Board of Supervisors 7PM – 10/4/21

REGULAR MEETING                                                                                   October 4, 2021

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS                                                                              7:08 P.M.

721 Unionville Road

Kennett Square, PA 19348

1. 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                          Jeff Simpson, Public Works Director

Vice Chair Monahan made a motion to amend the agenda to include a road closure on October 11^th on East Locust Drive, and to announce the opening of a full time opening for a bookkeeper/administrative assistant position at the township.

2. CONDITONAL USE PUBLIC HEARING

A conditional use public hearing was continued from Thursday, September 16, 2021, for 891 East Baltimore Pike. The applicant, Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union, is seeking Conditional Use approval from the township board of supervisors, pursuant to 952 © (6) and 2008 of the East Marlborough Township Zoning Ordinance, in order to allow the applicants desired use of the property for financial and or institutional office use, which is allowed in the limited multiple use (LMU) zoning district with conditional use approval; the property is the former location of the children’s hospital of Philadelphia’s medical office building.  Eleanor Schwandt was in attendance as a court reporter and will deliver the transcript of the hearing to the township office for public review. Chairman McKinstry made a motion to give conditional use approval for 891 East Baltimore Pike; Supervisor Sarro seconded; motion carried 5-0.

3. PUBLIC COMMENT

Shelly Mincer of Lantana Drive thanked the Road crew for their demolition of the old firehouse.

Marie DiCostanza of Larkspur Drive spoke of the idea of having a microphone system for the public meetings with courtesy to the audience and the ability to hear what is being said.

Jim Romine residing at Blackshire Road asked when the strategic plan would be complete, and would it be available for review before the November election.

Shelly Mincer asked when the third meeting would occur for the strategic plan session.

James Chance of East Locust asked is it fair to say that the strategic plan may take a year before it is completed.

Vice Chair Monahan explained the process of how the strategic plan will come to fruition.

Eden Ratcliff of Mill Road agrees with Marie DiCostanza on the need for a sound system.  He asked about the possibility of streaming meetings as well as having them in person.  He stated how there should be no rush on the strategic plan, and he would like to make comments on the budget.

4. GENERAL DISCUSSION

Chairman McKinstry announced that on November 13^th the Mushroom half marathon will take place on roads in our township.  There will be some roads closed for the race however there will be emergency access. Treasurer, Hannah Christopher mentioned some of the roads that will be affected on November 13^th.

Chairman McKinstry announced there was an executive session before tonight’s meeting to discuss personnel and real estate.  There were two other executive sessions held in September. One was held on September 13^th to discuss personnel and real estate.  Additionally, another took place on the 29^th of September, to receive legal advice from the solicitor.  Chairman McKinstry announce that there would be a conditional use hearing on October 13^th for 802 E. Baltimore Pike at 6:30 P.M.

5. UPDATE ON ROUTE ONE PROJECT

Frank Eells, PE from Penn Dot presented improvements that will be made on the route one corridor in East Marlborough Township.  US 1 will widen to three lanes throughout the corridor from Longwood Overpass to Kennett Bypass split.  A sidewalk will be added along the north side of US 1 from Schoolhouse Lane to the shopping center.  Bayard Road at CVS will be widened at CVS to allow for truck turns.  Left turns will be prohibited from Orchard Avenue and signal modifications will occur within the corridor.  Any questions regarding the project should be directed to Josefina Brown PennDOT project manager at 610-205-6971.

6. PRESENTATION OF EAST LOCUST LANE BRIDGE REPLACEMENT

Gerry Baker of Traffic Planning and Design gave an update on the replacement of the structurally deficient bridge on East Locust Drive.  The outstanding issues are the utility poles which need to be moved by PECO.  The road will be closed for two – three months soon to complete the project. An extension was granted by the DVRPC.  Baker stated we are looking good on the budget, and it should be out to bid soon. Baker stated they are waiting on PECO, right of way acquisition and getting the project out to bid.

7. PLANNING COMMISSION AND HISTORIC COMMISSION VACANCIES

Chairman McKinstry thanked the applicants and said the individuals who have applied have a great wealth of experience.  The other board members also thanked the applicants.  Each applicant introduced themselves and gave a brief background on themselves.  Supervisor Vannote made a motion to appoint Susan Elks to the Planning Commission.  Supervisor Sarro seconded; motion carried 5-0.  Chairman McKinstry made a motion to appoint Louis Kinter to the historic commission.  Supervisor Vannote seconded; motion carried 5-0.

