03/07/2008  -

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PREDICTS DELAWARE RIVER WILL RISE ABOVE FLOOD STAGE AT RIEGELSVILLE BRIDGE GAUGING STATION

As of 10:30 this morning, water level at the Riegelsville Bridge was at 16.93 feet. The national Weather Service’s Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service now estimates that it will drop only another 3/4 of a foot to about 16.1 ft. by 7 pm this evening. They expect it to level off at that depth for about 6 hours before beginning to rise again from the second major rain event since Tuesday, scheduled to arrive in our area by 3:00 pm this afternoon.

From there, it is expected to rise about a foot in the next 6 hours, then to steeply rise at the rate of about a foot every three hours until reaching 24.1 feet by 7:00 Sunday morning. There is no forecast beyond that yet, so we don’t know if that will be the crest level or if it will continue to rise. Flood stage in Riegelsville is 22.0 ft. Moderate flood stage is 26.0 ft.

Those wishing to monitor this situation as it evolves are encouraged to do so at the following website:

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RIEGELSVILLE GUAGE

 

03/07/2008  -

RIVER ROAD UPDATE

Route 32 (FL 6) between Green Hill Road and Route 263 in Solebury Township.

Contractor is currently installating a 1,800-foot concrete retaining wall. The project also calls for installing new guide rail, installing six storm water inlets and drainage pipes, and installing a clay liner along the sides and bottom the Delaware Canal.

Repair coffer dams/pump water on March 10 and March 11

Pre drill piles on March 12 through March 15.

Drill piles from March 12 through March 15.

Cut and install beams on March 14.

The contractor will continue to drill holes for the retaining wall posts and installing posts Mondays through Saturdays through April 19.

The contractor will also be addressing storm water issue along the project area.

Preliminary construction began November 26

Route 32 will be closed and detoured to through traffic 24-hours a day beginning January 7 through the completion of the project in May.

Local access to businesses will be maintained.
Work is weather dependent.

Route 32 (FL 3) between Narrows Hill Road and Route 611 in Durham and Nockamixon Township

Contractor is currently designing the retaining wall that will be installed. The current northbound detour remains in effect. When construction begins on the retaining wall, Route 32 will be closed in both directions.

Construction start to be determined.

The contractor is finalizing the design of the retaining wall and construction will then begin after PennDOT approval.

The contractor has already fabricated sections of retaining wall and will be able to start immediately upon getting approval.


Route 32 (FL 4) in Morrisville and New Hope boroughs, Lower Makefield, Solebury, and Bridgeton townships.

Crews patched asphalt, paved, installed guide rail between Robinson Place and Woodside Road in Lower Makefield Township.
This work is complete

Crews stabilized embankment of the Delaware Canal, reconstructed pavement, installed guide rail between Old Ferry Road and East Trenton Avenue/Calhoun Steet in Morrisville Borough.
This work is complete

Crews stabilized the embankment of the Delaware Canal between Route 232 (Windy Bush Road) and Aquetong Road in New Hope Borough and Solebury Township
This work is complete

Crews restored the embankment along the Delaware Canal, installed guide rail, and reconstructed pavement between the Trail’s End Canal Bridge and the Milford Bridge in BridgetonTownship
This work is complete

Crews will reconstruct a stone retaining wall near the intersection of Fleecydale Road in Solebury Township
Construction begun February 18.

02/25/2008  -

TINICUM TOWNSHIP NOTICE

Hearing before the Board of Supervisors scheduled for March 10, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. "Main Street Development Group, Inc." Curative Application for “Ottsville Square” (Carr Tract) 45 Durham Road, Ottsville: Curative to revise farmland soil overlay for CC, C, LC and PI zoning districts and height restriction in Delaware River Wild & Scenic Overlay for the entire east side of Rte 611. This application is dated December 30, 2004 and it proposes 192 units, community center, pool and parking on 19.68 tract in the CC District. There were 7 conditional use hearings on this application through June 19, 2005. The Conditional use application and the Land Development/subdivision applications are on hold and will be until the Curative application is resolved.
The Township's first witness John Theilacker, AICP, Associate Director of the Brandywine Conservancy is scheduled to have his cross-examination continued during the hearing on March 10th. Robert Gundlach, Esquire of Fox Rothschild has also scheduled the Equitable Owner of the "Carr Tract", Walter Smerconish as his final witness.

An Additional Hearing is scheduled for March 26, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. and the Township's second witness Tom Comitta, AICP, RLA, ASLA, President Thomas Comitta Associates, Inc.  is scheduled to appear.

02/12/2008  -

HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE: CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE CONNECTIONS ON-LINE SURVEY (en español)

Work is underway on the year 2035 update to the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission’s (DVRPC) long-range plan for the greater Philadelphia region, entitled Connections – The Regional Plan for a Sustainable Future. The public outreach component of the update is beginning with an on-line survey to gather opinions on regional issues. Input from this survey will help to revaluate and refine the future vision and goals for the key planning areas of transportation, land use, economic development, and the environment, which will form the framework of the plan.

As part of the plan update, a scenario planning exercise will be conducted to compare the continuation of current trends (‘business as usual’ scenario) with the fully implemented strategies based on the public opinion survey and the current long range plan (visionary scenario). Following this exercise, a series of focus groups will be conducted to consider the scenarios and further enhance goals and objectives for each of the key planning areas.

DVRPC will also convene public workshops in each of the nine counties in the DVRPC region to help define the core planning principles and policies for the plan. These workshops will also assist in identifying strategies to achieve the vision and goals and provide initial feedback on transportation investments.

