First Presbyterian Church set to acquire Wyomissing property
The headquarters of Spotts, Stevens and McCoy at 1047 North Park Road in Wyomissing, is expected to be the new home of the First Presbyterian Church in Reading. The church, founded in 1814, plans to lease space to SSM after purchasing the building from the consulting firm.
PRESS RELEASE: April 18, 2017
Wyomissing, PA – First Presbyterian Church set to acquire Wyomissing property owned by real estate Limited Partnership affiliated with Spotts, Stevens and McCoy (SSM).
In what is being described by both parties as a ‘union made in Heaven’ First Presbyterian Church, currently located at 37 South 5th Street in Reading and Spotts, Stevens and McCoy are jointly announcing plans for a real estate transaction whereby First Presbyterian Church is set to acquire the 1047 North Park Road, property currently occupied by Spotts, Stevens and McCoy (SSM) with plans to lease approximately half of it back to SSM. The purchase is contingent upon various approvals.
Attorney John Roland, long time member and elder at First Presbyterian Church who is a partner at Roland Stock, LLP, has provided leadership to First Presbyterian’s new site selection efforts. “Our Church is on a mission to expand our outreach efforts. This beautiful, new location will give us that opportunity,” said Roland. “Our congregation has embraced a number of changes in recent years and, following planned renovations, this facility will give us the space we need to support our membership growth goals.” First Presbyterian, founded in 1814, recently left the PC (USA) denomination to affiliate with the PC (ECU) and also just announced the calling of a new Senior Pastor, Christopher DiVietro. “We are very excited about these changes and in many ways, finding this location is an answer to prayers and the final piece of the puzzle,” said Nancy Alley, another church Session member who has been very active in the relocation process.
Brian Kelly, CEO at SSM and a partner in the real estate partnership, had the following to say: “We love our beautiful Wyomissing location and we had no desire to leave it; however, 43,000 square feet is simply more space than we need right now. So when the Church approached us about buying it and told us it was more space than they need at this time, we discussed a possible sale and lease-back situation. The result is that we’ve ended up with an Agreement that is truly a win-win for both parties. This sale unlocks resources that we can use to reinvest in the growth of the business, focusing on adding new technology and equipment and pursuing other strategic initiatives, including potential acquisitions.”
The 1047 North Park Road facility was constructed in 1963 as the world headquarters for Vanity Fair Corporation and it was subsequently renovated in 1998 and occupied by Carpenter Technology. The SSM principals purchased it in 2003. The building has just under 43,000 square feet on two levels and sits on approximately 5.5 acres of prime Wyomissing real estate.
“What makes the transaction so appealing to us is that Spotts, Stevens and McCoy will continue to occupy approximately half of the space as we embark upon our congregational growth plans,” said Roland. Current elder and former Treasurer Paul Eisenhuth notes that Presbyterians are known to be financial conservatives. “A key component of the transaction is that SSM and the Church are entering into a 5-year Lease Agreement which makes the space affordable for us. It also ensures our access to additional space as we grow.”
Spotts, Stevens and McCoy is a family owned and managed regional engineering and consulting firm with roots back to 1932. Two of the principals, Patrick McCoy and Lewis McCoy, Jr., are sons of founder, Lewis McCoy, Sr., and Kelly is a son-in-law. Both First Presbyterian Church and Spotts, Stevens and McCoy have deep roots in the Berks County community.
There are many factors that make this such a uniquely beneficial transaction for both parties:
- The SSM lease-back will provide the Church with an ongoing revenue stream as it embarks upon renovation plans and congregational growth goals. Financing is being provided by Customers Bank as the Church embarks upon a capital campaign to fund both the purchase and planned renovations. The Church will be seeking competitive bids for both design and construction work. No firm timeline for construction or occupancy has been established at this time.
