PALMYRA TOWNSHIP – WAYNE COUNTY October 7, 2024

Chairman Steffen called the board of supervisors meeting to order at 6:00 PM. Roll call showed all Supervisors were present.

 

We begin the meeting with the hearing for Charles Strait. A stenographer is present and will be recording the meeting for legal purposes. Detailed records of the meeting will be on file. Summary of this hearing is the Charles Strait feels that his constitutional rights have been violated and does not feel the ordinance is written in fair and understandable wording. Steven Benidict will represent Charles Strait. Exhibits have been entered into this hearing and have been noted by the stenographer.

 

The hearing proceeds with a question-and-answer period between Mr. Strait and his attorney. He explains how he feels the ordinance is in violation of his constitutional rights and proceeds to defend himself and the vehicles on his property. He questions strongly the ordinance and the way that it is written. Mr. Strait states he feels strongly that the way the ordinance is written, anything can be considered a vehicle. (Please see stenographer records for a detailed description of the hearing.).

 

A motion is made by Chairmans Steffen to adjourn this portion of the meeting of the Strait Hearing at 6:29 pm with the record officially closed with a second from supervisor Kmetz and all supervisors voting yes.

 

Regular Monthly meeting starts immediately after. 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 Kmetz and all supervisors voting yes.

 

Bill List number #10 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 and is on file.

 

Fire Report no one was present.

 

PPH Ambulance Report has nothing to report.

 

Road Report was given by Roadmaster Kmetz and is on file.

 

Ongoing discussion of the proposed Traffic Light project on Owego and 590. A letter has been formally submitted from PennDot relieving the township of any obligation to pay for the installation or construction of this light in any way. The township now feels comfortable in signing the application for this light project as PennDot needs one of the townships to sign off before any of the designs can take place for this light. Chairman Steffen made a motion to sign this Traffic Light Application for Light Project at Owego and 590, with a second from Supervisor Kmetz and all Supervisors voting yes.

 

Correspondence The Township received its normal newsletters, pamphlets, brochures, and magazines. QuickBooks update is complete. Lukan is hosting the Wayne County Township Association Meeting on November 9, registration starts at 8:30am. The Aqua meter has been updated. Estimated Liquid Fuels for 2025 is $60,410.25. A thank you letter for the Hawley Boro Police has been received thanking us for our donation to the National Night Out. Finally, a request to open the building to Polling and Voting on November 5, 2024, has been received. All members of the BOS have signed.

 

The Wallenpaupack Bowling Alley is present to ask about obtaining a liquor license from a neighboring township and transferring it here to Palmyra Township for use at the bowling alley. Marty Kirsten Jr is here speaking on behalf of the bowling alley. He states that the bowling alley has always been a BYOB. The bowling alley would like to take half of their pool room area and put a bar in the back section of that room. The bar will only be open to bowlers and patrons.

 

He is hoping to use the money to create scholarships/programs for kids to be able to bowl and to better the local economy. He states that due to not having a bar or alcohol he is losing business to bowling alleys in neighboring towns. He feels that there will be better control over alcohol by being able to card individuals which he cannot due currently with the BYOB system. He does not feel like this will be a destination bar.

 

Marty states he has parents who drop off the kids and then leave to go to bars in town. Then when the parents pick up the children, they wait in the parking lot, and those kids run out on the tabs causing him to have to call the Hawley Boro Police. The bar area will have some seating and maybe an outdoor patio for smokers. He states the parking lot has more than enough capacity as this will not be marketed as a bar/restaurant. The snack bar menu will remain the same.

 

The LCB has told them as long as there is no water at the bar, and they use plastic cups they can open the bar straight away. LCB is ok with the bar because it is in a separate area. The bar will have its own entrance, front and back. Marty states that to combat the underage patrons coming into the bar, if someone comes to the bar for 5 beers, he will require to see 5 ID’s and there will be different colored wristbands on different days. Marty says his focus is to keep people in the area.

 

Wallenpaupack Bowling Alley has been BYOB since it was in the old CVS. Once Marty opens the bar, BYOB will not be allowed. He will be installing more cameras around the building to have better control over the alcohol and patrons. The application to LCB would include the parking lot as Marty feels that this would better protect him. Marty is willing to modify the application if the BOS would like the parking lot not included. Marty was asked to provide a copy of the LCB application to the BOS for review. He states he will get a copy from Jack Spall who is handling the application.

 

According to Marty and the LCB his menu is not complete enough to be a full menu but is a suitable menu to acquire the Liquor License. Marty is not currently looking to expand the menu or his kitchen area but if he does, he knows that he must come back to the BOS for approval. Officer Rowan stated that the LCB has become very strict, and they have been addressing problems and take these complaints very seriously, especially with new establishments. No one under the age of 21 will be able to enter the bar area with a clearly posted area.

 

BOS breaks for an executive session to discuss the Charles Strait Hearing. Meeting reconvenes. Solicitor Treat will be reaching out to Mr. Straits attorney to see what an amicable solution will be.

 

Public Comment

 

Zoning Report was given by Paul Natale for the month. 306 Columbus property is currently up for sale. NEIC cannot condemn the building without the property owner’s approval and by adopting the Property Maintenance Code. It is listed as a great starter home on Zillow. She is over 30 days with no contact with the township. Paul had heard nothing. Solicitor Treat stated that they should go to the magistrate and start the process for township fines and get a judgement.

 

TotalEnergies has reapplied for the Conditional Use Hearing of the Solar Farm on Long Ridge Road. This hearing will start at 5:30pm on November 4, 2024.

 

Mr. Kevin Waller is unreachable, and no one has been able to find him. This leaves the dilapidated and dangerous building still standing on his property at the end of Beechnut Drive. Paul has heard from a lean company asking questions about the property. Since the building is off the beaten path and Mr. Waller is unreachable, the BOS have decided to let this violation go for the time being.

 

A wellness check was to be performed at the property on Gravity Road. Paul has no update. Police have no update.

 

Paul has also received an inquiry about the possibility of placing a Starbucks in the small grass area in front of the liquor store plaza next to IGA.

 

Chairman Steffen makes a motion to hold the TotalEnergies Conditional Use Solar Farm Hearing at 5:30pm on November 4, 2024, with a second from Supervisor Kmetz and all supervisors voting yes. This meeting will be a time for TotalEnergies to present their project and a time for the community to ask questions. The neighboring properties to the solar farm have questions about setbacks and what research the township has done to ensure proper boundaries are set for the community. The residents are very concerned about EMS fields.

 

Paul explained that there is no set solar farm ordinance. We treat every solar farm with a Conditional Use Hearing that allows the township to set forth good rules and regulations per project. Chairman Steffen assured the community that their concerns will be heard, and he hopes that the BOS can come to a list of conditions that work for both the community and TotalEnergies.

 

Planning Commission

 

Report of Digitizing Records has nothing to report.

 

Emergency Management has nothing to report.

 

The Solicitor’s Report has nothing to report.

 

Final Call for Public Comment

 

Motion to adjourn at 7:30 pm by Supervisor Kmetz with a second by Chairman Steffen and all supervisors voting yes.

 

Next scheduled meeting is Monday November 4, 2024, at 5:30 PM with the Conditional Use Hearing for TotalEnergies Solar Farm on Long Ridge Rd.