The Sanatoga Post

LIMERICK PA – Exelon Nuclear, which is credited for its financial support of Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township’s summer concert series, on Tuesday (Feb. 7, 2012) delivered a $150,000 donation to its host municipality, neighboring Limerick Township, to pay for programs and facilities of the Limerick and Linfield Fire companies, its police department, and local parks and recreation.

The check, presented to the Board of Supervisors by Limerick Generating Station (LGS) Site Vice President Bill Maguire, represented the fourth installment of a $600,000 Exelon contribution to the township during the past four years.

“Our goal at (LGS) is to be both a leader in our community and in the nuclear industry,” Maguire said. “Exelon employees have been, and will continue to be, deeply involved in the community, and this contribution demonstrates our ongoing commitment to Limerick … and the region.”

Municipal officials welcomed Exelon’s gift. LGS, supervisors’ chairman Kara Shuler said, “is a valuable member of our community and we look forward to having them here for many years.”

Exelon is currently in the process of renewing its nuclear Units 1 and 2 operating licenses for another 20 years. The station is located at 3146 Sanatoga Rd. in Limerick, just east of the Lower Pottsgrove-Limerick townships’ line.

Exelon spokeswoman Dana Melia noted the company also contributes more than $400,000 each year to regional charities and community organizations.

Photo by Sean Bonner via YFrog

WASHINGTON DC – Two public meetings to be conducted by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), which are intended to give area residents an opportunity to comment on environmental issues they think the NRC should consider as it contemplates requests to renew operating licenses for Exelon Nuclear’s Limerick Generating Station, will be held Thursday (Sept. 22, 2011) at 2 and 7 p.m. in Sunnybrook Ballroom, 50 Sunnybrook Rd., Sanatoga PA, the commission announced.

• This event has been added to The Post calendar.

An open house, during which residents can also personally meet with NRC staff members, will be held for an hour before each of the two meetings, at 1 and 6 p.m. respectively. Also at the meetings, staff members will describe the license renewal review process.

Related (to federal re-licensing of Limerick Generating Station):

• Police Detail At Limerick Hearings Cost $1,468
• Local Voices Endorse, Worry Over Nuclear Relicensing
• NRC Holds Public Meetings Thursday At Sunnybrook
• NRC Holds Public Meetings Sept. 22 At Sunnybrook
• NRC Legal Notice: Meetings Ahead At Sunnybrook
• NRC Staffers Stop By, Say ‘Hi’ To Commissioners
• Exelon Nuclear Renewals Win Two Early Endorsements
• Exelon Officially Asks To Extend LGS Operating Licenses
• Meeting Wednesday To Review Limerick Nuclear Safety
• LGS License Renewals Topic At May Chamber Breakfast

Editor’s Note: The graphic at top was submitted to The Sanatoga Post by Ikeda King, a licensing assistant in the NRC’s Division of License Renewal, along with a request for our publication’s quote for the cost of advertising what her letter described as the above “legal notice.” Although The Post accepts, and receives revenue from, all kinds of advertisements, it notified King that it will report the announcement of these meetings as news and will not charge the NRC an advertising fee.

WASHINGTON DC – Two public meetings to be conducted by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), which are intended to give area residents an opportunity to comment on environmental issues they think the NRC should consider as it contemplates requests to renew operating licenses for Exelon Nuclear’s Limerick Generating Station, will be held Sept. 22 (2011; Thursday) at 2 and 7 p.m. in Sunnybrook Ballroom, 50 Sunnybrook Rd., Sanatoga PA, the commission announced.

• This event has been added to The Post calendar.

An open house, during which residents can also personally meet with NRC staff members, will be held for an hour before each of the two meetings, at 1 and 6 p.m. respectively. Also at the meetings, staff members will describe the license renewal review process.

Related (to federal re-licensing of Limerick Generating Station):

• Police Detail At Limerick Hearings Cost $1,468
• Local Voices Endorse, Worry Over Nuclear Relicensing
• NRC Holds Public Meetings Thursday At Sunnybrook
• NRC Holds Public Meetings Sept. 22 At Sunnybrook
• NRC Legal Notice: Meetings Ahead At Sunnybrook
• NRC Staffers Stop By, Say ‘Hi’ To Commissioners
• Exelon Nuclear Renewals Win Two Early Endorsements
• Exelon Officially Asks To Extend LGS Operating Licenses
• Meeting Wednesday To Review Limerick Nuclear Safety
• LGS License Renewals Topic At May Chamber Breakfast

Editor’s Note: The graphic at top was submitted to The Sanatoga Post by Ikeda King, a licensing assistant in the NRC’s Division of License Renewal, along with a request for our publication’s quote for the cost of advertising what her letter described as the above “legal notice.” Although The Post accepts, and receives revenue from, all kinds of advertisements, it notified King that it will report the announcement of these meetings as news and will not charge the NRC an advertising fee. The graphic will also appear in The Post on Sept. 20, also without an advertising fee.

