A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Sadsbury Township was conducted on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 commencing at 7:00 p.m. Chairman Dave Reynolds called the meeting to order. Present was Supervisor John Moore and Supervisor Earl Taylor via telephone. Also present was Township Solicitor, Max O’Keefe, Township Engineer/Zoning Officer, Mr. MacCombie, and members of the community.
A moment of silence and Pledge of Allegiance was observed.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to waive the reading of the minutes of the previous meeting. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, to adopt the minutes of the previous meeting. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
At this time, Mr. MacCombie opened the bid packages for the Sadsbury Village Enhancement Lighting. There was only one bid from Lenni Electric in the amount of $104,626.00. Mr. MacCombie will look over the bid and either award the bid or reject it and rebid the project. This will happen at the next Board of Supervisors meeting. The grant for the lighting project was for $50,000.
Township Police Report: Chief Ranck reported that for the month of October, the police patrolled 3,775 miles and answered 389 complaints for: 911 hang-up 1, hit & run crash 2, accident other type 1, property damage crash 7, alarm fires 1, alarm police 12, animal complaint 9, assist to other department 11, business check 120, civil dispute 2, criminal mischief/vandalism 2, disabled vehicle 2, disturbance 4, domestic disturbance 4, drug/narcotic investigation 1, emotional disorder 3, erratic driver 5, escort person or money 1, for police department information 21, fraud (actual or attempted) 2, house/vacation check 23, keys locked (vehicle, house, etc.) 2, medical emergency 30, miscellaneous police nature 4, noise complaint 2, parking violation 2, pedestrian stop 2, service of PFA order 2, recovered property 1, police report 27, search warrant 1, suspicious condition 8, theft 3, theft from vehicle1, traffic general hazards 6, traffic stop 27, and well-being check 6.
Chief Ranck reported that Officer Ryan Barr attended a 10-day training program for police Chaplain. Officer Barr is now able to provide Chaplain Services for the western part of Chester County. Officer Barr has also completed an additional 3-day training on crisis intervention.
Officer Matthew Diemedio recently completed a week-long training program in DUI Standardized field sobriety training and is now qualified to conduct roadside field testing for suspect DUI operators.
Chief Ranck thanked the Board for allowing his officers all the schooling. Mr. Reynold stated there is never enough training.
Public Works Report: No report this month
Emergency Management Report: No report this month
Keystone Valley Fire Department Report: For the month of October, the Keystone Valley Fire Department responded to 29 calls for: fire 4, rescue/medical assist 8, service 4, hazard 2, good intent 2, and false 9. The response by municipality is as follows: West Sadsbury Township 10, Highland Township 2, Parkesburg Borough 8, Sadsbury Township 1,Out of District 8. The average response by personnel per call was 8 with a total of 226 personnel for combined response hours 86.03 hours. The average response time dispatch to on scene was 11.13 minutes. The Keystone Valley Fire Department EMS Division responded to 103 calls for: treated/transported BLS 39, treated/transported ALS 36, no service required 12, patient refusal (treat, no transport) 8, public service 2, recalled 6. The municipal break-down is as follows: Parkesburg Borough 35, Sadsbury Township 32, West Sadsbury Township 22, Highland Township 10, East Fallowfield Township 1, Christiana Borough, Lancaster County 1, New Garden Township 1, and Penn Township 1.
Sadsburyville Fire Company Report: For the month of October, the Sadsburyville Fire Company responded to 12 calls for: AFA 2, pole fire 1, EMS assist 2, Chief notification 1, tree across road 1, fire police 5. There were 48 volunteer firefighters responding with an average number of firefighters responding of 4 per call. There were 71 miles traveled and the time in service was 14 hours and 12 minutes. Dispatch to on-scene took 7.75 minutes. The responses by municipality: Sadsbury Township 7, Valley Township 2, West Caln 2, Coatesville City 1.
Township Planning Commission Report: Mr. Jessey reported the Planning Commission met on Wednesday October 9th. Randy White appeared seeking a recommendation for Preliminary/Final Land Development approval. After discussion, there was a motion and a second to recommend Preliminary/Final Land Approval with the following conditions. 1. Compliance with the October 9, 2019 review letter form Jamie MacCombie. 2. Contingent on a revised landscaping plan being worked out with Carol Menke and reviewed by Mr. MacCombie. 3. Contingent on this revised and reviewed landscaping plan being presented to the Board of Supervisors at their meeting on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 so that, with the assistance of members of the Planning Commission, a decision on approval could be made. The Planning Commission was unable to offer an opinion on the proposed Sadsburyville Fire company addition because no representative appeared before the commission.
Mr. Jessey asked the Supervisors if the Planning Commission could withdraw its recommendation of the Preliminary/Final Land Development concerning Mr. White. The Planning Commission would like Mr. White to return to the Planning Commission.
Mr. MacCombie stated the location of the building, sewer, infiltration system, storm water and the proximity and amount of trees is not enough room. Mr. MacCombie stated he did not recommend approval. PAWC should be asked for an opinion, since they now own the sewer system. Randy White purchased 14 EDUs from the Township years ago, he must by additional EDUs from PAWC. They charge $4,000 per EDU and payment must be in advance. Also, Mr. MacCombie stated they must have a recreation area with amenities, but there is none.
Mr. Reynolds stated the recommendation from the Planning Commission is on hold until the Planning Commission is satisfied.
