Pocopson Township
Chester County, Pennsylvania
 

7:30 p.m., Monday, July 25, 2005

Sellers called the meeting to order at 7:41 p.m. and opened with the pledge of allegiance.  Supervisors Brutscher and Hubbard were in attendance.

Also in attendance were Ross Unruh, Township Attorney, and John Fenn, Township Engineer.

Announcements: 
Brutscher announced Sellers and herself had attended a meeting on July 14^th at 10:00 a.m. at DEP to discuss the county prison’s sewage plant upgrade.

Hubbard and Brutscher attended a meeting at 1:00 p.m.on Friday with Mr. & Mrs. Thompson and Doug Fearn to discuss the road closure of Bragg Hill Road.  Brutscher said the township had come to an agreement with the Thompsons, and Bill Harwood is going to mark the areas for the first and second gate placement.  The first gate will be temporary until Lot #3 is sold and/or developed.  The road will remain open to the second gate, and the township will install a hammerhead turn-around at the location of the second gate.  Brutscher said an addendum will have to be added to Thompson’s agreement road closure agreement stating the information above.

Hubbard reported he had spoken with Barrar’s office about the drainage problem on Northbrook Road, and he is working with Representative Barrar to get the pipe installed on Northbrook Road to help divert water run-off during storms. 

Open Space Committee:  Sellers reported the Open Space Committee has requested the Brandywine Conservancy to prepare a proposal to add an open space referendum to the spring 2006 ballot.  This issued was tabled until the next meeting.

Toll Brothers/Sheeder Tract:  Representatives present:  Tom Kessler, Project Manager, Toll Brothers, Inc., Chris Schubert, Attorney; Vic Kelly, Commonwealth Engineers; Jeff Todd, Traffic, Planning &Design; several other representatives were also present.

Unruh said he had prepared a draft of conditions for the final plan approval.  Schubert proceeded to discuss John Fenn’s final review dated July 25, 2005.  Kessler reported that Toll Brothers was unsuccessful in determining the location of the sewage system on the village shops property located on Route 52.  The applicant agreed to waive the tapping fee for the Lenape Village shopes.  Sellers said the Route 52 access for the village shopes will have to be limited and questioned who is going to pay for the construction changes of the parking lot.  The $150,000 for the Denton Hollow Road relocation will be managed by Toll Brothers, and if the relocation costs exceed $150,000, Toll will notify the township in writing, and the township will reimburse Toll Brothers for the increased costs.  Schubert said the township will be responsible for securing the trail easement from the Pocopson School and an addendum page will be submitted with the final plan until the easement is secured.  Schubert said the Denton Hollow Road relocation will be added as an additional page to the plan once the easement has been secured from the owners of the Lenape Village shopes.  Sellers requested Toll Brothers grant the township an easement along Route 52 east of the entrance road for the township trail, and it should be noted on the plans.  The applicant agreed that the pump house will stay where it is located on the plan, and Toll Brothers will provide additional screening and parking.  Sellers said the township will own the sewage plant and Little Washington will handle the operation and billing.  Unruh said an agreement will be necessary for the construction of the sewage plant.  Fire hydrant will be installed at the pump house with adequate pressure and flow.  Kessler said any fencing on homeowner’s property will have to be approved by HOA.  Sellers noted that a conservation easement is needed for open space.  Brutscher said a note will be added to the plan defining all landscaping materials.  The intersection of Route 52 and Ridge Point Place was discussed, and it was determined the BOS will require a plan showing the Route 52 roadway more to the south.  Toll Brothers will mark the edge of the cartway and the edge of the right of way on Nora Margetich’s property to show exactly where the new roadbed will lie.  Sellers also commented some additional landscaping may help to buffer her from the road improvements.  Sellers noted that moving this intersection to the north is an option the township would like to keep open at this time.  It was agreed that AQUA America will manage the storm water facilities.  It was noted that the school district property trail will have to be paved due to the steepness of the trail.  The basketball court that was proposed near the pool was tabled for further discussion by the BOS and the applicant.  Unruh reviewed the list of conditions for final plan approval dated July 25, 2005 and several changes were made. (See attached list of conditions.)  At Sellers request, Toll will consider a back-up hydrant for additional fire protection that will spray treated wastewater.  It was agreed Toll Brothers will begin construction of the road improvements within 90 days of receipt of the HOP permits.  The entrance sign language will be retained as stated in the agreement.  TP&D will resubmit Route 926 and Pocopson Road HOP applications including the re-signaling of Route 926 and Pocopson Road; and Route 52 and Pocopson Road will be submitted to PennDOT on August 3^rd.  Kessler agreed to discuss the proposed basketball court for the community with the recreation department at Toll Brothers. 

• Brutscher moved, Hubbard seconded to grant final conditional approval to the Toll Brothers/Sheeder Tract final subdivision plan consisting of 44 sheets, dated November 8, 2004, last revised dated July 14, 2005 subject to the following conditions, which shall be satisfied prior to the release of signed plans for recording except where otherwise indicated.  Motion carried with all in agreement.  (attached)

Chester County Prison Expansion:  Sellers presented to the other Board members the Chester County Prison Expansion - Second Addendum to the Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement:  Sellers reviewed the addendum with the Board members and several changes were made.   Sellers said Mr. Thomson, County Representative, is presenting the addendum (roundabout agreement) to the Commissioners tomorrow.  If the Commissioners agree with the suggested changes, the agreement will be executed.  Sellers requested the Board members to sign this document outside of the board meeting.  Brutscher and Hubbard agreed.  

Trail Grants:  Sellers said the state is requiring a trail feasibility study before the state will provide any grant money for trails in the township.  Sellers said he had authorized the Brandywine Conservancy to prepare this study.

Rescheduled Meeting:  The Board discussed and agreed to cancel their first meeting in August and have the second regular meeting on August 22^nd.

Approval of Minutes:  The Board agreed to table the minutes of July 11th 2005 until the next Board meeting.

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

Adjournment:  The meeting was adjourned at 9:55 p.m.

______________________                                                    ________________________
Karen J. Eckard, Secretary                                                       H. William Sellers, Chairman