Schuylkill supervisors memorialize conditional‑use decision, approve road, paving and service contracts and urge county to restore land‑use funding

The Schuylkill Township Board of Supervisors on June 8 adopted a written decision in Conditional Use case CU2026‑01 (1485 Valley Forge Road), approved multiple procurement and service agreements, and unanimously passed a resolution urging the Chester County Commissioners to restore county funding for land‑use planning, farmland and open‑space preservation, and park preservation programs eliminated in the county's 2026 budget.

Conditional use decision: Township Solicitor Michael Crotty summarized the board's draft decision following three hearings. The decision approves demolition of the tenant house, records the withdrawal of a request to fully demolish the barn, and permits limited demolition of designated non‑historic portions of the barn. Conditions of approval include requirements for structural assessments, financial security, submission of preservation plans during land development review, oversight by qualified preservation professionals and a structural engineer, and establishment of a preservation easement for the barn. Supervisor Danielle Jouenne moved to adopt the decision; Supervisor Devin Hager seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Resident Kieth Wickstrom provided comment on the tenant house during the public comment portion.

Contracts, permits and approvals: The board approved a slate of routine and project contracts by unanimous vote (motions typically moved by Chair Bob Cooney and seconded by Supervisor Devin Hager). Highlights included:

- Awarding the 2026–2027 Cape Seal Coat Project to Asphalt Maintenance Solutions for $102,469.10, subject to review and approval by the township solicitor and township manager. - Approving a $9,500 proposal from Bowman to prepare a Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF) grant application for the Township Line Road Bridge Project. - Authorizing a quote from KML Transport, LLC in the amount of $25,451.62 to upfit a 2026 police Chevrolet Tahoe. - Approving the 2026–2027 Crossing Guard Services agreement in an amount not to exceed $25,193.70. - Approving a land operating agreement with Hougar Farms LLC for meadow maintenance at 930 Valley Forge Road for the period June 1, 2026–May 31, 2027. - Approving a proposal for a cultural resource preliminary analysis of the historic structures at 930 Valley Forge Road by Richard Grubb & Associates for $7,404.00. - Approving an iNaturalist event at Sedgley Farms for July 17–19, 2026 and a Wawa permit for a "Schuylkill Township Established 1826" sign at 799 Valley Forge Road. - Ratifying a disbursement of $937.60 to The Party Center and approving the treasurer's report noting a General Fund balance of about $6.6 million.

Appointments and committees: The board appointed Earl Cram as the township representative to the Phoenixville Regional Trail Committee.

County funding resolution: The board unanimously approved Resolution #2026‑15 urging the Chester County Commissioners to restore and fully fund county land‑use planning, farmland, open‑space and park preservation programs that were eliminated in the county's 2026 budget.

Why it matters: The conditional‑use decision places preservation requirements on redevelopment at 1485 Valley Forge Road, and the procurement approvals move several capital and operational projects toward implementation. The resolution signals the township's policy position at the county level on land‑use preservation funding.

Next steps: The conditional‑use written decision will be distributed and is subject to appeal under applicable law; staff will complete contract reviews and proceed with implementation steps where required.