[0:00] So I before we get started, I'm just going

[0:04] to quickly uh ask what topics are here for um so I can be sure to prioritize

[0:10] them. Uh I have deer management. Have that. Anything else?

[0:17] Open space.

[0:21] » Open space location.

[0:24] » Okay.

[0:28] » Skate park. skate park. Anything else? All right.

[0:34] All right. In that case, you're all ready to go.

[0:39] Uh, welcome to the combined monthly workshop and business meeting of the

[0:43] board of commissioners held for the purpose of transacting the general

[0:46] business of the township. Today's date is September 9th, 2026. The meeting is

[0:50] being held in the Springfield Township building and is also being offered in a

[0:54] live streaming feature. The meeting will be made available on the township's

[0:57] website beginning tomorrow morning. Comments will not be accepted remotely

[1:01] during the meeting, but instructions for submitting public comment in advance of

[1:04] tonight's meeting were provided as part of the posted agenda. You'll find that

[1:09] this is a little unfamiliar format because we're combining our Monday and

[1:12] Wednesday meeting because of course Monday was a Labor Day holiday. Uh so

[1:17] bear with us as we try to move mostly like a Wednesday meeting. That's why

[1:21] we're sitting here at the dis and not in the more informal setting. they have

[1:25] experienced us before. Mr. Taylor, can you please summarize any public comment

[1:29] received prior to the meeting? >> Uh, yes, Madam President. We received

[1:32] nine public comments. All were related to the skate park location at McKelby

[1:37] Park and all were opposed. >> Thank you, Mr. Taylor. At this time,

[1:41] please stand and join the board of commissioners in a moment of silent

[1:44] reflection to honor the servicemen and women who place themselves in harm's way

[1:48] um at home and overseas.

[1:57] Please remain standing for the pledge of >> allegiance.

[2:00] I pledge >> allegiance to the flag of the United

[2:02] States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under

[2:07] God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

[2:13] » At this time, I'll entertain a motion dispensing with the reading of the

[2:16] minutes of the previous meeting as written and recorded in the official

[2:18] minute book of the township. >> So moved.

[2:21] » We have a motion. Is there a second? Any questions or comments? Hearing none. All

[2:26] in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I.

[2:31] » All right. Uh we have a full quorum today. Uh we typically on Mondays

[2:36] receive our engineer Tim Woodro. Uh due to um a conflict, a schedule conflict

[2:44] and because it's a little light for our engineer, uh we were able to excuse him

[2:48] tonight. But if you have any questions for our engineer, please feel free to

[2:52] send them along to us as always. Uh tonight's meeting is a combined

[2:59] workshop and business meeting due to the Labor Day holiday. Uh and as a result,

[3:02] public comment will be accepted. Um as each agenda item is discussed, I already

[3:08] took a quick poll, as you heard, of a couple of topics. I'll try to bring that

[3:11] right to the front after announcements. Um and as always, we when you do come

[3:15] and speak, please reminded to come forward. uh say your uh name, uh what

[3:20] part of the township you live in, and of course, try to keep your uh messages

[3:24] short and avoid repetitive comment. Uh all right, at this time, I'm going to go

[3:30] ahead and do a couple of announcements. First, regarding the Flowertown Country

[3:34] Club swimming pool pass, the daily swimming pool passes at the Flowertown

[3:38] Country Club circulated 179 times over an 80-day period during the first year

[3:43] of availability. The swimming pool passes will be made available again next

[3:46] summer once the swimming pool resumes seasonal operating hours. So that's

[3:50] really great. Love to hear that. That's our first year doing that. Uh next,

[3:54] there is going to be a town hall event. Uh state representative Napoleon Nelson

[3:59] will be hosting a town hall meeting on Thursday, October 1st at 7 p.m. at the

[4:03] Free Library of Springfield Township. The meeting will feature an update on

[4:06] the current projects and activities of the Jentown Bureau, Cheltonham Township,

[4:10] and Springfield Township Environmental Advisory Commissions. This is a

[4:14] reschedule from I believe two weeks ago. Uh a reschedule because it was a stormy

[4:19] night and now you want to be sure that folks can come out here. So uh those are

[4:23] my announcements. There are two more announcements. First I'd like to hear

[4:26] from the chairwoman of the public safety committee, Beth Mcamer.

[4:32] » Um thank you, Madam President. I have one announcement. The Springfield

[4:35] Township Police Department and board of commissioners have launched a

[4:38] collaborative public safety forum to share information with the public and to

[4:42] provide the community a space for discussion and feedback regarding

[4:45] policing and public safety in the township. The forums will also allow for

[4:48] inerson engagement with police officers to enhance knowledge and understanding

[4:52] of law enforcement roles and responsibilities. Our next public safety

[4:56] forum will be held on Thursday, September 17th at 7 p.m. at Springfield

[5:00] Township Building in this room and will feature a presentation on crimes against

[5:04] the elderly and care dependent individuals including common scams. The

[5:08] final public safety forum for this year is scheduled to occur on Thursday,

[5:12] December 17th, and will include a look back at the year in the police

[5:16] department, including major public safety incidents, crimes, and

[5:18] activities. Each forum will conclude with a question and answer session and

[5:22] an informal meet and greet with members of the police department and other

[5:25] public officials. Please refer to the township's website and social media

[5:28] platforms for additional information as each forum date approaches.

[5:32] » Thank you, Commissioner um Mcamera. Uh next, I'm going to move to uh chairman

[5:38] of our cultural resources committee, Commissioner Morris.

[5:42] » Thank you, Madam President. Uh my announcements about community day at

[5:46] Springfield Township Community Day celebration will take place on Sunday,

[5:50] October 4th, uh 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Cisco Park in Genai. Uh junior

[5:57] neighbors for a day filled with family fun including

[6:01] face painting, balloon creations, and other surprises.

[6:04] » Oo, surprises, >> food, music, fishing, and fire and

[6:09] equipment display provided free of charge. Community Day is made possible

[6:13] via generous support of our business community and various community

[6:16] volunteers. For more information, please contact www.urenhogivic.org/

[6:24] community- >> All right, that concludes my

[6:28] » Thank you, Commissioner Morris. Um, I'm going to go ahead and move a few items.

[6:33] Uh, one I think may be quick and is not officially on our agenda, but on a on a

[6:38] Monday we would take. I'm going to first do the deer conversation. Uh then I'm

[6:42] going to do open space natural lands and then we'll do the skate accordingly.

[6:45] Then we'll move into our committee reports. We'll hear from our manager um

[6:48] and then reopen at the end. So first I know we have someone here to speak about

[6:53] deer. Uh you're more than welcome to come to the microphone. This is public

[6:56] comment.

[7:01] » All right. Well, good evening uh commissioners. Very excited. This is my

[7:05] first time here and u my name is Diane Scooty.

[7:08] » I know no other format. >> Huh. So, you know, no other

[7:11] » I work for a municipal government, so I'm very familiar with um with meetings.

[7:15] Just a little bit more contentious than up than uh Springfield Township.

[7:22] » Oh, no, no, no. I work at Upper Derby Township.

[7:26] » Um, so I live on 20 20 I don't know if I have to give my address, but I live at

[7:31] 26 Glen Circle in Ernheim. And I'm here to of course discuss the deer population

[7:36] in the township. And I just um and I just want to say this for the record. I

[7:41] appreciate Michael telling me, you know, the plans for the um for the upcoming

[7:46] plans um regarding deer management, but just um my husband and I have invested a

[7:52] great deal of money um to improve our property. Um and it's frustrating and

[7:56] disappointing to constantly find deer in our yard um eating the our many plants.

[8:02] And yes, we have planted deer resistant plants. Um, but we also have many

[8:07] non-deerresistant plants that were planted um on our property long before

[8:11] we purchased this property 15 years ago. In addition, we work many um long hours

[8:17] in our yard and our concern for our health because of the deer, the ticks

[8:21] the deer carry, as well as um their feces. And this past uh Saturday evening

[8:26] while driving down Hall's Lane, um a deer ran into my car um causing damage

[8:32] to the car at an estimated amount of about 200. I haven't taken it to the um

[8:37] to the a vehicle collision place yet. Um I'm thankful that I had no in injuries

[8:42] and I'm sorry for the injuries to the deer but now I am very concerned about

[8:48] the great um because of the everex expanding deer population um you know

[8:53] that there will be you know more when will a much more serious car accident

[8:58] happen to a resident of the township or other otherwise. Um I learned from a

[9:04] neighbor uh that a survey was done earlier in the year regarding deer

[9:08] management. Um, and I guess I question whether this was public publicized and

[9:14] if it's and if so, in what manner. Um, I suspect more than 872 of the township's

[9:20] 21,000 residents would have responded. I reviewed the deer management report um

[9:28] done for the township dated April 15, 2026. And I feel this study really

[9:33] summarized the issues and the solution. Um, and basically that I I found it

[9:40] really fascinating that it said that the deer obviously the deer population has

[9:44] grown beyond the carrying capacity of our wooded lands causing ecological

[9:49] imbalance um such as preventing establishment of new plants and um

[9:55] limiting biodiversity. Obviously, the vehicle collisions

[9:59] causing injury, property damage, and wildlife mortality are occurring in the

[10:04] township. Um, the tick born illnesses including Lyme disease are also evident.

[10:11] And, um, what is really disturbing is the mal malnutrition and disease

[10:16] transmission that can occur among the overcrowding deer population.

[10:21] So the solution as recommended by the study of the implementation of a

[10:25] structured deer management program um which stated was the most practable,

[10:30] cost-effective and sustainable approach. So I hope that's the approach the the

[10:34] township is taking and also just about transparency and communication are just

[10:39] key with the deer management um uh program. So, I'm very um happy to

[10:47] hear that this is going to be discussed at an October meeting. I also have

[10:51] Wednesday night meetings um in my township, but I work. So, um I might not

[10:55] be able to be here, but I can always watch it online. And I don't know who

[10:59] which representative if I'm in Erdenheim. Okay. Well, there you go.

[11:06] » Okay. Good. Okay. So, now I know. So, I wasn't quite

[11:08] » We usually have workshop meetings on Mondays, so we will probably talk about

[11:10] it more in detail at the Monday meeting. >> Okay. Good. Or Wednesday meeting.

