Chairman Kenneth Miller called the regular meeting of the West Vincent Township Board of Supervisors, held in the Township Building, to order at 7:35 p.m.; others in attendance were Supervisors Zoë Perkins and Karl Brachwitz; Township Manager Allen Heist, and Solicitor Allan Greenwood.
Unanimous approval was granted for the minutes of December 14, 21, and 28 upon a motion from Mr. Brachwitz and second from Mrs. Perkins.
Reports:
Treasurer's Report - Mike Burnley reported the following account balances: General Fund, $203,627.51; State Fund, $6,489.15; Kimberton Sewer Fund, $4,998.85; Road Repair Loan Account, $7,713.39; St. Stephens Greene Water Fund, $7,516.42; and St. Stephens Greene Sewer Fund, $23,778.08.
Tax Collector - Received from Berkheimer Associates: Delinquent Real Estate Tax, $1,440.35; Debt Service-Road Repair Loan, $2,592.48; Earned Income Tax, $17,154.51. Received from Chester County: Real Estate Transfer Tax, $17,178.40.
Building Inspector's Report - In December, 15 building permits and 12 U&O's were issued and 25 inspections conducted; fees totaled $2,744.80.
Police - The Police Department responded to 90 calls during December. The investigation continues regarding multiple thefts at Pearl's Farm Stand, warnings have been issued to patrons parking illegally in the handicap parking spaces at Ludwig's Inn, and traffic details are being conducted.
Fire Companies - Ludwigs Corner, 7 calls; Ridge Fire Company, 1 assist call.
Solicitor's Report - Mr. Greenwood reported working on the One-Way Street Ordinance, Construction and Repair of Sidewalks, Curbs, and Gutters Ordinance, recording of the Declaration of Covenants for the Township Park, and the Resolution setting 1999 compensation for the Township Manager.
Copies of the December and January minutes from the Planning Commission and EAC meetings are available.
Correspondence:
The Chester County Agricultural Development Council announced sponsorship of a new book based on Chester County heritage entitled The Bounty of Chester County Cookbook, Heritage Edition. Favorite recipes emphasizing foods produced in Chester County are requested.
The Chester County Department of Emergency Services notified the Township a Drought Warning was issued December 14, 1998 and a declaration of Drought Emergency is expected in January. The following water saving tips were offered: take shorter showers, run dish washers and washing machines only when full, don't let the water run when shaving or brushing your teeth, repair leaks, and take your vehicle to a car wash that recycles its water.
The West Vincent Township Board of Auditors held their reorganizational meeting on Tuesday, January 5, 1999. Mrs. Anna May Houck was elected Chairman and Mrs. LuAnn McCoy was elected Secretary for the 1999 calendar year. Compensation for Township Supervisor's work, vehicles, and equipment on Township roads and business was fixed as follows: Roadmaster's salary, $9,000/year; annual inspection of roads, $13.50/hr.; when employed as laborers, $13.50/hr.; when employed as superintendent, $14.50/hr.; use of car or truck, 32.5 cents per mile; and use of chainsaw, $6.50/hr. The auditors will meet on a weekly basis beginning Tuesday, January 12th.
Subdivisions/Land Development/Zoning:
Matthews Meadows - Unanimous approval was granted for (Phase 1) Escrow Release #8 in the amount of $10,800.00 and (Phase 2) Escrow Release #15 in the amount of $19,410.12, both associated with the final wearing coarse on the roadways, upon a motion from Mr. Brachwitz and a second from Mrs. Perkins.
Coscia - Gene Richards, representing Romeo Coscia, was present to review a revised preliminary subdivision plan for the Coscia property on Horseshoe Trail and request approval for a waiver from Section 606L., which states "a single driveway may be shared by no more than three lots or units". The applicant proposes that Lot #1 utilize the common driveway, which also services Lots 2, 3, and 4, to eliminate an additional driveway onto Horseshoe Trail, reduce the number of trees needed to be removed, and preserve the screening along Horseshoe Trail. The Board will wait for further review from the Township Engineer and Planning Commission before rendering a decision on the requested waiver.
New Business:
Manager Heist reviewed Ordinance No. 90-1999, as advertised in the Daily Local News on December 24, 1998, establishing Schoolhouse Lane from Flowing Springs Road to Hollow Road as a one-way street. Copies of the draft ordinance were sent to the four property owners residing along this section of Schoolhouse Lane. Comments were received from Mr. and Mrs. Hansen, and Mr. and Mrs. Larkin in support of the ordinance and Mr. and Mrs. Mokrejs, voicing general comments and support for the Board's decision. A motion was made by Mrs. Perkins, seconded by Mr. Miller, to adopt Ordinance No. 90-1999. Perkins and Miller voted in favor, Brachwitz opposed; the motion carried.
