PALMYRA TOWNSHIP – WAYNE COUNTY September 8, 2020

Chairman Steffen called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.

Roll call of the Supervisors showed that Chairman Steffen , Supervisor Kmetz and Supervisor Hanf were present.

Supervisor Kmetz made a motion to accept the previous month’s minutes as written with a second by Supervisor Hanf 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 Hanf 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 Bertholf and is on file.

Fire Report was given by Eugene Krause and is on file.

Chairman Steffen stated he has Resolution 2020-03 authorizing the submission of the Monroe County Local Share Grant to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development that says Palmyra Township-Wayne County is submitting this application on behalf of the Hawley Fire Company.
He went on to say that when approached by the Hawley Fire Department regarding this grant submission a letter of support was what was requested. Solicitor Treat stated that a municipality has to apply for the grant since fire departments aren’t allowed to.
Chairman Steffen asked who was going to be responsible for the administrative end of grant. Solicitor Treat stated that the only thing the township is authorizing is the grant being sent in. Chairman Steffen also stated that the overall logistics; bids, book keeping, banking records , etc. would be handled by the fire department entirely, upon successful awarding of the grant.
With that being said Supervisor Hanf made a motion to adopt Resolution 2020-03 with a second by Supervisor Kmetz and all Supervisors voting yes.

Ambulance Report is on file. Chairman Steffen stated he and Supervisor Kmetz attended the Regional Ambulance meeting held on August 19 th . He stated it was the consensus at the meeting that an authority be formed to include Hawley Borough, Paupack Township and Palmyra Township-Wayne County. He made a motion to authorize Solicitor Treat to work with the Solicitor’s from Hawley Borough and Paupack Township to write the language etc. to form a Wayne County Regional Ambulance service with a second by Supervisor Kmetz and all Supervisors voting yes.

Road Report was given by Road Master Kmetz and is on file . Road Master Kmetz stated he tried to get in touch with Thomas Mazzga regarding the generator but he was unable to reach him and asked the Board if they still wanted to pursue installing the generator. He was informed to go ahead with the project. Supervisor Kmetz stated that that as of this meeting the quote for the generator was $8,536.90 and an additional $200.00 would be needed to pay Highhouse Oil Company for the installation of pipe.

Supervisor Kmetz had a question regarding the price of Northeast Inspection Consultants fees. He stated that the square foot charge for a home in Palmyra Township was $2.51 a square foot as compared to a home in Lackawaxen Township that was $.24 a square foot, Dingman’s Ferry Township at $.31 a square foot and Paupack Township at $.33 per square foot. Supervisor Kmetz felt the Board should look into this matter.
Zoning Officer Natale stated that Northeast Inspection Consultants bases their fees on a percentage of 1.5% of the cost of the job. Chairman Steffen felt it was valid point to investigate the square footage versus a percentage and with that being said he requested a copy of the township’s contract with Northeast Inspection Consultants and their price list so he could review it.

It was decided that the township would advertise for a replacement for Kyle McDonald.

Correspondence - The Township received its normal newsletters, pamphlets, brochures and magazines that are posted on the back wall. The township received the Hawley Area Authority minutes. The township received notification from the Wayne County Board of Assessment that they granted the Wayne County Historical Society an exemption from their property taxes. Penn Dot notified the township that our liquid fuel allocation is estimated at $60,085.74 with the estimated turn back for 2021 at $3,520.00.

Public Comment - Mr. Van Orden thanked the Hawley Police Department for the job they were doing on Columbus Avenue keeping the speeding down.

Zoning Report was given by Mr. Natale and is on file .

Planning Commission - Mr. Natale stated there was nothing to report.

Public Comment - None

Emergency Management - Supervisor Hanf stated he attend ed the quarterly training on August 19 th .

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

Solicitor’s Report - Mr. Treat stated that he was able to file the writ of execution on the Wejnert property with the sale date set for December 16 th at 10:00 AM in the Wayne County Court House as well as sending out the required 3921 notices to the Wejnert family.

Public Comment - Mr. Van Orden informed the Board that his son will be sending in a letter of resignation for his position as Constable since he has moved out of the township. He was told to have him send the letter to the township.

Chairman Steffen made a motion to adjourn at 7:07 PM with a second by Supervisor Kmetz and all Supervisors voting yes. Next scheduled meeting is October 5, 2020 at 6:30 PM.