The regular meeting of the West Vincent Township Board of Supervisors was held on the above date at the Township Building. Chairman Kenneth Miller called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.; others in attendance were Supervisors Zoë Perkins and Karl Brachwitz; and Township Manager Allen Heist.
Correspondence:
Manager Heist reviewed correspondence from the Commonwealth of PA, Lieutenant Governor's Office regarding the PA2K campaign, an outreach program to share accurate and timely Year 2000 information to local governments. The Township has begun the process of determining the extent of the Y2K problem as it relates to the efficient operation of West Vincent Township. The Township Engineer, Traffic Engineer, and computer consultant are assessing potential problem areas such as computer and office equipment, water/sewage plant and the traffic signal, identifying third party providers, and verifying Y2K compliance.
Subdivisions/Land Development/Zoning:
Gene Richards was present to review two revised preliminary plans for the Romeo Coscia property and to request preliminary approval. The first plan showed four lots accessing a private street built to upgraded driveway specifications; a waiver was requested from Section 611.J.1. of the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance ("Private streets shall be built to the same standards as public streets ..."). The Board noted that waivers might be needed for clear site distance (Section 611.G.3.B.) and minimum road length (Section 611.H.4.). A private road maintenance agreement will be submitted as part of final plan approval. The applicant has demonstrated a recharge coefficient greater than one and is eligible for an Impervious Coverage Mitigation Waiver to forego completion of a hydrogeologic study; therefore, the applicant should formally request a waiver from the requirement to perform a hydrogeologic study for this site.
If the Board chooses not to grant the waiver request for the private street, the applicant submitted a second plan which shows three lots sharing a common driveway and Lot 1 accessing Horseshoe Trail with a separate driveway. Motion by Mr. Brachwitz to grant preliminary approval to the Romeo Coscia Subdivision Plan, last revised 1/25/99, which shows two driveways accessing Horseshoe Trail, and to grant a waiver from the requirement to perform a hydrogeologic study for this site. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Perkins and carried unanimously.
The Board unanimously acknowledged receipt of correspondence from Stephen S. Aichele, Esquire requesting an extension of The Hankin Group preliminary (by-right) subdivision review time to February 23, 1999 upon a motion from Mrs. Perkins and second from Mr. Brachwitz.
The Board unanimously acknowledged receipt of a subdivision extension agreement for Exxon Corporation extending review time to March 31, 1999 upon motion from Mrs. Perkins and second from Mr. Brachwitz.
Correspondence was received from Michael Morgan, St. Stephens Greene, requesting the balance of the approximately $75,000 escrow account be released, less the outstanding Basin No. 2 punch list items and engineering fees. A letter addressing additional outstanding issues will be drafted in response to Mr. Morgan's request. Motion by Mrs. Perkins, seconded by Mr. Brachwitz, to table the escrow balance release request until further notice; the motion carried unanimously.
Old Business:
A unanimous motion was made by Mrs. Perkins and seconded by Mr. Brachwitz to appoint Jane Gaffer to the Zoning Hearing Board for a five-year term, which expires December 31, 2003.
In response to a request for the Board of Supervisors to reconsider the adoption of Ordinance 90-1999, which established Schoolhouse Lane as a one-way street, Mrs. Perkins has decided to rescind her vote in favor of adoption; Mr. Brachwitz's vote remained opposed and Mr. Miller's vote stood in support of the Ordinance. Manager Heist will draft an Ordinance to repeal Ordinance 90-1999 for the February 8th meeting of the Board of Supervisors.
Manager Heist reviewed the following changes which were made to Ordinance 91-1999, an ordinance requiring the construction and repair of sidewalks, curbs and gutters and assigning responsibility for ice and snow removal, as a result of discussion during the January 11th meeting.
Copies of the revised ordinance were sent to the homeowners in Wetherill Estates. A motion was made by Mr. Brachwitz and seconded by Mrs. Perkins to adopt Ordinance 91-1999; the motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Mr. Brachwitz to approve the revised 1999 contract with The Environmental Group for the daily operation of St. Stevens Greene Water and Wastewater System; the motion was seconded by Mrs. Perkins and carried unanimously.
Chairman Miller read correspondence received from Clarence Rittenbaugh requesting the Board to amend the hourly rate submitted by Rittenbaugh, Inc. for Item #12 on the 1998-1999 Ice and Snow Removal Bid from $55.00 per hour to $75.00 per hour. Invoices have been received from Rittenbaugh, Inc. for cinder spreading at a rate higher than the bid award and he has been requested to submit revised invoices to comply with the bid award price. Mr. Miller did advise Mr. Rittenbaugh he could ask the Board to re-bid the 1998-1999 Ice and Snow Removal contract, but did not discuss amending hourly rates on the current bid. Solicitor Greenwood will be requested to respond to Mr. Rittenbaugh’s letter.
The Board discussed immediate repairs needed for the bridge located on Davis Lane; a metal plate will be installed as a temporary safety measure. LTL Consultants, Ltd. has been requested to prepare a proposal on permanent repairs.
In regard to Ordinance 91-1999, Mark Dushanko asked if a permit or fee is required by the Township when a property owner is constructing, paving, or making improvements or repairs to the sidewalk; the ordinance does not require permits or fees. Mr. Dushanko also requested information on the parameters for use of the Wetherill Estates Park; Manager Heist will research the use prior to the next meeting.
Mrs. Perkins announced the West Vincent Land Trust, Inc. has received formal notification of 501.3C tax exempt status with 509 status pending. A meeting will be held Tuesday, February 2nd at 4:15 p.m. to organize the board and to discuss a draft fund raising letter.
Bills List:
Mrs. Perkins made a motion to pay the bills on the Bills List dated January 25, 1999; it was seconded by Mr. Brachwitz and carried unanimously.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,