PUBLIC HEARING

This meeting was called to order at 7:40 p.m. by Chairman Kenneth Miller; others in attendance were Supervisors Zoe Perkins and Karl Brachwitz, Manager Allen Heist, and Solicitor Allan Greenwood; William Handy, court reporter. The purpose of this hearing was to receive testimony concerning Ordinance No. 87-1998, which would adopt building and plumbing codes, with amendments. Solicitor Greenwood indicated that the hearing had been advertised as required. Mr. Miller asked for comments from the floor. Mr. Rick Sudall, representing Wetherill Estates, asked the Board to amend the 1996 BOCA requirements for stair treads; Mr. Tom Murray, representing Toll Brothers, asked the Board to amend the stair treads and guard rail requirements (BOCA). Both men indicated that adopting the 1996 codes would require major redesign for their projects, and noted that no problems have arisen from the previous code requirements. After discussion among the Board members, Mrs. Perkins made a motion to table action on Ordinance No. 87-1998 regarding adoption of building codes; it was seconded by Mr. Brachwitz and carried unanimously. The public hearing was adjourned at 8:21 p.m. and the Board went right into the

REGULAR MEETING

PennDOT - Response was received on November 13 to two Township requests: 1) A speed study on Pottstown Pike north of Nantmeal Road to the E. Nantmeal Township line indicated that a reduction is not warranted. 2) A speed study on Birchrun Road from Pottstown Pike to Hollow Road and Flowing Springs Road from Hollow Road to St. Matthews Road (these two segments are both under the same PennDOT route number) indicated that the following speed reductions have been approved: The segments from Pottstown Pike to Horseshoe Trail and from Horseshoe Trail to Shady Lane will be posted at 40 mph.; the segments between Shady Lane and Hollow Road and from Hollow Road to St. Matthews Road will be posted at 35 mph. PennDOT will install the 40 mph signs and the Township is responsible for installing the 35 mph signs where marked by PennDOT.

Chester County Health Department - The Board was given information on a new program for trash and garbage collection called Pay-As-You-Throw, allowing for unit pricing instead of a standard rate. Since the Township's collection is on an individual basis, no action was needed.

Upper Uwchlan Township has requested that West Vincent Township supply a Township Park plan for their review, since part of the park will be located in U. Uwchlan Township. That request will be granted.

EXXON CORP. - Mrs. Perkins made a motion to acknowledge receipt of a subdivision extension agreement from Exxon to December 31, 1998; it was seconded by Mr. Brachwitz and carried unanimously. This extension is for the land development plan currently under review.

HANKIN GROUP

1. Mr. Brachwitz made a motion to approve an extension of review time to December 28, 1998 for the by-right plan; it was seconded by Mrs. Perkins and carried unanimously.
2. Two memos from the Township Planning Commission were read, both of which recommend that the Board turn down the proposed UDA in favor of the pending Township Zoning Ordinance with each parcel in compliance with the zoning requirements for the zoning district, and also recommending that the site sustain itself regarding water and sewer.

WOODS @ CALLOW HILL - Mr. Brachwitz made a motion to approve escrow release #3 in the amount of $5,934.64; it was seconded by Mrs. Perkins and carried unanimously.

Green Valleys Association - John Hoekstra of Green Valleys and Thomas Cahill, consultant to GVA, were present in response to an invitation from the Board to discuss Green Valleys' request for a contribution of $1,000 for the implementation of Phase II of the Sustainable Watershed Management Program. They reported what is being done at this time and summarized by saying they are working toward a workable, adoptable ordinance which will be a useful tool for Townships to implement. Mr. Brachwitz was of the opinion that Phase II will not greatly benefit West Vincent. He would like to see the recharge system of stormwater control being used vs. zoning based on water supply and its weak legal standing. This system is being considered by other local townships, but the process of change is slow. After considerable discussion among the Board, the Green Valleys representatives, and members of the audience, Mrs. Perkins stated that if West Vincent is really in favor of slowing the pace of development in the area and Board members are serious about their oaths to uphold orderly development, then we should participate at least on a modest level showing interest in what this study will provide. She then made a motion that West Vincent Township support the Sustainable Watershed Management Program with a contribution of $1,000 and remain associated with this project; it was seconded by Mr. Miller. The motion was defeated 2-1, with Miller and Brachwitz opposing.

Township Building relocation

1. Michael Wolf of Dolphin & Bradbury presented information regarding a bond purchase proposal of $1,000,000 at a fixed interest rate of 4.25% (5.18% including costs) with a settlement date of approximately December 23, 1998. Prepayment can occur after the 10^th year. Timothy O'Neill, attorney for Dolphin & Bradbury, explained an ordinance which would authorize the non-electoral debt of $1,000,000 (Ordinance No. 87 - 1998). Several questions from the audience were answered. Mr. Brachwitz made a motion to enact Ordinance No. 87 - 1998 authorizing the bond issue of $1,000,000; it was seconded by Mrs. Perkins and carried unanimously. (vote: Miller, yes; Perkins, yes; Brachwitz, yes) Necessary papers were signed and notarized.
2. An architectural proposal for the renovation and expansion of the Evans Farm property for the West Vincent Township Municipal Complex, submitted by George J. Donovan A.I.A. & Associates of Doylestown was received by the Board for their review. Harry Archinal, Fellowship Road resident and architect, offered to review the document and advise the Board; his offer was accepted.

Township Park

1. Escrow release No. 1 in the amount of $66,236.62 will be acted on at the Monday workshop session, after Board review.
2. Relative to the Chester County Park Facilities Grant, for which the Township has made application, Solicitor Greenwood presented a Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions required as part of the application. Mr. Brachwitz made the following motion: I move that Kenneth Miller, Jr., Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, be authorized to execute the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions related to the 12.920 acre Township Park located near the intersection of St. Matthews Road and the Conestoga Pike (Route 401) and that the Township Solicitor be authorized to record the Declaration in the Chester County Recorder of Deeds Office. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Perkins and carried unanimously.

Clare Quinn reported that a new inter-township citizens group titled Citizens Organized Against has been formed to fight the proposed Mall in Uwchlan Township. Their focus is on public awareness, legal support, and encouraging outlying townships to get informed so that their Boards will see the coming deleterious impact and make their concerns known.

Mrs. Perkins made a motion to approve the bills list dated November 23, 1998; it was seconded by Mr. Brachwitz and carried unanimously.

Expenditures were reviewed, with major items being highlighted. Adoption of the preliminary 1999 budget will take place on Monday, November 30.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,