Schuylkill Township
Environmental Advisory Council
MEETING DATE: August 25, 2008
Present: EAC - Marlou Gregory (Chair), Steve Kunz (ViceChair), Ian Plant, Andrew Kreider and Jerry O’Dell. Board of Supervisors (BOS): Jim Morrisson and Barbara Cohen. Citizens Environmental Sub-Committee: Nil.
Meeting called to order at 7:45pm.
EAC Minutes: The minutes of the previous July meeting were read and, subject to minor amendment, approved.
Announcements:
Mrs. Cohen described efforts underway to promote the previously advertised Thinking Green forum, which include a plan to combine advertising efforts with the recycling and green energy schemes ongoing within the Twp. It was also agreed that a PDF version of the flyer would be distributed to EAC members for onward circulation.
Public Participation:
Friends of Valley Forge Park (VFP): Mr. Morrisson described an outreach program to local communities being undertaken by VFP authorities, following pressure from the 500+ membership Friends of VFP organization. He suggested that it would be appropriate for an EAC representative to attend a presentation on Sep 17 (time TBD) and agreed to forward to Mrs. Gregory an e-mail containing further details when they become known.
New Business:
Township Web Site: Mr. Kreider suggested that some updates to the Twp Web site are needed to reflect current EAC membership positions and undertook to prompt the Twp Manager.
EAC Budget: Following two queries regarding funding of EAC initiatives, Mr. Kreider undertook to provide, at the Sept 16 meeting, a statement of the status of funding available within the EAC budget.
Open Space Commission Update: No formal update was presented, but Mr. Morrisson indicated that recent progress has occurred regarding 4 separate potential purchases. Mrs. Gregory indicated that following discussion at the previous EAC meeting, she forwarded to the BOS a highlighted copy of the legal guidance she discovered in relation to map production, which she believes suggests that it is incumbent upon the OSC to produce a publicly accessible and prioritized map of target properties for transfer to twp ownership. Mrs. Gregory also expressed concern that the OSC does not appear to be working closely with the EAC, as was the original intent, and that the EAC has therefore been unable to assist with or contribute to the prioritization of Open Space purchases.
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 Mr. Plant to determine a way forward for a Twp Environmental Website.
Grants:
PADEP Local Government Greenhouse Gas Pilot Grant Program: Mr. Kreider described an joint initiative by the acknowledged Clean Energy communities of Schuylkill, East Vincent and West Vincent Twps, to conduct an emissions audit and subsequently identify ways to reduce or mitigate identified emissions. In support of this, each twp has submitted a grant application to PADEP. Mrs. Gregory signed a supporting letter to PADEP which will be co-signed by the Chairs of East Vincent and West Vincent EACs to confirm the joint effort on this initiative.
Outstanding Action: Mrs. Bowser to disseminate Treevitalize grant information to HomeOwners Associations.
Old Business:
Pickering Preserve:
Mr. O’Dell reported that he and Mr. Cram had met for an initial exploratory meeting with Samuel Stearly, a local Eagle Scout who is seeking to undertake a project which would create an extension of the lower pathway through the Preserve to enable access to the creek from the Preserve. Mr. Kreider cautioned that the end product, if it requires mowing, will need to be accessible by the twp roads crew. Outstanding Actions: Mr. Cram to arrange later in the Summer for TreeWrap to be applied to the young trees that have been recently planted, to prevent their destruction (when at the same time the fencing is removed) through ‘Buck Rub’. Mr. Kunz to seek guidance from Mrs. Bowser regarding the long term future for the ‘Rain Garden’.
Deer Hunting on Pickering Preserve – It was noted that the hunting season will commence before the next EAC meeting. Mr. O’Dell undertook to chase-up production and installation of suitable warning signs. Outstanding Action: Mr. Cram to contact PGC to seek guidance on deer population control. Mr. Cram and Mr. O’Dell to develop proposals for signs to alert the public to hunting activities within the Preserve.
Rte 29 Sidewalk: -- Following on from discussion at the previous EAC meeting and having taken a further look at the area intended for the new sidewalk, Mr. O’Dell suggested that he be involved in a pre-bid meeting with potential contractors to ensure that tree preservation concerns are understood by those doing the work.
Clean Energy – Mr. Kreider briefed that the twp has now reached 6.4% take-up of clean energy provision towards its target of 7% of the community by October ’08. He also indicated that an extension of the current deadline is likely, and considered that in addition to other ongoing advertising, a fresh mailshot to residents may enable the target to be reached – this was agreed. Additionally, Mr. Kreider reported that in support of the clean energy campaign, SmartPower have requested that Schuylkill Twp act as host to provide a facility for a presentation to local communities. It was agreed that this could be done.
Rails to Trails Meeting Update – Mr. Plant reported that the next RTT meeting is scheduled for Sep 15 and that he intends to attend.
Northern Federation’s Development of a Regional Park and Recreation Strategic Plan (RPRSP): No activity reported. Outstanding Action: Mr. Frasch to review the draft plan and then liaise with Mr. Plant to provide a coordinated response which takes account of the other concurrent initiatives.
Trash Pick-Up Project – No activity reported. Outstanding Action: Mr. Cram to e-mail a list of suitable Community Service Projects to the Probation Department.
SALDO Tree List - Outstanding Action: Mr. O’Dell to look at the list and determine whether any changes should be recommended.
Brake Ordinance – No activity reported.
Toonerville Trolley Trail: No activity reported.
Old Schuylkill Elementary School (Environmental Showcase Plan): No activity reported.
Treevitalize: No activity reported.
Developments:
Brackman Property – It was noted that since the previous EAC meeting, the property has been sold to its adjoining neighbors, Gordon Eadie Landscaping, and the development proposal withdrawn.
Reeves Property – Mrs. Gregory reported that the EAC recommendations in relation to the development proposal had been submitted the BOS and the Planning Commission. Mr. Morrisson reported that at the recent Planning Commission meeting, in light of the volume of outstanding issues to be resolved, the developer offered and the Commission accepted an extension to the Planning Commission decision date. Mr. Kunz reported an exchange of further communication with PADEP in relation to the validity of the permit for the proposed stream crossing, and was hopeful of a decision soon. Outstanding Actions: Mr. Kunz to provide an update in relation to validity of the permits issued when he has received a response from DEP to clarify the wetlands classification.
Pasquale Pond – No activity reported. Outstanding Action: Mrs. Gregory to conduct an overall environmental review of the proposals and inform the BOS of any issues arising from the review.
EDC – No activity reported.
Meeting Adjourned at 10:05pm