PALMYRA TOWNSHIP – WAYNE COUNTY September 3, 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.

 

Prior to reading of the Bill List, Chairman Steffen addressed a notice sent to the township from White Mills Ambulance/Fire concerning their Workman’s Compensation coverage. The total has been split between all the townships that White Mills service. The total to be paid by Palmyra Township is $575.00. Chairman Steffen made a motion to pay the $575.00 to White Mills to help with Workman’s Compensation coverage, with a second from Supervisor Kmetz and all supervisors voting yes.

 

Bill List number #9 was presented. Chairman Steffen made a motion to pay the bill list with a second by Supervisor Kmetz and all supervisors voting yes.

 

Police Report was given and is on file.

Traffic has been monitored at Ridge Ave multiple times throughout the month to combat the speeding.

 

Fire Report was given and is on file.

 

PPH Ambulance Report has nothing to report. Shayla still has not heard back from White Mills Ambulance concerning logs of the calls answered in the township.

 

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

Light Timing Project has been benched until April of 2025, as the township feels the summer is the best time to have this study done in order to have the best impact on the timing study. Solicitor Treat suggested in the future the resolution dictate exactly what light the timing study will be done on.

 

Correspondence The Township received its normal newsletters, pamphlets, brochures, and magazines.

Quickbooks Desktop Pro will not be renewing subscriptions as of September 2024. After speaking with Diana Patton a PSTATS Professional and Numbers Made Easy Consultant, has suggested Quickbooks Enterprise which she can offer at a discount until October 1, 2024. $1538.00 is the discounted cost for Quickbooks Enterprise plus her fee to install and connect our township and offer consulting. She has currently moved 117 townships to this Quickbooks Enterprise version. Paul also feels that this would be the best option for the township as well. Chairman Steffen made a motion to allow Shayla to proceed with the installation of a new QuickBooks Enterprise program with a second from Supervisor Kmetz and all supervisors voting yes.

We received a letter on behalf of E.R. Linde Corporation from the Department of Environmental Protection to renew their NPED Permit.

A letter from Representatives Olsommer’s office stating the township would have to directly facilitate and pay for any traffic studies or signs. The township will see how the local police make out going forward.

We received a letter on behalf of Charles Straits’ lawyer concerning his ordinance violations.

 

Public Comment Lindsay Edwards from 304 Columbus Ave started by thanking Paul for all the help his has given to both her and her husband in taking care of the deteriorating house next door to her at 306 Columbus Ave. Lindsay goes on to describe the deplorable conditions and smells coming from the house next door and a timeline of the problems she has had with this particular property. She is concerned for her health and her home.

Solicitor Treat proceeds to ask Lindsay questions about the house. Paul then states that he also has updates. He sent the first certified letter. 30 days go by, and he sends second letter. That second letter has been lost in the mail. The second letter was then re-sent out. Keith, who is claiming to be a boyfriend of the homeowner, states that they are selling the house. Solicitor Treat states that the criteria meet the condemnation of the building. Lindsay also states that there is a hollow tree in the front yard of the deplorable house. She is in the process of getting an arborist to give a report on the condition of the tree and whether it can be taken down. Chairman Steffen made a motion to allow Solicitor Treat to do a title search on 306 Columbus Ave, with a second from Supervisor Kmetz and all supervisors voting yes.

 

Zoning Report was given by Paul Natale for the month. TotalEnergies has dropped the ball on the application process and has not had the building plans for the solar farm sent to the county for approval. Solicitor Treat asked if the township has received an application from TotalEnergies. Paul stated that an application has been received. According to Solicitor Treat there is only a 90-day window for both parties to accomplish the application process and then after the 90 days, TotalEnergies could move forward without the township’s approval. Chairman Steffen made a motion to deny the application due to being incomplete, for TotalEnergies Solar Farm, with a second from Supervisor Kmetz and all supervisors voting yes.

Hearing for Charles Strait concerning the Zoning Ordinance and violations that occurred on his property, will take place on October 7, 2024, at 6:00 pm. Chairman Steffen made a motion to accept this township scheduled hearing, with a stenographer, with a second from Supervisor Kmetz and all supervisors voting yes.

 

Planning Commission

 

Report of Digitizing Records has nothing to report.

 

Emergency Management has nothing to report.

 

The Solicitor’s Report Notice has been received from Attorney Spawls Office, for a request to transfer a liquor license from Texas township’s Halfway House to our township. The local BOS has the right to hear the matter and decide on what they would like and recommend for the township. Harrisburg will have the final decision. On October 7th, there will be preliminary questioning as the Wallenpaupack Bowling Alley was unable to attend tonight’s meeting. A formal hearing will follow.

 

Solitor Treat spoke with Attorney Ellis about the Railroad. He stated that the Railroad was not aware of any problems. If the township has specific issues, they would like to be directed to the council, they will be happy to investigate it. If it concerns neighbors, the Railroad asks the neighbors to reach out as it is a civil matter. Solicitor Treat has a letter dictating specific problems constituents in the township have brought to our attention from the Railroad property. Paul and Joe both state that there is an electric meter on a shed that has not been permitted at all, building or the electric. Joe also states that the Railroad also sells Christmas Trees during the season. Solicitor Treat stated that he will investigate this and take these complaints to Attorney Ellis

 

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 October 7, 2024, at 6:30 PM.