By 1886 Saylor bought the Kenilworth

wharf where he sold coal, lumber, feed

and grain. These products were

loaded and unloaded by canal boat.

According to a granddaughter, Peggy

Pentz, the lumber yard with wharf was

located about 400 yards east of the

Kenilworth bridge. Soon after, Saylor

built a house 1005 E. Schuylkill Road

in 1890. The Pottstown Mercury

reported on August 2, 1898, that

“shipments of coal via boat on the

Schuylkill canal are heavy. Willliam

H. Saylor of Kenilworth, yesterday

unloaded 150 tons of hard coal from a

canal boat.”

Previously, I wrote an article about the boatmen of the Township, specifically the boatmen

families of Pottstown Landing. Pottstown Landing had two or three wharfs where boatmen

loaded goods and supplies onto their canal boats. Hopewell Village used the Landing to ship

its stoves, coal, and lumber from the 1830s onward.

The Kenilworth wharf received deliveries of coal and lumber, both of which were of vital

importance. Estelle Cremers, in her book on the Coventries, identifies James Keim as a

lumber merchant beginning in 1850. By 1880 James Healy (from Union Township, Berks

Co.) had taken over the wharf at the young age of 27. However, in 1886 he sold his

business and eventually moved across the Schuylkill River to Pottstown. The wharf was

taken over in 1886 by a local man, William Saylor.

Saylor was 29, having been born in October of 1856, the seventh of twelve children born to

Adam and Hanna. Adam and Hanna's parents were born in Wurtemburg, Germany. Adam

was a farmer in Lower Pottsgrove Township on the second bend of Pleasantview Road,

north of High Street. Another family farm was located at Bleim and

Romig Roads.

North Coventry Townshipn e w s l e t t e r f o r

Fall 2013

A Canal Wharf of Kenilworth

By Spencer Claypoole, Chairman, Township Historical Commission

Canal Wharf of Kenilworth . . pages 1 & 7

Police Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 2

Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 3

Rain Gardens . . . . . . . . . . . . . pages 4 & 5

Leaf Collection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 5

Kenilworth Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 6

Become a Volunteer . . . . . . . . . . . . page 7

Tree Trimming. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 7

Rental Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 8

inside thisissue

Canal Boats at Kenilworth Wharf Circa 1890continued on page 7

2

As the winter season approaches the North Coventry Police Department would like to provide our residents with these winter driving tips from AAA;

6Have a winter weather driving kit. Kits should include a blanket, ice scraper, flares/reflective triangles, flashlight with extra batteries, jumper cables, bag of abrasive material such as cat litter, shovel, cloth or paper towels and a cell phone with a full charge.

6Don't panic if you skid. Stay off the brakes and accelerator and don't shift gears. AAA says look and steer in the direction you want the car to go. Never accelerate during a spin.

6See and be seen. Make sure all windows and outside mirrors are clear and turn headlights on to a low beam even in daylight.

6Slow down and leave plenty of room between your vehicle and others. Accelerate, brake or steer slowly, because jerky motions can increase the risk of skids.

6Don't pump the brakes in vehicles without antilock brakes. Keep steady pressure unless the wheels lock, then ease up just enough to regain traction. In vehicles with antilock brakes, press the pedal firmly and steadily, do not pump the brakes.

6Drive in cleared lanes. AAA says changing lanes unnecessarily can put drivers at greater risk of hitting a patch of ice.

6Beware of bridges and overpasses, which freeze faster than other road surfaces. This includes the area below them.

6Don't use cruise control.

According to the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code 4524 (a) & (b) all snow and ice must be cleared from the front and side windows of your vehicle while it is in operation.

As a reminder the police department asks that residents take extra precautions to ensure that their vehicles' and homes are locked to keep unwanted person from entering your vehicle and or residence. In most cases simply locking the doors to your home and vehicle is enough of a deterrent to thwart would be thieves.

As always the police department encourages all residents to contact the police department (610) 323-8360 immediately if they observe unusual persons or activity in their neighborhood.

