A Pen in The Woods

Principal points from the GVA’s Meeting on February 23, 2009 at 7 p.m. in Keene Hall at the Tredyffrin Township Building. 

Sound Wall Sizes… 

The height of sound walls planned in Tredyffrin are 16 ft., 14 ft., and 12 ft.  No plan has shown the elevations, yet.  Four gaps in the wall are proposed.  The GVA believes three of these gaps are excellent, but they are concerned about the fourth.  

Mr. Dave Moskowitz, the GVA’s lawyer reports…

• A second sound study will be done in Tredyffrin to  address the height of the walls, but it would only have value as a recommendation.  The PTC would not be obligated to follow its recommendations.  
• The properties slated for taking have not been taken, yet.  He stressed that they must follow eminent domain rules, and serve papers to the owners.  
• There are well-established statutes regarding storm water management, but there are none for sound barriers.
• There is a certain quantity of storm water to be controlled.  So, obviously, removing a basin from one location would mean replacing a basin elsewhere.

What to do? 

GVA recommends writing letters.  Emails and faxes are not as useful.  Letters carry more weight.  (Duh!)  One from each family is sufficient.  Governors give letters extra consideration; one letter speaks for 100 families.  GVA says please don’t object to the expansion itself.  See Legislators’ Page for addresses.  Please write to the following:  

1. Governor Ed Rendell with copies sent to Rep. Paul Drucker and Senators Dinniman. 
2. Mr. Mitch Rubin, Chairman of the PTC.  
3.  Mr. Steve Norcini, Tredyffrin Township’s Director of Authority Operations at Tredyffrin Twp. Building.  Tredyffrin wants to keep track of how many residents are concerned about this.  
4. GVA , just send them your email, so they can keep you informed.   

-A Pen in the Woods