PALMYRA TOWNSHIP – WAYNE COUNTY January 2, 2024
Chairman Steffen called the board of supervisors meeting to order at 6:00 PM. Roll call showed all Supervisors were present.
Conditional Use Hearing for Mike Kuzmiak Property on Gravity Road.
This property is rural residential, and Mike Kuzmiak Jr. would like to make the property a commercial storage area to rent out for Shepard Wood and Wood Designs.
Notice has been given via postings to the public and recorded. Notice has been given to all adjacent properties along North Street with US Postal receipts, this is recorded. List of people that had to be notified and is recorded. Finally, the conditional use application and check for the hearing, both have been recorded.
Mike Kuzmiak stated that he would like to rent the building out at 15 Gravity Rd in Hawley, to Shepard Wood for storage for Mr. Wood’s constriction business. This is an enclosed building. 2 entry doors and 2 garage doors. All materials will be stored inside. Possibility of a trailer or 2 being stored outside. Shepard Wood stated this site is to store materials and equipment. There will be no work performed at the building. This is simply a storage spot for picking up and dropping off materials. Workdays are 7am to 3pm Monday-Friday. Work would not be before 6 am or after 6pm. They do not work on weekends. No flammable or explosive materials will be stored at the site. No one will be living there. Mr. Wood has a small crew. The possibility of 2 to 3 trucks stopping by to pick up or drop off materials daily. Most employees meet at the job site.
A site map was presented for the BOS to get a good look of his property and the adjacent church property.
Pastor Ron Schutz is here on the church’s behalf from 32 Columbus Ave Hawley. There is a suggestion for a visual buffer to be placed between the properties of the church and storage area. Thoughts are the random line of fence or plant life might be odd if only a small stretch. Shepard Wood stated he would like to park trailers on the right side of the building (when facing the building) to keep the area between the church and storage area visually clear. Pastor Ron stated the concern is not the renter now, but the concern is the renters that could potentially come and the outside storage. They are also worried about the possibility of cars being parked around the building. Mike Kuzmiak stated that the towing business is his father’s business, and he is not looking to move that business down to this property.
Chairman Steffen assured Pastor Ron that the conditions that are placed on the property will follow the property not the owner. Mr. Jeff Treat asks Pastor Ron what he would like to see not allowable at the property. Pastor Ron is concerned about growing piles of debris and is concerned that the building will eventually become a commercial enterprise area that will be bringing in an income which he feels is unfair. He is also not concerned about a tree or fence line between properties. Mr. Treat asked if they planned on hanging a sign on the pole barn and Shepard Wood stated that is something he was hoping to do on the front of the building. Pastor Ron wants nothing more to be a good neighbor and doesn’t want future businesses that may rent the building to turn it into a runaway train. Mr. Treat assured Pastor Ron that if it is rented to anyone else that person would still be limited to the conditions set forth. Pastor Ron stated he did not receive a certified letter and asked to see the mailing list.
No other public comment currently.
Supervisor Joe Kmetz stated that the planning commission would like to see a porta potty on site. Mr. Wood asked if installing a toilet and hooking it to the town’s sewer line was acceptable and Supervisor Kmetz stated that was. The Planning Commission would like to see all materials stored inside. They would like to limit the hours of operation. The Planning Commission also suggested a barrier between the building and church.
Shepard Wood asked if parking trailers would be a problem if parked outside. Supervisor Kmetz stated that he would like to see the trailers parked on the right side of the building to keep the view of the church open. Mr. Treat stated that the semantics depend on the type of trailer. Shepard stated that he has a few different styles of trailers, but they are not commercial size. Shepard also stated he was worried about violating the conditions by his employees having trailers on their trucks and being parked. He was assured that if it was during business hours he would be within his terms. The BOS will put together the list conditions and will share them with all concerned parties, and we can approve this February.
Andrea Whyte asked the size of Mr. Wood’s biggest trailer. Shepard Wood stated he believes it is a 22-foot trailer, but all his trailers are towable by standard size truck and are not commercial size. Paul Natale stated that any resident can have as many registered vehicles as possible or trailers on their property. Paul is not sure we can set a limit to that for Mr. Wood. Pastor Ron stated this is what his concern is. Those vehicles would start to get towed in and not be Mike’s own personal vehicles. Paul assured him that would make it a commercial entity and that is not allowed. Pastor Ron is very concerned with having every stipulation written down so there is no confusion about what is and is not allowed at this property to protect the church and keep the ambiance as is.
Supervisor Kmetz has made a motion to adjourn the Conditional Use Hearing for Mike Kuzmiak with a second from Supervisor Bartleson and all Supervisors voting yes. (5 Minute Intermission)
Last month’s minutes for the previous month 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 stated he would like to discuss year end donations to be added to the Bill List.
