Thanks to The Phoenix for reporting on this.
-Is there any connection between this story and the resignation of the new superintendent?
-What is the total cost to taxpayers for this fiasco?
FLOODGATES OPEN FOR PASD
Friday, November 14, 2008 6:18 AM EST
Board opens up on KES project, former staff
PHOENIXVILLE — Phoenixville Area School District has filed a claim in arbitration against former Superintendent of Schools Dr. David Noyes "for errors and omissions he committed" in connection with the purchase of property for the now-abandoned Kimberton Elementary School project, it was revealed late Thursday.
The Board's action was announced in a statement from the Board of School Directors read out by board president Mark Casaday. The statement detailed the results of the district's investigation of the circumstances of the property's purchase.
The 15-page statement detailed actions and inactions by Noyes, former PASD business administrator Michelle Diekow and others, as reflected in email, correspondence, notes and time-records of the principles.
Diekow was dismissed, the statement said, as a result of her involvement with the purchase. The board is continuing to evaluate the possibility of additional action against her.
The statement argued that Noyes and Deikow failed to keep the board informed concerning activities surrounding the identification, appraisal, and environmental conditions of the property and the terms of the agreement of the property's sale.
For more on the story, be sure see tomorrow's The Phoenix for the next in our series, "State of our Schools."
— G.E. Lawrence
URL: http://www.phoenixvillenews.com/articles/2008/11/14/news/srv0000004042235.prt
© 2008 phoenixvillenews.com, a Journal Register Property
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PASD Superintendent Resigns
Just appointed to the position in July, Dr. Maria Schwab steps down from post
Friday, November 7, 2008 9:24 AM EST
By G.E. LAWRENCE
Journal Register News Service
PHOENIXVILLE — Dr. Maria M. Schwab, who began her work as Superintendent of Schools of the Phoenixville Area School District only in July, has resigned her position, effective Saturday, November 8.
At a special meeting of the Board of School Directors held Thursday evening, a separation agreement between the District and Dr. Schwab was approved by a 7-2 vote, with Keith Wickstrom and Joshua Gould in dissent.
In a subsequent action, the Board unanimously approved the appointment, also effective Saturday, of Dr. Maryjane Richmond, currently Assistant Superintendent, as Acting Superintendent.
A statement on the matter was read publicly by Board President Mark Casaday. “Effective November 8, 2008, Dr. Maria Schwab ends her employment [with PASD] as a result of her voluntary resignation. We wish Dr. Schwab well. …
“Dr. Richmond will serve in [her new] capacity,” Casaday read, “until such time as Phoenixville Area School District appoints an Interim Superintendent. Once an Interim Superintendent is appointed, [PASD] will conduct an extensive search through a professional recruiter to find excellent candidates.
Casaday concluded, “After conducting interviews, [PASD] will select a permanent Superintendent who will provide the outstanding leadership that this community expects.”
The terms of the separation agreement with Schwab were not released.
Reached at home late Thursday, Dr. Schwab said that she “could not make any comment.”
More on the issue will appear in tomorrow’s edition of The Phoenix.
URL: http://www.phoenixvillenews.com/articles/2008/11/07/news/doc49144c9745e14860285323.prt
© 2008 phoenixvillenews.com, a Journal Register Property
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The Phoenix (phoenixvillenews.com), Serving Phoenixville and the surrounding communities
News
State Of Our Schools
PASD still in shadow of KES
Sunday, October 26, 2008 9:21 PM EDT
By G.E. Lawrence
The Phoenix Correspondent
PHOENIXVILLE — The 2007-2008 academic year concluded for the Board of School Directors of the Phoenixville Area School District in an unusually dramatic fashion.
The 2008-2009 academic year has begun, by all appearances, as its opposite, a return to the Board’s quieter but purposefully efficient, business-like style. The consequences of the end-of-year drama over Kimberton Elementary School, however, are still apparent. And have not ended.
At last year’s final regular business meeting June 19, Board President Mark Casaday announced to an audience of one hundred the decision to “abandon Kimberton Elementary School construction plans,” citing as justification “var
ious considerations, including but not limited to community concerns.”
The decision drew a conclusion to something under six weeks of struggle over six years of issues on the site’s selection, the building’s design — and, above all else, the site’s safety. No one argued against the plain fact that groundwater aquifers there were contaminated with trichloroethylene (TCE) and other volatile chemicals, presumably originating from the neighboring Ciba-Geigy Superfund site. It was a question of assessing the threat.
The June 19 session had even been preceded, most unusually, by an outdoor press conference, held by the Coalition of Concerned Citizens, an alliance hastily formed to put up a late-in-the-game, very public fight against the project. The Coalition argued that they had not been at all well-informed on the pending decision. Their very public fight drew the presence of the cameras and microphones of a half-dozen regional media outlets.
District business administrator Michelle Diekow wondered aloud just what arrangements would have to change to better inform a public that had clearly felt so ill-informed. Superintendent of Schools Dr. David R. Noyes calculated aloud the dollars lost to a now-defunct project, and got to $3.8 million.
And that evening’s meeting was the last for the retiring Noyes. The cameras followed him out of the hall.
The Board’s opening meeting of the new year on August 21 was held before an audience of forty-some, including several Concerned Citizens. At this one, a return to normalcy, to a well-constructed agenda efficiently gotten through.
Yet, still another surprise, another public statement read out by Casaday, another turn in the KES story. The Board would take legal action against parties, as yet unidentified, “who we [the Board] have determined acted improperly and caused the School District and the taxpayers financial loss.”
“[W]e have instructed our counsel to take any and all actions necessary to protect our interests, to ensure that the persons responsible are held accountable, and to recover all taxpayer dollars lost,” Casaday said. The decision followed a thorough summer-long internal investigation. In its results, said Board counsel Ron Williams, the public “will have answers to each and every question.”
Diekow was absent. By September’s meeting on the 18th , a new interim business administrator had joined the Board at the table.
Beginning September 24, Board members were holding monthly open forums with members of the public, “opportunities to share ideas and concerns regarding any aspect of the school district, including facilities, curriculum or finance.”
At the Board’s business meeting on Oct. 16 held before an audience of no more than a dozen, a “separation and release agreement between the Phoenixville Area School District and Employee #1544” was approved. Comment surrounding the approval suggested that the employee was Diekow.
At October’s meeting, there was no agenda item on KES, no new public statement planned from Casaday.
There was a voting item for “approval to file arbitration.” Confidential attachment. No employee number.
And there was one public remark: in response to a question about the status of KES and related facilities-expansion issues from Schuylkill Township’s Paul Kuhn, Casaday reiterated the aim of full public disclosure. “We’re close, Paul,” Casaday said, “We’re this close.”
The Board’s next session is a workshop, November 13.
URL: http://www.phoenixvillenews.com/articles/2008/10/26/news/doc4905161aac652184503247.prt
© 2008 phoenixvillenews.com, a Journal Register Property
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The Phoenix (phoenixvillenews.com), Serving Phoenixville and the surrounding communities
PASD discusses KES issues
EAST PIKELAND EAC HOSTS SPECIAL MEETING ON ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES AT SCHOOL SITE
Thursday, June 19, 2008 3:00 AM EDT
By G.E. Lawrence
PHOENIXVILLE The public complaint, increasingly severe and urgent as the Phoenixville Area Board of School Directors approaches its final decisions on the proposed Kimberton Elementary School, was that residents were not sufficiently informed of the details of the project.
The complaint was answered Wednesday evening in a marathon four-hour session with some 60 residents, held under the auspices of the East Pikeland Environmental Advisory Committee. District officials and project consultants reviewed the project from its inception through stages of environmental testing to building design specifications.
EAC chair Martin Sheehan said that "The township wanted to provide this venue" for airing all issues.
Among the battery of presenters were Ron Miller, Phoenixville Area School District director of operations; Chris Roe, Fox, Rothschild, the district's counsel on environmental matters; Ann Logue and Glenn Harris, from consulting engineers CMX Inc.; Jeff Angstadt, construction managers foreman; Danielle Hoffer, of Gilbert Architects; and Dr. William Schew, O�Brien & Gere engineers, author of
the principal environmental study for the site.
It was environmental safety issues on the 22-acre property, located across Coldstream Road from the Kimberton Superfund Site, that drew most attention.
Logue reported data on groundwater contamination from studies done through 2004, and from groundwater sampling and soil testing done by CMX after the property�s purchase by the District from C. Raymond Davis, Inc., in 2005.
In an area used by the Davis Company for construction landfill, Logue said that soil sampling did not indicate a source of impact on the environmental safety of the site.
But water sampling confirmed some levels of concern in selected areas on the site, especially the occurrence of trichloroethylene (TCE) in deep aquifers 135 feet and 275 feet below ground. The presumptive source is the nearby Superfund Site.
Schew's analysis in a written report and in a presentation to the PASD Board that the District aired online was at the center of the discussion. He had concluded that detected contaminant levels, with the District's proposed vapor barriers and venting systems as second- and third-level protections, meant that acknowledged contaminants did not present a danger to students and staff at the proposed school.
"I realize that I'm probably the least-liked guy here," Schew began. "But I'm doing this by science. I don't have an agenda."
