Present: EAC –Marlou Gregory (Chair), Steve Kunz (ViceChair), Ian Plant and Jerry O’Dell.
Board of Supervisors (BOS): Laurie Williams (Liaison to EAC) Jim Morrisson and Lee Ledbetter.
Citizens Environmental Sub-Committee: Nil.
Meeting called to order at 7:30pm.
EAC Meeting Summary: The meeting summary of the previous April meeting was read and approved.
Announcements: Nil
Public Participation: Louise Symington indicated that she had been directed by the twp Roadmaster to present to the EAC her questions relating to placement of bulk compost on her land beside Pickering Preserve. Although not directly an EAC issue, suitable resolution was achieved.
New Business: Nil.
Open Space Commission Update: It was noted that the Reeves property is due to be discussed during the public session at the next OSC meeting and that EAC representation may be worthwhile. Mrs. Williams indicated that the twp solicitor had suggested that up to 2 EAC members could be present. Mrs. Gregory indicated that she would attend. 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 in company with Andrew Voris (SmartPower) and the solar system installer he had toured the twp to identify possible sites for the free 1kW solar system that we recently qualified for. It had been noted that the twp building, the YMCA and Schuylkill School all had south facing roof sections that may be suitable. The twp is now awaiting a letter from Mr. Voris and the installer which will provide a list of recommendations for the best site, in terms of both efficiency and ‘visibility’, and give advice on a preferred installation opportunity, to include media attendance.
Environmental Committee: Mrs. Gregory announced that her concept for this committee had proved difficult to achieve and was not working. As a result, and noting that the new Alternate member of the EAC was now available to provide some assistance, she has decided to dissolve the Committee.
Grants:
Community Conservation Grant: Mrs. Gregory reported that funds to support development of Pasquale Pond had been requested through the stimulus package (PennVest) instead of the C2P2 program.
EGGS: No activity reported.
Old Business:
Whitehorse Road Bridge: Mr. Ledbetter indicated that he currently expects that work to replace the bridge will commence later this year, possibly in September.
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 recently met with Liza Rupp of the staff of Valley Forge Park who was interested in the concept of linking Valley Forge Park to the Schuylkill River Trail at Oaks, using the route past American Ink and Coatings that had been described previously. She had accordingly referred him to discuss the proposal with her manager, Dierdre Gibson, and indicated that Dierdre may also know a suitable contact within Norfolk and Southern Rail to approach with the proposal. 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: The meeting with the Twp Engineer, proposed at the previous April meeting, had subsequently occurred, following which Mr. Kunz had collated EAC comments on the latest Overlay draft and forwarded them to the Twp Engineer. It was noted that Mrs. Williams had directed Mr. Sartor to delay processing the comments, but following discussion, Mrs. Williams agreed to direct the Twp Engineer to proceed with up to 4 hours effort to use the comments and produce a clean copy of the Overlay to be used as a new baseline for subsequent development. Mr. Kunz also reported that with a PADEP official he had discussed the potential for the twp to designate the reservoir as an ‘Outstanding Local Water Resource’, which would then facilitate subsequent formalization of an Exceptional Value designation for the reservoir’s surrounding wetlands. Mr. Kunz indicated that he is now investigating what the next steps are for this process to occur.
Pickering Preserve: Mr. Kunz and Mrs. Gregory reported that their outstanding actions were complete; as a follow-up, Mrs. Williams indicated that she is asking for the deed restriction issue to be included in the agenda for the next OSC meeting. It was noted that the Cub Scout tree protection event had been successfully completed on 9 May and that there was enthusiasm, both from the Cub Scout leadership and within the EAC, for further such events in the future. Mr. O’Dell reported that within the preserve some pruning of the plantation trees had occurred to facilitate mower access. He also reported that some difficulty had been experienced this year in arranging for the usual assistance in mowing the meadows, and was advised by the BOS members present that if necessary, alternative resources could be employed for the task.. Additionally a new bird box will be installed. Outstanding Action: 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..
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 – It was noted that the Twp Secretary, Madeline Harbison, has produced a new information brochure for residents, which will be available once the new list had been adopted. Mr. Ledbetter indicated that following receipt of comments from Chester County officials, adoption of the list will be on the agenda for the June 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 – No activity reported (note that general topic of wetland classification transferred to Environmental Overlay above).
Pasquale Pond – No activity reported. Outstanding Action. 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 – Mrs. Gregory reported that she had discovered that development of the Rain Garden is proceeding.
Ink and Coatings –In addition to the activity reported under ‘Trails’ above, Mrs. Gregory reported that her action to pass on to the BOS the applicants request for assistance with gaining a FEMA permit had been completed.
Announcements: Mr. Kunz reported that he attended a Heidi Kunsch Green Team presentation on 20 May and advertised that the topic for the June presentation would be ‘Energy Audits’. He also reported his attendance at recent Sierra Club meetings in West Chester and publicized their next meeting at 7pm on 18 Jun in the Borough Hall. Mr. O’Dell advertised a new GIS community forest inventory software called i-Tree that has been developed by USDA Forest Service and is available through www.i-treetools.org.
Outstanding Action. Mr. Plant agreed to generate a set of suitable MWO reference links for addition to the twp website.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:15pm.