Connections will focus on strengthening the linkages between land use, the environment, economic development and the transportation system. Recent long-range planning policies have emphasized sustainable growth, redeveloping existing regional centers, and funding transportation projects which support the plan’s goals. Additionally, Connections will address new focus areas such as climate change and energy needs.

Regular updates about the Connections Plan will appear on this website and in issues of DVRPC News throughout the duration of its development. DVRPC encourages and appreciates your ongoing involvement and input to developing the new long-range plan and in shaping the future of the Delaware Valley.

02/12/2008  -

Route 32 (River Road) Construction Schedule

Route 32 (FL 6) between Green Hill Road and Route 263 in Solebury Township.

Contractor is currently designing a 1,800-foot concrete retaining wall. The project also calls for installing new guide rail, installing six storm water inlets and drainage pipes, and installing a clay liner along the sides and bottom the Delaware Canal.

Pre drill piles on February 11 through February 16.

Drill piles from February 13 through February 16.

Cut and install beams on February 14 and February 16.

The contractor will continue to drill holes for the retaining wall posts and installing posts Mondays through Saturdays through January 25.

The contractor will also be addressing storm water issue along the project area.

Preliminary construction began November 26

Route 32 will be closed and detoured to through traffic 24-hours a day beginning January 7 through the completion of the project in May.

Local access to businesses will be maintained.
Work is weather dependent.

Route 32 (FL 3) between Route 212 and Route 611 in Durham and Nockamixon Township

Contractor is currently designing the retaining wall that will be installed. The current northbound detour remains in effect. When construction begins on the retaining wall, Route 32 will be closed in both directions.

Construction is scheduled to begin in late February.

Route 32 (FL 4) in Morrisville and New Hope boroughs, Lower Makefield, Solebury, and Bridgetontownships.

Crews patched asphalt, paved, installed guide rail between Robinson Place and Woodside Road inLower Makefield Township.
This work is complete

Crews stabilized embankment of the Delaware Canal, reconstructed pavement, installed guide rail between Old Ferry Road and East Trenton Avenue/Calhoun Steet in Morrisville Borough.
This work is complete

Crews stabilized the embankment of the Delaware Canal between Route 232 (Windy Bush Road) andAquetong Road in New Hope Borough and Solebury Township
This work is complete

Crews restored the embankment along the Delaware Canal, installed guide rail, and reconstructed pavement between the Trail’s End Canal Bridge and the Milford Bridge in Bridgeton Township
This work is complete

Crews will reconstruct a stone retaining wall near the intersection of Fleecydale Road in SoleburyTownship
Construction is scheduled to begin February 18.

01/31/2008  -

TINICUM TOWNSHIP NOTICE

Hearing before the Board of Supervisors scheduled for February 13, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. "Main Street Development Group, Inc." Curative Application for “Ottsville Square” (Carr Tract) 45 Durham Road, Ottsville: Curative to revise farmland soil overlay for CC, C, LC and PI zoning districts and height restriction in Delaware River Wild & Scenic Overlay for the entire east side of Rte 611. This application is dated December 30, 2004 and it proposes 192 units, community center, pool and parking on 19.68 tract in the CC District. There were 7 conditional use hearings on this application through June 19, 2005. The Conditional use application and the Land Development/subdivision applications are on hold and will be until the Curative application is resolved. Additional Hearings are scheduled for March 10 and March 26, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.

01/28/2008  -

26th ANNUAL BUCKS COUNTY SENIOR GAMES

If you have participated in Senior Games in past years, then come on back and join your friends.  If not, here is your chance to have fun and meet new people with the same interests as you.  Participants, for this great event, come from all over the County.  This year’s Bucks County Senior Games will be held in May and June, and over 400 seniors participate each year.  The Games are held for seniors 50 years and older. There are 22 events with something for everyone including: golf, tennis, bicycling, bowling, swimming, badminton, track and field, plus much more!  The purpose of the Games is to encourage seniors to stay healthy and active, and become more health-conscious. In addition to the sports activities, there will be a Health Expo featuring a Fashion Show and Entertainment.  The Games are co-sponsored with the Bucks County Area Agency on Aging, Bucks County Dept. of Parks and Recreation and Independence Blue Cross/Keystone Health Plan East.
Activities will be held at various locations throughout the county, check the listing below. Registration before May 2  will be $8 per person.  Registration after May 2 will be $13 per person. Listed here are some of the major events and locations:

May 29 to June 3 - Tennis, Core Creek Park, Woodbourne Road, Langhorne will offer 8 a.m. play for ages 60 and above. At  5:30 p.m. evening play at Central Park, Doylestown Township for those 50 to 59 years only.
May 29 – Health Expo – 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Delaware Valley College, Rt. 202, Doylestown. This event will feature health screenings, giveaways, seminars, entertainment, fashion show, bingo and refreshments. Also included that day will be men’s and women’s bocce. 
May 30  – Bowling, 8:00 a.m., Brunswick Zone Lanes, Street Road, Feasterville
June 2 - Golf, 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fairways Golf Club, Rt. 611, Warrington (Rain date June 11).
June 3 - 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Central Bucks Senior Center, Shady Retreat Rd., Doylestown.
June 4 – Central Bucks Family YMCA – Swimming and stationary bike -  1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
June 4 – 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Central Bucks West HS, War Memorial Field,   Doylestown events such as Track & Field, darts, badminton, etc.
June 5 – Bicycle Time Trial and Hill Climb, Nockamixon State Park, Rt. 563, Quakertown, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
June 6 – Awards Luncheon – 12 noon to 2 p.m. - Dining Hall,  Delaware Valley College, Rt. 202, Doylestown.
For further information and event days and times call the Bucks County Department of Parks and Recreation (215) 489-5132 or the Bucks County Area Agency on Aging (215) 348-6116.  Applications will be available beginning March 1 at the two co-sponsoring agencies and at ALL 13 Senior Centers in the County and all regional libraries. . Information and a registration form are also on the B.C. Area Agency on Aging web page at www. buckscounty.org/AAA.htm

