SCHUYLKILL TOWNSHIP
HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MEETING DATE: October 20, 2008

COMMISSION MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE:
Sandy Momyer, Khalil Hihi,  Doug White,  Joanne Brown, Dianne Cram,  Pam Applegate-Frasch

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE:
Jim Morrison, Peter Brown, Lee Ledbetter

Sandy opened the meeting at 7:02

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

  • Pam to remove "post meeting notes".
  • Approved with above change.

CORRESPONDENCE & ANNOUNCEMENTS                     

  • Pam is stepping down from her post as secretary.
  • Sandy attended the Bridges Conference presented by CCHPN on 16-Oct. 
    • Many of the bridges in Chester County are Phoenix Bridges.
    • Another lecture may be done at the Foundry Building in the future.
    • Some bridges have been adaptively re-used (moved to other locations)
  • The township will sponsor a shredding event on 25-Oct.
  • Sandy was contacted by someone interested in the history of mines in Schuylkill Township.  Joanne will pass the contact info along to the Phoenixville Historical Society as they have info in their archives.

REPORTS:

  • Board of Supervisors :
    • Our budget is due soon.  Mary will let us know exact date.  We requested $5000 + $1000 for the care of the cemetery last year.  Agree we should request the same for this year.
  • Planning Commission:
    • Nothing relevant to HC
  • EAC:
    • Nothing relevant to HC
  • Open Space Commission:
    • Nothing relevant to HC

FOUNDERS DAY

  • Nov 8th  from 11-1 at Moore Hall
  • Food and drink needs and assignments were discussed.
  • Doug to request that the Phoenix send a reporter
  • We will honor Joanne Brown

CURRENT PROJECTS

  • Anderson Cemetery
    • Nick has been doing clean up at the cemetery and obtained estimates for fencing to replace old fence and rail.  Options include:
      • Post and rail ~ $1717
      • PVC
      • Black Aluminum ornamental ~$2157
    • Motion to replace with post and rail style.  All in favor.
      • Doug recommended using pressure treated
      • Dianne indicated they use locust at the Farmstead.
    • Stone mason supposed to do work in Aug/Sep.  Dianne will follow up.  Cost ~ $400 
  • Freedoms Foundation:  no update
  • Sedgley (Reeves) Property
    • Extension to 07-Nov.
    • Sandy put together draft responses to the comments which were discussed.  Additional comments to be forwarded to Sandy
    • Lee recommended that we ask Mary have the solicitory comment on any legal issues.
    • We are not obligated to respond.
  • Royal Bank Property
    • Supreme Court did not take the case.  Lower court ruling in favor of Royal Bank stands.  They can demolish the building at any time as the permit was already granted.
    • Sandy inquired whether we can ask that the ordinance be followed.  Mary inquired with Band and they feel we have all the information we need and will not allow us access to the property for interior photos.
    • Concerns about taking this to the press.  Sandy feels we should present at the next BOS meeting and get it to press.  Lee indicated that we need to proceed with caution.  Township does not want to defame Royal Bank.  Speaking as a private citizen we can go with anything.  Suggest a newsletter story - to educate citizens on what are we doing to firm up our ordinances?   
    • How can we keep this from happening again?
      • We need to work on updating our ordinance.  John is willing to work on this project.
      • Sandy presented a memo from Preservation Pennsylvania which outlines a grant from the National Trust that has been used to hire 2 people to help townships with these types of issue.  One of the individuals, David Kimmerly has worked on ordinances in the past.  Sandy will contact to see if we can get him involved.
      • Karen Marshall indicated that there may be county money available to work on ordinances.
      • Jane Davidson is now working as a consultant.
      • Finalizing our resource list and forwarding it to the Township Office will help.
      • We also need to meet again with the office and Yerkes to discuss ordinances and historic preservation.  How can we make it easier for them?  Suggestion to provide them with a checklist of items needed.
      • Suggested that we ask Karen her opinion of which Townships have the best ordinances.
      • Inventory list - we need good criteria.  Try to get the person from Preservation PA to help tweak the list that Dianne put together.
    •   What info is Royal Bank required to provide that we do not have?
      • Lee suggested we figure out what we need and send a memo to BOS stating what is missing.
    •   Next steps:
      • Create checklist for office
      • Set up workshops to develop policy statements and workschedule.
      • Clarify role of ZHB vs BOS in ordinance.
  • Schuylkill School - no update
  • Toonerville Trolley Trail - no update

AMERICAN REVOLUTION CENTER- Recommendation to BOS

    • Comments in print provided by Sandy and Jim in favor of current site.
    • Sandy feels the ARC empowers our region, provides jobs and enhances the historic experience for tourists.
    • Doug indicated that he has concerns about the ordinance allowing expansion of development.
    • Jim indicated that the ordinance is tilted toward new amenities being within existing structures with the exception of a provision for a semi permanent camp ground.
    • Dianne asked if Superintendent Caldwell conceded that the location is acceptable?
    • Sandy indicated that he was opposed to the ordinance not the site.
    • Dianne felt that the ARC and National Park Service should revisit their agreement.
    • Sandy indicated that they have been talking for 10 years and wondered why it would work now.
    • Khalil feels it promotes historic education and this could be good for our township and historic preservation within the township.
    • Dianne feels it should be within the park and lodging is not essential.
    • Lee suggested we recommend that all parties (ARC, VFNHP, Philadelphia historic sites) tie together locations in some way.
    • Motion:  Recommend to BOS that we are in agreement with the ARC proposal and we encourage cooperation between ARC, VFNHP and all local entities.:  In favor - Joanne, Doug, Sandy , Khalil, Pam.  Opposed:  Dianne.
    • Sandy to write letter to BOS.
    • Dianne and John to write their dissent for letter to BOS.

OLD BUSINESS:

  • Wilmer House is having aluminum siding put on.  They do not require a permit to do so, but since this property is in the historic overlay, should they have come to us first?
  • Recollections of the Past - Moore Hall to be featured.
  • Fire Co House - old school building - need research. Sandy will request a tour.

NEW BUSINESS

  • Khalil indicated that we are in need of a new camera.  He will work with Mary to purchase.

Meeting adjourned at 9:24
Next meeting will be 17-Nov-2008
    Meeting to begin at 7:00

Submitted by:
Pamela Applegate-Frasch