November 24, 2015

A trio of fourth-graders from Pocopson Elementary got multiple rounds of applause for their presentation at the Pocopson Township Board of Supervisors’ meeting on Monday, Nov. 23.

Josiah Hoopman, Bridget Hoban, and Chi Xu, members of Team AHA Moment from First Lego League Robotics, expressed their concern about the tubes used to protect saplings throughout the area from rodents and deer.

Tree-planting initiatives have become popular in the region. Riparian buffers – areas of trees, shrubs and grasses that form buffer zones along the banks of rivers and streams – reduce water pollution, provide clean drinking water sources, preserve valuable ecosystem services, add economic benefits, and beautify the natural landscape of communities and watersheds, according to the Brandywine Conservancy.

But the students, who were accompanied by their coaches, Stephanie Hoopman and Tim Xu, said they have seen evidence, particularly in the Red Bridge Farm subdivision, that the plantings aren’t being monitored properly.

They found some tubes from saplings that died lying on the ground, where they could blow into waterways and cause problems, while others girdled the young trees too tightly, threatening their survival. The fourth-graders even presented some innovative ideas for improving the tubes, such as cutting in a small door that could serve as a measuring window.

Finally, the students asked: Shouldn’t the township have a policy to ensure that the tubes are maintained?

“That was an excellent presentation,” said Supervisor Georgia Brutscher.

During a brief discussion, she and Supervisors’ Chairman Barney Leonard learned from Sarah Mims, a member of the township’s Stream Team that Comcast had planted the Red Bridge saplings. Brutscher suggested that the students get on the agenda for the next Planning Commission meeting in January so that more people could hear their great ideas. Ideally, members of the Stream Team could also attend, Brutscher said.

After the students’ session, Stephanie Hoopman said the concerns surfaced when the kids were walking along township trails and observed tubes littering the landscape.

The presentation served as an appropriate prelude to a report from Kevin Matson, a township engineer who is working on the township’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System, known as MS4. Under state and federal regulations, “Pocopson is compelled to remove 35 tons of sediment” from its waterways annually and must submit a plan on how it will accomplish that, Matson said. One way to cut stormwater pollution is to plant riparian buffers.

Matson received approval to advertise a public comment period and a presentation that will be held in conjunction with the next supervisors’ meeting on Dec. 14. Because of the scope and complexity of the material, the meeting will start at 7 p.m., the supervisors agreed. A comment period for residents will run from Nov. 25 to Dec. 25.

Before the meeting began, Leonard requested a moment of silence for Joe Stumpo, the husband of Supervisor Ricki Stumpo, who died last week. Leonard called Joe Stumpo a warm, giving, honest man who was generous with his time for the township. “His presence at township meetings will be sorely missed,” Leonard said.

In other business, the supervisors accepted two bids: one for the sale of the township’s 1995 Ford truck for $5,356, and one for $3,399 that will cover plastering at the Locust Grove Schoolhouse.

The supervisors tabled a vote on the bid package for the second phase of construction at the Barnard House. “It’s not ready yet,” Leonard said, explaining that architect Dennis Melton had not yet made all of the changes that were discussed at a work session last week.

Earlier in the meeting, resident Sean Rafferty requested an outside investigation into the more than $100,000 that Melton has received for his work on the project. “I really think we should look into what he has done and what we’ve paid,” said Rafferty.

According to township records, Melton has received a total of $121,976 from the township since April 2009.

Finally, resident Terry Gumpper questioned Public Works Director Mark Knightly about a contact the township has to plow a private street, an issue he said he broached a year ago. Gumpper suggested that if the township is going to provide such services, they should be made available to everyone.

“I don’t know why the township would be involved” rather than a homeowners’ association, Gumpper said.

Knightly said he would look into the contract, which is due for renewal. “It’s a valid point,” he said of Gumpper’s comment.