01/24/2008  -

Saturday March 1, 2008 10AM
Grassland Birds
Christ Lutheran Church
353 E. Dark Hollow Rd
Pipersville, PA 18947
Information or Directions Call- Diane Allison 610-847-2085

The Tinicum Conservancy is beginning its year of Conservation Spotlight Programs for 2008. These programs highlight some of the reasons for the Conservancy’s preservation efforts.
Please join us for an informative program on GRASSLAND BIRDS. Our speaker will be Kim Van Fleet. Kim is the Important Bird Area (IBA) Coordinator and staff biologist for Audubon Pennsylvania. She has been involved with population monitoring, habitat analysis, and field studies on a number of IBAs throughout Pennsylvania. She will discuss grassland species, their habitat requirements and landowner options for maintaining functioning grassland ecosystems. Come learn about the needs of these very special species and how you can help these birds and conserve grassland habitat.

01/16/2008  -

The Public Works Director reminds residents that they may bring their Christmas tree to the Township Building to be chipped free of charge

12/21/2007  -

TINICUM TOWNSHIP NOTICE

The Tinicum Township Board of Supervisors will meet on Monday, January 7, 2008 at 7:45 p.m. to organize pursuant to Article VI, Section 602, of the Township Code. The Board will transact regular business following the organization business and may take action on various matters as may come before them during this public meeting. This meeting is open to the public and will be held in the Tinicum Township offices located at 163 Municipal Road, Pipersville, PA 18947.

Hearing before the Board of Supervisors scheduled for January 16, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. "Main Street Development Group, Inc." Curative Application for “Ottsville Square” (Carr Tract) 45 Durham Road, Ottsville: Curative to revise farmland soil overlay for CC, C, LC and PI zoning districts and height restriction in Delaware River Wild & Scenic Overlay for the entire east side of Rte 611. This application is dated December 30, 2004 and it proposes 192 units, community center, pool and parking on 19.68 tract in the CC District. There were 7 conditional use hearings on this application through June 19, 2005. The Conditional use application and the Land Development/subdivision applications are on hold and will be until the Curative application is resolved. An additional Hearing is scheduled for January 30, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.

12/21/2007  -

River Road Still Open for Business

With the holidays only days away, I want to remind you that the businesses, shops and restaurants located on River Road are open despite road reconstruction and repairs in the area. Due to the three major floods we have experienced, most of these businesses are struggling to remain open. It is important that we support all of our local businesses during this season, as they contribute to the unique and charming atmosphere and economy of Bucks County.

Construction is in various stages (from the survey stage to completion) along River Road. When this work is finally finished, we will again have total access to this scenic highway, and it is important that we all do our part now to ensure that these stores and eateries that have been striving to remain in business have our support.

-State Representative Marguerite Quinn

12/14/2007  -

Hearing for "Ottsville Square" (Carr Tract) on December 19th has been cancelled.

11/26/2007  -

Hearing for "Ottsville Square" (Carr Tract) continued to December 10th, 2007 at 7:30 p.m.

11/26/2007  -

Townships Today Newsletter, a publication of PSATS (www.psats.org)

In This Issue - What Can You Do for Your Township? Download (.pdf format, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader or Apple Preview to view this document)

11/02/2007  -

Special Meeting Monday, November 5th at 7:00 p.m.
Golden Pheasant Inn 763 River Road, Erwinna
Barbara Faure, of the Golden Pheasant Inn, has organized a meeting for municipal officials, business owners, and interested residents to meet with PennDOT officials for discussion on the upcoming River Road closures and proposed detours. Senator Charles McIlhinney, and State Representative Marguerite Quinn will be in attendance.

Election Reminder
Election Day is Tuesday November 6th. The Polls open at 7:00 a.m.

Hearing for "Ottsville Square" (Carr Tract) continued to November 12, 2007 at 7:45 p.m.

10/24/2007  -

RIVER ROAD CLEANUP

The Tinicum Conservancy is sponsoring the last River Road cleanup for 2007 on Saturday, October 27th from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM. Volunteers are asked to meet at the Schneiderwind Farm across from the Frenchtown Bridge on River Road. Vests, gloves, trash bags, water and snacks will be provided. If you haven't already done so, please consider volunteering for this, the last cleanup opportunity of 2007. Please RSVP to cedarhil@ptd.net if you are coming. We look forward to seeing you Saturday morning.

10/15/2007  -

Hearing for "Ottsville Square" (Carr Tract) continued to October 29th at 7:30 p.m.

The Applicant's Attorney, Robert Gundlach, requested a continuance from the October 10th hearing date to October 29th at 7:30 p.m. He announced that his next witnesses will be Ken Amey and Charles Guttenplan who are both land planners.