Schew also tested the site, in locations around the proposed building footprint. "If we didn't find a problem 10 feet down, we're not going to have a problem. It comes down to the physics of the situation: there is just no physical way that vapors from shallow aquifers will volatilize [up into the school]. And contaminants cannot volatilize from deeper levels.
The school board meets tonight at 7:00 p.m. in the Phoenixville Area High School Auditorium to consider bids for the project.
URL: http://www.phoenixvillenews.com/articles/2008/06/19/past stories/19964254.prt
© 2008 phoenixvillenews.com, a Journal Register Property
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The Phoenix (phoenixvillenews.com), Serving Phoenixville and the surrounding communities
Coalition unites against Kimberton Elementary site
Sunday, June 15, 2008 3:00 AM EDT
Why are some people so against the proposed site for the new Kimberton Elementary School? If you are wondering this yourself, please read on.
Every parent and school administrator agrees that yes, we need a new elementary school. Most parents are aware that a new school is in the works, but many only recently learned how large the red flags are concerning the school site. In fact, the red flags are so big and so red that we began to question if our school should even be built on this site.
Readers probably know that the Kimberton school will be a 650-student building, much larger than the East Pikeland building which currently houses 344 students. This will help PASD solve the problem of overcrowding at Barkley school, and thus, there will be some redistricting when the Kimberton school opens. Most people know the school site will be adjacent to a superfund site. (Superfunds are hazardous waste sites placed on the US EPA's National Priority List.) People may or may not know the contaminated Superfund groundwater is being cleaned by an aeration process called Air-Stripping, and off-gases are produced from this air-stripping process. Readers may not know that there has been NO air quality testing at the school site to date. We do know the Kimberton Elementary School will sit on top of the contaminated groundwater plume seeping from the adjacent Superfund site. Most people know the groundwater at the school site IS contaminated with 2 volatile organic compounds called TCE and DCE and so there will be no use of groundwater at the school site.People may or may not know that the school district planned to install a state of the art geothermal heating and cooling system, but due to the contamination found while drilling, the school CANNOT go ahead with this heating/cooling plan. Most people probably know a municipal dump that operated in the 1950s sits on the school site as well. The total contents of the dump are unknown.
Most people probably don't know that a letter from Ciba Specialty Chemicals (the company responsible for the polluting) surfaced stating Ciba continues to believe that constructing an elementary school on property adjacent to a Superfund site undergoing active groundwater remediation is ill-advised, regardless of what protective measures are taken in its construction and operation. The letter was dated October 19, 2007. Ciba's Stockton Evaluation report says there may actually be another still unidentified source of contamination at the school site!
Okay you ask, what about all the testing and reassurances we've heard about? Yes, there was testing and an expert wrote a report. The EPA reviewed the report and said vapor intrusion �appears unlikely. The EPA document also states the evaluation of the Stockton formation in not complete and additional investigations may be required. The expert writes the chemical compounds are not expected to have an adverse impact on indoor air quality, and the levels are unlikely to impact human health. His report states that by default there is no pathway for harmful vapors to enter the building. There is NO statement in the report that absolutely denies the possibility of toxic gases entering the elementary school.
Here is something worth noting; this is a science of predictions based on data. It is much like meteorology and weather forecasting where Doppler Radar generates data and then predications are made. Certainly Doppler Radar is much more advanced in comparison to our older technology, yet still how many times have our weather forecasters been wrong? How many times did we wake up (after stopping at the store for bread and milk) to discover there was no snow because the storm took another track, one that our science and technology had not anticipated? How many times have we learned we can't predict Mother Nature? And as for science, well there was a time when hundreds of scientists told us the world was flat, and entire nations of people believed them, simply because they did not know any other truth at the time. And as for experts, well there was a day that an expert told us Agent Orange was perfectly safe. There was a day an expert told us nicotine was not addicting. There was a day that an expert told us asbestos was a safe, fire retardant building material. There was a day that an expert told us cigarettes would not cause cancer. There was a day that an expert said the Titanic was an unsinkable ship.
We all know that then the day came when someone, probably just like you or me, discovered those experts were very wrong.
"Not expected to," "unlikely to," "by default," "predictions" and "ill-advised" are not the stuff that puts to rest fears of toxic chemicals and their vapors in anxious parent's minds.
The question remains is it really safe to build the Kimberton Elementary School on the proposed site?
We strongly believe the red flags (superfund site, air-stripping, toxic chemicals, contaminated groundwater, unidentified sources of contamination, a municipal dump, and weak reassurances) are there for all who are willing to open their eyes and see.
Our common sense tells us this doesn't make sense, and we will not put blind faith in any expert or any science, because we well know that as a human race we are still continuing to learn. A parent at the June 5th school board meeting stated "sometimes we just don't know how much we don't know." Let's not learn the hard way. Let's err on the side of caution, and let's not err on the side of inestimable human tragedy.
We hope readers care enough to get informed for themselves, and we urge parents and community members to come out to the East Pikeland township meeting on June 18th at 6:00 p.m. at the EP township building, and we especially hope people will attend the school board meeting on June 19th at 7:00 p.m. in the HS auditorium. You don't need to make a public statement, but you need to be there to show you care.
Sincerely,
Donna Jackson
Phoenixville Coalition of Concerned Citizens
URL: http://www.phoenixvillenews.com/articles/2008/06/15/past stories/19964386.prt
© 2008 phoenixvillenews.com, a Journal Register Property
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PASD tax hikes bring pain with no apparent gain
Thursday, June 12, 2008 3:00 AM EDT
Once again, the giant albatross known as the Phoenixville Area School District became bigger and the noose around the necks of property owners will be tighter because they approved another tax increase. In the past 5 years, the school tax on my home has increased by 37%.
Has anyone ever asked the school administration and/or School Board why PASD spends the most per student in Chester County yet consistently produces one of the lowest SAT scores?
I asked that question of the outgoing Superintendent of Schools and received a typical bureaucratic answer which did not address the topic. Seeing as there are many taxpayers on fixed incomes and the cost of living is increasing at a rapid rate, throwing more money at the current education system is obviously not the answer. Thank goodness, the current Superintendent of Schools is leaving that post. Of course, the taxpayers will have to support him for the rest of his life with very generous pension and benefit packages.
Why do I care about increasing SAT scores? The answer is obvious � at the rate the PASD administration and school board is going, many people will not be able to afford to stay in their homes. Potential buyers will want to know if they buy a home served by the PASD, will their children be able to get into the college of their choice? Considering the current SAT results, it does not appear this will be the case.
The article in The Phoenix which discussed the tax increase stated the budget could not be reduced except by reducing curriculum. Why is every sport conceivable supported by the school district? Is it necessary to have all the administrative employees? Why not do what many private sector companies are doing? Eliminate, reduce or delay salary increases. Reduce salaries. Increase the employee contribution to their health plans. No longer contribute to pension plans and encourage employees to contribute to their own IRA, 401k or equivalent plans.
Let's stop using the scare tactics of reducing curriculum as the only answer.
Now, the PASD wants to build a new school on a Super Fund Site. I only hope, after they stubbornly press forward with the plan to construct the school on that site, we will not learn after many millions of dollars are spent that it cannot be used due to toxicity that exceeds acceptable standards.
When an entity can increase taxes at their discretion, the desire to stay within a budget decreases. My only hope is that the incoming Superintendent of Schools has better business sense than the outgoing one. But I�m sure I will be disappointed seeing as one is the prot�g�e of the other.
Roy Hendl
Phoenixville
URL: http://www.phoenixvillenews.com/articles/2008/06/12/past stories/19964455.prt
© 2008 phoenixvillenews.com, a Journal Register Property
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The Phoenix (phoenixvillenews.com), Serving Phoenixville and the surrounding communities
Past Stories
Kimberton Elementary gets go-ahead
EAST PIKELAND SUPERVISORS OK PLAN FOR NEW SCHOOL BUILDING
Thursday, April 3, 2008 3:00 AM EDT
By Laurie Perini
EAST PIKELAND After some final questions from the Board of Supervisors, the Phoenixville Area School District's plan for Kimberton Elementary School was unanimously approved.
Supervisor Ron Graham had questions about the trail system and why there were no sidewalks along the frontage of the site.
PASD asked for a waiver for building sidewalks along the frontage of the property on Route 113 and will be paying a fee in lieu of the sidewalks.
PASD Director of Operations Ron Miller said sidewalks would not be used by children because of hazardous conditions along [Route] 113.
Instead, the children would be bussed to school and there are internal sidewalks on the plan. There is also a trail that will go through the property that will be open to the public.
The hours of operation and layout of the trail were major topics in the planning commission.
Originally, the school had proposed to close the trail during school hours, but the commission explained they accepted the trail in lieu of sidewalks because the local residents could still get through the site.
With this in mind, the school changed the shape of the trail and it is now open to the public during school hours.
The school has also agreed to maintain the portion of the trail that is on their land.
At the Tuesday night meeting, PASD asked for a waiver for the requirements for the trail grading so they could grade the trail using Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.
Graham also asked what the current East Pikeland Elementary School would be used for next.
We are planning on using it for education purposes, explained Miller. He said a pre-school and kindergarten program would move there and an alternative education program would be moved to the old Kindergarten Center.
Chair Rusty Strauss also asked if the closure plan for the site had been accepted by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
The site is near an existing SuperFund site. Because groundwater would not be used for drinking, the concern was with groundwater vapors.
