The PTC Gears Up – Reopens Tredyffrin Project
The PTC reports in a news release on it’s website that the discussion is “on.” They’ve “…reopened a dialogue with local public officials regarding design details…” They explain that “…talks broke off last month when it seemed an agreement was unlikely on design details, including alternative stormwater-control methods… ” That seems unlikely, since the PTC Chairman, Mitchell Rubin, took an indefinite leave of absence from his job when he became the target of a federal investigation AFTER HIS WIFE, Ruth Arnao, was convicted in the Fumo case.
Here’s hoping that the PTC replaces Mr. Rubin with an honest and principled Chairman, and constructive dialogues lead to a solution weighted in favor of the kind citizens of Tredyffrin who deserve no less.
– A Pen
The PTC Explains Suspended Project
PTC’s Open Letter
PTC has suspended “further engineering development” of Mileposts 320 thru 326 “in reaction to major cost increase required to meet the demands for alternative stormwater-control methods that include features such as spray irrigation and underground storage.” They believe the storm water controls will add 50% to construction costs. “Beyond the projected construction-cost increase of $75 to $100 million, the proposed stormwater-control methods also would involve ongoing, lifelong maintenance and operation costs that far exceed commonly employed treatment systems.” Read more…
Also suspended is the bidding and construction on the Rte 29 Interchange Project.
Isn’t this good news for Tredyffrin residents?
Not for the owners of any of the 106 homes slated for full or partial condemnation. Even though their properties are shown on the PTC plans, these folks were not served legal papers condemning their properties. Can they sell their homes? Almost certainly not. They are now totally in limbo.
– A Pen
PA Turnpike Expansion Plans Hit Speed Bump
Several sources indicate that the plans for the expansion of the turnpike in Tredyffrin are now delayed.
- The Philadelphia Inquirer article – “FBI-targeted turnpike chairman takes leave”
- Philly.com article – “Rubin, target of probe, to take leave from turnpike job”
- “The Phoenix”Design issues put turnpike projects on hold for now” (From a local Phoenixville, PA newspaper.)
- In related news, Mr. Rubin’s wife, Ruth Arnao, was recently convicted of all counts of conspiracy, fraud, obstruction of justice, and tax violations. The Philadelphia Inquirer’s article. “Longtime Fumo associate Ruth Arnao guilty on all counts”
Great Valley Association (GVA)
Principal points from the GVA’s Meeting on February 23, 2009 at 7 p.m. in Keene Hall at the Tredyffrin Township Building.
Sound Wall Sizes…
The height of sound walls planned in Tredyffrin are 16 ft., 14 ft., and 12 ft. No plan has shown the elevations, yet. Four gaps in the wall are proposed. The GVA believes three of these gaps are excellent, but they are concerned about the fourth.
Mr. Dave Moskowitz, the GVA’s lawyer reports…
- A second sound study will be done in Tredyffrin to address the height of the walls, but it would only have value as a recommendation. The PTC would not be obligated to follow its recommendations.
- The properties slated for taking have not been taken, yet. He stressed that they must follow eminent domain rules, and serve papers to the owners.
- There are well-established statutes regarding storm water management, but there are none for sound barriers.
- There is a certain quantity of storm water to be controlled. So, obviously, removing a basin from one location would mean replacing a basin elsewhere.
What to do?
GVA recommends writing letters. Emails and faxes are not as useful. Letters carry more weight. (Duh!) One from each family is sufficient. Governors give letters extra consideration; one letter speaks for 100 families. GVA says please don’t object to the expansion itself. See Legislators’ Page for addresses. Please write to the following:
- Governor Ed Rendell with copies sent to Rep. Paul Drucker and Senators Dinniman.
- Mr. Mitch Rubin, Chairman of the PTC.
- Mr. Steve Norcini, Tredyffrin Township’s Director of Authority Operations at Tredyffrin Twp. Building. Tredyffrin wants to keep track of how many residents are concerned about this.
- GVA , just send them your email, so they can keep you informed.
-A Pen in the Woods
Chesterbrook Civic Assoc. Mtg
Salient points from the meeting between CCA and Tredyffrin Twp. Officials on February 17, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. in Keene Hall at Tredyffrin Township Building.
