‘

 

Board of Supervisors Meeting Minutes

7:30 p.m., April 14, 2008

 

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

 

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 she and Suzanne Breiseth are reviewing the current Township sign ordinance for the purpose of updating the code. She also reported that the Township is finalizing the vacating of a portion of Larkin Baily Road. Georgia expects the last property owner who needs to sign the agreement will do so this week. A meeting is scheduled with the new owners of the property on Bragg Hill Road regarding closing a portion of that road.

 

McNemar reported that she will meet with Township Engineer John Fenn next week to go over the final draft of the annual MS4 report. She acknowledged the fine assistance of the Public Works Department in completion of the mapping of the outfalls. She updated the status of the particulars for the Recycling Performance Grants.

 

Conary announced that the Board met with the Project Manager last week regarding the road projects. The Board also met with representatives from Artesian regarding Riverside and with a representative from East Penn Railroad regarding right-of-way and signaling issues. The Board is keeping track of these and other projects through regular review of an open action items list. He also reported on the notice of a special meeting with Artesian, Toll, and the residents of Riverside to be held on April 24, 2008. Letters were sent to Riverside residents and a legal notice is scheduled for publication this week. Finally, he reminded everyone that Pocopson Township Community Cleanup Day will be Saturday, April 19, 2008.

 

4. Public Comment: Donald Wilcox and Heather Rajotte representing Red Bridge Farms HOA requested comment from the Board regarding interpretation and enforcement of the current sign ordinance. However, given the announcement that the ordinance is under review, they agreed to suspend their request at this time, and they look forward to participating in the review process. They provided a copy of proposed amendments to the Red Bridge Farms Deed Restrictions regarding signage for Board consideration and review.

 

5. Public Works: Harwood reported that work has begun on the schoolhouse. Neighbors adjacent to the schoolhouse continue to use the property for overflow parking. The Board received a written request form the Parks, Recreation and Trails Committee to authorize completion of the Pocopson Park Pavilion.

Motion: Brutscher moved to approve the Public Works Department completion of the pavilion in accordance with request from the Parks, Recreation and Trails Committee; seconded by McNemar, unanimously carried.

 

Harwood reported that roadwork is underway throughout the Township including ditching the sides of the roads and patching. He is working on scheduling an electrician to upgrade the electric panel in the Township Office building. Regarding the Office, the Board authorized the Township Secretary to schedule a chimney sweep to clean the chimney.

 

Harwood provided an update on the mower he ordered. The mower was previously discussed and funded through a recycling performance grant application over a year ago and the cost has increased by $2,000.00. The Township has a mower to sell.

 

Harwood noted that the sign for Lenape Shops is supposed to be relocated as a result of the Denton Hollow Road work. The sight distances have been significantly altered. Conary asked if PennDOT was planning to post any signage indicating dangerous intersection. Harwood is not aware of any plans to post such signage.

 

With regard to Pocopson Township Community Cleanup Day, Harwood was directed to coordinate Public Works assignments as needed with Lawrie Bolger. The Board approved Harwood’s request to attend a class at the PSATS Convention. The cost for the class is $50.00.

 

Harwood asked the Board if a decision was reached regarding the Benzel Conditional Use Application because he believes that a tree should come down at the corner of 842 and Bragg Hill. It is his opinion that the tree is likely a safety issue.

 

Harwood also reported the he inspected the old farmhouse to be deeded from the County and found multiple vermin and termites. Harwood will contact the County about fixing the broken window and the downspouts and Brutscher agreed to speak to Attorney Rau regarding a home inspection.

 

Finally, Harwood reported that the contractor for Aqua contacted him regarding a pipe that was encountered and broken during installation of the water main.  The pipe appeared to have sewage and oil coming from it. The Board recognized that the contractor should report the potential discharge of materials from the broken pipe to the appropriate agencies, including the PADEP. McNemar will follow-up on the incident.