After repeated testing, consultants found there were no pathways to the surface for the vapors. The school will also install a vapor barrier and vapor mitigation system, and consultants have said they feel the site is safe for a school.
The DEP wrote a letter accepting the closure plan and commending the school for their protection systems.
In other news, Chris Baker was appointed to the Environmental Advisory Council.
Planning Commission Member Steve Kelly's resignation was also approved. He is moving out of the township and will no longer be able to serve.
"I'd like to thank Steve ... for his service. He was an asset," said Strauss.
URL: http://www.phoenixvillenews.com/articles/2008/04/03/past stories/19966676.prt
© 2008 phoenixvillenews.com, a Journal Register Property
Friday, November 14, 2008
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Township Election Results for President
Click on image to enlarge.
4,303 voters cast votes for the Republican and Democratic candidates in 2004
4,590 did so in 2008
In April 2008 (latest statistics released), there were 2,885 registered Republicans, 1,931 Democrats and 591 others.
In November 2004, there were 3,298 Republicans, 1,633 Democrats and 959 others.
The PASD/YMCA trail: a Forward-looking Investment or the "Path to Nowhere"?
My questions:
Are the possible benefits worth the disruption and loss of property to area residents? Will this trail to the YMCA be considered safe or unsafe by parents who will decide whether their children should use it?
Benefits
- encourage walking and exercise, especially for young people
- a "greener" alternative to vehicular traffic
- join neighborhoods together
*****
These are excerpts taken from the posted meeting minutes of the Township Supervisors and the Phoenix newspaper on-line:
2005
MEETING DATE: June 15, 2005
The Schuylkill Township Planning Commission held their regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, June 15, 2005 at 8:00 p.m. at the Township hall. Members of the Planning Commission present were Mr. Reading, Mr. Claffey, Mr. Baer, Mr. Brennan and Mr. Boova. Mr. Quigg was not present. Mr. Reading chaired the meeting. The Township Engineer, Mr. John Sartor and his associate Ms. Mary Lou Lowrie, from Gilmore & Associates were present at the meeting as were Mr. Vutz, Mr. Ryan, Mr. Colket, Mr. Patankar and Mr. Ledbetter from the Board of Supervisors.
…
YMCA Sidewalks - Mr. Ledbetter stated that teenagers who use the YMCA have been working on a project that proposes installation of a sidewalk or path from the middle school/high school complex to the YMCA. Mr. Reading stated that the kids have shown great initiative. Mr. Ledbetter stated that the Township would be willing to work on funding for the project and that it would move the Township forward in finishing the Showalter trail. Mr. Reading stated that the YMCA could apply for a grant from the Phoenixville Community Health Foundation since it is a community oriented project. Mr. Claffey stated that the YMCA would need to make the presentation to the foundation. Mr. Sartor stated that he would review the plan and look for obstruction and utilities and develop a list of ideas. Mr. Reading stated that the sidewalk in the Borough of Phoenixville could then transition to a trail in Schuylkill Township. Mr. Greenauer asked that any engineering comments be sent to him. Mr. Claffey suggested extending the trail down to the White Horse Road Bridge that would include the VFSA and Aqua PA property.
******
The Schuylkill Township Board of Supervisors held their regular meeting on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. The meeting was held at the Township hall. Members of the Board present were Mr. Vutz, Mr. Ryan, Mr. Ledbetter, Mr. Colket, and Mr. Patankar. Mr. Vutz chaired the meeting. The Township Engineer, Mr. John Sartor from Gilmore & Associates was present as was Mr. Robert Sugarman, the Township Solicitor.
YMCA Trail – Mr. Ledbetter stated that both Senator Gerlach and Representative Rubley have approved the DCED application and will help sponsor it. Mr. Ledbetter thanked the kids from the YMCA and Gilmore & Associates for their efforts on the application. Mr. Sugarman stated that PaDOT allowing the trail to go in along Route 29 and Pothouse Road may be a way to get future road right-of-way as has happened in Buck County. Mr. Ledbetter stated that the trail will be within the existing right-of-way. Mr. Sartor stated that snow removal for the trail still needs to be identified. Mr. Ledbetter stated that it will be a new burden for the golf course and the property owners. He stated that the YMCA could maintain the trail within the Pickering Preserve. Mr. Ledbetter advised that PaDOT will do construction of the trail within the road right-of-way. He stated that the YMCA kids will have to do the outreach to the citizens affected by the trail. Mr. Ledbetter stated that there could be close to $400,000 in funding for the trail.
*********
2006
The Schuylkill Township Board of Supervisors held their regular meeting on Wednesday, February 1, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. The meeting was held at the Township hall. Members of the Board present were Mr. Vutz, Mr. Colket, Mr. Ledbetter, Mrs. Marquart and Mr. Patankar. Also present at the meeting were Ms. Mary Lou Lowrie of Gilmore & Associates for Mr. John Sartor, the Township Engineer and Mr. Robert J. Sugarman, the Township Solicitor.
Public Participation: Mrs. Joanne Brown, one of the owners of Meadowbrook Golf Course, addressed the Board regarding the trail installation that is proposed along State Road (Route 29) and Pothouse Road from the high school to the YMCA. She stated that her objections, as well as those of her neighbors that will be affected by the proposed sidewalk, involve the safety of the children. Mrs. Brown stated that the property owned by Remed, the owners of which do not live in the Township, is the only one in favor of the project. Mrs. Brown advised that there was a bad accident in that same area on January 31, 2006. She questioned why alternatives such as busing to and from the YMCA and the high school or the children going through St John’s Circle neighborhood be considered. Mrs. Brown advised that the kids are currently going through the St. John’s Circle area. Mrs. Brown stated that it was inconsiderate of the Township and the YMCA to have applied for a grant with the State without informing the property owners. Mrs. Brown requested that the Board of Supervisors do what is best for the Township and its constituents and withdraw the application. Mr. Vutz stated that the project was not started on a whim. Mr. Ledbetter stated that the Township is going for a $500,000 grant for the project. He stated that the proposed alternatives as stated by Mrs. Brown sound like “not in my backyard”. Mr. Ledbetter advised that the alternatives are too expensive, pose a circuitous route and it would be unlikely that PennDOT would approve crossing a State Road at the school or at Pothouse Rd/Norris Ave to access the YMCA. He advised that State Road has sidewalks in the Borough. He stated that the grant would defray the cost to improve the walkability of the Township. Mr. Ledbetter advised that a concept plan was drawn up for the grant and that the actual right-of-way width has not been confirmed. He stated that the Safety Officer with PennDOT is okay with the concept. He advised that the there is a possibility that the YMCA will plow the sidewalk along Pothouse Road up to State Road and that the school district will plow the sidewalk from the high school to Pothouse Road. Mr. Ledbetter stated that there are no assurances that there will not be a tragedy. He stated that the residents will be updated about the grant and right-of-way.
Mrs. Brown stated that she would not allow a school age child to walk along State Road and Pothouse Road. She stated that the concept is a crazy scheme and not for the good of the taxpayers. Mrs. Brown stated that some of the kids that would use the sidewalk are not even part of the PASD. Mr. Ledbetter stated that the broader benefit will link the sidewalk system from the Borough to the YMCA. He stated that the sidewalk system will be within the right-of-way. Mr. Ledbetter stated that the Township, Y kids and residents should walk the trail location in April after the grant has been approved. Mr. Colket stated that it is premature to back out. Mrs. Marquart stated that no matter where the sidewalk is put, no one will want it. She stated that the Township is trying to promote safer walking areas. Mrs. Marquart stated that the residents should have been approached before the application was submitted to the State.
*****
2007
Talks for YMCA trail continue
SCHUYLKILL - Details for a future trail running from Phoenixville Middle School to the YMCA are continuing to be discussed and surveys done as plans progress.
Friday, January 19, 2007 3:00 AM EST
By COLLEEN MCCULLOUGH
SCHUYLKILL - Details for a future trail running from Phoenixville Middle School to the YMCA are continuing to be discussed and surveys done as plans progress.
The Board of Supervisors heard and took part in discussions about the trail for over one year, and received a $350,000 grant for its construction in the spring.
"Now that we've gotten approval for the grant, we're in a process of getting everything in order. It's federal money and administered by PennDOT," Lee Ledbetter, member of the Board of Supervisors, said.
Leaders at the YMCA had approached the township about creating a trail because of the concern for the safety of the children coming to their facility.
But, among other concerns, some residents are worried that the proposed trail still leaves children in a precarious situation.
"It's just a dangerous intersection," Mary Jane Riley, a resident whose property will be affected by the trail, said. "It's simply not safe."
In order to reach the YMCA, the currently proposed trail will run along Route 29, cross Pothouse Road, and head east to its final destination.
But Ledbetter sees the trail as something the township can do to enhance the safety of the teenagers walking between the two facilities giving a secure and designed way for them to travel.
"Kids, today, are walking to the YMCA now," Ledbetter said. "They're not waiting for the trail and they're crossing wherever they can with no signals and no safety."
In fact, one of the "big ticket items" is improvements and changes in signaling for pedestrian crossings at the intersection with Pothouse Road.
The other expensive item is a bridge to cross the stream at the golf course.