North Coventry Police Department

North Coventry Township Code 312-34 prohibits residents or their agents from putting snow from their properties onto any public road, street, or alley. Such actions are punishable by a summary offense under Pa. Rules of Criminal Procedure with fines plus costs. Individuals believe that the snow will melt on the plowed roads but often it refreezes and causes damage to Township plows and the added expense of more salt.

Please Do Not Throw Snow Into The Streets - Township Code 312-34

Directory

3

Board of Supervisors Historical Commission Township Manager Police Departmentnd th rd Kevin Hennessey Forall police, fire and2 & 4 Mondays 7pm 3 Thursday 7pm

610-323-1694 Medical emergencies: dial James Marks, III Spencer Claypoole, 911 Chairman Chairman

Financial Officer Non emergenciesE. Spencer Claypoole Isabel RosewarneDebbie Giordano Call 610-323-8360Vice-Chairman Emeritus610-323-1694 Fax:610-326-2925Harvey Greenawalt, Jr. Alice Sharp Vice-

Rebekah Elliott ChairmanAdministrative Assistant Police ChiefRichard Scheler Louise Griffiths, Secty.Lois Lucas Robert SchurrJoan Cleveland610-323-1694 610-323-8360Planning Commission Pat Smith

rd Gladys McGrath3 Wednesday 7pmBuilding Code Police Administration Cheryl BarrJay Kline, Chairman/Zoning Officer Manager Pat Washburn, Deborah Russo Ann GeryOpen SpaceVice-Chairman 610-323-1694 610-323-8360Review BoardDennis Gallino

thDavid Mariano 4 Tuesday 7pmRoad Department Pennsylvania GamePhyllis Chambers Chris Washburn, Chairman Jonathan McKee Jr., Road Commission:James White Susan Deegan-Watson Master 610-926-3136Phyllis ChambersRick KirkZoning Hearing Board Spencer Claypoole

nd th Steve Shillinger District JusticeJohn Ellwanger2 & 4 ThursdaysDave Bertolet James DeAngeloRichard SchelerAs needed 7pmDave Rishel 610-469-1910Ed DiCesare

Brad HollowayMunicipalChairmanState SenatorAuthorityAlbert Wrigley

th Real Estate 44th District Vice-Chairman 4 Tuesday 7:30pmTax Collector John RaffertyVirginia Lebon Jay Meloy, ChairmanNance Sparks 610-469-8390Charles G. Stacks Dennis Hullmann 610-970-0334Glen Hoff Robert W. Barlow

State RepresentativeRichard ArmstrongFire Department 26th DistrictParks And Recreation Tim Forester

st Norco Firehouse Tim HennesseyJames D. Scheffey Solicitor1 Wednesday 7:30pm610-323-3263 610-326-2626Steve Dunning, ManagerJay Erb, ChairmanFire Dept FaxColleen Skelton, Secty.610-327-0714 Chester CountyWaterSteve Weil, Treas.

Court House:AuthorityMichael Traheyrd Fire Marshal 800-692-1100Jeremy Dalton 3 Monday 7pm

Ron ComtoisJohn Ellwanger Dennis Hullmann, 610-323-1694 OJR School DistrictDavid Edleman Chairman

610-469-5100Timothy ForesterFire ChiefEnvironmental Barry BoettlinJoel Mc MillanAdvisory Council Mike Gammon

rd Keith Learn3 Wednesday 6:30pmEmergencyKen BickelAdam Sager, Chairman ManagementLinda KnoxBill CannonMatt GalambaJames D. Scheffey SolicitorKim White610-323-1694Steve Dunning, ManagerJohn Werth

Township Office845 S. Hanover Street

Phone: 610-323-1694 Fax: 610-323-7239The township building and police administrative offices are open

Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

4

Where should the rain garden go!

Residential rain gardens can be placed either near the house to catch roof runoff, or set back from the residence to collect water from both the roof and lawn. 6Select a sunny, gently sloping area

with soils that will percolate. Do not place under a large tree.

6Rule out locations with poorly draining soil types by digging a hole 6” deep, filling it with water and checking for complete drainage after 24 hours.

