WEST MARLBOROUGH: Lots of township business, and a moment of silence

The West Marlborough Township supervisors got through quite a lot of business in their Oct. 7 meeting, but the most memorable part was the moment of silence in memory of Bernie Langer, who died Sept. 24. Fittingly, Chairman Bill Wylie called for the tribute during the public comment portion of the meeting, when Bernie would more often than not express his opinions. The uncharacteristic silence, and his empty chair in the second row, were poignant reminders of a spirited man who cared deeply about his community.
In his monthly report, zoning officer Al Giannantonio told the board that Ron Towber applied for a permit to build a two-car garage on his property in Springdell, but he needs to get a survey done to make sure he has adequate setback.
Building inspector Eddie Caudill reported that he issued certificates of occupancy for London Grove Friends Meeting for a shed and the Irelands for their renovated Springdell Road house. He also issued a building permit to the Sacks family on Richard Wilson Drive for HVAC work.
Mr. Giannantonio reported that he attended a workshop in Wagontown about the new state stormwater management regulations that municipalities were required to enact. He said the rules the West Marlborough planning commission crafted were the least onerous ones possible -- which was the township's goal. "By law, we couldn't have done less," he said. "There's no way we could be less restrictive."
Township resident Anna Myers alerted the board to a pothole on Newark Road, north of the intersection with Route 926. She was told to call the hotline for District 6 of the state Department of Transportation: 484-340-3200.
In a work session before the meeting, Mr. Wylie met with Mr. Caudill and Mr. Giannantonio to review the township's schedule of fees for obtaining permits. They concluded that many of the requirements could be eliminated, and they will work on preparing a revised list.
Also on Oct. 7 the township planning commission and Mr. Wylie met with township engineer Harry Roth to discuss making changes to the township's zoning ordinance so that it is compatible with the regional zoning ordinance approved in May by West Marlborough, East Marlborough, and Newlin Townships. Mr. Roth recommended redoing the ordinance from scratch rather than just plugging in those changes. He suggested incorporating recent changes in state law that govern floodplain use, cellphone towers, riparian buffers (stream banks) and timber harvesting. Any such ordinance changes would have to be presented at a public hearing.
Finally, the supervisors noted that the November municipal meetings will be held on Monday, Nov. 3, because the first Tuesday in November (the usual meeting date) is Election Day, and the township building will be used as the polling place.