PALMYRA TOWNSHIP – WAYNE COUNTY December 1, 2025
Chairman Steffen called the board of supervisor’s meeting to order at 6:30 PM.
Roll calls showed Supervisors Steffen and Kmetz were present. Supervisor Bartleson has been excused.
The BOS Meeting starts with a hearing concerning the Noise Ordinance. This meeting is for public comment and has been recorded by a stenographer and is on file in the Zoning Office. Solicitor Treat begins by going over the process of this hearing. The hearing has been advertised by the township with proper evidence of publishing. Key speakers during this hearing are Chief Drake, the Landry’s, Jeff Radway, Officer Rowan, Paul Natale Zoning Office and the Board of Supervisors.
Summary of Key Information: The Landry’s spoke first. They brought laws and regulations that other townships/municipalities have used to create such an ordinance. They also provided suggestions to amend our ordinance, and asked questions concerning how the township will let the public know if this ordinance should pass. They spoke of personnel experiences that they have had in Milestone and have been suffering with these annoyances for an entire year.
Jeff Radway advised the board of things that he is aware of as Chairman of the Board for Milestone Estates, and the realistic fact that Milestone does not have any bi-laws for these issues.
At this time Chairman Steffen gave his corrections, additions, deletions, and concerns on the Noise Ordinance we are using as a base. Public Speakers voiced their concerns and hopes for said ordinance. Chief Drake and Officer Rowan also gave insight into the ordinance and the ability to enforce it.
Paul Natale Zoning Officer feels that this ordinance is a mistake. This ordinance will be hard to enforce on a township level. There has been no consideration as to who would enforce this ordinance. Chairman Steffen makes a recommendation to allow Chief Drake to look over the proposed ordinance and discuss it more in future meetings especially after all the additions and corrections have been made.
A motion to adjourn the Noise Ordinance Hearing was made by Chairman Steffen with a second from Supervisor Kmetz and all supervisors voting yes. Please see the Zoning Office for official Records.
Official Board of Supervisors Monthly Meeting commences.
Last month’s minutes were reviewed as written. Supervisor Kmetz made a motion to accept the previous month’s minutes, with a second by Chairman Steffen 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 #12 was presented. Chairman Steffen made a motion to pay the bill list, with a second by Supervisor Kmetz and all supervisors voting yes.
Chairman Steffen makes a motion to advertise for the 2026 Reorganizational Meeting in January, with a second from Supervisor Kmetz and all supervisors voting yes.
Chairmans Steffen makes a motion to accept the 2026 Budget with a second is given by Supervisor Kmetz, showing all supervisors voting yes.
Chairman Steffen makes a motion to accept the Tax Levy 25-04 for 2026 with a second from Supervisor Kmetz and all Supervisors voting yes.
Chairman Steffen makes a motion to approve Brad Murray as our CPA for the Audit of 2025, with a second from Supervisor Kmetz and all Supervisors voting yes.
Police Report was given by Chief Drake and is on file.
Fire Report was given and is on file. PPH Ambulance Report There was a meeting held on November 19th to discuss the letters sent out to other townships and the responses they have received from those townships. The responses were not in the PPH favor. The townships they had hoped would respond and help have yet to make any contact with PPH.
Road Report was given by Roadmaster Kmetz and is on file. Chairman Steffen inquired about Tar and Chip for the roads in the upcoming year and Supervisor Kmetz stated that doing that made people angry. People complained about their cars getting ruined and/or the chip in their yard come the spring, he doesn’t feel it’s a good solution with the amount of damage on some of our roads.
Correspondence The Township received its normal newsletters, pamphlets, brochures, and magazines. PA Department of Transportation fines will be paid on December 1, 2025, in the amount of $412.18. We have been invited to the NEIC Christmas party on December 12th. RSVPs are due by December 5th. All County and Associates sent a letter of consideration for the SEO Position in the Year 2026. Unemployment PSTATS Rate for the year 2026 will be 3.85%. Liquor Control Board has notified the township of a license transfer from Kenny’s Restaurant to Danman II LLC, 52 Wellwood Ave which is the IGA property.
Currently an executive session is called to discuss personnel issues.
Solicitor Treat resumes the meeting by stating that one of our supervisors has chosen to resign. The letter does not contain a date of resignation, so it is at the advisement of the solicitor that Supervisor Bartleson address the BOS with a letter of his final day, as the acceptance of the resignation triggers the time constraint that the BOS must abide by naming a new Supervisor to the position. Shayla will notify Supervisor Bartleson and obtain the necessary paperwork.
Planning Commission has nothing to report.
Public Comment Gary VanOrden asks about PPH and what other townships have failed to respond to this letter. He also asks about the number of monies that have been collected by the other townships that are not part of PPH for their ambulance services.
Zoning Report was given by Paul. Zoning maps have been completed by JHA on the new zoned area above Wellwood Ave. Solicitor Treat asks about the parcel at the top of the new map, because one of the parcels is listed on the map as entirely in our township, and Mr. Treat states part of the 50-acre parcel is in Hawley Boro. The question is, is the delineation of the township and the boro on the new map. Jeff states that JHA may contact him with any questions. This will be investigated further. Paul will be going to the magistrate to take care of a problem property. The address 310 Spruce Street, Parcel Number 18-0-00170099, Gavin, has received the warning letter which was sent well over 30 days ago. Chairman Steffen makes a motion to allow Paul to along with solicitor Treat to file a motion with the magistrate on 310 Spruce Street, with a second from Supervisor Kmetz, and all Supervisors voting yes.
We have a few ordinances that are open and being worked on. These need to be finalized, advertised, a hearing held, and need to be completed. This with the addition of the talk of Wind Farms and Data Centers added to these ordinances in the future.
The report of Digitizing Records has nothing to report.
Emergency Management has nothing to report.
The Solicitor’s Report The letter to Wallenpaupack Bowling and Sports Center about the failure to comply with the standards they told the BOS they would meet, is almost complete and will be sent out tomorrow. Chairman Steffen made a motion to send this letter to Wallenpaupack Bowling and Sports Center with a second from Supervisor Kmetz and all supervisors voting yes.
Final Call for Public Comment A gentleman from Upper Grandview complains that his neighbor is burning materials that are not meant to be burnt, as well as burning way to close to structures. He worries that this neighbor will set things on fire accidentally and he suffers from health issues and states the smell of the burning materials is not good for his health. He states he has photos, and smoke fills his home when it is done. Supervisor Kmetz stated he has spoken to Scott Mead and that Scott is fully aware of this situation and will be speaking to this neighbor.
Next scheduled meeting is Monday January 5, 2025, at 6:30 PM. Motion to adjourn at 7:57 pm by Supervisor Kmetz with a second by Chairman Steffen and all supervisors voting yes.