The West Vincent Township Board of Supervisors held their regular meeting on the above date at the Township Building. Chairman Kenneth Miller called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m.; also in attendance were Supervisor Karl Brachwitz, Township Manager Allen Heist, and Township Solicitor Allan Greenwood.

Bid:

• The bid for repair and paving of the walking path at the Township Park scheduled for opening tonight was cancelled.

Correspondence:

• South Chester Springs Road has been closed between Conestoga Road (Rt. 401) and Horseshoe Trail while crews make emergency repairs to the bridge over Pine Creek. The detour will last approximately three months.

Subdivisions/Land Development/Zoning:

• Tom Burghardt, Eric Branyan, and Jessina Bereznak, representatives from the St. Stephens Greene Homeowners Association, and Neil Phillips, Philadelphia Suburban Water Company, were present to discuss the St. Stephens Greene Water and Wastewater Systems. The current payment for community water and sewer services in St. Stephens Greene is triple the rates charged by Philadelphia Suburban Water Company; residents are paying approximately $80/month for water and $104/month for sewer. Mr. Burghardt indicated the Homeowners Association would like to propose that if the Township couldn't lower the water and sewer rates to match Philadelphia Suburban Water Company's rates, PSW be given the option to purchase and manage the systems in such a way that further expansion would not possible. Mr. Phillips discussed a possible "pocket franchise", which would include 33 homes in St. Stephens Greene and water lines to four adjacent properties, per the conditions of the approved final subdivision plan. PSW would melt the operation costs of St. Stephens Greene water system in with their other water systems resulting in substantial rate reductions (current PSW rates are approximately $30/month); the sewer system would be transferred to a subsidiary of PSW and the estimated rates would be in the $1,000/year range. The Board mentioned concerns regarding PSW interconnecting or expanding the service franchise area and acquiring a binding contract agreement that the PA Public Utility Commission cannot circumvent. The Board requested verification indicating that the majority of the St. Stephens Greene property owners support the Homeowners Association's proposal. Mr. Phillips will draft a purchase agreement for the St. Stephens Greene water and wastewater systems for the Township's review. Township resident Jane Vasile stated that as a township, West Vincent is trying to control development and she has concerns regarding PSW's acquisition of the water and sewer plants at St. Stephens Greene or the water plant at Wetherill Estate.
• Manager Heist advised the Homeowners Association that the Township Engineer would have the final punch list for road dedication ready next week. Morgan Brothers is legally responsible to contract snow plowing of Barrington Lane prior to dedication.
• An agreement for subdivision review extension to March 1, 2000 for The Hankin Tract (By-Right Plan) was acknowledged with a motion from Mr. Brachwitz and second from Mr. Miller; the motion carried unanimously.
• Mr. Brachwitz moved to grant final approval for the Cotswold Estates-Lot 22 Subdivision Plan, a plan showing two lots on 7.242 acres; the motion was seconded by Mr. Miller and carried unanimously.

Old Business:

• Manager Heist reviewed the Preliminary 2000 Budget highlighting the following: $100,000 carry-over from 1999; two personnel changes - adding a full time staff position for Zoning/Code Enforcement Officer and adding a second full time Police Officer in place of the current four part-time positions; reduction of $12/month in the St. Stephens Greene water rates; and, a reduction of $20/month in the St. Stephens Greene sewer rate. Late requests for budget increases were received from the Chester Springs Library ($250 increase over l999) and request for funding from Uwchlan Ambulance. The General Fund Budget reflects a tax rate of .49 mills; the 1999 Road Repair Loan Debt Service assessment of .56 has been decreased in the 2000 Budget to .037 mills and repayment of the $13,500 loan balance is projected. A question was raised regarding the need for a second police vehicle; also, it was noted that Kimbertal Kennel does not charge the Township for animal control services. A unanimous motion was made by Mr. Brachwitz and seconded by Mr. Miller to adopt the Preliminary 2000 Budget.
• Fronefield Crawford has researched the issue whether an open space referendum can be placed again on the ballot of either the primary or general election in 2000; yes it can, there are no statutory restrictions.

New Business:

• Suzanne Kaplan, President of the Board of Trustees of the Chester Springs Library was present to introduce the Library's new director, Kate Woodworth.
• Manager Heist will contact the Township's insurance carrier regarding confirmation of Ludwigs Corner Fire Company's insurance coverage for mutual aid calls outside the fire district.

Bills List:

• Mr. Brachwitz made a motion to pay the bills on the Bills List dated November 22, 1999; it was seconded by Mr. Miller and carried unanimously.

There being no further business, Mr. Brachwitz moved the meeting be adjourned; the motion was seconded by Mr. Miller and the meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m. An executive session was held regarding personnel and potential litigation matters.

Respectfully Submitted,