Present: EAC-, Marlou Gregory, Steve Kunz, Ian Plant, Andrew Kreider, Earl Cram, Jerry O’Dell and Steven Frasch.
Board of Supervisors (BOS): Laurie Williams (BOS Liaison to EAC), James Morrisson, Lee Ledbetter, Barbara Cohen
Citizens Environmental Sub-Committee: Rebekah Bowser
Meeting called to order at 7:32pm.
Minutes of June’08 Meeting: The minutes of the previous meeting were read and were approved.
- Mr Kreider is the new spokesman for the Chester County Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Task Force, a group of volunteers working to reduce the County’s carbon footprint and lead the County toward clean energy. More information is available at www.chescogreen.org
- Mrs Gregory advertised a concert by the Bacon Brother Band, due to be held at the Colonial Theatre on Oct 10 in support of the Colonial Theatre and the French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust, for which tickets to the public will be sold from Aug 1.
Thinking Green: Mrs Cohen gave details of an upcoming ‘Thinking Green’ presentation to be delivered by Heidi Kunsch, a LEED Accredited Professional with the PA DEP, at 7.30pm on Sep 7 at the twp building. The presentation will be advertised on the twp website. Discussion also suggested that the proposed EAC website should incorporate links to a range of environmental/green websites, including LEED.
Secretary’s Note: The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating SystemTM is a third-party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED gives building owners and operators the tools they need to have an immediate and measurable impact on their buildings’ performance.
Recycling: Mr Mark Mulroy, Customer Service Manager for the local Allied Waste depot serving approximately 800 twp residences, gave details of the new single stream recycling facility that Allied Waste is about to open near King of Prussia, which will enable their customers to recycle a much greater proportion of their waste than has hitherto been possible. Information is being sent to all Allied Waste customers, who will also be provided with enlarged (32 gallon) recycling bins.
Northern Federation’s Development of a Regional Park and Recreation Strategic Plan (RPRSP): From the floor, Mr Ledbetter described his recent contact with Chris McNeil (East Vincent twp) who had informed him of the Northern Federation’s initiation of efforts to create a RPRSP for parks, recreation, greenway and trails systems. A summary document was provided, along with a draft plan. He explained that there is an opportunity for Schuylkill twp to join with the project, and that it may provide a means of ensuring that twp trail routes are aligned with those of our neighbours. He requested that the EAC review the document and advise the Board of Supervisors upon whether there are benefits to participation. It was noted that this is one of several trail development plans currently underway with neighboring townships – Mr Frasch agreed to review the draft plan and then liaise with Mr Plant to provide a coordinated response which takes account of the other concurrent initiatives.
Toonerville Trolley Trail: From the floor, Mrs Cohen thanked Mr Cram for his efforts to date on this project. She went on to summarize the developments that have taken place so far and explained that work is now progressing to create ‘infil’ sections of trail to link together the portions which already exist, for which the Township Engineer is conducting an Engineering Appraisal.
Old Schuylkill Elementary School: From the floor, Mrs Cohen described a developing plan to utilize the old school building as an Environmental Showcase facility.
Treevitalize: Mrs Gregory reported that the twp has received a letter which indicates that trees planted in the Environmental Easement Zone on the Levin property on Pothouse Road, as part of the Treevitalize program, are being objected to. Mrs Bowser explained that prior agreement of the property owner was obtained before planting of the trees. It was agreed that the letter should be forwarded to the twp solicitor to determine a response.
Right to Self Government: Mr Kunz described the content of an e-mail that he had recently forwarded to EAC members which raised issues about the extent to which communities can or cannot restrict activities by residents, which may have an environmental impact. Following discussion in which Mr Ledbetter explained the relationships between State and Local laws, it was agreed that no further acion would be taken.
Rte 29 Sidewalk: Following a request from Mrs Williams, Mr O’Dell has conducted a survey of the proposed route of a new sidewalk intended to link Phoenixville Middle School to Pothouse Road, to assess the impact to the nearby trees. He believes that the impact upon the health of the trees will be negligible, but noted that some pruning will be necessary to facilitate construction and sidewalk overhead clearance.
Noise Pollution: Mr Cram reported that a twp resident had asked whether, in the modern age of mobile phones and pagers, use of the Fire Station siren is still necessary for calling volunteer firemen. Mr Ledbetter indicated that the Board of Supervisors does not intend to change the current procedure.
