The regular meeting of the West Vincent Township Board of Supervisors was held on the above date at the Township Building. Vice Chairman Karl Brachwitz called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.; others in attendance were Supervisor Zoë Perkins, Township Manager Allen Heist, and Township Solicitor Allan Greenwood. Chairman Miller was expected to arrive fifteen minutes late due to a farm emergency.
Minutes:
Unanimous approval was granted for minutes of August 7, 14, 21, and 28 with a motion from Mrs. Perkins and second from Mr. Brachwitz.
Reports:
Treasurer’s Report - Barbara Dunn reported the following August account balances: General Fund, $45,912.03; State Fund, $98,242.34; Kimberton Sewer Fund, $18,423.15; Road Repair Loan Fund, $5,619.90; Township Building Loan, $776,340.97; St. Stephens Greene Water Fund, $20,971.29; and St. Stephens Greene Sewer Fund, $31,831.86.
Police Report - Police Chief Karl Jones reported that the Police Department responded to 109 calls in August. The Department has increased speed details on secondary roadways resulting in 41 citations; one arrest was made for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or controlled substance; two arrests were made for trespassing; and seven accidents were investigated.
Solicitor’s Report - Solicitor Greenwood reported working on accepting dedication of Barrington Lane, Red Fox Lane and Brighton Way; and with Ronald Agulnick, Esquire on the Fasel Subdivision.
Correspondence:
Correspondence was received from the Chester County Health Department urging residents to be wary around stray and wild animals and to have all pets vaccinated against rabies.
A letter was received from the PA Department of Health regarding Pennsylvania’s West Nile surveillance program; for additional up-to-date information visit their website at www.WestNile.state.pa.us or call 1-877-PA-HEALTH.
Chairman Miller arrived at 7:40 p.m.
Subdivisions/Land Development/Zoning:
Richard Guarini was present to request the Board to approve the Sewer Construction Agreement with attached Acknowledgment and adopt Resolution 12-2000 authorizing the submission of The Hankin Tract Sewage Facilities Planning Module to DEP. The Agreement will be reviewed by Solicitor Greenwood and the Township Engineer and if reviews are complete will be considered by the Board during their administrative meeting to be held Monday, September 18, 2000.
Old Business:
Board members expressed interest in entering into a 5-Year Winter Traffic Service Agreement with PennDOT to perform snow and ice removal on Hollow Road between Flowing Springs Road and the covered bridge and Flowing Springs Road between Hollow Road and St. Matthews Road at a rate of $565 per lane mile ($1130 per linear mile) payable on or before November 15th of each Winter Season. Bob Ellis questioned the estimated cost per mile for the Township to perform snow and ice removal; Chairman Miller stated that Township cost is approximately $700 per linear mile and additional equipment/manpower would be available. Manager Heist will contact PennDOT regarding the termination provisions of the agreement and renewal of terms; if information is satisfactory, the Board will consider accepting the agreement during their administrative meeting September 18th.
The Board directed Manager Heist to begin preparation of an Open Space Referendum for the Primary Election 2001 ballot to approve additional taxation to purchase and preserve open space land. Township resident Jane Vasile suggested reviewing the wording of the ballot question and including additional information such as the funding process, defining dollar amounts, and identifying criteria for land preservation.
The West Vincent Township Municipal Complex project is on hold. The Board is investigating the sale or leasing potential of the Township Building and will continue to discuss expansion options.
Jane Vasile asked what input the Matthews Meadows H.O.A. has in the management or operation of the Township Park. Mrs. Perkins advised that the Homeowners Association has veto power regarding additional improvements proposed for the Park beyond the original Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions for the Township Park.
New Business:
The residents of School House Lane (between Flowing Springs Road and Hollow Road) presented the following petition to the Board of Supervisors for consideration:
"We, the undersigned residents of School House Lane, are requesting traffic calming devices on School House Lane due to safety, health, and quality of life issues. School House Lane is one tenth of a mile long - the narrowest point being thirteen feet wide. There are also two hazardous blind spots. One adjacent to the Graham property, the other, between the Hansen’s and Larkin’s property. Due to the severity of our home’s proximity on School House Lane our (the residents of School House Lane and visitors, such as grandchildren) lives are being jeopardized by on-coming traffic on a daily basis. The possibility of a serious injury resulting in legal action seems only a matter of time.
The Mokrejs’ front steps to their main entrance is less than five and a half feet from the on-coming traffic. The Larkin’s back gate is four and a half feet from the road. Plus, their barn/garage door is five feet away. Similarly, the Hansen’s front gate is five and a half feet from the road and the Grahams’ front steps, six and a half feet. There are too many vehicles using the road. Many who choose to ignore the speed limit and take risky chances through the two blind spots.
We are breathing exhaust and are being subjected to disturbing noise levels of passing vehicles twenty-four hours a day. The Mokrejs claim that they often cannot watch television in their own living room. Others are being awakened at night by passing vehicles, window vibrations and loud music disturbances.
