Biltmore, SCI Graterford Concerns Among Topics in Skippack

Concerns aired:

Biltmore Estates and the plans for new construction at sparked many questions and comments from resident at the July 13 meeting.

Residents commented on the pipes that were out in the open in the Biltmore development. Township Engineer Tim Woodrow said the pipes “should be gone within a couple of days.”

Chairman Mark Marino added, “Correction, we don’t know what the schedule is depending on those pipes. (Blooming Glen has) two options, either put it in the ground or remove them, or we’re going to find another contractor.”

Biltmore resident Roger Roberts voiced displeasure with the lack of maintenance in the neighborhood.

“What’s going on?” he asked. “I feel like I’m in a new construction zone, and nobody knows people live there. Some things the township can do will make it so much nicer.” THP is “cutting grass not even growing.” Can H&K do something?

Marino replied that he would be “making some calls tomorrow.”

Major concerns also arose in advance of the Thursday meeting about the construction plans at Graterford prison.

Robert Ortino said he was concerned about how close it was to his neighbors’ properties; however, “I understand they agreed to move it back,” he said.

“We’ve asked for two concessions. Would the board support moving the driveway and rebuilding the bridge and keeping it in Graterford (instead of traffic traveling Route 73 through Skippack Village)?” he continued.

(Note: Manager Ted Locker Jr. attended the meeting the next evening and .)

Getting water flowing again

• Residents along Mill Road were approved to connect to Pennsylvania American Water (PAW) According to those attending the meeting, people on Mill and Collegeville roads are on a well and “have been without water for a month.” North Penn Water Authority (NPWA), which has a contract with the Skippack community, does not provide service to that area. However, the residents are allowed to connect to PAW with NPWA’s blessing.

In other business

• The supervisors approved a request for a sewer easement in Palmer Park, allowing for a connection to the public sewer system. It was said the work “could be done with very little disturbance.” It was recommended that $1,000 in escrow be used for cleanup and restoration.

• As in Perkiomen Township, the Skippack supervisors gave the OK for Kyle Bryant to use local roads for a . They also approved township business owners’ request for Winetober and a request from Upper Salford for fire police assistance for the Philadelphia Folk Festival.

• The supervisors granted authorization to connect a residence at 819 Center Avenue to the public sewer.

• The supervisors approved the bocce league’s request for a fence, which will be 6-feet high and black aluminum. League members said juveniles have been getting into the courts and destroying them.