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 7:40 p.m.; others in attendance were Supervisor Zoë Perkins, Township Manager Allen Heist, and Township Solicitor Allan Greenwood.

Minutes:
Unanimous approval was granted for minutes of July 9, 16, 23, and 30 upon a motion from Mrs. Perkins and second from Mr. Miller.

Reports:
Treasurer’s Report – The following July 31, 2001 account balances were reported:  General Fund, $171,962.20; State Fund, $97,141.24; Kimberton Sewer Fund, $30,045.30; Township Building Loan Fund, $717,387.50; St. Stephens Greene Sewer Fund, $24,071.98; and St. Stephens Greene Water Fund, $24,909.72.
Solicitor’s Report – Solicitor Greenwood reported working on the Horseshoe Farms stormwater easement, Laymen’s Subdivision documentation, and reviewing revisions to the Employee Manual.

Correspondence:
Correspondence was received from Green Valleys Association, French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust, Inc., and Chester Springs Library acknowledging receipt and gratitude for the Township’s budgeted donation.

A letter was received from Stephen Trobovic on behalf of the Bicycle Club of Philadelphia requesting permission to mark intersections within West Vincent Township for the club’s annual ride scheduled for September 9^th.  The directional markings will be applied the week prior to the event; Mr. Trobovic agreed to black out the markings within one week after the event.

Subdivisions/Land Development/Zoning:
An application to the Zoning Hearing Board was received from Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth Collins, 2154 Miller Road, requesting a variance pursuant to Section 605G.6.a. of the Township Zoning Ordinance to construct a garage.  The hearing will be held Wednesday, August 22, 2001 at 7 p.m. at the Township Building.

The Board acknowledged receipt of a conditional use application from James C. Watson to do final grading of a lot located at 508 Black Horse Road as permitted under Section 1704B. of the Township Zoning Ordinance.  The hearing will be held Monday, September 24, 2001.

Castle Valley Consultants, Inc. has evaluated the Matlock fee-in-lieu proposal based on Section 615C. of the Subdivision Ordinance.  Using the formula and adjusting the amount for inflation, the fee was calculated to be $19,659.  The Planning Commission will consider approval recommendation of the Matlock Subdivision Plan on Thursday, August 16^th.

A motion was made by Mrs. Perkins, seconded by Mr. Miller to approve the Fasel planning module submission to DEP; the motion carried unanimously.

Solicitor Greenwood reported speaking with Rick Morton, attorney for Berman Development Corporation, regarding the remaining work related to Matthews Meadows dedication of improvements to the Township.  The Project Manager returns from vacation August 13^th and Solicitor Greenwood will follow-up on the status of the remaining punchlist items; the issue was tabled until the August 27^th meeting.

Solicitor Greenwood spoke with Mary Wade Myers, Esquire, attorney for Bob Yarnall, concerning the Yarnall Subdivision.  The twelve-acre property was divided into two lots with the provision for “no further subdivision”.  Ms. Myers asked if the Township had an interest in dropping the provision restricting further subdivision, allowing one of the lots to be divided into three lots, in exchange for the kennel going out of existence.  There would be the possibility of a public easement along French Creek.  Manager Heist reviewed the notes on the recorded plan and property deed but could not confirm the provision against further subdivision; the Township Engineer has indicated that, under zoning regulations, the property has the potential for five lots. 

Lenore Richards asked if Ford Road was a Township road; the road is a Township road - Mr. Yarnall maintains the road and the Township Road Crew provides snow removal.  Joyce Douglas, Jane Vasile, Kenny Carroll, and Helen Zipperlen mentioned the need for additional information and clarification of the proposal from the Yarnall family.  Adjacent property owner, Wheeler Aman, expressed the following comments and issues of concern:

• A request that the property be surveyed, since many of the accessory buildings are in close proximity to the property line.
• Ownership and maintenance of Ford Road.
• Trail easement to access French Creek.  Camphill has a trail; however, since there is no trail on the Aman property, the trail will end on the Yarnall property.
• Locations and details on the existing septic systems.
• What happens to the kennel buildings and outbuildings if the kennel goes out of existence?
• Correction to water drainage problems.
• Removal of incinerators.
• Clarification on the number of new homes on the property.

Mr. Aman also read the following letter into the record:

“Please be advised that Parcel #25-5-16 and Parcel #25-4-76 located in West Vincent Township do not have any established trails for any recreational use.

The only non-family members permitted on these properties are those possessing written permission by me.  These permits will be for limited duration and can be terminated at any time.”    Signed:  H. Wheeler Aman

Solicitor Greenwood will contact Ms. Myers to request a presentation at a future Board meeting regarding details of the Yarnall Subdivision proposal.

Old Business:
Notification was received from PennDOT regarding the paving of St. Matthews Road between Route 401 and Pughtown Road; all work is expected to finish by June 2002.

Revisions to the Employee Manual pertaining to road workers who are also active Volunteer Emergency Services Providers for any one of the fire companies which service the Township was tabled until the August 27^th meeting.

Three portable toilet proposals were received as follows:  Alpine Sanitation, $70/month; A&A Portable Toilets, $85/month; and JOHNNY ON-THE-SPOT, $80/month.  A motion was made by Mrs. Perkins to contract with Alpine Sanitation for a portable toilet with hand washing facilities to be installed at the Township Park for a monthly charge of $70, which includes delivery on or about September 1^st, pick-up on or about November 30^th, and weekly pumping.  The unit will be converted to a handicap accessible portable toilet as soon as one becomes available this year or for delivery April 1, 2002 at a monthly charge of $125.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Miller and carried unanimously.