- With a five-year Lease in place, SSM will be able to continue to operate from its existing headquarters location with little or no disruption to business as the Church embarks upon its renovation plans and prepares to move in
- Church offices will be open during the week; however its primary activity will occur on weekends and evenings when parking spaces are likely to be occupied by those attending scheduled worship services. SSM’s primary business activity will occur on week days during normal business hours and its employees will be off on weekends.
An answer to prayers? A partnership made in Heaven? The ‘joining’ of two old and well-established organizations? Laying all spiritual beliefs aside, it certainly appears to be a transaction that capitalizes on every possible benefit for both the Church and SSM. So at a minimum, it’s a win-win!
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
- First Presbyterian Church - John Roland, Esq. | 610-372-5588
- Spotts, Stevens and McCoy – CEO, Brian Kelly | 610-621-2000
- Patricia Langiotti, Creative Management Concepts | 610-603-0306
Spottlight on April Showers
“Thy fate is the common fate of all; into each life some rain must fall.”
-- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
“Thy fate is the common fate of all; into each life some rain must fall.”
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
2017 PA Rural Water Association Annual Conference
Filtration Operations and Optimization
Treating your Water/Wastewater Operation Like a Business
Treating your Water or Wastewater Operations Like a Business
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Darryl Jenkins, PE
Spottlight on Asset Management
Whether your organization owns, leases, or manufactures space shuttles, IT equipment, fleet vehicles, biological samples, or spare parts, good asset management practices not only provide value but are essential to running a successful business.
Whether your organization owns, leases, or manufactures space shuttles, IT equipment, fleet vehicles, biological samples, or spare parts, good asset management practices not only provide value but are essential to running a successful business. Asset Management refers to any system that monitors and maintains things of value to an entity or group including water, sewer, storm water, or transportation. Like infrastructure resources, asset management principles are also equally applicable to building systems to ensure the reliability and longevity of critical components to mitigate risks associated with sudden failure and subsequent impact on operations. These include HVAC, plumbing and mechanical systems envelope, and fire protection systems.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
When condition dictates end-of-life replacement of HVAC systems, it offers an opportunity to consider retrofits that will enhance energy efficiency, capacity, control and service. Two recent projects illustrate this opportunity seized.
Low-Cost Asset Management Approach
Recent advancements in web-based GIS applications, similar to Google Earth, have provided new means to create, store, and access GIS data. Many water/wastewater systems use online GIS applications to transform their infrastructure data into an easy-to-use operations asset management system. This low-cost approach captures vital data within a secure geo-spatial database. By creating customized mobile web applications, field-critical data (material description, installation date, inspection reports and service history) is available when needed most and accessible to operators in the office or in the field.
Digitizing Hard Copy Maps
Advancements in GIS software and mobile applications have recently provided the ability to access maps and data on the go. This allows managers and operators to access asset locations, specifications, photos, and customized maps and applications wherever they take their mobile device. For many, digitizing old maps is well worth the process.
Saucony Watershed Restoration: Groundwater Evaluation
Safe drinking water begins at the source.
VIEW THE PRESENTATION
Green Valley Watershed Association February 2017 Meeting
Sharing management strategies for optimum performance of stormwater Best Management Practices.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Eric Grindrod, PG, Senior Geologist
Spottlight on Little Things
Being the shortest month in the year, February serves as a great reminder to us to take a moment to look around and focus our attention on the little things that make a big impact in our lives.
SSM NEWS
- Sam Zook, SIT| Surveyor, Survey and Data Capture has received his certification as a Drone Pilot. On June 21st, 2016 the FAA finalized a new regulatory framework for small, unmanned aerial systems. Titled Part 107, these new regulations created a new drone certification process that covers the majority of low-risk, commercial UAS flight operations for all commercially operated drones. Commercial refers to any kind of flight operation that can be tied to economic benefit. These new regulations were implemented on August 29, 2016. Zook is one of three certified pilots at SSM. He is a 2009 graduate of Pennsylvania College of Technology.
