Pocopson Township
Chester County, Pennsylvania
 

Board of Supervisors’ Meeting

Monday, September 8, 2003

Sellers called the meeting to order at 9:45 a.m. and opened with the pledge of allegiance.  Supervisors Brutscher and Hubbard were present along with Bill Harwood.  Also present was township solicitor, Ross Unruh.

Announcements:  There were no announcement.

Open Space Committee:  Hubbard reported there was no open space business to report.

Meshurle Subdivision – Overlook Circle, Escrow Release No. 4: 

• Brutscher moved, Hubbard seconded to approve escrow release No. 4 for $76,862.50 in connection with improvements at the Overlook Circle with an inspection fee of $3,274.50.  Motion carried.

Windy Hill Settlement:  John Spangler was present to report that Supervisor Brutscher was present in the building when he and Judge Cody discussed settlement of the litigation on the Windy Hill subdivision that his office and Supervisor Sellers has been negotiating for the past two years.  Spangler reported that Malvern Federal Bank has agreed to pay $47,000; $4,000 will go to Mr. DiMario to cover his expenses for being sued; the remaining $43,000 will be paid to the township. Spangler said the township will have responsibility for completing improvements at Windy Hill.  Mr. DiMario’s representative will be available to sign the deeds of dedication for Windy Hill.  Spangler said he would take care of preparing the paperwork for the dedication to be completed.

• Brutscher moved, Hubbard seconded to accept the settlement figure of $43,000 from Malvern Federal Bank and authorize Mr. Spangler to do the deed of dedication on the roads and open space.  Motion carried.

Baily / Brandolini Subdivision:  Frone Crawford and Jim Brandolini were present to discuss the stipulations of the Conditional Use Agreement.  Crawford discussed the outstanding issues related to the agreement. (copy attached)  Brutscher said the applicant will provide a plan for the Corrine Road and Locust Grove Road intersection that is acceptable to the Board and the township engineer.  Crawford agreed with this stipulation.  Crawford said that item 32 is a new stipulation on the agreement.  Crawford noted that the typos in the document will be corrected.

• Brutscher moved, Hubbard seconded to accept the stipulations as changed for the Baily / Brandolini Subdivision.  Frone Crawford will prepare the corrected document and send a copy to the Board.  Motion carried. 

Alan Johnson – Barn Renovations:  John Good and Alan Johnson were present to discuss the barn renovations.  Harwood informed Mr. Johnson that he might need a conditional use to continue with his improvements.  Harwood stated the improvements have incorporated the additional six parking spaces and meets impervious coverage requirements, and John Fenn has given the plan his blessing.  Sellers said that signage is an important issue.  Good said the applicant will meet the signage ordinance.  The Board discussed and agreed that there was no need for a conditional use hearing for the proposed improvements to the barn.

Michael & Judy Wright – Minor Subdivision: 

• Brutscher moved, Sellers seconded to grant an extension to continue the review of the Wright Minor Subdivision until November 30, 2003.  Motion carried. 

Other Business:

Sellers reported that the Board announced on Friday, September 5, 2003 at 7:30 a.m. in a public meeting that they had denied approval of the Toll Brothers PRD application.

Jim Tupiza, attorney, was present to discuss the problem with Lenape Springs Farm recorded plan.  Harwood said he had taken the plan to Regester Associates and asked them to clarify the mistake in the plan.  Unruh said if the legal description on the road is the same on both plans, the road could be accepted for dedication.  Unruh recommended having John Fenn look at the plan after it comes back from Regester Associates.  Mr. Tupiza said the $1,000 snow plowing will be paid, and he will be at the next township meeting to see that this issue is finally resolved.   

Chester County Prison Project:  Unruh said Ron Nagle has contacted him and stated that there seems to be a disagreement between the Board and the County on the sewage system improvements being proposed at the prison.  Sellers said URS has met with our consultant, Castle Valley, last Friday, and Castle Valley is reviewing the sewage facilities management plan for the prison, and will be reporting back to the township soon.

Kristin Hoover requested the Board to clarify the problems with the proposed improvements at the sewage treatment plant at the prison.  Sellers addressed her questions.  There was a discussion about the sewage treatment plant. 

Bayard Taylor Library:  Brutscher said the Board had received a letter from Donald Altmaier dated August 28, 2003.  Brutscher discussed the letter and the funding issues that are plaguing the library expansion plans, and suggested the township withdraw from the KARPC Library Consortium and vote to designate West Chester library as the township library.  Brutscher said township contributions would go to the designated library.  

• Hubbard moved, Sellers seconded to have the township withdraw its membership in the KARPC Library Consortium.  Motion carried. 

The Board agreed to consider supporting the Kennett Commons library concept or support the West Chester library with annual township contributions.

Route 52 Scenic Byway:  Brutscher said she feels the township should support the Route 52 Scenic Byway, and that grant money for trails and bikeways may become available in the future to the township because of the designation.

• Brutscher moved, Hubbard seconded to reenter discussions on designating the Route 52 Scenic Byway.  Motion carried.  Sellers opposed.

Minutes of August 8, 2003:  Brutscher said the minutes of August 8, 2003 are tabled until the next Board meeting. 

Minutes of August 25, 2003:  Brutscher moved, Hubbard seconded to approve the minutes of August 25, 2003 Board meeting as submitted.  Motion carried.  Sellers did not vote because he did not attend that meeting.

Building-Zoning Officer / Road Report: 

Harwood reported he had met with Mr. Hipkins and informed him he is not supposed to start work before 8:00 a.m. in the morning or the township will be forced to site him for violation of the agreement dated   Mr. Hipkins said he thought the agreement was for 7:00 a.m. and would not start work before 8:00 a.m. in the future.  Harwood also asked Mr. Hipkins not to bang the tailgate of his dump truck.  Harwood said Fenn is going to send Hipkins a letter about the blocked trail issue. 

Harwood said the Courts at Longwood is getting close to completion, but a letter should be sent to David D’Agostino about organizing the HOA at Courts at Longwood so they can take ownership of the open space. 

Harwood suggested that a letter be sent to David D’Agostino about Brandyridge with a copy to the bank holding the escrow that this escrow will be seized if the improvements are not completed by October 15, 2003.  The Board unanimously agreed to Harwood’s suggestion.

Harwood said Representative Barrar’s office should be contacted to set up a meeting with PennDOT to discuss the design of the replacement bridge over the Brandywine River at Route 926.  The Board agreed.

Harwood requested the Board to allocate the excess winter maintenance reimbursement from PennDOT for the 2002/2003 winter season of  $18,000.00 to be deposited in the Major Equipment Fund.  The unanimously Board agreed to Harwood’s request.

Harwood said the Longwood Ambulance requested the township to allow them to store their older ambulance in the township garage during the winter months.  The Board agreed that this would be permissible. 

Harwood said he would like to look into replacing the township signs at the entrances to township with more attractive signs.  The Board discussed and agreed this would be worth looking into.

The Board approved Harwood attending a Winter Maintenance Seminar in Chichester, PA that cost $595.00 in the middle of October. 

Zoning Amendments:  Sellers said the complete revised package of ordinances is done and ready for advertisement.  Sellers discussed his changes and other additions to the proposed amendments.

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

Adjournment:  The meeting was adjourned at 10:37 a.m.

______________________                                        ____________________________

Karen J. Eckard, Secretary                                              Georgia Brutscher, Vice Chairman