Minutes Supervisors

Regular Meeting held on Tuesday March 3, 2009

A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors was conducted on Tuesday March 3, 2009 commencing at 7:00 p.m. Chairwoman Ms. Silvernail called the meeting to order.

Present was Supervisors Mr. Hensel and Ms. Horan, also in attendance were Mr. Pompo Township Solicitor, Mr. MacCombie Township Engineer and Zoning Official and members of the community.

A moment of silence and pledge of allegiance was observed.

.Ms. Silvernail made a motion, seconded by Mr. Hensel, to waive reading the previous meetings minutes. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.

Ms. Silvernail made a motion, seconded by Ms. Horan, to adopt the minutes of the previous meeting. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.

Township Police report. Chief Groce reported that for the month of February the police patrolled 2,503 miles and handled 129 complaints from the public, the categories were: 4 thefts, 20 suspicious persons, 4 911 hang ups, 11 alarm, 2 animal, 7 domestics, 12 accidents, 1 disturbance. There were 2 traffic citations issued and 3 parking tickets. Patrol activities included 7 traffic stops and 38 property checks.

Township Engineers report. Mr. MacCombie reported that the H2O grant has been completed and submitted on February 12, 2009. Mr. MacCombie reported that Amtrak has given their final approval for the Township to move forward with the sanitary sewer project. Mr. MacCombie reported that Wexcon, the company that is placing the sewer; was contracted by Pennsylvania American Water Company to install water to sanitary sewer area.

Township Solicitors report. Mr. Pompo discussed the Board hiring a traffic consultant to review the traffic study plans for Sadsbury Commons since the applicant used the Township’s traffic planner McMahon Associates. Mr. Pompo stated that Traffic Planning and Design Inc. submitted a proposal to complete the review of the scope of work, the schedule, the cost estimate and special provisions to cost not to exceed $12,000.00. The Board agreed to grant the proposal.

Ms. Silvernail made a motion, seconded by Mr. Hensel, to hire Traffic Planning and Design, Inc. to provide a conditional use plan review for Sadsbury Commons, with costs not to exceed $12,000.00. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Pompo stated that he has received from the Zoning Hearing Board decision and order documents for Dow Properties, Heidi Androwick, and Black Walnut Winery. Mr. Pompo asked if the Board had any comments? The Board stated “no” and accepted all decision and order documents for the applicants named. Mr. Pompo stated that Sadsbury Park filed an appeal against the Township. Mr. Pompo stated that he also received a letter from Arcadia disputing his fees for phase 4, Mr. Pompo stated he will get in contact with them to get this matter resolved, if Arcadia is forgiven from the fees his office will reverse the fees to Sadsbury. Mr. Pompo stated that SSC has requested their original letter of credit be released to them, he stated that there are issues with finding the original letter of credit; therefore he is requesting the Board give him direction to send a letter to the bank stating such.

Ms. Silvernail made a motion, seconded by Mr. Hensel, to direct Mr. Pompo write a letter to the Bank of SSC’s original letter of credit, releasing them from the letter of credit.

With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Pompo requested that a date be set for the conditional use application of Sadsbury Commons. The Board agreed to schedule April 15, 2009 at 7:00 pm for the Sadsbury Commons conditional use hearing.

Township Road report. Mr. Turner reported that for the month of February pot holes were filled throughout the Township. Roads were salted 18 times this season. They replaced numerous street signs. All fluids, belts and hoses are checked daily in all Township vehicles. Total equipment hours were 13 and vehicle miles were 1,090. Mr. Turner prepared a report on salt usage from 2007 to current, 2007 the township purchased  83.91 tons of salt and 62.68 tons of anti skid, 2008 salt purchased was 50.23 tons and antiskid was 21.77 tons, 2009 91.38 tons of salt was purchased and 41.75 tons of anti-skid. The report shows that on an average over the last 3 years 398 pounds of salt per mile was used in the Township, the State recommends that Township’s use at least 400 pounds per mile.

The Board discussed joining the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of General Services Costars program for sodium chloride for the effective’s dates to be August 2009 through July 2010 winter season.

After Board discussion, Ms. Silvernail made a motion, seconded by Ms. Horan, to join the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of General Services Costars program for sodium chloride for the effective dates to be August 2009 through July 2010 winter season with amounts to remain the same as last year for 50 tons. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.

Township Planning Commission report. Mr. Lymberis reported that the commission met on March 3, 2009 at 7:00 pm. New business discussed was Sadsbury Commons town center commercial development conditional use plan. Mr. Gill represented the applicant of Sadsbury Commons. The plan reflects 500,100 square foot of building square footage on 63.3 acres. The plan included strip store commercial retail, a main street component with retail, bank and restaurant pad sites and a connector loop road.

Traffic is a primary concern. The Planning Commission and public had several comments and concerns, the applicants stated that they will return to the Planning Commission. The Commission discussed a grant application for the extension of planned sewer lines within the Township, the Board voted unanimously to approve the submission to the State for the grant.

Township Zoning report. Mr. MacCombie reported that a zoning permit was issued for 335 Old Wilmington Road for a gazebo, to Black Walnut Winery for a sign, a zoning permit was denied for 470 Compass Road for a kennel. Mr. MacCombie reported that Mr. Walker will be before Judge Gill on March 9, 2009 for the zoning violation of conducting a junk yard. Mr. MacCombie stated that the site was revisited and is still a junk yard.