WASHINGTON DC – Two public meetings to be conducted by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), which are intended to give area residents an opportunity to comment on environmental issues they think the NRC should consider as it contemplates requests to renew operating licenses for Exelon Nuclear’s Limerick Generating Station, will be held Sept. 22 (2011; Thursday) at 2 and 7 p.m. in Sunnybrook Ballroom, 50 Sunnybrook Rd., Sanatoga PA, the commission announced.

An open house, during which residents can also personally meet with NRC staff members, will be held for an hour before each of the two meetings, at 1 and 6 p.m. respectively. Also at the meetings, staff members will describe the license renewal review process.

Related (to federal re-licensing of Limerick Generating Station):

• NRC Legal Notice: Meetings Ahead At Sunnybrook
• NRC Staffers Stop By, Say ‘Hi’ To Commissioners

Editor’s Note: The graphic at top was submitted to The Sanatoga Post by Ikeda King, a licensing assistant in the NRC’s Division of License Renewal, along with a request for our publication’s quote for the cost of advertising what her letter described as the above “legal notice.” Although The Post accepts, and receives revenue from, all kinds of advertisements,  on Monday (Aug. 29) it notified King that it will report the announcement of these meetings as news and will not charge the NRC an advertising fee. The graphic will appear in The Post on two other days, Sept. 8 and 20, also without an advertising fee.

SANATOGA PA – What happens when communities work together? Businesses prosper, experts say; traffic flows, residential property values go up, schools improve. And what happens when a community’s news media publishers and others work together? Well, in one case in Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township, summer concert audiences grow and some big name performers may return here because they were so welcomed.

The New Jersey-based 78th Army Band, during its July 13 (2011) debut as part of this year’s township Parks and Recreation Board summer concert series, attracted one of the largest audiences (above) of its entire tour, Assistant Manager Alyson Elliott told the Board of Commissioners during its meeting Monday (Aug. 1). Band officials were surprised and impressed, she said, and have asked about a return engagement in 2012.

That’s a notable accomplishment, commissioners agreed, considering the 50-plus-piece band and its ensembles this year played in much bigger venues like Baltimore and Ocean City MD, Gettysburg and Philadelphia PA, and Cape May and Haddonfield NJ.

A memo included with the board’s meeting agenda singled out The Sanatoga Post and Managing Editor Joe Zlomek for assistance in promoting the show. However, the credit must be shared by greater Pottstown publishers and several other people who willingly publicized the event because they were asked to do so, and because their own readers or constituents may have been interested.

The band’s audience of more than 350 people benefited from promotional efforts by:

• Jennifer Corley, township receptionist and Recreation Board secretary;
• Pottsgrove American Legion Post 244 Adjutant Billy Worrell;
• Spring City Armory Facilities Manager CWO Michael Murphy;
• Roy Keeler, author of the Roy’s Rants and Progress Pennsylvania blogs in Pottstown;
• Maureen Gallant, author of Pottstown’s Blog;
• Chris Huff of the Code Blue Pulse and MOSAIC Community Land Trust blogs in Pottstown;
• Jeff Leflar, also of Code Blue Pulse;
• Sue Repko, author of the Positively!Pottstown blog and also a member of MOSAIC;
• Eileen Faust, online editor of The (Pottstown PA) Mercury;
• Stephanie Conlon, publisher of Community Buzz in Douglassville;
• Teresa McMinn of the Pottstown edition of Patch online media;
• Kevin Haslam of the Limerick edition of Patch; and
• David Powell and Tom Murray, Patch regional editors.

As it has in the past, the Recreation Board also thanks Exelon Nuclear’s Limerick Generating Station for the financial support that makes the concert series possible.

The series has one performance remaining. The Pottsgrove Community Band will appear Sunday (Aug. 7) at 6 p.m. at the band shell in Sanatoga Park, South Sanatoga Road. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket, and enjoy its many musical talents for free.

Related:

• Army Band May Return, Thanks To Impressive Crowd
• Perfect Weather, Huge Crowd Greets Rousing 78th Band
• Meet The 78th Army Band, Then Be Wowed Wednesday
• Thinking Big, Musically: Baltimore, Philly. Sanatoga? Yes!

