MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISOR
SCHUYLKILL TOWNSHIP, CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
MEETING DATE: March 10, 2011 -- Special Meeting

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:
Barbara Cohen-Chair, Norman Vutz-Vice Chair, Jim Morrisson

Fred Parry was not present at the meeting.
Laurie Williams was not present at the meeting due to personal commitments.

Also present: 
Mary Bird-Township Manager, William Brennan-Township Solicitor, Madeline Harbison-Township Secretary

Pickering Glen Homeowners’ Association:  Peter A. Mercuri-President, James T. Tegler-Secretary, Thomas F. Lemker-Treasurer

CALL TO ORDER

The public meeting was called to order by Barbara Cohen at 7:05 PM.  Mrs. Cohen informed the attendees that this was a special meeting of the Board of Supervisors, requested by the Pickering Glen Homeowners’ Association (“PGHOA”), to continue the discussion of the items as presented by PGHOA at the March 1, 2011 special meeting of the Board of Supervisors:

  1. The Pickering Glen Trail – discussion on an agreement between the township and PGHOA on how to get trail completed and usable; and
  2. Lamp post issue at 22 Saddlebrook

PGHOA Trail. 

Mrs. Cohen asked for an update on the action items identified on March 1, 2010

  • Item 1.  Mr. Tom Lemker will call the Levins to explore trail reconstruction across their property.
    • Mr. Lemker reported that he called on Wednesday, March 2, 2011 and left a message regarding the proposed trail reconstruction.  He did not receive a callback.  A second call was made today, Thursday, March 10, 2011.  As yet, Mr. Lemker has not received a response.
  • Item 2. Mr. Lemker will follow up with the PGHOA management company regarding liability coverage on the trail.
    • Mr. Lemker contacted the PGHOA insurance carrier, State Farm, and was informed that the proposed trail improvement, laying a macadam surface, will not change the liability coverage for the trail.
  • Item 3.  Mrs. Bird will get input from the Chester County trail planners on the recreation act and how it applies to private trails with public easements.
    • Natasha Manbeck and Jake Michaels of the Chester County Planning Commission were contacted by Mrs. Bird on March 2, 2011.  In addition, Mrs. Bird also polled the county township managers’ coalition on the question of a municipality taking responsibility for a homeowners’ association (“HOA”) owned trail.  Mrs. Bird reported that Ms. Manbeck’s response to the liability question was that it was best directed to the township solicitor and the general opinion of township managers’ on trail responsibility was to proceed with caution in this area.  Handouts of all responses to Mrs. Bird were provided to the meeting participants.
  • Item 4. Mr. Brennan added that the Board might want to explore the possibility of placing the PGHOA trail issue as a referendum ballot question for township residents.
    • Mr. Brennan reported that the township cannot have a referendum on advisory matters; only statutory items can be placed on a ballot.

Mr. Mercuri asked how many HOA owned trails were in the township and what it cost the HOAs to maintain them.  He was informed by Mr. Brennan that there are three HOA trails.  Mr. Lemker responded that Fernleigh spends about $2,000/year in upkeep.  Mr. Vutz said that Fernleigh’s trail is rustic and rudimentary compared to the PGHOA walking path.  Mrs. Cohen added that the location of the PGHOA trail, in line with the proposed Trolley Trail, makes it a different situation as well.

Mr. Lemker said that, as he mentioned last week, the goal of the PGHOA is to make the trail an asset to the development and the township.  Mrs. Cohen agreed that the trail is an asset but went to say that she did not think it would be appropriate for the township to take over the trail as proposed by PGHOA.  Mrs. Cohen said that the reality is PGHOA wants the trail repaired ; it is her opinion the trail needs to be repaired, and the township has indicated that there is not an issue with the installation of a macadam surface.

Mr. Lemker asked Mr. Vutz if he still had reservations about a macadam surface for the PGHOA trail.

Mr. Vutz responded that he did; his concerns about stormwater management were unchanged.  Additionally, Mr. Vutz went on to say, he had walked the PGHOA trail on Monday, March 7, 2011 after the heavy rains over the weekend, and found it to be in very good condition.  Mr. Vutz said there were a couple of “soft” spots which he felt could be filled in.  Mr. Vutz added that he noticed an erosion issue at the intersection of Pothouse Rd. and Rte. 29 which the township brought to PennDOT’s attention last fall.  Mr. Vutz summarized by stating that with the trail in overall good condition, his recommendation would be to build up the wet spots and the trail would be good for at least another five years.  Mr. Vutz said that he felt with the township running a lean budget at present, spending sixty to eighty thousand dollars ($60,000.00- $80,000.00) for repairs to the PGHOA-owned trail would be unwise.

Mr. Lemker responded that PGHOA felt that just shoring up the soft spots will simply forestall the inevitable and in five years PGHOA would be in the same position as at present.  Additionally, he said, it would not make a good looking trail.

Mrs. Cohen asked Mr. Mercuri if PGHOA would be willing to pay fifty-one percent (51%) of any trail repair costs if the township agreed to contribute to the reconstruction cost.  Mr. Mercuri agreed that PGHOA would pay fifty-one percent (51%) of any trail repair costs.  Mr. Mercuri then asked if the township would take over future structural maintenance.  Mrs. Cohen responded that the township would not be responsible for future maintenance and that its financial contribution would be based on the use of the trail by all township residents.

Mr. Mercuri, Mr. Lemker and Mr. Tegler, on behalf of PGHOA, agreed that PGHOA would commit to pay fifty-one percent (51%) of any trail repair cost and said PGHOA would obtain a quote for repairs to the entire trail.  Mr. Brennan recommended that the issue of the fifteen foot (15’) easement on the Levin property portion of the trail should be part of any discussion with contractors.

Mrs. Bird recommended that at least three (3) quotes be obtained if the township would be contributing money to the PGHOA.  Mrs. Bird also commented that it should be understood that the township would not be doing the work on the PGHOA trail; the job is being contracted by the PGHOA, including all engineering requirements and inspections.

Mr. Lemker stated that PGHOA would get at least three (3) quotes for repairs to the entire PGHOA walking trail with a six foot (6’) wide macadam surface.  Mr. Lemker requested copies of the specifications for the existing trail in Pickering Preserve to include with the request for quotes for the PGHOA trail.   Mr. Lemker said his understanding was the repair work to the PGHOA trail would be split; fifty-one percent (51%) paid by PGHOA and forty-nine percent (49%) by the township with PGHOA bearing responsibility for all future maintenance.

Mrs. Cohen responded that an agreement on the cost split could not be made at this meeting because two Board members, one of whom is the Treasurer, were not present to vote on the matter.  Mrs. Cohen asked that PGHOA obtain the quotes for the work and the Board of Supervisors would vote on whether to make a donation to PGHOA for the purpose of repair of the PGHOA walking trail at the April 6, 2011 Board meeting.

Mr. Morrisson requested that PGHOA check on the price difference between a six foot (6’) and eight foot (8’) trail width.

Lamp Post.  Mr. Lemker reported that no discussion had been held to date with the property owner at 22 Saddlebrook Drive regarding installation of a lamp post. 

ADJOURNMENT

At 8:10 pm, on motion by Mrs. Cohen, seconded by Mr. Morrisson and passed, the Board of Supervisors meeting was adjourned.

Next Board of Supervisors’ Meeting: 

Regular Business Meeting...... Wednesday April 6, 2011.....7:30 pm

Respectfully submitted,

 

Madeline M. Harbison
Township Secretary