9/24/2007  -

Notice of Hearing Cancellation - September 24, 2007

The Hearing scheduled for September 24, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. has been cancelled. Tinicum Township received confirmation from Fox Rothschild that the timeframe within which the Township is required to hold hearings on the below-referenced applications shall not begin until they revise and resubmit the applications: Validity Challenges/Curative Amendment Applications submitted on July 25, 2007 by Robert Gundlach, Esquire as "Amended and Restated Applications" of Main Street Development Group, Inc. Piper Group, Inc. and Tinicum Sewer and Water Group, L.P. collectively referred to as the "Applicant".  And Validity Challenge/Curative Amendment Applications submitted August 30, 2007.

The properties and owners which are the subjects of this application are Tax parcel nos. 44-1-22 and 44-1-22-1 consisting of 32.24 gross acres on Rte 611 and Tohickon Valley Road, Ottsville in the Commercial zoning district where legal owners are Louis R. and Geraldine Cooper and the Wehrung Group and where Main Street Development Group, Inc. is the equitable owner; Tax parcel no. 44-1-5 consisting of 13.75 gross acres on Rte 611 and Tohickon Valley Road, Ottsville in the Commercial zoning district where the legal owners are Charles and Katherine Sigety and Nero Enterprises and the equitable owner is Piper Group, Inc.; Tax parcel nos. 44-1-30-1,44-1-44, 44-1-44-1, 44-1-44-1, 44-1-44-3, and 44-1-44-4 consisting of 20.9 gross acres on Rte 611 and Tohickon Valley Road, Ottsville in the Village Residential zoning district where the legal owners are Charles and Katherine Sigety and Nero Enterprises and the equitable owner is Piper Group, Inc,; and Tax parcel no 44-11-1 consisting of 8.21 acres on Rte 611 in the Planned Industrial Zoning District where the legal owners area Penrose and Marion Hallowell and the equitable owners are Tinicum Sewer and Water Group, L.P.

The Applicant has proposed projects including the construction of 560 residential apartments and/or townhouses and multiplex units on a portion of the properties located in the Commercial and Village Residential zoning districts and an F1 utility use to construct a sewer and water facility on the property located in the Planned Industrial zoning district.

There will be a hearing for Main Street's Curative for "Ottsville Square" known as the Carr tract on Wednesday, September 26th at 7:30 p.m.

9/19/2007  -

Hearing for "Ottsville Square" (Carr Tract) continued to September 26th at 7:30 p.m.

Please take notice that there will be no hearing tonight, Wednesday, September 19th due to the death of the Applicant's Attorney. Robert Gundlach's father passed away this morning.

"Main Street Development Group, Inc." Curative Portion of Conditional Use/Curative Application for “Ottsville Square” (Carr Tract) 45 Durham Road, Ottsville: Curative to revise farmland soil overlay for CC, C, LC and PI zoning districts and height restriction in Delaware River Wild & Scenic Overlay for the entire east side of Rte 611. This application is dated December 30, 2004 and it proposes 192 units, community center, pool and parking on 19.68 tract in CC District. There were 7 conditional use hearings on this application through June 19, 2005. The Conditional use application and the Land Development/subdivision application are on hold and will be until the Curative application is resolved.
Indefinite extension requested by Main Street on July 17, 2007 following 7th Conditional Use Hearing held 6-19-05 for Application dated 12-30-04 on Conditional Use portion of Conditional Use/Curative Application by Main Street Development "Ottsville Square": in CC District proposing 192 units, community center, pool and parking on 19.68 tract. Curative to revise farmland soil overlay for CC, C, LC and PI zoning districts and height restriction in Delaware River Wild & Scenic Overlay for the entire east side of Rte 611. Contains Curative challenging the Township's fee schedule. The applicant has identified Overlay Districts applicable for conditional use as 1) Critical Recharge, Tinicum Creek Watershed, 3) Tohickon Creek Watershed, 4) Prime Farmland& Agricultural Soils, and 5) Delaware River Wild & Scenic.
Indefinite extension requested by Main Street Development Group, Inc. Land Development Application "Ottsville Square": for application filed 9-1-05 for a proposed land development within various zoning overlay districts for the development of 12 apartment buildings containing 192 units, pool, community center, parking areas and other improvements on the 19.68 acre property known as the "Carr Tract". Tax parcel 44-11-14 and 44-11-15. The applicant has identified Overlay Districts applicable for conditional use as 1) Critical Recharge, Tinicum Creek Watershed, 3) Tohickon Creek Watershed, 4) Prime Farmland& Agricultural Soils, and 5) Delaware River Wild & Scenic. The applicant is challenging the Township’s fee schedule.

