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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. Bid Award: Bids for 2001-2002 Snow and Ice Removal were received from Machinery Services Inc. (no bid), D & L Fleck Paving and Excavating Inc., and R.E. Leister, Inc. on September 24, 2001. Roadmaster Kenneth Miller and Manager Heist reviewed the bids and noted that the Fleck and Leister bids did not conform to advertised specifications. A motion was made by Mr. Brachwitz, seconded by Mrs. Perkins, to reject all bids for 2001-2001 Snow and Ice Removal; the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Miller will contact the bidders regarding compliance with bid specifications and the 2001-2002 Snow and Ice Removal bid will be re-advertised.
Minutes: Unanimous approval was granted for minutes of September 10, 14, 17 and 24 upon a motion from Mr. Brachwitz and second from Mrs. Perkins.
Reports: Treasurer’s Report - The following September 30, 2001 account balances were reported: General Fund, $98,445.89; State Fund, $79,868.15; Kimberton Sewer Fund, $17,086.73; Township Building Loan Fund, $721,383.06; St. Stephens Greene Sewer Fund, $25,612.98; St. Stephens Greene Water Fund, $25,739.06; and Open Space Capital Reserve Fund, $19,694.10. Police Report - Newly appointed Police Chief F. Michael Swininger thanked the Board for working with him during his transition period. The Police Department responded to 44 calls in September; the State Police handled 49 additional calls. The Department investigated eight accidents, including a hit and run accident of the covered bridge on Hollow Road, theft of speakers from a vehicle on Birchrun Road, trespassing and criminal mischief at Camp Hill School, and one arrest for Drug Act 64 along Malehorn Road.
Chief Swininger introduced Matthew M. Williams Jr., his recommended candidate for the position of part time Police Officer; Mr. Williams has been employed as a Patrolman at the East Vincent Township Police Department for eleven years. A motion was made by Mr. Brachwitz to hire Matthew Williams as part time Police Officer, as recommended by Chief Swininger, for approximately 20 hours per week at $15.00/hour with no benefits, conditioned upon successful completion of a pre-employment/post-offer physical examination and functional capacity evaluation, alcohol and drug testing, psychological examination, credit reference, and fingerprint check. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Perkins and carried unanimously.
Solicitor’s Report - Solicitor Greenwood reported working on the Horseshoe Farms Deed of Dedication and Deed of Easement for stormwater, reconciliation of the Cooks Glen Road issue, and completion of Matthews Meadows punchlist items.
Correspondence: Correspondence was received from the Chester County Health Department concerning West Nile Virus; those who wish to report mosquito problem areas or dead wild birds should call 610-344-6225 for instructions.
The Chester County Health Department warns residents, in light of the recent terrorists’ attacks, to be on-guard against gasoline price gouging and charitable giving scams.
Notification was received from the PA Department of Transportation that the Sheeder Hall Covered Bridge on Hollow Road would be closed October 9 to October 11 for the repair of broken braces inside the structure.
Subdivisions/Land Development/Zoning: Solicitor Greenwood reviewed the proposed Stonecroft Subdivision Pump and Haul Agreement; the Board expressed concern that a sufficient escrow amount is in place to cover a three-year period, in the event the developer is not able to continue the pump and haul system and the Township would become the responsible party. The Board requested Solicitor Greenwood to base the escrow amount on the monthly sewage disposal rate per home times eight homes (number of U&O’s allowed under the agreement) times 36 months, plus projected yearly sewage disposal rate increases, plus a 50% contingency. Once completed the proposed agreement will be forwarded to the Township Engineer and the developer for review.
An amended Conditional Use Application of Toll Brothers, Inc. and Orleans Homebuilders, Inc. was received; a hearing has been scheduled for October 15, 2001 to consider this application.
Correspondence was received from Richard Morton, Esquire advising that grading work in the swales at Matthews Meadows Subdivision will be completed the first week of October. Correspondence was also received from the Matthews Meadows Homeowners Association expressing their frustrations with "the failure of Berman Building Contractors, Inc. to fulfill the requirements for dedication in the Matthews Meadows subdivision", specifically grading issues, installation of signs, repairing cracks in the walking path, replacing dead trees and shrubs, drainage basin pavers, along with other punchlist items and requesting the Board to capture the escrow money and complete the outstanding work.
Solicitor Greenwood reviewed the punchlist status as follows:
In response to the Homeowner Association’s request to capture the escrow account, the Solicitor advised the Board that since the Township is progressing towards closure, it would be premature to capture the escrow; capturing the escrow would likely result in a litigation situation, freezing the escrow money and stopping work.
