PALMYRA TOWNSHIP – WAYNE COUNTY May 6, 2024

 

Chairman Steffen called the board of supervisors meeting to order at 6:15 PM. Roll call showed all Supervisors were present.

 

Conditional Use Hearing for Harmony in the Woods: Seeking amendments to the original Conditions.

 

Solicitor Treat confirms that all legal aspects have been met.

 

Ned Sader is here on behalf of Harmony in the Woods, seeking amendments to the previous conditions set forth in 2019. Harmony in the Woods would like to expand from 150 to 225-person occupancy. The parking lot has been expanded as well as the ADA car parking. Dime Bank has stated that Harmony in the Woods can use their parking lot and Dime Bank has taken on the insurance that is needed to park there. Bathrooms will be provided again via renting portable toilet trailers. There will also be professional traffic management this year. Supervisor Kmetz asked how many ADA parking spots are available with the expansion. Ned explained that there are now 4 ADA parking spots (previously 2), and that Harmony tries to leave the entire front row available for any disabled parking. Kathy Mills from 470 Woodland Ave asked where all the new seating would be going. Ned stated that the expansion for seating has already been added to the theatre area. She also asked about the blocked emergency gate at the end of her road. Ned stated that they have zoned in on the guilty parties who have been parking there and have made it clear that they should not be parked there and that there will be no exception should there be a fire, that emergency services have the right to move vehicles by any means necessary. Solicitor Treat asked if there was a letter from Dime Bank stating that Harmony in the Woods is allowed to use the parking lot. Ned stated that he would provide the township with a letter from Dime Bank stating such.

 

Monthly Meeting: Supervisor Kmetz makes a statement that when it comes to short term rentals, he feels there will be more calls for emergencies and that there should be a yearly fee for each application as the taxpayers should not have to pick up the extra monies. This will be addressed later in the meeting.

 

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 Kmetz and all supervisors voting yes. The Cares account has been closed at Dime Bank. There is now a checking account at the Honesdale National Bank for the Cares money which will be transferred to the general account to have checks written. Shayla has asked to have the DCED come into the township, free of charge, to make improvements to our QuickBooks with the help of a peer selected by DCED. A letter of intent was provided and needs to be signed to receive this training. Chairman Steffen made a motion to allow DCED Peer to come into the township with the signing of the letter of intent, with a second from Supervisor Kmetz and all supervisors voting yes.

 

Bill List number #5 was presented. Chairman Steffen made a motion to pay the bill list with a second by Supervisor Bartleson and all supervisors voting yes.

 

Resolutions concerning the Fees for Short Term Rentals have been moved to next month as Solicitor Treats secretary has not had a chance to type them out yet.

 

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

 

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

 

PPH Ambulance Report was provided by Chairman Steffen. A letter will be formulated and sent out to all townships that have been served by PPH in hopes to gather funds from these townships to help with expenses.

 

Road Report was given by Roadmaster Kmetz and is on file. Roadmaster Kmetz has been approached by an engineering firm about there being a light put in at 590 and Owego corners (Little Playroom Daycare corner). Paupack has already said that they are not interested in maintaining a light at the corner since it is a PennDot request. Supervisors have declined to be involved as well. Opening of Road Bids: 3 Road bids were received. Leeward Construction, Pioneer Construction, and Wayco Inc have placed bids. The Road bid includes Beechnut Drive, Autumn Drive, and Lower Grandview Road. Pioneers Construction bid is $76,844.50. Wayco Inc bid is $44,165.96. Leeward Construction bid is $39,840.00. Leeward Construction has been awarded the bid for 2024. Supervisor Kmetz makes a motion to award the Road Bid for 2024 to Leeward Construction in the amount of $39,840.00, with a second from Chairman Steffen and all supervisors voting yes.

 

Public Comment none currently.

 

Correspondence The Township received its normal newsletters, pamphlets, brochures, and magazines. Aqua PA’s review of the Erosion and Sediment Control Plan for Woodledge Water System Main Replacements has been found to be adequate. ER Linde has applied to DEP to renew their Surface Mining Permit. Wayne County Commissioners meeting will be Monday May 13, at 1230 at the Hawley Borough Building. Public Comment Mike Miller Tafton Fire Chief would like to be added to the rotation on the EMS side, here in Palmyra Township. Tafton does not get added to the AVL (Vehicle Location Device) System until they have purchased one and have the approval letter from the township. A letter would be sent to the Communication Center that Tafton can be added to the AVL rotation. JoAnne Kmetz asked why the township would not be interested in maintaining the light at Owego and 590. Solicitor Treat stated that Paupack has already declined to participate in this light, so this project is now “dead in the water”. Supervisor Bartleson asked about extending the light at 6 and 590 intersections. Shayla advised she will call Kuharchik to have a study done on the light at the supervisor’s request. Supervisor Bartleson made a motion to have a summertime study done on the light at the 6 and 590 intersections, with a second from Supervisor Kmetz and all supervisors voting yes.

 

Zoning Report was given by Paul Natale for the month. We still have heard nothing from Mr. Kevin Waller on the dangerous building. On the Warren/VanOrden property on Columbus Ave with the dangerous building, Mr. Swanick states that there is an interested buyer, and their hope is to sell the property with the building on it. Chairman Steffen made a motion to send a letter to allow 60 days from today’s meeting date to have the property sold and the dangerous building torn down, with a second from Supervisor Kmetz and all supervisors voting yes.

There was some discrepancy over maps with Leeward Construction and what map was correct during our previous meeting. There were dimensions that did not match. We have determined which map is the accurate version and no matter what map referenced, Leeward is well within their boundaries.

 

Harmony in the Woods requested an increase in spectators from 150-225. Chairman Steffen made a motion that parking and ADA requirements have been met, and with a letter from the Dime Bank confirming the use of their parking lot and insurance, that Harmony in the Woods be allowed to up the occupancy to 225 people, with a second from Supervisor Kmetz and all supervisors voting yes.

 

Paul asked what the next step would be in the Kevin Waller dangerous building. Solicitor Treat stated that Paul should send a 2nd and final letter by both Certificate of Mailing and Certified Mail as well. Chairman Steffen made a motion to allow Paul to send a 2nd and final letter to Kevin Waller with both mailing options, with a second from Supervisor Bartleson and all supervisors voting yes.

 

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

 

Motion to adjourn at 6:56 pm by Chairman Steffen and a second by Supervisor Kmetz and all supervisors voting yes.

 

Next scheduled meeting is Monday June 3, 2024, at 6:30 PM.