9/19/2007  -

TINICUM TOWNSHIP NOTICE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Tinicum Township Board of Supervisors will meet on September 24, 2007 at the time designated below at the Tinicum Township Municipal Building 163 Municipal Road, Pipersville, Pennsylvania to consider the following matters 7:30 p.m. Validity Challenges/Curative Amendment Applications submitted on July 25, 2007 by Robert Gundlach, Esquire as "Amended and Restated Applications" of Main Street Development Group, Inc. Piper Group, Inc. and Tinicum Sewer and Water Group, L.P. collectively referred to as the "Applicant". And Validy Challenge/Curative Amendment Applications submitted August 30, 2007. The properties and owners which are the subjects of this application are Tax parcel nos. 44-1-22 and 44-1-22-1 consisting of 32.24 gross acres on Rte 611 and Tohickon Valley Road, Ottsville in
the Commercial zoning district where legal owners are Louis R. and Geraldine Cooper and the Wehrung Group and where Main Street Development Group, Inc. is the equitable owner; Tax parcel no. 44-1-5 consisting of 13.75 gross acres on Rte 611 and Tohickon Valley Road, Ottsville in the Commercial zoning district where the legal owners are Charles and Katherine Sigety and Nero Enterprises and the equitable owner is Piper Group, Inc.; Tax parcel nos. 44-1-30-1,44-1-44, 44-1-44-1, 44-1-44-1, 44-1-44-3, and 44-1-44-4 consisting of 20.9 gross acres on Rte 611 and Tohickon Valley Road, Ottsville in the Village Residential zoning district where the legal owners are Charles and Katherine Sigety and Nero Enterprises and the equitable owner is Piper Group, Inc,; and Tax parcel no 44-11-1 consisting of 8.21 acres on Rte 611 in the Planned Industrial Zoning District where the legal owners area Penrose and Marion Hallowell and the equitable owners are Tinicum Sewer and Water Group, L.P. The Applicant has proposed projects including the construction of 560 residential apartments and/or townhouses and multiplex units on a portion of the properties located in the Commercial and Village Residential zoning districts and an F1 utility use to construct a sewer and water facility on the property located in the Planned Industrial zoning district. The Applicant is challenging the substantive validity of the Tinicum Township Zoning Ordinance in accordance with Municipalities Planning Code (MPC) Section 609.1, MPC 909.1(b), MPC 916.1 (a)(2), MPC 604(4) and MPC 604(5) seeking to develop residential housing inthe Controlled Commercial, Commercial, Village Residential, and Planned Industrial zoning districts. The Applicant challenges the following provisions of the Tinicum Township Zoning Ordinance (ZO) "including without limitation, Overlay Districts, Article 8" as applied to the Controlled Commercial, Commercial, Village Residential and Planned Industrial Zoning districts within section ZO 806 (i) Prime Farmland and Prime Agricultural Land and Soils Overlay, ZO 806 (j) Delaware River Wild & Scenic River Overlay where building height is restricted to 30 feet and where development is to use natural appearing materials and be buffered, ZO 806 (g) which limits removal of woodlands, ZO 806 (h) which provides that no substantial property improvement or disturbance be permitted in the Critical Biodiversity area, ZO 806 (d) which limits impervious surface in the Critical Recharge Overlay, ZO 806 (b) which restricts various activities in the Wetland and Wetland Margin Overlay, ZO 806 (c) which restricts certainactivities in the Riparian Buffer Overlay, ZO 806 (f) which prohibits stream discharge in the Tohickon Creek Watershed Overlay and ZO 805 (C) which prohibits certain activities in the Steep Slope and Very Steep Slope Overlay, and ZO Section 403.3 which limits impervious in the VR for performance subdivisions. The Applicant proposed a Curative Amendment "to cure the defects identified" in this application. Also at issue is the Secretary's determination that the Application(s) is/are inadequate for consideration. Any interested party may appear at the scheduled Public Hearing, copies of the proposed Curative Amendment and any plans relating thereto may be secured or examined at the Township Building located at 163 Municipal Road, Pipersville, PA, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and Wednesday between the hours of 9 a.m. and noon.

Linda McNeill, Secretary/Manager

9/10/2007  -

Volunteers Needed

Saturday September 15th

Giving Pond Recreation Area

Bring your shovel, work gloves and "Can-Do" attitude and help plant native trees and shrubs at the Delaware Canal State Park.

Time: 9AM-2PM
Where: Meet in the parking lot of the Giving Pond Rec. Area
What to Bring: Shovels, Work Gloves and a "Can do" attitude.

Call Rob Neitz at 610.982.0166 for more information and to sign up.

 

8/06/2007  -

Tinicum Township August Hearing Schedule

Hearing before the Board of Supervisors scheduled for August 7, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. "Main Street Development Group, Inc." Curative Application for “Ottsville Square” (Carr Tract) 45 Durham Road, Ottsville: Curative to revise farmland soil overlay for CC, C, LC and PI zoning districts and height restriction in Delaware River Wild & Scenic Overlay for the entire east side of Rte 611. This application is dated December 30, 2004 and it proposes 192 units, community center, pool and parking on 19.68 tract in the CC District. There were 7 conditional use hearings on this application through June 19, 2005. The Conditional use application and the Land Development/subdivision application are on hold and will be until the Curative application is resolved.
The hearing on July 30th - The Supervisors held the first hearing on the "Carr Tract" Curative application on July 30, 2007. The Applicant submitted a request for an amendment to this validity challenge and curative amendment on July 26, 2007 that the Board of Supervisors discussed but no decisions were made. It is anticipated that further discussion of the amendment request will occur at the beginning of the August 7th hearing along with discussion of requests for party status.
July 26, 2007 request for Amendment - The "Amendment to Application of Main Street Development Group, Inc. for Validity Challenge and Curative Amendment" states that the Zoning Ordinance unreasonably restricts the development and use of the property and the use of land for residential housing of various types to accommodate reasonable overall community growth. The amendment challenges the regulations of the Article VIII "(including without limitation, the Township overlay districts, as set forth in Article 8) for properties located in the Controlled Commercial (CC), Commercial (C), Limited Commercial (LC), Village Residential (VR), and Planned Industrial (PI)." The amendment adds a validity challenge to 806 (d) and 806 (f) which prohibit stream discharge in the Tohickon Creek Watershed Overlay and in the Critical Recharge Overlay in the CC, LC, VR, and PI. The amendment adds a validity challenge to 806 (j) which requires that any development in the Delaware River Wild and Scenic Corridor use natural appearing materials and that development be ameliorated through regarding and revegetation, and be screened and buffered. The amendments are for development in the CC, C, LC, VR and PI zoning districts. 
Additional August hearing dates - The Board of Supervisors agreed to meet for additional hearings for the Carr Tract curative and other curative applications as may be filed by "Main Street", "Piper Group" and "Tinicum Sewer and Water" as follows:
August 15th at 7:30 p.m. and August 30th at 7:30 p.m
(Also September 4, 19 and 27)