- SSM welcomes Christopher Colvin, EIT as Graduate Engineer in our Electrical Engineering Department. Chris is responsible for electrical design and preparation of scope, plans and specifications for industrial, commercial and institutional building projects. He received his BS in Engineering from James Madison University.
Little Things Make a Big Impact
Being the shortest month in the year, February serves as a great reminder to us to take a moment to look around and focus our attention on the little things that make a big impact in our lives. By now, our New Year’s resolutions have become habits; the days are starting to get a little longer and the nights a little shorter; and no matter what the Groundhog predicted, there’s probably a cozy, snow day in our future. As Ferris Bueller said, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it.”
So why not use these 28 days to reflect on the little things that will impact your life in a big way . . . say thank you and show appreciation to friends, family or co-workers . . . reflect on the positive things in your life at the end of each day and remember . . . focus on your work flow or process and identify a few small opportunities that could be developed for big results. And make it happen.
Inside this Issue
Small Imperfections Matter: For complex surfaces or large areas of surfaces that require high levels of flatness or levelness, using a high definition laser scanner offers millions of coordinate data points for verification or detection of anomalies that cannot otherwise easily or quickly be acquired. From offices to high density storage facilities, synthetic surface playing fields, to high-speed race tracks, the ability to rapidly and accurately measure and model large surfaces can highlight the small imperfections that can make a big difference.
Inefficiencies Often Abound in Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants: Many Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP) were built at a time when budgets were not so tight and engineers erred on the side of caution to ensure that the plant met the design criteria. There are three areas that can provide big savings: energy usage, chemical addition, and sludge generation and disposal.
The Little Things in Stormwater Management: With the Chesapeake Bay Reboot and new MS4 permit requirements hitting municipalities, many are left asking, “How can we possibly accomplish this?” There are many ways to attack a stormwater management issue, and in a large watershed, the task can seem daunting. But when you stop and think about it, it really comes down to identifying, prioritizing, and properly managing small areas of land within the larger watershed. The combined impact of small BMP projects on a watershed can be astounding, and are only amplified as one moves downstream.
Groundhog Day: Pipe Condition Assessment
Our water/wastewater engineers can help remedy even your largest sewer problems and nuisances!
For more than 50 years, SSM's water and wastewater engineers have been addressing capacity and blockage issues in stormwater pipes, sanitary sewer mains and assessing the conditions of underground pipes.
We can help remedy even your largest sewer problems and nuisances!
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Scott Carl, Sr. | Division Vice President | Water and Wastewater Engineering and Operations
Sam Zook, SIT Receives Certification as Drone Pilot
Sam Zook, SIT is the third surveyor at SSM to receive certification as a Drone Pilot.
Sam Zook, SIT, Surveyor has received his certification as a FAA Certified Remote Pilot. Zook is one of three certified pilots at SSM. He is a 2009 graduate of Pennsylvania College of Technology.
On June 21st, 2016 the FAA finalized a new regulatory framework for small, unmanned aerial systems. Titled Part 107, these new regulations created a new drone certification process that covers the majority of low-risk, commercial UAS flight operations for all commercially operated drones. Commercial refers to any kind of flight operation that can be tied to economic benefit. These new regulations were implemented on August 29, 2016.
DEP Offers Funding for Stormwater Management Programs
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is offering grants up to $200,000 to local entities in the Chesapeake Bay watershed for stormwater management projects that implement best management practices (BMP) to reduce the amount of nutrients and sediment pollution in local waterways.
DOWNLOAD ARTICLE
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is offering grants up to $200,000 to local entities in the Chesapeake Bay watershed for stormwater management projects that implement best management practices (BMP) to reduce the amount of nutrients and sediment pollution in local waterways.
The program is available to counties, cities, boroughs, townships, incorporated towns and municipal authorities. Stormwater projects must be located in Blair, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lebanon, Luzerne, Lycoming and York counties.
