PALMYRA TOWNSHIP – WAYNE COUNTY April 1, 2024
Chairman Steffen called the board of supervisors meeting to order at 6:30 PM. Roll call showed Chairman Steffen and Supervisor Bartleson were present. Supervisor Kmetz has been excused.
Last month’s minutes for the previous month were reviewed as written. Chairman Steffen made a motion to accept the previous month’s minutes, with a second by Supervisor Bartleson and all supervisors voting yes.
The Treasurer’s Report was given by Shayla Gouger and is on file as well as posted on the back wall. Chairman Steffen made a motion to accept the treasurers report with a second by Supervisor Bartleson and all supervisors voting yes. Shayla has presented the board with options for new banking. The interest rate at Honesdale National is the highest. Chairman Steffen made a motion to open a new bank account at Honesdale National, with a second from Supervisor Bartleson and all supervisors voting yes.
Bill List number #4 was presented. Chairman Steffen made a motion to pay the bill list with a second by Supervisor Bartleson and all supervisors voting yes.
Police Report was given by an Officer and is on file.
Fire Report was given by Scott Mead and is on file.
PPH Ambulance Report was provided by Chairman Steffen. The March 27th meeting was cancelled due to a death. The March 12th meeting was attended by both Chairman Steffen and Supervisor Bartleson. This meeting with Commissioners was to see if there were any monies to contribute to the PPH and possibly expand. The commissioners developed an Ambulance Commission which will be primarily used to further training but not fund the cost of services. There will be further discussion to see if the Ambulance Commission will/can contribute to the cost of services. On April 3, 2024, the 3 municipalities will meet to discuss PPH. Road Report was given by Supervisor Bartleson and is on file.
Public Comment none currently.
Correspondence The Township received its normal newsletters, pamphlets, brochures, and magazines. Farmers insurance reached out about a claim to damage on a Stop Sign in our township. After speaking with Roadmaster Kmetz, the only thing that replaced were a couple of bolts. So, the claim for damage was denied by Palmyra Township Wayne County. There is an Annual Meeting of Housing and Redevelopment Insurance Exchange at the Beasley Firm in Philly on April 23, 2024. Monroe County Vector Control will be performing Mosquito Surveillance.
Zoning Report was given by Paul Natale for the month. Ed Harsh is representing the Bossick family and property. A non-building waiver was placed on the Bossick property, tax map #18-0-0285-0040.0002 when the property was first subdivided. This lot did not perc at the time. As per Chris Martin, he has run a new perc test, and the property did perc near the rear property line. After review by the Planning Commission, who also approved the removal of the non-building waiver, and review by Chris Martin, everything is in order. Chairman Steffen made a motion to remove the non-building waiver form property tax map #18-0-0285-0040.0002, with a second from Supervisor Bartleson and all supervisors voting yes.
Harmony in the Woods: Ned Sader is looking to increase the number of allowed people. This is the 4th season Harmony in the Woods has been open. There will be 22 shows in 2024. There was talk of expanding the Traffic Management Plan. This also led to the ADA Plan and Emergency Management Plan. The idea was to incorporate the Dime Bank parking lot to help with traffic flow. As of now, Harmony in the Woods believes that the one ingress/egress area is better for traffic control. At this time there will be no modification. Harmony in the Woods would like to expand their 150 people max capacity to 225 people. They have already made the modifications to the parking lot as well as 2 ADA parking spaces. Harmony in the Woods received a $100,000 Keystone Community Grant and requests a letter of support from the township. Chairman Steffen asked if PennDot has been out to the property to see the sight triangle distances from the entrance/exit because Chairman Steffen feels like they are not big enough. Ned stated PennDot has not been out to check but Ned will get the township a letter from PennDot stating line of sight is acceptable.
Solicitor Treat advised that we need to have a hearing to change the conditions. This meeting will be advertised for May 6, 2024, at 6:15 at the township building.
