Pocopson Township
Chester County, Pennsylvania
 

7:30 p.m., Monday, March 26, 2007

  Brutscher called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. and opened with the pledge of allegiance.  Supervisor Hubbard and Sellers were in attendance.  Bill Harwood, Roadmaster, was in attendance also.

Announcements: 
Hubbard reported he and Sellers had met with Tom Kessler of Toll Brothers, Inc., and Rick Hostetler of Unionville-Chadds Ford School District on March 21^st to discuss the trail easements on the Pocopson Elementary School.  The township will issue a letter to Toll Brothers granting them permission to install the trail on the township’s easement on Pocopson Elementary School.  Tom Kessler and Rick Hostetler will coordinate the installation of the trail. 

Hubbard announced a Conditional Use Hearing will be held on April 23, 2007 at 8:30 p.m. to consider the application of Deanna Kretzschmar to construct an accessory dwelling unit on a property located at 1880 Lenape-Unionville Road, West Chester.

Zoning Hearing Board – Applications:  The secretary reported that the hearing that was held on Thursday, March 22^nd for the three zoning hearing board applications were continued as follows:  Applications of Clancy and Yelton – April 24 at 7:00 p.m.; Application of Bam Magera – May 22, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.   
Several residents attended and were entered into the official record.

Larkin Baily Road – Closing:  Brutscher reported the residents affected by the Larkin Baily Road closing have been invited to a meeting on Thursday, April 5^th at 7:30 p.m. in the township office to sign the formal road closing agreements.

West Chester Library:  Victoria Dow and another representative from the West Chester Library were present.  Ms. Dow thanked the township for their 2006 contribution.  Ms. Dow reported the membership is expanding since the renovation activities have been completed and township residents are using the library.  Ms. Dow requested the township to place a link to the library on the township’s website.  Dow said she would prepare an article for the spring newsletter.  Ms. Dow said there is an opening on the Board of Directors of the West Chester Library, and suggested Pocopson Township should solicit a representative from the township; possibly mention this in the spring newsletter.  The Board thanked them for their time.

Parks, Recreation & Trails Committee: Hubbard said he had prepared a letter of recommendation dated March 27, 2007 for the Board’s signatures to authorize the purchase of an Evos playground equipment system for Pocopson Park.  Sandy Retzlaff, PRT Committee, made a presentation to the Board of Supervisors.  Retzlaff presented pictures of the proposed playground equipment to the Board.  Retzlaff said 80% of kids using tot lots are 5 to12 years of age with the rest being younger children.  Retzlaff said the committee chose a company called Landscape Structures.   Retzlaff said the EVOs structure is virtually vandalism proof  and has lots of options with components that mix and match.  The structure will be set up before the bathrooms to the right of the trail.  Retzlaff said engineered wood chips with a 12” depth will be used for the play surface and surrounded by landscape timbers.  Retzlaff said a weekly inspection of playground equipment should be made and wood chips would have to be replenished from time to time.  Retzlaff said the budget of  $37,500 would be allowed for the suggested structures, and it would take 10 people, two days to assemble with the ground prep being completed ahead of time.  The EVOs structure is primarily for 5 to 12 years old.  Retzlaff suggested a Dino Climber for the younger children ages two to five.  Retzlaff said the township could hire a separate company to audit the assembly.  Trash receptacles and benches will need to be installed.  Retzlaff noted the site is very sunny and suggested possibly adding some additional trees and/or erect a small pavilion at a later date to provide shade.  Retlaff reviewed the equipment chosen by the committee and reviewed some additional equipment that could be added in phases.  Ratliff said the committee is recommending a green and tan color combination.  Brutscher suggested one of the components the committee might want to consider for a future purchase would be the component for handicapped children.  After a brief discussion, the following motion was made:

Motion:   Brutscher moved, Hubbard seconded to approve an expenditure of $37,500 for the purchase of a tot lot for Pocopson Park in the green, maroon, and tan colors to include the Dino Climber. 
Motion carried.

