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Elwood Taylor - Upper Pottsgrove Township Commissioner

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Elwood Taylor - Upper Pottsgrove Township Commissioner

I was pleased to be able to serve my friends and neighbors in Upper Pottsgrove Township for over 25 years.

I hope that my record on the Board of Commissioners and as a Planning Commissioner gives you confidence in electing me for another term. - Upper Pottsgrove Resident for 32 years
- Staff Sergeant - UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS – 6 years – honorably discharged
- Children’s Summer Camp Counselor and Director – 10 years
- American History Teacher – 26 years in the Pottsgrove School District – retired
- Treasurer and Board of Directors – Cornerstone Preschool, Boyertown – 10 years
- Volunteer Kindergarten Aide – Ringing Rocks Elementary – currently serving
- Althouse Arboretum / Green Allies – Treasurer and Board of Directors – currently serving
- Upper Pottsgrove Township Planning Commissioner and Chair – served over 25 years
- Pottstown Metropolitan Regional Planning Commissioner – FOUNDING MEMBER
- Upper Pottsgrove Township Commissioner and President – served over 20 years
AS YOUR PAST COMMISSIONER
- Led the Township through the “Great Recession” without raising general fund taxes
- Rewrote the zoning code to reduce permitted housing densities by half
- Extended public drinking water to hundreds of homes with contaminated wells
- Coordinated three, State-mandated extensions of public sewer service to homes whose private systems had failed, using State grants and developer contributions
- Facilitated the reorganization of the bankrupt Township Fire Company while turning the firehouse into a shared-use facility to house the cramped administrative offices
- Actively led the Township’s Open Space initiative that has resulted in the preservation of over 300 acres for public enjoyment
- Oversaw Township meetings where residents were free to dialogue with their elected officials at all stages of the meeting
-------These achievements could not have been realized without the consensus and support of a progressive electorate, and the dedication of many others, including elected officials, citizen volunteers, and hard-working staff.

11/07/2026

The following “fake news” has been foisted on residents anxious about their own private water wells and the impact of constructing additional, small-lot, Age-Qualiifed (AQ), senior homes by Artisan Construction Group in the Kummerer Road area of the Township.

Claim:
“Because the proposed homes would rely on groundwater, some residents have expressed concern that increased demand could affect the local aquifer and, over time, influence private wells in surrounding neighborhoods.”

Please note:
None of these proposed new homes will have private water wells or rely on groundwater *** that could affect the local aquifer. Whoever shared this information knows better. It’s a red herring designed to incite anger and anxiety.

In fact, no major housing development using private well water has been permitted or constructed in the Township since the turn of the century. Since the 1990s, the Township’s Zoning and Land Development Ordinances have explicitly prohibited any small-lot housing developments from drilling and using private wells. As agreed, the new homes being built near Kummerer Road will be developed in accordance with the former AQ (senior homes) regulations - which state:

¶350-190.C. “All Age-Qualified developments shall be served by public water and sewer.”

Anyone having concerns about their groundwater levels, should instead focus on the fact that most of the existing single-lot properties in this area—many of which experienced septic system failures—have since had their homes connected to the public sewer system. Consequently, the groundwater that supplies private wells is now being flushed and piped to the Pottstown treatment plant where it is discharged into the Schuylkill River. This means that local groundwater is no longer treated by on-lot septic systems that would otherwise help replenish the aquifer used by the current residents.

While there are other possible issues to be considered with this development – depletion of ground water supplies is not one of them.***
(((Apologies in advance if my “word salad” isn’t digestible.)))

****AS IT'S BEEN POINTED OUT – I STAND CORRECTED ON THIS POINT –
All of the drinking water in Upper Pottsgrove DOES indeed rely on groundwater. Except for those homes along the border with Pottstown who get their water from the Schuylkill River, most of our resident’s drinking water comes from groundwater – either from their own, on-site private wells or from a public water supplier, like Aqua PA, who pipes it in from their interconnected system of commercial wells. And while this property is in their service area, Aqua PA’s plan to construct a public well on this property is regulated by the PA Public Utility Commission (PUC) which generally trumps any Township control.

