2006 Minutes of the Open Space Commission

 

CHARLESTOWN OPEN SPACE COMMISSION

Minutes March 9, 2006

 

NEXT MEETING:      Thursday, April 13, 7:30 PM, Great Valley Middle School

 

IMPORTANT OTHER DATES:  Trash Pick-up April 22, Charlestown Day May 21

 

Commission Members Attending Meeting:

Sue Staas, Chair x, William Andersen _, Alexandra Coleman x, Bob Jones x,  Andy Motel x, Rosemary Philips x, John Pickering x, Marcia Solda _ .

 

Also Attending:           Aliena Gerhard, Director of Open Space

 

Minutes from previous meeting.  None were presented.  Minutes of this meeting, which was held on September 21, 2005, will be approved at April meeting.  (See attached).

 

New Business:

1.              Ms. Gerhard was welcomed as new Open Space Director. She reviewed her role, which will be:

a.     To assist the supervisors, by recommendations, in decisions regarding open space planning and acquisition.

b.     To actively educate the residents and property owners of Charlestown Township in the benefits of open space preservation.

c.     To identify and provide assistance to landowners in the Township who wish to pursue conservation objectives in their long- and short-term plans for their properties.

d.     To establish an inventory of properties which are available for open space preservation through the purchase of development rights, donations, outright purchase or other means.

e.     To serve as a liaison with conservation and historic preservation organizations and promote the services they can offer, such as the French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust, Natural Lands Trust, Brandywine Conservancy and others.

f.      To work with the Township Parks and Recreation Commission in efforts to better manage and improve existing open space areas and trails.

g.     Her contact information is agerhard@charlestown.pa.us, telephone 610- 636-7292.

2.              It was agreed that that as has been customary, copies of the Minutes (following formal approval at the next OSC Meeting) will be provided to Jacob Merriweather for posting to the Charlestown website.  Linda Csete, Township Administrator is included on all distributions of minutes (draft and final); and final minutes are available at the township office.

3.              The members confirmed the purposes of the OSC to be:

a.      Remain the standing body to define and affirm criteria for Open Space in Charlestown, and to so recommend to the Supervisors.

b.     Develop partnerships with surrounding townships to share resources & information.  (This will involve attending meetings in other townships).

                                               i.     The Phoenixville Area Regional Planning Council was mentioned, along with the OSC’s and supervisors of the five townships surrounding Charlestown.  Members were asked to volunteer to attend neighboring group meetings, in order to share resources.  Members (or other volunteers) please contact Ms. Gerhard if you are able/willing.  She will try to advise OSC members if a particularly interesting meeting is scheduled.  Mr. Motel noted that there are at least four reasons to care about our neighbors:

1.     Trails don’t generally begin or end at our Twp’s border

2.     Open space easement acquisition targets may spill into neighboring twps

3.     We may be able to leverage grant applications across twps

4.     We need to know what kind of ordinances are our neighbors proposing?

                                             ii.     Sue Staas will contact surrounding townships to determine appropriate contact info and will distribute to OSC members at the April meeting.

c.      Co-Sponsor (with Historical Society, Horseshoe Trail Committee, Parks & Rec) Charlestown events in support of Open Space, such as Charlestown Day and trash pick-up day.

1.     Trash pick-up Day will be April 22.  Township-wide initiative coordinated with Earth Day activities, to clean up our township!  Meet somewhere first, hand out road assignments, bags, gloves and for those working State roads, possibly reflective vests.  Get organizations (Nature Center, Middle School, Boy/Girl Scouts, etc.) to each adopt a road.  Fred Alston, Roadmaster will arrange for cones, signs and police coverage if necessary.  Pick-up trucks to take filled bags to sides of State roads for pick-up.  Follow-up for any heavy appliances found?  Approach for toxic/paint can waste?

d.     Talk with Landowners

1.     We need continuity in our discussions with landowners.  Ms. Gerhard can provide that.  Members are encouraged to bring her along on any meetings.  She can help us be more disciplined about collecting and storing information on landowner needs/wishes.

e.      Gather and share information and identify projects for preserving Open Space by attending conferences, meetings, surfing the web, etc.

1.     Ms. Gerhard will share info on any relevant conference she sees, with OSC members, and will encourage them to attend.  If members become aware of any grant-giving organization to which Charlestown should submit an application, please inform Ms. Gerhard.  Ms. Coleman agreed to get a few dates from Frolic Weymouth of the Brandywine Conservancy, who would host us and discuss what that Conservancy has accomplished, and how.

4.              Charlestown Day - May 21 was suggested.  Bob Jones will engage Parks & Rec.  Sue Staas will form a subcommittee of the OSC to help organize this Brightside Farm event. 

5.              Signs policy was questioned.  Ms. Gerhard will circulate our Policy.  Some kind of signage for Horseshoe Trail landowners was suggested by Ms. Coleman.

6.              OSC Membership is now at eight, listed above.  Several potential new members were discussed, and the group agreed to be watchful for eager participants on Trash Clean-up Day.

7.              Meetings for the rest of 2006 were set for Thursday nights at 7:30 pm at the Middle School on:

                                                        i.     April 13

                                                      ii.     May 11

                                                     iii.     September 14

                                                     iv.     October 12

 

There being no further business, the meeting was concluded at 9:00 p.m.

 

 

Respectfully submitted.

 

 

 

John Pickering, Secretary

 

---

 
2006 Minutes of the Open Space Commission
CHARLESTOWN OPEN SPACE COMMISSION
Minutes October 12, 2006
NEXT MEETING: Thursday, January 18, 2007, 7:30 PM, Great Valley Middle School
IMPORTANT OTHER DATES: Charlestown Day October 15
Commission Members Attending Meeting: Sue Staas, Chair x, William Andersen x, Alexandra Coleman _, Bob Jones _, Andy Motel _, Rosemary Philips _, John Pickering x, Marcia Solda _ .
Also Attending: None. Ms. Gerhard was unavoidably unable to join the meeting.
Minutes from the meetings of May 11 and September 14 were reviewed and approved.
Old Business:

1. Ms. Gerhard has completed grant proposals regarding the Burgoon and other recently-eased properties. A grant would allow Charlestown to restore some funds to the Open Space fund created by our bond issue.
2. The Committee discussed final preparations for Charlestown Day.
   

New Business:

1. The Committee thought it appropriate to allow new members to experience the pleasures of being members of the OSC. Several names were discussed, and the members present agree to call certain of them to invite them to consider joining us.
2. The next Charlestown Newsletter was discussed. We will have an article on Charlestown Day. SStaas agreed to draft it, and WAndersen will finalize it. We will also incorporate the good handouts from Charlestown Day, to ensure all township residents are aware of the good work being done with their tax dollars.
   

Respectfully submitted,
John Pickering, Secretary