Present: EAC –Steve Kunz (ViceChair), Ian Plant, Earl Cram, Vacant Seat, Steve Frasch, and Jerry O’Dell.
Board of Supervisors (BOS): Laurie Williams (Liaison to EAC) Jim Morrisson and Lee Ledbetter.
Citizens Environmental Sub-Committee: Nil.
EAC Vacancy Candidates: Douglas White, Mark Fischer
Meeting called to order at 7:35pm.
EAC Meeting Summary: The meeting summary of the previous March meeting was read and, subject to minor amendment, approved.
Announcements: Mr. Kunz announced that Schuylkill Twp had received notification that following a review of the Clean Energy sign-ups made by twp residents, it had been identified that a significant number had opted for full supply of clean energy, beyond the minimum 300kWh/m. Because of this, the twp had now officially passed the target of 7% clean energy supply, and had qualified for a free 1kW solar power system, and should soon receive from SmartPower a Memorandum of Understanding to be signed, following which the twp would need to identify a suitable location for installation of the system.
Public Participation: Nil
EAC Vacancy: The two candidates interviewed at the previous EAC meeting were in attendance but Mr. Bussell again did not appear. The two candidates present indicated that they were supportive of a proposal that Mr. White should fill the vacant seat on the EAC whilst Mr. Fischer would support the EAC by being an alternate member, stepping in to assist EAC deliberations whenever any regular EAC member could not attend scheduled meetings. The EAC agreed that a recommendation in line with this proposal should be made to the BOS.
New Business: Nil.
Open Space Commission Update: No activity reported. Outstanding Actions: Mr. Plant to participate in a OSC organized trail walk through the Thompson tract on a date to be arranged by the twp manager.
Clean Energy: Mr. Kunz reported that on 1 April he had presented a check for $220 to Schuylkill School and Home Association which had been received in recognition of recent clean energy sign-ups for the SmartPower scheme. The event had been covered by ‘Skip’ Lawrence, a reporter for The Phoenix newspaper and long time advocate of Schuylkill EAC business, who had subsequently published a well received article describing the twp’s green energy initiative. All present were shocked to learn that shortly after the article was published, Skip had sadly passed away.
Environmental Committee: No activity reported. Outstanding Actions: Mrs. Gregory and Mrs. Bowser will discuss further the full scope of activities for the sub-committee. Mrs. Bowser to meet with Mrs. Plant to determine a way forward for a Twp Environmental Website.
Grants: Whilst no new business was aired, it was reported that feedback was awaited from a meeting earlier in the day and attended by the Twp Manager at which new opportunities for grant support from the Federal Stimulus Package were being briefed. Mrs. Williams undertook to suggest to the Twp Manager that a conference call of twp commission chairs should be arranged to disclose what had been learned. Mr. Fischer indicated that he was available to work with the twp manager to prepare any bids if help was required.
Community Conservation Grant: Mr. Cram reported that he had not identified any Pickering Preserve projects suitable for C2P2 grant support. Outstanding Action: Mrs. Gregory undertook to look at whether the development intentions for Pasquale Pond could be assisted through a C2P2 grant and discuss the topic with the Twp Manager.
EGGS: No activity reported.
Old Business:
Whitehorse Road Bridge: No activity reported. Outstanding Action: Mr.Kunz to check with the Twp Manager on the latest developments and advise the EAC at the next meeting.
Trails: No activity reported. Outstanding Action: Mr. Plant agreed to discuss the East Pikeland and Phoenixville Borough French Creek trail developments with Mrs. Cohen and also look elsewhere to discover if any formal plans exist from which a course of action for Schuylkill Twp could be determined. Mr. Plant to seek to develop an overlay addition that can identify which lot parcels contain approved trail easements
Rails-to-Trails (RTT): No activity reported
Toonerville Trolley Trail (TTT): No activity reported. Outstanding Actions: Mr. Plant to confirm exactly where the trail should be in the peripheral areas of the Fernleigh and VFW developments and then address action to remove overgrowth and blockages through the Twp Manager. Mr. Plant to investigate development of a common sign to be erected to indicate trail locations within the twp, with a design consistent with the twp ‘historical site’ sign.
Operation Safe Kids/Rte 29 Sidewalk: No activity reported.
American Ink & Coatings: Mr. Plant reported that he had explored the inactive section of rail line on the northern side of the property and confirmed that potential exists to create a trail from Valley Forge Park (VFP) to the Schuylkill River Trail at Oaks. He intends soon to seek to meet representatives of VFP and Norfolk and Southern Rail to determine whether there would be landowner support for such a scheme. Outstanding Action: Mr. Plant to generate a feasibility study proposal to determine whether a trail link from VFP to the Schuylkill River Trail at Oaks could be constructed, possibly using funding from next year’s EGGS program, once he has determined whether the land owners (Valley Forge Park and Norfolk & Southern Rail) and other stakeholders would be supportive of the proposal. Mr Plant to share his observations regarding trail potential with the Open Space Commission and the Historical Commission.
