Restoration Projects, Resident Concerns Dominate Schuylkill Township Board Meeting

Historical restoration projects and resident problems with flooding were the main topics at the Schuylkill Township Board of Supervisors meeting Wednesday evening.

In addition to discussion on the Schuylkill School cupola project (story coming Monday), the board looked over bids for restoration of the Valley Park Pavilion.

The board opened and read bids from six companies. The bids ranged from approximately $18,000 to more than $43,000. CRJ Construction, from Wayne, PA, was the winning bidder at $18,275.

The township originally budgeted $20,000 for the project.

The board voted to accept the CRJ Construction bid, contingent on whether the company’s reputation and references are positive.

“We want things done right,” said Supervisor Fred Parry.

The board heard from resident Lorri Sarosy of the 600 block of Pennypacker Avenue on flooding problems she is experiencing on her property. Sarosy said that there is a stream behind her home, and with the recent rains the Pickering Creek has overflowed into her yard and she has experienced water in her basement.

Sarosy said the flooding was not an issue when she purchased the home five years ago, and it has gotten worse just in the last two years.

Sarosy said she has tried to do maintenance on her part of the stream and has been trying to keep the stream channel somewhat open to see if that helped with the water flow.

Sarosy said the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is already involved and there have been letters sent to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation regarding the culvert on Pennypacker Avenue. Letters have also been sent to Sarosy’s neighbors.

Supervisor Jim Morrisson said in looking at the map, there are 21 properties along the Pcikering Creek near Sarosy’s home. Morrisson said that would be an ideal opportunity for education and suggested that Sarosy talk to the township’s Environmental Advisory Council (EAC).

Morrison said part of the issue is whether the board can authorize public work on private properties.

Marlou Gregory, a stormwater expert and member of the EAC, was present at the meeting and expressed several concerns.

Sarosy’s home is not noted on the FEMA floodplain map that is used to determine areas of flood danger, according to Gregory. She suggested that getting updated flood maps is one thing the township government could do.

Gregory also said that there is no buffer of vegetation along the stream in many areas. A riparian buffer would help with the overflow problem. While planting a buffer would be the responsibility of the homeowners along the creek, Gregory said that the municipality could assist in outreach and education for the residents.

An audience member also suggested Sarosy contact the Chester County Conservation District, as part of their mandate is to help with problems caused by stormwater issues.

While the board took no action on Sarosy’s problem, Chairwoman Barbara Cohen said they are certainly sympathetic to her problems.

In other township news, the board authorized the purchase of a new rescue pumper truck for the Valley Forge Volunteer Fire Company. The fire company asked for the release of $308,000 in funds to pay for half of the new vehicle. The current rescue pumper is 20 years old.

The board also approved a second group of hunters for the deer hunt in Pickering Park. Whitetail Associates requested to be allowed to participate this year.

During the treasurer’s report Parry said that the township has closed a large gap in income tax collection.

“We have $50,000 more than 2010 and $100,000 more than 2009,” Parry said. “We have collected 87.93 percent of the taxes due us.”

Cohen announced that there would be a community event at the Foundry building in Phoenixville at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 13 where a presentation on the progress of the Schuylkill River Trail will be given.

Finally, during the opening vote to approve the minutes of last month’s meeting, Supervisor Laurie Williams objected to the content of the minutes and to Morrisson hiring a videographer to record the board meeting.

“There are numerous factual errors in the minutes, and slander,” Williams said. “I am suing Barbara Cohen and Jim Morrisson for slander and libel.”

At its August meeting, the four supervisors voted in Williams' absence following an executive session  to Williams and to request her resignation from the board.

Williams moved to exempt the minutes from a vote on the consent agenda. Supervisor Norman Vutz disagreed, saying Williams’ issue is with the content, not the specific actions recorded.

“The actions were accurately recorded in the minutes,” Vutz said.