Thursday, May 21, 2009

East Vincent Township Board of Supervisor Campaign Update

Supervisor Mark Dunphy won the Republican seat in the Primary Election.
Congratulations Supervisor Dunphy!

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Update: Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors' Meetings, May 2009

This week both the East Vincent Township Planning Commission and the East Vincent Board of Supervisors' meetings were held.
A proposed zoning amendment was presented for the Pennhurst property. The proposed amendment would allow an organic composting operation on Pennhurst grounds presently zoned Light Residential. The Applicant is requesting an amendment to allow for the composting of organic material on the site. Residents located near the proposed site expressed concerns regarding animal products being brought to the site for composting, odor, traffic speed, size and amount of vehicles coming and going from the compost site, operation hours, possible health hazards, the impact on the veterans residing at the Veteran's center, the possible implications for other Light Residential areas having 50 acres or more becoming another site for composting and the effect this organic compost process would have on the structural integrity and safety of the buildings on the Pennhurst grounds.
The Applicant addressed the residents' concerns and made note that both the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Environmental Protection both support "green business" which includes organic composting. Composting is not a mulching operation. The goal is to keep organic material out of the landfills and put these organic materials to good use in the region. The DEP also has no problem with this site being used for the operation. Although this would be a commercial operation, residents would be notified of days when they can bring their yard waste to the site and may return to purchase the organic compost for their own use. The Applicant is also willing to make substantive changes to the DEP's definition of composting to alleviate some concerns residents may have.
John Hoekstra, member of the East Vincent Environmental Advisory Board (EAC) said the EAC was overly supportive of the idea. Mr. Hoekstra stated that the use of Static Pile Aeration, the method proposed by the Applicant, has been proven successful in creating compost and controlling the smell. He expressed some concern over the use of animal waste, and said "this can be tricky but can be done."
Another resident requested a traffic study be completed on Brown Drive and Old Schuylkill Road in light of the possibility of this compost operation. (Supervisor Dunphy was thanked by this resident for taking her concerns to the police and sending Chief Demski out to see her. Chief Demski and Darwin Schaeffer will work on resolving issues affecting the traffic in that area.)
The Applicant made it clear that the DEP takes an active stance in regulating composting sites. The Applicant MUST operate the business in accordance with the DEP.
A multi-municipal consistency review involving the Phoenixville Regional Planning Committee and the Northern Federation Task Force will be compiled and sent to East Vincent Townships' Environmental Advisory Committee for review. A formal letter will then be written by the EAC to best address the protection of our natural areas.
Chief Demski is asking that all residents lock their doors. There was a burglary in a local large development recently while the family slept. The "cat burglar" often enters the home between 3-5 a.m. Anyone seeing suspicious activity, especially at these hours, should contact the police immediately. Also, it is the season for "Click It or Ticket." Buckle up!
Paul Bucco returned to the Board of Supervisors' last evening to put in an application to allow for independent units in the Light Residential district. The ordinance presently allows for nursing and assisted living facilities in the LR district. Mr. Bucco would like this amendment for use on the Ruth tract. The Ruth Tract is located on Stoney Run Road across from Kolb's meat store.

Thank you to the Historical Commission for creating the Atlas Project for the County.

In an issue separate from the organic composting operation, the owner of the Pennhurst property mentioned that when he settled with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, he made land available to the township. He stated that the left portion of Pennhurst is to be dedicated to the township. Mrs. Christine McNeil made it publicly clear that she and Chairman John Funk convinced Sen. Dinniman to provide the township with that land. Mrs. McNeil and Mr. Funk together met with Sen. Dinniman to get him to commit to following through with giving the township the 79.521+/- acres.

Chairman Funk and Vice-Chair McNeil both agreed to spend another $7,000 in taxpayer dollars on the Parker Ford Tavern renovation. Mrs. McNeil said we could get the money by asking the Historical Commission to give $3,000 from their budget and the other $4,000 can come from somewhere in the township budget. One resident asked why if revenues are down why are we spending more money on the tavern? The resident also asked if the $220,000 budget for the Parker Ford Tavern included the $23,000 spent on the architect. Vice-Chair McNeil said "yes." The Informed East Vincent Residents do not believe this is an honest response. Mr. Funk stated that $7,000 is not a lot of money, although he understands it's taxpayer dollars. He also felt that in order to produce a more authentic restoration, it is important to spend more money to cut into the wood (scarfing) than to cover the authentic wood by "scabbing." Supervisor Dunphy, who voted "no" to authorizing more money for this restoration on the basis that the Parker Ford Tavern should be in the hands of a private entity (a 501 C 3, for example) so the taxpayer isn't burdened with the cost, asked why no contingency was put in place. Vice-Chair McNeil stated that when dealing with a restoration things change under the process of discovery. Supervisor Dunphy feels that the Architect Frens and Frens should be responsible for paying the $7,000 as they did the original assessment and should have added in a contingency for such situations.
Another resident stated that with the downturn in the economy, people losing their jobs and a tightening budget, the symbolism of spending more money on this historic restoration is the issue. He also made it clear that any money from the Historic Commissions' budget is money taken from the East Vincent Township taxpayer. Money taken from the budget is taxpayer dollars. Finally, another resident reminded Chairman Funk the he vowed to NEVER use anymore taxpayer dollars on the Parker Ford Tavern and now he has reversed course. She would like to know at what point will taxpayer dollars stop being put into this building.

