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 Karl Brachwitz and Zoë Perkins, Township Manager Allen Heist, and Township Solicitor Allan Greenwood. Chairman Miller announced to the audience that when a motion is made and seconded, public comment is welcomed before a vote is taken.
Bid Opening:
As advertised for this date, sealed bids were received and opened for 2000-2001 Snow and Ice Removal as follows:
|
EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION |
MACHINERY SERVICES |
D&L FLECK |
|
Dump Truck with 10’ plow and spreader - 33,000 GVW |
NO BID |
$95.00 |
|
Dump Truck with 10’ plow and spreader - 56,000 GVW |
NO BID |
$105.00 |
|
4 x 4 Tractor - 180 HP with 10’ blade |
NO BID |
NO BID |
|
4 x 4 Pickup Truck with 8’ plow |
NO BID |
$65.00 |
|
4 x 4 Backhoe (min. 1 cu. yd.) |
NO BID |
$95.00 |
The advertised equipment bid includes the services of an experienced operator; however, the D&L Fleck bid added a line item entitled "Labor - $25.00/hour". Also included was a note advising "not available during the first week of hunting season". A motion was made by Mr. Brachwitz, seconded by Mrs. Perkins, to verify the bid contract with D&L Fleck regarding the added labor line item and upon clarification, the Board intends to award the 2000-2001 Snow and Ice Removal Contract during the next regularly scheduled meeting to be held on Monday, October 9, 2000.
Subdivision/Land Development/Zoning:
The Board unanimously acknowledged receipt of a subdivision extension agreement to October 15, 2000 for the Owen J. Roberts School District Subdivision (Griffith property) upon a motion from Mr. Brachwitz and second from Mrs. Perkins.
Mr. Brachwitz moved that the Board acknowledge receipt of a subdivision extension agreement for the Laymen’s Home Missionary Movement Subdivision extending review time to October 22, 2000; the motion was seconded by Mrs. Perkins and carried unanimously.
John Bachich, Peter Cokonis of Commonwealth Engineers, and David Beideman of Beideman Associates, Inc. were present to review revised plans for the Laymen’s Home Missionary Movement Subdivision. The plan was altered to improve grading by raising the entrance road, redesigning the entrance layout, and reducing the grade to a 3:1 slope on the northern lots, which contain precautionary slopes and as a result necessitate a conditional use application. The Board will review the revised plans with Zoning Officer Robert Wideman during their administrative meeting Monday, October 2nd and forward their comments to the developer.
The Board unanimously acknowledged receipt of a subdivision extension agreement to December 1, 2000 for The Hankin Tract By-Right Subdivision Plan upon a motion from Mr. Brachwitz and second from Mrs. Perkins.
The Board acknowledged receipt of a subdivision extension agreement to December 1, 2000 for The Hankin Tract (Weatherstone) Subdivision Plan upon a motion from Mr. Brachwitz and second from Mrs. Perkins; the motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Brachwitz moved to grant final approval for the Kling Subdivision Plan, a plan showing three lots on 36.4 acres; the motion was seconded by Mrs. Perkins and carried unanimously.
David Beideman, representing Gayle Hammond, was present to request that the Board consider approval of the revised Hammond Subdivision Plan. The Planning Commission recommended approval conditioned upon the Township Solicitor’s approval of the driveway easement agreement. The applicant has requested relief from the requirement that a shared driveway be twelve feet wide, and requested that the existing ten foot wide gravel driveway be permitted. This waiver would be limited to Gayle Hammond’s use and does not extend to other future "unrelated" property owners. The Board expressed concern regarding enforcement of the shared driveway waiver and a desire for the applicant to comply with the twelve-foot width requirement. The easement agreement for the common driveway will be submitted to Solicitor Greenwood for review.
The Board unanimously acknowledged receipt of a subdivision extension agreement to October 30, 2000 for the Hammond Subdivision Plan upon a motion from Mr. Brachwitz and second from Mrs. Perkins.
The Board acknowledged receipt of the Alfred and Elizabeth Kennedy preliminary/final subdivision plan for a five-acre annexation of the Charlton property, 3091 Conestoga Road upon a unanimous motion from Mrs. Perkins and second from Mr. Brachwitz.
An offer of dedication of the Wetherill Estates Community Water System was received from Southdown Properties, Inc. A motion was made by Mr. Brachwitz to authorize the Township Engineer to inspect the corrective work completed and to comment on the completion of the 22 punch list items on the water system; the motion was seconded by Mrs. Perkins and carried unanimously. Chairman Miller and Mr. Brachwitz expressed concerns relating to the turning radius, width, and construction standards for the water tank access road; these issues will also be addressed by the Township Engineer.
Correspondence was received from Jeffrey Sommer, Esquire, representing the Wetherill Estates Community Association, regarding the developer’s offer of the water system to the Township and "concern that West Vincent Township is simply going to purchase the water system and then sell it to Philadelphia Suburban Water Company". The letter continues to say that the Association is "extremely concerned that the sale of this water system from Southdown to West Vincent Township to Philadelphia Suburban will result in significantly higher water costs for the community". Manager Heist will draft a response letter advising that the Township has no commitments to Philadelphia Suburban Water Company, include the Township’s preliminary budget of estimated costs relating to the Wetherill Water System, and request information on the current costs to the residents. In response to questions from Bruce Saunders, Kenneth Emery, and Thoma Johnson the Township is taking over the Wetherill Water System as part of subdivision approval and the users are financially responsible for the operation and maintenance of the system and also administrative costs.
