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East Bradford Township Comprehensive Plan Task Force held its inaugural meeting July 08, 2002 at 6:30 P.M. in the Township Building, 666 Copeland School Road, West Chester, PA 19380-1822.                                                                                                  

            Task Force Members present:                                  

                        John Hagens, BOS Rep
                        Anthony Biacchi, PC Rep
                        John Lister, PC Alt
                        Kathryn Deaville, PC Alt
                        Jean Renshaw, At-Large
                        George Fasic, At-large
                        Bruce Knapp, HC Rep
                        Peter Orr, P & R Rep
                         John Johnson, OSRB Rep
                        Carl Buscaglia, ZHB Rep                                  
                       
            Task Force Members absent:
                        Peggy Scholl, HARB Rep
                       

            Others Present:

                        Mr. Michael P. Lynch, Township Manager / Secretary-Treasurer

Mr. Robert F. Harsch, Township Engineer
             Stephen McCulloch, CCPC Planner
             H. William Sellers, Planning Consultant

Also in attendance:
             Robert Korbonits, PC Member
           

Call to Order:

            Dr. Hagens called the meeting to order at 6:50 P.M.

Notices and Announcements:
A.         Next Task Force meetings:              

August 12, 2002
September 9, 2002
October 14, 2002
November 11, 2002
December 09, 2002
All meetings commence at 6:30 P.M.

            Meeting schedule was advertised in the Daily Local News June 17, 2002 for the remainder of 2002. All meetings are open to the public.

Approval of Minutes:
            None.

Work Session Items:

            The discussion this evening of the inaugural meeting focused on introductions and ‘housekeeping’ items.
            Dr. Hagens indicated he would assume the position of Chair.

            After Task Force discussion of the manner of draft review, including the use of ‘preview’ sub-groups and alpha / beta drafts, it was agreed that Mr. McCulloch would target distribution of draft materials to all Task Force Members, using e-mail, 8-10 days in advance of the upcoming meeting. Task Force Members, individually upon receipt should review and submit timely any/all comments back to Mr. McCulloch (via e-mail). In turn, Mr. McCulloch will compile the comments from the Task Force and/or incorporate in the draft as appropriate and bring to the meeting.
            Mr. McCulloch will submit draft materials to Mr. Lynch for hard copy distribution/notice to all Task Force Members without e-mail service.
            Mr. McCulloch agreed to send a test document (Microsoft Word) to all Task Force Members to ensure software compatibility.

            The Task Force discussed public access to work products of the Task Force. It was agreed that sections of the Plan Update should be made available to the public through the East Bradford web site eastbradford.org, and marked as ‘final draft’ after the Task Force finished its review and comment on the respective section or document. It was agreed that Township residents be encouraged to submit written comments (e-mail / letter) to the Task Force. Mr. Lynch indicated that final draft documents probably could be web posted about one week after sign-off by the Task Force. It was clarified that final draft materials are not ‘approved’ as approval only will occur after the actual plan is adopted by the board of Supervisors at the conclusion of the project.
            In addition, for those residents who do not have access to the web, it was agreed that the next Township Newsletter would contain information to residents to obtain hard copies of the draft materials (and without cost). Mr. Lynch indicated the next Newsletter is targeted for late September / early October.

            In matters where the Task Force will need to vote, for example, to sign-off on a section final draft, that an approximate 70% Task Force vote (of Members present at the meeting) be the order of business.

            The role of the Township Planning Commission was discussed. The local planning agency, recognized in the Municipalities Planning Code, must receive the plan (from the Task Force) and offer comment and recommendations to the governing body (Board of Supervisors) before action to approve the plan by the Supervisors. In this context it is important for the Planning Commission to be kept informed throughout the process. Mr. Biacchi indicated (with Ms Deaville and Mr. Lister in agreement0 that the Planning Commission would be briefed at its regularly scheduled meetings and that comments from its members invited and ongoing for the duration of the process.
            Mr. Fasic indicated it is important for all the Task Force Members, for their respective board or commission, routinely brief their members and keep them informed and encouraging their comment and input. The consensus of those in attendance that this would be done and that Task Force Members would use their discretion to distribute draft materials to their representative group members.

            The Task Force briefly considered the scheduled (per the Planning Services Agreement) public meetings and public hearing (for plan adoption). It was generally agreed that the first public meeting probably should occur in several months after the East Bradford Profile is completed and after the results of the Public Opinion Survey is compiled.

            Mr. McCulloch proceeded, using a PowerPoint presentation, to review the scope of the planning effort (a hard copy brief also was submitted to all Task Force Members with a Project Schedule and binder to keep all related materials together and organized). Mr. McCulloch indicated that CCPC Staff Planner Hillary R. Krummrich, not in attendance this evening, would be working on the project. Mr. McCulloch indicated the East Bradford Profile should be completed within the next two months.
            Mr. McCulloch requested Task Force Members not submitting the Preliminary Assessment for East Bradford Township questionnaire this evening do so (via e-mail) during the next few days. Mr. McCulloch is to compile these responses for discuss with the Task Force at the next meeting.
            Mr. McCulloch was requested to review the 1996 EBT Comprehensive Plan and prepare a brief related to what extent its goals and objectives have been accomplished.

            Dr. Hagens suggested the Township obtain copies of recently prepared comprehensive plans, from representative municipalities the region for Task Force reference. Several municipalities in Chester County were suggested and also Bucks County (Newtown Township, Solebury Township and Buckingham Township). Mr. Fasic indicated he would contact both the Bucks County and Montgomery County Planning Commissions for further comp plan inquiries.

NEW / OTHER BUSINESS:
            1.             Mr. Biacchi informed he would not be in attendance at the August meeting.

             The meeting ended at 8:26 P.M.

                                                                                                 Michael P. Lynch,
                                                                                                Township Secretary

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