Present: EAC - Steve Kunz (ViceChair), Ian Plant, Andrew Kreider, Steve Frasch and Jerry O’Dell.
Board of Supervisors (BOS): Lee Ledbetter and Jim Morrisson.
Citizens Environmental Sub-Committee: Nil.
Meeting called to order at 7:30pm.
EAC Minutes: The meeting summary of the previous October meeting was read and approved.
Announcements: Nil
Public Participation: Nil
New Business: Nil
Open Space Commission Update: Mr. Bud Emig, a member of the OSC, indicated that there was nothing new to report from the OSC, but that he was in attendance to provide feedback on EAC business to the OSC.
Clean Energy: Mr. Kreider reported that further to the information provided at the September meeting, due to a lack of additional PA generated clean energy being available this year from Native Energy, Smartpower was now allowing townships to purchase energy from non-PA sources which could enable some cost savings. He also indicated that it is intended that a Smartpower representative will be in attendance at the Dec 16 EAC meeting to discuss the way forward for the twp in meeting its goal of 7% take-up of clean energy to finally qualify as a Pennsylvania Clean Energy Community. Currently there is a shortfall of 25 in the number of signed-up residents required to meet the target. (Secretary’s Note: Further information available at http://communities.trfund.com/ )
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 reported that the application discussed at a previous EAC meeting had been submitted, but that so far he had not received any response.
Outstanding Action: Mrs. Bowser to disseminate Treevitalize grant information to HomeOwners Associations.
Old Business:
Whitehorse Road Bridge: Mr. Kunz reported that the EAC’s recommendations of the previous meeting had been passed to the BOS and that subsequently, on Nov 13, the twp solicitor had written to DEP to bring to their attention the conflict between the bridge plan and the Schuylkill Twp Open Space, Recreation and Environmental Resources Plan (OSRERP), in that the bridge plan does not recognize the twp’s endorsed planning goal of creating a number of trails that would cross Pickering Creek in the vicinity of the Whitehorse Road bridge. Additionally, his letter indicated that their should be a correction to the bridge planning documents to show that the regional plan is no longer in draft format but has been formally adopted.
Trails: Mr. Plant demonstrated the initial package of overlays that he had received from Chester County GIS Department and showed some of the ways that future EAC business could be assisted through their use. He also indicated that the next phase is to receive an overlay which shows the potential trails described in the 1992 endorsed OSRERP, for which Chester County GIS Department now have the information, to be followed by an overlay which maps all of the existing trails and sidewalks, once the data has been collected. After these have been produced, it is intended that they should be used to determine the priorities for work to link up isolated sections of the existing trails network within the twp, to link to existing networks in adjacent twps, and to develop a revision proposal for the 1992 plan that takes account of subsequent developments both within and outside the twp and that is focused on being realistic and achievable. During subsequent discussion, from the floor a twp resident expressed concern about easements that would need to be imposed upon lots in the Valley Park Road area of the potential trail extension from Valley Forge Woods towards the twp building (Part of the Toonerville Trolley Trail). Mr. Ledbetter explained that easements were already in place in that area, and described the steps that were taken by the twp to introduce them prior to development approval. Outstanding Action: Mr. Plant to seek to develop an overlay addition that can identify which lot parcels contain approved trail easements
Rails-to-Trails (RTT): Mr. Plant reported that Chester County GIS Department have agreed to produce a number of maps and overlays for the project and displayed the first item received – a large aerial photograph of the complete region through which the trail will pass, with a number of overlays superimposed.
Toonerville Trolley Trail: No activity reported.
Operation Safe Kids/Rte 29 Sidewalk: It was reported from the floor that PennDOT have recently expressed disappointment with the position being taken by PASD to refuse permission to allow the trail to pass over school property. Mr O’Dell reported that his action to write to the BOS with a recommendation that a certified arborist should be employed to supervise all pruning activities to the trees and their root systems in the Rte 29 area of the trail was complete.
Environmental Overlay: As far as time permitted, the EAC further examined the latest draft and developed change proposals where considered necessary. This work will be continued at subsequent EAC meetings.
Pickering Preserve: No activity reported. 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’. 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 – Mr. O’Dell reported that he had spoken with the Roads Crew Supervisor and asked for the warning signs to be erected at the previously agreed locations. 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): Mr. Frasch indicated that he has yet to complete his review of the plan, but he noted that effective Schuylkill involvement would need East Pikeland Twp membership also. He agreed to check through the twp manager to determine the status of East Pikeland’s membership. 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.
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.
Old Schuylkill Elementary School (Environmental Showcase Plan): No activity reported.
Treevitalize: No activity reported.
Township Web Site: Mr. Kreider reported that he had passed updated EAC membership information to the Twp Manager, but noted that the information had not been incorporated into the twp web site. He agreed to follow-up his efforts to ensure that the information is posted.
EAC Budget: Mr. Kreider reported that the EAC budget allocation for 2009 is anticipated to be the same as for 2008. He also reported that there is likely to be an underspend in the year ending 2008, which the EAC considered could be used for undertaking the desired tree pruning within Pickering Preserve that had been discussed at a previous EAC meeting. Mr. O’Dell agreed to check with the Twp Manager to determine whether this was possible.
Developments:
EDC – No activity reported.
Reeves Property – Mr. Kunz reported that a meeting is being arranged between the Twp Solicitor and PADEP to ensure a common understanding of the issues regarding wetlands determination on the property. Mr. Morrisson undertook to assist with ensuring that this occurs. It was also noted that a supplement to the previously submitted Environmental Impact Assessment for the site had recently been received. Mr. Kunz indicated an understanding that Mrs. Gregory would be leading on review of the new information at a subsequent EAC meeting. Mr Ledbetter indicated that in order to meet the current legal deadlines for this project, the EAC’s review would need to be complete by the Jan 09 EAC meeting. Outstanding Action: 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 – Mr. Ledbetter explained that the ongoing work to develop finalized plans for the project had indicated a greater cost than had originally been anticipated, particularly in relation to clearance of the silt that had built up in the site. He indicated that the twp was now looking at spreading the work over three years rather than the two that was previously planned. Outstanding Action: Mrs. Gregory to conduct an overall environmental review of the proposals and inform the BOS of any issues arising from the review.
Announcements: Mr. Kreider indicated that this was to be his penultimate meeting as he would be leaving the EAC at the end of the next meeting.
Meeting Adjourned at 11:05pm