[11:13] » Good. Good. Good. So then I'll just you know kind of follow up as to agendas and

[11:17] to see when that will be discussed. >> Sure. And I mean and typically we do

[11:22] » you can sign up on the website upper right hand corner

[11:27] » then you'll get meeting if you sign up on the website you can get the meeting

[11:31] notices pushed out to you. Okay. >> So you don't have to go back and check

[11:34] it all the time. >> Okay. Okay.

[11:35] » That you should do that. Everyone should do that in

[11:38] » All right. So that's all I have to say. Thank you so much for your time. And for

[11:42] what it's worth, on Mondays we typically have just more um uh more casual

[11:46] discussion. Uh but for this particular topic, I mean, I don't have a problem

[11:50] saying that next month we anticipate a report back from uh Chief PCKO who is

[11:54] tasked with following up on the deer management survey because some of that

[11:57] requires uh basically impacted traffic and other safety measures as as you

[12:02] referenced. Uh so we will probably be talking about it at length next month.

[12:06] Okay. >> Uh and we received that report about

[12:08] three months ago, I think. Uh but we hear you. I think we're all sympathetic

[12:13] with the problem and also sympathetic that it seems like uh the ultimate

[12:17] solution is either slow pace or difficult to achieve in a densely uh

[12:22] populated area like ours >> and you may know that in upper Derby as

[12:26] well. >> No, I don't think we have a deer problem

[12:28] there. Yeah. So,

[12:30] » but I am I used to work at Cababrini and I am familiar with what they did there

[12:34] as well in RER Township um to to take care of the deer problem. And they

[12:39] worked with the the federal government, which I understand you have to be in a

[12:42] two-year program, but um and that was primarily because of accidents that

[12:48] happened, you know, at bordering the campus. So, I mean, there's just, you

[12:52] know, I think whatever there's just so many reasons. So, I'm just looking

[12:55] forward to hearing, you know, what you have to say. what's going to happen and

[12:59] transpire. >> Thank you so much.

[13:01] » Thank you. >> Thank you for your comment.

[13:02] » Uh, another set of topics we're going to move.

[13:05] » Can I ask one question about that before we move on?

[13:07] » Because this was actually something I was going to ask about uh this month

[13:10] just to understand where we are with it, but I'm glad to know that we'll be

[13:13] getting a report um next month from the chief. Um, I don't know if anybody

[13:18] recalls from the presentation because I I don't. I was just looking through the

[13:22] uh notes here from it and I couldn't find it. Quick, does anybody know what

[13:28] the timing for actually doing the deer management would be in terms of, you

[13:34] know, what time of year is sort of >> Well, they'll be active in the fall.

[13:37] » Okay. >> When they go into rut and they start to

[13:40] lose their mind and focus on certain things,

[13:44] » like lose their mind and that's the easiest time, but that's also the time

[13:48] where they walk out in front of cars and you have the highest number of

[13:51] accidents. So, it's >> important to get things going. Yeah,

[13:55] that's that's what I wanted to ask. >> Yeah, I mean that's the time when you

[13:57] really need to be careful. The fall is when you really need to be careful.

[14:00] That's where you get the car Yeah. car deer collisions.

[14:05] » Yeah. >> All right. Uh I'm going to go ahead and

[14:08] move over to the chairman of the environmental resource committee,

[14:11] Brendan May. Uh regarding open space and natural lands. Um how about we go ahead

[14:21] and read Well, actually, how about I receive any public comment? us on this

[14:24] agenda item on open space and natural lands at this time. And then what we'll

[14:28] do is read the motion. Uh and then we will do our comments and questions on

[14:33] the motion as we typically do and then we'll execute our vote. Uh if I know

[14:38] there's one in the back. Is there anyone else who would like to speak on this

[14:41] topic? Come on. Uh come on up one at a time. Whoever would like to

[14:54] Judith Panatuchi, 101 East Waken Avenue, Lower Town. Um,

[15:00] I was here at the natural lands uh discussions that you've had a couple

[15:06] months ago. Um, and I've also looked through the zoning ordinances about the

[15:12] um overlays. I'm just uh wondering since that's a pretty extensive uh

[15:19] process to go through all that um you know digital paperwork um are the

[15:26] overlays going to be sort of part of the natural lands too and we have township

[15:32] lands. Are they going to ever have any common borders with the natural lands if

[15:38] we so do get those?

[15:43] Okay, I'm going to hold on to that question and let us discuss it unless

[15:48] someone wants to make a comment. I think what you're saying is what area of land

[15:53] will a natural lands um be going to review? Just let's set the stage a

[15:59] little bit. Tonight we're considering an agreement with natural lands to do an

[16:05] open space referendum. They recommend about one year 12 months in advance of

[16:10] the election cycle where the referendum would go. Uh and so this uh comment is

[16:17] about what area of land are we talking about? And I think part of the

[16:21] conversation with a third party adviser as such as natural lands is to identify

[16:26] some of those areas. Mike, am I you correct? You're correct that part of the

[16:30] the scope of work would be to identify potential lands for conservation going

[16:35] forward. Basically undeveloped but unprotected open space as it exists

[16:40] today. I think you're referring to the township zoning code map when you talk

[16:44] about overlays. This is independent regardless of how something is zoned. um

[16:49] if it's undeveloped and current open space but unprotected um that would be a

[16:55] consideration for possible conservation in the future should a referendum pass.

[17:01] » Okay. And when I was here I remember I got the paperwork from the desk here for

[17:06] what what I think I have it at home too for the natural lands. Um, it just seems

[17:12] like when they had the map up there and the woman was trying to explain certain

[17:16] things when the when the presenters came to show that. Um, I I don't remember. Is

[17:21] it on that printout? Is that is the is some of the stuff on there or it's not

[17:26] on there? I just wanted to know. >> There has been no conservation map

[17:29] created as of yet. That is a work product to be completed should the board

[17:35] agree to engage natural lands. Okay, that's right.

[17:39] » I think this I think >> that what the slide that you might be

[17:43] referring to that was an example that the presenter gave from another

[17:47] municipality that she's previously and she was giving an example of um after

[17:52] they had rendered services to that municipality. They were able to identify

[17:56] what was protected, what was under what was not yet developed, what what was

[17:59] left, right to kind of further the discussion. So I think it was an I don't

[18:02] recall what township but it was another municipality.

[18:06] » Okay. because I I think the same night she did the overlay thing and that was

[18:10] totally different. It was not the same topic. Um,

[18:14] is this going to be done like in six or seven months? I'm just curious.

[18:18] Are they going to have any kind of a a mapping of it or is it going to be

[18:22] further out? I'm just wondering because I might not be here in six or seven

[18:25] months. I I'll live here but I I might not be here. Is it going to be further

[18:29] out do you think when they're going to start designing some of this stuff or or

[18:33] you don't know? >> But to be determined. Okay,

[18:37] » we we haven't even engaged natural lands at this point, but as Commissioner

[18:42] Ratzaban stated, they recommend a year of planning before the ballot referendum

[18:48] actually appears on an election ballot. >> Okay. Okay. Thank you.

[18:53] » There's work a lot of work to do before then.

[18:55] » Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you.

[18:57] » Anyone else like to speak on this topic?

[19:05] » Uh, good evening. at John English 603 Bradford Road. Uh the natural lands

[19:10] proposal includes well it's a $15,000 uh proposal is how is that funded? Is that

[19:16] taxpayer funded? >> Yes.

[19:20] » Okay. So the natural land proposal includes $9,000 for building public

[19:25] consensus. What safeguards will the township put in place to make sure

[19:29] taxpayer funded outreach remains neutral? public education does not

[19:35] become advocacy for a particular referendum outcome.

[19:41] I >> think by nature of it being third

[19:42] parties, right? And that's part of the motivation I think to engage natural

[19:46] lands as I understand it is that it engages a third party that is unbiased

[19:52] um and is again kind of worked with the municipalities

[19:56] » understanding yes might they have a bias towards uh protecting natural lands of

[20:00] course right but I think in terms of them that was one of the things that

[20:03] that spoke to me in their presentation that they are um really trying to gather

[20:08] information and present it and um go from there right that

[20:13] That's my understanding of it anyway. That's kind of our our goal is to use a

[20:17] third party um in this process so we can have unbiased information.

[20:22] » Yeah. The only thing that I would add to that is I believe that the way natural

[20:26] lands describes this um the commissioners are allowed to be

[20:30] advocates one way or the other. The township itself, township staff is to

[20:35] remain neutral on the question. >> So that's how the ad advocacy component

[20:39] works as part of the the referendum. Okay. And and the referendum is is

[20:44] basically it's a tax on you know would the

[20:49] » it would be a question to the voters as to whether

[20:51] » Sure. Yeah. Exactly. Okay. >> Yeah. Support an increase in in attacks

[20:54] to fund open space acquisitions and >> and have you uh explored any other

[20:59] options other than a tax like uh private companies or any anything like that or

[21:05] you just gone right for the tax? Well, we don't have a control over a private

[21:09] individual or company making the decision to make.

[21:12] » Correct. I'm not saying you have control over it. I'm saying have you explored

[21:15] any other options going right to the tax?

[21:18] » I think for a couple years we've been working on just understanding what type

[21:22] of open space is available to us, what type of opportunities we have or don't

[21:26] have, what challenges we've had. And I think this is one way for us to ask the

[21:31] question of our residents of what they wish to see and what they wish to do. I

[21:36] think it a lot of people have different interests in in open space preservation

[21:41] and uh you know rather than let's say us to just come out outright with a tax for

[21:46] example I think it just makes sense to bring it up to the taxpayers to decide

[21:50] if this is something we want to prioritize and in what way. Having a

[21:53] third party I think will uh help shape this. Not only do I think that I know

[21:58] that's what the job is and it's going to be the most neutral way of handling it.

[22:01] I even read about um Hatfield recently I think is doing one and the materials

[22:06] outright say as it's being published to your concern um look we we cannot speak

[22:11] one way or the other but these are the things that would be accomplished with

[22:14] that tax and this is what you're there to consider and I think having um really

[22:19] tight language around that developed takes is going to take some work it's

[22:22] going to take some time and that's why they recommend 12 months okay advance so

[22:26] they >> so we've considered over the years I

[22:28] mean to your to your point I think the conversation about open face has

[22:30] happened a number of times over the years uh as to what that could look like

[22:34] and one avenue to explore is taxation and this is one way to explore that

[22:41] taxation if that's what the appetite of the taxpayers is.