As the plan currently stands, the trail would run along Meadow Brook Golf Course, the Remed property, two homes, and one rental property, Ledbetter said.
Located on the right-of-way, the trail would not be on private property, but would be running on what some have considered their land for many years.
And for that reason, some property owners along the path are opposed to the trail.
"No one wants a trail in their front yard," Riley said. "There's many of us against it. It's just wasting money."
Peter Brown, a resident of Schuylkill Township, echoed Riley's feelings of discontent about the trail for many residents.
The other concern many residents have, Brown said, was the issue of liability.
"Liability is determined by the court," Ledbetter said. "You can't forecast it."
But because the trail will be on PennDOT property, Ledbetter said that it would be no different than falling and breaking an arm in the street.
The trail, which the township would maintain after construction, would have a one- to two-foot gap, at most, between the road and the side nearest to the road.
This, Ledbetter said was for two reasons.
The first is related to the previously mentioned worry of having a public trail on private property.
"This will keep on the trail on the right-of-way," Ledbetter said.
The second reason addresses the concern of the trees along Route 29, some of which grow on Riley's property.
"There are beautiful sycamore trees along the path that we don't want to endanger," Ledbetter said.
The township has involved its Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) to make sure prudent and cautious decisions for the design and engineering will have the smallest effect possible on the trees.
Despite these answers, some residents still show caution, and others opposition, to the plan.
"I wouldn't say it's been done in secret," Peter Brown, Schuylkill Township resident, said. "But they haven't been knocking on affected property owners' doors and getting their opinion either."
Brown added he questioned how much respect the township was showing these affected property owners, but also acknowledged he felt the township was acting for what they perceived as "the greater good."
And Ledbetter agreed.
"I would say borough residents and township residents have asked for trails," Ledbetter said. "The supervisors are listening to residents and going with the majority."
Of all the concerns, including liability, safety and cost, Ledbetter said he thought the objections boil down to one thing.
"In my opinion, it comes to I don't want it in my yard," Ledbetter said. "But that's the problem with democracy. It services the majority."
URL: http://www.phoenixvillenews.com/articles/2007/01/19/today's stories/17729330.prt
© 2008 phoenixvillenews.com, a Journal Register Property
*****
What is happening with another trail:
Schuylkill supers, developer, residents discussing trail issue
SCHUYLKILL - The issues of the trail that prompted many questions at the Board of Supervisors meeting in January between the residents, board members, and developer have still not been settled.
Monday, February 5, 2007 3:00 AM EST
But progress is being made.
By COLLEEN MCCULLOUGH
SCHUYLKILL - The issues of the trail that prompted many questions at the Board of Supervisors meeting in January between the residents, board members, and developer have still not been settled.
But progress is being made.
Pulte Homes has made contact with the President of the HomeOwners Association, and the township seems open to some desires of the residents.
The controversial trail surrounding Pickering Glen has been a topic in the town for much longer than one month. However, last month the residents raised the question of whether or not the trail maintenance was truly their responsibility.
At the meeting in January, home owners in Pickering Glen came to say that they bought the homes without the knowledge that they were responsible for the trail.
"The houses were sold to the 48 homeowners a totally different way than what the township is saying," one resident said at the meeting.
But since the meeting where deception, liens on homes and caution were all spoken of, a calmer approach seems to have taken place.
Residents, board members of Schuylkill Township and representatives of Pulte Homes have been in contact over the past month to discuss possible resolutions to the problems with the trail - who is responsible and its possible malfunctioning.
Peter Mercuri, President of the HomeOwners Association, said when the homeowners first secured the property in 2002, they were given a copy of the Declaration of Covenants of Restrictions.
In that copy, it stated the township was responsible for the trail.
Then, in 2003, they received another copy of the same document that stated the HomeOwners Association was responsible for the upkeep.
"Something happened in between there," Mercuri said. "Either Pulte or the management company, which was hired by Pulte, neglected to put the correct document in our original copy."
Mercuri also said, as far as they know, that was the only aspect of the document that was changed, and there was no meeting about it.
"I know it's possible those documents changed," Ken Drzozowski, Vice President of Land Entitlement and Development, said. "They change throughout the approval process with the township. Those documents were never officially recorded."
And the township maintained at the last meeting that they were never responsible for the trail, and are unwavering in that regard.
But they are not unwavering in the options they are willing to give the residents of Pickering Glen.
Despite saying that the trail would probably hold up if maintained properly, Norman Vutz, Chair of the Board of Supervisors, said he thought the board would be open to a change of the surface.
"If Pulte will come in and help with the cost and the engineering is done, and approved, I think we would be okay with that," Vutz said.
The residents are thinking about the possibility of paving, Mercuri said, because the trail is not functioning properly.
The first time the trail was installed it was done improperly, and Mercuri said it isn't working properly this time either.
Drzozowksi said the current design of the trail was installed as approved by the township.
But Mercuri said the trail simply does not work properly.
"The trail wasn't working right off the bat," Mercuri said. "It was installed at the end of 2004 and within a couple months we knew it wasn't right."
Mercuri said that the trail gets soggy, something it's not supposed to do, every time it rains.
"We want the builder to meet us half way, and allow us to put in a new surface because it's obviously not working," Mercuri said. "It's not our fault they've already put it in twice."
The trail is made with natural soil pavement, a product of PolyPavement. The product is not used anywhere else in the township, and only one other place on the east coast.
And after what Mercuri calls "numerous attempts," Pulte Homes did get in touch with him just a few days ago.
Drzozowski said they just spoke with the residents because they were waiting for the documents after the last board meeting, and that they now have them and have reviewed them.
"Pulte Homes is reaching out to the HomeOwners Association," Drzozowski said. "We have discussed the possibility of helping to offset the cost and that's where we stand right now."
Mercuri said the HomeOwners Association has an estimate totaling between $24,000 and $30,000 for paving the trail.
But the cost is worth it, Mercuri said, because of the continuing cost of maintaining the current trail.
"We're of the belief that if we put blacktop on the trail, it will be easier and more cost effective for us to maintain," Mercuri said. "It would be less of a liability."
Currently, the residents pay around $6,000 per year for the maintenance, plus saving for the cost of replacing the trail that the HomeOwners Association would have to be done every eight to ten years.
"We just want to be met halfway with Pulte and for the township to allow us options with the trail," Mercuri said.
And, as of right now, it looks like that might be possible.
But Vutz did say that the additional runoff that would occur with paving the trail must be addressed.
"Paving the trail was one of the possibilities that came up in the approval and design process," Vutz said. "And I think Pulte decided to go the way they did because storm water management would have to be done to accommodate the additional runoff."
All three groups would like progress to be made with regard to the trail.
"No one wants to get in an argument," Mercuri said. "The price will only go up the longer we wait."
And both board members and Pickering Glen residents agree the trail is a positive asset for the community.
Eventually, the board would like all the trails in the township to link to together so people can ride bikes and walk around the entire township.
"This trail is important," Vutz said. "It would be used as a link to the YMCA, the middle school, and the borough."
And both Vutz and Mercuri are appreciative of Pulte coming and beginning to talk about helping with the trail.
"It's probably the right thing to do ethically," Vutz said. "Maybe they realized it wasn't working how it was supposed to. It proves they are decent people and will probably take some of the bad taste out of residents mouths."
And Mercuri has hopes for a joint effort to improve the quality of the trail.
"We think the trail is great and people really use it," Mercuri said. "So it's nice Pulte is trying to work with us. Hopefully, with negotiations, they will help with the trail, and make it nice for everyone."
URL: http://www.phoenixvillenews.com/articles/2007/02/05/today's stories/17810394.prt
© 2008 phoenixvillenews.com, a Journal Register Property
PECO grant funds trail, will link schools, preserve, YMCA
*****
Thursday, August 2, 2007 3:00 AM EDT
By LAURIE PERINI lperini@phoenixvillenews.com
PECO's Green Region program will award a grant of $5,000 for the design of a path that will connect the Phoenixville High School and Middle School, the Pickering Preserve and the Phoenixville YMCA.
"It's a safe way for them [kids] to traverse on Route 29," said Jay Shaeffer, CEO and President of the Phoenixville YMCA.
The path will be paved and designed for pedestrians and bicycles, according to Shaeffer.
"It began with our teen leadership program," said Shaeffer.
The program, called Teen Leaders Club, is for teens, ages 12-18, and focuses on leadership skills and volunteering in the community.
The teens approached the Schuylkill Board of Supervisors with the idea of building a path they could use to go to the YMCA from the schools. The board approved and applied for a grant from the Green Region Program.
"It is controversial for people whose front yards it's going through," said Norman Vutz, Board Chairman, before adding that it otherwise made sense to the board and community.
The school district was unavailable for comment.
The Green Region program, created in 2005, helps municipalities preserve and improve open space.
Municipalities that receive service from PECO can apply for a grant of up to $10,000 dollars at the Natural Lands Trust Web site. The Natural Lands Trust is the largest land conservation organization in the region.
A committee that includes representatives from PECO and the Trust then review the applications.
"All of the projects funded...we think add valuable open space or preserve open space," said Ben Armstrong, Senior Communications Specialist at PECO.
The path in Schuylkill Township also received grants from other sources, including state grants.
Three other Chester County townships have also received grants from PECO. Both East Vincent Township and North Coventry Township will be creating trails, while East Brandywine Township will be restoring a mill property bought by the Township in 2004.