Ms. Heineman, Chairman of the Planning Commission stated that Mr. Tran of Commonwealth Engineers will appear at the next Planning commission meeting on behalf of Sadsbury Fire Company addition.
Mr. Jessey also stated that the Planning Commission has a problem with the language in the Stormwater Ordinance Amendment concerning: “The high tunnel is located at least 35 feet from any perennial stream or watercourse, public road, or neighboring property line and located on land with a slope not greater than 7%.
Mr. Jessey said the Planning Commission does not recommend approval based on this language.
Mr. O’Keefe responded by stating he is loath to improve any language coming from the state. Someone would hope the State Legislature would find the language needs to be changed. If the Township statue is inconsistent with the state statute, the state would be the way it would go. If we follow the state, we do not have to defend ourselves in court. There is also a risk of residents in the flood plain of losing their insurance if we do not comply with the state statute. Mr. O’Keefe’s opinion is to approve the Ordinance Amendment the way it was written by the state.
Township Engineer Report: Mr. MacCombie reported he has a Letter of Credit Reduction Certificate of Completion for Sadsbury Arcadia Associates, L.P. for Sadsbury Park Phase 3A in the amount of $34,840.50 for the Board’s approval.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to approve a Letter of Credit Reduction, Certificate of Completion for Sadsbury Arcadia Associates, L.P. for Sadsbury Park Phase 3A in the amount of $34,840.50 per Mr. MacCombie’s recommendation. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. MacCombie stated he has a Letter of Credit Reduction Certificate of Completion for Parsons Coatesville, LLC for CTDI in the amount of $391,212.53 for the Board’s approval
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, to approve a Letter of Credit Reduction Certificate of Completion for Parsons Coatesville, LLC for CTDI in the amount of $391,212.53 per Mr. MacCombie’s recommendation. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. MacCombie reported he has an Engineering Escrow release of funds for Sadsbury Arcadia, L.P. for Sadsbury Park Phase 3B in the amount of $28.75 for the Board’s approval.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to approve an Engineering Escrow release of funds for Sadsbury Arcadia, L.P. for Sadsbury Park Phase 3B in the amount of $28.75 per Mr. MacCombie’s recommendation. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. MacCombie stated he has an Engineering Escrow release of funds for Rock Holdings PA, LLC in the amount of $28.75 for the Board’s approval.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to approve an Escrow release of funds for Rock Holdings PA LLC in the amount of $28.75 per Mr. MacCombie’s recommendation. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting”aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. MacCombie stated he has an Engineering Escrow release of funds for Parsons Coatesville, LLC for CTDI Building Expansion in the amount of $1,003.75 for the Board’s approval.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, to approve an Engineering Escrow release of funds for Parsons Coatesville, LLC for CTDI Building Expansion in the amount of $1,003.75 per Mr. MacCombie’s recommendation. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting, “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. MacCombie stated he has an Engineering Escrow release of funds for Sadsbury Arcadia Associates, L.P. for Sadsbury Park Phase 3A in the amount of $10,203.75 for the Board’s approval.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to approve an Escrow release of funds for Arcadia Associates, L.P. for Sadsbury Park Phase 3A in the amount of $10,203.75 per Mr. MacCombie’s recommendation. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Jessey stated the lights at CTDI still need to be adjusted.
Township Solicitor Report: Mr. O’Keefe has contacted the Brandywine Conservancy about the Conservation Easement on Quarry Road. The Township cannot build a garage on this property. However, the Township owns the property on the other side of Quarry Road, which is in the Flood Plane and undevelopable. The exchange of these properties is something the Conservancy would explore if the Township is also interested in exploring an exchange. All the administration fees to exchange the properties would be on the Township and could cost $20,000 or more in fees. Mr. MacCombie would be able to give greater detail if the Township could build on this property. This could be a year-long process.
Mr. Reynolds would like Jamie MacCombie to go the property to see it this is worth pursuing.
Eric Carlton from Arcadia Land Company would like to pay the Township in the way of a bond to the Township to construct the Public Works garage. Mr. OKeefe stated there will need to be a public hearing to change the condition of payment.
Mr. Reynolds directed Mr. O’Keefe to advertise for a public hearing at the December Board of Supervisors meeting to change the condition of payment of Arcadia by bond.
Mr. O’Keefe stated that 7 Middle Street is up for two sheriff sales for personal property on November 19th. If now improved, the house will be up for Sheriff Sale in January. Mrs. Potter’s nephew is a contractor and he would like to save this house for his aunt. There is serious work to be done and he will have the abandoned vehicles removed. He will work on the interior and exterior of the house and will have someone look at the roof. He will contact Andy Kirk for inspections.
The Township will need to be contacted on the outstanding debt.
Chief Ranck reported that Cheryl Potter and a friend from the Trailer Park is living at 7 Middle Street.
Township Zoning Report: Mr. MacCombie reported That David Biloon from his office has taken calls for fences and minor questions about zoning.
Chester County Airport Update: No Report
Payment of invoices:
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, to pay the October 2019 General Fund invoices in the amount of $230,179.00. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Public Comment:
Anthony Clark congratulated Earl Taylor on his election win.
Erik Brecht congratulated Earl and is glad to have him back.
Earl Taylor thanked everyone and stated that next month is Chief Ranck’s last meeting.
With there being no further business, Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, to adjourn the meeting. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted,
Linda Shank
Secretary