We are asking you, the West Vincent Township Supervisors, to give us the quality of life that is much needed, to take into account our health and safety with the placement of traffic control calming devices.
Signed: Mr. and Mrs. Mokrejs, Dr. and Mrs. Graham, Mr. and Mrs. Hansen and Mr. and Mrs. Larkin"
Correspondence was also received from David Monteith, 1275 School House Lane and read into the record as follows:
"I have seen and support the petition from the residents on the lower portion of School House Lane. The current "Speed Calming Devices" used in West Pikeland Township and Malvern Borough have been very effective and are not a liability issue as long as they have the proper profile and identification. I don’t think making the street a one-way is a solution since people will continue to speed in one direction, and traffic will increase at the Hollow Road and Flowing Springs Road intersection which is now dangerous due to parked vehicles and limited sight distance.
Also, I would like to request again that the upper section of School House Lane be posted at 25 m.p.h. This section of the road (1/2 mile), is long enough to be enforced by the police, and has also become a speedway since it was re-surfaced last season. Due to the blind curve near St. Matthews Road, several driveways, and the steep hill at Flowing Springs Road, I think that 25 m.p.h. is a realistic speed. If you were to ordain a posted speed limit, I would supply materials and labor to place these signs at no cost to the township. I would also offer to place speed claming devices at cost if they would be approved as previously suggested for the lower section of School House Lane."
Correspondence was also received from School House Lane resident Nancy Mokrejs.
Dee and Michael Larkin, George Graham, and Nancy Mokrejs discussed their concerns regarding speeding traffic, the inability for Police to enforce the posted speed limit, the high volume of traffic, hazardous blind spots, exhaust fumes, noise, and alternative solutions considered resulting in their request for speed humps. Mrs. Mokrejs reported conducting a weekday traffic count: between the hours of 6 a.m. - 8:30 a.m., 165 vehicles traveled on School House Lane; between 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. there were 66 vehicles; and between 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., 41 vehicles.
Craig Hannafin agreed that speeding motorists is a serious factor, however, she was concerned that speed humps would result in increased diesel fumes, window vibrations, and noise, diversion of traffic to the intersection of Hollow Road and Flowing Springs Road, and noted that two speed humps would require the installation of eight signs along the small stretch of road.
Kay Segner suggested the installation of "Stop" "Except Right Turn" signs on Hollow Road at School House Lane. It was noted that the Police could enforce "Stop" sign violations. Other suggestions included posting a weight limit restriction, prohibiting truck traffic, and installation of temporary speed bumps.
Manager Heist will contact PennDOT regarding the installation of "Stop" "Except Right Turn" signs on Hollow Road and check standards regulating temporary and permanent calming devices. The issue will be considered at the September 25th meeting if the requested information has been received.
A speed study will be conducted on the upper portion of School House Lane, as requested by Mr. Monteith, and Black Horse Road between Route 100 and 401. Manager Heist will work on an inventory designating Township Roads with a posted speed limit and not posted.
The Chester County Association Fall Convention will be held Thursday, November 16th. A unanimous motion was made by Mr. Brachwitz, seconded by Mr. Miller, to approve Mrs. Perkins, Manager Heist, and Linda Cleaver attending the Fall Convention.
Business from the Floor:
Bob Ellis questioned the status of the relocation of the ordained Cook’s Glen Road to its current physical location and expressed his frustrations regarding the length of time this issue has been discussed without resolution. Solicitor Greenwood voiced his discomfort in discussing the issue without the presence of Mr. Ellis’ attorney. John and William Reiff claim to have a right-of-way over the Ellis property to access their wood lot (Mr. Ellis believes this claim is without merit) and the Township is not anxious to do the vacation/dedication if it deprives the Reiffs of access. In his most recent correspondence with Mr. Ellis’ attorney, Solicitor Greenwood made three reasonable suggestions toward resolution. Mr. Greenwood will review the file and contact Mr. Ellis’ attorney.
Mr. Ellis also reported that at the intersection of Flowing Springs Road and Hollow Road a clump of tall grass on the southwest corner is obstructing the sight distance; the property owner stated she will trim the grass.
Jane Gaffer reported that the wooden guiderail on the Flowing Springs Road bridge has rotted away and needs to be replaced.
Thomas Roemer, Camphill Village Kimberton Hills, requested information on PennDOT’s roadside spraying program on Pughtown Road; he will contact the Township Office.
Bills List:
Mr. Brachwitz made a motion to pay the bills on the Bills List dated September 11, 2000; it was seconded by Mrs. Perkins and carried unanimously.
There being no further business, Mrs. Perkins moved that the meeting be adjourned; the motion was seconded by Mr. Brachwitz and the meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m. An executive session was held regarding real estate matters.
Respectfully Submitted,