[22:44] » Okay. Yeah. I mean, I don't have an opinion on uh open space either way, but

[22:48] uh my concern is that uh using taxpayer money for, you know, to kind of gain and

[22:54] I I read it in the I I read through the whole natural lands and I think it was

[22:59] to build public uh consensus and to me that says, you know, they're

[23:04] they're leaning towards this outcome and to use taxpayer dollars for that. Not

[23:09] everybody may agree. And that's why I that's kind of where my question is.

[23:13] Yes, that's why we have a vote, you know, then then the the majority is

[23:17] going to determine what happens. And we all hear from our constituents that's

[23:23] extremely important to them. So, we're trying to respond to community needs

[23:28] with this project. And I mean consensus also there is going to be a a

[23:33] conversation about what town the township would concede and and and have

[23:37] consensus around which parcels what type of land or you know that needs to be

[23:43] identified and so that we can know how much money would be needed. Would it

[23:46] even be enough money to take care of any amount of properties or maybe we'd have

[23:52] to do more. whatever the outcome is, that's going to be the year's worth of

[23:55] work that this third party is going to engage in in doing the work of

[23:59] discovering. So, I think it's, you know, >> I would add too, it's not, it's not an

[24:04] either or. Very rarely is a situation come about for preservation where it's

[24:10] taxpayer money or not. There's usually somewhere in the middle. If if an

[24:15] opportunity comes and let's say a large parcel quickly becomes available and

[24:20] under threat of development without any kind of funding mechanism to just say,

[24:24] "Wow, we hope some rich donor, you know, in the next month buys it." You know,

[24:29] that's not really a plan that that we can just bank on. So, um, but it does go

[24:34] in the books, right? At the end of the day, this is here are the pros and the

[24:36] cons. >> The reprimand buzz. I understand that.

[24:39] But the $9,000 to kind of steer it in one direction is what I have a problem

[24:44] with. >> Well, the referendum is asking you to

[24:46] enact something that doesn't exist. So, I don't know how you would

[24:50] » not skew it because you're not taking a vote to take something away. You're

[24:54] taking a vote whether to create something that doesn't exist yet.

[24:59] So, if you were straight down the middle, then you wouldn't even do it

[25:01] because it doesn't exist right now. >> Okay. Thank you very much for your time.

[25:05] » Thank you. >> Thank you. Would anyone else like to

[25:07] speak to this topic before we make the motion?

[25:11] » All right. At this time, I'm going to ask uh Commissioner May to go ahead and

[25:15] submit that motion. >> Thank you, Madam Chairwoman.

[25:20] So my motion I move that the board of commissioners authorize the execution of

[25:24] an agreement with natural lands to assist the board of commissioners with

[25:29] the preparation of an ordinance and ballot referendum to assist municipality

[25:33] with the preservation of open space. The scope of work shall include public

[25:38] education, facilitation of public meetings, and the preparation of a

[25:43] conservation opportunities map. The Total cost of the agreement is $15,500

[25:50] in accordance with the natural lands proposal dated May 18th, 2026. That is

[25:56] my motion. >> We have a motion. Is there a second?

[25:59] » Second. >> Uh are there any questions or comments

[26:03] on the motion? >> I just wanted to add, you know,

[26:06] regarding natural lands, I think one of the things that stuck out with their

[26:09] presentation is that they don't measure success by whether a referendum passes

[26:14] or not. they just help with construction of the referendum. that's that's the

[26:17] role that they felt they played which you know with my interest in natural

[26:21] ants you know and open space preservation I think I was like ah you

[26:27] know I kind I think I kind of hoped or thought that they might be you know

[26:31] working towards it but really it's just the construction the referendum that

[26:35] they have this expertise >> that I'll add a comment there too

[26:39] Brandon that natural lands also performs the services of helping to raise money

[26:43] not just not just what in the matter of the referendum that we're talking about

[26:47] here. In fact, when um the property implies lane was an issue, you know,

[26:52] starting in 2019, this board did have a proposal from

[26:56] natural lands to reform services to go try to raise that money through grants

[27:00] and other private donations outside of any kind of of of taxpayer funding. So,

[27:06] they they are minded uh in that way as well in terms of raising.

[27:13] » Uh >> now, that's not what we're hiring to do

[27:15] here. This is very specific, but that is one of their services.

[27:19] » Andy, are there other uh third party vendors that talk about open space

[27:24] preservation referendum formation like natural lands does in your in your uh

[27:28] experience? >> I think natural lands are the are the uh

[27:32] the leaders in this area, I would say, in in Montgomery County for sure. Um on

[27:36] the the Hatfield one, I believe they're involved. They were involved in Lower

[27:39] Southford, which um is a community that I represent as well. Um, so you know,

[27:44] I've seen them in many places um, assisting municipalities in various ways

[27:49] with with the referendum questions. Um, I really haven't seen too many um,

[27:54] » alternatives and I think they're probably the, you know, the leader as

[27:57] far as I can tell in this area at the moment.

[28:00] » Thank you. I'm just following up because I was looking for the same just to be

[28:04] thorough and be sure that if there's some other competitor that we, you know,

[28:07] obviously get the appropriate request out there. Um but I think this again as

[28:12] you heard me say I think is a it's the appropriate direction for being

[28:16] responsive to our taxpayers who frequently come here and um discuss uh

[28:21] how do we preserve land and uh how do we do it with taxpayer dollars or without

[28:27] taxpayer dollars. I mean uh the only other way without is by the generosity

[28:31] of benefactors uh with you know about whom we can't really control. So, I

[28:35] think this is a great avenue to learn more about what our taxpayers want and

[28:39] um I really appreciate the opportunity to be neutral by the township and the

[28:43] township uh staff itself. Uh obviously, you can hear that we have interest uh

[28:48] individually and so I'm looking forward to hearing more and seeing what comes

[28:52] out of it. One of the things that we've been working on uh without spending

[28:56] taxpayer dollars is can we develop uh spaces and parcels that we wish to

[29:01] prioritize and it really started to get a little complicated as far as being

[29:05] sure that it was fair, equitable, that we're being thorough, that we have the

[29:08] due diligence as frankly volunteers trying to figure that out. And so being

[29:12] able to use professional expertise in this area um and learning about this

[29:16] process I think is is the way to go. So that's my comment. Any other comments?

[29:23] All right, we have a motion. There is a second. Uh, all in favor, please signify

[29:27] by saying I. >> I. I.

[29:29] » Any oppose? Hearing none, please record a unanimous vote.

[29:34] » All right. Uh, thank you for those submitting public comment and thank you

[29:38] commissioners for that vote. Next, we have a uh individuals here to discuss

[29:43] Sleep Park and that's the last of my public comments. So, uh, I will ask one

[29:47] more time if there's any on any other topic, but our last one in the public

[29:51] comment section will be skate park. So, if anyone would like to comment on skate

[29:56] park, uh, please come to the four. Uh, I will just cue that up while people get

[30:02] their feet together and come to the mic. Uh, that tonight we intend to, uh, hear

[30:08] a motion regarding the designation of the opportunity to provide a skate park

[30:12] at McKelby. Uh, and that's what we're here to discuss. But before that motion,

[30:16] is there public comment on this topic? If so, please come to the front. Please

[30:20] try to keep your comments uh short and try not to repeat previous comments if

[30:25] they've already been suggested. Our usual setup often.

[30:42] » Hello. Good evening. Uh my name is Mark Burr. uh resident of Orland uh 228

[30:48] Plymouth Avenue. Uh I have two young children. We use McKelby Park uh in its

[30:53] current uh form. Uh we really enjoy it. Uh the current lot uh next to the 5 to

[31:00] 12 playground and the basketball courts serves as a really nice open and

[31:05] transitional space. Um it really lends itself well to the kids that play there.

[31:11] Um if older kids don't want to go into the smaller kid playground area, that

[31:16] field can be used for ball sports, uh hanging out. Um the basketball court

[31:22] when it's used is very popular. Uh when it's not being used, it's also serving a

[31:27] second purpose. You can ride bikes on it. Kids can play chalk. um to think

[31:32] about losing one of the few remaining open spaces in that part of Orland I

[31:36] don't think would serve uh my family especially but the community uh very

[31:41] well. So please take that into consideration uh when you make your

[31:46] decision. Uh I think uh a skate park not being used uh isn't necessarily

[31:53] something that can serve a a second purpose and I think um would be a loss

[31:57] for that part of our community. Thank you for your time.

[32:01] » Yeah. Thank you.

[32:20] » Hi everyone. My name is Karen Ersum. I'm an resident of Orland. And I know that

[32:25] you've heard a lot from me about this topic and about advocating to preserve

[32:30] the green. So I'm not going to go into all of that again. Um but I am here

[32:36] tonight to ask you some questions that I think need to be answered before making

[32:40] this decision. Um,

[32:43] I am going to ask that you give serious consideration to community voices and

[32:47] priorities as you weigh this decision and to ask if you've answered all the

[32:52] questions that you've answered all the questions that you've needed to before

[32:55] you can vote on this. I'm asking whether you've established

[33:00] that McKelie is the right location and whether the evidence really supports

[33:04] giving up this particular piece of green space.

[33:08] The township has established that there were no park specific impacts measured

[33:12] in the areas of concern that were brought up both by residents and through

[33:16] the township survey. So I want to ask you, has the township completed a

[33:21] professional feasibility study for this specific site, including the physical

[33:25] constraints of McKelie, storm water, drainage, trees, grading, residential

[33:30] proximity, noise, parking, access, construction costs, and long-term

[33:35] maintenance.

[33:42] All right. Uh, >> that's a question.

[33:46] » All right. Do you have any other further public comment?

[33:48] » Yes, I have other comment. I believe if what the township manager said earlier

[33:55] this week is that if that hasn't been completed, is the board prepared to

[34:01] approve this location before knowing whether the site is actually suitable?

[34:07] Also, I feel like it's very unclear what we're voting on.

[34:11] I would like clarification on exactly what the board is voting to approve

[34:16] tonight. Is it a general location? Is it a footprint? Are there parameters in

[34:20] place? There's a whole slew of things that I

[34:24] feel like have not been very well established for not only the immediate

[34:30] neighborhood but for the community in general because this will be a community

[34:35] resource no matter where it ends up going.

