Pocopson Township
Chester County, Pennsylvania
 

Minutes of a Special Meeting of the Pocopson Township Board of Supervisors
December 27, 2007                8:45 AM

Supervisor Sellers opened the meeting at 8:47 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Supervisors Brutscher and Hubbard were in attendance. This is a special meeting and the Acting Secretary noted proof of advertisement in the Daily Local News.

Announcements: Settlement on the portion of the Cousins’ open space easement purchased in conjunction with the County occurred on December 27, 2007. The remainder of the easement will close in 2008.

Resolution #16: Establishes tax rates for Fiscal Year 2008.

Sellers read sections of the resolution, noting that:

• Under the provisions of the Second Class Township Code, the Board of Supervisors of Pocopson Township is authorized to levy taxes by resolution upon all real property within Pocopson Township made taxable for Township purposes;

• The Board adopted, as authorized by the Code, the Township’s Budget for fiscal year 2008 and the budget reflected tax revenues anticipated to be collected;
• The Board levies taxes upon that real property made taxable for Township purposes, located in the Township, as follows:

                        General Twp Purposes Tax                   1.2 mills                       
                        Open Space Tax                                   1.0 mills                       

• The 1.2 mills provides revenues for the general support of the functions of the municipal government of the Township. The 1.0 mills for open space preservation was approved by voters in May, 2006.

Included in the resolution are penalties for late and non-payment. Sellers asked if the 10% penalty is sufficient to encourage prompt payment. Brutscher and Hubbard agreed that it is.

Motion: Brutscher moved to adopt Resolution #16 establishing tax rates for Fiscal Year 2008. Hubbard seconded; approved unanimously.

Resolution #17: Adopting budget for Fiscal Year 2008.

Sellers commented that at no time in his memory were so many budget items up in the air. As examples, he said that funds for trails are anticipated from the State Department of Community and Natural Resources and the County, but the actual amounts are unknown. Also, the Township faces obligations on the Roundabout project that far exceed initial estimates. While federal funds will cover the cost of construction, they do not cover design, and the original design estimate of $55,000 will be closer to $200,000.

 Sellers outlined each page of the budget, comparing anticipated income vs. expenses. There were no questions or comments.

Hubbard noted that the budget was duly advertised and available for public inspection for more than 20 days prior to this meeting.

Motion: Brutscher moved to accept Resolution #17 adopting the Township budget for 2008. Hubbard seconded; approved unanimously.

 Sellers noted that ending 2008 with an anticipated $170,000 is not sufficient, and the Township will need to come up with other ideas to build up our balances.

Brutscher left the meeting at 9:20 a.m.

Escrow Release #6 Scaleby: Hubbard moved to approve. Sellers seconded; approved by the two Supervisors in attendance.

 Brutscher returned to the meeting at 9:23 a.m.

Supplemental Engineering Proposal for Route 52 Bridge Replacement: Proposal received from Cassio for $1500 for preparation of plans for foundation of culvert. Motion: Hubbard moved to accept the proposal. Sellers seconded; approved unanimously.

Proposal for Energy Audit of Township: Bill Haaf, member of the Parks, Recreation & Trails (PRT) Committee, presented a proposal to hire an engineer for $800 to perform an energy audit of the two township buildings.

Haaf stated that the Township is spending a lot on heat for buildings and fuel for vehicles. For financial and sustainability reasons, tighter oversight of all types of energy usage would be beneficial. Haaf has located an engineer from the University of Delaware, Dr. Russell Nigro, to perform the audit. His findings and other energy-saving information could be shared with residents through the newsletter and website. The PRT Committee can recommend ways to track and conserve energy. The new Township building could benefit from knowledge gained about solar energy, energy and water efficiency, and Green Building guidelines.

Sellers suggested that this activity might fit better with the Planning Commission than within the PRT Committee. Haaf said that it doesn’t matter where the initiative is located as long as the work gets done. Sellers suggested that Haaf talk to Bill Waddington and Steve Conary of the Planning Commission about a joint effort since Green Building efforts will have implications regarding development.

Brutscher would like Dr. Nigro to take a look at the Barnard House since that will eventually be the Township Building and recommended just simple, inexpensive improvements to the existing Township Building since we won’t be there for more than a few more years.

Motion: Brutscher moved to approve an $800 expenditure from the Parks, Recreation & Trails Committee budget for the energy audit. Hubbard seconded; approved unanimously.

Building Permit Application for 6 Deblyn V: Ray Gamble was in attendance to discuss his plans to build a home at 6 Deblyn V Lane. Gamble and the Township Engineer do not agree on the stormwater management requirements for this subdivision. The Engineer wants additional stormwater management provision on this specific lot; but it is Mr. Gamble’s contention that adequate provisions for stormwater management were included in the original subdivision and land development plan for Deblyn V.

Gamble said that Deblyn V is a pre-existing subdivision and should be governed by Sec. 250-19(C) and not by the new ordinances passed at the December 10 Supervisors Meeting. Gamble and the Supervisors examined the original subdivision plans. Sellers and Brutscher thought that the measures in the original plans were temporary. Gamble said that permanent basins and dry wells are shown on some lots where applicable, but not on his. Sellers commented that since at least 1980, recharge has been required by Township ordinance, so he sees no question that seepage beds will be required for this lot. Gamble said that while the Township might like to see this in the future, that requirement does not apply to this, existing, lot.

Sellers said that Township Code supercedes HOA documents or deed restrictions on such issues as cutting of woodlands. Since no home was built under the original plans, Sellers thinks the Township has the right to apply more current requirements. Hubbard noted that requirements should be those that were in effect when Gamble submitted his permit application in September, 2007.

There was discussion of the Engineer’s requirements for well-drained soils, infiltration rates, yard drains and a drain for the driveway. Brutscher asked about E&S control, for which Gamble agreed that a lot-specific plan was needed and will be developed.

Sellers will talk to the Township Solicitor about Mr. Gamble’s concerns, but thinks that current engineering requirements requiring seepage beds will apply in this case. Gamble will write a letter to Unruh outlining his ideas, but he may not contact him directly. Sellers agreed to pass on Gamble’s letter and will discuss the matter with Unruh and get back to Gamble.

Public Comment: None.

Other Business:  Recognized letter of December 11 from Megill Homes regarding vandalism at Scaleby. Brutscher suggested writing a letter to Megill advising that a regional police study will soon be underway through Kennett Area Regional Planning Commission (KARPC).

Treasurer's Warrants: Approved as submitted.

Approval of Minutes from Meeting of December 10: Tabled until next meeting.

Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 a.m.

_________________________________                  _____________________________

Margaret S. Lennon, Acting Secretary                         H. William Sellers, Chair