Tredyffrin Supervisors Vote Unanimously To Implement Stormwater Fee

TREDYFFRIN TWP —The residents spoke, and the Tredyffrin township supervisor listened.

The supervisor on Monday night voted unanimously in favor of implementing a stormwater fee.

The details, such as a timeframe and cost of the fee, have not yet been determined.

Joseph F. DiRocco, assistant township manager and finance director, said the plan is to hire an engineer to prepare a stormwater management report.

He said a new ordinance will be adopted and updates of a timeframe will be posted on the township website.

In the meantime, several projects to correct drainage issues will remain ongoing.

The vote came after two public hearings in which dozens of residents from all parts of the 19-square mile township shared stories about basement flooding and general frustrations of flooding when it rains.

The residents mostly favored the fee and spoke out against selling the township’s sewer plant for $75 million.

During the extreme weather conditions on Aug. 18 and 19 and Sept. 1 from Tropical Storms Fred and Ida, the township office received numerous calls from property owners about flooding and other issues.

A total of 12 inches of rain was reported in less than two weeks. Fred dumped 4 inches in 1.5 hours and 3.56 in one hour. Ida dumped more than 8 inches of rain.

The options to raise money to address stormwater issues were bonds, earned income tax, stormwater management fee and sale of the sewer system.

The supervisors on Monday night spoke for an hour and half, each providing their thoughts on the issues.

Dr. Julie Gosse, chairwoman, said the meeting Monday was the culmination of several public hearings in which residents provided recommendations to the board.

At the last hearing, residents from other townships came to advise the supervisors against selling the sewer system.

Here is a sampling of comments from the supervisors:

Matt Holt: “I am not opposed to a stormwater fee, and I am not for it either. The sewer sale solves a lot of our problems. Our sewer is in disrepair. We have a great staff that jumps on it.”

Sharon Humble: “I am in favor of a stormwater fee. It will be at a reasonable rate. I think it is one piece of the puzzle. We have other needs, including pension funds and fire companies.
If we sell the sewer system, we could do something big for our fire companies and EMS.”

Murph Wysocki: “I’m torn. Listen to the residents. We have to make sure we have the personnel to plow our roads. The $250 a year sewer fee is low. I do not oppose a stormwater fee. If I had to say good-bye to the sewer system, I would support the sale.”

David Miller: “I favor the stormwater fee, and I am opposed to the sale of the sewer system.”

Mark Freed: “I understand the allure of selling the sewer system. There has been a lot of talk about it being in disrepair. The stormwater fee will not be a huge amount of cash.”

K.S. Bhasker: “This has to do with the recommendations of the residents.”