DEP schedules quarry meeting

            The Reihman Road bridge project and problems with a dam on the Unami Creek were among the topics discussed at the Marlborough Board of Supervisors meeting last week.

            Township Manager/Secretary Marybeth Cody led a discussion about loan options to pay for the replacement cost of the 102-year-old bridge with the understanding that PennDOT standards on design, construction and materials must be followed because the township accepted a grant from the PA Municipal Bridge Retro Reimbursement Program.

            While the township will eventually be reimbursed for 80 percent of the $4.2 million project, Marlborough must pay the costs upfront as the project unfolds.

            The supervisors deemed a loan proposal from the Delaware Valley Regional Finance Authority the best choice, and Cody was instructed to begin the required loan paperwork.

            At its work session on June 23, the board had met with representatives from Van Cleef Engineering Associates to discuss options related to the bridge project and several decisions were reached.

            The supervisors expressed preferences for: keeping the alignment of the existing roadway, 32 feet wide; a single-span steel girder superstructure; an open steel bridge railing; and a full closure of Reihman Road during construction.      

            In addition to securing a loan, the next steps include various tasks to be completed by Van Cleef Engineers, a PA Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) review, the possibility that a federal permit will be needed, and the creation of a detour plan.

            The supervisors also discussed a PA DEP letter outlining several problems with the Unami Creek dam near the mill. Among the issues cited were breaches in the dam, a degrading retaining wall, intrusive plant growth, erosion, and debris in the spillway.

            Supervisor Brian Doremus downplayed the significance of the warnings. "[The letter] is pretty much the same form letter that they use when addressing every dam. I've seen this before."

            The letter does not state that any action has to be taken. Cody said that dams are supposed to be inspected every five years. This dam was last inspected in 2011.

            Playground equipment has been ordered for Skymount Park and should arrive in a couple of months. Materials for a new pavilion have not been ordered yet. Cody anticipates improvements to the park will be completed by early spring 2026.

            The Park and Recreation Board will hold its August 6 meeting at Skymount. The time will be advertised.

            The supervisors voted 2-0, Doremus abstained, to accept the winning bid of $30,000 for a township property on Swamp Creek Road. Settlement will be on or before Aug. 5. The auction ended on July 8.

            The PA DEP will hold another public hearing on Heidelberg Materials North America's Highway Materials LLC's quarry in Perkiomenville. Heidelberg is still seeking permission to expand its mining operations by over an acre, but this hearing pertains to Heidelberg's revision of its original application to modify the post-mining land use from industrial/commercial to unmanaged natural habitat.

             The hearing will be held on Tuesday, August 26, from 6 to 7 p.m., at the Marlborough Township Building, 6040 Upper Ridge Road, Green Lane.

Chairman Billy Hurst and Cody met with the Green Lane Fire Company last month to discuss operational and financial issues, and how Marlborough and Green Lane could help.

            "That went very well," noted Cody, "but their primary issue remains funding."

            The fire company will attend a Marlborough supervisors meeting to discuss financial problems.

            The Marlborough Township Police Department will once again participate in National Night Out with its local version scheduled for Saturday, August 9, 3-6 p.m., at St. John's Lutheran Church in Sumneytown.

            Last week's supervisors meeting started 20 minutes late because of an executive session held to discuss personnel and litigation matters.

            The next supervisors meeting will take place on at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 13.