PALMYRA TOWNSHIP – WAYNE COUNTY February 3, 2025

 

Chairman Steffen called the board of supervisor’s meeting to order at 6:30 PM. Roll calls showed all Supervisors were present.

 

Last month’s minutes were reviewed as written. Supervisor Bartleson made a motion to accept the previous month’s minutes, with a second by Supervisor Kmetz 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 #2 was presented. Chairman Steffen made a motion to pay the bill list with a second by Supervisor Bartleson and all supervisors voting yes.

 

The Auditors’ Report was given by Gary VanOrden. Working Supervisors’ pay will increase to $25.50 an hour and the health insurance stipend will remain at $500, since 2 employees have been added to receive this stipend on the same quarterly schedule as the supervisors.

 

Brad Murray has started to conduct the audit of 2024. He has spoken to Chairman Steffen about the township financial status. He will be reaching out to Mr. Treat next. Solicitor Treat has in fact spoken to Brad, and the letter has been formulated about our audit.

 

Police Report was given and is on file.

 

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

 

PPH Ambulance Report had a meeting this past Wednesday to review all the 2024 calls. In total 3,505 calls were answered by PPH in Wayne County. Only 680 (19%) of the calls occurred in the PPH area. PPH has decided to send invoices to the townships and municipalities that have been serviced by the PPH. Average cost per call is estimated to be $250.00 and will be confirmed by Penn Ambulance. PPH hopes with the invoices being sent out that there will be some revenue generated and will shed light on neighboring townships and the need to help support the ambulance services. PPH has applied for a grant which they hope will provide funds to purchase up to 2 new ambulances to provide to Penn Ambulance for our PPH Service.

 

Road Report was given by Roadmaster Kmetz and is on file. There are 2 trees, one on North Street and one on Palm Ave, that will be removed by Bobby Myers as they are dead causing excessive limbs in the road on windy days and are in the line of sight for drivers.

 

Correspondence The Township received its normal newsletters, pamphlets, brochures, and magazines. Kuharchik has sent over a yearly updated price list for services. This is to be signed by all the supervisors.

 

Planning Commission Nothing to report.

 

Zoning Report was given by Paul Natale for the month. The dangerous building on Beechnut Drive, Waller Property, has been taken care of. Paul is concerned the Preferred Management is dropping the ball with locating short term rentals. Paul was notified by a constituent that there was a short-term rental on Deer Run Road in Milestone. Paul reached out to Preferred Management to advise them of the rental. After speaking with them he received a permit application from Preferred Management, but it was for Pike County not us. After reaching out to them to let them know he would be sending the permit back to them, Paul advised Preferred Management that he had located 4 other short-term rentals in Palmyra Township. Paul is upset that he has been doing the leg work for Preferred Management. Chairman Steffen asked Solicitor Treat if we should send a letter to Preferred Management to see why there has not been any updates or location of any short term rentals. This letter will ask them to do a better job in locating rentals and a better job at communicating with BOS. Pete will compose this letter to be sent.

 

Paul also feels that Highhouse dropped the ball with the Propane tank being empty and the building left without heat. He feels that there are many options here locally. Shayla advised the board that there was a monitor placed on the tank. There seemed to be a lack of communication at the Highhouse office and the need for emergency delivery, as we didn’t receive fuel until the following day, and we hope that this issue is rectified for the future by the installment of this monitor.

 

Public Comment

 

Report of Digitizing Records has nothing to report.

 

Emergency Management has nothing to report.

 

The Solicitor’s Report - Attorney Treat has begun to put together the ordinance to increase the salary as per the legislative passed in 2024 for new term supervisors for monthly meetings. Jeff asked Shayla to locate an approximate population for the township.

 

Final Call for Public Comment - Supervisor Kmetz stated that he feels there is a need for a handbook for employees now that we have 2 full-time employees.

 

Supervisor Kmetz also made a motion to raise Bill Carsons hourly rate from $40 to $45 dollars an hour with a second from supervisor Bartleson and all supervisors voting yes.

 

Next scheduled meeting is Monday March 3, 2025, at 6:30 PM. Motion to adjourn at 6:57 pm by Chairman Steffen with a second by Supervisor Kmetz and all supervisors voting yes.