Board of Supervisors Meeting Minutes

7:30 p.m., April 28, 2008

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

1. Call to order: The meeting was called to order at 7:37 p.m. by Conary.

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Announcements: Conary announced his attendance at the following meetings: (a) an executive session on April 22 with Township Project Manager Bill Sellers, Brutscher and a Township lawyer to discuss real estate matters; (b) on April 23 with Sellers, Township Solicitor, and representatives from Traffic Planning & Design, Inc. (TPD) to review construction costs for the Pocopson Road intersections; (c) joint meeting of the Board and Artesian Resources for Riverside residents on April 24 to review the wastewater system and fees. A second meeting with the Riverside residents is planned during May to address several questions from the homeowners.

Conary noted the first Pocopson Township Clean-up Day was held on April 19. Volunteers worked in several locations. Lawrie Bolger led the effort to get this started and has lined-up several companies to take ownership of sections of roads in the Township. Finally, he announced that on April 24, he met with McNemar and Harwood and walked the Red Bridge area that has suffered erosion problems over the past several years. There clearly is a problem that needs resolution. Based on long-established Township practices and precedents, the Board believes the problem is the responsibility of the homeowners association (HOA). The Board is researching the files to confirm the agreements established when Red Bridge HOA was formed.

McNemar announced that she met with John Fenn, Township Engineer, to review data for the MS-4 report. She announced an upcoming meeting with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PaDEP) on May 13 to review Township permitting requirements for the coming year. McNemar noted that on a Planning Commission level, work continues on drafting a recycling ordinance and amending the sign ordinance. A pre-application meeting for the recycling grant has been scheduled with the County. Finally, she reported that the PA Clean Energy Communities Campaign provides a 3-step process for energy savings. The program would require 20% of the Township’s energy usage to be from clean energy and 7% of combined household and business population must sign up. The cost to the Township would be approximately $200 per year. Participation could qualify the Township to receive a free 1 Kilowatt solar panel valued at $10,000. McNemar will coordinate obtaining additional information on enrolling in the program.

Brutscher announced that she and Bill Harwood completed a very positive meeting with the new owners of the property on Bragg Hill Road regarding closing a portion of that road. She also reported that the County will repair the broken window and install downspouts on the house to be conveyed to the Township.

4. Public Comment: Donald Wilcox from Red Bridge Farm expressed his desire to attend the May meeting with the PaDEP on May 13. He explained that he has a vested interest in knowing how the questions and answers will be presented regarding discharge outfalls in Red Bridge development. McNemar noted that the meeting is not a public meeting but a Township matter to address permitting. She noted that the PaDEP response would be in writing. Conary pointed out that the focus of the meeting is in regard to the MS-4 report and that a subsequent meeting might be arranged with Wilcox regarding his concerns.

5. Founders Day Committee: Co-chairs Sandy Retzlaff and Ricki Stumpo requested Board action as follows:

a) Correspondence: letters of invitation to local elected officials to be sent under signature of supervisors – Board agreed and directed the co-chairs to draft the letter and submit to the Township Secretary for processing. The sponsorship letters were submitted for review – Board approved the logo and text of the letter with one correction to change the word “festival” to “celebration.”

b) Wal-Mart Store: the committee solicited the opinion of the Board regarding Wal-Mart’s interest in sponsoring an activity for the children. Board opinion was generally in favor of the sponsorship but asked that the committee set advertising standards for all sponsors particularly regarding uniform sign size and limitations.

c) House and barn tour: Retzlaff reported that the committee continues to work on the logistics of the tour including transport of people between sites. She requested liability coverage for the tour in the form of a rider to the Township policy. The Board agreed and asked her to proceed accordingly. Brutscher suggested Retzlaff contact local organizations to learn their experiences on sponsoring self-directed or guided tours.

6. Public Works: Harwood reported that the Township insurance carrier will not insure the curvy sliding board without proper certification. Harwood’s calls to General Recreation in Newtown Square have gone unanswered. Conary and Brutscher suggested that Harwood contact the manufacturer to negotiate an exchange for a different sliding board. A request was also made to adjust the bar on the horse-structure to provide more headroom for the users.

Harwood noted the efficiency of the new mower recognizing that it saved three (3) hours in one day of mowing. Work continues on ditching and patching Township roads.

The ball field is getting a great deal of use. Harwood requested permission to install a green vinyl fence six feet (6') high and about fifty feet (50') in length from the back stop at home plate extending along both the third and first baselines. The fence will protect spectators and participants from overthrown baseballs. He estimates the cost at $3,000.00 to $4,000.00. The Board agreed to the request. Harwood reported that the painters will be working on the schoolhouse this week.

Harwood asked for clarification regarding the Denton Hollow Road work. He was aware that Public Works would seed and topsoil; however, he received a landscape plan that includes extensive planting and landscape work, including installation of forsythia bushes which could minimize site distances. Sellers commented that the Township work on the intersection was negotiated with Toll for the land and that use of existing resources will aid in maintaining the costs for the improvement. Finally, Harwood reported that Public Works removed failing portions of the bridge façade for Red Bridge and that installation of a new façade is scheduled for later in the year.

