I titled this post using the historical name of Delmont, Salem Crossroads. This is the perfect time to discuss this because: 1) There are positions opening up on the Planning Commission, 2) Delmont is soliciting proposals for Planing Consultants,and 3) There is a proposal to add another ball field to Shields Farm. 4) Delmont Council is going to discuss an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance to allow the Library to develop the site that was acquired for the new building.
Delmont has a poor planning history which I have been informed is not uncommon for Boroughs our size. However, just because something is common does not mean that it is an acceptable practice. One of the key problems is very few people including members of our Planning Commission do not understand the vital link between a Master Plan and Economic Development of a Community. I am not making this statement as a criticism toward our Planning Commission because the are doing an excellent job considering the Council and the People of Delmont have not given them the necessary tools to carry out their mission effectively. In fact after a conversation with one of the members of the Commission, I was left with the impression that he was not aware of how vital their work is to Delmont's future. He said, " I am not sure how important our commission is because most of the developable land in Delmont has been developed." This statement could not be further from the truth, but it is understandable since they do not have a Master Plan to work from. Our solicitor said at one time, "Oh, you could get a Master Plan if you wanted to spend $30,000" I do not know how accurate that figure is but that amounts to about $1.39 per resident a year for the next 10 years. I picked 10 years because this is an accepted time frame for the "life" of a plan. The last statement is not entirely true because a plan really is not to have an expiration date but is to be revised periodically in about 5 year increments. There will be on going maintenance costs with any plan but none will touch the amount required for the initial plan. The more though and information that goes into that the cheaper the minimal ongoing cost will be. Furthermore, with a set plan in place the acquisition and eligibility for future grants and assistance will be. As Carl Boyd mentioned at the last Council Meeting when he disbanded temporarily the property development committee that certain property issues that would have cost the Borough over $30,000 with absolutely no immediate benefit and questionable and vague future benefit. Note: If any of my fellow Council members would say that this last statement is untrue or not fair then they have some information that I was not given. When all the information that has been provided to me is considered, the statement is absolutely true. I just want to concede that there may be information that was not shared with me.)
Delmont lost a historical society. A historical landmark in Delmont lost a vital part of its structure. If it wasn't for a group of brothers 33 years ago Delmont would have lost the property that has become the parklet. There was a person who wanted to put a auto repair shop on that piece of property, but the group sold a much more valuable piece of commercial property at a loss so that that eye sore would not be part of the Delmont downtown landscape. These are all areas that are addressed in a Master Plan.
Recent history also sheds light on the importance of a Master Plan. The issue about selling the Borough Building. The conflict over the Speedway property. Even Sewerage issues that we are having can be addressed by the Master Plan.
I mentioned that the Council is planning to change the zoning ordinance so that the Library can build on the property acquired for that purpose. I am a strong support of the Library Project, I am just concerned about the unintended consequences of the way we are planning to proceed without a Master Plan.
As far as Shield's Farm is concerned, I believe that ALL Development needs to stop until a Master Plan is developed and accepted. The unintended consequences could be Delmont becoming the center for Little League Tournaments.Is this a bad thing? Personally it would not be top on my list but more importantly than that this is not the reason that the reason that the Snyders and Ewings gave that property to the Borough. I have stated before that I have first hand knowledge of the negotiations that made that land available for our community. I have even talked to the daughter of Fred Ewing. Her statement was that her dad probably wouldn't have minded "a ball field" on the property for children since he was a school teacher and loved children. Well a definition of a ball field when he was alive and what has developed on the property are world's apart. Now having spent time hunting with Herbert Snyder and Judge Snyder they would not want any ball fields on the property. Judge Snyder's passion was trying to save the American Chestnut which unfortunately has become extinct. He dedicated many acres of his farm property in Bedford to this passion and attempting to bring the Chestnut back. Herbert and Judge Snyder were all about conserving and preserving nature and open space. They were also very interested in preserving farming ideals.
What now? I have added two more persons to my personal advisory committee. But the most important thing is we have to come together as a Borough and really decide what type of town we want into the future. Citizens across all ages and demographics need to try to find the time to offer their input. The Master Plan needs to connect with the values and visions of its citizens. No one person is going to be 100% satisfied with everything that will end up making its way into the plan, and many personal ideas and visions will need to be compromised for the benefit of our future. I am going to work at establishing out reach programs so every interested citizen is offered an opportunity to learn what goes into a plan and the benefits of planning. Here is the first step http://www.lincolninst.edu/education/online-education/ This Website offers free courses covering planning, zoning, and land use. I have completed the first course myself to gain some of the basic understanding of these subjects. The nice thing about a lot of these courses is they have segments of subject areas that are not dependent on the segments for understanding. This allows people to pick and choose segments of interest and segments that can be fit into available time.
What is the alternative? To continue in a hit or miss fashion that promises to cause conflict and dissent among the citizens of Delmont. To remain ineligible for certain grants and funding. To have our town develop in a hazard fashion. We will eventually loose all the charm and beauty that has lead us to settle in Delmont. We need to act now. We have already lost some parts of our heritage that can never be replaced. We can't afford to set by and watch our town develop and grow without the desires of all citizens who want to contribute to the future having a chance.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you. I can be reached at david4delmont@gmail.com. My office phone is (724) 552-9531.
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