[34:38] Um I have questions about the prox the residential proximity factor. Have those

[34:45] been updated? Last month, we brought up that there were apartment complexes that

[34:50] did not appear to be included in those measurements, and I've asked if those

[34:56] could please be verified. So, I would like to

[35:00] ask that again. Um, if I would like to hear about what specific mitigation

[35:07] measures are being considered for noise and other neighborhood impacts.

[35:13] Um, and how are you weighing the community community feedback portion?

[35:19] You've heard that people in our community would like a skate park

[35:23] somewhere here in Springfield Township. You've also heard that there are people

[35:28] who very strongly prefer to preserve the green for its

[35:33] current use. Um, so I am wondering how are you weighing those two things?

[35:42] Um, and what evidence would tell you that preserving the green is the better

[35:47] decision for the broader community or is there another place the skate park

[35:52] can go? Because these are not mutually exclusive goals to have is to preserve

[35:57] the green and to have a skate park. Last month, Cisco was on the board right up

[36:02] until the last minute where it was removed. And so, are we really

[36:07] determining the best place for this skate park if we haven't actually

[36:11] considered all the possible spaces where it could go? Can we go back to the

[36:16] drawing board and say, let's really look at these. Let's update this scorecard.

[36:21] Let's consider do some of the best practices scores on there actually even

[36:27] need to be there because they're scored differently for McKelby versus Cisco for

[36:34] active or I don't know if that was actually it actually I do have it in

[36:39] front of me um safety security and sports lighting.

[36:45] While this park isn't intended to be used after dusk why does Mckelby get a

[36:50] score? or is it just simply because the amenity exists even if you're not

[36:54] intending to use it? So, is this making your scorecard a little out of balance?

[37:00] Um, and the same thing goes, it is active. You've given me a five, but

[37:05] you've given your other sites fours and threes, but then in your explanation,

[37:09] you say all parks are active. So, there are some things that I'm going to ask

[37:16] that you explain if you're able how they were scored and

[37:21] what gave them that weight and are they actually even necessary on this to add

[37:27] just additional information. Um,

[37:33] before I finish my comment, I would just ask that

[37:39] you consider truly what our community values in this

[37:45] park, what we value as a community of Springfield, it's green open space,

[37:50] listening to residents, really just feeling like this is a place that we

[37:55] want to call home. Um, and knowing that and really giving consideration

[38:01] obviously you have to the skateboard association

[38:05] is that we're we're really looking at the big picture to make sure that when a

[38:10] spot is found, it is the best spot that we can give them, not just something

[38:14] that simply worked for that location. If there are other locations, have you

[38:20] weighed that? Um, I hope that we'll be able to get some of these answers

[38:26] tonight and hear exactly what you're voting on and how the parameters will

[38:31] work around any agreements that are made and commitments, the time frames us, you

[38:37] know, a lot of people are wondering what are the taxpayer implications? Who's

[38:41] paying for this? I in some of the older um parks and wreck meeting there was a

[38:48] comment about if they raise half the township would match it. Does that still

[38:55] stand? Is that something that's under consideration? I think those are

[39:00] questions that both taxpayers in the whole community deserve to have

[39:05] answered, but also um

[39:09] people who live directly in that community are will be affected by this.

[39:14] So, thank you so much. >> Thank you. Any other comments on skate

[39:17] park at this time?

[39:26] » Hello everybody. Uh good evening. Uh, Pete Ruben, Kim, gota take my readers

[39:30] off because that's all I have to read. Um, but anyway, thanks again for your

[39:34] time for another time. Um, and I just, you know, reading the, you know, the

[39:41] most recent agenda, um, the survey that went out, the scores that came back, um,

[39:47] you know, the thing that we have to realize, or at least I've been a

[39:51] Springfield resident forever, and we want the same thing. We want green space

[39:55] as well. Uh, and it's a balance. And you know what I've seen since I've been here

[40:01] in this township is an increase in green space, whether it's Harstston Woods, um,

[40:07] you know, um, I forget the the name of it, but the Flood Plane Park. Um, you

[40:11] know, so we've actually increased the green space. Um, most of the comments

[40:16] that came back and I thought it was a great juxaposition was to see like the

[40:21] the neighboring municipalities that you guys reached out to um to just most of

[40:27] the concerns were based on fear and based on unknowing because we've never

[40:31] had one. But now we're not trying to recreate the wheel and we're talking to

[40:35] municipalities who have done it and some of the same fears and their objections

[40:40] going to bring drugs and graffiti. Uh you know the municipalities said no it's

[40:45] actually not the case. So um I guess I just want everybody to realize that we

[40:51] truly want the same thing. I mean and the skate park does not mean like you

[40:54] said mutually exclusive. It doesn't mean there's going to be a void of green

[40:58] space. There will be trees. there will be places for people to sit uh and and

[41:02] just relax. Um, you know, I think it's a a preconceived notion that it's anarchy

[41:08] and it's going to be crazy, which is just not the case. So, I've said it time

[41:13] and time again. I mean, we we've created countless opportunities for the kids in

[41:17] this township to play organized team sports, but nowhere for a kid who needs

[41:23] to get off their phone and just do it on their own clock, their own agenda to do

[41:27] it whenever they please. And that doesn't mean whenever they please. We

[41:31] all want the same thing. We want to have hours that restrict. We don't want it to

[41:34] be, you know, it's open till 10 o'clock at night. Um, you know, it it's it's

[41:40] something we just have to provide, you know, for the alternative. I mean, one

[41:43] of the responses was um, which was just kind of funny is that we have to um, you

[41:48] know, have free space for diversity and that's what we're trying to do here.

[41:53] So anyway, that's all I have to say. Thanks.

[41:55] » Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other comments on this

[41:58] topic before we put forward a motion?

[42:08] » No, you got a comment.

[42:13] » I'll be back. >> Is this new information that you're

[42:18] » I just want to have the public comment to be that McKelby Park is 0.8 8 acres

[42:24] and this is the only small patch of green in this part of Orland. So, we're

[42:28] not saying that um green space isn't a priority for the township and that there

[42:33] haven't been new places that have existed, but it's rare that you're

[42:37] taking away a spot that serves a whole community. And it is the only spot there

[42:43] that's green there. It's fully developed and paved all around. And so this is

[42:50] really taking this little gem of a field and turning it into concrete which is

[42:56] really what is fully surrounding which makes it so valuable to us. So I

[43:01] appreciate that there is there are other parks and there are other places for

[43:07] other neighborhoods to relax in a green park but that won't be the case in

[43:12] downtown Orland. Any other comments on this topic?

[43:18] » I think I'd like to offer >> sure

[43:20] » comment from our end of things >> just about and and we probably should

[43:25] announce some of the the measurements and you know clarify some of that before

[43:29] we vote. >> Um are we going to have the discussion

[43:32] before the vote or after the vote >> so that we can do the uh discussion

[43:36] after the motion? Uh >> I don't know. That's what Susie told me.

[43:39] That's the only as long as there's no >> I just wanted to comment. Yeah. I just

[43:43] wanted to be sure there was an opportunity for public comment before we

[43:45] go right into the motion. Again, this is a little of an unusual format. We're

[43:48] missing our Mondays and Wednesdays. Um, any other public comment on this topic?

[44:01] » Hi, I'm Adrian. Um, I started like advocating for the skate park with my

[44:06] mom and um, sixth grade, I think. Uh, I've kind of played team sports a lot in

[44:14] my life, but I really like skateboarding. I've been skating since I

[44:18] was I think I was like 6 or 7 years old. Um, I know people who like never played

[44:25] team sports, but love skateboarding and love those individual sports. And um,

[44:30] there's nowhere in this township for people like that. Like I know a lot of

[44:34] people who haven't really played team sports and grow up never being able to

[44:39] skateboard or ride BMX in this township. Never felt like

[44:44] uh involved in the township. Never felt accepted. So I feel like um having more

[44:50] diverse areas for like kids my age to go to would be great.

[44:56] » Thank you, Adrian. >> Thank you. Thank you.

[44:58] » All right. and then I'll do one last call for

[45:03] » I just have one question because I'm familiar with um building a skateboard

[45:06] park. So, how is it going to be funded? Is there a skateboard coalition that's

[45:11] funding this or is it the township that's funding it?

[45:13] » So, again, a level set and again trying to wage what to say in in our comment

[45:18] period versus what to engage in um without drawing out public comment. Um

[45:22] but essentially there has been a proposal by an a third party

[45:27] organization nonprofit organization Adrian and their mother is is a part of

[45:32] it uh to offer to fund it. I don't think it's accurate that the township was

[45:37] willing to uh split 50% of the cost in the past. In the past, what was

[45:41] proposed, and this and this was even before I I was sitting here, uh, was

[45:45] that, hey, once you have, you know, basically half of $500,000, $250,000,

[45:51] come back and see if maybe we'll give you a spot. And how we landed here was,

[45:56] wow, that's after a few years of trying it that way, correct me if I'm wrong,

[46:00] um, you know, actually, how could I ask a donor to donate to my organization to

[46:05] work with a township that may not be ready to give me space to do that? So

[46:09] they came here and said, you know, can we restart that and refresh how that is

[46:13] worked out? Our position at this time is to offer an opportunity for the skate

[46:18] park to build skate facility somewhere in our township. We've been doing due

[46:23] diligence on this and have come to the conclusion that McKelby is an ideal

[46:27] potentially ideal location. That is one of the questions before us today uh

[46:32] after that due diligence period. And uh that's really the question before us

[46:37] today is whether they'll have the opportunity to then go forth do the

[46:40] design knowing that there's going to be um tacit conceptual approval of the idea

[46:45] of a skate park facility at this location provide that they uh go out and

[46:49] do the fundraising. We'll offer services that um are not necessarily capital

[46:54] expenditures. They're going to be things like additional engineering services. um

[46:58] park and recck staff is going to of course consider it as something that

[47:02] we're working on. But beyond that, at this time, our capital expenditures are

[47:06] caught up in actually bringing about 10 acres of park online this this year and

[47:12] uh a rec center. So that's not uh out of our tax.

[47:15] » Okay. I just want to be Yeah. >> Yeah. I hope that helps. Thank you.