Environmental Overlay: Mr. O’Dell reported that at the former Brackman property, now owned by Mr. Eadie, several large White Oaks had recently been felled that the EAC had sought to ensure preservation of during the earlier discussions related to the Brackman development proposals. Mr. Morrisson indicated that he had been advised that the felling was due to the trees being diseased with ‘scale’, but Mr. O’Dell questioned whether this was correct because scale can be treated with spraying. It was noted that under extant ordinances, there is little that can be done to prevent such destruction of twp assets and that this action highlights a need to move forward urgently with the Environmental Overlay. Also, it was considered that the EAC needs to ensure that the Overlay has suitable ‘teeth’ to prevent prior ‘clear cutting’ of land by lot owners before development proposals are submitted. Mr. Ledbetter and Mr. Morrisson suggested that the Overlay needs to be driven forward by a member of the BOS and suggested that it should be Mrs. Williams, who agreed. Mrs. Williams undertook to set up an early meeting with the Twp Engineer and available EAC members, to determine a way forward.
Pickering Preserve: Mr. O’Dell reported that it had not been possible to mow the meadows before the end of March as previously intended. The mowing will now be postponed until after the end of the bird ground-nesting season. Mr. Cram reported that a Cub Scout tree protection program will occur on the Preserve on 9 May when local Cubs will be applying tree-wrap to the trees and erecting some plaques. Additionally a new bird box will be installed. Outstanding Actions: Mr. Kunz to seek guidance from Mrs. Bowser regarding the long term future for the ‘Rain Garden’. Mr. Cram agreed to seek YMCA approval for the Roads Crew to gain access to the lower Preserve from the YMCA property, in order for the existing pathway to be mown in support of Samuel Stearly’s Eagle Scout project.. Mrs. Gregory undertook to write to the OSC to prompt them to address the issue of placing deed restrictions or conservation easements on the lands of the Preserve (and also the lot containing the Twp building) and make subsequent recommendations to the BOS.
Deer Hunting on Pickering Preserve – No activity reported. Outstanding Actions: Mr. Cram to contact PGC to seek guidance on deer population control.
Northern Federation’s Development of a Regional Park and Recreation Strategic Plan (RPRSP): No activity reported. Outstanding Action: Mr. Frasch to attend the next meeting of the Federation at which the RPRSP is discussed.
SALDO Tree List –Mr. Ledbetter reported that the new list has now been published for comment. It is anticipated that a vote to approve the proposal shall occur at the next BOS meeting.
Brake Ordinance – No activity reported.
Old Schuylkill Elementary School (Environmental Showcase Plan): No activity reported.
Treevitalize: No activity reported.
Township Web Site: No activity reported.
EAC Budget: No activity reported.
Developments:
Sue Ellen Masters Property (100 Ferry Lane) – No activity reported.
Reeves Property – Mr. Kunz reported on the latest meetings and exchanges of letters related to the classification of the Wetlands due to be disturbed during development of the Reeves property, and in particular the efforts to determine whether there are grounds to appeal the latest decision of PADEP. General discussion on a range of possibilities for future action occurred, after which Mr. Kunz indicated that he would distill those ideas discussed into a proposal for a way forward.
Pasquale Pond – No activity reported. Mr. Ledbetter undertook to check on the status with the Twp Manager as he was aware that the bid documents need to be issued.
YMCA – No activity reported. Outstanding Action. Mrs. Gregory to check on the status of the Rain Garden at the YMCA, development of which was a condition of their planning approval for the recent extension to the property, and report back.
Ink and Coatings –Apart from the matter related to the adjoining trail, discussed above, no activity reported. Outstanding Action: Mrs. Gregory to pass on the applicant’s request for assistance with gaining a FEMA permit to the next BOS meeting with a request for Twp Engineer and Twp Solicitor advice for expediting the way forward.
Announcements: Mr. Cram reported that both he and Mr. Plant had recently attended a Master Well Owner (MWO) workshop, and that both were now certified as MWO’s. He described some of the problems that are known to occur with private wells throughout PA, largely as a result of a lack of State regulation pertaining to the construction and maintenance of wells, and suggested that the twp would be wise to publicise suitable sources for well owning residents obtain information. Mr. Plant agreed to generate a set of suitable links for addition to the twp website.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:55pm.