“The department continues to work toward one of the top goals of this administration: improving local water quality and ultimately cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay,” said DEP Acting Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “This grant program achieves that by offering financial assistance to local governments that share in that goal and they are encouraged to apply as we work together in this important environmental initiative.”
Some examples of eligible projects include: raingardens, bio-swales, urban nutrient management/tree planting, vegetated open channels/roofs and wet ponds and wetland preservation. The projects can be located on public or private property.
Applicants can be eligible for grants of up to $200,000, and no local matching funds are required. Funding for the projects is competitive and the department will apply a scoring system when awarding the grant money. The application must include a description of the project and timetable for the work. Grant applications are due by March 3, 2017.
Please visit http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/View/Collection-12545 for application instructions and eligibility. Other parties that wish to obtain funding for a stormwater project are encouraged to approach the eligible local entity where the project would be located and offer to assist with the project application and management.
The grant program is federally funded by the Environmental Protection Agency and administered by the department.
Grant monies will be awarded on September 1, 2017.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Mark Stabolepszy, PE Director Municipal Engineering and Planning
Spottlight on Resolutions for the New Year
New Year’s is the perfect time of year to reflect on areas where you’d like to see a change in your organization and to take steps to achieve those improvements.
The Tradition of Resolutions
From losing weight to saving more money, from learning to knit to running a marathon, from spending more time with family to quitting smoking . . . the practice of making New Year’s resolutions is a worldwide tradition that’s steeped in history. Four thousand years ago in ancient Babylonia the people held celebrations in honor of the new year. They affirmed their loyalty to their king and made promises to the gods to pay their debts and returned borrowed objects. In return for keeping these promises, the gods would bestow favor on them for the coming year. In ancient Rome, the new year was a symbolic time to look at the previous year and ahead to the future. Friends settled differences and people exchanged gifts like pears or sweets as wishes for a sweet new year. We’d like to wish you a Sweet New Year and invite you to take advantage of our business relationships and enjoy an assortment of treats representing some of our clients.
Click here to request a free Taste of SSM.
Business Resolutions
New Year’s is the perfect time of year to reflect on areas where you’d like to see a change in your organization and to take steps to achieve those improvements. Let’s face it – a resolution looks a lot like a goal. You set an objective, outline a plan, and take action. So why not resolve to make some changes in your organization?
- Think about what you want to achieve.
- Say it out loud.
- Ask for help.
Resolution: Focus on the Core
It takes a lot to make and market a product. It also takes a lot to assure regulatory compliance as well as address needs such as increased capacity, routine maintenance and facility expansion. That's why manufacturers of everything from chocolate to steel turn to SSM when it comes time to secure prime locations, plan more efficient warehouses and distribution centers, conduct feasibility studies, upgrade utilities and building systems, improve traffic flow and expand operations. By taking the lead on the facilities engineering side, we enable manufacturers to focus more on their core business.
Resolution: Stop Wasting Energy
Are you faced with hot spots, cold spots, and a basic mismatch of providing more nominal cooling than necessary? Whether you use underfloor air distribution or “in the space” cooling, getting the air to the load has been a trial and error undertaking usually resulting in oversized cooling capacity and less floor space. The overlooked fundamental issue is air distribution.
We utilize CFD analysis to optimize the cooling system and layout. The data power load and the cooling system are matched and arranged to achieve maximum energy efficiency. This keeps the cost of cooling both in equipment and operation down while maximizing the data load capability. We create a model that replicates the physical data center layout including power densities and cooling equipment locations and capabilities and the analysis is run to determine the resulting temperatures and airflows in the space. Using programs specifically designed for use in analyzing air movement and heat transfer, we can create a virtual simulation of the conditions within the data center. The CFD analysis is a valuable tool for data center design that can save time and money by taking the guess work out of rack layout and cooling airflow design.
