Board of Supervisors Meeting Minutes

7:30 p.m., May 11, 2008

Present: Stephen R. Conary, Georgia F. Brutscher

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

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Announcements

Conary and McNemar met with the County Planning Commission regarding the status and next steps for road improvements. Pocopson’s projects have been added to the County’s 2009 Transportation Improvements Inventory. Funding is still an open question.

Bill Sellers is continuing to work on off-site sewer connections with information from Castle Valley.

Brutscher announced that she and Conary met with the owners of Lot 2 Corrine Road and their landscape engineer to review the tree and shrub plan for their property. The owners’ landscape designer will revise plan and send to the Township’s landscape Architect, Gary Burcham, for review. Brutscher said the township should notify the owners of the lot next door of potential issues; Conary suggested doing so when the shared driveway agreement is ready.

Brutscher and Conary met with the architect for the Barnard House, and are very pleased with his work so far. The Steering Committee will meet on May 12 and review initial drawings of a renovated building that meets the needs of the Township for administrative space and of the Underground Railroad for museum and exhibit space.

4. Public Comment: None.

5. Founders Day

Publicity: Zeke Hubbard submitted two items for Board approval: a flyer advertising Founders Day to be handed out at the May 19 Primary, and a thank you letter to sponsors. The Board will review both and return final versions to Zeke by the end of the week.

Music: Hubbard said that information on a second band is not yet ready; the issue will be discussed at the next Founders Day Committee meeting.

6. New Business

a) Patriots Trail/Brandywine Battlefield: At the Board’s request, Zeke Hubbard attended a meeting chaired by Jack Mitchell of the Chester County Planning Commission about a proposed Patriots Trail (current name is Landmark Greenway), which would tie trails in Chadds Ford, Pennsbury and Pocopson with the Brandywine Battlefield. A particular interest of the group is connecting with the Underground Railroad and, eventually, with Valley Forge and other historic sites. Hubbard will share the DCNR Trails Feasibility study as a guide to where the trail might hook up in Pocopson. State legislators Pileggi and Barrar are having a meeting about funding for Brandywine Battlefield and whether it could be run by a foundation or by Chadds Ford Township.

Regarding status of the DCNR Trails Feasibility study: Hubbard and Tom Bierl will take the study sections put together by the Brandywine Conservancy and Regester and finish the submission to DCNR in June or July. The document must go to DCNR before it goes to the Board. Conary requested a recent trails map for a roundabout study.

b) 1810 Brooks Road

The rear lot that’s being developed is using #1810, which is already in use by a neighbor; so Township will request that the County assign 1814, 1816, or 1818 to the new lot.

Sheila Bowie and Edward Ebling, owners of the rear lot, were in attendance to discuss the driveway improvements that will be needed before they can build. Also in attendance was neighbor Sean Rafferty

In 2004, before they purchased the two parcels, Bowie and Ebling attended a Board meeting to discuss the shared driveway. Rafferty’s recollection is that the Board determined that the new owners should build a driveway that would be paved with pull-off area up to the last two lots, at which point it wouldn’t have to be paved. Then, a shared driveway agreement would be put in place to specify the percentage of driveway that each owner would be responsible for in terms of a maintenance agreement

Bowie and Ebling thought that paving would be needed only if they had bought just one of the two lots that was for sale, so they bought both. Conary explained that the usual limit is two houses sharing one driveway and in rare instances the Township has permitted more. Brutscher commented that four homes would generally necessitate a private street built to road specifications. Bill Harwood noted that Regester did a lot of work on this issue years ago.

After considerable discussion, Conary said that the Township will review our records to determine what was decided at the 2004 Board meeting, ask what Regester Associates may have on the issue, and find out what the Recorder of Deeds shows on the previous deed. Township will set up a meeting with Bowie, Ebling and neighbors once research is complete. Conary cautioned that when construction begins, the builder will have to clearly delineate with silt fencing where house will be, avoiding woodlands and ensuring that land is not disturbed outside the house’s footprint.

c) Removal of Heritage Trees

Township Zoning Officer Yerkes Associates sent a notice to a resident who was reported to have taken down heritage trees. Because Yerkes isn’t an expert on heritage trees, it was agreed that the Township’s Landscape Architect, Gary Burcham, will be called in to review the issue. Burcham will determine whether the trees that were cut down were in fact heritage trees, according to the definition included in the Township’s ordinance. If heritage trees were removed, the owner would have to pay to have replacement trees installed. The owner/applicant would be responsible for paying for the initial review by Burcham and for preparation of a replacement plan (if needed).

d) Approve energy audit for Barnard House:

Motion: Brutscher moved that if an energy audit is required for the ARRA application for a grant for energy applications at the Barnard House, that the approximate cost of $1,000 be paid out of the Barnard House budget; Conary seconded; unanimously approved.