[47:18] » Uh for those who might be newer to the conversation, um if there are no other

[47:21] public comments, what we'll clarify is this motion reading and then we'll go

[47:24] ahead and have this conversation. Uh, I don't see any other further public

[47:29] comment. So, Commissioner Goldberg, please, as chairman of the Parks and

[47:34] Recreational Resources Committee, please read your motion.

[47:36] » Thank you, Madam President. Okay. I move that the board of commissioners

[47:40] designate an area at McKelie Park to allow the Springfield Township

[47:45] Skateboard Association the opportunity to design a community

[47:49] skate park. The designation of the area shall be conditioned upon the

[47:54] association preserving the existing trees and limiting the impervious

[47:59] surface to no more than that of the previous basketball court that occupied

[48:03] that location. In addition, the so the association shall be required to present

[48:08] plans for the skate park review and recommendation by the parks and

[48:12] recreation advisory committee. The director of parks and recreation shall

[48:16] arrange for public notice to be provided by mailing notice of the meeting to all

[48:20] property owners located within 500 ft of the park perimeter and by posting notice

[48:24] of the meeting at the park property, which I should note we did again for

[48:28] this meeting. Construction of the skate park shall not occur until permission

[48:33] has been granted by the board of commissioners at at a regularly

[48:36] scheduled meeting. That concludes my motion.

[48:39] » We have a motion. Is there a second? Second. Any questions or comments on the

[48:43] motion? And Brendon, maybe you start since you started.

[48:46] » Um, yeah, I could lead off with some, you know, I'm just trying to address

[48:50] some of the questions that were out there. Um, you know, some of the

[48:54] questions really were about um how this would be handled down the line. This is

[49:00] just really the beginning of the process. So, you know, the the engineers

[49:04] will have to look at everything as far as storm water runoff, the grading. Um,

[49:10] you know, they're going to be examining the trees that are there to make sure

[49:13] that they're safe, that they're not getting compacted by any construction

[49:16] that we're doing. So there are a ton of things that still need to be fleshed out

[49:22] down the line there, you know, as was indicated in the motion um that you know

[49:28] there's going to be additional meetings, reports and opportunities for input even

[49:33] if at this point in time we were to uh give the task approval to to build a

[49:39] skate park at that location. Um, you know, as far as the green space, uh, one

[49:45] gentleman I think kind of pointed out, you know, we're not taking away all

[49:49] those trees. We're not taking away all the green space. You know, if you look

[49:53] at the aerial photographs of the area, you know, you can see where the um,

[49:59] basketball court was very clearly um, if you take a look on there. And so it does

[50:04] leave still a great strip of grass where people can, you know, sit at picnic

[50:10] benches, you know, and it would be as wide as you see wrapping around the

[50:14] basketball courts. Um, you'd see it on that end of the park. And then there

[50:18] would still be a nice patch of grass between uh any potential skate park and

[50:24] the playground that exists there as well. Um, you know, there's talk about

[50:30] losing green space. you know, this is just it's a manicured piece of lawn. Um,

[50:36] you know, which is a little bit different when we're talking about open

[50:39] space, you know, which is typically where we're we're talking about trying

[50:42] to have uh, you know, meadow areas that are, you know, used for um, wildlife and

[50:49] for also helping with drainage and other storm water runoff. You know, this

[50:53] really isn't serving that purpose there. A lot of what's under there is is still

[50:57] some remnants of a dismantled basketball court. um you know and and the

[51:01] basketball court really was not there much long very long ago. Um so it's you

[51:07] know it's not a a major change there. In addition, you know, we're talking about

[51:12] a space that's about 60 ft by 90 ft and at the same time we are working on

[51:19] opening a park in Orland that's less than a half mile away that would be 600

[51:24] feet by 400 ft. Uh so greatly dwarfing this patch grass and it's not to say

[51:30] that any space is not valuable but you know we are also really looking out for

[51:37] Warland in this section of our township and you know going to have a a worldass

[51:43] park there in the not too distant future which I think uh will greatly benefit

[51:48] Orland as well as the whole of the township.

[51:51] Um >> just for everyone's benefit that's the t

[51:54] former tank car property that Brendan's >> and walnut

[51:58] » you know is where it is there. Um and then I think you know personally I

[52:03] would echo echo some of the comments and particularly of the young man who came

[52:07] up here just talking about how um you know we've done a lot for children with

[52:13] team sports uh but you know we we don't offer anything for individuals and I

[52:20] think this would be a great use of of space. It's in a a commercial district.

[52:25] It's at an already established park. Um I guess one other question is about the

[52:30] lighting and that's more to um from a security standpoint not to allow for

[52:35] activity to run through the night. It's just that you know people can't go there

[52:40] under the cover of darkness and and get away with anything you know which was

[52:44] another important factor in in our evaluation.

[52:48] And you know that I think those were the things that I want to touch on but I

[52:52] know there were some other questions as well that others might want to address.

[52:55] If I could just set the stage for fellow commissioners here, I think uh to the

[53:00] point of some individuals saying, you know, what exactly are we voting on?

[53:04] What are the questions here? And I think it narrows down to two. One, uh do we

[53:09] think skate as an activity has value to our township? And do we want I guess

[53:13] that's one question. Do we want skate park somewhere in our township? And time

[53:18] and time again, that question has come before us, has come before park and

[53:20] wreck. uh and the answer has been yes without any strong qualifying nos. I'm

[53:26] not saying that there aren't any merits to saying no. I think it's fine to to

[53:29] land a different way but uh overall that has been the first hurdle and then here

[53:34] we're at a point where do we like it at Mckelby and that's what we're talking

[53:39] about here. We're talking about evaluating our parks. Do we like it at

[53:42] McKelby Park? uh and by function of liking it here not to necessarily

[53:47] discount the other parks but say that we've gone through a due diligence

[53:49] period have considered the other parks and do we find this to be the best

[53:53] avenue and that's what that motion is addressing that we're providing this

[53:57] opportunity at McKelby Park and I think those are the two questions that we

[54:01] basically have to answer. I think yes, skate for the reasons that Brendan and

[54:04] others alluded to, providing a space for individual sports uh is is a strong um

[54:10] argument uh among others and just just to enhance our parks with this amenity.

[54:15] Uh one of the things about skate also is putting skate closer to neighborhoods as

[54:20] opposed to far away. I know somewhere along the way I've read why don't we

[54:23] make it more of a larger destination center at at Walnut Lane at Walnut AB

[54:28] and hey as a non-expert just reading through this at first that really

[54:33] appealed to me. I said wow that sounds really great. We're building this new

[54:35] park and as we peeled back the layers of diligence actually that wouldn't be the

[54:40] most advisable thing per skate park uh guidelines because of safety reasons or

[54:45] and other reasons. Not saying it's impossible, but if you had to make a

[54:48] decision, um I said, "Well, fine. We're talking about putting it in a safer

[54:53] place, putting it closer to neighborhoods. We land ourselves here."

[54:56] Uh and so, do I like it, Mckelby? I think the answer for me is yes. Um

[54:59] Commissioner, if you make any further comment, uh some things I've heard, and

[55:03] I just don't want to lose sight of them because one of the things we've heard

[55:06] time and time again is are we considering community voices? I hope I

[55:10] mean I I think I do. I think I'm diligently trying to do that right now.

[55:14] Uh but also this is about those who feel that they're not being heard because

[55:19] they're saying no and we um may say yes and I just want you know to be mindful

[55:24] of that and I understand that. I think we can uh come to the same facts and

[55:28] have different agree a different outcome on that and it's okay for us to disagree

[55:32] uh as we may have last month. Last month we said hey what about Cisco? Have we

[55:37] fully vetted Cisco? I feel like sure I could throw that out to escape park

[55:42] association and let you explore that a little bit more. Um and others said you

[55:46] know what uh given the parameters the rubric that we went through the

[55:49] diligence we've gone through um that's really would be out of line with going

[55:53] through that process we've landed on McKelby we should stick with that if we

[55:56] believe in Mckelby and fair enough a fair enough argument to me uh and again

[56:01] you may have seen that outcome that we may not necessarily directly agreed but

[56:07] uh we agree that Mckelby is a fine spot for it. Can I just make one more sure

[56:11] comment, Susie? Also, this would be kind of what would be considered a pocket

[56:14] skate park. It would be smaller than many many skate parks and

[56:19] » and it would um it wouldn't attract like really like hot skateboarders coming

[56:25] from other places. It would be for, you know, kids basically, you know, and

[56:30] adults who are still in the game, but it wouldn't be one of these big challenging

[56:34] ones like the one in FDR Park. It's it's not that scope at all. It's a it's a

[56:39] small part >> and I can go on but I I know other

[56:43] commissioners want to speak. So a other points that I heard by most you know

[56:47] dissenting uh voices would be do we have enough evidence has our essentially the

[56:52] question is do we do enough due diligence uh will we have professional

[56:56] feasibility studies. I think that is supposed to be born in the design

[56:59] process and with a, you know, working with our township engineer, working with

[57:02] a director of parks and recreation and what parameters we want to set. And what

[57:06] I hear is parameters include the trees being carved out and and um and being

[57:12] considered uh sounds like a land area uh parameter um and consideration that we

[57:18] will see its proof in design which we have not come to yet. Um and to

[57:23] Brendan's point, this is the beginning of the process, not the end. Um, so

[57:27] those are the main and and the with the parameters I think that also solves the

[57:31] mitigation question as well. So those are some points that I think the

[57:35] community should know that I at least personally have used to contextualize my

[57:39] decision uh and I hope others here will or is doing so. Any other questions or

[57:45] comments by the fellow commissioners? I guess to um to Rob's last point about

[57:51] this being a smallcale park, um I will say I had some concerns

[57:57] at the beginning of this as to whether um whether McKelby made sense in terms

[58:02] of the size. >> Um and I had some questions about um you

[58:07] know, is this really a big enough space um where it would be a meaningful um

[58:13] park for the people that that might want to use it. And um you know just

[58:17] understanding I'm I've never skated my life and uh you know I wasn't as

[58:22] involved as some of the others in this process. Um I will say one thing. Last

[58:27] week I was on vacation up in Massachusetts. Um and totally

[58:32] fortuitously um my daughter asked me to go to a

[58:35] playground. We went um there happened to be a skate park right behind it. Um and

[58:40] it was next to a playground. It was next to a basketball court. Um, and so I took

[58:46] the opportunity to take a look at it. Um, so I looked at it and it's it was

[58:51] slightly larger than what we're contemplating at Mckelby, but not a

[58:54] whole lot. Um, and I could conceptualize in my mind what you know what somebody

[58:59] could do in that space um, in terms of the people like like you, Adrian, that

[59:04] that might use it. And I was like, okay, this makes more sense now. Um, I can see

[59:09] this working in a way that it would be um attractive for the people that that

[59:14] want to use it while at the same time it's part of a greater um a greater area

[59:20] um that has other things like playgrounds, courts, things like that.

