Board poised to borrow $7.2 million

roads are state roads.” Mentioning Gov. Tom Wolf, he said, “I believe they need to be called to task.”

White said that there would be a minimal additional amount to raise the borrowing to $7.2 million. The township plan is to resurface all its roads over

12 years using $1 million a year, White said. However, due to revenue gaps only

$800,000 was allocated for

2019.

They also discussed replacing a sidewalk along Lancaster Avenue from Barley Cone to Garrett avenues. Borowski suggested asking Villanova University whether the township could use the same contractor the university hired to do new sidewalks for its dorms and performing arts center development, which is also on the south side of Lancaster Avenue.

“We have to bid. We can’t do that,” said Commissioner Richard Booker. Also, a sidewalk for a section of North Wayne Avenue, which residents had pleaded for remains on the project list.

Stormwater remains a contentious issue in Radnor, despite the BOC imposing a stormwater fee on property owners that has about $4 million in it. However, that is a proverbial drop in the bucket given the $70 million in stormwater mitigation projects that have been identified.

Steve Norcini, township engineer, went over a list of projects and noted that some culverts are “in very bad shape.” Engineering studies have been performed for many projects but the BOC did not approve funding for those projects to go forward.

“There’s a bunch of projects we spent a lot of money on design but have not funded,” said Norcini.

One project that was completed is the overhaul of North Wayne Field basin, said Norcini. Some $8 million in projects has been identified to help the township comply with a state law to mitigate pollution, MS4.

Commissioner Jack Larkin complained about a consultant that does “great

work” but is very slow. He suggested the township might have “overloaded” that company. Norcini said the workload has already been split with two other engineering firms.

“They’re still quite slow,” said Larkin. “A lot of these projects we green lit months and months ago have not been moved forward in a way I had hoped.”

Norcini said part of the problem is the state Department of Environmental Protection, which must approve some projects. Other projects also need approval from the state Department of Transportation.

“Our state agencies are also jammed,” said Norcini.

White mentioned the possibility of borrowing for stormwater projects.

“The whole point of the stormwater fee is not to borrow,” said Booker.

Commissioner Sean Farhy asked, “How many projects have gone through, soup to nuts.”

Norcini said the North Wayne Field basin, as well as some infrastructure replacements.

“Everything in design now is a project waiting to be funded,” said Norcini.

Zienkowski said, “The intent

was never to pay cash for projects,” he said. “We’ve had (stormwater) problems in this township for 100 years. You will not make things worse. New construction helps stormwater. The township is built out. It’s the redevelopment that helps stormwater management. Either pick projects (or) stop doing projects or get rid of the fee.”

Booker named two projects that were approved but did not go forward. One on Banbury Way ran into objections from nearby residents and another at the Radnor Middle School in Wayne was sidelined by

the expense of moving underground utilities. He suggested waiting on MS4 projects until after the state approves the township’s plan.

Zienkowski said the township’s stormwater management committee did make recommendations but the BOC did not act on them.

“I agree with Bob, the problem has been the Board of Commissioners and we don’t act,” said Nagle. “…This group has to get off their butts and do something. The prior (boards) couldn’t overcome the inertia.”

Booker said to prioritize

safety over flooded basements so “we don’t have people stranded or washed away.”

Farhy said, “The people that buy in floodplains are always going to have problems.”

Borowski said that when streets in North Wayne “become impassable” it’s a safety issue.

“You approved the design,” said Norcini. “These are the bang for the buck projects…You have to fund it for construction then we’ll bid it out.”

“We will bring a plan,” Zienkowski promised.