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 7:38 p.m.; others in attendance were Supervisors Karl Brachwitz and Zoë Perkins, Township Manager Allen Heist and Township Solicitor Allan Greenwood.

Correspondence:

• Correspondence was received from Camphill Village Kimberton Hills, Inc. requesting a letter of support for Camphill's application for funding through the HUD 811 program to build a new house containing eight apartments for residents with special needs. Executive Director Michael Wildfeuer informed the Board that the new house, Camphill Villas, will offer housing and supportive services for adults with developmental disabilities and will be centrally located within the 430-acre property. Code Enforcement Officer Robert Wideman has been requested to review the project for compliance with the Zoning Ordinance; the request was tabled until the May 8^th regular meeting.

Subdivisions/Land Development/Zoning:

• The Board acknowledged receipt of a conditional use application from Stephen W. Harman; the applicant desires to locate a driveway, septic system, and stormwater management facility in a precautionary slope district as permitted under Section 1704 on his property at 4 Half Hill Road. The hearing will be held Monday, June 12, 2000 at 7:30 p.m. at the Township Building.
• The Board acknowledged receipt of preliminary subdivision and land development plans for the Hankin Tract upon a unanimous motion from Mrs. Perkins and second from Mr. Brachwitz. The plan will be distributed for review.

Old Business:

• As a follow-up to last month's discussion regarding the Ludwigs Corner Fire Company house siren, Ed Atkins, Director of Chester County Emergency Services, was present to address the issues of "dead" spots within Ludwigs Corner's fire territory and pager malfunction. Mr. Atkins reported that the new pager system, which has been in place for about one year, is not expected to work 100% of the time. The County has experienced serious "switch and spark" problems with the pager units; Motorola, the manufacturer, is aware of the problems and is working to make the appropriate effective corrections. More signal strength on the ground or directional amplifiers may alleviate some "dead" spots caused by the Township's terrain; however, stabilizing the pager system is a priority at this time. The question was raised regarding the addition of a relay on cell phone towers to enhance signal strength; cell phone towers are generally not tall enough and co-location is difficult. It was noted that "dead" spots were not as prevalent with the former pager system; however, Mr. Atkins added that the benefits of the new pager system include quicker dispatch time (1+ minute), county-wide coverage, and when the 800 system is on line, the capability to patch information over the system.

  Henry Osborn, a founding member and Board member of the Fire Company, stated that Ludwigs Corner Fire Company is a totally volunteer community effort and the house siren is needed as a back-up system to the pagers, it alerts family, friends, and employers of a volunteer's absence as a result of an emergency call, and alerts neighbors and passing traffic of an imminent emergency response.

  Concerned neighbors present stated that the quality of life of the neighborhood is affected by twenty-four hour siren usage; however, implementation of the best response procedure without putting the community or firefighters at risk is understood.

  In response to considering a self-imposed moratorium on evening siren usage, correspondence was received from Ludwigs Corner Fire Company stating "beyond the fact that there were only 18 calls in 1999 and 3 so far in 2000 between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., the Board of Directors and membership of the Ludwigs Corner Fire Company respectfully declines the request to shut down or restrict the hours when its house siren is in service". Township residents Henry Greiner, Bruce Saunders, and Jane Vasile voiced their support of the house siren usage.

  The Board agreed that they were not interested in enactment of an ordinance regulating emergency sirens.

New Business:

• A motion was made by Mrs. Perkins to accept the fire police membership application of Charles W. Lobb received from Ludwigs Corner Fire Company; the motion was seconded by Mr. Brachwitz and carried unanimously.
• A motion was made by Mr. Brachwitz authorizing Ludwigs Corner Fire Company to attend a training seminar held at the Fire Training Academy in West Chester on Saturday, April 29^th. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Perkins and carried unanimously.

Business from the Floor:

• Bruce Saunders commended the Zoning Hearing Board on their effort considering the Paul and Shirley Pitcher application, conducting nine hearings, and the completeness of the conditions stated in the Decision. Mr. Saunders asked whether the Board would appeal the decision. Members indicated that no decision had been made. Following the thirty-day appeal period, the Pitchers may apply for a conditional use to construct a driveway in steep slopes.

Bills List:

• Mrs. Perkins made a motion to pay the bills on the Bills List dated April 24, 2000; it was seconded by Mr. Brachwitz and carried unanimously.

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

Respectfully Submitted,