Present: EAC –Marlou Gregory (Chair), Steve Kunz (ViceChair), Ian Plant, Earl Cram, Vacant Seat, Steve Frasch, and Jerry O’Dell.
Board of Supervisors (BOS): Laurie Williams (Liaison to EAC) 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 February meeting was read and approved.
Announcements: Mr. Kunz advertised Earth Hour (http://www.earthhourUS.org), a global event on 28 March aimed at highlighting environment. Mrs Gregory announced that the Green Valleys Association will be holding their annual Envirofest event on 2 May at Welkinweir (http://www.greenvalleys.org/envirofest/2009).
Public Participation: Nil
EAC Vacancy: The two candidates present gave brief summaries of their interest in becoming members of the EAC and described their relevant experience. Barry Bussell, a further prospective candidate, was unable to attend due to illness, whilst Claire Annechini had withdrawn her candidacy. A decision was deferred until after the April EAC meeting in order to allow Mr. Bussell to appear before the Council.
New Business:
Community Conservation Grant: Mrs. Gregory advised that an opportunity exists to bid for funding for eligible projects under the PA Dept of Conservation and Natural Resources’ C2P2 Community Recreation and Conservation grant program
(https://www.grants.dcnr.state.pa.us/LearnMore.aspx?GrantProgramId=1), for which bids are due by 22 April. Mr. Cram undertook to investigate whether any development proposals for the Pickering Preserve may be suitable for making a bid, whilst Mrs. Gregory undertook to look at whether the development intentions for Pasquale Pond could be assisted through a grant and discuss the topic with the Twp Manager.
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 described his recent efforts to generate further interest in the scheme following approval of a request to place a small information stand within the foyer of the YMCA. He had been able to place a small desk containing related literature along with an advertising poster and sign-up sheets, and was encouraged that significant interest was being generated, both through discussions with enquirers whilst manning the stand, and through the disappearance of most sign-up sheets at other times. Mr. Frasch and Mr. Kunz have both spent some time manning the stand recently, and other EAC members were encouraged to do so if they could make any time available. Mr. Kunz also advised that he was seeking a suitable media-attractive opportunity to present a cheque to SSHA. This is for the $20/applicant rebate that has been generated so far through the program.
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:
EGGS: (http://www.dvrpc.org/planning/community/EGGS.htm) Mr. Plant reported that following discussion with Mrs.Cohen and advice from the Twp Engineer, it had been concluded that future work plans for the Toonerville Trolley trail did not meet the eligibility criteria for an EGGS grant. Additionally he advised that he continues to believe that a bid for next year may be appropriate, to be discussed under the Trails agenda item.
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: Mr. Plant presented a draft Phoenixville Region Trails Map that had just been received from Chester County Planning Department, produced following his discussion and liaison with members of their staff along with their participation in a recent RTT meeting and similar liaison with the other municipalities covered by the map. He stated a belief that it was a good product and will be a valuable tool in enabling both development of a regionally cohesive trail network and also generation of an updated trails plan for the twp. 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): Mr. Plant reported that along with Mr. Ledbetter, Mr. O’Dell and Mr. Khalil Hihi (Historical Commission) he had walked the trail networks of the Fernleigh and Valley Forge Woods (VFW) developments to record their condition. It had been noted that whilst the trail sections associated with the TTT were being suitably maintained, on some lots of the VFW development, particularly around the periphery of the estate, the trail network that had been created during estate construction was in danger of becoming overgrown or blocked. Mr. Plant intends to confirm exactly where the trail should be in these areas and then address action through the Twp Manager. Additionally, it had been noted that some signs had been erected on the VFW network which declare the area to be private and prohibiting vehicles. It was suggested that it would be appropriate for a standard twp trail sign to be developed, consistent with the twp ‘historical site’ sign design, and used throughout the twp. Mr. Plant undertook to investigate this idea further. On the Fernleigh portion of the trail, it was noted that a broken bridge needs repair as there are several long nails protruding – the twp manager has been requested to contact the HOA about this.
Operation Safe Kids/Rte 29 Sidewalk: No activity reported.
