Team projects this year.

 

4. Public Comment:

a) Tom Pancoast: Mr. Pancoast asked the Board to consider the inclusion of additional Township engineers to work with applicants. He stated he is aware of other townships retaining at least two (2) or three (3) engineers. Additionally, Pancoast noted his concern that the Pocopson Township Engineer is out of state.

 

b) Rob Boone, Christine Boone, and Guillermo Tellez of the Tell Boone Group LLC: the individuals plan to purchase Northbrook Marketplace property at the end of April. Mr. Boone reported on their future plans for the property including renovations to provide for a family eatery with take-home food available for purchase. They have met with the Township Building Inspector and other agencies. Mr. Boone asked many general questions and  requested the Board provide correspondence confirming there are no current plans in process or any foreseen in the near future to service the Market with a public sewer line or water line. On behalf of the Board, Conary agreed that a letter would be drafted accordingly.

 

5. Committee Reports: Sandy Retzlaff and Ricki Stumpo, Founders Day provided an overview of the 2007 Founders Day event and said they expect double the attendance for 2008. As such, Retzlaff reported an expected increase in the amount of deposit money required for event activities. She acknowledged that they were able to raise $7,200.00 in sponsor money for the 2007 event. However, vendor deposits are due and payable well in advance of receipt of sponsor money. The current line item budget of $4,000.00 is insufficient to cover the expense of deposits for vendors. During the discussion that followed, mention was made for the Founders Day Committee to seek proposals to purchase rain-out insurance.

Motion: Brutscher moved to increase budget line item for Founders Day to $6,000.00; McNemar seconded; unanimously carried.

 

Stephen R. Conary on behalf of the Open Space Committee reported the completion of a mailing to all Township residents regarding open space protection opportunities. The mailing solicits and encourages landowners to participate in the open space program.

 

6. Public Works Report

Bill Harwood reported that he recently responded to a complaint of land disturbance on the Jones/Nevell/Bryant property. He noted that on the day of the complaint, activities included logging and burning thereby exposing 5 acres ± of land without E&S controls. A portion of the property is located in East Bradford Township. Harwood contacted the County Conservation District to report these potential violations.

 

Harwood advised that the park rules have been posted. He also reported that following a recent review of Township insurance coverage it was brought to his attention that the schoolhouse may not be adequately covered.

 

7. Project Manager Update

a) Trails: Bill Sellers reported that the processing of the DCNR grant has been delayed, due, in part, to a change in personnel at DCNR. He explained that Regester would receive most of the funds for professional services primarily due to the need for AutoCAD work. Discussion ensued regarding the particulars for the trail plan including the close proximity of the trail to a residential dwelling and the County Correction Facility. Supervisors and Harwood voiced concern regarding the location of the trail, particularly the steep slopes as well as the required materials for E&S controls. Conary suggested it would be most beneficial for all the parties involved in the project to walk the proposed trails. Harwood offered that the timetable for the construction of the trail may not be realistic. He inquired as to whether the NPDES permits and County permits have been obtained. Sellers noted that a meeting with Regester is scheduled for the purpose of addressing these concerns.

 

b) Toll Brothers: Sellers reported that dedication of the Open Space for Riverside remains pending. He also noted that the paving work at the intersection of Denton Hollow and Lenape Road will probably be completed by April 1st. During discussion, Harwood mentioned that the plumbing vendor working on the sewer hook-up for the pizza shop may not be aware of the paving deadline. Building Inspector must be notified as soon as possible to assure that all permitting is in place and that the sewer work will proceed before the April 1st deadline.

 

c) Roundabout: Bill Sellers will be working with County personnel and the Township Engineer regarding a plan to manage the stormwater basins for the roundabout. The agreement may include the County maintaining the basins for the first year. Conary and Harwood noted the possibility of a future purchase of specialized equipment to clean out the basins at such time maintenance is the responsibility of the township.

 

The review process continues regarding submissions by Gannet Fleming and VanDemark & Lynch. Cultural Heritage Research Services, Inc. has been retained as a sub-consultant to Gannett Fleming to prepare the Historic Form for the Route 52 bridge. The Board approved the research and report at a cost of $4,150.67. Harwood suggested that the Township explore the possibility of accessing federal funds for the project.

 

d) Route 52 and Route 926: no approved TPD plans. Easement is signed by the veterinarian adjacent to the property. Easements must be completed by the homeowner association, including a drainage easement for Hillingham.

 

e) Railroad: Sellers reported that work continues on the revised signaling estimate and right-of-way documentation.

 

8. Old Business:

Appointments:

Motion: McNemar moved to confirm the appointment of Georgia F. Brutscher to serve as Vice-Chair of the Board of Supervisors; Conary seconded; motion approved unanimously.

 

Motion: McNemar moved to confirm the appointment of Stephen R. Conary to serve as Chair of the Board of Supervisors; Brutscher seconded; motion approved unanimously.

 

Cousins’ Conservation easement:

Motion: Brutscher moved that one (1) Supervisor can sign the Cousins Conservation Easement Purchase Agreement and Exhibits on behalf of the Township; McNemar seconded; motion approved unanimously.

 

9. New Business

a) Yelton Proposal: Bruce Yelton inquired as to the possibility of his purchasing eight (8) or nine (9) acres of the land the Township will acquire from the County on the south side of Unionville-Lenape Road.

 

After discussion, the Supervisors agreed that the Board is not interested in pursuing the proposal.

 

b) Committee Appointments: Sellers briefly outlined the role of the Community Trail Feasibility Study Committee. He presented a list of twelve (12) names noting that each has agreed to serve. Sellers will coordinate the activity of the Committee in conjunction with the DCNR grant.

Motion: McNemar moved to approve the appointment of the members of the Community Trail Feasibility Study Committee as follows:  Tom Bierl, Chris Conaway, Judith Cousins, Bill Haaf, Zeke Hubbard, David Miller, Kathy Miller, Sandy Retzlaff, Jerry Schreck, Ricki Stumpo, Gary Summers, James E. Jordan, Jr.; Brutscher seconded; motion was approved unanimously.

 

10. Escrow / Bond Releases: Township Secretary noted that Toll Escrow Release #5 Revised for $395,959.00 represents a reduction of $124,800.00 due to the fact that the trail constructed by Toll was not constructed in the correct location. The Board asked for a review of the escrow accounting in order to ensure sufficient funds are available for the remaining work.

 

Motion: Brutscher moved that the Board approve Toll Escrow Release #5 in the amount of $395,959.00 provided that the $124,800.00 is not withdrawn until such time the requirement improvements are complete; Conary seconded; motion was approved unanimously.

Motion: Brutscher moved that the Board authorize the Township Engineer to review financial security for current subdivisions required improvements in accordance with the provision of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code; seconded by McNemar; motion was approved unanimously.

 

11. Treasurer’s Warrants: Approved as submitted.

 

12. Correspondence: James Fritsch, P.E. requested a 90-day extension for the review process for the Benzel Family Trust. The Board approved the extension with an expiration date of May 27, 2008. The Board also reviewed a current statement for professional services submitted by the Project Manager.

Motion: McNemar moved that the Board approve payment for the Township’s share of the work completed by the Project Manager; seconded by Brutscher; motion was approved unanimously.

 

13. Review of Minutes: Meeting of February 25, 2008.

Motion: Brutscher moved to approve minutes as revised; McNemar seconded; motion was approved unanimously.

 

14. Adjournment: At 10:20 p.m., Conary moved to adjourn the meeting; McNemar seconded.

 

 

 

___________________________                                       _____________________________

Susan Simone, Township Secretary                                                                                    Stephen R. Conary, Chair