Concerned citizens showed up for a meeting with Tredyffin Township officials. Officals attending included: Supervisors Judy DiFilippo and John DiBuonaventuro, Township Manager Mimi Gleason, and Township Engineer Steve Burgo. Mr. Burgo is very knowledgeable about storm water management, and fielded questions well. He suggests that an inline underground system should be considered, because it would take less area, and it could be built to accommodate the water flow. It was stressed that more of the water should be handled on the PTC’s property.
Sound barriers were also discussed. Some are planned at 12 feet high, and residents are concerned that this may not be high enough to contain noise at second story levels.
–A Pen
TT BoS and Chesterbrook’s Green Hills Condemn PTC Condemnations 2/1/09
Green Hills residents attended the BoS meeting en masse. Forty-three neighbors came to the meeting to register their disapproval of PTC taking two homes in the neighborhood. Many homeowners spoke to the Supervisors at the meeting expressing their concerns and asking questions.
Supervisor John DiBuonaventuro stated clearly that the PTC’s plan to take homes is unacceptable. He reminded all of a Green Hills homeowner’s question to the PTC last Tuesday evening, “Can you look me in the eye, and tell me that you’ve done everything you can to avoid the taking of my property?” This Supervisor agrees that the PTC has not exhausted other options.
Supervisor Judy DiFilippo reported of a meeting on Friday January 30 with John DiBuonaventuro, Deirdre Gibson and Michael Caldwell (both of VFNHP) to discuss solutions to the storm water issue. The park representatives indicated they will allow water to be dispensed onto park property, spray irrigation is acceptable, but they will not allow detention basins. Detention basins of the 1970’s are considered “passe” by current storm water managers. Another method of holding storm water before it could enter the park must be found – possibly underground storage tanks. Supervisor DiFilippo also contacted Congressman Gerlach, and reported that a study may be done regarding storm water and VFNHP. She urges neighbors to “Keep your organizations together. We will work together as a total.”
Township Manager, Mimi Gleason responded to a suggestion to use VFNHP property saying that an act of U.S. Congress is the only way to gain permission to use National Park property. Such an act would likely not pass, since it would be precedent setting.
She also informed us that PTC’s storm water management plans must meet the PA Dept. of Environmental Protection regulations, as well as Tredyffrin’s regulations. Tredyffrin has had significant issues with PTC’s lacking storm water management. She indicated that there are “several years of work left” on the plan, and there will likely be many “iterations.” She encouraged residents to ask the PTC to improve their plans, and to “use less land more creatively to solve the problem.”
Supervisor DiFilippo encouraged neighbors to stay in close communication, keep organized, continue asking questions of the PTC, and keep contacting legislators. The TT Supervisors agree that the homes should not be taken, but they have limited powers. We are encouraged to contact Senator Dinniman and Representative Drucker. (For more information on how to contact these legislators and others, see “Pages” at upper right hand corner of blog, and click on “Legislators Addresses.” OR CLICK HERE)
-A Pen
No Snakes Allowed!
PTC Open House: An Interesting Exchange during Q & A…
During the question and answer section there was an amusing dialogue. It went sort of like this, but this is only a paraphrase:
Q: I noticed on the diagrams that there will be water in the retention ditches. How much water do you anticipate.
A: The basins will be lined, and will hold water. The amount of water, or how long it will stay, is unknown exactly. It depends upon the season, and the amount of rainfall. Generally, they would be empty in the summer, and wet in the winter, because less evaporation occurs in the winter when the vegetation is less absorptive. The estimate is from 72 hours to 14 days. About half of the time the basins will be empty.
Q: [Concerned about West Nile virus.] If there is standing-water there, won’t that create a breeding ground for mosquitoes?
A: Vegetation will be planted to discourage mosquito breeding, and encourage predators.
Q: Predators? What kind of predators? Birds?
A: Yes.
Q: Frogs?
A: Yes.
Q: Snakes?
A: [Shaking head.] Snakes? No, there won’t be any snakes.
One wonders how they will keep snakes out? Perhaps they will post a sign with large lettering: “No Snakes Allowed!”
THE UNINVITED SNAKE...