In total, there are 17 projects in the region that are receiving grants.
*****
Cost to township taxpayers so far:
SCHUYLKILL TOWNSHIP DISBURSEMENTS
OVERVIEW OF ALL FUNDS
AS ADOPTED ON DECEMBER 20, 2007
2007 2008
408.312 YMCA TRAIL $50,000.00 $40,000.00
http://www.schuylkilltwp.com/Finances/2008_Budget_Disbursements.pdf
*********
2008
Board of Supervisors
MEETING DATE: July 2, 2008
School YMCA Trail – looking for direction on mechanics of deed of easement. Township Manager to set up meeting. Mr. Ledbetter asked Manager to contact Superintendent of Phoenixville Area School District to meet at her office as soon as possible, Mr. Ledbetter will attend meeting. Ms. Williams stated her wish to participate in meeting.
*****
Letter to the Editor:
10/09/2008
NOT Safe Kids to School!
What is a Township Supervisor? I define a Supervisor as a steward of taxpayer dollars and other resources entrusted to them to be efficiently and effectively used in the interest of our community at large. Not someone who has a personal or political agenda that supersedes his duty and obligation to the taxpayers.
This so-called trail (between the Phoenixville Middle School and the YMCA) of the Schuylkill Township Supervisors reeks of personal and political agendas. It is certainly not in the best interest of the community at large to frivolously waste hundreds of thousands of hard earned taxpayer dollars on a trail that is not only a Township liability but will only be utilized by a handful of people at best. This was, and continues to be, without a doubt, a behind the scenes manipulation of power that borders on illegal.
What parent in their right mind would allow their child to cross at probably the most dangerous intersection in the Township? I certainly wouldn't! I have questioned several of the Township Police Officers off-the-record since this "trail" idea came up. Their unwavering consensus is that the Pothouse Road and Route 29 intersection is extremely dangerous and the idea of putting a pedestrian crossing there is absurd. But why listen to the police? They are only the ones who have to deal with the daily accidents and numerous violations at that intersection. I personally was almost hit helping the Township Road Master locate a drain at that intersection. Not more than a minute after we completed our task, did an accident occur and a car ran into the bank where we were standing only a minute before.
And speaking of accidents, when some innocent child is hurt or killed crossing at that intersection, which is inevitable, by the way, I am going to be the first in line to testify for the plaintiffs who sue the four Supervisors that supported this trail. Which brings up some additional points: Who is going to be liable if someone gets hurt on the trail? Who is going to maintain the trail? It certainly seems like this expense is also going to come out of taxpayer dollars that the Supervisors so freely misappropriate. You can be darn sure that, once that trail is built, since I am the main caretaker of an affected property, that there will be no grass mowing, leaf raking, branch removal, snow removal, or ice treatments that occur outside her property line. The liability is all yours! Oh, but wait. This is just another liability on the taxpayers of Schuylkill Township.
Also, why is it that taxpayers are funding a "trail" to a specific location, namely the YMCA? Why are Township dollars going to connect a "trail" to a tax-exempt organization's facility? Is the Township in the business of making charitable donations or subsidizing non-profits? The YMCA has survived for over 38 years at that location without a trail, why not another 38 years?
We also have survived without trails through the front yards of residents for hundreds of years. Why now? Within a few mile radius of the Township, we have access to nearly 50 miles of trails in Valley Forge Park, the Schuylkill River Trail, the Canal Trail, plus miles of sidewalks throughout Phoenixville and Schuylkill Township. If people want a trail, let them use what is already in existence. How about this novel idea: Why not let them walk on grass. It certainly has been around a lot longer than blacktop.
My grandparents built the house at Pothouse and Route 29 in the early 1930s. They actually owned the right-of-way, where you are threatening to build your trail, from the early 1930s to the late '70s when the State essentially "stole" additional right of way for a few dollars. Now you are going to install a "trail" that has other ramifications that I'm sure were not fully considered either; like when the sycamore trees die because of the disturbance to their roots and the covering of them with an impervious surface, who will pay for removal and replacement. You can be darn sure that the Township will be held liable for that damage if I have anything to say about it. And by the way, the estimated value for trees of that maturity is about $10,000 per tree plus about $2,500/tree for removal. And what about the environmental impact of killing those beautiful trees; the shade and energy savings it provides, replenishing the environment with oxygen, the filtering of pollutants, and the esthetic value. These are immeasurable.
So save the taxpayer significant dollars now and in the future and put the money to a more useful purpose. Stop with the personal and political agendas and do what is right for the taxpayers you are supposed to (sic) represent……kill the trail before it kills an innocent child.
John Riley
Phoenixville
*****
Board of Supervisors
MEETING DATE: September 3, 2008
Don Hiorth of 620 Cherry Lane (next to Schuylkill School) raised concerns about the trail/sidewalk being planned to go in front of his house. He stated that no one has contacted him regarding the plans for this or solicited his opinion on the sidewalk being installed on his property. Mr. Ledbetter briefly explained the plans in place for the Safe Kids to School trails and the grant process to pay for it. He went on to say that this portion of the trail was only in initial stages and was being considered to connect existing trail from YMCA to the school. Mr. Ledbetter then commended Mr. Hiorth for coming to the Board meeting. Mr. Hiorth then brought up the subject of maintenance for the trail. Mr. Ledbetter said that has not been addressed at this time. Ms. Cohen then asked Mr. Hiorth to join the Toonerville Trolley Task Force. Mr. Hiorth stated he does not want to join the Task Force; he is opposed to the sidewalk/trail. He then asked if this was something the school had requested. Mr. Ledbetter responded that residents had asked for it. Mrs. Williams stated that only some residents had requested the trail; those who do not want it should be consulted. Mr. Vutz commented that if the proposed trail is in the right of way, residents have no say in whether or not it goes across their property. Mr. Hiorth reiterated his concerns about maintenance. Mr. Ledbetter asked Mr. Hiorth why he did not want to participate in the trail planning process to ensure his opinion was heard and Ms. Cohen requested Mr. Hiorth provide his contact information so he may be kept informed of plans. Mr. Hiorth brought up another objection to trail, that is, changing the “feel” of the Township from a rural enclave. Mr. Ledbetter informed Mr. Hiorth that he personally is in agreement with this objection and again asked Mr. Hiorth to participate in the planning process. Ms. Cohen brought up the point that the sidewalk would cut down on the number of cars transporting students to and from school by providing a safe alternative. Ms. Cohen repeated Mr. Ledbetter’s invitation to Mr. Hiorth to take part in the planning. Mr. Vutz closed the discussion by asking that the maintenance question be referred to the Solicitor.
*****
Environmental Advisory Council Meeting Minutes:
MEETING DATE: September 23, 2008
Operation Safe Kids/Rte 29 Sidewalk: Mrs. Williams explained that the Phoenixville Area School District (PASD) Board voted 8:1 on September 18th against granting an easement for Schuylkill Twp/PennDOT to build a trail on its portion of State Rd (Rte 29) and described two possible alternatives. Mrs. Cohen’s Toonerville Trolley Trail plans aim to extend the Operation Safe Kids Trail around the Y across to Schuylkill Elementary School. Additionally, the EAC noted that the route plans produced by the Twp Engineer for these trails showed different routes around the YMCA property. It was believed that the latest route proposal passes along the front of the YMCA property, but a reported recent PennDOT directive to widen Pothouse Road at the YMCA entrance may render this proposal unworkable.
Are the possible benefits worth the disruption and loss of property to area residents? Will this trail to the YMCA be considered safe or unsafe by parents who will decide whether their children should use it?
Benefits
- encourage walking and exercise, especially for young people
- a "greener" alternative to vehicular traffic
- join neighborhoods together
Negatives
- no studies of cost-effectiveness of plan (e.g. current pedestrian/ vehicular traffic to/from YMCA and schools. What % of residents want this path?)
- no studies of cost-effectiveness of plan (e.g. current pedestrian/ vehicular traffic to/from YMCA and schools. What % of residents want this path?)
- safety issue for walkers crossing busy intersections
- loss of property and lack on consultation of residents of Rt. 29 and Pothouse Road area
- cost to township to maintain path
- path may encourage litter
*****
These are excerpts taken from the posted meeting minutes of the Township Supervisors and the Phoenix newspaper on-line:
2005
MEETING DATE: June 15, 2005
The Schuylkill Township Planning Commission held their regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, June 15, 2005 at 8:00 p.m. at the Township hall. Members of the Planning Commission present were Mr. Reading, Mr. Claffey, Mr. Baer, Mr. Brennan and Mr. Boova. Mr. Quigg was not present. Mr. Reading chaired the meeting. The Township Engineer, Mr. John Sartor and his associate Ms. Mary Lou Lowrie, from Gilmore & Associates were present at the meeting as were Mr. Vutz, Mr. Ryan, Mr. Colket, Mr. Patankar and Mr. Ledbetter from the Board of Supervisors.
