Board of Supervisors Work Session Minutes
PARADISE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
WORK SESSION MINUTES
JUNE 15, 2020
5:00 P.M.
PRESENT: Gary Konrath, Peter Gonze, Reda Briglia, Tina Transue, Charles Unangst, Jason Smith and Solicitor Prevoznik.
Konrath called the work session to order at 5:00 p.m.
Mt. Airy #1, LLC
Attorney Belardi, Dr. Frank Browne, Dave Osborn and resident Edith Stevens were present. Jason Smith started by reviewing the items left to be completed as per his April 20, 2020 report. 1.) Treatment of all targeted invasive exotic species which is an ongoing, annual item. Jason Smith stated he had been out to inspect the property (between SR 45100 and Carlton Road) during the prior week and everything looked good except a few patches of invasive species which should be addressed by Mt. Airy as part of upcoming treatments for 2020, including Japanese knotweed along stream above the Wastewater Treatment Plant and the phragmites (common reed) in the upper end of the lake. Dr. Browne indicated that these areas would be treated during 2020. Gonze stated that there was discussion about planted vegetation (shrubs and trees) along the stream that died off and asked if that would be replanted. Dr. Browne stated that an inspection would be done, with a plan provided to Jason Smith within the next month (by 7/15/2020), and any vegetation that died would be replaced. 2.) Jason Smith said the Buffers on the golf course, around the lake, and along Forest Hills Run looked good. 3.) Dr. Browne stated that the Bathymetric Survey of the Lake was 98% done and would be updated in the next few weeks to correct areas where accurate sonar measurements were not possible. Submission to the Township by the end of July 2020. 4.) Jason Smith stated that the 2019 Discharge Management Plan was implemented and seemed to be an improvement, noting many exceedances that imply a need for additional provisions to correct. Discussion was held on the steps taken to get the flow coming out of the lake to the proper levels. Dr. Browne distributed a map to show the Upper Pond (Pond 16, at lake outlet) Discharge Capacity Upgrade Concept Plan. Dr. Browne explained there is a broken pipe between Pond 16 and Pond 14 creating a blockage. Dr. Browne explained the possible solutions to solve the blockage. Dr. Browne stated that if the Board agreed with the Discharge Management Plan then Mt. Airy would finalize the plan and provide it to the Township for final approval, as well as implementation during 2020. The Board agreed with the proposed Plan concept, as did the Engineer. F. X. Browne, Inc. will finalize the Plan and provide to the Township for final review and approval. 5.) The Board discussed with Dr. Browne the need for additional Greenway Lands boundary signage and also the distance between the placement of the signs, noting the prior agreement to post at intervals of approximately 100 feet, give or take based on location of trees or adequate locations for posts. Jason Smith suggested contacting the Nature Conservancy to see what measurements they use for posting signs. Dr. Browne stated he would create a map showing where the signs are now and also where they propose to post them. 6.) Dr. Browne stated that Mt. Airy would need to wait until they are back to work fully from the COVID-19 Pandemic shut down for formal employee training related to operations and maintenance of the golf course and hotel/casino facilities. Konrath stated that the Conditional Use agreement would need to be looked at to see what was agreed upon as far as the formal employee training. 7.) Jason Smith discussed the need for the development of an EMS Plan, noting that this requirement was part of the original plan and the Conditional Use agreement. Dave Osborn stated that there was an outline of a plan in place and he will forward it to Jason Smith by the end of the week (6/19/2020). 8.) The Wastewater Treatment Plant is still awaiting the PA DEP NPDES permit determination. Ms. Stevens asked about potential use of spray irrigation. Atty. Belardi noted that spray irrigation is no longer an option/alternative required by PA DEP. 9.) Jason Smith stated that he listed specific conditions 19, 20 and 23 in his report, which still remain to be fully addressed but he said were covered during the discussion regarding the Discharge Management Plan.
Dr. Browne stated that he was finalizing an updated comprehensive written plan that would include any decisions from today’s meeting. Jason Smith stated that additional monitoring parameters, such as fecal coliform and Escherichia coliform bacteria sampling, should be considered downstream of the wastewater treatment plant discharge which may better qualify and quantify compliance and adequate protection of Forest Hills Run, noting that this was part of the Conditional Use agreement. Dr. Browne stated that they would add that to the testing done and that it should be done at all three (3) stations to be able to better track where it is coming from should bacteria be detected. Edith Stevens presented a graph to Dr. Browne showing slight spikes in the conductivity on the data logger located on Red Rock Road. Ms. Stevens asked Dr. Browne if the Mt. Airy data logger also recorded conductivity. Dr. Browne stated that it does. Ms. Stevens questioned if there were obvious reasons for the spikes. Both Jason Smith and Dr. Browne indicated that the spikes were relatively minor but were still curious in nature. Dr. Browne said he would take a look into it. Ms. Stevens said she would send Dr. Browne the link to the Red Rock Road data logger. Gonze questioned Dr. Browne if he perceived any issues with the 18 comments related to the 2019 Monitoring Report listed on page 4 and 5 of Jason Smith’s report. Dr. Browne stated that the changes have already been made and the final report will be submitted to the Township within two (2) weeks.
Adjournment
Konrath adjourned the work session at 5:52 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Tina Transue
Secretary