MEMBERS: Bob Mauch, Bud Emig, Greg Blazic, Gary Gounaris, Tim McAvoy, Bob Cooney, Bereth Graeff , Walter Mostek
ATTENDANCE: All present
CALL TO ORDER: Bob Cooney, Chairman of the Open Space Commission called the meeting to order at 7:33 p.m.
MOMENT OF REFELECTION
Remembrance of Bob Sugarman’s service to the township.
MINUTES:
PUBLIC COMMENT
Paul Kuhnis a resident of Pawlings Road came to inquire as to the status of the Nolen Property and the prospect of preserving Open Space or whether the developer will be building additional houses. The OSC advised Mr. Kuhnis that we are aware and we have been talking to Mr. Nolen about the possibility of preserving Open Space on that parcel.
PRESENTATION
Natural Lands Trust- by Diane Rosencrance and Nathan Walker - Presentation on Clean Water and Healthy Habitats. Project objectives are to locate high priority lands for both ecological conservation and source water protection.
NLT will provide technical assistance in identifying the high priority lands and help the township identify areas that should be conserved. NLT will look at the ecological infrastructure and identify pathways/greenways between priority areas. For $500 NLT will review the ZO and SLDO for a quick review to see if there are any changes that can be made to foster conservation.
A motion was made by BobMauch, seconded by Tim McAvoy, that the Smart Conservation Presentation be made to the Regional Planning Commission and was passed unanimously.
EAC Representative advised the OSC on the Rails/Trails project. In Schuylkill Township there is the old Devault rail line and municipalities along the trail are looking to convert the rail into a trail. The other development issue is a Phoenixville developer who commissioned a feasibility study of a light rail system to connect to the Regional rail in Paoli. Should that occur it is also possible that a trail would be alongside the rail. There is a desire to put a trail head somewhere in Schuylkill Township along Pot House road. Therefore, the EAC wants the OSC to be aware that this is an issue for the future and if any land becomes available that would be suitable for a trail head that the OSC consider acquiring that land for that purpose.
PROPERTY OUTREACH
Bob Mauch reported that a meeting of the committee was held at 6:30 pm. The committed reached out to some property owners. A uniform message was communicated to each targeted property owner. Out of the 5 targeted property owners three agreed to a meeting with either an OSC member or an OSC member accompanied by NLT.
Bob Mauch reported that we have used $8,700 of our pre-approved NLT expenditure of $10,000. The OSC has budgeted $25,000 for costs from NLT
Bob Mauch made a motion to request an additional $10,000 for activities with NLT to continue with designated projects, including, but not limited to, grant writing, mapping, and other projects, seconded by Greg Blazic and passed unanimously.
FINANCE
Greg Blazic reported that he had a conversation with legal counsel and our financial advisor regarding borrowing money for advance money, earnest money as discussed at a prior meeting. It was recommended that we not borrow money for the earnest money but borrow a large sum at a later date and then replenish the earnest money.
OSC current Open Space Funds are in excess of $900,000 and are presently sitting in Wachovia Bank.
NEW BUSINESS
Regional Plan
The regional planning commission authored a report on the Reeves Property which recommended clustering on the northern parcel and open space on the southern parcel.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
A motion was made by Bob Cooney and seconded by Gary Gounaris to move into executive session at 9:15 p.m.
Executive session 9:15-9:53
MOTIONS POST EXECUTIVE SESSION
None
MOTION TO ADJOURN
A motion to adjourn the meeting was made at 9:55 p.m. by Tim McAvoy, seconded by Gary Gounaris and passed unanimously.