Hearings before the Zoning Hearing Board:
Continuance Hearing August 9, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. #2-2007 Property Owner Royal D. Doner requests the following Variances from the Tinicum Township Zoning Ordinance: Variance from 500.2(a) to allow the property to be used for a single family detached residential dwelling in the CC Zoning District; a Variance from 806(g) to allow disturbance of more than 10% of the trees within the Priority 1 Natural Areas Inventory Area and for replacement of less than the required number of trees; a Variance from 805B to allow disturbance of a portion of the Very Steep Slopes located on the property for the construction of the driveway to the proposed single family house; a Variance from 802.02(a) to allow disturbance of a portion of the floodplain soils for construction of the driveway to the proposed single family house; and a Variance from 806(i)(3)to allow disturbance of more than 25% of soils of Statewide Importance and in the alternative, challenges the validity of section 806(i)(3) stating that no more than 25% of the Prime Farmland and Prime Agricultural Soils, on properties zoned commercial and/or industrial (including without limitation, properties in the Township’s Controlled Commercial Zoning District), shall be developed. This property is located at 7519 Easton Road, Ottsville, PA and is identified as Tax Parcel No. 44-11-30-1.

 

8/06/2007  -

Quinn to Host Discussion of Local Flooding Featuring DEP Secretary

Rep. Marguerite Quinn (R-Bucks) will host a discussion regarding local flooding issues with Kathleen McGinty, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The meeting will take place from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 7 at the Plumstead Township Building on Stump Road. Members of the public are invited to attend and are encouraged to submit their questions for the secretary in advance, as there will be limited time for public comment. Doors will open at 10 a.m. For more information regarding the meeting, contact Quinn’s office at (215) 489-2126. Questions can be submitted via e-mail to mquinn@pahousegop.com.

The Meeting will take place at:

Plumstead Administration and Police Offices
5186 Stump Road, Plumsteadville PA 18949

7/18/2007  -

Tinicum Township July Hearing Schedule

The July 17th Hearings were cancelled. The next Hearings are as follows:

#4-2007 ZHB Hearing before the Zoning Hearing Board scheduled for July 26, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. "Tinicum Sewer and Water Group, L.P." equitable owner of an 8 acre portion of land owned by Penrose and Marion Hallowell, application dated September 1, 2005, request a variance from Section 806(f)(5) and Section 806(d)(6) of the Tinicum Township Zoning Ordinance to allow stream discharge sewage systems within the Tohickon Creek Watershed Overlay District and the Critical Recharge Overlay District. In the alternative, the Applicant is challenging the validity of the prohibition against stream discharge sewage systems within the Tohickon Creek Watershed overlay District and the Critical Recharge Area Overlay District. The applicant has requested "such other relief as required to allow the proposed sewage treatment plant to discharge its treated effluent into the Tohickon Creek and/or a tributary thereof." The Applicant challenged the validity of the filing fee and escrow for their challenge to the validity of a land use ordinance and did not provide the fee or escrow for their challenge. This proposal is for an 8-acre portion of Tax Parcel 44-11-1, located at located 1574 Easton Road, Ottsville, PA.

Hearing before the Board of Supervisors scheduled for July 30, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. "Main Street Development Group, Inc." Curative Application for “Ottsville Square” (Carr Tract) 45 Durham Road, Ottsville: Curative to revise farmland soil overlay for CC, C, LC and PI zoning districts and height restriction in Delaware River Wild & Scenic Overlay for the entire east side of Rte 611. This application is dated December 30, 2004 and it proposes 192 units, community center, pool and parking on 19.68 tract in CC District. There were 7 conditional use hearings on this application through June 19, 2005. The Conditional use application and the Land Development/subdivision application are on hold and will be until the Curative application is resolved.

Update on Major Development Proposals in Ottsville

Robert Gundlach, Jr. the attorney representing Main Street Development Group, Inc., Piper Group, Inc., and Tinicum Sewer and Water Group, L.P. attended the Board of Supervisors' Meeting on July 17, 2007. The Board's Agenda included 3 Conditional Use/Curative Hearings and deadlines for 4 Land Development/Subdivision applications filed by these entities.

The Applicant granted indefinite extensions for the Land Development/Subdivision and Conditional Use applications filed for the following 5 development proposals so that the Curative applications can be resolved:
Piper Group Inc. "Tohickon Valley Farm 11.87 acres in the Commercial Zoning District, Tax parcel 44-1-5 on Rte 611 and Tohickon Valley Road, Ottsville.
Main Street Development Group, Inc. “Ottsville Square” (Carr): 19.68 tract in Controlled Commercial l District, Tax parcel 44-11-14 and 44-11-15, 45 Durham Road, Ottsville.
Piper Group, Inc. "Durham Village" 20.9 acre portion of a 34.66 acre tract located in the VR District, Tax parcels 44-1-44, 44-1-44-1, 44-1-44-2, 44-1-44-3, 44-1-44-4 and 44-1-30-1, Rte 611 and Tohickon Valley Road and Durham and Headquarters Road Ottsville.
Main Street Development Group, Inc. "Tohickon Village" (Cooper-Wehrung): 28 acre tract located in the Commercial District on a portion of Tax Parcels 44-1-22 and 44-1-22-1 Rte 611 and Tohickon Valley Road, Ottsville.
Tinicum Sewer and Water Group, LP: 8 acre tract located in Planned Industrial Zoning District on a portion of Tax parcel 44-11-1, a 21.7 acre tract on Rte 611, Ottsville.