[59:24] So, so um that circumstance kind of made me understand a little bit better um you

[59:30] know how this how this would be beneficial. So, so I think that's kind

[59:34] of brought me off the fence um as to this particular location. Another thing

[59:38] I would just say is there were some comments uh I think that were submitted

[59:43] in writing um about um this becoming an eyesore down the

[59:49] road. Um and and again just in uh doing a little research on the skate park that

[59:55] I happened to see last week up in Massachusetts was um that one's actually

[1:00:01] been there since 1998. Um it was they did some additional work

[1:00:05] on it in 2007 and I'll tell you it doesn't look run down at all. Um so I

[1:00:10] think if you have the right maintenance, which I'm sure we will in this township,

[1:00:14] um we we we put a lot into that. Um I I don't see that becoming an issue either.

[1:00:21] So um I'm inclined to to be in favor of this.

[1:00:26] » Any other comments? >> Um I would say, you know, going back to

[1:00:31] why how this has come to this, right? The goal is to really have an amenity

[1:00:36] for a constituency that's that's really been underserved. And as Adrian, you

[1:00:40] know, was eloquating if that's a word. Um but so look, you know, none of these

[1:00:47] decisions are easy. Um when when you're creating something and something's being

[1:00:51] taken away, you know, um that's not an easy decision and no matter what we do,

[1:00:56] someone's not going to be happy or in most cases, no one's happy because you

[1:01:00] know, you didn't get a full-size park and um you know, grass is taken away.

[1:01:04] But our go, you know, I think this board listened that this is something that we

[1:01:09] wanted to find a home for. Um, it really spoke to us about the number of kids

[1:01:14] that that aren't served in in team sports and we have team sports

[1:01:18] facilities out the wazoo. I mean, we're not the biggest and the brightest in,

[1:01:22] you know, in that category, but we still got fields, you know, fields galore.

[1:01:26] And, you know, even that's not enough sometimes, you know, for the teams that

[1:01:29] that won it. And a lot of kids do skate. Now, my kids didn't skate. I don't

[1:01:34] skate. I'll probably never use this thing, nor will my kids, but I know a

[1:01:37] lot of people do. I see people zipping around New Orleans all the time. um just

[1:01:41] on Labor Day, three or four kids and good to see them wearing helmets. We're

[1:01:45] skateboarding down Lyster Road towards downtown Orland. I've seen kids

[1:01:49] skateboarding at the little um Marlo Field parking lot there. Um you know,

[1:01:54] there's no there's no jumps or anything. It's just like a little little paved

[1:01:58] there. So, the goal was to to listen to that to find a home for it. And it was

[1:02:04] easier said than done. Um, obviously the the um the community group that wanted

[1:02:09] this, you know, first pitched Laurel Beach, which we really considered and

[1:02:13] ultimately is just not suitable. There really isn't an ideal spot. I know you

[1:02:17] used the word ideal earlier. I didn't mean ideal, but we're trying to find the

[1:02:20] best because there is no ideal spot. We're not flush with these large parks

[1:02:25] that we can can fit stuff in. And over the last, you know, since the beginning

[1:02:29] of this year, I think we've been talking internally about what about McKelby?

[1:02:33] Let's look at that. And um it is a good option. Um the bad part is and there's

[1:02:40] no I I used the term no sugar coating in previous meetings. Yeah, there's a nice

[1:02:44] green spot there that wouldn't be there anymore or at least not in its current

[1:02:48] form. And Mark, I appreciate you coming and making a comment. I am not excited

[1:02:53] to be a part of taking that away from you and your kids. So that is just a big

[1:02:58] con of the argument for McKelie Park is that there's a little nice green space

[1:03:03] that wouldn't be so green anymore. So I can't really argue with that point. It's

[1:03:08] a totally valid point. Now some of the other stuff about process and um the

[1:03:12] nitty-gritty I don't necessarily agree with. The rubric is not a science it's

[1:03:16] not scientific. It's one tool um to sort of do like a sanity check. You know

[1:03:22] anyone can say well this category should be more important than this category.

[1:03:25] let's wait it and you know you can make it any way you want. So we tried to be

[1:03:29] as neutral on that as possible but it's not the only thing. Community feedback

[1:03:33] you asked about we listen like yeah absolutely um it pains me to think that

[1:03:38] my own constituents won't be happy with with a vote um and I hear that but again

[1:03:44] that's one part two like we we have to make tough decisions uh that might be

[1:03:49] unpopular with some people because we think it's ultimately better than not.

[1:03:53] The one question was, you know, what's the better outcome? And I can't tell you

[1:03:58] for sure what the better outcome, but I am thinking that for our community, for

[1:04:02] the people that are underserved, for all the kids that want to skateboard, I

[1:04:05] think it is a better outcome. Um, McKelie is a it's a vibrant spot. Uh,

[1:04:10] there's an ice cream shop, there's a pizza shop, there's a market for snacks.

[1:04:16] Um, it's a place that, you know, kids can really be that. And Cisco has some

[1:04:19] good points, too, but it doesn't have that. It's sort of like remote. It's on

[1:04:22] the edge of the township. Um Orland is very dense. There are tons of kids up

[1:04:27] and bikes, skateboards, motorcycles.

[1:04:32] Um just coming and going. Like it would be a vibrant little spot. There's

[1:04:36] already basketballs bouncing. Um and it just adds a little little to that

[1:04:41] downtown. Uh again, not crazy about losing grass because that serves a

[1:04:45] purpose, too. I'm not arguing that. But, you know, all that being said, I think

[1:04:49] McKelby is not ideal. I think it's the best from all we looked at. And we did

[1:04:54] look at every single park inside and out and some most of them really except

[1:05:01] down to two. I mean, we didn't need a prof, you know, professional study to

[1:05:06] know that we had to eliminate those for for obvious reasons. Um, so so that's

[1:05:11] where I am. I I think it's a good thing. Um, I think ultimately it will be a good

[1:05:16] thing. Um, but I hear the people that don't want it and and would rather have

[1:05:21] grants there. I really do. >> All right. Any other comments?

[1:05:26] » Um, yeah, most of them have already been covered. So, um, to avoid redundancy, I

[1:05:30] won't go down that path, but um, obviously I agree that it's not ideal.

[1:05:34] Um, but I think that it's a viable option.

[1:05:39] Um I think too when we think about a responsible approach to open space um

[1:05:45] that doesn't always mean that every green space will be preserved but rather

[1:05:50] when there are shifts and changes to how space is used that there's really

[1:05:53] thoughtful consideration of the design and the intersection of the design and

[1:05:58] nature um and tree protection and shade. So, um I trust and assume that those uh

[1:06:04] and there will be safeguards in place to make sure that those things are um are

[1:06:08] considered and part of the uh design process. Um I also appreciate the

[1:06:13] clarification of what we're actually voting on, right? Um

[1:06:18] right, we're not voting on the is this the ideal place, right? But we're voting

[1:06:22] on is is this um is this worth an opportunity to get some of these

[1:06:28] questions answered? Right? the the public comment and and the um both

[1:06:32] written and offered brought up really valid questions many of which that I

[1:06:36] shared and I think a lot of us on the board shared right that that we don't

[1:06:40] know the answer to yet and we won't know some of those answers until we

[1:06:44] greenlight an opportunity and if the answers aren't the answers that um we

[1:06:49] expected we wanted or we like there are opportunities for nos along the way

[1:06:53] right that this is not a green light to go build the skatepark right that

[1:06:56] there's going to be checks and balances there's going to be opportun unities for

[1:06:59] future votes. Um it's the it's the green light for an opportunity to start to do

[1:07:04] the information gathering, the design work, right? All the questions that we

[1:07:08] have will be they will need to be answered, right? And it might be that

[1:07:14] the fundraising is not there and that some of the questions aren't answered

[1:07:18] the way that they the skate park people wanted them and so it's not a go, right?

[1:07:22] I don't want that to happen for you, but I mean this is just like this is the

[1:07:25] green light for an opportunity, right? And to start their due diligence. Um, so

[1:07:29] that felt important to me to understand about what we're voting for.

[1:07:36] » All right, great. Uh, just because we talked a lot,

[1:07:39] I'm going to ask Rob go ahead and read that motion one more time just for the

[1:07:42] sake of of those in the room. >> Okay. So, I move that the board of

[1:07:47] commissioners designate an area at McKelby Park to allow the Springfield

[1:07:52] Township Skateboard Association the opportunity to design a community skate

[1:07:56] park. The designation of the area shall be conditioned upon the association

[1:08:01] limiting the impervious surface to no more than that of the previous

[1:08:05] basketball court. In addition, the association shall be required to present

[1:08:09] plans for the skate park review and recommendation by the parks and

[1:08:13] recreation advisory committee. The director of parks and recreation shall

[1:08:17] arrange for public notice to be provided by mailing notice uh of the meeting to

[1:08:22] all property owners within 500 ft of the park perimeter and by posting notice of

[1:08:26] the meeting at the park property. Construction of the skate park shall not

[1:08:30] occur until permission has been granted by the board of commissioners at a

[1:08:34] regularly scheduled meeting. >> All right, we had a motion, we had a

[1:08:39] second, we've had questions and comments uh by the board. No further comment. Uh,

[1:08:46] all in favor, please signify by saying I.

[1:08:49] » I. >> Any oppose? Say nay. All right. Please

[1:08:52] record a unanimous vote.

[1:08:58] » All right. That concludes our public comment period on uh for this meeting.

[1:09:04] We're now going to move into committee reports after which we'll do our

[1:09:08] managers report which we typically do on Mondays as a part of the agenda book.

