North Coventry Townshipn e w s l e t t e r f o r

Rebekah Elliott | Newly Elected Supervisor

spring 2012

Rebekah Elliott is the Rebekah shares her love of music with her The potential development along the Route sixth of ten children church. 100 corridor is a concern. The installation of born to Ruth and Frank at least one traffic light with road construc-In 2007, Rebekah was appointed and later Elliott, Jr. Being raised tion to alleviate a blind spot dip in the road elected as the North Coventry Middle with strong family may reduce the number of accidents at the Precinct's Republican Committeewoman. values, four tenets were Hoffecker Road intersection.She serves as a Notary Public and is the instilled in the clan: 1)

first woman elected Township Supervisor As the first woman to serve as a supervisor in Christianity, 2) family loyalty, 3) education, in North Coventry being sworn in January North Coventry Township, what unique and 4) work ethics. All ten children 3, 2012.

perspective do you think you can bring to the graduated from Owen J. Roberts High In the following interview, Rebekah shares board? I feel honored that my community School and attained college degrees. Five, more of her ideas and insights with the including Rebekah, went on to earn a elected me to this office, and I hope this Township:Master's Degree. paves the way for other women. A big fan of

gardens, natural habitats, and rural aesthet-As a board member what do you consider as the In ninth and tenth grades, Rebekah ics, I already support the North Coventry main issues facing the township and how do you participated on the Boys' Swim Team, as “style” recommended architecture of new hope to address them? Subdivision, land there was no Girls' Team at the time. She building, tree placement, ornamental garden development, and conditional use of the was a member of the Cheerleading squad in plants, open space, and parks. I'd like to keep properties would be among the main issues. her junior and senior years and the Track North Coventry the beautiful place it is.However, the priority could change at a Team throughout high school. Rebekah went

moment's notice, for example, in the case of on to Lock Haven State College to pursue a Each supervisor brings his/her own skill, talents,

floods or power outages. I will make Bachelor's Degree in Health and Physical and experience to the table. What do you think decisions based on being kept current on Education. At Lock Haven, she held seven will be your best attributes and most applicable issues, receiving and studying information swimming and diving records in one year, skills as a supervisor? I know there are two packets prior to meeting, assessing presenta-and qualified for the AIAW National Swim sides (maybe more) to each issue. I want to tions, considering public input, listening, Championships in Gainesville, Georgia her consider all the information before making a learning from my fellow board members' senior year. decision that may affect thousands of people. questions, asking my own questions, and

Rebekah's work experience includes I intend to be fair and impartial to the finally, voting in a manner that I conclude teaching, coaching Special Olympics, and extent I can, given the variables to consider will best serve the needs of the community.supervising programs in the Individuals with

in each circumstance, to do the most good What are you goals for the township? North Developmental Disabilities field for about

for the majority of the people.Coventry is blessed with expert professionals twenty years. She was an Education and volunteers who know their jobs and are Manager and Trainer for ten years at a If there is one quote you would choose to have dedicated in doing them well. Based on this, Human Services organization. Rebekah also included, what would it be? “There is a lad I want to facilitate their efforts with votes on served as a coach for high school, summer here which hath five barley loaves and matters that will support their endeavors league, and YMCA swim teams. For two small fishes; but what are they that have environmental and fiscal benefits, seventeen years Rebekah has officiated at among so many?”and maintain/enhance our quality of life in PIAA T&F, as well as Swimming and Diving

John 6:9North Coventry.competitions. In addition, Rebekah finds time to teach piano. As a candidate you had mentioned preserving

open space and improving traffic mobility. What Rebekah attends Coventry Church of the are your chief traffic concerns? Brethren where she has served one three-

year term on the board. Singing alto in the Chancel Choir and playing the piano for the Treble (children's) Choir

Boatmen of the Girard Reach of the Schuylkill Canelby E. Spencer Claypoole, Historical Commission Chairman