7. Project Manager Update: Sellers reported updates as follows:

a) DCNR Trails Plan: Study Committee continues to investigate existing trails and needed trail connections. Committee will meet in two (2) weeks. A public meeting will be scheduled when data collection is complete.

b) County Trails Construction Grant: trail relocation and revision completed for the stormwater management plan on the County property. Conary and McNemar commented that moving forward, the Township needs to control redesign expenses. Sellers suggested the Board make a formal request to Toll to dedicate undeveloped floodplain to Township and pay the $120,000 recreation funding to the Township.

c) County Transfer Land: Sellers continues to coordinate trail and stormwater plan with the County. Fenn is working on correcting the legal descriptions.

d) 52 and 926 Intersections: Sellers and Conary met with TPD to review status of the project. Funding is sufficient to complete Denton Hollow Road Intersection and a left-hand turn lane at 52 and Pocopson Road. Sellers urged the Board to seek legislative help with funding for the projects. The left-hand turn lane and purchase of rights-of-way from the railroad should be spending priorities.

e) Denton Hollow Intersection: tree stumps and other buried dump material as well as the need to relocate the stormwater drain caused an increase in improvement expenses. Sellers will meet with Harwood to review plans and determine work to be completed in-house in order to contain further expenses.

f) Railroad: Sellers is waiting to hear from East Penn Railroad regarding an easement to go under the roadbed for the sewage line.

g) Roundabout: Fenn has not yet submitted the Safety Review to Gannet Fleming. McNemar will contact VanDemark and Lynch regarding status of the report.

h) Riverside Wastewater: Sellers reported Artesian is conducting a survey to determine operating costs and capital for other facilities. The survey data is important background for a second meeting with Riverside to be scheduled when data collection is complete. Sellers also reported a recent conversation with the owner of the Shoppes at Lenape. The owner expressed concern because his tenants have lost business due to the road construction and because he is unclear on the costs for the sewage hook up. Sellers noted that the septic system is working and suggested the Board allow the Shoppes to delay connecting to the sewer system including the installation of a grease trap until he can renegotiate the leases to cover sewage costs. The Board agreed and asked Sellers to follow-up with the owner to set a connection date. McNemar noted that the Ordinance provides for verification of water usage by metering rather than using a flat EDU rate.

8. Old Business: none.

9. New Business:

a) White Farm/Private Sporting Club: Bunny Meister presented a brief overview of a potential use of the existing house and barn at White Farm as a private sporting club. Prospective buyers are considering the conversion of the barn into a club facility and using the house as an accommodation for a caretaker. The purpose for which the club is organized will be fishing and canoeing. Shooting activity is not part of the plan. Meister’s presentation is preliminary as the terms under which the club is organized have not been identified. Meister believes the private club is permitted as a special exception under Section 250.79 B(2) because the sporting club is a lodge not operated for profit. The Board asked questions about the impact on traffic on Bragg Hill Road and if members would be lodging at the site and suggested Meister submit a business plan in order for them to provide feedback on the idea of a private sporting club.

b) Roundabout Design Review Services: Board reviewed scope of services submitted by Gannett Fleming.

Motion: McNemar moved to approve Scope of Services and Cost to conduct design reviews and design management support for the Roundabout project; seconded by Brutscher; motion unanimously carried.

c) Milliner Conservation Easement Project: Conary reviewed preliminary proposal submitted by Brandywine Conservancy describing scope of work and rough estimate for preparation of a conservation easement for a 17.6 acre tract of the Milliner property. Brandywine Conservancy would prepare easement documentation and a baseline documentation report. The cost does not include engineer or survey expenses. Board discussed potential outcomes for the project in terms of cost and benefit to the Township.

Motion: Brutscher moved to approve funding for the Open Space Advisory Committee to start the appraisal and baselining work and the development of a more formal proposal from the Brandywine Conservancy on the Milliner Conservation Easement Project at a cost not to exceed $5,000.00; seconded by McNemar; motion unanimously carried.

d) As follow-up to specific resident requests regarding the tree screen to be planted between the neighboring Lenni Drive residents and the County’s new spray irrigation fields, the County confirmed that they will bid out this task in the next week.

10. Escrow / Bond Releases: TAG/Norcini Escrow Refund – Board reviewed account statements and Treasurer’s correspondence. Motion: Conary moved to approve the TAG/Norcini Escrow Refund in the amount of $2,262.09 pending confirmation that all Township Engineering statements are satisfied; McNemar seconded; motion unanimously approved.

11. Treasurer’s Warrants: Statement from Township Project Manager was reviewed.

Motion: Brutscher moved to approve payment of the statement submitted by the Project Manager pending receipt of supporting details; seconded by McNemar; motion approved unanimously. Other warrant sheets approved as submitted.

12. Correspondence: Fenn submitted a Memorandum regarding the escrow summary of current subdivision projects. Conary will contact Fenn for clarification on the percentage recommendations.

13. Review of Minutes: Meeting of April 14, 2008.

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

14. Adjournment: At 10:30 p.m., Brutscher moved to adjourn the meeting; McNemar seconded.

___________________________ _____________________________

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