Ordinance No. 91-1999, as advertised in the Daily Local News December 30, 1998, requiring the construction and repair of sidewalks, curbs and gutters and assigning responsibility for ice and snow removal, was reviewed by Manager Heist. Copies of the draft ordinance were sent to Wetherill Estate property owners; correspondence was received from James Moffett requesting a change in Section 8 ....snow and ice shall be removed from sidewalks within twelve hours after the cessation of any fall of snow, sleet or freezing rain...change twelve to twenty-four hours and the deletion of Section 10, Enforcement and Penalties. A number of Wetherill Estate residents were present to discuss the proposed ordinance. Mark Dushanko questioned who is responsible for sidewalks in the common area, to which the Board replied the Homeowners Association. Stephen Malter mentioned the Homeowners Association would assume responsibility for the repair and maintenance (not snow removal) of the sidewalks since the sidewalks benefit the entire Wetherill Estates development and he inquired how this conveyance of liability could be incorporated into the ordinance. Ronald Wlodyga submitted a copy of the Homeowners Association minutes to Solicitor Greenwood. Brenda Fairchild requested the fine and penalty structure be reviewed to include warnings. Paul Fairchild explained that the developer improperly installed the sidewalk, a front yard drainage problem exists, and since his property is located at the end of the cul-de-sac, the snowplow deposits snow in his front yard and sidewalk. Mr. Fairchild was advised to send a letter to the Township regarding the sidewalk construction and drainage problems; he will discuss the snow removal issue with the contractor. In conclusion, the ordinance will be amended to read, "snow and ice shall be removed from sidewalks within twenty-four (24) hours...", Solicitor Greenwood will incorporate language regarding the responsibilities of Homeowners Association, when assumed by the Association; and Manager Heist will rewrite Section 10, "Enforcement and Penalties" to reflect a graduated penalty schedule similar to the False Alarm Ordinance for the January 25th meeting of the Board of Supervisors. Manager Heist will research the parameters for use of the Wetherill Estates Park prior to the next meeting.
Manager Heist reviewed Resolution No. 6-1999, establishing a fee schedule for use in conjunction with the Township Building Code, Plumbing Code, Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, and other services rendered by the Township. Mr. Brachwitz made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Perkins, to adopt Resolution No. 6-1999; all in favor.
Solicitor Greenwood reviewed the 1999 Engineering/Planning Services Agreement submitted by Castle Valley Consultants, Inc. noting that the language is the same as the 1998 agreement and the rates have only slightly changed. A motion was made by Mrs. Perkins to contract engineering services with Castle Valley Consultants, Inc.; it was seconded by Mr. Brachwitz and carried unanimously.
A decision regarding the Scope of Services for the daily operations of St. Stevens Greene Water and Wastewater Systems, submitted by The Environmental Group, will be postponed until the January 25th meeting to address review comments received from Solicitor Greenwood and Castle Valley Consultants, Inc.
Motion by Mrs. Perkins to authorize Karl Brachwitz and Allen Heist to attend the State Convention of the PA State Association of Township Supervisors to be held April 11-14, 1999 at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center and to pay related expenses. The motion was seconded by Mr. Brachwitz and carried unanimously.
Motion by Mrs. Perkins, seconded by Mr. Brachwitz, to adopt the Employee Manual (Page 18) revisions as presented, with the exception of the word to (K. Pension Plan, second line) deleted; all in favor.
Business from the Floor:
The bulk of the work for Basin No. 2 at St. Stephens Greene has been completed, with work still required on the emergency spillway.
The West Vincent Township Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance are at the printers; both documents should be available Friday, January 15th.
Jane Gaffer requested the Board of Supervisors to reconsider the adoption of Ordinance 90-1999, establishing Schoolhouse Lane as a one-way street. Residents near the intersection of Hollow Road and Flowing Springs Road - Village Café, the Dulchinos, Birchrunville Post Office, Richard Wright, and Ron Gaffey - will also be affected by the increased traffic and were not notified of the pending ordinance. Mr. Miller's vote stands; Mrs. Perkins agreed to "revisit the vote" and give her decision at the January 25th meeting.
Wheeler Aman questioned the status of the West Vincent Township Land Trust, Inc.; application has been made for tax exemption status designation and awaiting IRS verification.
Two invoices were received from Rittenbaugh, Inc. for cinder spreading at a rate higher than the snow removal bid award. The Board advised Manager Heist to contact Rittenbaugh, Inc. and request a revised invoice at the bid award price.
Bills List:
Mrs. Perkins made a motion to pay the bills on the Bills List dated January 11, 1999; it was seconded by Mr. Brachwitz and carried unanimously.
There being no further business, Mr. Brachwitz moved the meeting be adjourned; the motion was seconded by Mrs. Perkins and the meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,