Leeward/Linde Quarry: Paul received information that an application has been filed to expand the mining area roughly another 4 acres. Paul reached out to the engineers to get a pdf copy of the map; Solicitor Treat also reached out to the engineers asking if the mining area will be in the original industrial zone. No one ever responded to Paul or Jeff. Ned Sader stated that they will be staying in the designated industrial zone as laid out by the township. Jeff Treat stated that he wants a letter from the engineer stating that they are staying in the industrial zone. Solicitor Treat stated that the township would like to have this letter on file in case there are questions in the future. This will be to bring in more dirt to get the reclamation of the hill started. They will not be doing any expanding on the wall visible from Hawley. Ned also stated that should the township want to see any paperwork or applications that he would have no problem with sharing the information if there is an understanding that Leeward/Linde does not want this information on the web, which has made the quarry uneasy to share. Paul brought it to the attention of the BOS and Ned Sader, that none of the maps matched up. In 2022 the existing mining limit on the map was 55.8 acres and in 2015 the mining limit on their map was 54.5 acres. The SMP Boundaries are the same on all maps. There are questions as to what map is right. The most current map, presented today, stated the existing mining limit is 55.8 acres. Ned is unaware of any changes to the acreage on the maps or any formal applications to expand acreage. Jeff Treat states that the township will comment to DEP about this application, and it would look bad if the quarry was not willing to share any information with us. Paul is reviewing both maps and states that EarthRes maps look suspicious and seem to be incorrect. Solicitor Treat asked if there would be an opportunity for the Supervisors to meet with Linde and go over the application, maps and walk the property. Mr. Sader stated that a meeting would be something he would propose to Gary Linde. Jeff states that it is in the townships’ best interest to have a meeting with the quarry. This will help to answer any questions that the people may have. Ned will work to set up a working meeting with the township and quarry.
Short Term Rental Fees: Chairman Steffen had asked if there was any prorate available. There is not. Shayla contacted the local townships to get an idea of the cost others are charging. Chairman Steffen stated the township is not looking to make money simply cover the cost of Preferred Management and possible sewer fees. Chairman Steffen would like the township to only collect township fees the first year and not the following years the Short-Term Rental is open. Chairman Steffen made a motion to hire Preferred Management at a $600.00 application fee, as Palmyra Township Wayne County’s Short Term Rental Consultants effective June 1, 2024, with a second from Supervisor Bartleson and all supervisors voting yes. Chairman Steffen made a motion to have Solicitor Treat to write up 2 resolutions, 1 resolution stating that initial application fee of $250 is paid onetime to township for the short-term rental application and the 2nd resolution for the sewer enforcement officer fee of $150.00 should an inspection need to be done, with a second from Supervisor Bartleson and all supervisors voting yes. Paul suggested there should be a check on Short Term Rental’s Homeowners insurance. This will be checked on by Preferred Management during the application process. Paul asked again about how an LLC could NOT be considered a business. As stated previously Jeff Treat advised Paul that until the courts rule differently, Short Term Rentals are not a business.
Pool Applications: Paul has revised the Pool Application for the township. Mr. Treat stated that Paul has done a wonderful job revising the application. It covers all the basics and the necessity for a pool barrier. It is a one-page application, and it will be available online, but you will not be able to access the application until the applicant has read and checked boxes online covering the barriers and what is required. Chairman Steffen made a motion to approve the new pool permit application effectively immediately with a second from Supervisor Bartleson and all supervisors voting yes.
Paul stated there is another dangerous building on Columbus Ave at the bottom of Oak Street. Paul will be sending a letter to the property owner as a complaint has been made about the property. The letter sent to Mr. Waller at Triple W Stables has yet to be picked up at the post office. It has been brought to the attention of Paul that Mr. Waller was on the Wayne County Sheriff's Facebook page and has a warrant out for his arrest for failure to appear in court.
Paul asked if there was any word from the Railroad in White Mills as there was another complaint. Jeff Treat stated that he had not heard anything back.
The Planning Commission has nothing to report.
Report of Digitizing Records has nothing to report. Emergency Management has nothing to report.
The Solicitor’s Report Mr. Treat has nothing to report.
Final Call for Public Comment Gary VanOrden asked even with the discrepancy in the maps will the expansion still fall within the industrial zone. Ned Sader stated that it will in fact stay inside the designated area. The SMP boundary is the only boundary that has remained constant on all the maps.
Motion to adjourn at 7:31 pm by Chairman Steffen and a second by Supervisor Bartleson and all supervisors voting yes.
Next scheduled meeting is Monday May 6, 2024, at 6:15 PM.