The donations are as follows
Hawley Police $6,000.00, Hawley Fire $6,000.00, White Mills Fire Department $3,000.00, and Shayla Gouger $350 year-end bonus. Motion was made by Chairman Steffen to make these year end donations with a second from Supervisor Kmetz and all Supervisors voting yes.
Bill List number #1 was presented. Chairman Steffen made a motion to pay bill list #1 with a second by Supervisor Kmetz and all supervisors voting yes.
Police Report was given and is on file.
Fire Report was given by Scott Mead and is on file. The End of the Year Report was also given.
PPH Ambulance Report was not received prior to the meeting. Next month a progress report will be provided.
Road Report was given by Road Master Kmetz and is on file. Joe will also be looking into the clogged pipe at the bottom of North St.
Public Comment none currently.
Correspondence The Township received its normal newsletters, pamphlets, brochures, and magazines. We also received Christmas cards from Grimm Construction and Hawley Fire Department. Board of elections paperwork to be filled out for the county. A refund from PSTATS for Unemployment compensation was received in the amount of $127.67. Received notification from Hawley Authority that there will be an increase in prices. Renewal form from Kiley and Associates should we choose to continue to use their services.
Zoning Report was given by Paul Natale for the month.
The Planning Commission Mike Kuzmiak Conditional Use Hearing was held. Conditions will be discussed and presented for approval in February.
Report of Digitizing Records was given by Paul Natale.
Emergency Management has nothing to report.
The Solicitor’s Report A letter was received by Ned Sader on behalf of Middle Creek Quarry. This has been tabled by the quarry at the current time.
Final Call for Public Comment no comments currently.
Last Call for 2023 Business - Pastor Ron addresses the pipe at the bottom of North Street and Columbus Ave where the pipe is clogged and flooding. Pastor Ron stated he had met with PennDOT and they were questioning any exaction work on the opposite property as that is privately owned. Joe stated there is a cap on that property that he plans to pull off to try and check the pipe. He believes that the pipes have been reduced in size by previous homeowners of that property and assures Pastor Ron, he will investigate it.
At this time the Board of Supervisors for 2023 is dissolved.
The first order of business for 2024 is to reorganize the board.
Nominations for a Chairman whose primary function is to run the business meetings of the township is open. Supervisor Joe Kmetz makes a motion to appoint Pete Steffen as the Chairman of the BOS for Palmyra Township with a second from Supervisor Steve Bartleson and all supervisors voting yes.
Introduction of our new elected Auditor Joseph Bonamico. He is to be sworn in first thing January 3, 2024, to have the proper paperwork to attend the auditors meeting.
Positions and pay will be read at this time. One vote will be cast in acceptance of all stated below:
Chairman Pete Steffen, Vice Chairman Steve Bartleson, Office Consultant Lois Powderly $20.00/hr, Roadmaster Joe Kmetz, Road Crew John Flanagan $17.00/hr, Assistant Roadmasters Pete Steffen and Steve Bartleson, Secretary/Treasurer Shayla Gouger $15.50/hr, Solicitor Jeff Treat $175.00/hr, Vacancy Board Chairman Gary VanOrden, Engineer JHA Companies, Alternate Engineer Kiley Associates, Zoning Officer Paul Natale $18.00/hr, Building Code Officer Northeast Inspection Consultants, SEO Chirs Martin, Alternate SEO Leroy Finlon, Equipment Maintenance Hawley Garage, Kuzmiac’s Garage, Gary’s, and Bill Carson Excavating, Depositories Dime Bank and PLIGIT, Newspaper of Record Tri County Independent, Emergency Management Coordinator Steve Bartleson, Planning Commission Members will be reorganized this week with report to follow next month, Zoning Hearing Board Robert Hochreiter, Cindy Keilar, and James Gibbons, Appeals Board Casey Warnott, Rich Hillriegle, Dan Shariest and Matt George with one open spot, Sewer Authority Representative Supervisor Joe Kmetz, and finally Independent Contractor or Record Carson Excavating. Our Meeting will remain 6:30pm on the first Monday of every month except for September, the meeting will be on Tuesday September 3, 2024, at 6:30 pm due to the Labor Day Holiday. Motion to accept and approve the board, pay increases, and meeting changes was made by Supervisor Kmetz with a second from Supervisor Bartleson and all supervisors voting yes.
Supervisor Kmetz made a motion to adjourn at 6:55 PM with a second by Chairman Steffen and all Supervisors voting yes.
Next scheduled meeting is Monday February 5, 2024, at 6:30 PM.