03/07/2026

At the Township meeting coming up this Monday, 7/6/2026, the Commissioners will be considering a proposal by Artisan home developers to settle a long-standing legal dispute over their plans to complete their Age-Qualified (senior) development at Pottsgrove Hunt in the northwest corner of the Township.

Here is a letter sent in response to a resident of the nearby Summer Grove development who wrote to the Commissioners about their concern over the impact on their neighborhood. It tries to address misinformation that has inflamed some opinions.

Dear Neighbor,
Thank you for reaching out and sharing your concerns about the proposed developments in our community. Managing growth is a shared responsibility of our elected officials, who must balance the rights of ALL property owners with the requirements of the law. The following may clarify some misunderstandings that have contributed to anxiety among some of our residents.

While some residents are expressing fears that “over 400 homes and townhomes” could be added in the area around the Summer Grove neighborhood if Artisan’s development plans proceed, it’s important to clarify that this is not the case. As you correctly noted, 143 homes have already been built at Pottsgrove Hunt - (the senior housing community located on Kummerer Road) - which brings the total number of new housing units under discussion to approximately 264—not “over 400”.

It’s also important to note that Pottsgrove Hunt did not, as some claim, come into existence solely because zoning was “bypassed through the granting of waivers.” In fact, the Township’s zoning code actively encouraged age-qualified (AQ) development for seniors in that location. The AQ zoning ordinance was adopted after extensive public debate, review by the Township Planning Commission, input from Montgomery County planners, public posting, and an advertised hearing and vote by the Board of Commissioners. AQ zoning had been in place for over ten years before Artisan purchased the property and began planning for its development.

The introduction of AQ zoning was a strategic response to community concerns about maintaining essential services in a “bedroom community” that could not rely on a commercial tax base to offset rising costs. Residents agreed that they did not want commercial or industrial activities to encroach into residential neighborhoods. Instead, they supported AQ zoning because it helped balance the tax burden—bringing in new residents who contribute to local taxes without significantly increasing school costs, as school taxes are approximately ten times higher than township taxes.

Today, your neighbors living in Pottsgrove Hunt, contribute nearly $200,000 annually for township services (whose private streets are not even snowplowed by the Township) and almost $1 million yearly to the school district (without sending any children to school) - helping to keep taxes manageable for all.

It’s also crucial to understand that no development within the Township has ever been approved without the use of waivers—including Summer Grove. Waivers are not simply loopholes to bypass zoning regulations; rather, they are an essential part of the land development process, authorized by the Township’s zoning ordinances. These ordinances explicitly state that “the Township Board of Commissioners may modify or adjust the standards of this chapter to permit reasonable utilization of property while securing substantial conformance with the objectives of the regulations.” The zoning hearing board reviews requests and may grant variances when “special circumstances or conditions fully described in the findings” justify relief, ensuring that property can be used reasonably.

Anyone claiming that perceived “overdevelopment” can simply be prohibited if it is not “by right” - (since it does not strictly comply with every jot and tittle of the Township’s zoning and land development standards) - will lose that argument in a court of law.

Regarding your specific concern about Artisan’s plan to build townhouses, please be assured that the waiver process cannot be used to convert zoning for single-family homes into townhouses. However, since the Township has denied Artisan’s development plan because it was not “by right,” the participation of the courts has now been inserted into what should be a local development process.

Please know that your concerns are valued, and our community’s development is carefully managed within the boundaries of the law. The Commissioners remain committed to transparency and open communication. If you have further questions or would like to discuss this matter more fully, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

(Since this letter was written, the following additional information has been posted at the following link)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/schreiberforupperpottsgrove/permalink/3217383391779775/

25/04/2026

I was honored to speak on behalf of the Upper Pottsgrove Township Board of Commissioners at today's dedication of the Green Allies Conservatory at the Althouse Arboretum -

"Fifteen years ago, what was once a potential subdivision is now a thriving haven for nature and learning—thanks to a shared vision and community dedication.

Fifteen years ago, the property we now call the Althouse Arboretum was being divided up into 30 building lots by land developers– but the Hilsee family chose another path. They instead wanted to protect the land where they had played as children, and create an environmental education center and park where others could enjoy the natural world as they had.