Spottlight on Historic Preservation - November 2016
Spottlight on Historic Preservation | Protecting our History for Future Generations
Protecting our History for Future Generations
Historical preservation frames a community's past and defines its heritage. Preservation initiatives have a positive impact on economic growth for a community in the form of higher property values, increased revenue, and job creation. Rehabilitated and renovated historic buildings are core components in revitalized downtowns and cultural venues. From an environmental perspective, renovations and rehabilitation of existing properties results in less construction, demolition, and hazardous material debris. Additionally, the cost of rehabilitation is often less than new construction with the energy savings being considerable since there is no energy used for demolition, new construction or the manufacture of new materials.
Preserving Historical Structures Exploring Technology Applications
High-Definition Laser Surveying(HDS) offers a non-intrusive, non-contact method to obtain three dimensional geometry measurements and models of existing structures and sites for both large and small-scale projects. SSM uses HDS for historic building preservationto acquires as-built information inside and outside of any structure quickly and efficiently.
Heating Historical Structures Exploring Alternative Technologies
From materials to system capabilities, it’s true, ‘they don’t build them like the used to.’ Retrofits, renovations, and adaptive reuse projects present some challenges in terms of the systems in the buildings.
Drone Technology: Capturing the Coordinates from the Air
We know data. Since 1932, information management has been a core component of SSM's services; improving efficiency in operations, decision-making, environmental management, and engineering design. The combination of our intimate knowledge of the industry, our extensive background in information management, and our continuous commitment to leveraging technology to improve operations allows SSM to bring engineering services to life.
SSM at forefront in use of drones
Drone Technology. Pilots Earn Certification: Two members of the SSM Survey team: Chris Snyder, PLSand Steve Smith have received their certification as Drone Pilots.
Lehigh Valley Business Journal
November 15, 2016
It took a while to get off the ground, but flight is might for SSM Group, Inc. of Wyomissing. The engineering firm last December acquired its long-awaited drone, a DJI Inspire 1 Pro model. And just last month, SSM began using the unmanned aircraft unit to benefit its clients. Read the full article
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Steve Smith, PLS
Spottlight on Fire Prevention - October 2016
Spottlight on . . . Fire Prevention
Managing the Risk of Fire: 5 commonplace workplace fire starters
- Flammable and Combustible Materials
- Accidents
- Cooking and Heating Equipment
- ArcFlash Hazards
- Inadequate Housekeeping
Mitigating the Risk Associated with Hazardous Materials
The storage, issue, use, and disposal of flammable and combustible materials falls under the rules and regulations promulgated under OSHA and the National Fire Protection Association.
The Hazard Communication Standard
(29 CFR 1910.1200(g)) was revised in 2012 to require that the chemical manufacturer, distributor, or importer provided Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), formerly MSDSs or Material Safety Data Sheets, for each hazardous chemical to downstream users to communicate information on these hazards. The information contained in the SDS is largely the same as the MSDS, except now the SDSs are required to be presented in a consistent user-friendly, 16-section format.
Fire Protection Critical to Business Continuity
Fire protection systems are essential to the safety of your employees and protection of your property. But more than that, these systems are essential in helping you to manage the risks associated with business continuity. Imagine the impact on your business or organization if a key production line were to go off-line for an extended period of time, if the runoff from a fire event were to cause an environmental impact, or if the assets in your building (from equipment to historical artefacts) were to be destroyed.
Regulatory Update: Preparing for MS4 Regulations
Under the new Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) regulations that will take effect in 2018, new permittees will need to comply with additional obligations to meet the revised general stormwater permit requirements under PAG-13. Municipal employees, engineers, and contractors can prepare by reviewing the updated Minimum Control Measures (MCMs), and organizing current practices and training to determine possible gaps that fall short of their permit conditions.
