Environmental Advisory Council Meeting Minutes - February 10, 2026

February 10, 2026 @ 7pm

This meeting was held in person at the Township building.

• Call to Order: Meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm
• Attendees: Anne Kadar-Duzan, Mike Irwin, Debbie Town, and Cheryl Spaulding
• Staff Present: Abbey Swan
• Guests Present: Twp. Manager Don Vymazal and Commissioner Adam Thomas
• Public Comment: None
• January 13, 2026 Minutes: Approved Unanimously
• New Business:
  • Main Line Health Energy Efficiency Letter

Ms. Swan provided an overview of the EAC members’ comments regarding Main Line Health’s Energy Efficiency letter. Mr. Irwin helped interpret documentation about the Green Globe Certification which is the standard that MLH aims to achieve with this building. He also called out some specific questions regarding transportation, eventual de-construction, water, and other items mentioned in their plans. Ms. Duzan asked about intended seed mixes for the stormwater basins. She also suggested landscaping changes for the stormwater spreading system (BMP). Ms. Town pointed out that the letter was addressed to the “Downingtown EAC.”
Mrs. Spaulding motioned to acknowledge the letter that was received and send the questions as discussed. Motion passed unanimously.

• Invasive Plant Management

Ms. Duzan suggested that the EAC establish a group to tackle invasive plants similar to the Clean Up Crew that Parks and Recreation created. The group could tackle various public locations at a few events throughout the year. She reported that the Parks and Recreation group was enthusiastic about the idea. The group discussed focusing on a single species and including an educational component. Mr. Irwin asked about liability and Ms. Swan will ask for a copy of Penn State Extension’s volunteer policies for these events. It was agreed to start with one event at Spackman farm for this year.
Ms. Duzan motioned to establish an invasive removal group and beginning with an event at the Spackman Davis Farm. The Motion passed unanimously. 

• Other 2026 Events

Ms. Duzan started an event idea spreadsheet in the shared folder. The group was enthusiastic about hosting a seed-collection event in the meadow in the fall. Ms. Swan mentioned a previously-proposed moth identification event which could be co-hosted with the Master Watershed Stewards. Ms. Duzan suggested adding a “Science in the Park” event series similar to Art in the Park.
Ms. Swan also mentioned potential for EAC involvement in general township events – specifically Clean Up Weekend, Clean Up Crew, and Community Day.
Commissioner Thomas suggested that the EAC could distribute their own sustainability awards (i.e. best development plan, best native plant garden, etc.)

• Old business:
  • Winter Sowing Recap – All agreed the event went well. Ms. Swan is compiling attendee survey responses for the next meeting. About half of the people who signed up attended. Mr. Irwin suggested pre-drilling the containers if we do the event again. He also pointed out that the event checked three boxes from our Sustainability Report: Outreach, Native Plants (biodiversity), and reuse of plastic containers (economic sustainability). Ms. Town asked what, short of charging a small amount, we could do to ensure that people show up. Ms. Duzan pointed out that the weather was also brutal and that probably impacted attendance. Mr. Irwin pointed out that the timing was good because there aren’t many events in February.
  • Review Rubric Update – Mr. Irwin motioned to table the rubric discussion. Motion passed unanimously.
  • Commissioner Thomas presented an overview of the land development and zoning process as background information for the EAC members.
• Additional Business:
  • Mr. Irwin suggested adding a question about re-certification plans to the Main Line Health letter.

Ms. Town motioned to add a question regarding re-certification plans to the Main Line Health letter. The motion passed unanimously.

• Adjournment – Meeting adjourned at 9:05 pm.