Report on PTC Open House in Tredyffrin (1/27/09)
An Overview
At the PTC Open House Tuesday night, there were tables for attendees to register so PTC could mail updates, a room with a 3-5 minute video over-viewing the expansion, and a large room full of: posters showing the plans, PTC people answering general questions, a table for people whose properties are being taken to talk with a representative, and a PTC Public Outreach poster mentioning their “Good Neighbor” policy. Many Tredyffrin residents were present as well as some local politicians. (Senator Dinniman, Representative Rubley, and TT Supervisors DiBuonaventuro, DiFilippo, Kampf, and Lamina)
The Homes Affected
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission will take 9 Tredyffrin family homes, and portions of 97 Tredyffrin family properties. For a grand total of 106 Tredyffrin family homes and properties affected. Homes being taken are on Yellow Springs Rd., Morgan Lane, Colonel DeWees Rd., a hole or two at Glenhardie Country Club, and Red Coat Lane, and will be used for retention basins. The properties being partially taken run along the same corridor.
The Retention Basins
According to a representative aerial photos were taken of the area and topographical maps were developed from the information. Water is directed to a central location for treatment which includes: rate control and volume control.
The basins are lined, and will hold storm water to control its rate and volume before it reaches its next destination. The PTC surrounds their basins with 10-foot high chain-link fencing. Basins will hold some level of water 50% of the time. Representatives were vague about the amount of water, but they anticipate water in them from 3-14 days after a storm. A large portion of the basin is designed to encourage evaporation.
A resident concerned about standing water, mosquitoes and West Nile virus inquired about the standing water, and how the PTC planned to reduce it. The PTC representative indicated that the basins would hold water only 50% of the time, and that they would be wet mostly in the winter. The PTC stated that the summer months would be the driest, vegetation would be used to help evaporate the water, and that the vegetation would also encourage mosquito predators to the area.
Our Green Hills neighborhood has two retention basins which are unlined, they rarely have water in them except after a big storm, and then by 2-3 days later, they’re empty. Why has the PTC decided to line these basins?
The Department of Environmental Protection has the right to deny approval of the project. A thirty-day public comment period will follow the PTC’s application for permits. To date, The PTC has not applied for permits. PTC first seeks public comment on the designs. Citizens may contact the DEP independently about this issue. The PTC indicated that all state representatives have seen the plans. They mentioned specifically: Dinniman, Briggs, Drucker, Leach, and Rafferty.
PTC also needs approval from Tredyffrin Township regarding sound barriers and storm water runoff.
Are Concrete Barriers Sound Absorptive?
The representative says “yes.” The core of the barrier is made of concrete, and is covered by a secondary surface made of wood chips which provide sound absorption.
Contacts Given Out at The PTC Open House…
If Your Property is Partially Affected…
Jim Broadbent, Keystone Acquisitions: phone: (888 ) 364-8612John Spicijarich, PA Turnpike Commission at: (717) 939-9551, ext. 3430.
“What can I do if I don’t agree that this project is necessary? Who can I contact if I have questions or concerns after the meeting?” (From the PTC Frequently Asked Questions hand-out)
Kevin Scheurich, P.E., Project Manager P.O. Box 67676 Harrisburg, PA 17106-7676 (717) 939-9551, ext. 5775 kscheuri@paturnpike.com
Donald Steele, P.E., Sr. Engineering Project Manager Mimi Lindelow, Public Involvement Specialist 251 Flint Hill Rd. King of Prussia, PA 19406 (610) 292-3795 dsteele@paturnpike.com mlindelo@paturnpike.com
Public Outreach Initiative Stacey McCreary KCI Technologies, Inc. 5001 Louise Drive, Suite 201 Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 (717) 691-1340 smccreary@kci.com
PTC Project Newsletters or Project E-Bulletins?
Click here to sign up for “The Pike” a Project Newsletter (which is mailed) or Project E-Bulletins which, obviously, is emailed.How to contact Great Valley Association
greatvalleyassociation@gmail.com
If you are inspired to help your Tredyffrin neighbors, contact the GVA, and ask to serve on the Turnpike Subcommittee.
A Pen in The Woods 