7. Public Works

Harwood reported that the Township web address has been added to the Public Works Department sign outside the garage on Route 52. Noting that the existing sign is rotting and sits so far up on the hill that it’s hard to see for trucks heading north on 52, Harwood presented two options for a new sign that would hang from a post near the driveway. Both Conary and Brutscher preferred the green and tan version of the sign, and Brutscher would like the words “Public Works” to be more obvious on the sign to indicate that it’s not an office building. Public Works crew would install a post and install the sign, which would bring the cost to approximately $475.00. Brutscher reminded Harwood to ensure that the size and new location meet sign ordinance requirements.

Other issues:

• Brutscher will do the May ridearound with Harwood on Monday, 5/18 at 9 a.m.
• Brutscher commented that the Overlook subdivision sign has not been maintained; either they maintain it or Public Works should remove it.
• The small dump truck had a motor problem that was repaired under warranty, but still has problems so it was towed back for further service.
• Pet waste receptacles have been installed at the park with signs reminding park users to clean up after pets, as required by MS-4
• Public Works is mowing along roads as weather permits.
• Footer for dike around oil tank has been started.

Lenape Forge crosswalk: PennDOT doesn’t give out permits for crosswalks on State roads – the Township does – but this one is grandfathered in as an existing crosswalk. Lenape Forge has agreed to maintain it. Township will send a letter to the Forge documenting that they will maintain the crosswalk and hold the Township harmless. A copy of the letter will be forwarded to PennDOT with other information.

Traffic control in Riverside: Conary and Harwood have received calls and e-mails from Riverside residents regarding speeding and drivers cutting through the subdivision to avoid bus route on 52. Various remedies requested include speed bumps, 20 mph speed limit signs, more stop signs, and crosswalk signs. Conary will send a letter addressing the Traffic Committee’s concerns.

Another resident has requested a sign on Route 52 south before Denton Hollow Road indicating left turn ahead. Harwood replied that the State would have to review and approve a sign. Conary directed that the Township make this request to PennDOT.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) reviewed a dump site at Pocopson Park. A tar product that was dumped is non-hazardous, according to the spec sheet; but since it includes plastic, which is a waste, it may have to be removed and taken to the landfill. Conary asked that the items be removed and taken to the landfill, whether or not PA DEP directs that we do so.

Crew will start Red Bridge pipe project on May 12, and then move to Creek Road. Brooks Road still needs patching where a pipe was installed; this will be done when Creek Road is complete so that a roller can be rented and both jobs completed in one day.

Harwood will work with the Treasurer on a simple procedure to document the County’s purchase of salt from us for use at Pocopson Home, the Prison, and the JDC, including amount used, dates, billing process, and reimbursement of Liquid Fuels funds.

After discussion of private roads that are not plowed in a timely manner during snow storms, it was agreed that Harwood will prepare a letter to be mailed in November to all residents in subdivisions with undedicated roads, providing contact information for the developer and the hired contractor so that complaints can be directed appropriately.

8. Old Business: Brutscher will check on the Planning Commission’s progress on updating the Township’s sign and animal ordinances.

9. Treasurer’s Warrants – Signed as submitted for three accounts: General Fund, Highway Aid, and Parks, Recreation and Trails. Road Improvements warrant to be held until May 26 meeting so that Conary can speak with the contractor first.

10. Correspondence: Conary signed a contract from UK Elite Soccer to hold summer camps at Pocopson Park the week of July 13.

11. Approval of minutes from April 27, 2009: Motion: Brutscher moved to approve the Minutes of April 27, 2009 as revised; Conary seconded; motion approved unanimously.

12: Adjournment: At 9:05 p.m., Conary moved to adjourn the meeting; Brutscher seconded.

___________________________ _____________________________

Susan Simone, Secretary Stephen R. Conary, Chairman