2016 Maryland Groundwater Symposium
Tackling Hydrogeologic Complexity
Tackling Complexity through Stochastic Modeling
Yet Another Hydrogeologic Study of the Gettysburg Basin
Tackling Hydrogeologic Complexity
- Intermediate-scale geologic features exert a large influence on the groundwater flow patterns.
- Suspected seasonal reversals of groundwater flow direction complicate the groundwater flow regime mapping.
- Stochastic modeling techniques were employed to frame the unquantified variations inherent within this unique hydrogeologic system.
- Source water protection zones were generated by aggregating thousands of flow simulations that meet observed criterion ranges.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Al Guiseppe, PG, Director Water Supply and Development
Spottlight - September 2016
Spottlight on Building Safety
Building Safety
Safety in building construction traces to the Code of Hammurabi around 1750 BC, offering rather straightforward dis-incentives of re-work or death. A mere six rules pertained to damages due a builder for his failure to properly construct a home. Building and natural catastrophes like the Great Fire of London (1666), the Great Fire of Chicago (1871), 1906 San Francisco Earthquake, and more recent Hurricane Sandy led to voluminous developments to identify risks, create consistent standards, and changes to reflect new materials and methods.
The International Code Council’s (ICC) 2015 International Building Code contains slightly less than 700 pages; 35 chapters and 13 appendices, with the singular focus of providing a model for minimum acceptable safety standards to protect public health and welfare for every type of building occupancy. Modern codes go one step further and also provided minimum standards for sustainability related to energy consumption. And the IBC is just one of many standards and guidelines we work with in industrial, commercial, municipal projects.
Inadequate Ventilation Design Impacts Air Quality
Since man began using indoor fires for heating, ventilation of indoor air has existed, and still today the primary source of indoor air quality issues result from inadequate ventilation. Contemporary building contaminants, including VOCs and synthetic fibers from building and furnishing materials; microbial, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, radon, asbestos, etc. can trigger discomfort, illness, allergic reactions, and temperature and humidity both impact concentrations of certain contaminants. In broad terms, ventilation design involves natural ventilation, mechanical ventilation, or local exhaust.
Electrical Engineering Issues Supporting Building Safety
Opportunities for electrical faults and associated health risks to workers exist throughout industrial, municipal, and institutional facilities, with electrical distribution equipment and large equipment associated with manufacturing, process systems, research, HVAC, and central utility plants. The IBC by reference to the NEC (National Electrical Code) and NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) dictates that an electrical system be evaluated for Arc Flash hazards and that equipment be appropriately labeled according to the protection required.
Hazards associated with electricity is a serious workplace hazard; The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) have very good videos describing research into arc flash and stories by those affected by incidents.
Maintaining Building Safety While Modifying Footprint and Function
The average building life cycle of non-residential structures extends many, many years. In fact, according to the US Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) 2012 report, Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey, “commercial buildings remain in use for many decades. Although about 12% of commercial buildings (comprising 14% of commercial floor space) were built since 2003, the commercial building stock is still fairly old, with about half of all buildings constructed before 1980; the median age of buildings in 2012 was 32 years.” It’s also true that within a short period of time, buildings become functionally unsuitable, or that facilities constructed for one product or purpose evolves to serve another.
Regulatory Updates:
Tax Code: Section 179-D - Energy-Efficient Commercial Building Deduction
National BIM Guide for Owners Now Available for Public Review
Spottlight - August 2016
Prevent disasters with a proactive approach to water quality. Protect your system with current and comprehensive emergency procedures.Maintain a current Emergency Response Plan to help reduce impacts to your system by unforeseen circumstances, or situations beyond your control.
Six Tips for a Healthy Water or Sewer System
1. Check the Pulse - Through your day-to-day operations of your water/wastewater system, are you keeping your finger on the pulse of your system? One way to do that is to liberate your Geographic Information System (GIS) data through the use of web-enabled mobile applications. Transform your water/wastewater infrastructure data into an easy-to-use operations Asset Management system.