Related (to the Lower Pottsgrove Board of Commissioners’ meeting of Aug. 1):

• Army Band May Return, Thanks To Impressive Crowd
• Whack Away At Unsightly Weeds, Township Pleads
• July Tax Payments Trickle In At A Rate Of $528 Per Day
• Tax Settlements: An Awful Lot Of Paperwork To Net $677
• Lower Pottsgrove’s June 2011 Warrants Now Online
• Bridge, Guardrail Study Proposed For Pruss Hill Road
• Township 2009 Sex Offender Law ‘Might Not Stand Up’
• Commissioners OK KenCrest ‘Temporary’ Grenhouse
• Commissioners Gather For First August Meeting

Photo for The Post by Glenn Isett

Photos by Glenn Isett and Billy Worrell

A GREAT SUMMER EVENING WITH OUR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN – Members of the 78th Army Band based in Fort Dix NJ attracted an estimated 350 people to their concert Wednesday night (July 13, 2011) at the band shell in Sanatoga Park, South Sanatoga Road, Pottstown PA. Dark clouds threatened only briefly mid-way through the performance, but quickly dispersed. That made it a perfect night for the rock, jazz, blues, choral, and concert music provided by several groups of the 78th (above), and its entire compliment in the finale. Visitors (below) leaving the outdoor show loudly declared it a success and, perhaps best of all, the band has tentatively discussed making a return engagement next year. The evening was opened by presentation of the colors, thanks to a honor guard provided by the Pottsgrove Post 244 of the American Legion (bottom).  The concert series is conducted by the Lower Pottsgrove Parks and Recreation Board, and is financially underwritten by Exelon Nuclear.

• See a gallery of 19 photos, taken by Glenn Isett and Billy Worrell and generously provided to The Post, below:

Limerick's twin cooling towers

SANATOGA PA – The federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has let Lower Pottsgrove‘s political leadership know, officially, that its representatives are in town for the next 22 months.

They’ve begun to conduct the necessary inspections, paperwork and meetings that will be part of the application by Exelon Nuclear to re-license its Units 1 and 2 reactors in the Limerick Generating Station (LGS), just east of the township border at the intersection of Evergreen and Sanatoga roads, Limerick PA, for another 20 years.

NRC Senior Project Manager Lisa Regner, who deals with environmental issues and said she just completed a re-licensing assignment in California; and Senior Project Manager Rob Kuntz, who handles safety issues, introduced themselves Thursday night (July 7, 2011) to the Board of Commissioners. They invited board members to contact them at any time with questions or comments regarding the re-licensing procedure.

“Our purpose tonight is just to make you aware of the process,” Regner said, and noted that at least two public meetings about re-licensing are anticipated for August or September.

She clarified, however, that the meetings would not be “hearings” at which the process or Exelon’s specific re-licensing requests could be challenged. Those would be held separately, Regner said, and were formal proceedings for which objections must be filed at least 60 days in advance and usually are presented by attorneys.

Neither the meeting or hearing dates have yet been announced.

“It’s our job to ensure Limerick’s safe operations” for the 20-year renewal period beyond October 2024, for Unit 1, and June 2029, for Unit 2, Kuntz explained.

Is it standard, Commissioner James Kaiser asked, to consider renewal applications so far in advance – in Limerick’s case, 13 years and 18 years, respectively – of the units’ license expiration?

Yes, Regner replied; in fact, power plant operators are allowed by the NRC to apply for re-licensing up to 20 years before expiration dates. That’s due in part, she said,  to the number of plants that must be reviewed, the limited NRC staff available for reviews, and the amount of time reviews require.

Solicitor R. Kurtz Holloway wondered how much study NRC teams would give to on-site storage of spent nuclear fuel rods.

Not much in Limerick’s specific case, Kuntz indicated, because the NRC has opted to deal with fuel rod storage as a “generic” topic that applies to all generating facilities. However, he added, specific issues or problems with fuel rod storage at Limerick should be brought to inspectors’ attention.

NRC inspection teams are expected to arrive from Rockville MD within coming weeks to begin their assessments, Regner said.

Related (to federal re-licensing of Limerick Generating Station):

• Police Detail At Limerick Hearings Cost $1,468
• Local Voices Endorse, Worry Over Nuclear Relicensing
• NRC Holds Public Meetings Thursday At Sunnybrook
• NRC Holds Public Meetings Sept. 22 At Sunnybrook
• NRC Legal Notice: Meetings Ahead At Sunnybrook
• NRC Staffers Stop By, Say ‘Hi’ To Commissioners
• Exelon Nuclear Renewals Win Two Early Endorsements
• Exelon Officially Asks To Extend LGS Operating Licenses
• Meeting Wednesday To Review Limerick Nuclear Safety
• LGS License Renewals Topic At May Chamber Breakfast

Related (to the Lower Pottsgrove Board of Commissioners’ July 7 meeting):

• NRC Staffers Stop By, Say ‘Hi’ To Commissioners
• Italian Restaurant Construction Could Start Within Weeks
• At Township DUI Check, They Got What They Paid For
• Police Radio Discussion Possible In Township’s Meeting

SANATOGA PA – They’re athletes, moms, dads, typical workers, friendly neighbors. They’re all also soldiers, and each and every one is a talented musician too.

