Site work under way for quarry expansion
UNION TWP. >> Recent treecutting by The H&K Group of Birdsboro on its property line at Hopewell Street is pre-construction work for creating the required 15-foot-high berm with pine trees and a 6-foot-high, chain-link fence.
The Union Township Board of Supervisors said Sept. 16 that the berm, trees, fence, plus a 325-foot setback, are part of the 1995 three-phase agreement between the township and H&K to reduce quarry dust and noise for residents.
The improvements are a pre-requisite before H&K can begin phase 2 of its quarrying operations located closer to Union Township. Also known as Birdsboro Materials, 1267 Hay Creek Road, H&K officials said the tree-cutting will be no wider than 125 feet.
Construction of the berm might begin as early as October from an “overburden” of soils from the 400-acre quarry tract.
H&K started quarrying stone in 2000 on land located in Union and Robeson townships as well as in the Borough of Birdsboro.
Company officials said they are “honoring the spirit of discussions with Don (Basile)” over the years, in his efforts to protect the people living on Hopewell Street.
Following the passing of longtime township supervisor and board chairman Donald E. Basile on July 24, the board appointed James Yocum to fill his seat.
Yocum, who is also chairman of the township’s Parks and Recreation Board, assumed his position on Aug. 19, which lasts until the board reorganizes on Jan. 6, 2020.
Board members said Sept. 16 they are aware that Basile’s son, Andrew, is on the Nov. 12 ballot for the supervisor seat that has a sixyear term.
Donald Basile served on the board of supervisors for 16 years, the township Planning Commission from 2001 to 2019, and the Union Township Municipal Authority from March 1973 through December 1978.
Minutes from the board’s Aug. 19 meeting indicate that a representative of State Sen. Katie Muth’s office presented a Senate Condolence Citation from her and State Sen. Judy Schwank recognizing Basile’s contributions to the township and community.
The township also presented a citation to Basile’s family, who attended the meeting.
Board members unanimously approved for James Sarro to fill Donald Basile’s vacant seat on the Planning Commission for 2019.
Lori Brewer was approved to fill Perry Templin’s seat on the commission, through 2020.
The board unanimously approved a zoning amendment and a Group Home Ordinance.
Included in the ordinance are definitions and standards for residential homes for people with disabilities, shelter housing (for abused women and victims of sex trafficking), and rehabilitation housing.
“This has been a discussion topic lately,” said Township Solicitor Frederick K. Hatt.
“If we don’t do anything now [adopt an ordinance with regulations] and utilize the conditional use [by the board of supervisors] group homes could be built in any zoning district.”
Group homes may now be located in residential areas, while shelter and rehabilitation housing would be in the township’s highway commercial zone along Route 724, for easy access by state police.
Establishment of any group home type will require submitting to the township a detailed security plan, an emergency plan, specifics of the onsite, qualified staff, as well as meeting all land development, zoning, and state regulations for a group home.
“We’ve done as much as we can to identify potential issues,” said Hatt.
Township Manager-Secretary/Treasurer Jason Wager said the preliminary 2020 budget currently has a deficit of $143,444.
A final balanced budget will have a 30-day public review period before the board approves it for 2020.
The board unanimously accepted Vice Chairman Terry Kennedy’s donation of his $800 stipend to the Park and Recreation Board fund.