November 1, 2021 Environmental Advisory Council Minutes

PRESENT-  EAC vice president Katrina Nuss, EAC members Judith Swanson and Carol Brunner, Residents-Laura Banes and Natalie Forbes. 

ABSENT- Councilwoman Anzinger, Councilwoman Reichner, Borough Manager Diane Hegele, EAC president Jill Murray, and EAC member Tom Bilotta

CALL TO ORDER-  Katrina Nuss called the November 1st EAC meeting at Crooked Billet School to order at 6:07 PM

PUBLIC COMMENT- Natalie Forbes asked, “Has removal of non-native trees planted on the Miller Meadow ever been discussed?”  Carol asked Natalie if she knew the species of the trees she was talking about.  Natalie said she didn’t. Kate then said she’d ask for the Shade Tree Commission’s tree survey.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES- Judith Swanson made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 4 meeting.  Katrina seconded.  All ayes approved.

NEW BUSINESS

  1. Shade tree ordinance review-

25-103..”provide” for proper maintenance— replace “provide” with “recommend”

25-105  #7  Explain what type of root barrier is to be used.

25-106

A.  Discussion included the average size of squares, increasing tree pits for new trees to a total of 16 square feet, and using a permeable flat surface instead of cement blocks in the opening.

B.  Remove the comma between Honey and Locusts.  The tree name is “Thornless Honey Locust”.  Locust should not stand alone, since only the thornless would be acceptable.

Remove “Pears” as acceptable trees.  Bradford (Callery) pears are on the PA DNCR invasive tree list.  

  • Annual Report discussion- The report will be written with a summary of the EAC accomplishments regarding our goals for NWF outreach, ETP, Website and Earth Day along with some photographs. 
  • EAC social media proposal- Tom suggested an EAC Facebook page, but no one in attendance was willing to create an account and maintain it at this time.
  • Goal discussion- Earth Day preparation, RF 100, NWF increase numbers of homes and common properties, E-CODE review, grow membership, collaboration with local EACs, explore a rain Garden project in Eaton Park.
  • December Borough Bulletin article- Judith will submit an article for December by the 23rd of November about designing bridges that include homes for bats, birds, etc.  Carol will submit an article related to NWF certification in December for the January bulletin.

OLD BUSINESS

  1. York and Horsham Road update- Density of trees and addition of evergreens on Miller Meadow are questions Katrina will submit to Manager Hegele
  2. Lighting Ordinance update-The question will be submitted to Diane
  3. Deer crossing signage- Diane will check into this
  4. EAC T-shirts- There was discussion without a vote.
  5. Sub- Committee Reports

-Energy Transition plan- Electric cars/hybrid cars are a possibility for the parade or on Earth Day

-National Wildlife Federation-We registered Hatboro on Mar 2, with 16 points (Eaton Park, 13 houses) 27 points have been added, bringing the total to 43 (Celano Park, Hatboro library, Nourishing Storm have added 3 points each)

-Website-Katrina felt that she needs some instruction from Tom or Deena DeRenzis so she will be able to update and add items to the website. We thought that Deena’s instructional time could be paid out of the EAC budget.

6. Community concerns- Carol heard that someone is planning to work on a Gold Star Garden for Miller Meadow.  That information could be shared with EAC members and Gardeners of Crooked Billet, incase individuals want volunteer to help.

PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR- Kate wondered what happened to the Swan that has been spending time near Miller Meadow. Kate also expressed concern about someone who is allowing two dogs off leash to race through the meadow area of Miller Meadow.

PUBLIC COMMENT- No comment

ADJOURNMENT-Carol made the motion to adjourn the EAC meeting on November 1, 2021, at 7:09 PM.  Judith seconded.  All ayes.

Respectfully submitted,

PRESENT-  EAC vice president Katrina Nuss, EAC members Judith Swanson and Carol Brunner, Residents-Laura Banes and Natalie Forbes. 

ABSENT- Councilwoman Anzinger, Councilwoman Reichner, Borough Manager Diane Hegele, EAC president Jill Murray, and EAC member Tom Bilotta

CALL TO ORDER-  Katrina Nuss called the November 1st EAC meeting at Crooked Billet School to order at 6:07 PM

PUBLIC COMMENT- Natalie Forbes asked, “Has removal of non-native trees planted on the Miller Meadow ever been discussed?”  Carol asked Natalie if she knew the species of the trees she was talking about.  Natalie said she didn’t. Kate then said she’d ask for the Shade Tree Commission’s tree survey.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES- Judith Swanson made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 4 meeting.  Katrina seconded.  All ayes approved.

NEW BUSINESS

  1. Shade tree ordinance review-

25-103..”provide” for proper maintenance— replace “provide” with “recommend”

25-105  #7  Explain what type of root barrier is to be used.

25-106

A.  Discussion included the average size of squares, increasing tree pits for new trees to a total of 16 square feet, and using a permeable flat surface instead of cement blocks in the opening.

B.  Remove the comma between Honey and Locusts.  The tree name is “Thornless Honey Locust”.  Locust should not stand alone, since only the thornless would be acceptable.

Remove “Pears” as acceptable trees.  Bradford (Callery) pears are on the PA DNCR invasive tree list.  

  • Annual Report discussion- The report will be written with a summary of the EAC accomplishments regarding our goals for NWF outreach, ETP, Website and Earth Day along with some photographs. 
  • EAC social media proposal- Tom suggested an EAC Facebook page, but no one in attendance was willing to create an account and maintain it at this time.
  • Goal discussion- Earth Day preparation, RF 100, NWF increase numbers of homes and common properties, E-CODE review, grow membership, collaboration with local EACs, explore a rain Garden project in Eaton Park.
  • December Borough Bulletin article- Judith will submit an article for December by the 23rd of November about designing bridges that include homes for bats, birds, etc.  Carol will submit an article related to NWF certification in December for the January bulletin.

OLD BUSINESS

  1. York and Horsham Road update- Density of trees and addition of evergreens on Miller Meadow are questions Katrina will submit to Manager Hegele
  2. Lighting Ordinance update-The question will be submitted to Diane
  3. Deer crossing signage- Diane will check into this
  4. EAC T-shirts- There was discussion without a vote.
  5. Sub- Committee Reports

-Energy Transition plan- Electric cars/hybrid cars are a possibility for the parade or on Earth Day

-National Wildlife Federation-We registered Hatboro on Mar 2, with 16 points (Eaton Park, 13 houses) 27 points have been added, bringing the total to 43 (Celano Park, Hatboro library, Nourishing Storm have added 3 points each)

-Website-Katrina felt that she needs some instruction from Tom or Deena DeRenzis so she will be able to update and add items to the website. We thought that Deena’s instructional time could be paid out of the EAC budget.

6. Community concerns- Carol heard that someone is planning to work on a Gold Star Garden for Miller Meadow.  That information could be shared with EAC members and Gardeners of Crooked Billet, incase individuals want volunteer to help.

PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR- Kate wondered what happened to the Swan that has been spending time near Miller Meadow. Kate also expressed concern about someone who is allowing two dogs off leash to race through the meadow area of Miller Meadow.

PUBLIC COMMENT- No comment

ADJOURNMENT-Carol made the motion to adjourn the EAC meeting on November 1, 2021, at 7:09 PM.  Judith seconded.  All ayes.

Respectfully submitted,

Carol R Brunner, EAC Secretary