6. Project Manager Update: Sellers provided updates as follows –

a) Routes 52 and Pocopson Road:  close to agreement with the railroad. Still waiting for construction cost estimates from TPD.

 

b) Route 926: discussions continue with the veterinarian regarding land required for installation of improvements including potential work on the 926 bridge.

 

c) Route 52 and Denton Hollow Road: excavation to solid ground is complete. Township will be responsible for final grading and seeding. Harwood expressed concern that excavation issues may become apparent when work begins on installation of the new parking lot for the pizza shop. He suggested that the field inspector for the Township Engineer be asked to inspect the work during completion of the improvements.

 

d) Trails: Sellers reported that the Trails Feasibility Committee met and the group was divided into three (3) or four (4) teams in order to inspect and identify current trails. The teams will report on their findings at the next meeting. He was contacted by the Brandy Ridge HOA regarding repairs to their community trail. The Board recognizes the request as an issue for the HOA not the Township. Brutscher noted that present and future subdivision plans should be submitted to Trail Feasibility Committee to review for accurate location of the trails and trail inclusion on the Master Plan.

 

e) Route 52 Roundabout and Bridge: Casio needs a date for the geotechnical work. The safety review for the Bridge will be submitted this week. He urged the Board to continue pursuing funding for the bridge through Senator Pileggi. PennDOT has issued a permit to open the road (Route 52) which will allow Poulson to proceed with the geotechnical work for the Bridge.

 

7. Old Business:  none.

 

8. New Business:

a) Chester County Hospital submitted notice of the 10th Annual Challenge for Cancer Bike Ride scheduled for Sunday, May 18, 2008. The ride does not require road closures. The Township did receive a certificate of liability insurance in the amount of $2,000,000.00.

Motion: Brutscher moved that the Board approves use of Township roads by the Chester County Hospital Foundation Challenge for Cancer Bike Ride on Sunday, May 18, 2008, as designated on the bike ride map received March 26, 2008; McNemar seconded, unanimously carried. The Secretary is directed to correspond accordingly confirming the usual provisions.

 

b) Parks, Recreation and Trails Committee submitted a suggestion to develop a Newsgroup to allow residents to opt in to a system to automatically notify them via e-mail about community events. In consideration of budgetary and staffing ramifications along with potential review by the Solicitor’s Office, the Committee asks if the feature could be considered as part of the website redesign project.

 

c) Brutscher requested that the Township work toward printing the newsletter by the end of April. It would be beneficial for the publication to include a consumer notice regarding hustler home improvement vendors.

 

9. Escrow / Bond Releases:

·        Hallelyn Escrow Release #7 for $18,112.00 with a construction review sum of $6,256.00 to Township for engineering review.

Motion: Brutscher moved to approve Escrow Release #7 as recommended by Township Engineer; McNemar seconded, motion approved unanimously.

·        White Farm: Release #3 for $66,147.00 with a construction review sum of $3.074.00 to Township for engineering review.
Motion: Brutscher moved to approve Escrow Release #3 once construction review sum is received by the Township; McNemar seconded; motion approved unanimously.

·        TAG/Norcini Escrow Refund is pending.

 

11. Treasurer’s Warrants: Statement from Castle Valley to be forwarded to Toll for payment. Statement from Regester for trails under review in order to properly identify costs related to Master Plan and County Plan. Confirm completion of boring bridge abutment and testing by Poulson before sending payment. Other warrant sheets approved as submitted.

 

12. Correspondence: James F. Burnett requested a 90-day extension for the review process for the Burnett subdivision. The Board approved the extension with an expiration date of July 28, 2008.

Motion: Brutscher moved that the Board approve the 90-day extension; seconded by McNemar; motion was approved unanimously.

 

13. Review of Minutes: Meeting of March 24, 2008.

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

 

14. Adjournment: At 9:30 p.m., Conary moved to adjourn the meeting; McNemar seconded.

 

 

___________________________                                       _____________________________

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