Please continue to read below the following blog dated Wednesday, May 13 for information pertaining to East Vincent Township Board of Supervisors' candidates.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

East Vincent Township Board of Supervisors' Candidate Information

The Informed East Vincent Residents (IEVR) Group was formed out of necessity. Those of us in this group have had to become proactive in protecting the zoning we believed was guaranteed when we purchased our home. We accept no donations; monetary or otherwise and we created this blog to inform residents of issues or proposals affecting our township.

East Vincent Township is looking to elect the best candidate for the Board of Supervisor position on Tuesday, May 19. On the local level, the Township supervisor holds a key position and is entrusted to protect the health, safety and welfare of all residents in East Vincent Township. This person is expected to make decisions based upon the good of the entire township. So, when an Informed East Vincent Resident discovered information about a candidate running for this very important, and powerful seat, we felt we should put the information on the blog so the voters of East Vincent Township could make an informed decision.

The following information discovered demonstrates the character of those running for the very important seat of Board of Supervisor.

The documentation below indicates that Elaine Milito, the Democratic candidate for EVT Board of Supervisor, and president of the Concerned Citizens of East Vincent (CCOEV), is supporting the campaign of the NON-endorsed Republican candidate, Elaine Husted.

The following web address, http://www.electelaine.com/ can be found on Elaine HUSTED'S yard signs: please note the registrant, technical and administrative contact.

http://www.networksolutions.com/whois-search/electelaine.com
Registrant:
CCOEV
370 Hallman Mill Rd.
Phoenixville, Pennsylvania 19460
United States

Registered through: GoDaddy.com, Inc. (http://www.godaddy.com/)
Domain Name: ELECTELAINE.COM
Created on: 23-Mar-09
Expires on: 23-Mar-10
Last Updated on: 23-Mar-09

Administrative Contact:
Milito, Elaine emilito1@comcast.net
CCOEV
370 Hallman Mill Rd.
Phoenixville, Pennsylvania 19460
United States
(610) 495-5091

Technical Contact:
Milito, Elaine emilito1@comcast.net
CCOEV
370 Hallman Mill Rd.
Phoenixville, Pennsylvania 19460
United States
(610) 495-5091

Domain servers in listed order:
NS21.DOMAINCONTROL.COM
NS22.DOMAINCONTROL.COM

and: please note again the name in the web address paid for by Elaine Milito (democratic candidate) and CCOEV . The name is Elaine Husted (the non-endorsed Republican candidate). Take note of the registrant, technical and administrative contact also:

http://www.networksolutions.com/whois-search/elainehusted.com

Registrant:
CCOEV
370 Hallman Mill Rd.
Phoenixville, Pennsylvania 19460
United States

Registered through: GoDaddy.com, Inc. (http://www.godaddy.com/)
Domain Name: ELAINEHUSTED.COM
Created on: 05-Mar-09
Expires on: 05-Mar-10
Last Updated on: 05-Mar-09

Administrative Contact:
Milito, Elaine emilito1@comcast.net
CCOEV
370 Hallman Mill Rd.
Phoenixville, Pennsylvania 19460
United States
(610) 495-5091

Technical Contact:
Milito, Elaine emilito1@comcast.net
CCOEV
370 Hallman Mill Rd.
Phoenixville, Pennsylvania 19460
United States
(610) 495-5091

Any resident, whether democrat or republican, should question why any candidate would provide financial backing for the opposing candidate. Elaine Milito, the Democratic candidate, sent an e-mail from CCOEV to the residents about the upcoming elections. What residents need to know is Elaine Milito and CCOEV are at the same time providing financial backing for the Elaine Husted website. They are both members of the CCOEV and share the same goals and future vision for this township. Elaine Husted and Elaine Milito seem to be making sure their agenda is fulfilled by both campaigning for the same seat on the Board of Supervisors and with financial backing from the group to which they belong.

