Skippack Supervisors to Blooming Glen: Continue Public Improvements

The Skippack Board of Supervisors decided to refuse Blooming Glen’s request to postpone some Phase II public improvements to Biltmore Estates; no vote was needed during the April 11 meeting at the .

According to township Engineer Timothy Woodrow, the multi-million-dollar Phase II bond was posted personally (by Blooming Glen) in order to cover public improvements. However, houses in the development have not sold quickly enough to recoup expenses. The improvements include estate sign masonry and property fences.

Before announcing a decision, Supervisors Chair Mary Beth La Belle asked her fellow board members, “What do you think?”
“Build it!” chorused several residents in attendance.

During the meeting, the request came nearly upon the heels of Biltmore residents asking about the project’s pace, and noting some of the work that still needs to be done.

One resident pointed out the lack of landscaping in the development, and said grass hasn’t grown because it was planted July 2011 “when we were in the middle of a dry spell.”

As far as the overall work, “we’re 85-90 percent there with what we were promised,” the resident said.

Woodrow said he agreed with those statements, but up to this point in time, “some of (the) emphasis has been on the bigger items. We’re getting to the point when we can focus on finer details.”
The bigger items include paving roads, trails and cleanup at the pocket park.

“The expectations are not unrealistic.” The time we’re taking to get there is frustrating all of us, Woodrow said.
The Biltmore project is “not profitable” for H&K [Haines and Kibblehouse; Blooming Glen is a subsidiary of that company].
“When they have a better job to do, they do that, and then they come back and deal with us.”

“It sounds like this contract doesn’t have a timeframe in it,” the resident said. “I know this wouldn’t have happened without (the contractors). If they signed this contract without profit, (that was their decision).”

Board member Franco D’Angelo also said he agreed with the residents’ complaints. “This is my community too, (I want it to look nice.)”

“We’re appreciative of all the efforts the board puts in, but we’re wondering what the timeframe is,” the resident responded.

In other business:

• Prior to Wednesday’s meeting, the board had executive session regarding the township’s website provider and litigation involving a Skippack resident.

• Planner Joseph Zadlo said a rough draft of the new township comprehensive plan will be available next month.

• A bi-annual newsletter will be published, and collecting articles right now. The newsletter will also be available on website.

• Recycling bins will be installed at within the next week or two.

• Librarian Aileen Johnson thanked the supervisors and the township for their continued support of the Perkiomen Valley library, and announced that summer activities for children and teens are being planned.