Radnor Township Environmental Advisory Council Meeting - August 19, 2026
Radnor Township Environmental Advisory Council Meeting - August 19, 2026
The Radnor Township Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) held its regular meeting on August 19, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Radnorshire Room. The meeting covered a wide range of environmental topics including air quality monitoring, textile waste reduction, energy conservation, tree preservation, and data center concerns. Key decisions included approving $100 for the Radnor Memorial Library seed bank, deferring a decision on purchasing air quality monitors, and advancing plans for future lectures and a community survey on gas leaf blowers.
Consent Calendar
- The minutes of the July 15, 2026, EAC meeting were approved unanimously by a show of hands.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Roberta Winters (326 Williams Road, Rosemont) requested that the EAC address the need for air quality monitoring. She proposed either purchasing PurpleAir PM2.5 monitors (costing about $300 each) from the EAC budget or endorsing broader air quality monitoring in Radnor Township. She noted that the Clean Air Council would help install monitors but needed locations. Following discussion, the Council agreed to defer the decision to the September meeting pending further research, with member Dan taking an action item to investigate.
- Ani Desai and Maggie McAndrew (co-founders of WearWell, a Radnor High School club focused on diverting clothes from landfills) presented a proposal to expand the existing Recloth Earth (now The Planet Foundation) clothing bin partnership. They noted that only one bin exists at Radnor Memorial Park with low visibility and suggested either better advertising or adding a bin at the Township Building. The EAC supported the idea and agreed to connect them with Molly Gallagher (Public Relations) to develop a promotional plan for the winter issue of the Radnor News and social media.
Discussion Items
- Municipal Energy Conservation & Electrification: The Township’s electric vehicle (EV) charging stations have avoided over 1,000 gallons of gasoline use by the fleet. Two hybrid Ford Explorer vehicles (for police detective and patrol units) are planned for purchase. Roof upgrades and solar panel installation at the Municipal Building are underway (roof work started July 2026; solar installation to follow). LED lighting upgrades at Municipal and Public Works buildings began August 2026. PECO has started crediting the Township for upgraded LED streetlights. An energy benchmarking ordinance draft is being prepared; a survey on building energy benchmarking was mailed to owners of buildings over 25,000 sq ft, with responses due September 4, 2026.
- Public Education & Lecture Series: The EAC discussed potential speakers for fall/winter. Mike Weilbacher offered to give a talk on monarch butterflies (honorarium $300) for either September 16 or October 1. Member Margie offered to give a free talk on climate change and diseases. Anjana proposed contacting Swarthmore College (composting) and Villanova University (sustainability). Bess suggested inviting Chanticleer. The Council leaned toward using free or lower-cost presenters. Mainline Network (Channel 21) offered to record lectures and air them; a sample recording will be shared.
- Air Quality Monitor Purchase: Roberta Winters' proposal was discussed at length. Initial cost for one monitor is $300. The Council noted that multiple monitors would be needed for meaningful data, and the EAC budget ($1,031 remaining) cannot support more than one. Dan will discuss with Township staff (Jim Riley, Kathy) about Township funding. A final decision is deferred to September.
- Radnor Memorial Library Seed Bank: Carol reported that the library needs financial support for materials (envelopes, printed materials). The EAC donated $500 earlier in 2026. After debate (some members felt costs were low), a vote approved $100 immediately, with the possibility of additional contribution later in the fall. The vote passed with Carol and Kathy dissenting. Members also agreed to help mobilize volunteers to sort donated seeds.
- Data Centers: The EAC discussed recent large data center proposals in nearby King of Prussia (4.5 million sq ft, now denied) and Governor Shapiro’s recent executive order on data center grid requirements. The Township is beginning preliminary work on a data center zoning ordinance; the EAC requested involvement to ensure environmental concerns (noise, water/energy use, air pollution) are addressed.
- Tree Preservation (Mature Tree Removal): Member Sven raised concerns that many residents are unaware of the Township’s tree removal and replanting obligations. He noted that tree service companies often do not inform homeowners about permits. Dan will action a review of the existing shade tree ordinance and coordinate with the Shade Tree Commission to improve outreach and enforcement. The Shade Tree Commission is already working on better enforcement and strengthening protections.
- Fenimore Pond Algae Overgrowth: Member Melissa updated that subsurface organic buildup (Pithophora) is worsening due to warm temperatures and low water. Pond skimming will occur in the next few weeks, followed by sediment testing and potential application of a phosphorus-binding product (Eurosorb). A long-term solution will require multi-year planning and funding via the Township’s unfunded parks capital budget.
- Gas Leaf Blower Phase-Out: The Board of Commissioners is taking a “wait and see” stance pending outcomes of Lower Merion and Narberth bans. Dan proposed setting aside a quarter-acre of municipal lawn for a “mow-no-blow” pilot to test mulch mowing of leaves. He also offered to draft a community survey on gas leaf blower phase-out, potentially including questions on tree removal. The Council supported the survey; Sven suggested adding questions about tree removal regulations. An incentive/rebate program for electric blowers was discussed but deemed tricky to implement.
