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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. Minutes: Unanimous approval was granted for minutes of February 5, 12, 19 and 26 upon a motion from Mr. Brachwitz and second from Mrs. Perkins.
Reports: Treasurer’s Report – The following February 28, 2001 account balances were reported: General Fund, $18,142.80; State Fund, $16,157.22; Kimberton Sewer Fund, $16,411.41; Township Building Loan Fund, $704,566.53; St. Stephens Greene Water Fund, $23,358.29; and St. Stephens Greene Sewer Fund, $32,912.31. Police Report – Police Chief Karl Jones reported that the Police Department responded to 86 calls in February. The Department made one arrest for theft of a motor vehicle; assisted several surrounding police agencies with bombs and suspicious devices; assisted Kimberton Fire Company with investigating a fire at Kimbertal Kennel; and is currently making arrangements for training on the Automated External Defibrillators, which were purchased through a grant from the Phoenixville Health Foundation. Solicitor’s Report – Solicitor Greenwood reported filing fifteen municipal liens on the properties participating in the Kimberton Sewer Construction Loan Program; reviewing the Grading Ordinance and Curfew Ordinance; and preparing a response letter to Southdown Property’s attorney regarding the offer of dedication of the Wetherill Estates water system and road improvements. Auditors’ Report – Chairperson Veronica Monteith reported that the Board of Auditors has examined the books and found all accounts in balance and funds correctly dispersed. Reports have been filed with the PA Department of Community and Economic Development and the Chester County Clerk of Courts.
Correspondence: In response to a letter from Louise Smith, Maysie’s Farm Conservation Center, a motion was made by Mrs. Perkins to write a letter of support for Maysie’s Farm Conservation Center to accompany their grant proposal to PA Department of Environmental Protection Growing Greener Program. The motion was seconded by Mr. Miller and carried with Perkins and Miller voting in favor; Brachwitz opposed. The grant will enable the Center to include education about agricultural and suburban home non-point source pollution within their programs.
Subdivisions/Land Development/Zoning: An agreement for subdivision review extension to April 9, 2001 for the Hammond/Nash Subdivision was acknowledged with a motion from Mr. Brachwitz and second from Mrs. Perkins; the motion carried unanimously.
The Board unanimously acknowledged receipt of a subdivision extension agreement for the Raymond Lynch Subdivision extending review time to April 15, 2001 upon a motion from Mr. Brachwitz and second from Mrs. Perkins.
Mr. Brachwitz moved to acknowledge receipt of an agreement for subdivision review extension to April 9, 2001 for Laymen’s Home Missionary Movement Subdivision Plan; the motion was seconded by Mrs. Perkins and carried unanimously.
John Bachich, Woodstone Development, has requested the Board to consider his providing a fee of $2,000 payable to the Township in lieu of a Fiscal Impact Study as required by Section 403 of the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance. The Township Planning Commission recommended that the Board reject the fee in lieu of offer and require completion of the Study, which would provide a projection of the expenditures and receipts to the Township and School District as a result of the development. A motion was made by Mrs. Perkins, seconded by Mr. Brachwitz, to require completion of the Fiscal Impact Study; the motion carried unanimously.
Upon a motion from Mr. Brachwitz, the Board acknowledged receipt of the Francis and Louise Vance Preliminary/Final Subdivision Plan for a lot line change on a 4.4 acre parcel located at 1912 Kimberton Road. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Perkins and carried unanimously.
The Board reviewed draft correspondence to PennDOT regarding the Highway Occupancy Permit Application for Weatherstone Development; in paragraph 4, “large scale” will be added in place of “critical nature”. A motion was made by Mr. Brachwitz to forward the letter to PennDOT as corrected; the motion was seconded by Mrs. Perkins and carried unanimously.
Notice has been received that the Zoning Hearing Board application of Paul and Shirley Pitcher has been continued to Thursday, March 29th and, if necessary, Thursday, April 5th at 7:00 p.m. at the Township Building. The Zoning Hearing Board will meet on Wednesday, March 28th at the Ludwigs Corner Fire Company, Route 100 and Nantmeal Road, to consider the continued application of Cynthia L. Clark and the application of Daniel and Craig Hannafin. Manager Heist indicated that the Dale and Sylvia Fleck zoning hearing scheduled for Monday, March 19th has been tentatively continued to Thursday, April 26th.
David Ercole, 1979 Kimberton Road, was present to request relief from the setback requirements for keeping approximately eleven chickens (no roosters) as a residential accessory use in the Kimberton Village Zoning District. Mr. Ercole advised that his two neighbors had no objections to his proposal; animal waste will be removed daily. Solicitor Greenwood suggested the Board consider if the keeping of chickens is a “customary residential use”. Mr. Ercole will meet with Code Enforcement Officer Robert Wideman to further discuss placement of the chicken coop and submit support letters from the affected neighboring property owners.
The Board reviewed a memorandum from Code Enforcement Officer Robert Wideman advising of several ongoing zoning violations involving Mulch Man, Top of the Hill Beverage, and Eagle Machinery and requesting authorization to proceed with enforcement procedures in accordance with Section 3001 of the West Vincent Township Zoning Ordinance. A unanimous motion was made by Mr. Brachwitz, seconded by Mrs. Perkins, to authorize Robert Wideman to proceed with enforcement action to resolve the zoning violations involving Mulch Man, Top of the Hill Beverage, and Eagle Machinery.