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As residents of North Coventry Reuben Bunn was the oldest of the survivor of the former prosperous days Township, we are fortunate to have three brothers, born in 1830. Reuben at Pottstown Landing, when that point such interesting history. In the last worked on the canal for 42 years. His was both a port of call and also a boat township newsletter, I wrote about boat, 'Manatawny', was made by local building location.' Those prosperous the iron ore industry of northern boat builder, John Call, whose business days to some extent coincided with Chester County and how families was located on the southwest side of the busy years of the township's who lived along or at the base of the canal off of South Hanover Street. charcoal making, in the 1850's, 1860's, Chestnut Hill played a crucial part in Reuben was the first of the brothers to 1870's. In 1857, the township this industry by building charcoal die, February 25, 1905. The younger conducted a census in which other hearths and making charcoal needed two brothers, Harrison, born boatmen, including Reuben Bunn, to fire the forges and furnaces in November 13, 1836, and Solomon, were named. They were George neighboring townships. The born in 1840, attended the Pottstown Alexander, George Ingham, William Schuylkill Canal that spans four and a Landing School House in the early Reinard, with homes in Pottstown half miles through our township 1850's when Rebecca Price, who Landing, and Jesse Rhoads and generated, like the iron ore industry, married George Wanger, was the Ethanon Wells of Cedarville. There employment, business and village school teacher. The family names of are township residents who have growth. Our area of the canal was Price and Wanger have a long history boatmen in their ancestry. Mrs. Betty known as the Girard Reach. It in our township. Harrison Bunn was a Wanner Hohl of Cedarville had a opened in 1824 to a day of celebra- boatman for 35 years. He first went on great grandfather, Mr. Kirschner. He tion. Boats continued to be a part of the canal under Captain Jacob was from Port Clinton, Schuylkill the scenery until 1928. At that time Troutman, whose boat was the County, from where he hauled supplies canal traffic stopped. It is known that 'Reindeer.' Later, Harrison was a in a barge up and down the canal and the National Historic District, partner in the boat Pottstown Landing, owed its existence 'Seven Brothers.' Doing to the canal. Pottstown Landing grew well as a boatman, in along Laurelwood Road, a major 1870 Harrison was able thoroughfare of traffic to points north to buy a house at 396 and south. Because of canal activity, Laurelwood Road in the village within a few years housed Pottstown Landing. two veterinarians who cared for the There he raised his mules that pulled canal boats. There family. Harrison retired was a barn to house mules, especially about fifteen years before over the winter when the canal was his death in 1908. The frozen; there was a boarding home for youngest of the three boatmen; homes for boatmen and brothers, Solomon, was their families; there were boat born in 1840. He was the portions of the Schuylkill River. He builders, and wharves to load and last of the brothers to die, on February took his daughter, Mazie, born 1886, unload goods. 15, 1912. Solomon spent 41 years on on some of these canal trips. Mazie

the canal. He made his home along Kirschner married Lewis B. Reifsnyder Canal boatmen were often from local

River Road in the South Pottstown of a local Montgomery County family, families. Like the Chestnut Hill collier

area. On his kitchen wall he recorded and the family lived on South families, canal boats were often

the high water marks of the Schuylkill Hanover Street.manned by members of the same or

River flooding. There were at least related families. One of these families

two: in 1894 and 1902. Besides The period of time 1840 to 1860 is of boatmen was the Bunn family.

boating on the canal Solomon was also of historical importance in our Three brothers of this family spent all

known to captain sailing vessels along township as the Free Love Valley together 118 years in the boating

the Atlantic coast between New York religious movement took place in business. The brothers were three of

and southern ports. With his brother, those years. The history of Free Love eleven children born to Elizabeth

Solomon also had a financial interest Valley and the Battle Axes, as they Bunn who, born in 1802, lived 74

in the canal boat 'Seven Brothers.' were known, will be the subject of my years, dying on August 14, 1876.

Upon his death an obituary noted next newsletter article. Elizabeth's house was probably along

'Solomon Bunn is now about the only River Road.

