The regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors, held in the meeting room of the Township building, was called to order at 7:40 p.m. by Chairman Kenneth Miller; others is attendance were Supervisors Zoe Perkins and Karl Brachwitz, Township Manager Heist, and Solicitor Allan Greenwood.

Manager Heist reviewed three press releases from the Chester County Health Department announcing volunteer positions are available in the Chester County Health Department, influenza illness has struck in Chester County and the southeastern Pennsylvania region, and warning signs and suggestions to prevent or reduce the chance of heart attacks and strokes. The releases are posted on the Township bulletin board or for more information call the Chester County Health Department.

Board of Auditors: Chairman Miller read a report of the reorganization meeting of the Board of Auditors held on January 6, 1998. Anna May Houck was elected chairman and LuAnn McCoy was elected secretary. The Treasurer's Bond was set at $300,000 and the compensation for Township Supervisors when employed by the Township was set as follows:

	Annual inspection of roads	$12.00/hr.
	When employed as laborers	$12.00/hr.
	When employed as superintendent	$13.00/hr.
	Use of car or truck	.30/ mile
	Use of chainsaw	$5.00/hr.

 

Robert B. Kling: The Board acknowledged receipt of a preliminary subdivision plan for eight lots, ranging from 10.65 acres to 26.12 acres, on the 128.16 acre Kling property at the intersection of Bartlett and Green Lanes with a motion from Mrs. Perkins and a second from Mr. Brachwitz. The plan will be distributed for review.

Matthews Meadows: Escrow release #6 for Phase 2 of Matthews Meadows in the amount of $2,119.50 received unanimous approval with a motion from Mr. Brachwitz and a second from Mrs. Perkins.

St. Stephens Greene: A letter was received from Morgan Brothers Builders, Inc. disputing the authorized escrow release amount because it did not include all requested line items. The requested amounts withheld were not released due to some items not conforming to the approved development plans; also, the engineer is not recommending any reduction in retainage at this time. Escrow release #19 for St. Stephens Greene, in the amount of $38,185.39, was unanimously approved with a motion from Mr. Brachwitz and a second from Mrs. Perkins.

Wetherill Estates: Escrow release #8 for Phase 2 of Wetherill Estates, in the amount of $17,204.00, was unanimously approved with a motion from Mr. Brachwitz and a second from Mrs. Perkins.

Forest Glen: As a condition for subdivision approval, the Township will enter into a Sewage System Maintenance Agreement - Forest Glen with Joseph A. Piccone, Inc., owner. The agreement has been reviewed and approved by the Chester County Health Department, Fronefield Crawford, Castle Valley Consultants, and Patrick O'Donnell, attorney for Piccone, Inc. A motion was made by Mr. Brachwitz to enter into a maintenance and inspection agreement of the eight proposed individual sewage systems of Forest Glen; it was seconded by Mrs. Perkins and carried unanimously.

Conditional Use Application of Michael E. and Dawn A. Wozniak: The Board acknowledged receipt of a conditional use application of Michael and Dawn Wozniak to use their property located at 976 Pottstown Pike for a Home and Garden Center. A hearing date of March 9, 1998 was set.

Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance - Driveway Specifications: Due to possible litigation, the Board met in Executive Session prior to the regular meeting to discuss and review a proposed draft letter, written by Solicitor Greenwood, to the developers of Wetherill Estates, Matthews Meadows, and St. Stephens Greene, in an effort to achieve a quick resolution to a dispute resulting from the driveway specifications issue. The Board authorized Mr. Greenwood to send the letter to the developers; he will advise the Board of their responses. Audience member T.J. Antich, questioned "if the ordinance changes, is the change retroactive". Mr. Greenwood explained that once receiving subdivision approval, the Township does not have the ability to place a new standard into effect that a subdivision must observe.

PSATS Convention, April 19-22, 1998: There will be no representatives from West Vincent Township attending the convention this year.

Castle Valley Consultants, Inc. submitted a proposal to assist in the planning and design of a Township-wide Individual On-lot Sewage System Management Program defining the services provided at a fee not to exceed $5,800. Motion by Mrs. Perkins to authorize Castle Valley to proceed with the development and implementation of an on-lot management program. Mr. Brachwitz requested deferring the decision until next meeting so he could further review the proposal; the request was granted.

West Vincent Highlands Historic District: In conjunction with the application for National Register historic district designation prepared for the Township by French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust, a public meeting is scheduled for February 9, 1998 at 7:30 p.m., prior to the regular meeting. Estelle Cremers will be present to explain what the National Register is, what the district is and why it is significant, why it is being nominated, and how the nomination was developed and to receive public comment. Letters will be sent to property owners in the WVHHD notifying them of the meeting date. Documentation is available to the public for review at the Township office during regular hours. A full review is scheduled for March 11, 1998 before the PA Historical and Museum Commission, Bureau for Historic Preservation in Harrisburg.

Wheeler Aman requested the status of the potential sale/relocation of the Township building property. The Board is pursuing possible sites for relocation and welcomes comments from the neighboring property owners and Township residents regarding the disposition and reuse of the Township building property.

Web Page: Bob Ellis has posted current Board, EAC, and Planning Commission minutes on a web page, at no cost to the Township, to survey community interest in a Township web site. The address is: www.ccil.org/~rellis/westvinc/

Mr. Brachwitz made a motion to approve the bills list dated January 26, 1998; it was seconded by Mrs. Perkins and carried unanimously.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,