EAST MARLBOROUGH TOWNSHIP
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Meeting of the Board – August 6, 2018
Chairman Richard Hannum, Jr. called the public meeting to Order at 7:00p.m. Those in attendance included: Supervisors John Sarro, Christine Kimmel, Julia Lacy, Robert McKinstry, Attorney Ross Unruh,as well as Planning Commission Chairman Cuyler Walker.
Pledge of Alliance and Public Comment Period.No public comments.
Approval of Minutes.The Supervisors voted unanimously 4-0 to approve the minutes for the July 9thmeeting.Supervisor McKinstry abstained due to his absence at the meeting.
Longwood Preserve Escrow Release #1.Based on the recommendation of Engineer an escrow release was requested in the amount of $38,133.65. The Supervisors voted 5-0 to approve the release.
Ed Henry Car Wash Escrow Release #2.Based on the recommendation of Engineer an escrow release was requested in the amount of $119,210 to close the letter of credit escrow for the project. Mr. Hatfield recommends that the Township require a cash deposit of $2,610 to cover the additional landscaping that needs to be completed in the fall. The Supervisors voted 4-0 to approve the release and require the cash escrow with Mr. Sarro abstaining.
Specimen Tree removal request for 802-806 E. Baltimore Pike.Attorney John Jaros represented Wright Partners with their request to remove three specimen trees pursuant to 1822.B(3) of the Township Zoning Ordinance as dead, diseased or dying and/or a threat to public health and safety. Certified arborist John Rockwell presented a Urban Forest Inventory and Judgment on behalf of applicant to justify their request to remove (2) Norway Maples and (1) Ash. Mr. Rockwell stated that a site visit had been made to review the trees in question with the Township Planner Lisa Thomas from Glackin Thomas Panzak, the Chairman of the Planning Commission Cuyler Walker and Township Manager Laurie Prysock. At the site visit 9 trees had been identified as specimen trees but after additional measuring it was determined that only five of the trees met the requirement to be considered specimen trees under East Marlborough Township Zoning. The trees in question were identified as trees #6, #7 and #8 on the inventory map that was presented. Mr. Rockwell presented a tree assessment matrix for each of the specimen trees which included the diameter, condition with a rating from 0 to 100, risk assessment, life expectancy and suggested action. Tree #6’s health was rated 20 out of 100 with a high risk of failure. Mr. Rockwell’s suggested action was removal with stump grinding. Tree #7’s health was rated as 70 out of 100 with a high risk of failure due to the risk of infection from the Emerald Ash Borer. Mr. Rockwell’s suggested action was removal with stump grinding. Tree #8’s health was rate 10 out of 100 with a high risk of failure. Mr. Rockwell’s suggested action was removal with stump grinding. After a lengthy discussion of risk of Emerald Ash Borers infecting tree #7 as well as the other non-specimen trees, the Supervisors voted 4-0 to allow removal of trees #6 and #8 along with non-specimen trees #2, #3 and #4 as noted on the inventory with Supervisor Lacy abstaining. No action was taken on tree #9 since that tree is located in Kennett Township.
Additions to East Marlborough Township’s Historic Resources Registry.John Rosecrans, Chairman of the East Marlborough Township Historic Commission, apprised the Supervisors of their intent to add 25 properties to the Historic Resources list. The landowners have already been contacted by the Historic Commission and to date no one has objected to being added to the list. To be included in the list the property must be at least 50 years old and meet local, state and federal guidelings to establish its historical significance. Mr. Rosecrans stated that most of the properties should have put on the original list but somehow were overlooked or there was a subsequent subdivision of the property. The Historic Resources Ordinance will be recommended for revision at the November Board of Supervisors meeting.
Resignation of Supervisors Christine Kimmel.Supervisor Kimmel gave notice to the Board of her intent to resign as of September 10th. The Kimmel’s have purchased a home in Thornbury Township so Mrs. Kimmel will be moving from the Township and therefore ineligible to continue serving as a Supervisors. Mr. Hannum thanked Mrs. Kimmel for her years of dedicated service, first on the Planning Commission, serving as Chairman prior to her election to the Board of Supervisors, and for her three years on the Board. Mr. Hannum expressed the sentiments of the Township and other Supervisors when he stated her expertise would be sorely missed.
Mr. Hannum stated that the Supervisors would be seeking letters of interest from residents interested in gaining appointment to fill Mrs. Kimmel’s position. The Supervisors must agree on an appointment with 45 days of the opening or the decision will fall to the East Marlborough Township Vacancy Board which consists of the Supervisors and the Registered Elector for East Marlborough Township.
Bills.By a vote of 5-0 the Supervisors approved payment of invoice with the following totals: Ms. Lacy is on record to recuse herself for the vote on the URS & AE Com invoices due to a conflict.
General Fund: $66,223.07
Payroll: $ 55,085.32
Sewer Fund: $26,058.52
Park Fund: $ 384.46
State Fund $23,684.82
Treasurer’s Report. By a vote of 5-0 the Treasurer’s Report was accepted as submitted.
The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Laurie Prysock, Township Manager
EAST MARLBOROUGH TOWNSHIP
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
AGENDA – August 6, 2018 – 7:00 P.M.
Subject to change
- Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance
- Public Comment Period
- Approval of Minutes of July 9, 2018
- Longwood Preserve Escrow Release #1 – $38,133.65
- Ed Henry Car Wash Escrow Release
- Request to remove specimen trees at 800-804 E. Baltimore Pike
- Historic Commission – Addition of 25 Homes to the Historic Resources List
- Remarks by Supervisor Kimmel
- Bills
- Treasurer’s Report
Note: There will be an executive session immediately following the public meeting to review a legal matter.