American Ink & Coatings: Mr. Plant reported that following the discussion at the January EAC meeting, he had explored the trail along the Schuylkill that he been suggested for improvement in tandem with the proposed redevelopment of the American Ink and Coatings property. Using a set of photographs, he showed that a frequently used trail is in existence that had been created about 15 years ago along what was once the towpath for barges being pulled up the Schuylkill River before the construction of the rail line. Some historical features, such as an old locking station around some rapids, and an old cowpath tunnel under the rail line are also in existence. The trail runs as far as Valley Creek, where users currently gain access by crossing the rail line, but he noticed that footings exist for a bridge across Valley Creek to reach a pedestrian tunnel under the rail line leading into the area of Washington’s Headquarters in Valley Forge Park. Additionally, he had noted that heading in the opposite direction from the Ink and Coatings property, an inactive section of rail line exists which crosses the Schuylkill a short distance away to reach Oaks just above the confluence of the Schuylkill River and Perkiomen Creek, and on the Schuylkill River Trail. Using the new Regional Trail Network map, he indicated that potential exists to create a trail link which would reach between Valley Forge Park and the French Creek Trail, via the Schuylkill River Trail junction with the Perkiomen Trail, as well as enabling a loop trail on either side of the Schuylkill between Perkiomen and the reconstructed Betzwood Bridge (which will have a trail section to cross the river). Mr. Plant proposed that a feasibility study should be conducted to investigate whether such a trail link could be constructed, possibly using funding from next year’s EGGS program, and agreed to develop a study proposal once he has determined whether the land owners (Valley Forge Park and Norfolk & Southern Rail) and other stakeholders would be supportive of the proposal. Following suggestions from the floor, he also agreed to share his observations with the Open Space Commission and the Historical Commission.
Environmental Overlay: No activity reported. Outstanding Action: Mrs. Gregory to convene a separate meeting of available EAC members to which the Twp Engineer is invited, to address the remainder of the Environmental Overlay review issues.
Pickering Preserve: Mr. O’Dell indicated that he intends to contact the Twp Roadmaster to arrange getting the Preserve meadows mown by the end of March. Mr. Cram described two types of tree wrap that he believes could be used to protect the trees from buck rub. Of these, it was agreed that spiral cut drain pipe was probably the cheapest and easiest – Mr. O’Dell indicated that he may have some available in his workshop and agreed to check. 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.
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.
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. O’Dell reported that he had presented his list as a SALDO amendment proposal to the most recent BOS meeting where a motion was passed for the twp solicitor to draft a new ordinance containing appropriate language for the new list to be adopted. It is anticipated that a vote to advertise the proposal shall occur at the next BOS meeting.
Brake Ordinance – Mr. Cram reported that the Ordinance has not yet been passed as there are still signage issues to be resolved with the Chief of Police and the Judge.
Old Schuylkill Elementary School (Environmental Showcase Plan): No activity reported.
Treevitalize: Mr. Ledbetter reported that he had taken the issue of the disputed Treevitalize trees planted on the Levin property to the last BOS meeting for twp solicitor advice, and that resolution of the matter was ongoing.
Township Web Site: No activity reported.
EAC Budget: Mr. Plant reported that additional to the EAC budget allocation, the twp manager had recently agreed to investigate provision of a computer, loaded with GIS software, for EAC use, and also a permanently mounted projector within the meeting room for general meeting use.
Developments:
Sue Ellen Masters Property (100 Ferry Lane) - Mr. Kunz reported receipt of ‘new’ plan documents for review, but on looking at them had discovered that they were resubmissions of old documents. He therefore informed the BOS that there was no change to previous EAC recommendations as the issues discussed therein had not been addressed, and the EAC continues to “not” recommend approval of the project..
Reeves Property – Mr. Ledbetter reported that litigation continues in the manner described at the previous EAC meeting. Mr. Kunz reported that there had still not yet been any response received from PADEP in relation to the latest letter from the twp. He had discovered that following a status request he had discovered that the letter had mistakenly been overlooked by PADEP, but that a response was now being prepared. He also indicated that he would be attending a meeting with State Senator Andy Dinniman along with Twp Supervisor Jim Morrisson on 27 March to discuss the matter.
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.
EDC – No activity reported.
Announcements: Mr. Cram provided details of some upcoming Tree Tender training courses. Mr. Kunz indicated intent to attend a Climate Change Task Force meeting being organized by GVF Transportation at Upper Merion Twp Building on 26 March.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:50pm.