…
YMCA Sidewalks - Mr. Ledbetter stated that teenagers who use the YMCA have been working on a project that proposes installation of a sidewalk or path from the middle school/high school complex to the YMCA. Mr. Reading stated that the kids have shown great initiative. Mr. Ledbetter stated that the Township would be willing to work on funding for the project and that it would move the Township forward in finishing the Showalter trail. Mr. Reading stated that the YMCA could apply for a grant from the Phoenixville Community Health Foundation since it is a community oriented project. Mr. Claffey stated that the YMCA would need to make the presentation to the foundation. Mr. Sartor stated that he would review the plan and look for obstruction and utilities and develop a list of ideas. Mr. Reading stated that the sidewalk in the Borough of Phoenixville could then transition to a trail in Schuylkill Township. Mr. Greenauer asked that any engineering comments be sent to him. Mr. Claffey suggested extending the trail down to the White Horse Road Bridge that would include the VFSA and Aqua PA property.
******
The Schuylkill Township Board of Supervisors held their regular meeting on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. The meeting was held at the Township hall. Members of the Board present were Mr. Vutz, Mr. Ryan, Mr. Ledbetter, Mr. Colket, and Mr. Patankar. Mr. Vutz chaired the meeting. The Township Engineer, Mr. John Sartor from Gilmore & Associates was present as was Mr. Robert Sugarman, the Township Solicitor.
YMCA Trail – Mr. Ledbetter stated that both Senator Gerlach and Representative Rubley have approved the DCED application and will help sponsor it. Mr. Ledbetter thanked the kids from the YMCA and Gilmore & Associates for their efforts on the application. Mr. Sugarman stated that PaDOT allowing the trail to go in along Route 29 and Pothouse Road may be a way to get future road right-of-way as has happened in Buck County. Mr. Ledbetter stated that the trail will be within the existing right-of-way. Mr. Sartor stated that snow removal for the trail still needs to be identified. Mr. Ledbetter stated that it will be a new burden for the golf course and the property owners. He stated that the YMCA could maintain the trail within the Pickering Preserve. Mr. Ledbetter advised that PaDOT will do construction of the trail within the road right-of-way. He stated that the YMCA kids will have to do the outreach to the citizens affected by the trail. Mr. Ledbetter stated that there could be close to $400,000 in funding for the trail.
*********
2006
The Schuylkill Township Board of Supervisors held their regular meeting on Wednesday, February 1, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. The meeting was held at the Township hall. Members of the Board present were Mr. Vutz, Mr. Colket, Mr. Ledbetter, Mrs. Marquart and Mr. Patankar. Also present at the meeting were Ms. Mary Lou Lowrie of Gilmore & Associates for Mr. John Sartor, the Township Engineer and Mr. Robert J. Sugarman, the Township Solicitor.
Public Participation: Mrs. Joanne Brown, one of the owners of Meadowbrook Golf Course, addressed the Board regarding the trail installation that is proposed along State Road (Route 29) and Pothouse Road from the high school to the YMCA. She stated that her objections, as well as those of her neighbors that will be affected by the proposed sidewalk, involve the safety of the children. Mrs. Brown stated that the property owned by Remed, the owners of which do not live in the Township, is the only one in favor of the project. Mrs. Brown advised that there was a bad accident in that same area on January 31, 2006. She questioned why alternatives such as busing to and from the YMCA and the high school or the children going through St John’s Circle neighborhood be considered. Mrs. Brown advised that the kids are currently going through the St. John’s Circle area. Mrs. Brown stated that it was inconsiderate of the Township and the YMCA to have applied for a grant with the State without informing the property owners. Mrs. Brown requested that the Board of Supervisors do what is best for the Township and its constituents and withdraw the application. Mr. Vutz stated that the project was not started on a whim. Mr. Ledbetter stated that the Township is going for a $500,000 grant for the project. He stated that the proposed alternatives as stated by Mrs. Brown sound like “not in my backyard”. Mr. Ledbetter advised that the alternatives are too expensive, pose a circuitous route and it would be unlikely that PennDOT would approve crossing a State Road at the school or at Pothouse Rd/Norris Ave to access the YMCA. He advised that State Road has sidewalks in the Borough. He stated that the grant would defray the cost to improve the walkability of the Township. Mr. Ledbetter advised that a concept plan was drawn up for the grant and that the actual right-of-way width has not been confirmed. He stated that the Safety Officer with PennDOT is okay with the concept. He advised that the there is a possibility that the YMCA will plow the sidewalk along Pothouse Road up to State Road and that the school district will plow the sidewalk from the high school to Pothouse Road. Mr. Ledbetter stated that there are no assurances that there will not be a tragedy. He stated that the residents will be updated about the grant and right-of-way.
Mrs. Brown stated that she would not allow a school age child to walk along State Road and Pothouse Road. She stated that the concept is a crazy scheme and not for the good of the taxpayers. Mrs. Brown stated that some of the kids that would use the sidewalk are not even part of the PASD. Mr. Ledbetter stated that the broader benefit will link the sidewalk system from the Borough to the YMCA. He stated that the sidewalk system will be within the right-of-way. Mr. Ledbetter stated that the Township, Y kids and residents should walk the trail location in April after the grant has been approved. Mr. Colket stated that it is premature to back out. Mrs. Marquart stated that no matter where the sidewalk is put, no one will want it. She stated that the Township is trying to promote safer walking areas. Mrs. Marquart stated that the residents should have been approached before the application was submitted to the State.
*****
2007
Talks for YMCA trail continue
SCHUYLKILL - Details for a future trail running from Phoenixville Middle School to the YMCA are continuing to be discussed and surveys done as plans progress.
Friday, January 19, 2007 3:00 AM EST
By COLLEEN MCCULLOUGH
SCHUYLKILL - Details for a future trail running from Phoenixville Middle School to the YMCA are continuing to be discussed and surveys done as plans progress.
The Board of Supervisors heard and took part in discussions about the trail for over one year, and received a $350,000 grant for its construction in the spring.
"Now that we've gotten approval for the grant, we're in a process of getting everything in order. It's federal money and administered by PennDOT," Lee Ledbetter, member of the Board of Supervisors, said.
Leaders at the YMCA had approached the township about creating a trail because of the concern for the safety of the children coming to their facility.
But, among other concerns, some residents are worried that the proposed trail still leaves children in a precarious situation.
"It's just a dangerous intersection," Mary Jane Riley, a resident whose property will be affected by the trail, said. "It's simply not safe."
In order to reach the YMCA, the currently proposed trail will run along Route 29, cross Pothouse Road, and head east to its final destination.
But Ledbetter sees the trail as something the township can do to enhance the safety of the teenagers walking between the two facilities giving a secure and designed way for them to travel.
"Kids, today, are walking to the YMCA now," Ledbetter said. "They're not waiting for the trail and they're crossing wherever they can with no signals and no safety."
In fact, one of the "big ticket items" is improvements and changes in signaling for pedestrian crossings at the intersection with Pothouse Road.
The other expensive item is a bridge to cross the stream at the golf course.
As the plan currently stands, the trail would run along Meadow Brook Golf Course, the Remed property, two homes, and one rental property, Ledbetter said.
Located on the right-of-way, the trail would not be on private property, but would be running on what some have considered their land for many years.
And for that reason, some property owners along the path are opposed to the trail.
"No one wants a trail in their front yard," Riley said. "There's many of us against it. It's just wasting money."
Peter Brown, a resident of Schuylkill Township, echoed Riley's feelings of discontent about the trail for many residents.
The other concern many residents have, Brown said, was the issue of liability.
"Liability is determined by the court," Ledbetter said. "You can't forecast it."
But because the trail will be on PennDOT property, Ledbetter said that it would be no different than falling and breaking an arm in the street.
The trail, which the township would maintain after construction, would have a one- to two-foot gap, at most, between the road and the side nearest to the road.
This, Ledbetter said was for two reasons.
The first is related to the previously mentioned worry of having a public trail on private property.
"This will keep on the trail on the right-of-way," Ledbetter said.
The second reason addresses the concern of the trees along Route 29, some of which grow on Riley's property.
"There are beautiful sycamore trees along the path that we don't want to endanger," Ledbetter said.
The township has involved its Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) to make sure prudent and cautious decisions for the design and engineering will have the smallest effect possible on the trees.
Despite these answers, some residents still show caution, and others opposition, to the plan.
"I wouldn't say it's been done in secret," Peter Brown, Schuylkill Township resident, said. "But they haven't been knocking on affected property owners' doors and getting their opinion either."
Brown added he questioned how much respect the township was showing these affected property owners, but also acknowledged he felt the township was acting for what they perceived as "the greater good."
And Ledbetter agreed.
"I would say borough residents and township residents have asked for trails," Ledbetter said. "The supervisors are listening to residents and going with the majority."
Of all the concerns, including liability, safety and cost, Ledbetter said he thought the objections boil down to one thing.
"In my opinion, it comes to I don't want it in my yard," Ledbetter said. "But that's the problem with democracy. It services the majority."
URL: http://www.phoenixvillenews.com/articles/2007/01/19/today's stories/17729330.prt
© 2008 phoenixvillenews.com, a Journal Register Property
*****
What is happening with another trail:
Schuylkill supers, developer, residents discussing trail issue
SCHUYLKILL - The issues of the trail that prompted many questions at the Board of Supervisors meeting in January between the residents, board members, and developer have still not been settled.
Monday, February 5, 2007 3:00 AM EST
But progress is being made.
By COLLEEN MCCULLOUGH
SCHUYLKILL - The issues of the trail that prompted many questions at the Board of Supervisors meeting in January between the residents, board members, and developer have still not been settled.
