Elverson Borough Council reviewed on April 7 a proposed Sunoco pipeline, which would carry propane, butane and ethane through the borough.
The Elverson Borough currently has a pipeline, known as the Mariner I, which runs through the borough. Sunoco has proposed the Mariner II, a pipeline that would be larger in diameter and would be efficient in primarily providing propane, as well as butane and ethane.
“They want to put in, by summer of 2016, the Mariner II,” explained Council President Shirley Crehan.
According to Crehan, PA State Representative Tim Hennessey is in correspondence with the borough and has requested data on zoning and subdivision ordinances for land use pertaining to pipelines, contact information for the person within the borough who handles related matters, information on the current states of any pipeline-related ordinances and comments about how any existing pipelines or pipelines in progress are affecting the municipality.
Rep. Hennessey has requested this information to be submitted by April 13.
“In the 19520 zip code, it affects 91 landowners,” said Crehan. “Sunoco wants to pay to have the right to do this.”
There was confusion among council about the proposed diameter of the pipeline. The information provided was unclear, but it is certain that the pipeline would be larger than the Mariner I.
With the Mariner II, propane stations would be set up where dealers can pull up and get their propane, rather than traveling to Marcus Hook.
In other news, council also discussed the need for an update to the borough’s Act 537 wastewater plan.
The borough is overdue for an Act 537 plan revision, having last revised it in 2002.
“We’re going to update it, but it’s not like there’s going to be huge monumental changes,” said Council Vice President Merle Stoltzfus.
Crehan disagreed, saying there will be.
“I believe this responsibility will probably be delegated to the Municipal Authority,” said Crehan.
Although it is the borough’s responsibility to follow through with revisions, it was agreed upon that it is not unethical or unusual for it to be delegated to the Municipal Authority.
Council discussed the creation of a committee to perform the planning duties, with the possibility of a council member serving on said committee.
“There is the option to apply for up to 50 percent of the planning costs or $100,000, whichever is less, to make the plan,” said Crehan. “The application has to be in by June 30.”
Council will continue discussion of the Act 537 revisions in the coming months.
In other news, borough resident and Historical Commission Chairperson Chris Cameron approached council with concerns about dumping around the park.
“There has been discussion about dumping for some time,” said Cameron. “It just came to mind again last night when I was seeing a tenant or homeowner bringing wagon-fulls of debris, yard waste from the winter, and dumping it in the weeds surrounding the park. I know there is question sometimes of where the borough’s border ends and where landowner’s property begins.”
Cameron expressed concerns about safety, referring to the fact that the overgrowth allows for more dumping and gives teenagers a space to sneak off to in order to do “things they shouldn’t be.”
Cameron is an eight-year Elverson resident and has also received complaints from neighbors that the overgrowth and buildup of debris is getting worse.
“I don’t know exactly what the answer is, but I think if there was some way to try and cut back the growth, it would certainly limit the amount of dumping.”
Council stated that if the dumping is being done on a landowner’s property, there is nothing they can do. However, Stoltzfus offered the suggestion that Cameron rally neighbors and residents to advocate for the park.
“One thing we’ve lacked here on council is a Park and Rec committee,” he said. “I think the permanent kind of solution to a lot of the things going on around the park is to actually start an active committee again.”
Crehan also suggested the implementation of a cleanup day to precede Elverson Day, during which volunteers, residents and council members would rally to deal with the issue.
Cameron agreed to look into the possibility of finding several others who would be willing to serve in the capacity that Stoltzfus suggested.
The next Elverson Borough Council meeting will be held on May 5 at 7 p.m. in the Elverson Borough Hall.
