Skippack Supervisors Hold Back Escrow Release for Biltmore Estates

Skippack Township’s residents’ and officials’ with the work at Biltmore Estates came to a head at Wednesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting as the board approved withholding an escrow release to Blooming Glen Contractors until certain items are addressed.

During the public comments portion, residents again asked supervisors about “public improvements” at the Biltmore Estates development.
Chairman Mark Marino said he “called Haines (of the H&K Group, of which Blooming Glen is a part), met with him and drove around (the Biltmore) site.”
Marino noted there are maintenance issues, completion needed on walking trails and they are toying with paving walking trails and Ashland Drive.

Township Manager Ted Locker has also met with people from the company and “some cleanup work has been done,” Marino said.

Marino proposed withholding escrow release #16 for $40,889.66, which was up for vote later in the meeting. When they reached that item on the agenda, the supervisors unanimously agreed to hold the payment for now. (See PDF for escrow details of the Biltmore job.)

“Things are tough, but they elected to jump in and do that work,” Marino “I think we’ve been cooperative.” He later speculated that it had to do with “internal workings as to why they are not doing work at Biltmore,” for example, being busy with other projects.

By the end of the next two weeks, he asked Locker to have the company turn over a schedule of what will get completed.
“We will say what we need done before it gets too cold (to do the work). If it’s not done (or to our satisfaction), we’ll call the bond,” Marino said. He added that he did not want to the situation to go that far, but “enough’s enough.”

In other business
• A proposed budget work session will be held Nov. 9 at 7 p.m.
• The supervisors approved a conditional use request for New Cingular Wireless doing business as AT&T Mobility. The applicant was looking to upgrade the existing site – at 1251 Bridge Road -- to be compatible with the rollout of the 4G network, according to a presentation by attorney Nicholas Cuce. The approval allows for three antennae to be added to the nine already on the site’s tower and additional equipment on the ground.
“The footprint of coverage will not change,” and the changes will not interfere with radio emergency service and other electronics and services in area, according to testimony. All levels of electromagnetic emissions are within FCC limits, Cuce reported.
• The supervisors approved the Phase 2 Bond Reduction #6 for Biltmore Estates development ($111,990.90)
• Following Dan Cornell’s* resignation as fire marshal and emergency management coordinator, the supervisors approved splitting the position and appointed Jeff Brockett as emergency management coordinator and Josh Kratz as fire marshal.
Marino complimented Cornell’s work on the job, but said the position has been split because it is too much for one person.
• The board authorized bidding for two electronic signs for Routes 73 and 113. The township will use the signs to communicate news about local businesses, community events and even emergency notices.
There is currently no limitation on size of sign, Marino said in response to a resident’s question.
“Price will dictate that,” he added.

*Full disclosure: Yes, he’s my brother.