Attendance
• Alex Myers, Jennifer Hendrickson, Adam Hendrickson, Kate Kollar
Administrative
• Minutes from the previous meeting were not circulated and will be tabled to the next meeting.
Municipality Focus
Utility Box Murals
• A discussion was held regarding graffiti-proof vinyl wrap murals for utility boxes, as seen in other municipalities.
• Proposed content: educational signage about native plants or Eastern Pennsylvania wildlife species, similar to a poster seen at First Aid.
• Council President Reichner has previously expressed openness to wrapping utility boxes with murals.
• Next step: Obtain pricing for custom vinyl wraps per utility box. The committee discussed potentially wrapping two boxes — one near a park entrance and one near a park exit — funded through the committee’s fundraising efforts.
• Approval process: Select preferred box(es), bring to Public Works and/or Council for approval; artwork must be in hand prior to Council vote.
• Action item: Research and obtain pricing quote for custom vinyl wrap murals on utility boxes.
Riparian Buffer Ordinance
• The EAC is reviewing reintroduction of a riparian buffer ordinance, which addresses municipality-focused environmental priorities including restrictions on herbicide use and habitat protection.
Heritage Tree Ordinance
• The Shade Tree Commission has a heritage tree ordinance under discussion, which may align with committee priorities.
School and Youth
Village Partnership
• The committee is in talks with Don at the Village to arrange a tour and identify environmental education project opportunities.
• Status of previously donated bird houses at the Village is unknown.
Girl Scout Gold Award — Bird Boxes at Cricket Billet (Amber Johnson)
• Amber Johnson (Girl Scout) is pursuing her Gold Award by installing bird boxes at Cricket Billet and is seeking support from Bird Town.
• She has expressed interest in presenting at a future meeting during the school year. Nature of support needed (financial or volunteer hours) is TBD.
• Action item: Request that Amber submit a written summary/form describing her project before her presentation so the committee has full context.
• Three bird houses were previously sent to the site; Amber’s plan calls for a total of approximately five.
Scout Project — Bird Blind at Pennypack Meadow (Adam)
• Adam presented a proposal for a bird blind to be installed near the planned flower garden/meadow at Pennypack.
• Design: A three-walled structure in a half-hexagon shape, approximately 6 feet wide by 8 feet tall, with horizontal slats spaced 1–2 inches apart to allow viewing while concealing observers. Slats extend to ground level for accessibility by those using mobility devices. Posts cemented into the ground at each joint.
• The meadow area is generally outside the floodplain, which is the primary Council concern for new structures.
• Action item: Adam to create a Google Map marking the proposed location. Project must be advanced within approximately 1.5 years.
Community Education
• Rita and Mike were absent. Both were noted as having attended Earth Day.
Partnering with Other Organizations
Rubber Duck Regatta
• Online payment (Venmo) has been approved, expanding outreach capability. 25 ducks have been sold to date via Earth Day and Savvy Citizen/website promotion by Dina.
• Flyers posted at the park (Charlie is handling). Half-page flyers requested for distribution at Cruise Night.
• Kathy Salemno confirmed Bird Town may have a table at Cruise Night (May 15, ~5:30–9:00 PM), set up next to the Chamber table at Reed/Artifact area.
• Plan: Sell ducks at the Bird Town table at Community Day (May 16). Focus will be on duck sales rather than creating new educational materials for this event; existing Bird Town informational flyers and posters will be displayed.
• 10 more ducks need to be sold to break even.
• Regatta logistics discussion: Options considered for the race format included a pool dump-and-splash method (preferred for visual appeal), a slide/drop, and a roped-off section with spectator splashing. Pressure washers available as a wave-generating option. A trial run is planned for Saturday, May 9 when lifeguards will be on site for pool cleaning (access to be confirmed with Cindy).
• Regatta scheduled for 3:30 PM at Community Day (end of day, lifeguards still on duty). If Community Day is rained out, the Regatta may be held separately or livestreamed on the EAC Facebook page.
• Prizes: Gold, silver, and bronze spray-painted rubber ducks plus cash envelopes. “Bird Town 2026” to be inscribed if the Regatta becomes an annual event.
• Duck numbering: Numbers to be placed on the bottom of ducks for identification.
• Note: The library was contacted about their rubber ducks but they have turtles, not ducks. Bird Town has its own supply.
• Kelly is traveling and sent regrets; one question relayed — will there be prizes, and how will they be distributed? (Answered above.)
Upcoming Borough Events & Future Planning
• Community Day (May 16): Duck Regatta at 3:30 PM; Bird Town table for duck sales and informational materials.
• Cruise Night (May 15): Tabling opportunity to promote Regatta.
• Bird Walk: Interest expressed in organizing a guided bird walk, potentially timed with the bird blind grand opening at the Pennypack meadow. A contact with prior bird walk leadership experience is available. The Merlin app (bird identification by sound) and similar citizen-science tools would be highlighted. Target: fall, around September.
• Library bird-watching backpack kits are available for checkout.
• Fall programming: Committee discussed a speaker or educational event in the fall season.
Next Meeting
• Next meeting: May 27.
• Minutes will be circulated in advance. Members will be contacted ahead of time to confirm quorum and flag conflicts.
Meeting adjourned.