PALMYRA TOWNSHIP – WAYNE COUNTY March 2, 2020

Chairman Steffen called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM. Roll call of the Supervisors showed that Chairman Steffen and Supervisor Kmetz were present. Supervisor Hamby was absent.

Supervisor Kmetz made a motion to accept the previous month’s minutes as written with a second by Chairman Steffen and all Supervisors voting yes.

Treasurer’s Report is on file as well as posted on the back wall. Chairman Steffen made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report with a second by Supervisor Kmetz and all Supervisors voting yes.

The bills are on file as well as posted on the back wall. Chairman Steffen made a motion to pay the bills with a second by Supervisor Kmetz and all Supervisors voting yes.

Police Report was given by Officer Paquette and is on file.

Fire Report given by Eugene Krause and is on file.

Ambulance Report - Jeff Phys gave the report stating that Hawley Ambulance had six calls for the month.

Chairman Steffen stated in regards to the proposed Regional Ambulance that he attended the meeting held on February 26 th and that there is yet a formal structure to be put in place whether it be an Authority or a Committee. He stated that there was discussion about whether it should be an Authority or some other form of structure and there was no decision made at that time. The discussion centered on the legality of whether a municipality who had ambulance service could charge another municipality who did not have ambulance service a fee. A fee structure was talked about as well as Mr. Boogertman would research the cost of a feasibility study.
Solicitor Treat stated that the township would be compelled to support an ambulance service if the township does not its own BLS or ALS service. He went on to state that he agrees with Attorney Waldron in regards to the governing body of the proposed Regional Ambulance being an Authority. Chairman Steffen asked Solicitor Treat to find out what a half mil tax would generate.
The next scheduled meeting of the Regional Ambulance is March 25 th at 6:00 PM . the location is the Palmyra Township-Pike County municipal building. Jeff Phys stated that it would approximately cost $65.00 per household for BLS and $75.00 per household for ALS. Christin Krauss stated to run the ambulance for a call in Hawley Borough it cost approximately $600.00 per call. Chairman Steffen asked the Solicitor if the Resolution was done in regards to the dual dispatch that Hawley Ambulance requested .
Solicitor Treat stated that he had been sick for the past 10 days and was unable to get it done. Ms. Powderly informed the Board that in speaking with the 911 Center the township is only required to have a resolution for Advance Life Support. The Board decided that for ALS it would be the closest available. Solicitor Treat stated he would he would have it prepared for the April 6 th meeting. Mr. Phys asked about the Hawley Ambulance taking over their primary coverage area within the Township. He stated that he dropped off copies of the license and the list of the Board of Director’s. He went on to say he would like to have their coverage area back and that White Mills Ambulance is down to only 5 people.
Betsy Turner from the 911 Center introduced herself to Board. She explained t hat Hawley Ambulance is dispatched when requested by Pike County but since Hawley Ambulance does not have primary coverage within Wayne County the 911 Center cannot dispatch them. She also stated that the White Mills Ambulance Company is one the strongest in Wayne County. In regards to dual dispatch, the 911 Center would not like to see that happen due to liability issues. She explained that dual dispatch means both companies are responding at the same time and whoever gets to the scene first has responsibility for the call. She stated that Hawley Ambulance is currently out of service consistently.
Mr. Phys explained the reason there are out of service is because of the lack of area and not that we don’t have the people but it’s hard to have volunteers sit in the ambulance building for 12 hours . He stated that if they get their coverage area back they will have personnel sitting at the ambulance building. Chairman Steffen thanked Mr. Phys for his input and stated he would have White Mills Ambulance attend the next monthly meeting.

Road Report was given by Road Master Kmetz and is on file. He stated that the Township is now in compliance with Solid Waste Management for the next ten years.

Correspondence - The Township received its normal newsletters, pamphlets, brochures and magazines that are posted on the back wall. The township received notification from the Pennsylvania Department of Protection that Wayco, Inc. (Didder Ridge Quarry) had sent in their application to construct and/or operate a portable non-metallic mineral processing plant as well as a Diesel or No. 2 fuel-fired internal combustion engines.
The Wayne County Conservation District invited the Board to attend their Annual Spring Conference on April 3 0 th being held at Tick Tocks Restaurant, Honesdale, Pa. from 7: 30 AM to 10:30 AM with breakfast being served.
PennDot informed the township that on March 2 nd $66,672.72 (liquid fuel tax) and $3,520.00 (state turn back ) will be direct deposited into our PLGIT account.
Ms. Powderly informed the Board that the townships audit for 2019 was done and on file at the Wayne County Court House as well as Harrisburg.

Public Comment Mr. Van Orden asked who would foot the bill for the feasibility study that the Regional Ambulance requested. Chairman Steffen stated that Mr. Boogertman would be looking into grants.
Mr. Krause informed the Board that Lisa Osborne’s property was again becoming a hazard most particularly a fire hazard with old sofas and chairs stacked up in front of her house as well as having two unlicensed vehicles on her property. Mr. Natale will send out a Notice of Violation giving her 30 days to clean the property up or make an Appeal, as per the Board as well as the Solicitor.

Zoning Report was given by Mr. Natale and is on file. Chairman Steffen inquired about the final meeting of Trail Feasibility Study and Mr. Natale stated that the study was completed and the study will be turned over to the county.

Planning Commission - Mr. Kovaleski representing the Bruno’s presented the Bruno Subdivision to the Board. Mr. Kovaleski stated that he has met all the requirements that the Wayne County Department of Planning had suggested. Supervisor Kmetz made a motion to approve the Bruno Subdivision with a second Chairman Steffen and all Supervisors voting yes.

Public Comment - None

Emergency Management - None .

Crime Report - Supervisor Kmetz stated there was nothing to report.

Solicitor’s Report He stated that in regard s to the Bow Tie Lane property owned by the Wejnert’s there are no mortgages on the property and the township’s judgement of $9,479.75 constitutes a first lien. He stated the township can execute the judgement on the property and take ownership of the property and clean up the property and then resell the property or sell the judgement to someone on condition that they clean up the property once they receive title to the property.
Mr. Treat stated that Michael Hanf might be interested in buying the judgement. Mr. Hanf stated he would be interested in buying the judgement.
Chairman Steffen made a motion to sell the judgement to Mr. Hanf and once the title is received he would have 90 days to clean up the property as well as having the Solicitor draw up the paperwork with a second by Supervisor Kmetz and all Supervisors voting yes.

Public Comment - None

With no further business, Chairman Steffen made a motion to adjourn at 7:11 PM with a second by Supervisor Kmetz and all Supervisors voting yes. Next scheduled meeting is April 6 , 20 20 at 6:30 PM.