7/12/2007  -

PUBLIC SAFETY ANNOUNCEMENT & REQUEST FOR EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT

A number of residents experienced a power outage lasting over 24 hours due to severe storms on July 10th. Some residents didn't have power after 40 hours. Being without power in Tinicum also means being without water creating health and safety concerns.

If you or someone in your household has a medical condition or special need that warrants special attention during an emergency situation, please let us know now so that you get needed attention during the next emergency.

Doug Skelton, using a single portable generator assisted residents during this emergency in getting water for their households and horses and their refrigerators chilled. And we know other residents received assistance from their neighbors.

You may want to help out too. Please let us know if you have a portable generator and/or a gas operated pump that you would be willing to lend to the Township for use during an emergency event.

Thank you for helping us improve our community service!

7/10/2007  -

The 2007 Fresh From Bucks County Farms booklet is available now at the Township office and online here. This is a comprehensive guide to buying produce locally and seasonally supporting local growers and reducing the carbon footprint of your fruits and vegetables.

7/05/2007  - The Tinicum Township Zoning Board will be holding a public meeting for the purposes of hearing Appeal #4-2007 on July 26, 2007 at 7 p.m.  The meeting will be held at the township building at 163 Municipal Road in Pipersville.  To read more about this click on 20070628PublicHearing and 20070628HearingSchedule. 

7/03/2007  - The Tinicum Township Zoning Board will be holding a public meeting for the purposes of hearing Appeal #4-2007 on July 26, 2007 at 7 p.m.  The meeting will be held at the township building at 163 Municipal Road in Pipersville.  To read more about this click on 20070628PublicHearing and 20070628HearingSchedule. 

6/17/2007  - The Lord's Pantry food bank is extremely low in supplies. Tinicum Township will be collecting canned items on their behalf at the Township Building.

6/15/2007 - The Tinicum Township Meeting and Hearing Board Schedule.

On June 15, 2007, the Tinicum Township Solicitor Robert Sugarman and Township Manager Linda McNeill met with attorney Robert Gundlach and Jessica Woll of Fox Rothschild and landowner Robert Sigety to discuss meeting schedules for the multiple development proposals of Piper Group and Main Street Development Group. Robert Gundlach told the Township that on Monday, June 18, 2007 he will be submitting a letter for each of Main Street's and each of Piper Group's development proposals, extending the deadlines on every development. He has requested that the hearings on these development proposals currently scheduled for June 15th and June 19th be cancelled. And he has requested that the announced continuance hearing for July 2 and July 30, 2007 also be cancelled. If the Township determines that Mr. Gundlach's extension letters eliminate the need to take any action and/or make any decisions on the current development proposals, the Special Meeting scheduled for Monday, June 18, 2007 at 8:30 p.m. will be cancelled. 

- The Township expects the Developer to return to the Planning Commission for review of the Subdivision and Land Development Applications.  Details-

Each of the applications for the development proposed by Main Street and Piper Group contain components that require advertised formal hearings by the Board of Supervisors (conditional use & curative applications) as well as subdivision and land development components that are reviewed primarily by the Planning Commission. Robert Gundlach said that he will be outlining a review schedule for the subdivision and land development applications and expects to attend the Planning Commission's meeting on July 24, 2007 to have at least two of the current development plans reviewed by the Planning Commission. Mr. Gundlach said that he will be requesting indefinite extensions on all of the conditional use application components, reserving the right to request a hearing on any or all of the applications with 30 days notice, and recognizing that if he requests more than 1 hearing in 30 days, it may necessitate multiple hearings on the same night. The Township would also have the right to request that the hearing(s) be scheduled within 30 days. Mr. Gundlach directed the Township to advertise a Hearing with the Zoning Hearing Board for "Tinicum Sewer and Water Group, L.P.'s application requesting a variance and challenging the validity of the Township's ordinances on the property owned by Penrose and Marion Hallowell. This application seeks any relief required to allow the proposed sewage treatment plant to discharge its treated effluent into the Tohickon Creek. Mr. Gundlach also told the Township that he wants to combine his "curative challenges" to the Township's farmland soils preservation ordinances and request that curative hearings be commenced. No dates have been set.

4/17/2007 - The Tinicum Township Zoning & Hearing Board hearing scheduled for tonight has been postponed. Click to read about the postponed hearing.