- Other Updates:
- WearWell Clothing Bin: As above, promotional support agreed.
- Community Garden Soil Sampling: Bess reported that samples were collected from Skunk Hollow and Radnor mulch; results pending.
- Invasive Plant Management: A cross-organization volunteer program is being developed (with Radnor Conservancy, Shade Tree Commission, etc.) to maintain restoration projects.
- Route 30 Pollinator Corridor: Anjana has approached businesses (Boyd’s, Central Baptist Church, Villanova, Penn Medicine) to display Eco-Friendly Yard flags; also in contact with Stacey Ballard (EDA) for additional properties.
- Brooke Farm Trail Clearing: Alexander has cleared the upper half; a fallen tree remains. He will meet with HOA and residents to resolve a private property issue on the lower half.
- Compost Windrow Turner: Grant application pending; decision expected Q4 2026 or Q1 2027.
- EAC Website & Social Media: The Township prohibits separate social media accounts. The EAC will work with Molly Gallagher to post content on official Township channels. Anjana noted the Radnor News magazine has limited reach and urged more social media presence.
- Seed Library: $100 contribution approved (see Key Outcomes).
Key Outcomes
- Approved: Minutes of July 15, 2026.
- Approved (vote): $100 contribution to Radnor Memorial Library seed bank, with possibility of more later. (Carol and Kathy opposed; others in favor).
- Deferred: Purchase of PurpleAir air quality monitors to September meeting; Dan to research and discuss Township funding.
- Action Item: Dan will draft a community survey on gas leaf blower phase-out (and possibly tree removal knowledge) for review at the September meeting.
- Action Item: Dan will contact the Shade Tree Commission regarding tree removal ordinance outreach and enforcement.
- Action Item: Margie, Anjana, and Bess will identify free or low-cost speakers for the fall/winter lecture series.
- Action Item: Carol and Bess will coordinate with Molly Gallagher on promoting the WearWell clothing bin initiative via newsletter and social media.
- Action Item: The EAC will engage with the Township on a data center zoning ordinance to incorporate environmental protections.
- Next Meeting: The next EAC meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 16, 2026 (or as rescheduled; lecture date also pending).
Meeting Transcript
From the 15th of July meeting. Those in favor of approving the minutes raise hands, please. I don't see the left half of the We're we're all raising our hands. They're all we're all in. Yes. Okay. Thank you. Is there a member of the public there who would like to speak? Yes. Yes. So we have Roberta Winters. Good evening. I'm Roberta Winters, 326 Williams Road in Rosemont, Garrett Hill, Pennsylvania. I was I sent Okay. I'm sorry, I'm gonna have to rely on one of my colleagues to take notes on your presentation. The audio isn't very good. I did send a memo to all the members of the environmental committee, which basically states what I'm asking for, which is specifically requiring addressing the need for air quality monitoring. And I gave the rationale in my email and I suggested that the environmental advisory council might have a couple of choices. One is to use your additional monies that are still in the budget to purchase one or more purple air PM 2.5 monitors at a cost of about $300 each, or at least if you're not willing to spend the money, at least endorse the proposal that we do provide some additional air quality monitoring in Radner Township given the ongoing challenges we have in Delaware County with air quality and what appears to be increasing traffic for a variety of reasons. So I have a question. If we were to get these monitors and we find out, then what would the recommendation be? I think the recommendation might be to re-route traffic, perhaps to uh change uh traffic patterns to look at perhaps some of the sources that might be curtailed. The um I have a quick question, I follow up on that. The Clean Air Council would they help support in the monitoring of those devices and where would they be located? They will they offer to install them. We would have to find individuals who are willing to have them placed on their properties or institutions who would do the same. And I do not have that yet because I did not want to go there until we had an endorsement. I so uh Dan, do you have any other questions? Because I'm thinking we'd have to probably take you know do a little bit more investigation on this, right? And see if there's a little find out a little bit more about the Clean Air Council, what these devices entail, what did they prove? Are there studies that show aftermath and what the monitoring brings as far as action is concerned in other areas of Pennsylvania, you know, in other neighborhood, in other neighboring uh towns. I just think there has to be like more research done here on this before we vote on it, but that's just my opinion. Um Roberta, thank you so much. Uh I saw your email from August 13th uh concerning this matter. Um I would ask that the council uh be familiar with that uh email. Uh because uh Dan, we all have the Dan, we all have the email. We have it. We all have it. I provided uh hard copies to everyone this evening in case they did not get it through the email process. Dan, I can I can take this as an action item if you want to do some more follow-up in this arena if you if you want, it's Melissa Right. The question is is if we uh vote to purchase with our own money uh a uh 2.5 uh air monitor uh uh it's uh it'll be competing with other uh expenditures that we have to discuss for the rest of the year. Uh so we may to uh make a final decision at our September meeting instead of this meeting. That's fine. I'd be happy to work with Melissa in this area if if that's your pleasure. Okay, thank you, Roberta. Thank you so much. Dan, I on that note. I wanted to bring up the issue of our the emails coming to EAC going into the spam folder. Did you all get it directly or directly? Directly, mine always likes ends up in the spam folder.
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