Police Department Information

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seatbelts or be secured in a child restraint. It is now a primary offence if you are not wearing your seatbelt and you are under the age of 18. This means if you are under the age of 18 and you are in a vehicle and not wearing your seatbelt, officers can stop the vehicle and cite you for this offence with no other violation needed. The main goal of traffic enforcement is to ensure that all travelers get to their destinations safely; officers are out on the road to help ensure this happens. Some crashes are unavoidable but it is always best to be prepared for a crash and protect yourself and the It is again the season when more people are hitting the ones you love by making sure everyone is safely secured in road in their vehicles heading off to their destinations to the vehicle. If you have questions on your child restraint feel enjoy the spring and summer weather. With more people free to contact our office and someone will help to answer on the road during this season it is even more important your questions. Also you can make an appointment to have to make sure everyone is buckled up in your vehicle.your child restraint checked for proper usage by one of the departments three certified installation technicians by calling On an average day 117 people die in the U.S. due to the main number of the North Coventry Township Police motor vehicle crashes, which is roughly 1 death every 12 Department at (610)323-8360. minutes. Many of these deaths are due to the occupants

not wearing their seatbelts or improper use of restraints at - On Thursday March 8, 2012 the new texting law went the time of the crash therefore, some of these deaths could

into effect making it illegal to text on a cellular telephone be avoidable. There are many myths revolving around while operating a reasons why an occupant in a vehicle may not want to motor vehicle.wear their seatbelt and that they feel safer not wearing it.

The most common myth is that people feel it is safer to be - As the warm thrown from the vehicle instead of being trapped inside a

weather quickly vehicle that has crashed in water or a vehicle which has approaches the caught on fire. Studies have shown these myths false. police department Actually you are four times more likely to be killed in a

crash if you are thrown from your vehicle and less than ½ reminds all of all crashes involve water or fire. residents to

ensure that their As a driver you are the one in control of the vehicle, residences are which means you are to make sure everyone in your secure by locking vehicle is safely secured with either a seatbelt or child doors and windows while you are away for the day or on safety seat. Children must be restrained in your vehicle at vacation. The police department offers vacation checks to all times in a proper child restraint. Studies now suggest residents who are away by contacting the police that the safest place in your vehicle for a child up to the department during regular office hours. age of two is in a rear facing child restraint system. Children should stay in a proper car seat until at least the - One of the easiest ways to prevent theft from motor age of 4 when they than can be moved into a booster seat vehicles is by ensuring that your vehicle windows are up (note: different child restraints have different height and and doors are locked.weight ratings for each seat so make sure you check the child restraint manual for proper application). Properly - Effective March 13, 2012, the North Coventry Police installing a child restraint is just as important as buckling Department transitioned to Montgomery County your child up. Make sure you read the child restraint Emergency Services for our dispatch services. For non-manual for your child restraint before it is used along with emergencies the new dispatch contact number is (610) your vehicle's manual to ensure you are properly placing 327-1441. For emergencies please dial 911.the child restraint in the safest position in the car. Also the safest place for any child under the age of 13 is in the Have a safe and happy spring/summer season.back seat of the vehicle.

Sincerely,In the state of Pennsylvania it is the law that all occupants Chief Robert A. Schurrin any moving motor vehicle MUST be wearing their

TOWNSHIP OFFICE845 S. Hanover Street

Phone: 610-323-1694 Fax: 610-323-7239The Township building and police administrative offices are open

Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

North Coventry Directory

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Board of Supervisors Historical Commission Township Manager Police Departmentnd th rd2 & 4 Mondays 7pm 3 Thursday 7pm Kevin Hennessey For all police, fire and

Harvey Greenawalt, Jr. Medical emergencies: dial E. Spencer Claypoole, 610-323-1694Chairman 911 ChairmanJames Marks, III non-emergenciesIsabel Rosewarne Financial OfficerVice-Chairman call 610-323-8360Mary Ann Davidheiser Debbie GiordanoAndrew J. Paravis Fax: 610-326-2925Joan Cleveland 610-323-1694E. Spencer Claypoole Pat SmithRebekah Elliott Police ChiefAlice Sharp Administrative Assistant

Robert SchurrGladys McGrath Lois LucasPlanning Commission 610-323-8360Cheryl Barr 610-323-1694

rd3 Wednesday 7pm Louise GriffithsPolice Administration Jay Kline, Chairman Building Code Manager Pat Washburn, Open Space /Zoning OfficerAnn GeryVice-Chairman Review Board Deborah Russo

th 610-323-8360Dennis Gallino 4 Tuesday 7pm 610-323-1694David Mariano Chris Washburn,

Pennsylvania GamePhyllis Chambers Chairman Road Department Commission:James White Andy Paravis Joe Wood, Road Master 610-926-3136Susan Deegan-Watson Rick Kirk

