Charlestown supervisors waive PennDOT prequalification, award Morehall/Yellow Springs sidewalk contract; set hearing on data-center zoning amendment

CHARLESTOWN, Pa. — The Charlestown Township Board of Supervisors on Feb. 2 unanimously waived a PennDOT prequalification requirement and awarded a contract to NJS Concrete for the Morehall Road/Yellow Springs Road sidewalk improvements, and authorized advertising a zoning ordinance amendment hearing on data centers for April 6 at the township municipal building.

Manager Chris Heleniak told the board the township received ten bids for the pedestrian project, which includes a crossing, sidewalks, striping and upgraded signals, and that a grant has been secured to cover the work. The bid specifications, prepared by Traffic Planning & Design, required bidders to be prequalified by PennDOT for 50% of the cost; Heleniak said the lowest four bidders did not meet that 50% threshold. The board debated two options: waive the prequalification requirement or select the fifth-lowest bidder, which Heleniak said would increase the project cost by about $22,000.

Solicitor/consultant Mark P. Thompson, Esq., advised the board that citizens may challenge an award but contractors may not, and noted the board has broad discretion to waive bid requirements. The board voted to waive the PennDOT prequalification requirement, then moved to award the contract to NJS Concrete conditioned on the contractor adding its name to page one of the bid form. The motion passed with all supervisors voting in favor (Chair Kevin R. Kuhn; Vice Chair Maddy Carlson; Charles A. Philips; Jill Green; Hugh D. Willig).

Heleniak said Traffic Planning & Design will continue to oversee construction; board discussion referenced the township’s preferred signal provider, Armour & Sons, and anticipated that the winning bidder would subcontract signal work if needed. The township will proceed under the grant that the manager said covers the project cost.

On zoning, Heleniak explained a proposed amendment that would add a definition of “data center” and make the use permitted by conditional use in Industrial/Office/Business districts. He recommended advertising the amendment for March-to-April review by the Chester County Planning Commission and scheduling a public hearing for April 6 at 7:00 p.m. at 11 General Warren Blvd., Suite 1, Malvern. The board authorized advertising that hearing with a unanimous vote.

Votes at a glance: - Approve Jan. 5, 2026 reorganization and business meeting minutes: mover Charles A. Philips; seconder Hugh D. Willig; outcome: approved (unanimous). (SEG 015) - Approve January 2026 Treasurer’s Report and Feb. 2 Accounts Payable Report: mover Maddy Carlson; seconder Hugh D. Willig; outcome: approved (unanimous). (SEG 016) - Accept January reports #1-16: mover Hugh D. Willig; seconder Maddy Carlson; outcome: approved (unanimous). (SEG 018) - Waive PennDOT 50% prequalification requirement for sidewalk bids: mover Charles A. Philips; seconder Maddy Carlson; outcome: approved (unanimous). (SEG 030) - Award contract to NJS Concrete conditioned on adding company name to page one of bid form: mover Kevin R. Kuhn; seconder Maddy Carlson; outcome: approved (unanimous). (SEG 031) - Authorize advertising zoning ordinance amendment (data centers) for April 6 hearing: mover Charles A. Philips; seconder Kevin R. Kuhn; outcome: approved (unanimous). (SEG 039)

What happens next: The township will finalize the contract with NJS Concrete and proceed to construction oversight by Traffic Planning & Design. The zoning amendment will be referred to the County Planning Commission before the April 6 public hearing.