8. WILLOWDALE LANE RESIDENCES PETETION FOR TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES

Casey Sclar of Willowdale Lane presented a petition from the residents of Willowdale Lane requesting a third speed bump on their road.  Manager Lovekin presented the speed data analysis from Chief Clarke.  Martha Young of Willowdale Lane spoke of the speeding vehicles and the road being used as a cut through. Gerry Baker of Traffic Planning and Design said a proper protocol should be followed before installing a speed bump or any traffic calming device.   Baker stated that there are requirements of items that need to be considered. Solicitor Jennings spoke on what the next steps should be, an additional speed study done by the police and an analysis by a Traffic Planning Engineer.

9. REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES

Manager Lovekin gave an overview on the request for proposals for Municipal Engineering.  Lovekin mentioned that the existing companies utilized at the township for their engineering services are welcome to submit a proposal.  Vice Chair Monahan is not in favor of the RFP for engineering services.  Lovekin stated the deadline for submissions is November 19^th. Supervisor Vannote made a motion to approve the RFP with a start date of January 3, 2022.  Supervisor Sarro seconded.  Motion carried 4-0.

10. MODIFICATION OF TERMS FOR FINANCIAL CONSULTANT

1. Peter Barsz, CPA of Barsz, Gowie, Amon, Fultz accounting firm gave an update on the expansion of services to be provided by the firm for financial consulting. The expanded services will provide a transition for when the new bookkeeper is hired. Vice Chair Monahan made a motion to modify the terms of the financial consultation retention.  Supervisor Matuszak seconded.  Supervisor Sarro abstained.  Motion carried 4-0.

1. Vice Chair Monahan made a motion to advertise for the hiring of a full-time bookkeeper/ administrative assistant. Supervisor Sarro seconded.  Motion carried 5-0.

11. CONTINUING BUSINESS

408. Supervisor Vannote made a motion to approve resolution number 2021-36; Longwood Preserve letter of credit 21-06 and to authorize a release of Phase 2, Escrow #5 for Longwood Preserve in the requested amount of $216,408.40 as recommended by Engineer Donlon. Supervisor Matuszak seconded; motion carried 5-0.
409. Supervisor Sarro made a motion to modify the conditional use order for 5/6 Cemetery Lane, and to approve resolution 2021-37 for the Farmer and Company restaurant to have alcoholic beverages. Supervisor Matuszak seconded; motion carried 5-0.

12. TOWNSHIP DEPARTMENTS REPORTS

926. Public Works Director Jeff Simpson gave his monthly report. He updated the board on the status of the LED streetlight project. The Sewer department had to respond to two major sewer leaks in the Unionville Village. Simpson gave updates on the line painting contract, hurricane Ida damage and the RFP for the sludge removal.  Chris Char of Brentford Road thanked the Road Crew for the quick response to the road damage from Ida on 926.

13. TREASURERS REPORT AND MONTHLY BILLS

A motion was made by Supervisor Sarro to approve the treasurers report and monthly bills for the month of September 2021.  Supervisor Vannote seconded; motion carried 5-0.

Fund                                        Expenditure

General                                   $58,691.47

Payroll                                    $82,541.61

Sewer                                      $11,224.01

14. NEW BUSINESS

1. Manager Lovekin presented a preliminary rough draft of the 2022 budget. No action was taken.
2. Township manager Lovekin presented quotes for a bond for the manager from Zurich, Hartford, and Travelers. Vice Chair Monahan made a motion to obtain the bond from Zurich for the Manager’s bond. Supervisor Matuszak seconded; motion carried 5-0.

15. PROCLAMATION 2021-04

Vice Chair Monahan made a motion to approve proclamation 2021-04 recognizing October 4^th as the Monarch butterfly pledge day.  Supervisor Matuszak seconded; motion carried 5-0.

16. CLOSURE OF EAST LOCUST DRIVE

Vice Chair Monahan made a motion to approve the closure of East Locust Drive on October 11^th. Supervisor Vannote seconded; motion carried 5-0.

17. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

Supervisor Vannote approved the September 2021 minutes as presented; Vice Chair Monahan seconded; motion carried 5-0.

18. ADJOURNMENT

All business having been discussed, a motion was made by Vice Chair Monahan, seconded          by Chairman McKinstry, and carried by a vote of 5-0 to adjourn the meeting at 10:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Hannah Christopher, Treasurer/Assistant Township Manager