Donations provided to CCOEV, as stated on the CCOEV website is as follows:

"Concerned Citizens is a group of residents of East Vincent Township dedicated to updating the citizens of the township on important issues. Donations are used for any expenses in mailings and/or flyers, to hire expert witnesses if needed for Hearings and Conditional Use Hearings, and to hire lawyers if needed for Conditional Use Hearings. "

The Informed East Vincent Residents group accept no donations, gifts or otherwise. We are a non-partisan independent group made up of busy moms, dads, seniors, doctors, financial analysts, computer programmers and more who reside on BOTH sides of the PECO lines. As a result of past proposals considered by some of our Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission officials, we do our best to find time to attend every Board of Supervisors' meeting and Planning Commission meeting, we question our appointed and elected officials when necessary and we take on the challenge of informing our residents through this blog.

Residents should demand transparency and honesty in candidates seeking to hold a position of power. Elaine Husted and/or Elaine Milito will have a vote as our Board of Supervisor on matters which affect all hard working taxpaying residents. Does the above website information demonstrate transparency and honesty?

Elaine Husted is an honorary (non-voting) member of the Northern Federation Task force (along with Christine McNeil-our present Board of Supervisor), Elaine Husted is a member of the Green Valleys Association (along with Elaine Milito and Christine McNeil). Elaine Husted is a member of CCOEV (along with Elaine Militio and Christine McNeil) and Elaine Husted has ties to the French and Pickering Creek Trust (as does Christine McNeil). Elaine Husted, as demonstrated by this documentation is not a republican running on behalf of other republicans or in the best interest of the township, but is campaigning for, and in collusion with, Elaine Milito (the Democratic candidate) to fulfill their vision of the future outlook for our township. We wonder if this future will include spending more taxpayer dollars to restore an eligible historic building while roads in our township are in desperate need of repair or while our police force is being stretched thin.
It seems to those of us in the Informed East Vincent Residents group that Elaine Husted, the non-endorsed Republican candidate is running only to help Elaine Milito, the Democratic candidate, remove the endorsed Republican candidate, Supervisor Mark Dunphy, from the ticket in the Primary election being held Tuesday, May 19.

What other reason is there to financially support the opposition's candidacy?

Is this the type of behavior we expect from a potential Board of Supervisor? Is this governmental transparency? Can we trust either Mrs.Husted or Mrs.Miltio to make decisions based on the good of the whole township if they are manipulating the system even before they have been elected? These are issues to consider before choosing your candidate. The elected Board of Supervisor will be voting on issues and proposals that will directly affect your safety, health and welfare. Choose wisely. We believe residents of this township deserve better.

The above reasons are why the Informed East Vincent Residents group wish Supervisor Mark Dunphy good luck in his campaign for the Primary seat of the Republican Party. Character counts. Please refer to http://www.markdunphy.org/ , the accurate campaign website to learn about the character of Mark Dunphy and why we, who attend the meetings and are active participants in township affairs, would like to see Mark Dunphy retain his seat.

Thank you for your time and please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns.

The Informed East Vincent Residents Group

http://www.theinformedeastvincentresidents.blogspot.com/

informedeastvincentresidents@gmail.com

Reminder: East Vincent Township Board of Supervisors' Meeting Tonight, May 13, 2009 at 7:30 P.M.

The Board of Supervisors' meeting is this evening, Wednesday May 13, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. in the East Vincent Township Municipal Building, located at 262 Ridge Road.

Click on the following link to view tonight's agenda.

http://www.eastvincent.org/vertical/Sites/%7B5B8F1E55-6CA8-450E-BB40-12A8385B1313%7D/uploads/%7B690D71C8-752F-47AF-9431-633DD81030C8%7D.PDF

Saturday, May 9, 2009

East Vincent Township Planning Commissiion Meeting THIS Monday, May 11, 2009 at 7:00 P.M.

The regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting has been moved up to THIS Monday, May 11, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. due to the Primary Election being held on Tuesday, May 19.

The third Tuesday of the month is usually reserved for Planning Commission meetings.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have about issues affecting our township.

Thank You!
The Informed East Vincent Residents Group

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

East Vincent Township Board of Supervisors' Meeting Rescheduled for Wednesday May 13, 2009

The East Vincent Township Board of Supervisors' Meeting has been rescheduled for Wednesday May 13, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. at the East Vincent Township Municipal Building located at 262 ridge Road.