Further Adventures in Political Involvement

As I was leaving the Cinnaminson Twp. Committee meeting last week, I stopped to look at the bulletin board that held the schedules for various committee and board meetings, and noticed there was a meeting of the historical commission the next day.

I wasn't sure of just what exactly they did, so the next afternoon I went to see John Marshall (zoning officer) just before the scheduled meeting time. We had a nice chat about local architecture, and I got to tell him about finding the original house plans for my house and many others in the area. They were considered "carpenter gothic revival," and the plans were designed by Alexander Jackson Davis and Andrew Jackson Downing, who were partners and known for the style. He said I had picked a good time to ask about the historical commission - the meeting that day was one of the only ones they've held all year, and it was for a very specific reason.

The developer and architect for the Cinnaminson Home site were there that afternoon to show their design plans to the commission and make sure that what they envisioned was in tune with the historical nature of the site. I must say that I was pleased with the site drawings and artist renderings of the proposal.

I was even more pleased with the questions asked by the commission, and the answers given by the planners. For instance, John Marshall made some suggestions about what type of siding would be used, and seemed pleased that the brick face on part of the structure would be actual brick and not just a masonry veneer made to look like brick.  

Back in October, I had gone to a meeting that was attended by many of the residents of the Rolling Green neighborhood who were concerned about how the project would affect the sewer system and stormwater issues near the site. My concerns were similar, but in relation to the effects on the Pompeston Creek. Lucky for the creek, Fran Leusner, who sits on the historical commission is also a member of the board of trustees of the Pompeston Creek Watershed Association. He asked the same questions I would have about how they were planning on handling stormwater and associated drainage issues.

While the response was pretty generic, it opened the door for me to introduce myself to Jason Konek, the executive director of Project Development for Lutheran Social Ministries of NJ. Mr. Konek is very open to working with the PCWA in making sure that the retention basin is landscaped properly with native plant species, and is interested in hearing about rain gardens, rain barrels and other ways to handle rain and snow melt in ways that are best for the creek. God bless you, Fran! (I had to give him a kiss on the cheek after the meeting - I think I scared him!)

It would have been nice if all of those people who had such strong feelings about this site back in October had been aware of this presentation to the historical commission. The fact that I stumbled into being there through dumb luck and coincidence only increases my determination to stay on top of township business. I plan to check out the meeting schedule at the township building more frequently, and get to as many board and committee meetings as I can. I strongly encourage EVERYONE to do the same! All political differences aside, the upshot is that we all want what's best for the most people here in town. 

For those of you who objected to me posting about local politics before the election, and telling me that i had a record of veering off topic - that this is supposed to be a blog about the watershed: now, more than ever, the actions of local government and all township residents impact the creek and the watershed in countless ways. Remember, "We all live downstream!"