When Todd Hilsee approached Herb Miller, me, and other Township officials with this vision, we jumped at the idea of adding this property to our growing portfolio of protected Open Space. I must admit, at the time, all I imagined we’d see were some walking trails for our residents and the occasional science teacher leading his class on a field trip to satisfy the ecology chapter in the earth science curriculum. Then they’d all go back to class and make posters to hang outside their room urging classmates to - Just Say No to Pollution - -- or --- Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.

Needless to say – we got a lot more than that. Ken Hamilton was poached from the High School where he had created an innovative environmental studies program where his students wrote the curriculum and became their own teachers.

Over the last 10 years, the Green Allies have turned the Hilsee’s childhood playground into the brightest jewel in the crown of our Township’s Open Spaces. Now, every year, thousands of people, young and old, walk its trails or take part in the programs that students have designed and managed. And the building we dedicate today is a product and fruition of that successful endeavor.

On behalf of the Upper Pottsgrove Board of Commissioners, I want to officially thank the Hilsee family for offering to make this land a public space - all the Township officials and staff over the years who have supported this unique public/private enterprise - the Green Allies Board of Directors who have donated their thoughts, time and treasure that is essential for turning visions into reality - and of course Ken, Donna, and all the students, who do the heavy lifting that brings us to where we are today.

The Green Allies Conservatory being dedicated today will not only be a classroom where students learn and plan their environmental activities and programs, but it will also be a gathering place where community members can meet and mingle, surrounded by the bucolic beauty that is the Althouse Arboretum!

Together, let's ensure that this jewel of our community continues to inspire future generations to cherish and protect our natural world."

05/03/2026

GILBERTSVILLE ROAD OPEN SPACE FINALLY PROTECTED

27/02/2026

The Township's collaboration with the Green Allies continues to enhance our enjoyment of the Althouse Arboretum.

07/02/2026

UPPER POTTSGROVE residents are no longer freeloading on the backs of our neighbors.

While area communities consistently contributed their fair share to support our LOCAL LIBRARY, Upper Pottsgrove Commissioners instead squandered almost $300,000 on losing lawsuits against our own residents.

But now, the new Board of Commissioners has allocated $30,000 to the library, which will be matched by $9,600 from the State.

28/01/2026

I'm so glad that the promise to Tom Smola and to the people of Upper Pottsgrove was definitively upheld - and forever grateful that Matt and Nathaniel put their considerable efforts into leading the wildly successful public campaign that made it happen.

23/01/2026

Over the course of several months last year - while plans for building a municipal complex on Township Open Space were in legal jeopardy - taxpayers were regularly threatened at public meetings, in social media, and even in courtroom testimony with losing “up to NINE MILLION DOLLARS in contractual obligations” if the court ruled against the Township officials. Even so, contracts were signed, planning finalized, and construction equipment mobilized to break ground.

However, the actual contracts – which were never shared with the public – told a very different story. They stated:

“The Owner (Township) may, at any time, terminate the Contract for the Owner’s convenience, without cause, and without penalty……The Contractor shall be entitled to receive payment from the Owner for all work performed through the date of termination, (but) shall not be entitled to any other payment or to damages of any kind as a result of the termination, including but not limited to lost profits and overhead on the unperformed portion of the Work. The amount of any termination fee – NONE.”

The contractual language clearly indicates that the Township could, at any time, end the project without penalty, and the contractor would only be paid for work already completed—nothing more.

04/01/2026

Putting a broken egg back together again is an impossible task—yet we five Commissioners taking office this January face a challenge almost as difficult.

Our community has been fractured by years of escalating controversy, contentious public meetings, struggles to uncover public information, frivolous and expensive legal battles, and most critically, a failure to address the vital needs of our township’s administrative, police, and public works buildings in a transparent and legal manner. The road ahead will require dedication, cooperation, and a steadfast commitment to repairing what’s been broken.

Our first meeting will begin at 6:30PM this coming Monday, January 5th, in the library of the Pottsgrove Middle School. We can’t unscramble everything in one night, nor will we be hatching any plans out of the public eye either - because we know that restoring public trust hinges on putting our promise of open dialogue into action.

Thank you for your patience and support as we make transparency normal again.

05/12/2025

After saying that he was an "activist judge" who issued a "flawed" ruling, the sitting Commissioners learned today that Judge Saltz was not moved by their post-trial motions to reconsider their case for building a municipal complex on the Gilbertsville Road Open Space.

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