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 7:30 p.m.; others in attendance were Supervisors Karl Brachwitz and Zoë Perkins, Township Manager Allen Heist, Township Solicitor Allan Greenwood, and William Handy, court reporter.
Conditional Use Hearing:
A conditional use hearing for Carl Massara was called to order at 7:34 p.m. The hearing had been duly advertised as shown by the proof of publication and notice had been given to all property owners within 500’ of the Massara property. The applicant seeks permission for a basketball court and related earthwork within precautionary slopes, under Section 1704B.1.d. of the West Vincent Township Zoning Ordinance, on his 41.6 acre property (Tax Parcel #25-3-142) located at 1211 Hollow Road in the RC Zoning District.
Solicitor Greenwood reviewed the hearing procedures and submitted for the record the following Board exhibits:
Solicitor Greenwood asked if anyone present would like to enter party status; there was no response.
Testimony was given by Carl Massara concerning the conditional use application and the applicant submitted two copies of a plan entitled, "Construction Grading and Soil & Erosion Control Plan for Pool and Basketball Court" dated October 6, 2000 prepared by Hopkins and Scott, Inc. and two copies of a document entitled, "Narrative and Run-off Calculations for Carl Massara" dated October 9, 2000 prepared by Hopkins and Scott, Inc.
The applicant submitted for the record Exhibit A-1, Application for Conditional Use. Since the original application did not include a pool, Mr. Massara withdrew the swimming pool aspect of the plan and narrative. The newly submitted plan and narrative will be forwarded to the various reviewing agencies and the hearing was continued to November 13, 2000 at 7:30 p.m. at the Township Building.
Continuation of Regular Meeting:
The regular meeting was called to order at 8:20 p.m.
Minutes:
Unanimous approval was granted for minutes of September 5, 11, 18, and 25 with a motion from Mr. Brachwitz and second from Mrs. Perkins.
Reports:
Treasurer’s Report - The following September account balances were reported: General Fund, $63,016.83; State Fund, $84,130.07; Kimberton Sewer Fund, $4,720.88; Road Repair Loan Fund, $5,772.06; Township Building Loan, $780,334.62; St. Stephens Greene Water Fund, $21,638.42; and St. Stephens Greene Sewer Fund, $30,963.09.
Police Report - Police Chief Karl Jones reported that the Police Department responded to 81 calls in September. The Department has increased traffic enforcement on secondary roadways resulting in thirty citations issued; the speed timing device has been put into service; ten arrests were made for trespassing on the Camphill School property; one criminal arrest was made for theft and writing of bad checks; four traffic accidents were investigated; and the Department assisted area Police Departments on various calls.
Solicitor’s Report - Solicitor Greenwood advised that all outstanding items on the Fasel Subdivision Plan have been completed and reported working on the SLC conditional use application and Hankin Sewer Agreement.
Correspondence:
The Board acknowledged receipt of a letter of resignation from Township Treasurer Barbara Dunn effective September 25, 2000 and unanimously accepted Barbara’s resignation upon a motion by Mr. Brachwitz and second from Mrs. Perkins.
Correspondence was received from the Michael Floyd family and Michael Fedor, Dewees Lane residents, regarding increased traffic and speeding on Dewees Lane and requesting replacement of 15 m.p.h. speed limit signs, police enforcement of the posted speed limit, and installation of three-way stop signs at Dewees and Adelphia Lanes. A motion was made by Mrs. Perkins to authorize Police Chief Jones and Manager Heist to conduct a speed study on Dewees Lane and Heist to contact West Pikeland Township regarding traffic control since Dewees Lane traverses both townships. The motion was seconded by Mr. Brachwitz and carried unanimously.
The East Coventry Police Department is hosting a "Halloween Safe House" on Friday, October 27th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Ridge Fire Company for all Owen J. Roberts School District students through 8th grade. A letter was received requesting a donation to help defray costs and invite the Board of Supervisors to attend the event. Chief Jones, who initiated the Halloween Safe House event in 1997, will be attending. A motion was made by Mrs. Perkins to allocate $200 for the Halloween Safe House hosted by the East Coventry Police Department; Bob Ellis mentioned that while the Halloween Safe House is a worthwhile community event, he felt the event should be financially supported by private residents and those who attend, not the Township. The motion was seconded by Mr. Brachwitz and carried unanimously.
The Chester County Health Department is sponsoring compost bin distributions, while supplies last.
The Department of the Auditor General has submitted a copy of their report of examination of the books of account and records as they pertain to the Ludwigs Corner Firefighters’ Relief Association; the relief association management indicated they would take action to comply with the recommendations.
Bid Award:
A motion was made by Mr. Brachwitz, seconded by Mrs. Perkins, to award the 2000-2001 Snow and Ice Removal Bid as submitted and advertised to D&L Fleck, Inc.; the motion carried unanimously. The D&L Fleck bid added a line item entitled "Labor - $25.00/hour"; when questioned, Mr. Fleck advised that severe weather and/or road conditions may require an extra person accompanying the equipment driver, resulting in the additional line item. A motion was made by Mr. Brachwitz to authorize the Roadmaster to consider and approve the extra labor charge on a case-by-case basis, not to exceed $4,000 during the 2000-2001 winter season. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Perkins and carried unanimously.
