Board discusses storm water runoff & Barnard House
By Karen Cresta, Staff Writer, The Times
Long-time Pocopson supervisor Georgia Brutscher looks at flowers she was presented with during her last meeting, Monday night, as a township supervisor.
POCOPSON — The final board of supervisors’ meeting of 2015 was held Monday night in as supervisors Barney Leonard and Georgia Brutscher had their final meeting as chair and vice-chair – but not before approving many agenda items, some that were in progress since 2008.
Prior to Brutscher and Leonard making their final statements as board members and reflecting on their service, the board heard a presentation from the township’s engineer, Brittany Hackman, from McCormick Taylor explaining the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System, known more commonly as MS4, and the strategy to reduce water pollution.
The stormwater initiative is part of a regional plan by the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) as mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that requires the township to remove tons of sediment from the waterways.
How exactly and where the money will come from was a little “murky” at this time, officials said. The township is required to submit a strategy to reduce the sediment in township waterways by 500 tons over a 15-year period. A variety of methods such as buffer restoration and improved stormwater basins may be solutions to some areas and grants may be available to help alleviate some costs.
“We don’t have a choice. We are required to do it and it’s going to be very expensive,” said Brutscher.
Township residents can view the draft on the township’s website at www.pocopson.org and submit their comments on-line by December 26. Once the comments are added, the strategy will be sent to the DEP.
In other action, Leonard, Brutscher and Stumpo all voted to approve multiple ordinance changes involving the updates of the township’s construction codes, which began all the way back in 2008. Leonard mentioned that those with homes already built should be grateful as the new regulations are complex.
Phase ll of the historic Barnard House bid package was unanimously approved by the board after a motion to disband the Barnard House Steering Committee was also approved. Brutscher acknowledged the countless hours of work that the committee did but mentioned that its work was done.
The fate of the bid and the next steps will be dependent upon the new board, consisting of Stumpo, and newly elected Elaine Dimonte and Alice Balsama, who take office in January. The four sets of documents are ready to be sent out, if the new board makes that decision to do so.
Residents voiced concerns of wasted money, premature action, unresolved issues and that the historic preservation was all done the wrong way by not being secured first. Regardless, the motion to accept the bid package and send to McCormick Taylor for review carried.
Roadmaster Mark Knightly provided his public works report and the board approved the motion to finish the winter season maintenance of 2015-2016 for Brinton Woods but would not continue for the following winter season since it is a private road. The board will be contacting the residents in writing via of the Brinton Woods Homeowner’s Association.
The board authorized the township secretary, Susan Simone, to correspond with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) for a possible solution that could involve a study for northbound Route 52 near Parkersville Road after three cars were recently stranded in the ditch on the edge of the roadway over the last month. In an attempt to improve safety, a number of trees were removed recently on the private property located at the bend in the road.
The three members of the board approved the final 2016 budget together that maintained the tax rates of 2015 and a $4.3 million spending plan.
Departing comments were read by Brutscher as she expressed her hope that the next board would support the Barnard House project as it benefits all township residents and is a significant part of the history of the township. She thanked many whom she worked with over the 30 years she served as a municipal offical and fought back tears as she mentioned her service for the residents of Pocopson Township.
Leonard, who was appointed in May 2014 as Matt Read’s replacement, implored the new board to weigh each of their decisions, listed the milestones of the board in 2015 such as the new award winning roundabout, a new website, a new employee manual and that his departure leaves the township in “solid financial shape.” He urged the new board to follow the lead of Brutscher and thanked her for being an “ideal public servant.”
Township resident Holly Manzone presented Brutscher with flowers and a cake as the last meeting of 2015 was adjourned.
The next meeting will be held on Monday, January 4, at 7:30 p.m. in the township building.
