Founders Day set for Sept. 15; split vote on Rt. 52 roundabout project
By Kelli Siehl, Staff Writer, The Times
Pocopson township officials discuss a proposed home construction on Marlboro Road, Monday night, as proposed by Kevin and Cathy Koehler. From left supervisor Georgia Brutscher, supervisor Steve Conary, Joe Mingioni, builder for the project, Susan Simone, township secretary, Jim Hatfield, township engineer, and Nate Wilson, homeowner who would share a driveway with the Koehlers once the project is complete.
POCOPSON — After a quiet start to 2013, township business kicked into high gear Monday night, as the Board of Supervisors faced a number of issues, from keeping Founders Day going to prospective development projects and approval of agreements to move the Route 52 roundabout project ahead.
Kevin and Cathy Koehler of Birmingham attended their second board of supervisors’ meeting, along with their architect, landscaper and builder, and were seeking permission to begin the process of building their dream home on a 10-acre parcel they purchased in Pocopson Township off Marlboro Road.
The Koehlers have been going back and forth with township officials to address safety and environmental concerns. After a detailed presentation and question and answer session – at one point moving to the front of the room surrounding the supervisors’ table – officials voted to approve the plan, with provisions, for construction of the home.
The 2013 Founders Day Committee was approved and Supervisor’s Vice-Chair, Georgia Brutscher announced that Founders Day will take place on Sunday, Sept. 15. Matt Read has again volunteered to act as Chair for the popular event.
Brutscher said Melton Associates is developing the scope of work document to allow the steering committee to solicit for window repairs to the Barnard House. Brutscher stressed that all replacement and renovation work being proposed will fall within the 2013 operating budget.
Supervisors Chair, Steve Conary presented documents pertaining to the route 52 roundabout project. The first was an intergovernmental agreement between the county and township where the county will donate the acreage for the roundabout right of way and relocation of the Pocopson Home’s driveway.
The second document outlines the land the township will contribute for the project’s right of way, mostly located at the southern end of Lenape-Unionville Road. The project would place a roundabout at the current intersection of Route 52, Wawaset Road and Unionville-Lenape Road. The three roads currently come together in a triangle, with the driveway for the Pocopson Home about 50 yards north on Route 52 adding to congestion at certain times of the day.
While Conary and Brutscher voted to accept the agreements, a key early step in getting the project started, their colleague Supervisor Ricki Stumpo said she does not support the roundabout concept and “my conscience tells me to vote no.”
