MEMBERS: Bob Mauch, Bud Emig, Greg Blazic, Gary Gounaris, Tim McAvoy, Bob Cooney, Bereth Graeff
ATTENDANCE: Walter Mostek was absent.
CALLED TO ORDER: Bob Cooney, Chairman of the Open Space Commission called the meeting to order at 7:34 p.m.
MINUTES:
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Collins, 718 Tory Lane, Meadows, inquired as to the status of negotiations between Nolen, the developer, and the OSC. It was reported that OSC had voted to recommend to the BOS that an appraisal be done on the subject property. The board approved the recommendation. Currently, the OSC and the developer are in discussions regarding the purchase of development rights and/or a fee simple purchase.
Louise Symington, 1510 State Road, inquired as to the Levin property at the corner of 29 and Pothouse Road. As that property is the subject of litigation with the township the OSC was unable to discuss any issues regarding said property.
PROPERTY OUTREACH
Bob Mauch reported that a meeting of the committee was held at 6:30 pm. The appraisal procedure was revised and approved by the OSC. The BOS approved the process subject to further review by Bob Sugarman, Esquire.
The mapping process for five midrange properties targeted for contact by the Outreach Committee was completed. There is a set script and project managers assigned to make an introductory phone call to each target property.
An article was drafted for inclusion in the township newsletter and was submitted. The BOS requested that the draft include the criteria used by the OSC for ranking the properties.
The OSC will organize a group meeting for targeted landowners at a property that is presently under a conservation easement. This meeting will take place after the process of directly contacting and meeting with targeted midrange, and subsequently our largest, property owners progresses further.
FINANCE
Greg Blazic reported the balance of OSC account to be slightly over $419,656.65.
Greg Blazic reported on a conversation he had with OSC’s financial advisor, Mike Wolf. Due to the present financial climate, interest rates have gone up. Phoenixville Federal just gave a long term loan, 30 years, at 4.8% to Charlestown Township.
Presently, there are no outstanding liabilities.
Laurie Williams inquired as to the present interest rate on the Wachovia Money Market account. Greg Blazic will follow up with Mary Bird, township manager, to determine whether the funds should be moved for a greater rate of return.
NEW BUSINESS
Bob Cooney reports that the EAC recommended that the OSC should look at Township owned lands for preservation. Presently there are two parcels, the township building lot and Pickering Reserve.
Louise Symington stated that she was interested in preserving her property because it is adjacent to the Pickering Preserve. She is interested in building a pond but there are problems with wetlands. It was suggested that Jack Stefferud meet with Louise and review her property.
Bob Cooney recommended members of the BOS attend the OSC executive session at the OSC meeting so that OSC does not have to attend the BOS meeting and take time from the agenda to hold an executive session.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
A motion was made by Tim McAvoy and seconded by Greg Blazic to move into executive session at 8:35 p.m.
10:05
MOTIONS POST EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion made by Bud Emig to recommend to the Board of Supervisors an expenditure of $4000 for a conservation easement appraisal on the subject property as discussed in executive session, seconded by Bob Cooney and passed unanimously.
Motion made by Gary Gounaris to recommend to the Board of Supervisors to approve expenditure for an appraisal in the amount of 10,000 by J. Brian O’Donnell, on the subject property as discussed in executive session, seconded by Bob Mauch and passed unanimously.
MOTION TO ADJOURN
A motion to adjourn the meeting was made at 10:15 p.m. by Tim McAvoy, seconded by Greg Blazic and passed unanimously.