Orchard Park Committee.

Minutes for October 3, 2016 at 7:30PM in Admin Office

Next Meeting November 7 at 7:30PM at Admin Office (45 Keeley Ave)

Attending:  Jo Schuler, Derek MacMillan, Tom Price, Janet Moore, Andrea Antell

Absent: Council Liaison Lori Kesilman

Visitors: Sam Bryant

We are in need of TWO members.  Contact the office (nbboro@newbritainboro.com; 215-348-4586) if you are interested.

Committee Organization:

• Derek is Chair
• Sam is Interim Secretary and Interim Treasurer
• Andrea is Information Officer
• We meet usually on first Mondays of the month  

Agenda for meeting:

1. Administrative Items
2. Old Business
3. New Business
4. Action Items

Minutes for Tonight’s Meeting:

1. Administrative Items

1. Budget for 2016

1. After a review of already approved expenditures, it was noted that $1,455 was left in the Budget for 2016.  It was agreed to award a quote for Tree Removal to All About You, which would leave about $500 in the budget.

2. Vacancies

1. No new applications received.  The Appointment Advisory Committee is working to advertise vacancies.

3. PECO Grant

1. The PECO Grant would pay for the planning, engineering and some of the implementation of ADA improvements.  A DCNR grant would then pay the remaining costs.  Any leftover funds from both grants would be used for landscaping.
2. The deadline for the PECO grant is December 31 and mid-April for DCNR.
3. After discussion, the Committee would like to review a draft PECO application in November, but also wanted Mr. Bryant to research ADA improvements at parks in Doylestown and Chalfont.  He was also asked to find out if the costs from Gilmore and Associates were necessary for the grant.  Finally, the Committee wanted to ensure the DEP permit would not be affected by ADA improvement implementation.

4. PA Wetlands Grant

1. The Borough was not awarded this grant.  Ms. Schuler suggested the Borough contact the vendor involved in the grant to provide education on wetlands to the Committee.

2. Old Business

1. Update on DEP Permit

1. Mr. Bryant noted he is awaiting the Army Corps approval, which should be this week.  After that, he expects to receive DEP approval for the permit.

2. Information Center Update

1. No update/action.

3. Pruning of existing apple trees

1. The committee discussed whether to budget funds to prune the trees, or to remove and replace them with trees that are lower maintenance.  The group agreed to reach out to various experts (Andrea to Tabora, Janet to Del Val, Derek to Doug Christie).

4. Review quotes for rock pile removal and cutting back undergrowth

1. Mr. Bryant noted that he did not receive quotes to hand remove the undergrowth or to clean up the red dogwood yet.  All About You was awaiting the resolution of other outstanding quotes with the Borough before starting work, so that it is all done at once, minimizing impact on Orchard Park.

5. Gilmore’s request for proposal costs applied to the PECO grant; ADA compliance plans (Small Communities Grant);

1. Discussed during the PECO Grant item.

3. New Business

1. 2017 Budget

1. The Committee would be requesting $6,000 in the 2017 Budget.

4. Action Items

1. New Member Nominations

1. None to be done.

2. $40,000 DCNR Grant, $20,000 (Professional Engineers) Gilmore

The meeting was adjourned at 8:45PM.