The regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors, held in the Township Building, was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Chairman Kenneth Miller; others in attendance were Supervisors Zoe Perkins and Karl Brachwitz; Manager Allen Heist, and Solicitor Allan Greenwood.
MINUTES
Unanimous approval was granted for the minutes of November 2, 9, 23, 30 upon motion from Mr. Brachwitz and second from Mrs. Perkins.
REPORTS
Treasurer - General account balance, $2,775.68; state account balance, $6,766.09; total, $9,541.77. Kimberton Sewer account balance, $3,118.67; Road Repair Loan account balance, $5,096.45; St. Stephen's Greene Water account balance, $6,399.51; St. Stephen's Greene Sewer account balance, $21,317.89.
Tax Collector - Received from Berkheimer Associates: Delinquent tax, $2,295.99; road repair loan, $1,450.12; earned income tax, $16,867.64; total, $20,613.75.
Building Inspector - Usual reviews and inspections, with several U&O's issued; November fee, $2,525.60.
Zoning Officer - 1 inspection, 4 permits reviewed, 3 zoning projects.
Fire Companies - Ludwigs Corner: 7 calls; Ridge: no calls
Police - Nothing out of the ordinary - usual stuff.
Solicitor - Mr. Greenwood reported working on the bond issue and a tax & revenue loan
Planning Commission - Mr. Miller reported Chairman Jim Wendelgass' condition following a hunting accident two Saturdays ago. Mrs. Perkins summarized the report, copies of which are available.
EAC - No meeting
CORRESPONDENCE
PennDOT - In response to a request for the Township to install red LED signal heads in the traffic light at Rts. 100 & 401, the Central Office of PennDOT has indicated that they concur with this installation, subject to provisions provided. Signal Service has been notified and they will be installed soon.
The Chester Springs Library Board of Trustees noted their appreciation for the $2250 contribution made recently and reported that renovations are now complete.
The West Pikeland Township Board of Supervisors has indicated concerns related to traffic on Byers Road at Rt. 401 in light of the pending development of Eagle Farms, and has requested Township support during West Vincent and Upper Uwchlan Townships' reviews of this plan.
SUBDIVISIONS / LAND DEVELOPMENT / ZONING
SPRINGLEA - Unanimous approval was granted for escrow release #3 in the amount of $81,649.45 upon a motion from Mr. Brachwitz and a second from Mrs. Perkins.
TOWNSHIP PARK - Unanimous approval was granted for escrow release #2 in the amount of $52,262.38 upon motion from Mr. Brachwitz and second from Mrs. Perkins.
COSCIA - The Board acknowledged receipt of a subdivision extension agreement extending review time to January 25, 1999 upon motion from Mrs. Perkins and second from Mr. Brachwitz.
BORST - No response had been received to a request for extension. The applicant will be notified that the present review time expires on December 27.
SCHREINER - David Beideman presented revised plans for this 3-lot subdivision on Hilltop Road. Changes requested by the Township Planning Commission and Township Engineer were incorporated into these plans and final approval was requested. Mrs. Perkins made a motion to grant final approval to the revised plan dated December 14, 1998 for the Schreiner subdivision, including waivers for relief from the requirement for a hydrogeology study, an erosion and sedimentation control plan, and paving requirements, and conditioned upon a satisfactory report from Planning Solicitor Fronefield of the Driveway Maintenance Agreement. The condition was accepted on the applicant's behalf by attorney David Megay. The motion was seconded by Mr. Brachwitz and carried unanimously.
Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances - A public hearing will be held on Monday, December 28, 1998 at the Township building at 7:30 p.m. to consider for adoption the revised draft ordinances. Relative to this, David and Mary Ann Kusner initiated a discussion on requirements for raising of horses as a residential accessory use. Their areas of interest were pasture area, fencing, and setbacks for buildings and manure storage. They evidently had done extensive research to find national and/or state standards in these areas, but found that there were none. Suggestions for changes to the draft zoning ordinance were made. Several other residents offered comments indicating that this is a "horsey" area, has been for hundreds of years, along with other agricultural uses, and this is the reason many people want to live here. Too many regulations could mean the beginning of the end for this type of use. Board members will consider what changes they wish to make.
Township Park - Colin Smith, a tenth grade student attempting to earn his Eagle Scout badge, requested permission to do a service project at the Township Park under construction. After a short discussion, it was agreed that arrangements will be made for Colin to meet with the Township Engineer to learn the "paperwork" end of his project. Mrs. Perkins made a motion that Colin Smith be authorized, as part of his Eagle Scout service project, to work with the Township Engineer on the Township Park landscaping plan; it was seconded by Mr. Brachwitz and carried unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
St. Stephen's Greene water and sewer billing will be handled by the Pottstown School District starting in January 1999 at an anticipated cost of $594.00/year after initial setup charges. This action took place when Mrs. Perkins made a motion to enter into contract for 1999 with the Pottstown School District Data Processing Center to provide services for the St. Stephen's Greene water and sewer systems billing; it was seconded by Mr. Brachwitz and carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
Assistant Secretary - Upon recommendation from Manager Heist and a successful interview by the Board, Mrs. Perkins made a motion that Dale Polite be hired as Assistant Secretary to start January 4, 1999 at $12.02/hr., with a six-month probationary period and conditioned on satisfactory completion of a post offer/pre-employment exam; it was seconded by Mr. Brachwitz and carried unanimously.
Health and Life Insurance - Manager Heist reported the results of a comparison of insurance benefits and related costs. He indicated that at a savings of approximately $560.00 per year, Township employees could be covered by an upgraded health insurance plan and an increase in life insurance from $10,000 to $25,000. Mrs. Perkins made a motion to approve the proposed changes; it was seconded by Mr. Brachwitz and carried unanimously.
BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR
Lenore Richards asked the Board if, in light of the recent hunting accident involving Jim Wendelgass, they would ever consider eliminating hunting in the Township. This sparked a discussion, bringing comments for both sides. The conclusion was that, in general, what is needed is more efficient enforcement of the hunting laws.
Tom Drauschak asked the Board if they would be interested in using the present Township building, after the move to the Evans farm is made, as a community center of sorts. The idea will be considered.
Mrs. Perkins reported having an interesting time trying to contact the PUC regarding options for water supply in the future, including the possibility of public water. This will be an ongoing project.
BILLS LIST
Mrs. Perkins made a motion to pay the bills on the bills list dated December 14, 1998; it was seconded by Mr. Brachwitz and carried unanimously.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,