As school looms, Mariner East 2 sparks concerns
Parents wonder about safety of schools in ‘blast zone’
MIDDLETOWN » Twenty years ago, Staples back to school ad campaign featured a dejected brother and sister watching their exuberant father fill a cart with supplies to the tune “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”
Many parents whose children attend Glenwood Elementary School in the Rose Tree Media School District and Archdiocese of Philadelphia schools Saints Peter and Paul and Saints Simon and Jude in Chester County, however, have mixed emotions as September approaches.
The campuses are near the path of Mariner East 2, the massive pipeline system being built by Sunoco Pipeline L.P. to transport natural gas liquids such as propane, ethane and butane.
Construction concerns and fears of a possible hazardous materials release have moms and dads wondering if the schools their children love are the best places for them to continue their educations.
“When I visit Glenwood I see security and utility trucks taking up parking spaces and construction workers cutting down trees next to the parking lot,” parent Nicole Blaisse told the school board in June. “Hearing about how close it is one thing - seeing it is a whole other experience.”
Spanning Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio, Mariner East 2 is a 350-mile system that will deliver natural gas products to the Marcus Hook Industrial Complex, where it will be processed and stored for sale. The pipeline traverses rural counties in the central portion of the state and densely-populated ones in the east. In addition to its close proximity to a number of homes, apartment complexes and businesses, it is situated approximately 75 feet from the kindergarten playground at Saints Peter and Paul in East Goshen, and 100 feet from Saints Simon and Jude in Westtown. In addition, a portion of the valve station is slated for installation under a road just 650 feet from the Glenwood playground.
Like Blaisse, a number of Glenwood parents, many of whom are also members of the Middletown Coalition for Community Safety, have been speaking at the monthly school board meetings to determine the district’s preparedness.
The organization commissioned an independent hazards study by Oklahoma-based Quest Consultants, which outlined the potential consequences and probability of a breach near the school.
In preparation for the pipeline and its associated issues, the Rose Tree Media School District held a safety summit in March to analyze the situation and formulate an emergency plan should circumstances require immediate action by the staff and approximately 450 Glenwood students. A month later, the district and local first responders put the plan into action by conducting a simulated evacuation, walking students, staff and administrators through the steps that would be implemented in the event of a hazardous materials release.
“We had two questions – how
can we be ultra-safe and what is the plan if there is an incident,” said Superintendent Jim Wigo following the summit. “We found our questions led to other questions and possibly additional meetings to discuss other issues.”
In addition to school supply lists and the 2017-18 calendar, all who visit the district website are greeted by an “important message” popup with the school board’s position statement regarding Glenwood’s operational status.
It notes the board has “reviewed and analyzed the information presented by residents, safety experts and emergency response personnel” and will “work closely with all agencies and district personnel to ensure every feasible precaution is implemented to ensure the continued safety of our students and staff.”
“Glenwood Elementary School will remain fully operational and subject to all policies and procedures of the Rose Tree Media School District unless and until such time that a government agency declares unsafe any structure or area of the Mariner East 2 pipeline within proximity to any school district property, including Glenwood,” it adds.
The statement is “less of a reaction” and more of an opportunity to relay the school’s status before opening day, said school board President Nancy Mackrides. A letter with additional details will also be send to all district families.
“We want to let everyone know where we are and what is happening,” Mackrides added. “The letter will reflect our intent and elaborate on our safety measures to protect students and staff.”
The preparations, however, are apparently not allaying the fears of some parents. Although the school has not experienced a substantial change in enrollment due to the pipeline, said district Director of Pupil Services and Special Education Dr. Eleanor DiMarinoLinnen, some moms and dads such as Diane and Tom Smith are still considering a change. Transferring their daughter to St. Mary Magdalen in Upper Providence remains a possibility, Tom Smith said.
Other families have taken more drastic action. The Chabots, who have lived near Glenwood for nine years, decided in the fall they would not remain in their home if Mariner East 2 was installed in the area. The construction site is adjacent to their house and not only do they have the short-term annoyance of construction, the couple is fearful “with Sunoco’s leak record, we cannot in good conscience leave our children in harm’s way,” said Allison Chabot.
“We hope we can move before the school year begins, but if not, we will definitely be gone before the pipeline ever carries highly pressurized hazardous materials right past our school and home,” she added. “We plan to stay in Rose Tree Media School District, just anywhere except Glenwood.”
That sentiment seemed to have reached those considering a move to the region. Rose Tree Media and West Chester Area school districts, the latter serving both parishes, are on the short list for many buyers relocating to Delaware and Chester counties, but this year those requests come with an asterisk, said Alec Schwartz of Coldwell Banker Preferred, Media.
“While they are looking at homes in both school districts, many have ruled out homes in the catchment area of Glenwood Elementary School,” he added.
“For those in West Chester, if the house is further than a halfmile from a construction site, they are comfortable; if it is closer, they have greater concern.”
As of mid-August, he noted 43 active properties, or 32 percent, feed Glenwood compared to 92 for the rest of the district. Only 13 properties of those currently under contract, or 21 percent, are in the school’s zone compared with 48 for the other three elementary schools.
The concern is equally palpable for parents whose children attend Saints Peter and Paul and Saints Simon and Jude in Chester County. Like most moms and dads, Caroline Hughes is pleased with the education their fourthgrade son Aidan is receiving at the former and she is committed to the school. Families in the parishes are also within the path of Mariner East 1, which became operational in 2014, and the leaks it has experienced within the last year raise concern about Sunoco’s safety record, she said.
“It does not instill a high level of confidence, especially in such a densely-populated area,” she added. “The gases are odorless and colorless and there is no way to detect a leak.”
Both schools have emergency/ evacuation plans with guidelines and procedures for emergency situations which are tested throughout the year. The documents are updated and adapted in light of new facts and changing circumstances.
Mariner East is one of the latter, prompting Saints Peter and Paul to revisit the plan to determine additional measures should a pipeline-related event occur, according to a Q&A sent to school families. The five-page document was completed in response to individual calls and emails and similar information is being shared with parents at Saints Simon and Jude, said Archdiocese Director of Communications Ken Gavin. Hughes and fellow mom Me-
lissa DiBernardino also approached parish pastor Rev. Angelo Citino and principal Margaret Egan. The school subsequently formed a safety committee composed of parents with various areas of expertise which is working to formulate an evacuation plan for the approximately 400 children ages pre-K to eighth grade and 45 staff members.
The committee is partnering with local and county governments, first responders, hazmat authorities and the Chester County Emergency Services Department to devise a pipeline safety plan/ evacuation and emergency preparedness plan.
An in-service training for faculty and staff is slated for Aug. 31 and Saints Peter and Paul will have an emergency plan in place before the 201718 school year begins, according to the Q&A. Committee chair Joe Devine added the school has also presented a series of pertinent questions to Sunoco and will be attending a West Chester Area superintendent’s meeting to determine the best practices for safety and communication.
“One of our main goals is to communicate information with parents,” said Hughes. “We are hoping to have a town hall meeting in October.”
DiBernardino has also emailed her concerns to Pope Francis, telling the Pontiff “people are in danger, not only in the blast zone but through contaminated drinking water.” The mother of five, ranging from 2-year-old twins to a 16-year old, has also opened @melismamabear. The Twitter account includes comments from concerned residents, the Uwchlan Safety Coalition and Clean Air Council.
“I love the school - the principal and pastor are working with me,” she said. “I’m not an alarmist and realize there is a very small chance, but knowing that, dropping off the kids at school is uncomfortable.”