4/4/2007 - 2007 Southeastern Pennsylvania Regional Household Hazardous Waste  Collection and Old Computer Recycling ProgramMany household products contain chemicals that when discarded  contribute to the contamination of our environment by contaminating  our soil, air and water. A Household Hazardous Waste Collection  Program provides the opportunity to reduce the amount of hazardous  household chemical waste that is flushed down the toilet and kitchen  drains, disposed of in the backyard, dumped into storm drains or  simply disposed of in the municipal waste stream. These typical means  of disposal are both hazardous to public health and unnecessary. Yet,  they continue because individuals are frequently unaware that many  useful products contain hazardous chemicals. It is the consumer’s  responsibility to use and dispose of household products safely.  Certain household waste should be brought to community household  hazardous waste collection events for proper disposal. Five hazardous waste collection events are scheduled in Bucks County.  For more information go to www.buckscounty.org and click on “How do  I Recycle”.   Items being collected include: Pesticides such as Chlordane, Sevin, DDT or Malathihon, toxic materials such as weed killer, mercury, pool chemicals,  photographic chemicals, rust remover and wood preservatives, flammable materials such as oil based paints, varnishes, paint  strippers, thinners, gasoline, kerosene and other solvents, caustics such as oven cleaner, lye and ammonia based cleaners and household rechargeable and button type batteries as well as automotive batteries Gas cylinders weighing 20 pounds or less

Do Not Bring: Latex Paint*,  Appliances (Including air conditioners and dehumidifiers),  Asbestos or Asbestos containing materials, Infectious or Biological waste, Explosives including ammunition, Gas cylinders weighing more than 20 pounds, PCB’s, CFC’s weighing more than one pound, Radioactive waste and smoke detectors***, Tires**, Lawn waste or brush, or Alkaline batteries

*Air-dry latex paint or mix with an absorbent (oil-dry or clay based, cat litter at the ratio of one gallon of paint to 4 cups of  absorbent) and discard dried paint and paint can, with its lid off,  in regular trash. Empty paint cans may be placed with recyclables in many municipal recycling programs (check with your hauler).
**Tires are collected at the Tinicum Public Works Building or at  Automotive Shops and Automotive Tire Retailers.
DBrush is accepted and recycled at the Tinicum Public Works Building.
***Many Smoke Detector manufacturers have mail back programs available.


12 May 2007 Lower Makefield, Lower Makefield Corporate Center – South, 770 Township Line Road

09 June 2007 Bedminster Upper Bucks County Are Vo-Tech School, 3115 Ridge Road

14 July 2007 Warwick Middle Bucks Institute of Technology, 2740 York Road (Route 263)

18 August 2007 Bristol Bucks County Technical High School, 610 Wistar Road

29 September 2007 Quakertown Quakertown Area Community Pool, 601 West Mill Street

Posted 3/19/2007 - "Spotlight's on Butterflies" this Saturday, March 24th at 10 a.m., Bob and Pat Whitacre will share their stunning power point presentation of the more than 50 butterflies they documented on their 15 acre property in Tinicum Township.  They will also be happy to answer your questions on their methods and the plants they used for attracting butterflies. This program is sponsored by the Tinicum Conservancy and will take place in the Stover Mill, 852 River Road, Erwinna.

Posted: 2/25/2005        The Tinicum Township Supervisors are looking for four senior citizens to accompany one of them and to serve as delegates to represent the local community at the Bucks County Summit on Aging. The summit is scheduled for May 25, 2005 at the Bucks County Community College, Newtown, PA.  The summit will focus on the positive aspects of aging and how a community can be enhanced by "capitalizing on our only growing natural resource: Aging, vibrant people, with much to contribute."  The hope is that these individuals will learn what other communities are doing to make communities "elder friendly" and learn about available resources for seniors through the County.  Please call the Township at 610-294-9154 and ask for the Manager to volunteer and to get more information. United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development (USDA) has provided the Township with applications for very low interest loans (1%) or grants to low income elderly applicants to remove health and safety hazards in their home. Grants up to $7,500 may be available to qualifying elderly applicants (62 and older) for repairs including heating/cooling, plumbing and electrical repair and roofing.  Visit the website http://eligiblity.sc.egov.usda.gov or call the Township at 610-294-9154. Posted: 2/8/2005 The Board of Supervisors has scheduled hearings for the Piper Group's Conditional Use Application on February 15 at 8:30 p.m., February 17th at 8:00 p.m. and March 9th at 7:30 p.m.  Call the Township Building for further information. On February 7, 2005  The Tinicum Board of Supervisors and Manager met at PennDOT's District 6 Office with Deputy Secretary of Transportation, Gary Hoffman, Chief Engineer M.G. Patel, District Administrator Andrew Warren and PennDOT Engineers Vito Genua, Chuck Davies, Javier Salguiero, Tom Macioce, and Randy Wanger. The Township Supervisors gave a "thumbs up" to the proposal from Deputy Secretary Hoffman for a "Design/Build" bridge concept to speed the process so that there will be a 2005 construction start. Patel said that the "Design/Build" process for a metal truss replacement bridge using Tinicum’s 9-15-04 design criteria would begin in early March 2005. A Public Meeting (date to be announced) will be held in the Township Building to display the proposal for the replacement bridge.  Posted: 1/15/2005        The 2005 Arts Festival kick off meeting is planned for Sunday Feb 27, 1:30 pm, at the Ottsville Fire House Social Hall, back of the firehouse, Durham Rd, Ottsville.  Everyone is invited.   We'll talk about plans and ideas for this year's Festival and places where volunteers are needed.  For more information call Pat Lesko 610-847-8304. Posted: 1/8/2005        The next hearing for the Piper Group's Conditional Use Application is on January 18 at 8:30 p.m. following the Supervisors' meeting. Supervisor Chairperson Nick Forte attended the Bucks County Commissioners' Meeting on January 5th. Nick is very happy to report that the Commissioners approved a contract to John Milner Architects, Inc. to provide professional services for the restoration of the Erwin-Stover House located in Tinicum Park. Nick joins the residents in Tinicum Township and in Bucks County in sending a Big Thank you to the Bucks County Commissioners for their efforts toward restoring this community treasure.