Board of Supervisors Meeting Minutes

December 8, 2008, 7:30 p.m.,

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

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

2. Pledge of Allegiance.

3. Announcements: Conary announced the proposed 2009 budget is available for public inspection at the Township Building and on the Township web site. The budget represents no tax increase for 2009. The Board expects to vote to adopt the budget at the next regularly scheduled meeting on December 22, 2008. He also announced that the tri-party agreement between the Township, Toll Brothers and Artesian Resources for the operation of the Riverside Waste Water System is being developed/reviewed by the attorneys for the respective parties.

4. Public Comment: Scott A. Towler, Engineer, Artesian Resources, indicated that the revised utility billing proposal with the Township for the Riverside Wastewater Treatment Plant will be finalized soon.

5. Corinne Village Update. Fronefield Crawford, Esquire, and James Brandolini (Applicant) appeared to update the Board on the completion of the conditions of approval and to present potential house plan renderings for the Corinne Village Project. Crawford indicated that the Applicant continues to evaluate the Township Engineer Review fees and will work in good faith to resolve this issue. Applicant indicated that a preliminary agreement has been reached with Toll Brothers to acquire the project, and as such, the house plan renderings are similar to houses built by Toll in East Bradford. The agreement is not final, but given current economic circumstances, Toll may be in a better position to proceed with the project. Applicant was not looking for a final decision or comment on the house renderings at this time, but may attend the meeting on December 22, 2008, to review final details. Crawford noted that other outstanding issues for the project include the Finance Security Agreement and the Wastewater Treatment Plant Operation and Agreement. He requested the Board adopt at the next meeting a resolution memorializing completion of the conditions for approval so that the Applicant can proceed with recordation.

6. Resolution No. 2008-16 Open Records Policy: Conary reviewed Resolution No. 2008-16 adopting a new Open Records Policy in compliance with the recent amendments to the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law. He provided a brief review of Exhibit A to the Resolution that sets forth the Township’s open records policy. An open records fee schedule will be included as part of the omnibus fee resolution to be adopted in January 2009.

Motion: McNemar moved to adopt Resolution No. 2008-16 Open Records Policy; seconded by Brutscher, unanimously carried.

Conary noted that the Township must designate an official or employee to act as an Open Records Officer. The Open Records Officer is responsible for receiving requests, directing requests to appropriate persons, and tracking requests.

Motion: Conary moved to appoint the Township Administrative Secretary to serve as the Open Records Officer; seconded by Brutscher, unanimously carried.

7. Old Business: McNemar noted that following recent discussions with Jim Hatfield, Township Engineer, the repairs to the bridge on Haines Mill Road may not be as extensive as originally thought. Hatfield previously communicated that the Chester County Conservation District and the Department of Environmental Protection have indicated that the proposed repairs can be handled under a general permit (GP-11) application with basic mapping and sketches and notification services to be provided by VanDemark & Lynch (VD&L). Hatfield will work up an engineering cost estimate for the necessary documents. Harwood continues to gather cost estimates for the repair work. The bridge repair could be completed by mid-2009. The bridge repair is included in the 2009 Township budget.

8. Public Works Report:

a) Administration Building – Brutscher renewed a previous request to upgrade the exterior lighting for the Administration Building parking area. She noted the lack of proper lighting is a hazardous condition for people using the Township facilities after dark. Conary suggested that the Township must be mindful of light pollution on behalf of neighboring properties. The Board directed the Secretary to obtain a quote to upgrade the parking lot lighting.

b) Township Inspection – Brutscher agreed to accompany Harwood on the drive-around for the December Township Inspections.

c) Written Reports – Harwood presented a written snow removal policy for the Township. Board approved the document and asked that it be included on the Township web site. Harwood and the Board will discuss retaining services of additional help for snow removal possibly on a contract basis. Harwood also provided an update to the Major Projects Schedule and a Daily Report commencing November 28, 2008. Conary noted the completion of the Pavilion on the Major Projects Schedule. Harwood remarked that picnic tables and bar-be-cue grills are installed. The Brooks Road headwall was not installed. Conary asked Harwood to provide an update on the Major Projects for the next Board meeting and to add the projects at Red Bridge Farms to the list. Conary confirmed that he is waiting for a response from the Solicitor regarding an agreement with Red Bridge Farms Homeowners Association regarding the stormwater maintenance responsibilities.