Bid proposals were also received from A.R. Merryman, Birchrun Fence, Fence Authority MontCo Fence, C&D Fence, and Rusticraft Fence for installation of 710 feet of three-rail fence along the western property line of the Township Park.  Mrs. Perkins moved to contract with low bidder, Birchrun Fence, to install 710’ of locust post and spruce rail fence at a cost of $3440; the motion was seconded by Mr. Miller and carried unanimously.

New Business:
Susan I. Morse, Ph.D. presented a proposal for the position of Township Historian which included creating an Historical Commission, possibly in conjunction with the EAC; establishing a column in the West Vincent Township Newsletter entitled “History Matters”; an oral history project interviewing members of established township families; cultivating a material culture collection in order to create interactive displays that provide socio-economic interpretation of the Township’s past; working with the architect to establish an area in the new Township Building for exhibits and programs; and completing the historic survey of properties within the Township, which was started approximately ten years ago.  The EAC indicated support for Susan’s proposal during their July meeting; Jane Vasile expressed interest in helping also.  Manager Heist will review the appointment process and a line item will be included on the 2002 Budget; the issue was tabled until the August 27^th meeting.

Kenny Carrroll was present to request the Board to review and clarify zoning regulations pertaining to real estate signs.  The ordinance defines real estate signs as “a temporary sign indicating the sale, rental or lease of the premises on which the sign is located” limiting the advertising of properties located on a private lane or cul-de-sac.  Mr. Miller noted that the regulation not only eliminates the proliferation of signs, but also eliminates signs being placed on off-site properties without permission from the property owner.  Manager Heist will review model ordinances for real estate signs and the issue was table until the August 27^th meeting.

Correspondence was received from Philadelphia Suburban Water Company regarding extending their water line from the Blackhorse Tank to the Ludwigs Corner Area by installing the proposed water main in the public right-of-way of Cedar Lane.  Additional information will be requested from PSW prior to sending notification of this proposal to Cedar Lane residents.

Jud Berkowitz and Jason Phillips voiced concerns pertaining to the noise level of the proposed upgrades for the Blackhorse pump station; Manager Heist will contact PSW regarding the decibel levels of the proposed project and the issue was tabled until the September 10^th meeting.

Business from the Floor:
The following letter was submitted by Larry and Jody Dinnell, Jason and Diane Phillips, George and Jill Cochran, Sergio and Audrey Panu, Keith and Christa Jones, Charlotte Smith, Randy Smith, Judah and Victoria Berkowitz and read into the record:

"We, the undersigned residents of West Vincent Township, are writing to respectfully request that the Board of Supervisors take a more active role in the conditional use hearings currently underway in Upper Uwchlan Township with regard to the Senn tract. Pulte Home Corporation of the Delaware Valley is proposing to place 217 single family homes, 248 townhouses, 32,600 square feet of commercial space, an 11,780 square foot community center, and a 19-acre sewage treatment facility on this tract.  As you know, this tract directly abuts the property of several West Vincent Township residents.  We are therefore asking for your help to encourage Upper Uwchlan Township not to approve this project in its current form.

We are making this request due to the actions taken by the Upper Uwchlan Township government to obstruct certain efforts by West Vincent residents (including West Vincent residents who have been granted “party” status) to get up-to-date information concerning the Pulte application and to participate in the conditional use hearings.  In fact, the Supervisors in Upper Uwchlan Township have declared that all West Vincent Township residents are “outsiders” whose opinions and concerns are unworthy of notice.  In addition, one of the Supervisors in Upper Uwchlan Township has embarked on a personal campaign to intimidate West Vincent residents through profanity, threats, and actions.  For example, this individual walks around the parking lot during breaks in the hearings taking photographs of West Vincent residents when they are discussing the hearings with Upper Uwchlan residents.  As you would surmise, this type of action would tend to further isolate the residents of West Vincent Township. 

We believe that this development will have a substantial negative impact on the following in our Township:

1. Traffic,
2. Well contamination due to sewage problems, and
3. Potential reduction of our property values.

We are therefore requesting that you consider doing the following:

1. That the Township “activate” its party status and request up-to-date copies of all materials related to the Pulte application,
2. That the Township utilize its personnel and experts to review the materials, and
3. That the Township adopt a resolution as soon as possible opposing the development.

Thank you for your time and assistance in this matter.”

The next conditional use hearing will be held Wednesday, August 15^th at 7:00 p.m. at the Pickering Elementary School.  Chairman Miller requested that the residents compile a list of conditions that will limit the impact on the West Vincent Township property owners; Mr. Miller made it clear to the residents not to expect the Board to take a position on the application or to be able to influence the Upper Uwchlan Board’s decision.

Thoma Johnson advised the Board of road conditions on Flowing Springs Road at Jaine Lane as a result of the storm over the weekend.  Mr. Johnson also inquired as to the status of the shed in the front yard on the Cook property, Sheeder Mill Road; the Code Enforcement Officer is working on the situation.

Bills List:
Mrs. Perkins made a motion to pay the bills on the Bills List dated August 13, 2001; it was seconded by Mr. Miller and carried unanimously.

There being no further business, Mrs. Perkins moved that the meeting be adjourned; the motion was seconded by Mr. Miller and the meeting adjourned at 10:13 p.m.  An executive session was held immediately following the regular meeting to discuss potential litigation matters pertaining to Cotswold Estates. 

Respectfully Submitted,