[1:09:12] Uh, and then here we go. Uh, as chairwoman of the community development

[1:09:16] committee, I don't have a report. So, we're going to move right into the

[1:09:20] report of the chairman of the administrative fiscal affairs and zoning

[1:09:23] committee, Commissioner Lee. >> Thank you. U, Madame President, I have

[1:09:29] several items. First, uh, regarding the bill listing, I move the board

[1:09:33] commissioner approve the August check reconciliation in the amount of

[1:09:36] 1,271,544,80

[1:09:41] and the September bill listing in the amount of 931,2867.

[1:09:47] Motion. >> Uh, we have a motion. Is there a second?

[1:09:50] » Second. >> Any questions or comments on the motion?

[1:09:54] » All in favor, please signify by saying I.

[1:09:57] » I. >> Any oppose say nay. Hearing none, please

[1:09:59] record a unanimous vote. >> Uh, next I'd like to make an

[1:10:03] announcement about our budget schedule for 20 the 2027 budget. Um first meeting

[1:10:11] is meeting with our supporting agencies including the fire ambulance and

[1:10:16] planning commission on uh September 16th in this room at 700 p.m. Uh we will also

[1:10:23] be scheduled to meet with candidates for the environmental advisory commission

[1:10:26] beginning at 6:20 on that same date of September 16th. Uh the next meeting is

[1:10:32] our budget workshop on October 21st, 2026 at 7 o'clock. All of these meetings

[1:10:39] are scheduled to be in this room. Next is our budget presentation, and I

[1:10:45] believe that is our regularly scheduled business meeting in November, which is

[1:10:49] November the 11th at 7:30 p.m. Our budget hearing and our budget adoption

[1:10:55] will both take place at our business meeting December the 9th at 7:30 p.m.

[1:11:03] Uh, next, resolution 1698. Uh, the board of commissioners has a

[1:11:10] statutory obligation to adopt a resolution setting forth the minimum

[1:11:14] municipal obligations to properly fund the township's employee pension plans

[1:11:18] and to incorporate the minimum municipal obligations into the succeeding year

[1:11:22] township budget. Therefore, I move that the board of commissioners adopt

[1:11:26] resolution 1698, the resolution establishing the 2027 punchin fund

[1:11:32] minimum municipal obligations for the three defined benefit and one defined

[1:11:36] contribution pension plans. That is my motion.

[1:11:39] » We have a motion. Is there a second? >> Second.

[1:11:42] » Uh any questions or comments on the motion? And this is pretty similar to

[1:11:47] last year's uh contribution. >> Correct. There is a there's about a 4%

[1:11:51] increase. Um it's generally reflects the increase in salaries across

[1:11:56] all the um operating departments specifically the biggest increase here

[1:12:01] as a police department >> right and generally reflects inflation

[1:12:04] increases and so on. >> Yeah.

[1:12:07] » Any further questions or comments? All in favor please signify by saying I.

[1:12:12] » I. >> Any oppose say nay. Hearing none please

[1:12:15] record unanimous vote. Next, regarding engineering services, I

[1:12:20] move board of commissioners authorize the 2027 hourly rate schedule for Woodro

[1:12:24] and Associates municipal civil engineers. Fee schedule includes a

[1:12:29] combined hour average hourly increase of 4.78%.

[1:12:34] The hourly dollar increase varies between $3 and $6 per hour depending

[1:12:38] upon position. That is my motion. >> We have a motion. Is there a second?

[1:12:42] » Second. >> Any questions or comments on the motion?

[1:12:45] I would just add that um you know typically whenever we consider uh a

[1:12:50] request for increase in rates um you know township staff does a good job of

[1:12:55] pulling the market getting feedback on what um the area municipalities pay.

[1:13:00] We're typically and in this case really under average uh and obviously Tim and

[1:13:04] his firm has been great. >> Uh yeah, I would agree. We have those

[1:13:09] materials. Typically, we review these on Monday night meetings and um you know

[1:13:13] have a pause, but we already saw these materials. Even though Tim's not here, I

[1:13:17] would wish you were here. So, I think give them a chance to say good job and

[1:13:21] good work. Um I agree with that. Any other further questions or comments?

[1:13:25] Hearing none. Um all those in favor, please signify by saying I.

[1:13:30] » I. Any oppose? >> Please record a unanimous vote.

[1:13:35] Next, regarding the township auditors, I move that the board of commissioners

[1:13:39] reappoint Bergville and company certified public accountants to serve as

[1:13:43] the Springfield Township Auditors to audit the township's financial

[1:13:47] statements for the year ending December 31st, 2026, consistent with the audit

[1:13:52] engagement letter dated August 12th, 2026. Cost of the engagement is $24,200

[1:13:58] plus an alternate in the amount of $4,800 to compile the pension activity

[1:14:04] for the four pension funds. That is my motion.

[1:14:07] » We have a motion. Is there a second? >> Second.

[1:14:10] » Any questions or comments on the motion? Hearing none. All those in favor, please

[1:14:15] signify by saying I. >> I. I.

[1:14:17] » I. All those opposed say nay. Hearing none, please record unanimous vote.

[1:14:23] And finally, an announcement regarding the zoning hearing board. Township

[1:14:30] Spring Township zoning hearing board will meet on Monday, September 28, 2026,

[1:14:34] 7 p.m. here in this building to receive testimony on three applications. The

[1:14:40] first is case 28, excuse me, 26-18,

[1:14:45] application of Miss Laura Downey, owner of the property located at 1005

[1:14:49] Harstston Lane, Burtonheim. The owner seeks approval to construct a

[1:14:53] singlestory garage addition to the home that will reduce the required 12- foot

[1:14:58] wide side yard setback to 7' 8 in and reduce the aggregate sideyard setback

[1:15:04] from 34t 8 in to 20t 8 in in width property zone in a residential district

[1:15:12] of 4. Second is case 26-9,

[1:15:17] the application of Megan, Paul Cook, and Michael Davyy, owners of the property

[1:15:20] located at 716 East Willow Grove Avenue in Winmore. The owners seek approval to

[1:15:25] construct a detached garage within the rear yard that is proposed to be 13' 6

[1:15:30] ines in height. Accessory structures are limited to maximum 12 feet in height.

[1:15:35] Property is zoned in the B residential district of W.

[1:15:40] And lastly, case 26-20, the application of Eric Irvine, owner of the property

[1:15:45] located at 44 West Mill Road in Flowertown. The owner seeks approval to

[1:15:49] construct an addition to the home that will encroach into the side and rear

[1:15:53] yard setback areas. The proposed addition will reduce the sideyard to 5T

[1:15:58] instead of the required 8 foot in width. The rear yard is proposed to be 21t 6 in

[1:16:03] in depth instead of the required 25 ft. property is zoned in the C residential

[1:16:09] district ward one. Copies of the application packets are available for

[1:16:13] review in the community development office in this building during normal

[1:16:17] business hours or on our website at springfieldmonco.org.

[1:16:21] Check it out. You can also contact the zoning department 2158367600

[1:16:27] extension 1114. Ask for mark. That concludes my report.

[1:16:33] » Thank you, commissioners. Appreciate Um,

[1:16:37] » you like his home phone number? >> I really felt that was in like a jingle

[1:16:41] for I was waiting for the song at the end. All right. Now, we're going to move

[1:16:45] to uh chairman of the Environmental Resources Committee, Commissioner May.

[1:16:49] » Thank you, Madam Chairwoman. I just have the recycling report left to report

[1:16:54] here. And during the month of August 2026, Springfield Township residents

[1:17:00] recycled 107.18 tons of material with a householder

[1:17:05] participation rate of 51.5%. The net cost for the month was 19,22867.

[1:17:14] That concludes my report. >> Thank you, Commissioner May. We will now

[1:17:18] move to Chairwoman of the Public Safety Committee, Commissioner McNamera.

[1:17:23] » Thank you. Um, thanks. >> Um, I have one motion this evening. I

[1:17:27] move that the board of commissioners authorize the execution of an agreement

[1:17:30] between Springfield Township and Lasowl College High School for daily traffic

[1:17:34] control services provided by the Springfield Township Police Department.

[1:17:38] The term of the agreement shall be for the 2026 2027 school year and provides

[1:17:42] one hour of traffic safety control services between the hours of 7:15 and

[1:17:46] 8:15 a.m. on each day that the school is open. The total cost of the services is

[1:17:51] $13,080. That is my motion. >> We have a motion. Is there a second?

[1:17:55] » Second. >> Any questions or comments on the motion?

[1:18:00] » Uh just a reminder for the public, we've been doing this since 2017. Correct.

[1:18:04] » Correct. >> Okay. And what happened prior to 2017?

[1:18:07] » Uh the township provided the service at their fee. Uh but uh when Chief PCO came

[1:18:12] into office as a former traffic safety officer, he said, you know, this is uh

[1:18:17] ridiculous. Uh we should be getting paid for this service. Uh so he very nicely

[1:18:22] brought the subject up with Lel and they were very cooperative and understood uh

[1:18:26] the need to pay for the service and have been doing so every year.

[1:18:31] » All right. Thank you. All in favor please signify by saying I.

[1:18:34] » I. >> Any oppose say nay. Hearing none please

[1:18:37] record unanimous vote. >> And I believe that concludes I'm sorry

[1:18:43] that concludes my report. Thank you. Great. Uh, next we move to Commissioner

[1:18:47] uh Morris, chairman of the cultural resources committee.

[1:18:51] » I believe you made your announcement for the day.

[1:18:54] » So, no further report. Thank you, Commissioner Morris. Uh, and then we

[1:18:58] move to Commissioner Goldberg, chairman of the parks and recreation res and

[1:19:02] recreation resources committee. Commissioner Goldberg.

[1:19:07] » All right. No further report from Commissioner Goldberg. Thank you. Now,

[1:19:11] we move to Commissioner Kirk, chairman of the Hold. Oh, I'm so sorry. You want

[1:19:14] to do reports like report report like workshop meeting reports?

[1:19:19] » Uh why don't we just do that down the line at the end consistent stuff like

[1:19:22] that? >> Why don't we do that at the end just to

[1:19:25] be consistent? >> Um commission

[1:19:29] » Commissioner Kirk, chairman of the public works and facilities committee.

