PALMYRA TOWNSHIP – WAYNE COUNTY August 5, 2024

 

Chairman Steffen called the board of supervisors meeting to order at 6:30 PM. Roll call showed all Supervisors were present.

 

Last month’s minutes were reviewed as written. Supervisor Kmetz 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. Chairman Steffen asked for Shayla to reach out to White Mills Ambulance to get a report of how many calls they have handled in the previous months in our township. As some of the ambulance tax monies should be allocated in their direction.

 

Prior to the Bill List being read, Chairman Steffen asked for a $350.00 donation for the Hawley Boro Police be added for National Night Out on August 6, 2024.

 

Bill List number #8 was presented. Chairman Steffen made a motion to pay the bill list with a second by Supervisor Kmetz and all supervisors voting yes.

 

Updates on the light projects are as follows: The light sensor at IGA is broken. This needs to be fixed before any timing study on the green signal at 6 and 590 can be done as all lights need to be at full working capacity. The Owego and 590 Light project, a safety project initiated by PennDot, is in the very early stages of development. PennDot is not ready to speak to the public about the project currently. The letter received from Paupack addressed to PennDot was a letter with concerns expressed by Bruce as he was the only one to attend this meeting. There is no current timeline for this project. PennDot is trying to complete this and another project on Owego at the same time. Gary Linde has shown interest in possibly helping with payment of the light bills. Solicitor Treat suggested that the BOS elect one person to be a liaison between the township and PennDot. A motion was made by Chairman Steffen to make Chairman Steffen the liaison between the township and PennDot on the Owego and 590 Project, with a second from Supervisor Kmetz and all supervisors voting yes.

 

Police Report was given by an Officer and is on file. Chairman Steffen asked if there was any update on the Wellness Check the township asked the police to perform on the house in Hawley. There is no update at this time. There was also a note read from Chief Drake asking the township to stop into the National Night Out on August 6, 2024, in the park for food and activities. He also asked for the township’s consideration on a donation for the event. (This was read after the Fire Report)

 

Fire Report was given by Hunter Mead and is on file.

 

PPH Ambulance Report was provided by Chairman Steffen. At the 6 months review it was brought to the attention of PPH that out of the last 6 months of calls, only 25% of them have been in the 3 townships. Roughly 250 calls a month have been answered by PPH in the first 6 months of the 2024 year. The remainder of the calls resided in outside townships/municipalities. This has prompted the urge to send letters to neighboring townships to ask for financial assistance in paying the PPH bills.

 

Road Report was given by Roadmaster Kmetz and is on file. Supervisor Kmetz requested permission to take down another dangerous tree in the township. Permission granted.

 

Correspondence The Township received its normal newsletters, pamphlets, brochures, and magazines. Supervisor Kmetz and John Flanagan received certificates for their completion of a Chainsaw Safety Course. JoAnne Kmetz also received a certificate for her completion of a 2024 Tax Class.

 

Public Comment Micheal Cole lives off of Spruce St. and Straight Lane is having problems with his neighbor. He is concerned about a few things. Solicitor Treat advised them to seek council on certain situations that the township is unable to help with. Paul said that he had received a complaint about this particular property concerning the unregistered cars Mr. Cole was concerned about. Paul visited the property with Police presence to Chuck Straights property and spoke with the owner’s wife and informed them that they can not have more then 2 unregistered cars at one time in his yard. He informed them that they will be receiving a letter about complying with the township code. Paul advised the Coles to keep photographed documentation of any further issues.

Christine Krauss from Ridge Ave came to complain about the speeds traveled on Ridge Ave. She presented and read a letter from her neighbor Bridget Northvop concerning the speed. Christine stated that the police have been making a presence to try and deter speeders. She wants the state to come in and do a speed study and lay down either speed bumps or rumble strips to slow drivers. She is very upset about the situation. She has asked the BOS to ask the Hawley Boro Police to increase patrols in that area. The BOS has granted that request with a formal verbal request to the Officers present at the meeting. Chairmans Steffen asked for Shayla to forward Bridget Northvops letter as well as a letter to Representative Olsommer asking if they could help us with this situation in any way.

Paul Natale has stated the power outages have increased in the last few months. Most of these outages are caused by trees on wires. He asked if the township could make a call to PPL to ask if there is a line maintenance project to have these trees cut down before they take the wires down. Supervisor Kmetz stated that PPL has told him on numerous occasions that they would rather just wait for them to fall.

 

Zoning Report was given by Paul Natale for the month. Chairman Steffen asked if there was any update on the house on Columbus that has been deemed unsafe, unsanitary and uninhabitable. Paul stated a letter had been sent. The next letter will be out a few days from now, should he not receive a response. But he has little hope that he will. He has reason to believe that she abandoned the house. Solicitor Treat asked Paul to investigate NEIC to see if they have the capacity to condemn a building. Chairman Steffen made a motion to have Paul investigate NEIC and the condemnation of the building on Columbus Ave with a second from Supervisor Kmetz and all supervisors voting yes.

Paul asked if there was any update on the Railroad. Solicitor Treat said no but he would investigate it with attorney Ellis.

 

The Planning Commission has nothing to report. There will be a meeting on August 13, 2024, at 6:30 pm for a Solar Project discussion on Long Ridge Rd. Total Energies from Boston.

 

Report of Digitizing Records has nothing to report.

 

Emergency Management has nothing to report.

 

The Solicitor’s Report

 

Final Call for Public Comment Christine Krauss asked how we planned on getting the other townships to chip in financially with the ambulance. Chairman Steffen stated they would first ask nicely with information that will show that these townships are costing us extra money and then seek Solicitor advice.

 

Motion to adjourn at 7:09 pm by Chairman Steffen with a second by Supervisor Kmetz and all supervisors voting yes.

 

Next scheduled meeting is Tuesday September 3, 2024, at 6:30 PM.