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.
Tredyffrin Supervisors Raise Taxes Again! 12/15/08
The Good News First
Thanks again to Supervisor Olsen, the lone voice of reason and fiscal responsibility.
A Pen thanks the citizens who spoke against the tax increase at the meeting. About 15 citizens spoke in total. Four spoke in favor of increasing taxes, mainly because someone misinformed them about the police officer’s salaries being on the line – they weren’t. Eleven taxpayers asked the Supervisors not to raise taxes, and a few had excellent suggestions to help the Supervisors reign in the spending.
The Bad News
In spite of so many citizens speaking against raising taxes on 11/17/08 and 12/15/08 the Supervisors (except for Paul Olsen and Bob Lamina) turned a deaf ear. Looking back, it’s not surprising. Supervisors in the last three meetings have indicated that they do not want to reduce your tax burden, because they do not think it is high enough yet. Most Supervisors suggested budget increases when the conversation was about decreasing it. The only one speaking against the majority was Supervisor Olsen. Unfortunately, Supervisor Lamina attended by spotty phone connection from the Middle East.
This tax increase is the second in two years, and it’s only the beginning. Supervisor Kampf reported that if they waited to raise taxes, they would be “forced” to raise them 50% in one year. His projection assumes no improvements in the economy. So, think of this 2.4% as a warm-up for tax increase season, or maybe last year’s 3.3% was the warm-up, and we’re in the midst of an uncontrolled spending spree.
At the beginning of the discussion the Supervisors agreed easily to remove plans for Westover Park from 2009’s budget. Then they overrode concessions made at the 11/17/08 meeting in a stunning blind-side to voters who thought the Supervisors would try to be fiscally responsible. Voting in favor of restoring Cost of Living Increases (COLA) and Longevity Bonuses: Supervisors DeHaven, DiFilippo, DiBuonoventuro, and DeFeliciantano. Voting against: Supervisors Olsen, Kampf, and Lamina. So:
- TT Employees will receive COLA for 2009. Yes, they were reminded by a citizen that even Gov. Rendell has denied state employees a COLA for 2009, but that did not matter. Yes, they will receive a 3.5% inflation adjustment when there is negative inflation.
- TT Employees will receive Longevity Pay, too. (That’s the non-merit based bonus, that we’re not supposed to call a bonus (Shhh!). It’s given to TT employees who don’t get fired that year.) Hard to believe Supervisors who tell us our employees are underpaid.
Moments of Interest…
When Supervisor DeHaven lifted up his 3-ring binder (appearing to be 2-inches full of budget information), and explained that he didn’t know how to cut anything from the budget; it was too complicated for him. Supervisor DeHaven, please consider not running for re-election. Your primary job as a Supervisor of a $37 million budget is to find the fat and trim it.
The set-up: At the 11/17/08 meeting, Supervisor DiBuonaventuro told us that he would forgo his $3,000 stipend from the township for 2009. He wanted to set an example for all the other Supervisors, encourage them to do the same, and encourage TT Manager Gleason to voluntarily give up her salary increase, and ask her employees to do the same. Flash forward to 12/15/08, when a knowledgeable citizen reminded the Supervisors that if they all gave up their $3,000 stipend, the township would save $27,000. Supervisor DiFeliciantano fumed at the citizen asking him “Would you like to donate $3,000 of your money?” and finished with “I am offended!” Perhaps Supervisor DiFeliciantonio would like to make a donation to TT to cover all of the deficit spending?
Please contact your Tredyffrin Township Board of Supervisors and make them aware of your concerns. (If you click on the link, then click on the Supervisor’s highlighted name, their email address will show in your email application.
UPDATE:
Here’s another community going through the same thing.
-A Pen
A Pen in The Woods 