West Vincent Township
Board of Supervisors Meeting
May 5, 2008 9:00 AM
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Attendance: Chairman Kenneth Miller, Jr., Vice Chairperson Zoë Perkins, Member Barry DiLibero, Township Manager James Wendelgass, Stephen Siana of Siana, Bellwoar & McAndrew, LLP, Township Solicitor, Zoning Officer Sandra Cantrell-Edwards and Township Secretary Tammy Swavely.
The first item of business was to open the bids for the lease of Open Space B at Weatherstone. Three (3) bids were received. The first bid opened was from Theodore Robinson, 2425 Malehorn Road, Chester Springs, PA in the total amount of $185.00 per acre/year; the second bid was from Tom Olszanowski, 924 Jaine Lane, Chester Springs for $57.00 per acre/year; the third bid was from Jason Snyder, for $7000.00 for all five (5) years of the bid, no yearly bid was submitted. These bids will be reviewed by the Township Manager and be awarded at the next Board meeting on May 12, 2008.
Chairman Miller called the meeting to order at 9:08 AM.
Reports:
Township Building: There will be a Special Meeting with the Weatherstone Homeowner’s Association at the Township this evening and the Supervisors will be in attendance. This meeting was advertised in the Daily Local on Thursday, May 1, 2008.
Township Manager Report: The Township Manager Report for the week ending /was acknowledged as submitted.
Active Subdivision List: There are currently no pending deadlines.
Bills List: The Bills List was reviewed. Perkins made the motion to approve the Bills List dated 5/2/08 in the total amount $23,345.33. DiLibero seconded the motion which carried unanimously.
Correspondence:
An e-mail was received from Maureen Fendrick, St. Stephen’s Greene HOA, requesting the use of the Township Meeting room for a meeting. Perkins made the motion that the St. Stephen’s Greene HOA be permitted to use the Meeting Room on May 19, 2008 for an HOA meeting. This motion was seconded by DiLibero which carried unanimously.
Subdivision/Land Development:
Oxford Rise: An Escrow Release Request has been submitted for the Nantmeal Road improvements. Perkins made the motion that this be forwarded to Carroll Engineering for review of work done on Nantmeal Road improvements. DiLibero seconded the motion which carried unanimously.
Eagle Farms: Paul Ylvisaker Toll Bros. came to the Board to discuss maintenance issues along Fellowship Road and the entrance to this subdivision. Toll Bros. would like to install a 5’ high retaining wall for approximately 120’-130’ along Fellowship Road. Ylvisaker stated that this is primarily for esthetics. This would be keystone block covered with stone. This is in the right-of-way. Ylvisaker stated that he is willing to put an addendum in the HOA documents making them responsible for the maintenance and care of the wall. Perkins made the motion that the Board approve the entrance wall construction subject to the Township Engineer’s approval and the Solicitor’s signing off on the appropriate documentation. DiLibero seconded the motion which carried unanimously.
Old Business:
With the Hankin settlement in December 2007, the Board decided that they would donate money to the Ludwig’s Corner Fire Department. David Frame, President of the Ludwig’s Corner Fire Department, came before the Board to discuss this donation. Miller wanted to know the current needs of the fire department. Frame stated that there is a need for a ladder truck, but there is no where to house it at this time. The fire department would like build a building first to accommodate the truck which would cost between $1.5 million and $2 million. They do not know when the truck could be purchased since it will take 6 months to a year to finalize the building plans. Perkins asked how important a ladder truck would be. Frame told her that with the exception of the apartments, there was no need at this time. All of the apartments have sprinkler systems which allow people to get out of a building more quickly. A ladder truck is used in two (2) ways. For fire suppression on the top of a building or roof and to help people stuck on the top floors which aids in evacuation. At this time the largest ladder that gets taken to a fire is 35′. A large hose can not reach the top of many roofs. The use of a ladder truck is more frequently seen in larger houses. Lionville and Kimberton Fire Departments have ladder trucks which can respond to this area. The problem is the time factor. Frame stated that the fire department has been saving money for over 20 years for capital expenses since they realized this day would come when they needed to expand. A ladder truck is between $700,000.00 and $1million. With the help of the area townships, Frame stated that they should have enough funds. West Vincent Township is 60% of the response area. Other townships that donate funds to Ludwig’s Corner Fire Department are Upper Uwchlan and East Nantmeal. Perkins made the motion that the Board turn over the $200,000.00 to the Ludwig’s Corner Fire Department. DiLibero seconded the motion. Miller asked if the Township would be permitted to vote in the Fire Department at the next election. Frame stated that the building is often rented out to various organizations and he would not be able to make a commitment to keep the building open. Perkins stated that if they could possibly keep the building open for 2 days a year it would be good for the image of the fire department. Frame stated that he would make sure that the person responsible for reserving the building for events would keep it open on election days. A vote was taken on the previous motion by Perkins, all were in favor. Frame stated that he will pick the check up later this week when it is ready.
Business from the floor:
DiLibero stated that he has been speaking with Chad Brekke, 2410 Malehorn Road, Tax Parcel 25-7-82.2 about trees that have died around the sewage plant in Matthews Meadows. The trees used to surround the spray fields but have since died. Brekke is willing to put them in himself. Wendelgass stated that he was contacted by Brekke before and contacted the engineer to see if this would be a problem. Trees should never have been planted there in the first place since root systems in lagoons do not work well. It may be possible to put trees away from the berm but closer to the road. The site will have to be looked at again to determine if that can be done. If it can be done, the Township will do the work since it is Township property.
DiLibero stated that he has been speaking with Arthur Ewell, 972 Fellowship Road, Tax Parcel 25-7-66 and he would like to fill in the ditch on his property. Ewell would like to know when the Chester County Conservation District will set up a meeting. The DEP has already stated it is not their issue. Jordan Perry, CCCD, has not set a date at this time. Miller stated that if this hole is filled in without proper drain pipes installed, his original problem of drainage will return. This has been an on going problem. The open swale is 300’ from the Birchrun which posses another problem. It needs to be determined how to install a pipe within a swale. Wendelgass will contact the CCCD to inform them of the problem again and to see how it can be solved.
Miller announced that there would be an Executive Session immediately following the regular meeting to discuss a personnel issue.
Meeting adjourned 9:45 AM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Tammy Swavely
Township Secretary
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