Pomeroy Fire Company report. Mr. Sellers reported for the month of February that 10 alarms were answered for 2 auto accidents, 1 building, 1 gas leak, 1 house, 1 mobile home, 2 mulch, 1 standby and 1 brush. Mr. Sellers reported that the alarms were answered for East Fallowfield (3), Parkesburg (1), Sadsbury (5), and West Caln (1). Total time in service was 17 hours and 31 minutes. Mr. Sellers requested that the hydrants that were removed from Spaulding, Wallace & Helen be reinstalled. Mr. Sellers stated that he spoke to Pennsylvania American Water Company and they are waiting for a letter from the Township requesting the hydrants. Mr. Pluck commented that there used to be a hydrant on Belvedere Avenue, Mr. Sellers stated it is still there. Mr. Sellers made a request to the Board for relief in paying for the workman’s compensation for the full-time ambulance drivers. The Board asked if Mr. Sellers has documentation of what they are currently paying, and the financials of the fire company. Mr. Sellers said “no”, the Board requested that he gather the information and come before them at the next Board meeting, it was agreed to table for further discussion.

Sadsburyville Fire Company report. No report given.

Emergency Services Coordinator Update. No report given.

Township Park Committee news. Ms. Horan stated that the park committee conducted their first meeting. Ms. Horan requested that before the upcoming season that park rules signs to be placed in the Township parks should be considered. Ms. Horan provided the Board with a draft of park rules. The Board was in agreement to have (4) signs made the approximate size of 48”wide and 34” long, with the costs not to exceed $750.00.

Ms. Horan made a motion, seconded by Ms. Silvernail, to approve having signs made for the Township’s park rules the approximate size of 48’ wide and 34”long with the costs not to exceed $750.00. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.

Ms. Horan made a suggestion that the Township begin to use a permit application for the use of the park, she stated that it will give the Township information on the event date, set up start time, clean up time and ending time, the sound systems in use and water and electric use. The Board agreed to allow the permit application for use of the park.

Ms. Horan made a motion, seconded by Ms. Silvernail, to accept the permit application for the use of the Bert Reel Park rentals. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye” the motion passed unanimously.

Ms. Horan requested that 1 handicap porta pot be placed in the Bert Reel Park near the ball field. The Board discussed the use of the new bathroom facility. Ms. Horan stated that currently the bathrooms will be locked during the week and only unlocked when in use for a rental. It was suggested to give the tenants a key upon payment for rental of the park. The Board suggested to have the police department unlocks the facility in the morning and lock it at dusk on weekends.

Payment of Invoices:

Ms. Silvernail made a motion, seconded by Mr. Hensel, to pay the February general fund invoices in the amount of $56,698.51. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.

Ms. Silvernail made a motion, seconded by Mr. Hensel, to pay the February sanitary sewer invoices in the amount of $60,544.15. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.

Ms. Silvernail made a motion, seconded by Mr. Hensel, to pay the February payroll in the amount of $27,497.06. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.

Tabled Business:

The Board discussed scheduling a spring compost workshop to be held at the Township building. Ms. Silvernail stated that the Township received a grant from the Solid Waste Authority and we have approximately 35 bins left. The Board agreed to schedule Tuesday May 12, 2009 at 7:00 pm to conduct the workshop, all interested residents may attend but you must sign up at the Township office.

New Business:

Southern Chester County Babe Ruth League is requesting the use of Bert Reel Park ball field March through the end of June. A certificate of insurance has been received. The Board stated that every year the Southern Chester County Babe Ruth League has been using the ball field. The Board was in agreement to continue allowing them to use the ball field.

The Board discussed a request received from Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission Taskforce regarding a study to discuss access management of the Route 30 corridor and having an official attend approximately (3) meeting. The study should take no longer than (6) months. The goal is to educate officials of the benefits of good access management. Ms. Silvernail volunteered join the taskforce.

Ms. Silvernail and Ms. Horan attended a Historic Preservation meeting at West Caln Township. Ms. Silvernail discussed with the Board the possibility of the Township creating an Ordinance to appoint and a commission to name locate and preserve for posterity significant architectural natural and other historic sites within the boundaries’ of the Township. Ms. Silvernail stated that the responsibilities would be the same of a commission with monthly meetings, identifying historical and natural sites, detail inventory maps, create awareness of the history and research records. Ms. Silvernail will provide the Board with information for future discussion.

The Board discussed a request from Ken Myers PUC attorney to set up an informal meeting between Sadsbury, Caln, West Brandywine and Valley Township to discuss a conceptual plan to purchase a portion of the Pennsylvania American Water Sewer Plan. Mr. MacCombie stated that he was given notice that Pennsylvania American Water Company intends to file another tariff on increase in the spring of 40 to 45%. Mr. MacCombie stated that a letter was sent to Pennsylvania American Water Company regarding the involved Township’s purchasing a portion of the sewer plant and they are interested in the proposal. Kerri Conwell expressed concerns with future allocation and the build out of the treatment plant, Mr. MacCombie commented that if the Township should be part of the portion of the plant the Township would be responsible for the operations. Mr. Lymberis asked if the Township was part owner of the plant would we have a vote when creating an authority, the Board stated “yes”.

Public Comment:

Susan Franco announced that Saturday April 18, 2009 at 9:00 am is the annual roadway clean up along Old Wilmington Road and volunteers are needed.

With there being no further business, Ms. Silvernail made a motion, seconded by Mr. Hensel to adjourn the regular Board of Supervisors meeting. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.

Respectfully Submitted,

Lisa Myers

Secretary/Treasurer