d) Trails and Park – Harwood reported that the trail work is complete, and he has reviewed statements and invoices for trail work with the Treasurer in order to comply with the expense reporting for the County grant. Olmstead Trails are looking better but should be sprayed for weed control twice a year. Harwood suggested and the Board agreed to post signs along Township trails for the winter season to indicate walking at one’s own risk as the Township does not perform winter maintenance such as snow removal and ice control. Harwood provided a sketch denoting location of drywells to be installed adjacent to the Barnard House. Downspouts will be installed accordingly as the building is in need of a decent gutter system. Drywell configurations are arranged in accordance with roof calculations. Conary asked that during the next heavy rainfall, Harwood investigate the source of water that seems to accumulate in the basement near the window well at ground level. Harwood noted that the County did not plant trees along trail behind Lenni Drive parallel to rear lot lines of two residents. He will check the approved plan and contact the County as to the possibility of an oversight.

Harwood reported that soccer nets and park equipment are regularly damaged by park visitors. He strongly urges the Park, Recreation and Trail Committee to draft rules as well as an application process, including submission of a deposit, to be completed by individuals or organizations who want to schedule use of the fields.

e) Roadway – Harwood reported that paving on Clarks Lane will be completed in spring 2009. Conary asked what additional measures were being taken to address repairs to a portion of West Creek Road, particularly the section recently reported by a resident. Harwood commented that until approvals are obtained from the railroad, the safety measures completed by the Township to date include the installation of crushed stone and safety barrels. Conary will provide Harwood with another contact number for the railroad in order to coordinate a permanent fix.

f) Bragg Hill Road – Brutscher reported that Thompson will not endorse the agreement to vacate a portion of Bragg Hill Road until a sketch of the turning area is submitted for review. Harwood will research funding for a circular turning area or hammerhead area to be used primarily by snow removal vehicles as he believes the area must meet liquid fuel requirements. A forty foot (40') circle may be doable. The state may have standard details that should be used to sketch an engineered turnaround circle.

g) Red Bridge Farm Lane bridge – Harwood is researching the purchase of guardrails to repair the Red Bridge Farm Lane bridge. He is searching for an aesthetically pleasing design that meets all state and federal standards as applicable. The bridge serves an entranceway with restricted speed limit. McNemar suggested that Harwood consult the Township Engineer as a resource.

9. New Business: Riverside at Chadds Ford – Brian Hogan appeared to update the Board on his continuing efforts to investigate the issues with the spray heads in close proximity to his property at 207 Winston Lane. He thanked the Board for their recent letter to Toll to reestablish the tree line adjacent to the spray field. Conary noted that Toll has contacted the Board regarding the setback distance for a wooded area. Hogan requested copies of the wastewater treatment permit application and other collateral documents in order to review original and amended submissions. The Secretary will contact Hogan this week regarding the requested documents.

10. Escrow Releases:

a) Taylor’s Run at Red Bridge – Conary reviewed Taylor’s Run Escrow Release No. 3 for $21,139.20 in conjunction with the improvements at Taylor’s Run at Red Bridge. Township Engineer reports that sufficient funds remain in the Escrow Account to complete installation of nine (9) street trees and the modifications to the stormwater basin.

Motion: Brutscher moved that the Board approve Escrow Release No. 3 for $21,139.20 as reviewed and approved by the Township Engineer; seconded by Conary; unanimously carried.

b) Brandyridge – Board reviewed S & S Development Company, Inc., Escrow Release #10 for the Brandyridge Subdivision in the amount of $12,968.50 with a construction review sum in the amount of $3,592.18 payable to the Township. Brutscher noted that issues may be pending regarding the installation of trails. Board agreed to table approval pending confirmation of installation of the trails.

c) Ridgeview – Board reviewed S & S Development Company, Inc., Escrow Release #4 for the Ridgeview Subdivision in the amount of $7,620.60.

Motion: Brutscher moved that the Board approve Escrow Release No. 4 for $7,620.60 as reviewed and approved by the Township Engineer with a construction review sum in the amount of $1,296.50 payable to Pocopson Township; seconded by Conary, unanimously carried.

11. Treasurer’s Warrants: Conary reported that a transfer was completed from the General Fund to the Park, Recreation, and Trail Committee to provide sufficient funds to cover the trail expenses. The trail expense money will be transferred back to the General Fund during 2009. Also, the Treasurer will submit monthly budget reports beginning in 2009. Warrants were reviewed and approved as submitted.

12. Correspondence: None submitted.

13. Review of Minutes: Meeting of November 24, 2008.

Motion: McNemar moved to approve minutes as revised and submitted; Brutscher seconded; motion carried.

14. Adjournment: At 9:20 p.m., Conary moved to adjourn the meeting; Brutscher seconded.

_______________________________ _____________________________

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