But progress is being made.
Pulte Homes has made contact with the President of the HomeOwners Association, and the township seems open to some desires of the residents.
The controversial trail surrounding Pickering Glen has been a topic in the town for much longer than one month. However, last month the residents raised the question of whether or not the trail maintenance was truly their responsibility.
At the meeting in January, home owners in Pickering Glen came to say that they bought the homes without the knowledge that they were responsible for the trail.
"The houses were sold to the 48 homeowners a totally different way than what the township is saying," one resident said at the meeting.
But since the meeting where deception, liens on homes and caution were all spoken of, a calmer approach seems to have taken place.
Residents, board members of Schuylkill Township and representatives of Pulte Homes have been in contact over the past month to discuss possible resolutions to the problems with the trail - who is responsible and its possible malfunctioning.
Peter Mercuri, President of the HomeOwners Association, said when the homeowners first secured the property in 2002, they were given a copy of the Declaration of Covenants of Restrictions.
In that copy, it stated the township was responsible for the trail.
Then, in 2003, they received another copy of the same document that stated the HomeOwners Association was responsible for the upkeep.
"Something happened in between there," Mercuri said. "Either Pulte or the management company, which was hired by Pulte, neglected to put the correct document in our original copy."
Mercuri also said, as far as they know, that was the only aspect of the document that was changed, and there was no meeting about it.
"I know it's possible those documents changed," Ken Drzozowski, Vice President of Land Entitlement and Development, said. "They change throughout the approval process with the township. Those documents were never officially recorded."
And the township maintained at the last meeting that they were never responsible for the trail, and are unwavering in that regard.
But they are not unwavering in the options they are willing to give the residents of Pickering Glen.
Despite saying that the trail would probably hold up if maintained properly, Norman Vutz, Chair of the Board of Supervisors, said he thought the board would be open to a change of the surface.
"If Pulte will come in and help with the cost and the engineering is done, and approved, I think we would be okay with that," Vutz said.
The residents are thinking about the possibility of paving, Mercuri said, because the trail is not functioning properly.
The first time the trail was installed it was done improperly, and Mercuri said it isn't working properly this time either.
Drzozowksi said the current design of the trail was installed as approved by the township.
But Mercuri said the trail simply does not work properly.
"The trail wasn't working right off the bat," Mercuri said. "It was installed at the end of 2004 and within a couple months we knew it wasn't right."
Mercuri said that the trail gets soggy, something it's not supposed to do, every time it rains.
"We want the builder to meet us half way, and allow us to put in a new surface because it's obviously not working," Mercuri said. "It's not our fault they've already put it in twice."
The trail is made with natural soil pavement, a product of PolyPavement. The product is not used anywhere else in the township, and only one other place on the east coast.
And after what Mercuri calls "numerous attempts," Pulte Homes did get in touch with him just a few days ago.
Drzozowski said they just spoke with the residents because they were waiting for the documents after the last board meeting, and that they now have them and have reviewed them.
"Pulte Homes is reaching out to the HomeOwners Association," Drzozowski said. "We have discussed the possibility of helping to offset the cost and that's where we stand right now."
Mercuri said the HomeOwners Association has an estimate totaling between $24,000 and $30,000 for paving the trail.
But the cost is worth it, Mercuri said, because of the continuing cost of maintaining the current trail.
"We're of the belief that if we put blacktop on the trail, it will be easier and more cost effective for us to maintain," Mercuri said. "It would be less of a liability."
Currently, the residents pay around $6,000 per year for the maintenance, plus saving for the cost of replacing the trail that the HomeOwners Association would have to be done every eight to ten years.
"We just want to be met halfway with Pulte and for the township to allow us options with the trail," Mercuri said.
And, as of right now, it looks like that might be possible.
But Vutz did say that the additional runoff that would occur with paving the trail must be addressed.
"Paving the trail was one of the possibilities that came up in the approval and design process," Vutz said. "And I think Pulte decided to go the way they did because storm water management would have to be done to accommodate the additional runoff."
All three groups would like progress to be made with regard to the trail.
"No one wants to get in an argument," Mercuri said. "The price will only go up the longer we wait."
And both board members and Pickering Glen residents agree the trail is a positive asset for the community.
Eventually, the board would like all the trails in the township to link to together so people can ride bikes and walk around the entire township.
"This trail is important," Vutz said. "It would be used as a link to the YMCA, the middle school, and the borough."
And both Vutz and Mercuri are appreciative of Pulte coming and beginning to talk about helping with the trail.
"It's probably the right thing to do ethically," Vutz said. "Maybe they realized it wasn't working how it was supposed to. It proves they are decent people and will probably take some of the bad taste out of residents mouths."
And Mercuri has hopes for a joint effort to improve the quality of the trail.
"We think the trail is great and people really use it," Mercuri said. "So it's nice Pulte is trying to work with us. Hopefully, with negotiations, they will help with the trail, and make it nice for everyone."
URL: http://www.phoenixvillenews.com/articles/2007/02/05/today's stories/17810394.prt
© 2008 phoenixvillenews.com, a Journal Register Property
PECO grant funds trail, will link schools, preserve, YMCA
*****
Thursday, August 2, 2007 3:00 AM EDT
By LAURIE PERINI lperini@phoenixvillenews.com
PECO's Green Region program will award a grant of $5,000 for the design of a path that will connect the Phoenixville High School and Middle School, the Pickering Preserve and the Phoenixville YMCA.
"It's a safe way for them [kids] to traverse on Route 29," said Jay Shaeffer, CEO and President of the Phoenixville YMCA.
The path will be paved and designed for pedestrians and bicycles, according to Shaeffer.
"It began with our teen leadership program," said Shaeffer.
The program, called Teen Leaders Club, is for teens, ages 12-18, and focuses on leadership skills and volunteering in the community.
The teens approached the Schuylkill Board of Supervisors with the idea of building a path they could use to go to the YMCA from the schools. The board approved and applied for a grant from the Green Region Program.
"It is controversial for people whose front yards it's going through," said Norman Vutz, Board Chairman, before adding that it otherwise made sense to the board and community.
The school district was unavailable for comment.
The Green Region program, created in 2005, helps municipalities preserve and improve open space.
Municipalities that receive service from PECO can apply for a grant of up to $10,000 dollars at the Natural Lands Trust Web site. The Natural Lands Trust is the largest land conservation organization in the region.
A committee that includes representatives from PECO and the Trust then review the applications.
"All of the projects funded...we think add valuable open space or preserve open space," said Ben Armstrong, Senior Communications Specialist at PECO.
The path in Schuylkill Township also received grants from other sources, including state grants.
Three other Chester County townships have also received grants from PECO. Both East Vincent Township and North Coventry Township will be creating trails, while East Brandywine Township will be restoring a mill property bought by the Township in 2004.
In total, there are 17 projects in the region that are receiving grants.
*****
Cost to township taxpayers so far:
SCHUYLKILL TOWNSHIP DISBURSEMENTS
OVERVIEW OF ALL FUNDS
AS ADOPTED ON DECEMBER 20, 2007
2007 2008
408.312 YMCA TRAIL $50,000.00 $40,000.00
http://www.schuylkilltwp.com/Finances/2008_Budget_Disbursements.pdf
*********
2008
Board of Supervisors
MEETING DATE: July 2, 2008
School YMCA Trail – looking for direction on mechanics of deed of easement. Township Manager to set up meeting. Mr. Ledbetter asked Manager to contact Superintendent of Phoenixville Area School District to meet at her office as soon as possible, Mr. Ledbetter will attend meeting. Ms. Williams stated her wish to participate in meeting.
*****
Letter to the Editor:
10/09/2008
NOT Safe Kids to School!
What is a Township Supervisor? I define a Supervisor as a steward of taxpayer dollars and other resources entrusted to them to be efficiently and effectively used in the interest of our community at large. Not someone who has a personal or political agenda that supersedes his duty and obligation to the taxpayers.
This so-called trail (between the Phoenixville Middle School and the YMCA) of the Schuylkill Township Supervisors reeks of personal and political agendas. It is certainly not in the best interest of the community at large to frivolously waste hundreds of thousands of hard earned taxpayer dollars on a trail that is not only a Township liability but will only be utilized by a handful of people at best. This was, and continues to be, without a doubt, a behind the scenes manipulation of power that borders on illegal.
What parent in their right mind would allow their child to cross at probably the most dangerous intersection in the Township? I certainly wouldn't! I have questioned several of the Township Police Officers off-the-record since this "trail" idea came up. Their unwavering consensus is that the Pothouse Road and Route 29 intersection is extremely dangerous and the idea of putting a pedestrian crossing there is absurd. But why listen to the police? They are only the ones who have to deal with the daily accidents and numerous violations at that intersection. I personally was almost hit helping the Township Road Master locate a drain at that intersection. Not more than a minute after we completed our task, did an accident occur and a car ran into the bank where we were standing only a minute before.