2. Monitor the Pressure - Starting with the first day of pumping, the yield of a groundwater well will slowly begin to decline. The decline in performance is attributed to physical and biological clogging of the well. As water is pumped, fine sediment can be drawn towards the well, plugging the water flow pathways. Biological growth can also develop throughout the well, but especially in the primary water-bearing zones, where the bacteria can effectively reduce the well yield.
3. Protect your Immune System - In the event of an emergency that could impact treatment plant operations, immediate action is often critical in preventing or minimizing the incident. Boost your immunity from disaster by developing a comprehensive emergency response plan (ERP) as required by DEP. Possible emergency situations include a distribution system line break, power outages, drought conditions, disinfection system failure, contamination of supply, pump failure, and prolonged outage.
4. Prevention is the Best Protection - The first step towards prevention is to develop a Source Water Protection Plan. To maintain its usefulness, a Source Water Protection Plan should be updated every five years.
5. Check your Footing - In certain parts of Berks County, the ground can fall out from beneath your feet. What would you do if your utility lines were threatened by a sinkhole? SSM personnel have assisted municipalities, insurance companies, and legal defense teams in settlement instances involving sinkhole and non-sinkhole related damage claims. By observing, evaluating and documenting site specific details, we have often been successful at determining the causes leading to ground failures. Determining these details and causes have often been beneficial to our clientele whereby at times limiting their liability or determining their involvement with remediating sites and damaged infrastructures.
6. Have a Vision - Accurate knowledge of your system asset and infrastructural component locations in your water/wastewater system plays a vital role in healthy operations. Key operational decisions require precise geographic information. Relying on an outdated or incomplete system map will lead to wasted time and potentially costly mistakes. A comprehensive system map will provide the means to effective management. Just as our eyes are the window to the world, your system map is your view to the system as a whole. 20/20 vision of your system requires accurate locational data. Armed with up-to-date and comprehensive infrastructure data, the system can be run with greater efficiency and operational awareness.
Is Your Community Connected?
A greenway, open space and trail network connects people to nature, each other, village and town centers, parks, historic sites, and the other resources found in your community.
A greenway, open space and trail network connects people to nature, each other, village and town centers, parks, historic sites, and the other resources found in your community. It also helps connect us to ourselves by providing opportunities for quiet time and reflection.
Individual health is promoted by providing opportunities for walking, bicycling and jogging; but providing green infrastructure also promotes community health by increasing the quality of life, contributing to economic development, providing an alternative means of transportation, protecting landscapes, and protecting wildlife habitats.
Planning a greenway, open space and trail network provides opportunities for your residents and visitors to stretch their legs, but is also vital to protecting natural resources and can contribute to economic revitalization, and encourage tourism. Such planning can be done as a component of a comprehensive plan or as a stand-alone plan.
A greenway is a corridor of open space, and can take the form of a conservation greenway, recreational greenway, riparian buffer, landscape corridor, or greenbelt around a developed area. Ideally, there will be a continuous system of greenways planned throughout the community.
The network plan itself includes an inventory of existing resources, a vision, mapping of the network and destinations, and an action program to realize the vision. The action program is critical to implementing the plan, and typically includes recommendations for zoning and subdivision and land development ordinance amendments to protect open space and facilitate completion of the trail system, official mapping of target open areas, recreational facilities, and trails, and other greenway preservation and trail construction strategies.
SSM can help you keep your community connected.
For an Energetic and Strong Community: Let SSM be your Personal Trainer
Let SSM be your personal trainer. Take advantage of our experience to build a strong and healthy community park system.
Let us be your personal trainer. Take advantage of our experience to build a strong and healthy community park system.
Just like athletes follow a training regimen to keep their muscles strong, your community maintains its strength by developing a recreational plan with goals and measurable achievements. Your community is unique. The level of service you provide to your residents must be tailored to the appropriate range, quantity and quality of recreation facilities within your fiscal limits. Both active and passive opportunities are essential to the development and the maintenance of a strong community.