[1:19:32] You're up next. >> Thank you Madame President. Uh, I have a

[1:19:36] motion regarding a an agreement for pedestrian access easement for the uh

[1:19:42] with the Springfield Township School District. I move that the board of

[1:19:45] commissioners authorize the execution of a pedestrian trail access agreement

[1:19:50] between the school district of Springfield Township and Springfield

[1:19:53] Township granting a temporary construction easement and permanent

[1:19:57] pedestrian trail easement for the Springfield Township High School

[1:20:01] property. The agreement permits the installation and construction of a

[1:20:04] pedestrian trail to connect the township's Harson Woods property on Haw

[1:20:08] Lane with the high school property on Paper Mill Road. That is my motion.

[1:20:12] » We have a motion. Is there a second? >> Second.

[1:20:16] » Any questions or comments on the motion? Um, I just I would comment that I I took

[1:20:23] a look at the the the trail and it's it's pretty cool. And um it seems like

[1:20:28] it would benefit from a bench kind of at the midpoint of the the path and we

[1:20:33] should talk about that when we have a chance because otherwise you're just

[1:20:36] kind of scooting through there and there's no opportunity to just kind of

[1:20:39] soak in the beauty of the woods. So, >> we have a a bench donation program and

[1:20:45] perhaps the next person that wants to donate a bench, we ask Jim to maybe

[1:20:49] steer them towards that. >> That would be that'd be cool. Yeah.

[1:20:52] » I think Commissioner Goldberg just signed up.

[1:20:58] » Thank you. >> What's it cost? I want to know.

[1:21:00] Typically, they're not cheap. >> $3,500. Uh,

[1:21:04] » yeah. So, that would be a no. I

[1:21:09] wanted to comment that I believe the school district has already approved

[1:21:12] this. The path is already there. This is uh just sort of stamping the access the

[1:21:17] the public access right away and I believe there will be signage on the

[1:21:22] school side regarding the notification of hours and so on.

[1:21:28] » Right. So that's the only thing I wanted to make known to the public. Uh there's

[1:21:33] been a motion. There's been a second. All in favor please signify by saying I.

[1:21:36] I. >> Any oppose? Say nay. Hearing none,

[1:21:39] please record a unanimous vote. >> And I believe that

[1:21:43] » that concludes my report. >> Beautiful.

[1:21:45] » All right. Now that we've reached the end of our committee reports, I'm going

[1:21:49] to now move to the manager report, uh, which is what we typically do on a

[1:21:55] Monday, not on a Wednesday. And that is tab B of our agenda books.

[1:22:01] » Sure. Try and run through this pretty quickly. Um so the first item is the

[1:22:05] 2027 budget. Um Jim, Commissioner Lee, he uh reviewed the budget schedule.

[1:22:11] That's really all that um that paragraph talks about. Um we do have the upcoming

[1:22:18] meeting with the three fire companies and the ambulance association. Uh that

[1:22:22] was referenced in Jim's report. Uh that'll be on the 16th. So we'll look

[1:22:26] forward to meeting with those folks. Are we going to reschedule with um I think

[1:22:30] one of the fire companies was challenged for a scheduling issue because they

[1:22:33] received fire >> flower fire company is going to be out

[1:22:37] of town. Uh their their key staff and and officers are going to be inspecting

[1:22:42] the new fire engine that being built out of Wisconsin. Um and they did not want

[1:22:48] to delay the delivery of that equipment any further. Uh it's been on order for

[1:22:53] over four years and uh I wanted to make sure that they got that. So, uh, yes,

[1:22:58] we'll we'll reschedu with them. Uh, you had even mentioned that maybe when they

[1:23:02] accept delivery of the fire truck, it's an opportunity for them to show it off

[1:23:06] to the commissioners. >> Yeah, I think that'd be a nice time.

[1:23:09] » We can follow up with them on that. Um, the next item is the Environmental

[1:23:13] Advisory Commission on that same evening that we're scheduled to meet with the

[1:23:16] fire companies and the ambulance association. You're going to meet

[1:23:20] beforehand at 6:20 p.m. to meet with four candidates for the environmental

[1:23:25] advisory commission. Uh, one is a student representative and there are

[1:23:29] three applicants for one vacancy as an associate member. So, just to mention

[1:23:34] that and that meeting has been advertised. Um, September meetings,

[1:23:39] we're in the middle of it right now. the um just a brief note that during the

[1:23:45] month uh Tim and I along with representative from representative

[1:23:49] Nelson's office, state rep. Nelson's office met with uh family on Paul's Lane

[1:23:54] to talk about their stream bank erosion concerns and we also met with a uh

[1:23:59] resident of Overbrook Lane for a similar matter.

[1:24:05] Not uncommon. We get those periodically. Uh the next item is a little bit more

[1:24:09] interesting. Uh we met Tim and I met uh on the 31st of August with an individual

[1:24:15] um in Windorf who lives at pretty much the middle of a pretty large watershed

[1:24:20] uh but has a property that provides and has we've had our eyes on for many years

[1:24:26] an opportunity to maybe construct some storm water management facilities that

[1:24:29] would help with downstream flooding in the Carile Road and Patton Road

[1:24:33] neighborhoods. Um they're amanable to um a discussion anyway. uh they have a pond

[1:24:40] on the property as it stands and they want to rehabilitate it and they just

[1:24:44] wanted to know what what what are they in for when they try and rehabilitate

[1:24:47] this thing. Um what are they what are the um the hand grenades they have to

[1:24:51] look out for and u the regulations and and Tim was real helpful in helping them

[1:24:56] out with that. We used that opportunity to kind of introduce the concept of a

[1:24:59] stormwater detention basin and as I said they're open to it like to learn a

[1:25:04] little bit more about it. So Tim's going to arrange for a wetlands mitigation

[1:25:08] specialist to meet him out there and see what we might be dealing with in terms

[1:25:12] of permitting uh for that if anything um because you know there's some cat eye

[1:25:17] tales there and sometimes if they're man-made um you can get rid of them. Uh

[1:25:21] other times you have to allow them to stay in place and there's some

[1:25:25] permitting obligations that we might have there. So

[1:25:28] » that would be a great opportunity. I know it to to Mike's point it really

[1:25:31] impacts the rivers downstream. It's at the, you know, an apex of a hill, if you

[1:25:35] will, and uh the neighbors downstream, particularly at Parallel, we have a

[1:25:40] drain there, and uh we're regularly responding to that area to help those

[1:25:45] neighbors out. So, that would be wonderful.

[1:25:47] » Yeah. For those of you who aren't familiar with the exact location, it's

[1:25:51] at the intersection of Evergreen and Arbor.

[1:25:55] Love it. Yeah. It's beautiful. It's a really beautiful neighborhood. Beautiful

[1:25:58] property >> and rare a lot,

[1:26:00] » right? and rare that we'd have the opportunity to do so modern mitigation

[1:26:03] in that area. >> It's all privately owned. So,

[1:26:07] » you need a cooperative land owner. Next item is um the College Avenue

[1:26:11] neighborhood. Um we've got um a rodent issue that was brought to our attention.

[1:26:16] There's an individual in the neighborhood that maintains uh pigeons

[1:26:19] in an outdoor coupe. And for a period of time, the pigeons, which are kind of

[1:26:23] messy birds, uh were spreading the feed all over the place. and that was of

[1:26:27] course attracting robots to the neighborhood. Um so um we've been

[1:26:33] working with the McGomery County Health Department to try and mitigate that.

[1:26:36] That homeowner has been very responsive and cooperative. Um unfortunately when

[1:26:42] the H County Health Department responds and they see evidence of rodent trails

[1:26:47] on other properties, um they require those individuals to get professional

[1:26:51] extermination services as well to try and eradicate the problem. Um,

[1:26:55] fortunately, everybody in the neighborhood has been cooperative in

[1:26:58] that regard. There's one individual who's been a bit of a challenge. Uh, but

[1:27:03] Pat has been working with that individual as well as the the county

[1:27:06] health department. So, we are um hopeful that we're going to get a handle on that

[1:27:11] pretty soon. Beth has been in contact with the neighbors. She's walking

[1:27:17] » spent some time out there. So, she >> of the rat trails.

[1:27:21] » He saw the trails with her own eyes. Did you get Did you get catch one?

[1:27:25] » I did not. >> Are they carrier pigeons or just

[1:27:28] pigeons? >> Uh I think they're racing pigeons.

[1:27:32] » Interesting. >> Where they take them out and then they

[1:27:34] bring them back. That's what I was >> Oh, cool.

[1:27:36] » led to believe anyway. I haven't spoken with the individual.

[1:27:40] Um last item to bring just just an FYI. Um you may or may not be aware of it

[1:27:47] that since co um the dental industry have been hit with um red increased

[1:27:54] costs to provide services and reduced reimbursements or no increases to the

[1:27:59] reimbursements from the dental insurance companies uh which has led to some

[1:28:04] dental providers dropping some of their dental insurance plans that they worked

[1:28:08] with in the past. Um we haven't had any complaints um within the the township

[1:28:15] from employees who have had that happen to them. Um we provide two dental plans

[1:28:20] at present. One is an ethnic plan that's included with the health insurance plan

[1:28:24] um that that is provided. Um very few people take advantage of that. In fact,

[1:28:28] everybody upgrades to the Delta Dentl that we offer. Uh but Delta Dentl has

[1:28:33] been one of those providers that have been losing participating dentists. Um

[1:28:37] and our health trust of which we are one of the founding members um has heard

[1:28:41] that from other members and as a result has arranged for United Concordia to be

[1:28:46] another um plan that our employees could purchase up into um if their dentist is

[1:28:51] a participating provider. So we're surveying our employees to see how much

[1:28:54] interest there is in that tooth. >> Wow. He wrote that down waiting for that

[1:29:02] all night. Okay, >> I think the remainder of your items are

[1:29:07] executive. Uh at this time, I'll re we'll have gone through every item in

[1:29:12] the our agenda book. I'll reopen the floor to public comment. Uh for those on

[1:29:17] Zoom, there is no one else remaining in the room. So at this time, uh the board

[1:29:22] will be adjourning to meet in an executive session to discuss one

[1:29:25] personnel matter and four litigation matters. Uh so I will now accept a

[1:29:30] motion to adjourn the public portion of the meeting. So moved.

[1:29:33] » We have a motion. Is there a second? >> All in favor, please signify by saying

[1:29:37] I. >> I.

[1:29:39] » The meeting is so adjourned.

Springfield Twp. Board of Commissioners Workshop/Business Meeting - September 9, 2026

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