Retzlaff said the delivery and set up time will be discussed at the next PRT Committee meeting, and thanked the Board for their approval.

Founder’s Day:  Retzlaff reported the committee is seeking Corporate and HOA sponsorships.  The committee is working on signage and many children’s activities. Brandywine Picnic Park is catering the event.  The committee is also exploring a carriage ride.  Retzlaff also reported the Historic Committee is working on activities at the school house.

 Roads Report:  Harwood reported the road crew was patching roads and in the last storm, there was an accident with the GMC pickup that caused approximately $3,000 in damage.  Harwood also reported he had ordered the skid loader from Atlantic Tractor that was budgeted for this year.  Sellers discussed the intersection of Route 926 and Denton Hollow Road.  Sellers noted this intersection will be discussed at the meeting being held on April 19^th at 1:00 p.m. with Senator Pileggi and State Representative Barrar.  Retzlaff reported there is a serious washout on Route 842.  Sellers asked Retzlaff to take some pictures of the washout and send them to Roadmaster Harwood.  Sellers asked Harwood to contact PennDOT about this issue.

Erosion & Sediment Control Fee:  The Board and Harwood discussed the grading review fee.  It was agreed that $200 would be charged for erosion and sediment control and a re-inspection fee of $75.  The secretary will ask the solicitor to prepare a resolution.

Other Business:  Mr. Agostini presented his plan for a 12 x 20 structure for his proposed falconry habitat.  The Board reviewed the structure, and agreed there is no issue  with Mr. Agostini pursuing his falconry hobby at his home.  A letter will be sent to Mark Agostini stating the township does not have anything in their ordinances that would prevent a resident from practicing falconry.

Beversrede Development:  Mr. Dedel, a resident of Beversrede, representing the Beversrede HOA, said the concrete spillway lined with rip-rap stone has washed away. Mr. Dedel said the HOA would like the township to assist with repairing the problem.  Brutscher said usually the HOA is responsible for public structure repairs, but the township staff is researching the original HOA documents and will get back to Beversrede HOA with an official determination.

Toll Brothers / Sewage Issue:  Sellers reported that Castle Valley had made a mistake on the design for the treatment plant, and the pump is not adequately sized for the amount of pressure that is necessary to pump the sewage.  The correct pump will require tearing down the pump house building.  Sellers said the design currently being suggested, splitting the spray fields, is not an acceptable correction to the problem.  Brutscher suggested a meeting with Castle Valley and Ross Unruh, township solicitor, to develop an acceptable resolution to this issue.  Hubbard and Sellers agreed to have a meeting.

Historic Committee:  Sellers requested Harwood inspect the school house to ensure the correct shingles were being used for the roof replacement.  Harwood asked if the Board would approve an expenditure of $1,000 for electrical improvements to the schoolhouse.  It was noted this expenditure should be brought to the Historic Committee for approval.

 Stormwater MS4 Ordinance:  Hubbard reported the stormwater ordinance is almost complete.  The Planning Commission is scheduled to review the proposed ordinance at their April meeting and make a recommendation to the BOS.  This ordinance should be ready for adoption sometime in May. 

Treasurer’s Warrants:  The Treasurer’s Warrants were approved and signed.  Good Friday was discussed.  Hubbard noted that Good Friday is in the Employee Manual as an official township holiday. The Board agreed the township office will be open for business from 9:00 a.m. to noon on Good Friday since it was not designated as an official township holiday at the re-organizational meeting. The Board also discussed the necessity of updating the employee manual and developing job descriptions for each position in the township, and asked the secretary to collect information on this issue for a future meeting. 

Minutes of March 12, 2007:  Brutscher moved, Hubbard seconded to approve the minutes as submitted.  Motion carried.  

Adjournment:  The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m.

______________________                                                    _____________________
Karen J. Eckard, Secretary                                                       H. William Sellers, Chair.