A trainer builds an exercise regimen based on the desired outcomes; specific exercises, targeted at muscle groups, elicit specific results. Your park system should work the same way. It is maintained and strengthened by integrating various park sizes and types to meet the specific needs of your community. The key to developing a strong park system is to determine your needs and then develop a plan that provides the appropriate types of recreational opportunities in the right locations.
Are you flexing the right park muscles to meet your community’s fitness plan?
- A mini-park is used for isolated or limited recreational needs. These are small parks (less than an acre) and are found in a residential setting. These could be found in a subdivision or at a senior center or daycare center.
- If the community muscle you need to flex focuses on informal active or passive recreation, then a neighborhood park may need to be added to your park system. The neighborhood park covers a larger area, ideally between 5 and 10 acres, serving a specific neighborhood of up to a half mile service area.
- Community parks serve a broader purpose than neighborhood parks. These parks are designed to accommodate a variety of activity and community-based recreation needs. They typically are between 25 and 50 acres and serve two or more neighborhoods within a three mile service area.
- Regional parks are generally large parks that draw visitors from a region or several communities that can be an hour or more away. These parks sometimes have historic significance or a unique attribute that make them special and often have a commercial component as well.
SSM can help you maintain your community strength by working with you to achieve your park and recreation goals.
Source Water Plan Updates
If your source water protection plan was developed four or more years ago, new tools and technology can improve your plan and make a positive impact on source water protection.
Over the last 10 years, many community water systems participated in various source water protection programs offered by the PA Department of Environmental Protection.
These programs provided free technical assistance for a rigorous delineation of multiple water sources, identification of potential sources of contamination, and the development of a professional plan to address water quality issues. As these plans become older, many aspects of the plan become outdated or not applicable to current practices. If your plan was developed four or more years ago, new tools and technology can improve your plan and make a positive impact on source water protection.
SSM offers a menu of services that keeps your Source Water Protection Plan relevant to your system’s present needs. By using technology advances such as improved Geographic Information Systems (GIS) capability and new publicly-available information, your plan can be on the cutting edge of protection strategies.
- Enhanced groundwater and surface water computer modeling. Is there a particular concern in your area? SSM can use your plan delineation to model flow from a particular operation, or use a more rigorous computer model to track specific contaminants to your water sources.
- Review and update potential sources of contamination (PSOC) inventory. PSOCs can change quickly. Using updated databases, we will help you identify and analyze important changes in PSOCs that may affect your water sources.
- Resource extraction mapping for oil & gas wells and mining areas. SSM can research unconventional well development in your area for the best protection of your groundwater sources.
- Land-use analysis. Current sources of information can help map existing non-point source activities in your protection zones, such as residential, agriculture, and industrial areas.
- Review and add management options that update your system’s strategies for protecting your water sources. Management strategies should be evaluated regularly to ensure they are effective in protecting your water sources.
- Reinvigorate your steering committee. SSM can assist with organizing and conducting strategy meetings that brings new ideas and partners together to improve your plan.
- Contingency planning. After the January 2014 contamination incident in the Elk River and other events , Disaster Planning is the new hot topic. SSM staff can help develop partnerships with emergency responders and early warning networks through training and GIS assistance.
- Update your plan components. SSM can write an addendum to your existing plan, bringing all of your priorities and updates together in one, concise report.
The Source - Spring 2016
regulatory and legislative updates, best practices, and new technologies for source water protection
regulatory and legislative updates, best practices, and new technologies.
What's Inside this Issue
- Hydrogeologic Study Requires Robust Computer Modeling
- Stormwater Modeling Software
- Lower Allegheny Regional Partnership Stakeholders Meeting
Under the new Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) regulations that will take effect in 2018, new permittees will need to comply with additional obligations to meet the revised general stormwater permit requirements under PAG-13.