Municipal Notebook: New Morgan

Plans for ‘Lot 19’, a 60 acre plot spanning both sides of Shiloh Road, have been given conditional approval according to New Morgan Borough Manager Carolyn Williams. It is located about a quarter of a mile north of the intersection of Shiloh Road and Route 10. Plans submitted by the Southern Berks Land Company, based in Wyomissing, are for approximately 200, two to three bedroom prefabricated homes on small lots. They will not have basements unless the slope of the land requires it.

“Hopefully construction will start in the spring of 2013,” said Steve Najarian, representing S.B.L.C.

The New Morgan Land Company bought several thousand acres from real estate investor Ray Carr, who was able to separate New Morgan Borough from Caernarvon Township on his desire to build a trash to steam incinerator.

Williams said S.B.L.C. still needs some permits, including plans for water and sewer as well as a National Pollution Discharge permit. It also needs to meet other storm water management requirements.

“The design plan they submitted is fine,” said Williams.

A letter from Borough Engineer Tim Woodrow on May 9 found no problems with the design. There will be small pocket parks for recreation.

An amendment to the Zoning Ordinance was approved for advertisement prior to adoption. Anything permitted in other districts, like commercial development, will be allowed in the Industrial District. The Industrial District is located along both Quarry Road and Conestoga Way, which are the entrance roads to the Conestoga Landfill, said President of Council Richard Venezia.

Jill Greene was appointed to replace Jodi Kelly on the Industrial Authority, Utilities Authority and Zoning Hearing Board.

Lee Zimmerman, general manager of the Conestoga Landfill, said that Republic Services (parent owner of the Conestoga Landfill) has decided to continue on site treatment of leachate. There had been a study underway of sending leachate to the Caernarvon municipal wastewater treatment plant.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection found no violations at the Conestoga landfill in May.

During May there were 31 calls to the Caernarvon Township Police Department. There were no arrests or citations made, said Venezia.

A request came from the Hay Creek Valley Historical Association for a donation to be put towards a display in the Charcoal Barn at Joanna Furnace.

The Flood Plain Ordinance was approved.