Pocopson Township
Chester County, Pennsylvania
 

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

Announcements:  There were no announcements.

Open Space Committee & Open Space Task Force Referendum Report:  Sandy Retzlaff, Chairwoman, was present.  Retzlaff requested the BOS to set up a yearly planning session between the township committees to improve overall communication.  Retzlaff said the committee is working with Shiela Fleming, Brandywine Conservancy, to work on the township trail system.  Retzlaff reported that the Referendum Task Force meeting last Saturday went well, and the committee has met all the time lines that were originally set for the May referendum.  Retzlaff requested that some of the Referendum Task Force committee members were considering other ways to solicit support for the open space referendum; considering door to door canvassing and/or telephone solicitation.  The Board said they would support any activity the Task Force members agreed on.

Pocopson Park - Playground Proposal:   Jennie Brown and Trish Brzostowicz were in attendance to present a proposal to build a community constructed playground in Pocopson Park.  The playground structure would incorporate historic aspects of the township.  Brown said the playground steering committee will be composed of 8 to10 residents, and the committee envisioned a playground conceived and built by the community.  Brown said they had investigated several companies that support a community based effort.  Brown proposed a Budget of $90,000, and said the playground would cover approximately 10,000 to 20,000 square feet of space.  The Board discussed the issue of liability to the township.  Funding was discussed, and three budgeting proposals were presented from the committee.  Harwood and Steve Conary, PC Member, discussed pros and cons of whether this proposal was feasible or whether it was too large a project for a community the size of Pocopson Township.  Hubbard said the township had budgeted $30,000 for a playground structure several years ago.  Hubbard suggested tabling this discussion until a future meeting and requested the committee to do some more research.
 

Longwood Fire Company:  Dave Bottomley and Michael Maurer representatives of Longwood Fire Company were present.  Mr. Bottomley said Longwood Fire Company will be sending a representative to attend future town meetings.

Code Enforcement:  Harwood asked the representative from Longwood Fire Company if they felt a fire marshall was necessary for Pocospon Township.  Dave Bottomley said he did not feel a fire marshall was necessary for the township at this time. 

Appointment of Jame Kiernan / Township Auditor:  Brutscher moved, Hubbard seconded to appoint Jamie Kiernan to replace the vacated auditor’s position replacing Chris Bell with Kiernan’s term to expire in 2009.  Motion carried.

Other Business:

The Board discussed the ordinance requiring concrete block between townhomes and asked the secretary to request the Building Inspector to investigate whether the dry wall being proposed for the townhomes by Toll Brothers, Inc. would have the same fire rating as concrete block.  

The secretary reported that the Planning Commission had recommended to the Board of Supervisors to prepare the advertisement to adopt the Natural Resource Protection ordinance as submitted by the Brandywine Conservancy. 

Olmsted - Escrow Releases:

Motion:  Brutscher moved, Hubbard seconded to approve escrow release Phase 3A, No. 14 for $55,995.75 in connection with improvements at the Olmsted subdivision.  A portion of the 10% contingency is included in this release request; a total of $40,000.00 is being retained in the contingency to cover the correction of drainage matters along Northbrook Road to the rear of Lots 1 and 2.  A portion of this $40,000 will also be used to cover any construction review fees until the drainage matters are fully addressed.  Also, an amount of $13,381.13 should be paid directly to Pocopson Township for inspection fees.  Additionally, a total of $5,355.00 is being paid directly to Pocopson Township to cover the repair and maintenance of the trails by the township.
Motion carried with all in agreement.

Motion:  Brutscher moved, Hubbard seconded to approve escrow release Phase 1, No. 17 for $53,872.50 in connection with improvements at the Olmsted subdivision.  An inspection fee of $5,209.50 has been added to the release for inspection fees and paid directly to Pocopson Township. 
Motion carried with all in agreement. 

Motion:  Brutscher moved, Hubbard seconded to approve escrow release Phase 2, No. 15 for $80,727.50 in connection with improvements at the Olmsted subdivision.  An inspection fee of $6,658.00 has been added to the release for inspection fees and paid directly to Pocopson Township. 
Motion carried with all in agreement.

Roads Report:  Harwood reported he would like to investigate buying a new backhoe or skid loader for the township by applying for a grant and/or a low interest state loan to help finance the purchase.

Brutscher moved, Hubbard seconded to authorize Bill Harwood investigate the best option for purchasing a backhoe or skid loader for the township that will be used for the park and township trails.  Motion carried. 

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

Minutes of April 10, 2006:   Brutscher moved, Hubbard seconded to accept the minutes of April 10^th as submitted.  Motion carried.

Timber Harvesting:  The secretary presented a memo dated April 20, 2006 from Weaber, Inc. discussing timber harvesting on approximately 15 acres owned by Mark Thompson and Douglas Fearn of mature or suppressed trees on this property.  The Board determined Bill Harwood should review the proposal to see how the township roads will be impacted by the trucks, and John Fenn, township engineer, should review the proposal also.

Adjournment:  The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m.

______________________                                                    ________________________
Karen J. Eckard, Secretary                                                       Ezekiel Hubbard, Vice Chair.