6Place the garden at least 10 feet away and downslope from any buildings so that infiltrating water does not harm the foundation. lawns to local streams and damaging Rain Gardens

6Do not construct the rain garden habitat, leading to costly expenditures over a septic field or in a low spot for stormwater management and Rain gardens are planted areas designed where rainwater already ponds. drinking water treatment. to soak up rain water, which drains from

6Choose areas with slopes of under a roof or other impervious surface. Rain 10! (4 to 8 ! is best). Avoid slopes Rain gardens offer many environmental gardens allow significantly more water greater than 12%. benefits to communities. Homeowners to soak into the ground than

are choosing to install them on their conventional patches of lawn, and How large should the rain properties because they: encourage homeowners to redirect garden be! stormwater from hard surfaces.

6Increase the amount of stormwater that recharges to groundwater, Collectively, individual homeowners A typical residential rain garden is 100 reducing downstream flooding and can protect drinking water supplies and to 300 square feet. To size your garden erosion problems. local streams and enhance biodiversity to capture 100! of the runoff for an

6Filter pollutants by installing rain gardens on their from stormwater properties. that

6washes off roofs, Why are rain gardens lawns, and paved

important! areas. 6Provide

As development has replaced forested attractive habitat land, stormwater runoff from developed for birds, areas has increased flooding and 6butterflies, and

average storm event, estimate the streambank erosion, carrying pollutants many beneficial insects. contributing drainage area from the and sediment from streets, rooftops, and portion of the roof that drains to that downspout and multiply that area by a factor of .32 for clay soils, assuming a 7” deep basin within 30 feet of the house. Place the longer side of the garden perpendicular to the slope and downspout. Crescent and kidney shapes with recommended widths of about 10 feet seem to work best.

Rain GardensA beautiful contribution for cleaner water and storm water management

continued on page 5

5

Dig out and create a basin measuring between four and eight inches deep and surround with a berm. A rain garden more than eight inches deep might pond water too long, look like a hole in the ground, and present a tripping hazard.

What should we plant!Amend the soil by replacing 6” to 12”of the existing soil with a mixture containing 2030! fully composted leaf mulch. Add 10-20! round sand for clay soils. Regrade the basin so that it is level.

6Select native plants that tolerate both flooding and dry conditions, and are suited to the amount of sunlight. Most riparian shrubs and perennials that tolerate more sun will do well in rain gardens. For a full listing of plants refer to resources listed below.

6Stabilize the basin and berm with two inches of shredded hardwood mulch to resist washout, and water plants regularly during the establishment period.

Maintaining the rain garden New plants need 1” of water per week, so the garden will require supplemental watering when it does not rain. Weeding is also important during the first two years. Once the garden is established, it should require minimal weeding and little or no watering.

Rain Gardens continued from page 4

Leaf Collection by Township

thLeaf collection will begin on curbed roadways on November 4 . Collection on roadways East of and including Laurelwood Rd. will be on the first and third week of the Month. Collection on roadways West of Laurelwood Rd. will be on the second and fourth week of the month. Collections will take place on Mondays and Tuesdays. Collection for East and West Main St.

th th thwill be on November 6 and 27 as well as December 11 . Leaf thcollection will conclude on December 24 . If weather is

inclement leaves will be collected on the next suitable day.

A few reminders for leaf collection

6Please do not pile leaves near storm drains

6Please do not pile leaves to far in advance of collection

6Please do not pile leaves when inclement weather is expected

6Try to keep large piles off of roadways

6Try to pile leaves weekend before collection

Tree Trimming

Throughout late fall and winter

several Township roads will have

tree trimming performed. Target

trees for trimming will include

trees with branches that are less

than 14 foot high and extend past

the road edge as well dead limbs

and trees within the township

right of way. Conflicts within

sight triangles will also be

addresses at this time. Tree

trimming is done to help create a

better line of sight along

Township roadways and to also

prevent strikes by falling limbs

and vehicles when branches are

under weight of snow.