Township resident Rose Fieo questioned the height and brightness of the lighting fixtures on the Mulch Man property; the issue will be referred to the Code Enforcement Officer.
Old Business: Roger Kolb, Ridge Fire Company, was present to discuss the proposed revision of funding allocations to the fire companies for 2001, which results in a reduction of financial support to Ridge Fire Company. Based on the Township Engineer’s review of the fire company service territories per population served, the 2001 distribution of funding was proposed as follows: Ludwigs Corner Fire Company – 68%; Kimberton Fire Company – 24%; and Ridge Fire Company – 8%. It was noted that at the time of Ludwigs Corner Fire Company’s organization, the three fire companies which served West Vincent Township agreed to a funding distribution of 60% to Ludwigs Corner, 25% to Kimberton, and 15% to Ridge Fire Company. Since Ridge provides fire coverage to a more secluded area of the Township (Saw Mill Road, Hilltop Road north of Flowing Springs Road, and Sheeder Mill Road), which will probably not experience an increased population growth, the request was made to continue with the former distribution allocation percentages. Kimberton Fire Chief Charles Fields was present to support Ridge Fire Company’s request. The Board agreed to maintain the 60%-25%-15% funding allocation.
Joyce Douglas, Pughtown Road, commented on the Kimbertal Kennel fire and voiced her questions and concerns regarding fire prevention, safety conditions on the premises, compliance with zoning, and licensing. Any new construction would comply with Township Building Codes, the use is “grandfathered”, and it was thought that Kimbertal Kennel might be under the jurisdiction of the PA Department of Agriculture for inspections and licensing. The Board noted that Kimbertal Kennel has provided excellent service as Animal Control Officer of the Township for at least five years; the Code Enforcement Officer will be asked to address these issues and since the owners of the operation were not present, the Chairman tabled the discussion.
A motion was made by Mr. Brachwitz, seconded by Mrs. Perkins, to advertise for adoption the Curfew, Disturbance of the Peace, Peddling & Solicitation, and Littering Ordinance; the motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Brachwitz moved to amend the West Vincent Township Disaster Operations Plan to include the PEMA Emergency Management Guidance and Information Circulars (C2000-10 and C2000-12); the motion was seconded by Mrs. Perkins and carried unanimously.
The Board is considering replacing the stone arch bridge on Flowing Springs Road with a corrugated plastic pipe due to the deteriorating condition of the arch; this project is separate from the “middle bridge” which is currently closed. There is concern that the stone arch bridge will not be able to handle the machinery and equipment needed for repairing or replacing the closed bridge. Neighboring property owners Robert and Marilee Ward and Jane Gaffer offered comments and suggestions regarding the replacement of the stone arch, weight limit posting, State and/or Federal funding availability, historic designation, and taking a “wait and see” approach. The Board will request a bridge inspection report and proposal for repair specifications and estimates.
A letter was received from PennDOT confirming that Birchrun Road, Flowing Springs Road, and St. Matthews Road are scheduled for resurfacing and Chester Springs Road is to be widened as part of their proposed Summer 2001 projects.
New Business: A motion was made by Mr. Brachwitz, seconded by Mrs. Perkins, to adopt Resolution 9-2001, declaring the Boards intent to follow the schedules and procedures for disposition of records as set forth in the Municipal Records Manual; the motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Brachwitz moved to adopt Resolution 10-2001, establishing procedures for the acceptance of offers of dedication and the release of improvement bonds for subdivisions and land developments; the motion was seconded by Mrs. Perkins and carried unanimously.
Business from the Floor: George Keegan questioned the status of the embankment reconstruction project on the Parke property, Sheeder Mill Road, to correct damages resulting from Hurricane Floyd. Permission to complete the project was withdrawn by Mrs. Parke; there has been no response to two letters sent by the Township requesting permission to proceed with topsoil and seeding.
Frank Dodge, Rose Fieo and Ken Cassella were present to discuss their concerns regarding the increased traffic and road conditions on St. Andrews Lane. The residents suggested posting a modest speed limit, implementing a one-way traffic pattern, and preventative road maintenance to preserve the ambiance of the scenic roadway. The Board informed them of their plans to realign and pave St. Andrews Lane, due to high maintenance costs. Also, an Ordinance has been enacted prohibiting speeds over 20 m.p.h. on St. Andrews Lane; signs will be posted by the Road Crew when the ground thaws. Mrs. Fieo requested that the Board consider installing speed bumps when St. Andrews Lane is paved.
Joyce Douglas asked if the Township plows Ford Road. The Township Road Crew takes care of drainage problems and plows Ford Road; Kimbertal Kennel handles other road maintenance.
Betty Titone questioned the status of the S. Chester Springs Road Bridge; PennDOT has informed the Township the reconstruction project would be completed by the end of 2001.
Bills List: Mr. Brachwitz made a motion to pay the bills on the Bills List dated March 12, 2001; it was seconded by Mrs. Perkins and carried unanimously.
Chairman Miller announced that an executive session would be held following the meeting to discuss real estate matters pertaining to the Griffith property.
There being no further business, Mrs. Perkins moved the meeting be adjourned; the motion was second by Mr. Brachwitz and the meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
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