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; Township Manager Allen Heist, and Solicitor Allan Greenwood.

Minutes:

• Unanimous approval was granted for the minutes of January 4, 11 and 25 with a motion from Mr. Brachwitz and a second from Mrs. Perkins.

Reports:

• Treasurer's Report - Mike Burnley reported the following account balances: General Fund, $123,672.45; State Fund, $6,370.61; Kimberton Sewer Fund, $9,213.69; Road Repair Loan Account, $10,066.21; St. Stephens Greene Water Fund, $7,575.85; and St. Stephens Greene Sewer Fund, $24,981.42.
• Tax Collector - Received from Berkheimer Associates: Delinquent Real Estate Tax, $2,186.47; Debt Service-Road Repair Loan, $2,320.85; Earned Income Tax, $12,446.79. Received from Chester County: Real Estate Transfer Tax, $12,072.49.
• Building Inspector's Report - In January, 3 building permits and 14 U&O's were issued and 33 inspections conducted; fees totaled $2,533.60.
• Police - The Police Department responded to 90 calls during January. The West Vincent Police had an increase in the number of accidents in January; they advise drivers to use better judgment during bad weather and to be aware of the "black ice" effect. There has also been an increase in residential and commercial alarm calls; all alarms were false. Residents or business owners who have experienced false alarms are requested to have their alarm system serviced. In conjunction with Chester County Highway Safety, the Police are distributing stuffed elephants with the safety message, "Elephants Never Forget to Buckle Up", to children who are observed using their seatbelts.
• Fire Companies - Ludwigs Corner Fire Company, 16 calls in January; Ridge Fire Company, 1 assist call in January; and Kimberton Fire Company submitted an annual report noting 24 calls in West Vincent Township during 1998.
• Solicitor's Report - Solicitor Greenwood reported speaking with an attorney representing the residents of Cooks Glen Road regarding relocation of the road; he is working on a resolution to the St. Stephens Greene Basin No. 2 project and a civil complaint filed against Jonathan Thir.

Correspondence:

• Correspondence was received from West Pikeland Township confirming the relocation of the joint Emergency Management Team to the Township's St. Matthews Road property. Equipment and furniture will be transferred from West Pikeland Township, PECO will be contacted to help fund the new facility, and the agreement between the townships may need to be amended to identify the new facility location.
• A letter was received from T. J. Antich, President of the Wetherill Estates Homeowners Association, requesting use of the township building for the association's annual meeting to be held Tuesday, April 20^th at 7:00 p.m. The Board approved the request.

Subdivisions/Land Development/Zoning:

• Blancato/Myers - The Board acknowledged receipt of a preliminary subdivision plan for two lots on the 9.88 acre Blancato/Myers property on Hilltop Road with a unanimous motion from Mrs. Perkins and second from Mr. Brachwitz. The plan will be distributed for review.
• Manager Heist reported his findings on the parameters for use of the Wetherill Estates Park. The Declaration of Covenants 8.10 Easement of Owners to Use and Enjoy Community Facilities states the owners and their tenants, family member's invitees and guests have the right to use and enjoy the Community Facilities; the park is not available to the general public.

Old Business:

• Correspondence was received from Kate and Thoma Johnson regarding the three chevron warning signs installed on Flowing Springs Road; they requested the removal of the first sign going up the hill. Mr. Miller and Mr. Brachwitz are not inclined to remove the sign at this time. Mrs. Perkins suggested the sign be lowered on the standard to lessen the visual impact; Manager Heist will review PennDOT height specifications. The Johnsons also mentioned that there are numerous vehicles violating the 3-ton weight limit posted on the bridge on Flowing Springs Road and request enforcement. Manager Heist will research the bridge file, including as-built specifications, to confirm the weight limit; if needed, the Township Engineer will be contacted.
• As a result of the Township's denial of Michael and Janet Polay's challenge to the validity of the Township Zoning Ordinance and proposed curative amendment, a zoning appeal against West Vincent Township was filed in the Court of Common Pleas. The Township's liability insurance company, PIRMA, provides a non-monetary coverage that obligates them to defend the Township. The Board was concerned the insurance company may protect the policyholder's interest (settle at the lowest amount) versus the Township's interests (including zoning issues) and has elected to retain Fronefield Crawford to defend this lawsuit and waive its protection afforded under the PIRMA Certificate of Coverage. Solicitor Greenwood will discuss with Mr. Crawford a General Release and Waiver under West Vincent Township's Certificate with PIRMA prior to the Board’s execution of the document.
• LTL Consultants, Ltd. has prepared repair specifications for the Davis Lane culvert. The Board instructed Manager Heist to advertise the project for bid; temporary repairs have been completed.
• The Township Engineer has prepared an RFP (Request for Proposal) from registered architectural firms to perform professional services required for the renovation and expansion of the Evans Farm property. Solicitor Greenwood has reviewed the proposal; the Board recommended that the RFP be revised per Solicitor Greenwood's letter dated February 5, 1999 prior to release.
• Solicitor Greenwood reported that an ordinance to repeal Ordinance No. 90-1999, which establishes Schoolhouse Lane from Flowing Springs Road to Hollow Road as a one-way street, would be ready for adoption at the February 22^nd meeting of the Board of Supervisors. Also, Mr. Greenwood advised the Board that the title insurance policy on the 6.7 acre Evans property was held open following settlement in case the Township wished to increase it; the Board recommended the title policy be secured and the premium calculated on $1,000,000.

New Business:

• Jackie Peabody, Director for the Chester Springs Library, presented the 1998 annual report. Circulation increased 8.7% and patrons increased 22% over 1997; income for the year totaled $56,382, of which West Vincent Township contributed $3,750. The Township also contributed an additional $6,800 to the library's renovation project, which was completed in 1998. Almost a thousand new books and tapes were added to the library's collection, bringing the total of cataloged items to 14,451. Suzanne Kaplan, President of the Chester Springs Library Board was introduced; the Board of Supervisors congratulated the library on their successful year. Mrs. Perkins inquired regarding the County Commissioners' proposal for another Chester County regional library. Mrs. Peabody responded that it should not have much affect on the Chester Springs Library.
• Notification was received from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts that $685 has been awarded for the support of a pass through matching grant to the Chester Springs Studio. Motion by Mrs. Perkins to authorize Township funding to match the $685 grant, which is over the 1999 budget amount of $600; the motion was seconded by Mr. Brachwitz and carried unanimously.
• Motion by Mr. Brachwitz, seconded by Mrs. Perkins, to authorize the purchase of a 1999 Ford Crown Victoria police vehicle from Warnock Fleet and Leasing, with the chosen options (not including the extended warranty), in the amount of $21,824.00 per PA Contract 2306-1; the motion carried unanimously.
• Manager Heist will attend the Annual Spring Convention of the Chester County Association of Township Officials to be held Thursday, March 4^th at the Downingtown Country Club.

Business from the Floor:

• Claire Quinn questioned the status of the Ewing Tract; the developer is working on a sketch golf course plan.

Bills List:

• Mr. Brachwitz made a motion to pay the bills on the Bills List dated February 8, 1999; it was seconded by Mr. Brachwitz and carried unanimously.

There being no further business, Mrs. Perkins moved the meeting be adjourned; the motion was seconded by Mr. Brachwitz and the meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m. An executive session was held regarding possible litigation matters.

Respectfully Submitted,