And speaking of accidents, when some innocent child is hurt or killed crossing at that intersection, which is inevitable, by the way, I am going to be the first in line to testify for the plaintiffs who sue the four Supervisors that supported this trail. Which brings up some additional points: Who is going to be liable if someone gets hurt on the trail? Who is going to maintain the trail? It certainly seems like this expense is also going to come out of taxpayer dollars that the Supervisors so freely misappropriate. You can be darn sure that, once that trail is built, since I am the main caretaker of an affected property, that there will be no grass mowing, leaf raking, branch removal, snow removal, or ice treatments that occur outside her property line. The liability is all yours! Oh, but wait. This is just another liability on the taxpayers of Schuylkill Township.
Also, why is it that taxpayers are funding a "trail" to a specific location, namely the YMCA? Why are Township dollars going to connect a "trail" to a tax-exempt organization's facility? Is the Township in the business of making charitable donations or subsidizing non-profits? The YMCA has survived for over 38 years at that location without a trail, why not another 38 years?
We also have survived without trails through the front yards of residents for hundreds of years. Why now? Within a few mile radius of the Township, we have access to nearly 50 miles of trails in Valley Forge Park, the Schuylkill River Trail, the Canal Trail, plus miles of sidewalks throughout Phoenixville and Schuylkill Township. If people want a trail, let them use what is already in existence. How about this novel idea: Why not let them walk on grass. It certainly has been around a lot longer than blacktop.
My grandparents built the house at Pothouse and Route 29 in the early 1930s. They actually owned the right-of-way, where you are threatening to build your trail, from the early 1930s to the late '70s when the State essentially "stole" additional right of way for a few dollars. Now you are going to install a "trail" that has other ramifications that I'm sure were not fully considered either; like when the sycamore trees die because of the disturbance to their roots and the covering of them with an impervious surface, who will pay for removal and replacement. You can be darn sure that the Township will be held liable for that damage if I have anything to say about it. And by the way, the estimated value for trees of that maturity is about $10,000 per tree plus about $2,500/tree for removal. And what about the environmental impact of killing those beautiful trees; the shade and energy savings it provides, replenishing the environment with oxygen, the filtering of pollutants, and the esthetic value. These are immeasurable.
So save the taxpayer significant dollars now and in the future and put the money to a more useful purpose. Stop with the personal and political agendas and do what is right for the taxpayers you are supposed to (sic) represent……kill the trail before it kills an innocent child.
John Riley
Phoenixville
*****
Board of Supervisors
MEETING DATE: September 3, 2008
Don Hiorth of 620 Cherry Lane (next to Schuylkill School) raised concerns about the trail/sidewalk being planned to go in front of his house. He stated that no one has contacted him regarding the plans for this or solicited his opinion on the sidewalk being installed on his property. Mr. Ledbetter briefly explained the plans in place for the Safe Kids to School trails and the grant process to pay for it. He went on to say that this portion of the trail was only in initial stages and was being considered to connect existing trail from YMCA to the school. Mr. Ledbetter then commended Mr. Hiorth for coming to the Board meeting. Mr. Hiorth then brought up the subject of maintenance for the trail. Mr. Ledbetter said that has not been addressed at this time. Ms. Cohen then asked Mr. Hiorth to join the Toonerville Trolley Task Force. Mr. Hiorth stated he does not want to join the Task Force; he is opposed to the sidewalk/trail. He then asked if this was something the school had requested. Mr. Ledbetter responded that residents had asked for it. Mrs. Williams stated that only some residents had requested the trail; those who do not want it should be consulted. Mr. Vutz commented that if the proposed trail is in the right of way, residents have no say in whether or not it goes across their property. Mr. Hiorth reiterated his concerns about maintenance. Mr. Ledbetter asked Mr. Hiorth why he did not want to participate in the trail planning process to ensure his opinion was heard and Ms. Cohen requested Mr. Hiorth provide his contact information so he may be kept informed of plans. Mr. Hiorth brought up another objection to trail, that is, changing the “feel” of the Township from a rural enclave. Mr. Ledbetter informed Mr. Hiorth that he personally is in agreement with this objection and again asked Mr. Hiorth to participate in the planning process. Ms. Cohen brought up the point that the sidewalk would cut down on the number of cars transporting students to and from school by providing a safe alternative. Ms. Cohen repeated Mr. Ledbetter’s invitation to Mr. Hiorth to take part in the planning. Mr. Vutz closed the discussion by asking that the maintenance question be referred to the Solicitor.
*****
Environmental Advisory Council Meeting Minutes:
MEETING DATE: September 23, 2008
Operation Safe Kids/Rte 29 Sidewalk: Mrs. Williams explained that the Phoenixville Area School District (PASD) Board voted 8:1 on September 18th against granting an easement for Schuylkill Twp/PennDOT to build a trail on its portion of State Rd (Rte 29) and described two possible alternatives. Mrs. Cohen’s Toonerville Trolley Trail plans aim to extend the Operation Safe Kids Trail around the Y across to Schuylkill Elementary School. Additionally, the EAC noted that the route plans produced by the Twp Engineer for these trails showed different routes around the YMCA property. It was believed that the latest route proposal passes along the front of the YMCA property, but a reported recent PennDOT directive to widen Pothouse Road at the YMCA entrance may render this proposal unworkable.
Need to Modernize Local Government
Dear Board of Supervisors:
I would like to thank all of you for your time and dedication towards addressing the important issues facing the residents of Schuylkill Township. I know from having previously served on a condominium owners’ board that community service takes a huge investment of personal time and effort. As we continue into the 21st century, I believe that the township should consider updating its form of government and methods of communicating with the public:
1) The supervisors should consider changing the form of government to that of a first class township, with five commissioners elected by ward for four year terms. I believe the township is large enough in population (7,700 estimate for 2007 by the Census Bureau) and budget to warrant looking at a more democratic set up. This would involve redistricting and I believe this will help increase citizen participation and diversity on the board. The township could be redistricted to include five wards of equal population, centered around contiguous neighborhoods, such as the St. Johns area and other developments. Distinct neighborhoods should be kept intact as much as possible.
The current at-large elections for six year terms no longer serve the interests of democracy and citizen participation:
- Elected officials who are responsible for a $10 million budget should face the voters every four years, rather than six.
- The PASD/YMCA trail controversy illustrates that without an area resident serving on the Board of Supervisors, the residents of the Second Precinct have no direct voice in a decision that affects their own properties.
- The rapid turnover of three of the five supervisor seats in the past two years suggests that a six-year term is too long of a commitment for the average resident.
- With a ward system, when vacancies occur on the Board, it should be easier to advertise in the smaller geographic area and solicit talented and qualified residents for service.
- Campaigning for supervisor will be much easier with a smaller geographic area. In the past 12 years, the only candidate for supervisor that has knocked on my door has been Ms. Williams. 9.44 square miles of township, with most homes separated by one or more acres, is too large an area for the average candidate to cover. Dividing the township into smaller, contiguous wards is a “greener” solution to campaigning for those candidates that depend on their cars for meeting voters.
2) Also, the supervisors should consider allowing meetings to be televised on local cable channels so that all residents can be kept up to date on important developments, such as the PASD/YMCA trail. As newspapers diminish in news coverage and readership in today’s economy, it is more important than ever that the township take advantage of newer technology, such as cable, to fill in the void. The township web site is excellent as far as the posting of meeting minutes, but this does not occur in real-time and residents need a source for more current information.
Thank you for your consideration.
I would like to thank all of you for your time and dedication towards addressing the important issues facing the residents of Schuylkill Township. I know from having previously served on a condominium owners’ board that community service takes a huge investment of personal time and effort. As we continue into the 21st century, I believe that the township should consider updating its form of government and methods of communicating with the public:
1) The supervisors should consider changing the form of government to that of a first class township, with five commissioners elected by ward for four year terms. I believe the township is large enough in population (7,700 estimate for 2007 by the Census Bureau) and budget to warrant looking at a more democratic set up. This would involve redistricting and I believe this will help increase citizen participation and diversity on the board. The township could be redistricted to include five wards of equal population, centered around contiguous neighborhoods, such as the St. Johns area and other developments. Distinct neighborhoods should be kept intact as much as possible.
The current at-large elections for six year terms no longer serve the interests of democracy and citizen participation:
- Elected officials who are responsible for a $10 million budget should face the voters every four years, rather than six.
- The PASD/YMCA trail controversy illustrates that without an area resident serving on the Board of Supervisors, the residents of the Second Precinct have no direct voice in a decision that affects their own properties.
- The rapid turnover of three of the five supervisor seats in the past two years suggests that a six-year term is too long of a commitment for the average resident.
- With a ward system, when vacancies occur on the Board, it should be easier to advertise in the smaller geographic area and solicit talented and qualified residents for service.
- Campaigning for supervisor will be much easier with a smaller geographic area. In the past 12 years, the only candidate for supervisor that has knocked on my door has been Ms. Williams. 9.44 square miles of township, with most homes separated by one or more acres, is too large an area for the average candidate to cover. Dividing the township into smaller, contiguous wards is a “greener” solution to campaigning for those candidates that depend on their cars for meeting voters.
2) Also, the supervisors should consider allowing meetings to be televised on local cable channels so that all residents can be kept up to date on important developments, such as the PASD/YMCA trail. As newspapers diminish in news coverage and readership in today’s economy, it is more important than ever that the township take advantage of newer technology, such as cable, to fill in the void. The township web site is excellent as far as the posting of meeting minutes, but this does not occur in real-time and residents need a source for more current information.
Thank you for your consideration.
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