Open Space Commission Update: No formal update was presented, but some discussion took place about production (or not) of an official priority map for open space intentions within the twp. Mrs Gregory undertook to check whether legal requirements are being met, whilst Mr Ledbetter indicated that he would check whether lessons learned from Charlestown Twp’s experience are being suitably followed.
Environmental Committee: No activity reported. Outstanding Actions: Mrs Gregory and Mrs Bowser to 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: No activity reported. Outstanding Action: Mrs Bowser to disseminate Treevitalize information to Homeowners associations.
Pickering Preserve:
Mr O’Dell reported that he had met with the Twp Roadmaster and given initial guidance on maintenance of the preserve. He intends to undertake further such meetings in the future. 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 – Mr Morrisson introduced Mr Jim Bradley of the Whitetail Association, who detailed for the EAC the deer hunting activities of the Association. He explained that, by the terms of their permit, within the Preserve hunting takes place by Association members within the hunting season (mid Sep to end Jan) on Saturdays and New Year’s Day only, and that on average, between 5 and 7 deer are taken from the preserve each season. Whitetail Association members generally kill about 100 deer within Schuylkill Twp each season, and it is believed that this is a suitable number to maintain stable deer population numbers within the twp. In addition to describing the hunting method, he explained the insurances, legal constraints and clean-up of felled deer, as applicable to Association members. Subsequent discussion focused on the need for signs to alert the public to hunting activities within the Preserve, for which Mr Cram and Mr O’Dell agreed to develop proposals. Outstanding Action: Mr Cram to contact PGC to seek guidance on deer population control.
Clean Energy – Mr Kreider briefed members on the latest state of takeup of clean energy provision within the twp. The target of 7% of the community by October ’08 has not yet been reached – 30 additional signups are needed. Outstanding Action: Mr Kreider to follow-up on advertising opportunities suggested by Mrs Williams.
Brake Ordinance – Mr Cram reported that PennDOT has furnished him with details of the type and size of signs to be used and that he is now discussing exact quantities with the Chief of Police. They are also continuing to investigate use of extant State noise ordinances to further limit the use of brake retarders.
Rails to Trails Meeting Update – Mr Plant reported that he had attended the June meeting of the Open Space Committee and apprised members of the ongoing RTT effort. Committee members had noted that there may be a desire to acquire space for an associated trailhead within the twp at some point in the future.
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.
EDC – Mr Kevin Mohn, representing Mr Scott Rowland, presented the plans and Environmental Impact Assessment for the proposed EDC development and explained the intentions for the site from an environmental perspective. Discussion particularly focused on wetlands, grade disturbance, stormwater and tree issues, with a number of minor points being taken by Mr Mohn for consideration.
Brackman Property – EAC members noted a report from the floor that although no development approval has been obtained by the property owner, there appears to be ground clearance activity taking place within the property bounds which could be associated with the owner’s development intent.
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.
Reeves Property – Mr Frasch reported that following conclusion of his review of the Stormwater Management Report, he believed that the proposals do not meet the SALDO requirements in relation to post-development water flow rates being limited to 90% of pre-development rates. He undertook to send a summary e-mail of his findings to the Twp Engineer, via the Twp Manager. It was also noted that the previously discussed ‘Aqua Letter’ regarding a required easement for the proposed development had not yet been sighted. Mr Ledbetter advised the EAC the lack of the letter would not preclude approval of the development, but that it may be a pre-condition for allowing work to proceed. Mrs Gregory indicated that she would soon be writing to the Board of Supervisors with her letter of EAC recommendations. Outstanding Actions: Mrs Gregory to pass the adjacent residents concerns relating to Stormwater Management to the twp Planning Commission. Mrs Gregory to ensure that tree protection zone infringement, including the impact on trees standing in the grounds of adjacent properties, forms part of the EAC report to the BOS. Mrs Gregory to pass the adjacent residents concerns relating to the impact of snow clearance activities to the twp Planning Commission. The EAC to include a recommendation to minimize street lighting as part of its report to the BOS. The EAC to recommend incorporation of trail facilities in its report to the BOS. 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. The EAC to consider preservation of biological corridors in preparation of its report to the BOS. The EAC will consider whether the 2006 EIA remains valid, and if a new or revised EIA may be warranted.
The developer will be required to provide complete information before the EAC’s recommendations can be finalized.
Meeting Adjourned at 11:35pm