An application to the Zoning Hearing Board was received from Laymen’s Home Missionary Movement, 2342 Miller Road, requesting an appeal from a decision of the Zoning Officer and a variance from the terms of Section 2201.F.1.f. set forth in the Township Zoning Ordinance pertaining to an accessory apartment and prohibiting exterior alteration of the principal dwelling except as may be necessary for reasons of safety. The hearing will be held Wednesday, November 7, 2001 at 7 p.m. at the Township Building.
The Board unanimously acknowledged receipt of a conditional use application from James W. Trolier upon a motion from Mr. Brachwitz and second from Mrs. Perkins. The applicant desires to use his property (Tax Parcel #25-5-23.10) on the east side of Hunt Hill Road, to construct a driveway and stormwater management facilities within the precautionary and prohibitive steep slope districts as permitted under Section 1704.B.1.&2. of the Township Zoning Ordinance. A hearing will be held Monday, November 26, 2001 at 7:30 p.m. at the Township Building.
Old Business: Manager Heist contacted C. Raymond Davis & Sons Inc. for clarification of their proposal for analysis services relating to the Township Building plans. Their estimator will evaluate the plans and specifications, analyze the existing bids, and make recommendations so that the project can be brought in on budget. The findings will be communicated in a report narrative format and completed within a one-month time frame. Mrs. Perkins moved to proceed with contracting C. Raymond Davis & Sons, Inc. to provide a construction and design analysis report within one month of notification for the sum of $5,000. The motion was seconded by Mr. Miller and carried with Perkins and Miller voting in favor and Brachwitz opposed.
The Board reviewed a draft letter to Thomas O’Neill, Esquire regarding the status of the Township Building project and funds from the General Obligation Bond issue and request for an opinion as to whether any arbitrage or other violations of our bond approval may occur. A motion was made by Mrs. Perkins, seconded by Mr. Brachwitz to forward the letter to Bond Council Thomas O’Neill; the motion carried unanimously.
The Board approved a proposal submitted by George Irwin Plumbing and Heating to convert or replace water meters and install meter readouts at St. Stephens Greene as follows:
A letter will be forwarded to St. Stephens Greene residents advising them of the conversion work to correct water meter calibration problems and requesting residents to schedule an appointment with Mr. Irwin; the cost for this work will be paid from the capital reserve fund for the water system.
It was brought to the attention of Township personnel that approximately 500’ of Cedar Lane was paved last week. In light of safety concerns, liability issues, lack of permit and formal agreement, Solicitor Greenwood will assist Manager Heist in sending letters to Cedar Lane resident David Decker and Philadelphia Suburban Water Company as soon as possible. Castle Valley Consultants, Inc. will inspect the road and submit an assessment and recommendation. Mr. Decker had expressed an interest in vacating Cedar Lane at his property line and having PSWC pave Cedar Lane in lieu of payment for an easement on his property for construction of a proposed water line.
New Business: The Board agreed to continue health benefits for former Police Chief Karl Jones through November 1, 2001.
A motion was made by Mr. Brachwitz, seconded by Mrs. Perkins, to approve Ludwigs Corner Fire Company’s request to attend fire prevention activities at the Coventry Mall and various Open Houses within Chester County; the motion carried unanimously.
Business from the Floor: Betty Grebey and Tom Olszanowski requested the Board to consider including the cost of paving Jaine Lane, 1/10 mile from Horseshoe Trail to the crest of the hill, in the 2002 Budget.
On behalf of residents of South Chester Springs Road, Bob McDevitt requested to be placed on the October 22nd agenda to present their concerns regarding the pending development of the Ewing Tract and the potential termination of South Chester Springs Road at Eagle Farms Road.
Mr. McDevitt also mentioned a clogged or undersized pipe in front of the springhouse at 2665 South Chester Springs Road; this information will be forwarded to the Township Road Crew.
A Township resident called to suggest that a reminder of the Limerick Evacuation Plan be included in the next Township Newsletter; Manager Heist will prepare an article.
Code Enforcement Officer Robert Wideman requested direction regarding oversized and overweight vehicles using Township Roads; the Board was not inclined to establish Township regulations and considered a copy of the PennDOT permit sufficient.
In response to complaints, Mr. Wideman will be requested to investigate a possible commercial stable operation at Hilltop Road and Shady Lane and initiate removal of the bank financing sign on the same property.
An executive session will be held immediately following the regular meeting to discuss litigation matters pertaining to Cooks Glen Road and Matthews Meadows.
Bills List: Mr. Brachwitz made a motion to pay the bills on the Bills List dated October 8, 2001; 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 9:00 p.m.
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