Architectural Polymers gets conditional approval for storage facility

The Lower Towamensing Township supervisors gave conditional approval Tuesday night to Architectural Polymers for expansion of its storage facility.

Currently, the facility is 23,000 square feet, said Supervisor Jay Mullikin. The company plans to add two more sections: one that is 250 feet by 75 feet for an additional 18,750 square feet and a second that is 75 feet by 88 feet for another 6,600 feet.

Brent Green, chairman of the supervisors, said that as soon as the company records the Subdivision/Land Development Agreement and the stormwater management plan, then it will be able to get started on building the expansion.

In other business, the perk test passed for the Stoney Ridge Park and Recreation Area. Green said the township sought to have the perk test done in order to have a backup area in the event the current septic system has a problem.

“It’s an older system from the ’70s,” he said.

The township is also looking for a contractor who would like to install a 2,500 foot walkway connecting the concession stand at the park to the parking lot area that is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

“It’s extensive,” Green said about the walkway.

The township needs the walkway and some modifications to the concession stand in order to get the final certificate of occupancy. The modifications at the concession stand involve electrical service and outlets, and will make the concession stand and the park ADA compliant.

Any contractors who are interested in the projects are encouraged to contact the township office at 610-826-2522. Proposals are due before the next supervisors meeting on Oct. 8.

Under the advisement of Carbon Engineering, the township’s engineering firm, Lower Towamensing Township is taking steps to make the public more aware of stormwater and the environment. It’s all part of meeting state requirements for MS4.

MS4 stands for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Program and affects municipalities that operate municipal separate storm sewer systems. The municipalities are responsible for developing and implementing stormwater management plans.

MS4 started with the federal Clean Water Act, which created requirements that are administered under the state Department of Environmental Protection through the MS4 program.

Green said, “Basically, they want the public to be more cognizant about what they are putting on their lands, on their driveways, because it all ends up in the waterways.”

For instance, Green said, when people use fertilizers on their lawns, that fertilizer contains nitrogen. As nitrogen gets washed into stormwater drains and into the waterways by rain, it builds up in the water and depletes the oxygen. Animal life in the water needs the oxygen to survive, which affects the ecosystem. Excessive nitrogen can also cause algae bloom.

The township plans to put more information for the public on its website. People can also learn more about it on the DEP’s website at https://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Water/CleanWater/StormwaterMgmt/Pages/Be-Stormwater-Smart-.aspx. StormwaterPa is another organization with tips on what residents can do: http://www.stormwaterpa.org/clean-your-water.html.

The supervisors also set this year’s trick-or-treating event for 6 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 26.