November 5, 2001
The Board of Supervisors of Pennsbury Township held a regular meeting on Monday,
November 5, 2001. All members, Mr. Patten, Mr. Houtman and Kathy Howley were
present and the minutes approved as submitted.
Manager Kathy Howley reported the following:
The draft of the oral history questionnaire is being review by the Chadds Ford Historical Society for their input before finalizing.
Met with Bob Hall regarding our insurance needs for next year. We will meet
with him on December 6th at 7:30 a.m. to review his proposal.
Roadmaster Dave Allen reminded the board of the Fall road inspection November 10th
at 8 a.m. He will follow up on the bid for road salt with the Co-op.
Emergency Management Coordinator Reese Reynolds reported he is meeting with
his staff to update our emergency plan in light of the September 11th events.
Comcast representative Todd Eachus was present and reported the following:
The upgrade to the system will be complete by year end and digital will be available by January 15, 2002.
Service will be provided to the Pocopson school and they are finishing their map for our township to show where upgrades will be. Ms. Howley requested a copy of the map when complete and information on the upgrade for our newsletter.
They helped sponsor the Land Trust Balloon Festival this past September. The check for this event should be forthcoming to the Land Trust.
Mr. & Mrs. Swayne living on Route 926 would like to have cable TV but has
been refused by Comcast. It would cost them $3000 to hook up because the
lines are not near them. There are at least 4 people who would hook up
according to Mrs. Swayne. She would also like to know why local sporting
events are blocked by Comcast on direct TV. Mr. Eachus said he will follow up
with her.
Township Engineer Matt Houtman reported that he is proceeding with the permit
process for the Dawson Mill and advised the Board the township will have to put
together an emergency action plan for the mill. He has also been in contact with the
residents on Hillspring Road in order to get the road dedicated to the township.
Longwood Fire Company representative Ray McKay and Chief Dave Bottomly were present to request an additional $1000 be added to the budgeted $20,000 contribution for '02. They provide 100% coverage for the township. They would like to see a
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November 5, 2001
dedicated millage for fire coverage in the future but this must be agreed upon by all
municipalities they serve. This would help them with their planning and budgeting.
The Board agreed to include this increase in their budget and pay them quarterly. Mr.
McKay stated they do get a contribution from Longwood Gardens. One of the Garden's
fireworks display night's is dedicated to them which amounted to $28,000 in '01.
Crosslands Preliminary Plan
URS representative Mark Prouty, Heather Dorsey and Crosslands rep. Calvin Pickel
were present to obtain preliminary approval of their plan. The township Planning
Commission recommended approval with conditions that can be satisfied as they go
forward with the final plan. Margot Taylor will be meeting with Crosslands on
November 6th to further discuss the landscaping plan. The Board gave approval to
proceed to the final plan and this will be sent to them in writing by the township.
Courts at Longwood - the trees have been removed from Lot 14 except for the snag
tree. Mr. D'Agostino said he would take care of this. There was a final inspection of lot
13 by the township and the owner has moved in. Mr. D'Agostino requested an escrow
release of $16650 for the trees which was approved by the Board. Mr. Houtman will
put the papers together for this. Mr. Patten advised Mr. D'Agostino he will be holding
back $1500 for the tree removal on Lot 17 since the owners had to take the tree down
themselves because of eminent danger. The Board signed the Extension Agreement
for the subdivision and a copy given to Mr. D'Agostino. Mr. Parsons, owner of lot 14,
thanked the Board for all their help.
The Bayard Taylor Library has requested an additional $4000 be put in the budget over
and above the fair share amount of $31,000 for '02. The Board agreed to this but will
not give any money next year until the township gets representation on the library
board.
Spano escrow release - Mr. Houtman stated they are still some items to be completed
and no release is recommended. Work has been completed at Whitestone Farm and
the road can be now dedicated to the township.
Suntech Builders zoning hearing board application set for November 12, 2001 - the
supervisors will not take any position. However, a copy of the historic preservation
ordinance will be sent to the hearing board members and applicant reminding them of
the demolition provision in the ordinance.
Mr. Forsyth wrote the township requesting consideration for their daughter to live in a second dwelling on their property instead of going through with their subdivision. The
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November 5, 2001
Board advised Ms. Howley to write Mr. Forsyth advising him to formally withdraw his
subdivision application and submit a request for a conditional use hearing to allow for
the second dwelling on his lot. The $250 subdivision fee can be credited towards the
$900 conditional use application fee.
West Chester Borough has requested our support for their resolution to PennDot to de-designate Route 52 from West Chester Borough to Route 1 at Longwood Gardens.
The Board has requested our Traffic Safety Committee advise on this.
General Code Publishing is in the process of updating our code with recent
amendments and reprinting.
A letter will be sent to the school board stating that our township wants the Chadds
Ford Elementary School property continue to be owned, maintained and occupied by
the school district, if not a school then administrative offices.
Proposed '02 Budget is posted at the township building and advertised for adoption at
the December 17, 2001 meeting. Proposed revenues are $644,525 and expenditures
$676,800.
A bill list dated November 5, 2001 numbering 3052-3097, State #153, 154, PLGIT 145
was submitted and approved for payment by the Board.
With no further business the meeting adjourned at 10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Kathleen Howley
Township Manager