Zoning Hearing Board Phyllis Chambers Steve Shillingernd th District Justice2 & 4 Thursdays E. Spencer Claypoole Dave Bertolet

James DeAngeloAs needed 7pm John Ellwanger Howie Wagner610-469-1910Albert Wrigley, Chairman Dave Rishel

Richard SchelerMunicipal

State SenatorVice-ChairmanAuthority Real Estate

44th District Virginia Lebon th Tax Collector4 Tuesday 7:30pmJohn RaffertyEd DiCesare

Nance SparksJay Meloy, Chairman610-469-8390Charles G. Stacks

610-970-0334Dennis HullmannGlen Hoff-Alt

Robert W. Barlow State RepresentativeRichard Armstrong Fire Department 26th DistrictParks And Recreation

Norco Firehousest Tim Forester Tim Hennessey1 Wednesday 7:30pmJames D. Scheffey Solicitor 610-323-3263 610-326-2626Jay Erb, ChairmanSteve Dunning, Manager Fire Dept FaxMichael Trahey

610-327-0714 Chester CountyJeremy DaltonWater Authority Court House:Colleen Skelton

rd 3 Monday 7pm Fire Marshal 800-692-1100John EllwangerDennis Hullmann, Ron ComtoisDavid EdlemanChairman 610-323-1694 OJR School DistrictSteve WeilTimothy Forester 610-469-5100Barry Boettlin Fire ChiefEnvironmentalMike Gammon Terry HippleAdvisory Council

rd W.E. Wampler3 Wednesday 6:30pmKeith Learn EmergencyAdam Sager, Chairman Ken Bickel ManagementFred WinterJames D. Scheffey Solicitor Randall RichterBill CannonSteve Dunning, Manager Kim White 610-323-4663

Visible Residential Address Numbering | It could be a matter of life and death

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North Coventry Township is taking applications for Volunteers for Planning Commission (one position), Parks and Recreation (two positions), Historical Commission (one position) and the Environmental Advisory Council (two positions) Please fill in the Application below and submit it to the Township Office.

1. Name: __________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Address: ________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Phone No.-Day: Phone No.-Evening: ____________________________________

4. E-Mail Address: FAX No.: _________________________________________

5. Years Resident of North Coventry Township: Of Pottstown Area: ________

6. Can you provide any references of elected or appointed Township officials? ____________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

7. Relevant Community Service Experience: ______________________________________________________________

8. Do you have any affiliations that might create a conflict of interest? If so, please explain. _________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

9. Education and Training: _____________________________________________________________________________

10. Current Employment and Location: ____________________________________________________________________

11. Familiarity with North Coventry's Ordinances: ___________________________________________________________

12. Availability to attend meetings on evenings of each month:__________________________

13. Why do you wish to become a member of the ____________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signed: _______________________________________________________

Please attach a resume, if available.

Application for Volunteer Commission Positions

NORTH COVENTRY TOWNSHIP | 845 S. Hanover St. Pottstown, PA 19465

North Coventry Township has implemented a program by which all properties must be addressed. The 2009 International Property Maintenance Code, Section 304.3, which was adopted by North Coventry Township, states that all properties in the township shall have approved address numbers placed in a position to be plainly legible and visible from the street or road fronting the property. The address numbers shall be a minimum of four (4) inches high and a minimum of ½” in width. The numbers shall contrast with their background.

Reflective address numbers are recommended so all emergency responders could find your house number a lot easier in the nighttime hours. Most address numbers that are existing on properties cannot be seen after dark. The goal of the Township Code Enforcement Office is that all residential properties will have an address that is visible and can be seen no matter what hour of the day or night. The reflective address numbers can be purchased from the NORCO Fire House or any home improvement center. All residences need to be visibly addressed no later than May 31, 2012.

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reenUp Your Lawn Not Your Lakes & RiversGPhosphorus turns lakes and rivers green. Phosphorus You may be fertilizing more than your grass.stimulates the growth of algae in lakes and rivers. This crowds out other water plants and reduces oxygen available to The storm drain in your street is a link to our lakes and fish. The result is unattractive, foul-smelling water that is bad rivers. The choices you make when caring for your lawn for fish, wildlife, and humans. directly affect water quality.

