Board of Supervisors 7PM – 7/12/21
REGULAR MEETING July 12, 2021
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS 7:00 P.M.
721 Unionville Road
Kennett Square, PA 19348
- CALL TO ORDER
Present: Township Staff & Consultants:
Chairman McKinstry Ryan Jennings, Township Solicitor
Vice-Chair Monahan Lisa Donlon, Township Engineer
Supervisor Sarro Neil Lovekin, Township Manager
Supervisor Vannote Hannah Christopher, Township Treasurer
Supervisor Matuszak Robert Clarke, Chief of Police
Jeff Simpson, Public Works Director
- PUBLIC COMMENT
Shelley Mincer of Lantana Drive complemented the road crew on the condition of the park. Mincer reported some weedy conditions in two locations and suggested the girl’s scouts take this on as project. James Sinclair of Liondale Farm asked Chairman McKinstry if he thought the Longwood Gardens fireworks from the previous weekend were exceptionally loud. Sinclair also inquired whether the Pledge of Allegiance was recited at the beginning of the Board meeting.
- GENERAL DISCUSSION
- Upcoming Events:
None
- Announcements:
An executive session was held prior to tonight’s meeting to discuss real estate matters.
- RESOLUTION NO. 2021-28
Vice Chair Monahan made a motion to authorize the release of the letter of credit (18-06) for the Longwood Preserve Project. Supervisor Sarro seconded; motion carried 5-0.
- CONTINUING BUSINESS
- Supervisor Sarro made a motion to authorize a release of Phase 1, Escrow #1 for Longwood Preserve in the amount of $285,254.94 as recommended by Engineer Donlon. Vice Chair Monahan seconded; motion carried 5-0
- Supervisor Matuszak made a motion to approve Escrow release #20 for phase 1 a/b for Northridge and phase 2 Escrow release #8 in the amount of $980.00 and $74,450.00 respectively as recommended by Engineer Donlon. Vice Chair Monahan seconded; motion carried 5-0.
- Vice Chair Monahan authorized an escrow release #5 in the amount of $288,370.00 for UCFSD as recommended by Engineer Donlon. Supervisor Matuszak seconded; motion carried 5-0.
- A motion was made by Chairman McKinstry to authorize the execution of the three agreements, contingent upon modifications to references of “public parking” within the Land Development Agreement and Financial Security Agreement, to provide additional clarity in conjunction and in accordance with the 2020 approvals and Plans, to the collective satisfaction of the Township Engineer, Township Solicitor, and Longwood Gardens’ Counsel. Supervisor Matuszak seconded, motion carried 4-0, with Vice Chair Monahan abstaining. James Chance (E. Locust Lane), Carlo Ciccarone (Longview Lane), Brian Preston (Longview Lane), Ellen Sosangelis (Marlbrooke Way), Marilyn Quinn (Cherry Lane); all voiced their concerns with Longwood Gardens upcoming projects.
- Vice Chair Monahan made a motion to approve the recommended escrow amount by engineer Donlon for TRI-M phase 1 and 2 and final plan status in the amount of $292,025.00. Supervisor Vannote seconded; motion carried 5-0.
- Manager Lovekin announced that going forward all agenda items must be presented to him by 12:00 noon on the Wednesday before the upcoming Monday Board of Supervisors Meeting.
- Vice Chair Monahan made a motion to approve the Chester County Balloon Festival to be held on September 10, 11, 12 on Willowdale Steeple Chase grounds subject to agreement with Fire EMS and contingent up having flashing signage at Route 82 and Route 1 and 926/52.. Supervisor Vannote seconded; motion carried 5-0. James Sinclair of Liondale Farm voiced his opposition due to traffic and crowd issues.
- NEW BUSINESS
- Vice Chair Monahan made a motion to select BBD, LLP, as the lowest responsible bidder, to conduct the 2021 DCED financial audit for East Marlborough Township. Supervisor Matuszak seconded; motion carried 5-0.
- Vice Chair Monahan made a motion to authorize Manger Lovekin to advertise a RFP for a regional comprehensive plan consultant. Supervisor Sarro seconded; motion carried 5-0.
- Jeff Yetter gave an update on the new facility for the Kennett Library and to request capital funds for 2022. Chris Char (Brentford Road) voiced her opposition to the donation from EMT for the new library. Vice Chair Monahan made a motion to approve the allocation of $105,574.00 for the 2022 budget for the library. Chairman McKinstry seconded; motion carried 5-0.
- Treasurer Hannah Christopher presented the 2nd Quarter Budget Report
- Supervisor Sarro made a motion to approve an RFP (2022) for Traffic Planning Consultants. Vice Chair Monahan seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
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- APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Vice Chair Monahan made a motion to approve the June 2021 minutes. Supervisor Sarro seconded; motion carried 5-0.
8TREASURERS REPORT AND MONTHLY BILLS
A motion was made by Vice Chair Monahan to approve the treasurers report and monthly bills for the month of June 2021. Supervisor Sarro seconded; motion carried 5-0.
Fund Expenditure
General $381,399.04
Payroll $76,606.86
Sewer $31,520.55
- ADJOURNMENT
All business having been discussed, a motion was made by Vice Chair Monahan, seconded by Supervisor Sarro, and carried by a vote of 5-0 to adjourn the meeting at 9:59 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Hannah Christopher
Treasurer/Assistant Township Manager
The following is a statement that Vice Chair Monahan made at 7/12 meeting
July 12, 2021
At our meeting last month, some residents expressed concern about the Longwood Gardens project, specifically any intention to change the public entrance from Rt. 1 to within the residential community of our township.
We agreed to invite Paul Redman to speak to these concerns and I believe that Neil has reached out to Mr. Redman to join our September meeting.
In the meantime, I have been attempting to get clarity on what we have already approved with respect to the Longwood Gardens project.
I have been told that we, as the board of supervisors, have not yet approved any change in the location of the public entrance.
But, I am not sure that I am clear on what has already been approved and what has yet to be approved, and when we, as the board of supervisors, might be presented with any possible request to change the public entrance.
On the agenda tonight is approval of a Land Development Agreement for Longwood that states in paragraph A that it relates to the approval of the entire 315-acre plan for Longwood including new public parking (page 1, para. A).
There is a reference in that Agreement to Plans on page 2, subpara. (2) consisting of 88 sheets, which I understand relate to the West Conservatory Project and Administration Building and possibly to employee parking which is sometimes used by the public.
Those 88 sheets were not provided as part of our Board packet, which we received via email on Thursday.
As I understand, we, as a board, approved the West Conservatory Plan at our October 5, 2020 meeting.
I reviewed those October board materials again in preparation for our meeting tonight and noted that the Planning Commission recommended approval of the Longwood Gardens Preliminary/Final Land Development Plan with some comments. Also included were two letters from Vandemark & Lynch.
As far as I can tell, the actual Plan was not included. And I don’t recall ever seeing those 88 sheets.
I do recall that at the October meeting I specifically asked if the Plan that we were approving included any change to the public entrance and I recall being assured that we were not, and that no such plans had been submitted or approved.
I would like to understand exactly what we are being asked to approve tonight and I would like to be informed as to what is included on those 88 sheets.
I would also like to understand what has yet to be approved, and when we, as the board of supervisors, might be presented with any possible request to change the public entrance.