Leaf Collection by Trash Haulers

Must be in biodegradable bags and by the curb

A. J. Blosenski

pick up dates

October 19, 2013, November 16, 2013 &

December 14, 2013

Waste Management

pick up dates

October 24, 2013, November 1, 2013 &

December 13, 2013

Diamond Disposal

pick up dates

October 29, 2013, November 12, 2013 &

November 19, 2013

must call to schedule

D & L Disposal

pick up dates

October 11, 2013, November 8, 2013 &

December 6, 2013

Chestmont Disposal

pick up dates

October 20, 2013, November 2, 2013 &

November 30, 2013

6

This year, Parks and Recreation added a new attraction in Recreation is still looking for sponsors for the remaining holes.

Kenilworth Park—a Disc Golf course! In 2012, Parks and Each sponsor receives a permanent sign at their tee.

Recreation began discussing how to best use the newly

acquired land adjacent to Kenilworth Park. It was decided There is still work to be completed to make this a family

that disc golf is a type of recreation in which many residents friendly attraction to our residents. Please contact the Township

could participate. The course started as an Eagle Scout Manager or North Coventry Parks and Recreation for

project by Robert Girard from Cedarville Troop 95. Robert information on helping to complete this course.

chose to create first nine holes as his Eagle Scout project

Access to the current course can be reached by parking in the and began planning the project last year, installing tees and

lot overlooking the lake and using the foot bridge that crosses baskets this summer. Work began this spring with planning

Kenilworth Creek. See aerial photo.the location of the holes and marking the locations at the

park. The initial ground

breaking was in July and was

finished by September.

Robert funded the first nine

holes through donations from

family, friends, and hole

sponsorships. Currently there

are three sponsors: Valtech

Corporation, a hole in memory

of Michael Giorgio, and a hole

dedicated to Mr. and Mrs.

Rudolf Woitas. Parks and

A New Attraction at Kenilworth Park - Disc Golf!

Robert Girard working on sod around a tee box. Scouts installing a disc catcher basket

Tree Trimming

Become a Volunteer for Meal on Wheels of Chester County

7

Volunteering is a wonderful way

to make a difference in your

community and it's easy! Our

North Coventry (NORCO)

Chapter has a great need for

volunteer drivers. Meals are

already prepared. All you have

to do is pick them up from

Coventry Manor Nursing Home

in South Coventry, and deliver

them to our homebound friends

in your community. It takes about an hour during lunch time. Volunteer once a week, once a month or every now and then.

It's up to you! You'll get immediate gratification from the smiles and thank yous received from appreciative clients who are

unable to prepare meals for themselves. Call our office at 610.430.8500 or e-mail meals@mowcc.org to help your community.

Throughout late fall and

winter several Township roads

will have tree trimming

performed. Target trees for

trimming will include trees with

branches that are less than 14

foot high and extend past the

road edge as well dead limbs

and trees within the township

right of way.

Conflicts within sight triangles

will also be addresses at this

time. Tree trimming is done to

help create a better line of

sight along Township roadways

and to also prevent strikes by

falling limbs and vehicles

when branches are under

weight of snow.

In 1897 Saylor began moving his lumber business to Pottstown next to the railroad. The

lumber yard and buildings were located at 820 Cross Street. In 1918 the business was

destroyed by fire but Saylor rebuilt.

One of William's sons, J. Ralph Saylor, formed a partnership with his father in the lumber

and coal business. William Saylor stayed active in the business until his retirement in

1931. Saylor was involved in the community affairs of North Coventry Township. He was

a member of the school board and the township board of Supervisors. He died in his

home in Kenilworth at age 93 in 1949. A grandson, Robert Saylor, is well known in the

township and has also served as a township Supervisor for a number of years until

December of 1999. Robert Saylor and his family have lived in the historic Longnecker

farm house on South Hanover Street.

Saylor house on left, circa mid 1920's

A Canal Wharf of Kenilworth continued from page 1

PresortedStandard MailU.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 137Pottstown, PA

8

North Coventry Township845 S. Hanover StreetPottstown, PA 19465

Phone: 610-323-1694

Since the early 70s, North Coventry has required all residential rental unit property owners to provide “the name, age, and occupation of each and every occupant of every apartment or rental unity on said property to the Township. “

You can obtain the necessary forms from the Township Office or online at northcoventry.us. Failure to report this information is subject to civil enforcement before the Magisterial District Judge and could result in a fine and cost being assessed against the property owner.

Rental Unit Reports Are Required!