The administrative meeting of the Board of Supervisors, held in the Township Building was called to order at 8:35 a.m. by Chairman Kenneth Miller; also in attendance were Supervisors Zoë Perkins and Clare Quinn, and Township Manager Allen Heist.

Police Chief Swininger distributed information pertaining to the expansion of the West Vincent Township Police Department as the Township grows, a draft job application form for the Police Department, a draft job description for Police Officers, and information/cost estimate for a police-based computer program, which is included in the 2002 Budget.  Manager Heist will check on the status of Solicitor Greenwood’s review of the Department’s Standard Operating Procedure Manual and an executive session will be held following the February 18^th administrative meeting to review the information presented.

Chief Swininger advised the Board that Nicholas Campitelli has successfully completed all the required examinations and testing for police officer candidates and recommended that the Board hire Mr. Campitelli.  A motion was made by Mrs. Perkins, seconded by Ms. Quinn, to hire Nicholas Campitelli to fill the position of part-time police officer with a six-month probation period at a rate of $15.00 per hour; the motion carried unanimously.

Manager Heist reported that there has been no response from Mr. Loftus, a stonemason who was requested to submit a proposal to repair the Flowing Springs Road stone arch culvert; a follow-up call will be made.  Manager Heist will also follow-up on the suggestion of installing a pipe (approximately 30" diameter) into the existing culvert opening and filling in the voids with concrete; when discussed previously, the Bridge Engineer had expressed concern regarding the pipe significantly reducing the size of the culvert opening.

Stephen Siana and Andrew Bellwoar were present to review the status of the 939 Pottstown Pike land development plan.  The applicant will pursue conditional use approval for the parking lot and related grading proposed in the area of steep slopes and requested that the Board reconsider their position regarding parking in the front yard.  The plan proposes 21 parking spaces in the front yard setback area previously used as 22-25 parking spaces as verified by a Township aerial photograph taken during the previous use of the building.  The Board indicated agreement with Messrs. Siana and Bellwoar that the proposed 21 parking spaces results in a decrease in the preexisting non-conformity and Section 2601.C of the Zoning Ordinance does not apply.

Fronefield Crawford’s bill for professional services rendered in connection with three easements accepted by the West Vincent Land Trust was approved for payment in the amount of $855.00.

Manager Heist is reviewing with Castle Valley Consultants, Inc. and the Wetherill Estates Homeowners Association possible options pertaining to the offer of dedication of public improvements at Wetherill Estates; the issue will be discussed at the February 11^th Board meeting.

Traffic Engineer Susan Carey has contacted Manager Heist to advise she has left Gannett Fleming, Inc.; a written proposal for services with her new firm will be submitted to the Board for consideration.

Fronefield Crawford submitted the following ballot wording pertaining to the open space referendum for review: 

"Do you favor the imposition of an additional tax on real estate of forty-nine one-hundredths of a mill per dollar of assessed valuation (0.00049), for the purpose of preserving open space and agricultural lands in West Vincent Township by purchase of land and/or development rights?

The wording will be changed to include, "…..by purchase of land, development rights, and/or easements".  Ms. Quinn distributed a draft outline for a public information strategy related to the open space referendum.

A draft letter to West Pikeland Township acknowledging receipt of a petition to vacate a portion of Eagle Farms Road in West Pikeland Township was reviewed by Board members and approved for sending.

A cease and desist order was sent to William and Miriam Hall, Birchrun Road to discontinue the placement of fill material in steep slopes.

Manager Heist will contact Morgan Hurst, estimator for C. Raymond Davis for a status report on the marked-up Township Building drawings and narrative.

Dr. Denny Bolton, Business Administrator for Owen J. Roberts School District and School Board members John Kolle and Eric Scheib were present to discuss procuring land in West Vincent Township for an elementary school to provide for the future growth projected in the Township.  Property search criteria includes:  approximately 20 to 22 acres for a building site (4 acres for impervious coverage - school building and parking - and 16 to 18 acres for play fields), access to major roads such as Routes 100 and 401, and minimal land constraints.  During the subdivision process of the former Pearl Griffith property, the Board of Supervisors had understood that the tract would be used for an elementary school for children in West Vincent Township; however, since the site is located west of Route 100 (the dividing line for school attendance areas), the School District plans for the site to be used by East Nantmeal Township students.  The Board identified three potential sites, which meet search criteria and advised of their desire to work with the School District in obtaining land in West Vincent Township.

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 10:25 a.m.