Residents filled the Elverson Borough Council Hall on Tuesday night, May 5, seeking answers from council about the proposed Sunoco pipeline.
While council has received little information about Sunoco’s proposal, a meeting has been scheduled to provide more information.
Resident Jim Huxoll of Sunnyside Drive was the only resident to take the floor and address the council regarding the matter.
Huxoll said he and his wife moved to Elverson because they were told it is a quiet and safe place to live.
“I was told there’s no problems with the pipeline,” he said. “The pipeline is in, and all they’re going to do is come in and service the plateau. Then, I get a knock on my door last week, and a guy wants to survey my lot. He wants temporary easement. I’m not signing any contract for these pipelines going in here. I don’t know how you guys [council] feel about this, but we’re not signing anything.”
Huxoll addressed concerns about the welfare of children in the neighborhood, especially as the pipeline would run by the school. He also expressed that Sunoco has not been forthright in their dealings, and he is wary to trust them.
The current easement runs within 10 feet of Huxoll’s property, and Sunoco wants to use part of his land to expand easement.
Sunoco has approached other residents with the same request.
“I’m trying to get a feel for how the borough’s going to address this,” Huxoll said.
Council Vice President Merle Stoltzfus assured Huxoll that council will not enter into any agreement that “is going to be onerous to the property owners.”
“We’re all in this together,” said Stoltzfus. “If you think Elverson’s the type of place where I’m going to do something to get my neighbor mad, you’re in the wrong place.”
Huxoll responded, stating that he thought the same thing, and he would hate to see Elverson become a “volatile” neighborhood.
“I’m not a militant person, but I’m very upset when I come from a place that is so peaceful and calm,” he said.
Council President Shirley Crehan informed the public that council does not yet have solid information.
“We have our first meeting with Sunoco for the information about how it affects the borough tomorrow (May 6),” she said.
Huxoll requested that council keep residents in the loop about any information they receive and volunteered to get together a list of residents who would like to be included.
Later in the meeting, while addressing council, Crehan said she believes the first meeting will address which properties may be involved.
The new pipeline would transport propane, ethane and butane, ethane being the volatile liquid fuel that has residents and council concerned.
Council discussed the possibility of requiring Sunoco to submit a safety plan. Discussion will continue at the next meeting.
In other news, Elverson Borough is in the fledgling stages of updating their Act 537 plan, and council addressed concerns with how the borough will acquire enough money to carry out the responsibility.
Council member Jack Stewart attended the Municipal Authority (MABE) meeting and reported to council that while MABE should take responsibility, the money is not available.
“They didn’t even begin to discuss amounts,” said Stewart. “There is a fee to even apply for the grant, which is only a 50 percent grant.”
The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) offers a 50 percent reimbursement plan, which means only half of what the borough spends will be returned to them after all is said and done.
“We need to come up with the up front money, and then the problem is, if it’s only a 50 percent reimbursement, we lay out $100 grand,” said Stewart. “Well, where’s the money coming from the lay out up front? Who’s going to pay the other 50 percent?”
The borough last revised its Act 537 plan in 2002.
Stewart informed council that MABE has not yet filed the application, which would need to be submitted by June 30.
Stewart agreed to update council when he receives further information.
Council member Esther Prosser also reminded council during Tuesday’s meeting that Elverson Day will begin at 3 p.m. instead of the usual start time of 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 27.
The next Elverson Borough Council meeting will be held on June 2 at 7 p.m. in the Borough Council Hall.