Practicing for upcoming appearances

Members of the U.S. Army Reserve’s 78th Army Band will play in concert Wednesday (July 13, 2011) beginning at 7 p.m. in Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township’s Sanatoga Park, South Sanatoga Road, Pottstown PA. They are men and women who defend the nation’s freedom while additionally touring parts of the country with toe-tapping tunes.

Their stories, and information about the band itself, are included in a video produced for the band last year. Better than film, though, greater Pottstown area residents can see them perform live and for free during the concert sponsored by Exelon Nuclear and presented by the township Parks and Recreation Board.

• Watch the video, above, or see it at the band’s YouTube account.

The band consists of soldiers from Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia and Pennsylvania, and is posted from Fort Dix NJ. Its Lower Pottsgrove appearance is only part of its busy schedule this week. It also is slated to play in Baltimore MD, Ocean City MD, Gettysburg PA, Philadelphia PA, Cape May NJ, and Haddonfield NJ.

Those planning to attend Wednesday’s concert are urged to bring their own seating in the form of lawn chairs or ground blankets.

Members of the 78th Army Band in concert during 2008

SANATOGA PA – As a concert venue, Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township is finding itself among some pretty elite company.

The U.S. Army Reserve’s 78th Army Band doesn’t play just anywhere, its commander, Warrant Officer Eric Flowers, can tell you. It often enjoys big crowds at big halls. Not surprisingly, then, during next week alone, the band is scheduled to play in Baltimore MD, Ocean City MD, Gettysburg PA, Philadelphia PA, Cape May NJ, and Haddonfield NJ.

Smack dab in the middle of that schedule – on July 13 (Wednesday) at 7 p.m., township receptionist Jennifer Corley reports – the 50-piece ensemble will strike up a series of patriotic tunes at Lower Pottsgrove’s own band shell in Sanatoga Park, South Sanatoga Road, Pottstown PA.

• This event has been added to The Post calendar.

The band consists of soldiers from Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia and Pennsylvania, and is posted from Fort Dix NJ. Its will be the second of several performances slated during the township’s summer concert series at the park, thanks to what Corley calls “generous” financial support and sponsorship from Exelon Nuclear. The series itself is conducted by the township Parks and Recreation Board.

It’s important to note that the band’s appearance is the only concert in the series NOT scheduled for a Sunday. Like all other performances this summer, it’s free and open to the public. Those planning to attend are urged to bring their own seating in the form of lawn chairs or ground blankets.

Also scheduled in the series are:

• July 17 (Sunday), 6 p.m., family fun night with The Paisley Pickles;
• July 24 (Sunday), 6 p.m., Barbone Street Jazz Band;
• July 31 (Sunday), 6 p.m., The Mango Men; and
• Aug. 7 (Sunday), 6 p.m., Pottsgrove Community Band.

Dozens of people came out Sunday for a night of pleasant weather and good music in Sanatoga

A comfy chair, pleasant weather, and good music; all three were found in Sanatoga Park

SANATOGA PA – Your standard rock music? Yeah, it’s OK. Folks may slap their knees a little to keep time, and they’ll remember songs they’re heard on the radio. Sultry ballads? Soothing and enjoyable, to be sure. But in Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township, if you want to get more than 100 people clapping and toe-tapping at once, you’d better play a polka.

• Watch a video of the polka number, above, or see it at The Post’s YouTube account.

No fools, those members of the Bill Koss Combo.

The local musical group was the opening act Sunday (June 26, 2011) in the annual summer concert series conducted by the township Parks and Recreation Department and underwritten by Exelon Nuclear. A crowd filled the lawn in front of the band shell at Sanatoga Park, South Sanatoga Road, Pottstown PA, to hear it launch into a wide variety of songs.

But when accordion player Chris Stafy stepped on to the stage, that’s when the whoopin’ and hollerin’ really got started. One brave couple even took to the pad in front of the band shell to dance, and were applauded for their efforts.

Next up on the series schedule are:

• July 13 (Wednesday), 7 p.m., the U.S. Army Band;
• July 17 (Sunday), 6 p.m., family fun night with The Paisley Pickles;
• July 24 (Sunday), 6 p.m., Barbone Street Jazz Band;
• July 31 (Sunday), 6 p.m., The Mango Men; and
• Aug. 7 (Sunday), 6 p.m., Pottsgrove Community Band.

The band uniform of the day? Forget tuxedos! Shorts and comfortable shirts ruled