An amended site plan for SLC Senior Living Retirement Community conditional use application was received; the Board agreed the amended plan was substantially different than the original application and in an effort to keep the record clear, would request the applicant to submit a new application. A motion was made by Mr. Brachwitz to render a decision on the original application on Monday, October 23rd at 7:30 p.m.; the motion was seconded by Mrs. Perkins and carried unanimously. Solicitor Greenwood will contact John Good, Esquire of the Board’s position to dispose of the original application by rendering a decision or the applicant’s withdrawal and request the submission of a new conditional use application to accompany the amended site plan.
Upon completion of improvements pertaining to the St. Stephens Greene Stormwater Easements, Solicitor Greenwood will prepare paperwork to transfer the Quit Claim Deed for the stormwater basins to the St. Stephens Greene Homeowners Association, which is responsible for maintenance per the approved subdivision plan.
Old Business:
Jody Spangler, Ludwigs Corner Fire Police Captain, was present to discuss events held at the Ludwigs Corner Horseshow Association grounds, Nantmeal Road and Route 100. A voluntary agreement with the Horseshow Association was established requiring a 30-60 day notification period for submission of completed event contracts. However, Mrs. Spangler explained that during this year only one event contract has been received and notification of events in most cases is received less than one week in advance of the event, not allowing ample time to schedule Fire Police personnel for traffic control service. An immediate problem is that notification was received on September 20th for a dog show event with 3500 entries, scheduled for this Saturday, requiring three Fire Police between the hours of 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and manpower is not available. Mrs. Spangler will contact the dog show organizers and request them to contact another organization, approved by the PA State Police, for traffic control; the Township Police Department will be alerted and request assistance from neighboring departments. Manager Heist will contact the Horseshow Association regarding resurrecting special event permits since it appears a voluntary agreement is not working.
Solicitor Greenwood reviewed Ordinance No. 105-2000, as advertised in the Daily Local News on September 13, 2000, restricting speed in excess of 25 m.p.h. on Saw Mill Road between Flowing Springs Road and Cooks Glen Road. Mrs. Perkins noted that the speed restriction would necessitate the installation of six signs along the rural dirt road. A motion was made by Mr. Brachwitz, seconded by Mr. Miller, to adopt Ordinance No. 105-2000. Brachwitz and Miller voted in favor, Perkins opposed; the motion carried.
As a follow-up to a request for the installation of speed humps on School House Lane, Manager Heist reported that PennDOT’s manual regulating standards for traffic calming devices is proposed for publication in November and the estimated cost for a temporary, portable speed hump is $2,000. PennDOT has been contacted regarding the installation of "Stop" "Except Right Turn" signs on Hollow Road at School House Lane.
Correspondence was received from residents on Pine Drive requesting the installation of traffic calming devices; the request was tabled until receipt of the PennDOT standards manual.
New Business:
A motion was made by Mr. Brachwitz to pay the 2001 Minimum Municipal Obligation for the Police Pension Plan in the amount of $6,781 by December 31, 2001; the motion was seconded by Mrs. Perkins and carried unanimously.
PennDot has requested assistance in performing snow and ice removal on S. Chester Springs Road between Horseshoe Trail and the closed bridge and Art School Road between Horseshoe Trail and the Township line (Vincent Baptist Church) as part of the Winter Traffic Service Agreement or participation in the Agility Program. Manager Heist will get additional information on the mileage and rate amounts.
Mrs. Perkins reported receiving several telephone calls from Township residents during the past week, the first regarding an exposed pipe on French Creek Road at Beaver Hill Road and another exposed pipe on Jaine Lane at Horseshoe Trail; Mr. Miller and the Road Crew are aware of the situation. A comment was also received from Frank Cassel stating that Jaine Lane was graded too nicely resulting in cars traveling too fast. And thirdly, a complaint from Edith Minnick regarding dumping on the edge of the Moscufo property, Hollow Road; the Township Zoning Officer has previously looked into this complaint finding no violation, but will investigate.
Business from the Floor:
Bob Ellis discussed the status of Cooks Glen Road as it relates to his correspondence to Allan Greenwood, Esquire dated March 17, 2000 noting that he agrees "if the Reiffs have right of access to the property across his property, such right shall not be affected by the relocation of the ordained Cooks Glen Road to its current physical location". Solicitor Greenwood will review the correspondence; he also reported that a letter has been prepared to Mr. Ellis’ attorney and copies of previous correspondence have been forwarded to the other parties.
Jason Phillips questioned if copies of the amended SLC Senior Living Retirement Community plans will be sent to parties to the conditional use hearings; discussion was heard regarding the criteria used to determine speed limits and enforcement of posted speed limits.
Bills List:
Mr. Brachwitz made a motion to pay the bills on the Bills List dated September 25, 2000; it was seconded by Mrs. Perkins and carried unanimously.
There being no further business, Mr. Brachwitz moved that the meeting be adjourned; the motion was seconded by Mr. Miller and the meeting adjourned at 10:05 p.m. An executive session was held regarding personnel matters.
Respectfully Submitted,