Nitrogen, not phosphorus, greens up grass. Phosphorus-free A common cause of lake and river pollution is phosphorus lawn fertilizer still contains nitrogen, the plant nutrient that runoff. In response to this, many manufacturers now offer greens up grass.phosphorus-free lawn fertilizer. Although phosphorus is

important for grass growth, many lawns have adequate soil To keep our lakes and rivers healthy,we need to manage phosphorus and do not need further phosphorus phosphorus carefully. Read on to learn how you can reduce fertilization. If you suspect your lawn is in need of phosphorus runoff from lawn fertilizers and other sources!phosphorus, soil test first to make sure before using a

phosphorus lawn fertilizer.

Anything that enters a storm drain goes to a local lake or river.

The pick ups will start in April, May and June and then again for the months of September, October and November. Township workers will, for a fee as set forth below, pickup at roadside piles of yard waste which will be ground up and transported for recycling. Applications must be filed by the last week of the preceding month.

Yard Waste Pick Up Per Roadside Pile Senior Citizens (60 and above) $25 $20

___________________________________________________________________________________

Location: _____________________________________________________________________________________________

Property Owner: _______________________________________________________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Material: ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Circle One, for pick up during the week of

th th th th st th April 9 May 7 June 4 September 10 October 1 November 5

THESE RULES MUST BE FOLLOWED OR PILES WILL BE REJECTED!

Name of Applicant: __

Application for

Yard Waste Pick-Up

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N O R T H C O V E N T R Y T O W N S H I P

1. No clearing of woods. 6. Sort branches by size and stack on piles.

2. No old firewood. 7. Hardwoods size limit (Oak, birch, maple, mulberry) 12 foot long, 6 inches diameter.3. No lumber or building materials. 8. Piles no more than 4 foot high, out by Monday of 4. No metal, nails, screws, or wire in any wood.collection week, 3 foot from road edge, butt end toward

5. Twigs 1 inch or smaller should be tied up (string or twine) road.in 12 inch x 4 foot bundles or placed in paper yard waste bags, flower bed waste in brown paper bags.

2011-2012 Deer Management Report

The Parks and Recreation commission deer management program completed its first season of deer hunting in Coventry

Woods. The season ran from September 12, 2011 till January 28, 2012. Eleven archery hunters participated in this initial

hunting program in Coventry Woods.

Hunters picked up applications at the township office and were required to submit them by August 1, 2011. All applicants

then had to take a proficiency test which was held at Frontier Archery located off of Chestnut Hill road. All qualified hunters

then attended a meeting held at the township building by the deer hunting committee and North Coventry Police to review

the hunting regulations in the park. All hunters received their permits which included a parking permit for their vehicle and

also the permit that they carry during the time spent in the park hunting. The hunters spent a total of 352 hours in the park

and harvested 1 doe and 2 buck.

The Parks and Recreation has begun to plan for this year's program and would like to have the updated regulations available

for the Coventry Woods Festival on May 22 and also as a download from the new North Coventry Parks and Recreation Web

Site. Again applications can also be pickup at the township office. Anyone interested in serving on the committee should

contact the township office for more information or attending our meeting held on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at the

township office at 7:30pm.

North Coventry Township845 S. Hanover StreetPottstown, PA 19465

Phone: 610-323-1694

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PresortedStandard MailU.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 50

West Chester, PA

4th Annual Coventry Woods Festival

Sunday, May 20th

FUN!! | FAMILY!! | FRIENDS!!

The Fourth annual Coventry Woods Festival will be held on Sunday, May 20, 2012 from 1 to 5 pm at the

Fernbrook Entrance to the Coventry Woods, intersection of St. Peters Road and Fernbrook

Lane. The festivities are sponsored by the Township Parks and Recreation Commission

and will be held rain or shine.

Bring family and friends to experience the former Camp Fernbrook which, through

the hard work of our Open Space Committee, has added such a wonderful gateway

to the over 600 acres of the Coventry Preserve. The event is truly a family affair with

food, music, games, and story telling for the children. Please join us for a ceremony

at 2:00 pm.

The Township Committees and Organizations will be sharing exhibits; perhaps you will

find an area of interest for which you would like to volunteer.