Charlestown Township Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) Meeting Minutes Monday, October 10, 2022

Meeting was held at GVMS Choral Room. Armstrong opened the meeting at 7:05.

Note: Chris Heleniak is our new township manager. c.heleniak@charlestown.pa.us.

Please add Heleniak to emails that are sent to Linda Csete where appropriate.

September 2022 minutes were approved.

NEW BUSINESS–

1. Southeastern PA Single Use Plastics Coalition – Multiple Chester County townships have passed a ban, should EAC consider again?? Would have to survey businesses in our township. Armstrong to put on agenda to discuss further in November.
2. Election Day– manning the EAC table at the polls (Charlestown Elementary); Dan- 7-9, Solomon 8:30-10:30, Jill 10-12, Armstrong 12-2, Pete and or Sharon 2-4, or 2-6 and Dan and Stephanie will wrap it up at 7 or so. Will bring Bird Habitat sign, Stormwater pamphlets, recruitment sign-up and applications.
3. Social Media options from Township– The facebook page is for township use, not just for Parks and Recreation. Tim Hubbard is administrator so can post for us. Tim Hubbard also said we may be able to put videos on the facebook page as well as the website. If we create a YouTube channel we could link to it from the website and facebook.
4. Chester County Climate Action Plan - if go to Chester County Planning Commission website there is lots of great information regarding environmental sustainability. Armstrong suggested a retreat to discuss whether Charlestown needs a formal Climate Action Plan. Armstrong will follow up with one or more townships to see what climate action plans they have created (Phoenixville, Schuylkill). We could apply for a grant to hire a consultant to create the plan. Green will see if the DEP has any information. Rachel Griffin is a rep to Chester County for Climate action and is willing to help.
5. EAC Outreach - Walker suggested raising the outreach amount to $1500. Walker also suggested that we raise the proposed Adopt-a-Highway cleanup amount to $3000. The EAC agreed and approved the rest of the budget proposed by Armstrong.

OLD BUSINESS, ON GOING

1. Keep PA Beautiful (PennDOT Program for Road Adoption for clean-ups). Walker confirmed that this is in Charlestown budget proposal so if budget approved Walker will continue to work on it.
2. Recruitment for EAC members – send one page by-law abstract to Green.
3. Tree Protective Ordinances (SALDO) – in BoS’s hands but do not have an update.
4. Bird Town – Goodman still working on the application.
5. Alkaline battery collection – Armstrong tabled until 2023. Can put bucket/box outside by bathroom at Brightside and Indoor at township building. Tim Hubbard was supportive and offered to help.
6. RES Proposal for Brightside – waiting for December meetings. No work done until then.
7. Township newsletter articles (due dates- 1/15, 4/15, 7/15, & 10/15). We are ok for now.
8. Open Land Conservancy – No update.
9. Community Education
   1. Wild Neighbors: Loving, protecting, and peaceful coexisting with wildlife (Phila. Metro Wildlife Center) - November 4th, 2022 at 7:00 in middle school choral room. Solomon and Armstrong to work on marketing materials. Armstrong has sent to other township watershed organizations. Has also been sent to Csete and Helniak for email blasts and to put on the website. Armstrong will also send to WC and Phoenixville Green Teams and Conservancy organizations. Armstrong went to school district and they have to approve it. Solomon to send poster several times before event to the EAC mailing list.
   2. Watershed Friendly Property Certification Program - winter, spring webinar
   3. Tour of invasive plant species.
10. Riparian buffers at Brightside and Deerfield – no update.
11. Charlestown riparian buffer survey of potential sites - need to identify areas of Charlestown that are in a flood plain.
12. Riparian Buffers at Brightside and Deerfield – Goodman will try to get to a Deerfield community monthly meeting to discuss maintenance of planted area. and Deerfield -Goodman will try to get to a Deerfield community monthly meeting. Armstrong reported on the status of the multifunction plants being sustained as replacement plants.
13. Status of Charlestown Riparian Buffer Survey of Potential Sites – No update
14. Devault Basin Beautification Project along Route 29 near Turnpike – did species survey for basins - no report available.
15. Trail Maintenance – Walker asked who, in other townships, is responsible for trail maintenance.

Meeting ended at 8:55. Next meeting is on November 14th at 7:00 PM