Environmental Advisory Council Meeting Minutes
June 9, 2026
7:00 PM
June 9, 2026
7:00 PM
Call to Order – the meeting was called to order at 7:07 pm
Attendees: Anne Duzan – Chair; Mike Irwin – Vice Chair; Lindsey Beacher; Cheryl Spaulding, Leslie Sheller; Debbie Town
Staff Attendees: Abbey Swan – Assistant Township Manager; JoEllen McBride – Sustainability Coordinator
Public Comment – No public comment
Minutes to consider: May 14, 2026
Ms. Duzan entertained a motion to approve the May 14, 2026 meeting minutes.
Ms. Sheller motioned.
Ms. Beacher seconded.
Vote: unanimous (6-0)
Old business:
Tree Ordinances Review
Ms. McBride presented a framing for the Tree Plan for our EAC based on the Penn State Extension guide for EACs. She went through the Sustainability Task Force Report and pulled out the relevant vision, goals, and objectives that we had already identified. The group discussed whether we should do a specimen or heritage tree assessment. Ms Beacher mentioned that she had done a tree assessment for Spackman Davis Farm and we could use this as a guide. The group decided to share the results of Ms. Beacher’s analysis with the public and encourage residents to identify their own specimen trees that we could evaluate. Ms. McBride will summarize the various objectives and goals from the Task Force Report so the group can come up with an Annual Work Plan for the year.
Newsletter topics update
The June newsletter topic will be written by Ms. Swan about water conservation. Ms. Beacher volunteered to write one for July. Ms. McBride is going to create Planner tasks and assign them to different council members so they get reminders for newsletter topics.
Catch the Rain Update
Ms. McBride reported that this is something we could share with residents. Residents and non-profits (schools, churches) can get rebates for installing stormwater reduction components.
Open Space Innovations update
Ms. McBride reported that this was about land trusts or farmers land trusts and if they would be something that municipalities in PA could do.
Sustainability website update
Ms. McBride said there are no updates.
New Business:
Upcoming Events
Ms Duzan shared a Biking Zoom Event from Chester County Planning Commission tomorrow night
Ms. Duzan is also attending a Meadow workshop event and will report on what she learns
Community Day September 12 – want to have an activity. Discussed the recycling game, the map where residents can identify sustainable actions that could be taken on their properties (could also be used to mark trees).
Lincoln Highway meeting on June 15th
Parks and Rec update/upcoming events
Clean up Crew – July 12th 10am
Art in the Park went well, lots of kids wanted to play with bugs
Discussed doing fairy homes at a future event
Sustainability Coordinator Updates
Food composting research
Ms. McBride reported on the results of her food composting research. There are 3 companies who all offer similar services for similar prices. The group is interested in having one do a workshop for EAC and residents on home composting.
GETSolar estimate/outreach
Ms. McBride and Ms. Swan reached out to GETSolar to find out which Township properties could have solar on the roof and which ones could be included on the bills. They came back with a $550 cost of the MOU.
Ms. Duzan entertained a motion to approve the $550 for the MOU from the EAC budget for GETSolar to begin work compiling a report on solar options for township properties.
Ms. Spaulding moved.
Mr. Irwin seconded.
Vote: unanimous (6-0)
Solarize Philly also asked for any commercial properties that may be interested in adding solar so the EAC will come up with some ideas so send to them.
New bike rack at Municipal Park
Discussed getting a nicer bike rack for the park either this year or next year to encourage residents to bike to the park.
Additional business
Ms Swan mentioned that they are being the process of seeding the rest of the meadow and will start a meadow in the rough on the golf course.
Ms. McBride mentioned that next meeting we will begin discussing next year’s budget.
Adjournment
Ms. Duzan entertained a motion to adjourn.
Ms. Town motioned.
Ms. Beacher seconded.
Vote: unanimous (6-0)
Meeting adjourned at 8:59pm
Attendees: Anne Duzan – Chair; Mike Irwin – Vice Chair; Lindsey Beacher; Cheryl Spaulding, Leslie Sheller; Debbie Town
Staff Attendees: Abbey Swan – Assistant Township Manager; JoEllen McBride – Sustainability Coordinator
Public Comment – No public comment
Minutes to consider: May 14, 2026
Ms. Duzan entertained a motion to approve the May 14, 2026 meeting minutes.
Ms. Sheller motioned.
Ms. Beacher seconded.
Vote: unanimous (6-0)
Old business:
Tree Ordinances Review
Ms. McBride presented a framing for the Tree Plan for our EAC based on the Penn State Extension guide for EACs. She went through the Sustainability Task Force Report and pulled out the relevant vision, goals, and objectives that we had already identified. The group discussed whether we should do a specimen or heritage tree assessment. Ms Beacher mentioned that she had done a tree assessment for Spackman Davis Farm and we could use this as a guide. The group decided to share the results of Ms. Beacher’s analysis with the public and encourage residents to identify their own specimen trees that we could evaluate. Ms. McBride will summarize the various objectives and goals from the Task Force Report so the group can come up with an Annual Work Plan for the year.
Newsletter topics update
The June newsletter topic will be written by Ms. Swan about water conservation. Ms. Beacher volunteered to write one for July. Ms. McBride is going to create Planner tasks and assign them to different council members so they get reminders for newsletter topics.
Catch the Rain Update
Ms. McBride reported that this is something we could share with residents. Residents and non-profits (schools, churches) can get rebates for installing stormwater reduction components.
Open Space Innovations update
Ms. McBride reported that this was about land trusts or farmers land trusts and if they would be something that municipalities in PA could do.
Sustainability website update
Ms. McBride said there are no updates.
New Business:
Upcoming Events
Ms Duzan shared a Biking Zoom Event from Chester County Planning Commission tomorrow night
Ms. Duzan is also attending a Meadow workshop event and will report on what she learns
Community Day September 12 – want to have an activity. Discussed the recycling game, the map where residents can identify sustainable actions that could be taken on their properties (could also be used to mark trees).
Lincoln Highway meeting on June 15th
Parks and Rec update/upcoming events
Clean up Crew – July 12th 10am
Art in the Park went well, lots of kids wanted to play with bugs
Discussed doing fairy homes at a future event
Sustainability Coordinator Updates
Food composting research
Ms. McBride reported on the results of her food composting research. There are 3 companies who all offer similar services for similar prices. The group is interested in having one do a workshop for EAC and residents on home composting.
GETSolar estimate/outreach
Ms. McBride and Ms. Swan reached out to GETSolar to find out which Township properties could have solar on the roof and which ones could be included on the bills. They came back with a $550 cost of the MOU.
Ms. Duzan entertained a motion to approve the $550 for the MOU from the EAC budget for GETSolar to begin work compiling a report on solar options for township properties.
Ms. Spaulding moved.
Mr. Irwin seconded.
Vote: unanimous (6-0)
Solarize Philly also asked for any commercial properties that may be interested in adding solar so the EAC will come up with some ideas so send to them.
New bike rack at Municipal Park
Discussed getting a nicer bike rack for the park either this year or next year to encourage residents to bike to the park.
Additional business
Ms Swan mentioned that they are being the process of seeding the rest of the meadow and will start a meadow in the rough on the golf course.
Ms. McBride mentioned that next meeting we will begin discussing next year’s budget.
Adjournment
Ms. Duzan entertained a motion to adjourn.
Ms. Town motioned.
Ms. Beacher seconded.
Vote: unanimous (6-0)
Meeting adjourned at 8:59pm
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