Paving bids for Phillips Lane, Pine Drive, and Horseshoe Trail were received from Marino Corporation and Windsor Service at the October 2nd administrative meeting. The bids were reviewed, references checked, and a recommendation was received from the Township Engineer to award the bids for paving of the township roads to the low bidder, Marino Corporation of Blue Bell. Marino Corporation submitted the following bid proposals:
| Paving Phillips Lane | $14,382.00 |
| Paving Pine Drive | $13,688.00 |
| Paving Horseshoe Trail | $11,880.00 |
Manager Heist advised the Board of an inspection conducted by the Township Bridge Engineer this afternoon requiring temporary emergency repairs for the "middle" bridge on Flowing Springs Road to stop erosion and help reinforce the abutment and recommending closure of the bridge or strict enforcement of the 3-ton weight limit. The Engineer will submit a report itemizing repair options and estimated costs to restore the bridge. The Board instructed Manager Heist to close the bridge as soon as possible and notify the Chester County Department of Emergency Services, local fire companies, Owen J. Roberts School District, and local residents by posting a notice at the Birchrunville Post Office.
Following a brief discussion on the condition of Phillips Lane, Pine Drive, and Horseshoe Trail and the probable outcome/additional expenses incurred if paving is not completed at this time, a motion was made by Mr. Brachwitz to award the Paving of Phillips Lane bid to Marino Corporation in the amount of $14,382.00. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Perkins and carried unanimously. In light of the pending bridge repairs, the Pine Drive and Horseshoe Trail paving bids were placed on hold and will be re-bid at a later date.
Subdivisions/Land Development/Zoning:
Mrs. Gayle Hammond, Brian Hammond, and David Beideman were present to review the revised Hammond Subdivision Plan and request final approval. As requested by the Board of Supervisors, the shared driveway waiver was removed from the plan and General Note #12 was revised to indicate that the shared driveways would be twelve feet wide in accordance with the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance. Solicitor Greenwood was in essence satisfied with the driveway easement agreement; however there were a few remaining issues requiring discussion with the Hammond’s attorney.
Mrs. Perkins moved that final subdivision approval be granted to Gayle Hammond subject to the condition that an agreement be reached between the Township Solicitor and the attorney for Gayle Hammond regarding the terms to be included in and made part of a Declaration of Easement. The motion was seconded by Mr. Brachwitz and carried unanimously.
The Board unanimously acknowledged receipt of a conditional use application from Heather and Lance Heft upon a motion from Mr. Brachwitz and second from Mrs. Perkins; the hearing will be held Monday, November 27, 2000 at 7:30 p.m. at the Township Building. The applicant desires to construct a driveway, stormwater management facilities, and cuts within precautionary slopes on the south side of Hollow Road, approximately 2000 feet east of Horseshoe Trail, under Section 1704.B.1 of the Township Zoning Ordinance.
An agreement for subdivision review extension to November 6, 2000 for Laymen’s Home Missionary Movement (Woodstone) was acknowledged with a motion by Mr. Brachwitz and second from Mrs. Perkins; the motion carried unanimously.
The Board unanimously acknowledged receipt of a subdivision extension agreement for the Owen J. Roberts School District (Griffith property) extending review time to November 30, 2000 upon a motion from Mr. Brachwitz and second from Mrs. Perkins.
A motion was made by Mr. Miller to acknowledge receipt of a request from John Good, Esquire indefinitely extending the decision on the SLC Senior Living Retirement Community conditional use application presently pending before the Board of Supervisors beyond the present deadline of October 31, 2000. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Perkins and carried unanimously.
Old Business:
Manager Heist distributed copies of speed limit surveys for Black Horse Road (between Conestoga Road and Pottstown Pike), School House Lane (between St. Matthews Road and Flowing Springs Road), and St. Andrews Lane and an itemized list of posted speed limits on Township Roads for the Board’s review.
In response to the Planning Commission’s request for the Board to meet with neighboring Townships regarding regional planning and zoning issues, Manager Heist will draft a letter inviting member municipalities of the Northern Federation and other neighboring municipalities to a joint meeting.
Solicitor Greenwood updated Bob Ellis and the Board on the status of the relocation of the ordained Cook’s Glen Road to its current physical location. The validity of the 1974 ordinance vacating Cook’s Glen Road is being questioned, specifically as it relates to proper notification of neighboring property owners and recording of the document. A letter has been drafted by Mr. Greenwood to be sent to all parties and attorneys involved.
The Board of Supervisors Administrative Meeting scheduled for Monday, October 16, 2000 at 8:00 a.m. at the Township Building has been cancelled.
Bills List:
Mrs. Perkins made a motion to pay the bills on the Bills List dated October 9, 2000; it was seconded by Mr. Brachwitz 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 9:45 p.m. An executive session was held regarding litigation matters.
Respectfully Submitted,