By John Chambless
Staff Writer

Franklin Township, among many other townships, is grappling with implementing the Department of Environmental Protection's MS4 program that is intended to reduce the nitrates, phosphates, sediments and bacteria in streams.

At their May 17 meeting, the Board of Supervisors welcomed Shane Morgan of the White Clay Wild and Scenic organization to examine the complex issue. The township is participating in a collaborative effort with neighboring municipalities to accomplish more effective projects and share costs. The partners are West Grove and Avondale boroughs, and London Grove and New London townships. London Britain has applied for a waiver for MS4, but their representatives have been attending meetings regarding the issue.

Morgan summarized projects that have widespread appeal, such as stream restorations. She summed up the goals of the collaboration, which are understanding stream loads, implementing best management practices, and reducing total maximum daily loads.

On May 18, municipal engineers and the project team discussed the load responsibility for each township and how projects will be identified. Morgan and Ellen Kohler will be at the June Board of Supervisors meeting to discuss the outcome of the collaboration so far. Morgan also encouraged residents to sign up for the Catch the Rain program, which gives those located in the White Clay Watershed grant money to install some of the recommended best management practices, such as rain barrels, in their own yards. Visit www.whiteclay.org/catchtherain.

In other business, the board discussed the eight deer treatment stations the township currently owns. The stations have posts that are treated with tick-killing permethrin. When deer put their heads through the posts to feed on the corn inside, their ears are treated with the chemical, reducing the number of ticks feeding on them and reducing the spread of Lyme disease in the region. The township will purchase corn for residents to pick up and use in stations they may install on their properties.

A total of 10 residents host feeders. Two residents have purchased theirs privately. There are two residents on a waiting list, and the supervisors feel that more people will want a feeder if they are aware of the program. The board agreed to purchase four more stations. To host one of the two available feeders, contact the township office at 610-255-5212 or email [email protected].

During public comment, a resident pointed out the condition of the closed Basics gas station in Kemblesville. The board agreed to have the township cut the overgrown grass at the site since the building's owners cannot be reached at this time.

For information about township events, visit www.franklintownship.us.

To contact Staff Writer John Chambless, email [email protected].