PALMYRA TOWNSHIP – WAYNE COUNTY January 6, 2025
Supervisor Bartleson called the board of supervisors meeting to order at 6:30 PM. Roll call showed Supervisors Bartleson and Kmetz were present. Chairman Steffen was excused.
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. Supervisor Kmetz made a motion to accept the treasurers report with a second by Supervisor Bartleson and all supervisors voting yes.
Bill List number #1 was presented. Supervisor Bartleson made a motion to pay the bill list with a second by Supervisor Kmetz and all supervisors voting yes.
A final tally of the 2024 budget was presented to the BOS and with the remaining funds the BOS would like to make donations.
Supervisor Kmetz made a motion to give $10,000 to the Hawley Police Department to help with the upgrade of the car computers, and $6,000 to the Hawley Fire Department for the great work they do, with a second from Supervisor Bartleson and all supervisors voting yes.
Police Report was given and is on file.
Fire Report is on file.
PPH Ambulance Report has nothing to report.
Some final business for 2024 is the mention of forming a Department of Public Works, primarily the position of Foreman. The following will be a description of the position: Will report to Road Master of township. Will be budgeted to work around 1664 hrs per year Hrs can be saved if work is not available on township in any given week. Overtime needs to be kept to an absolute minimum, obviously a snow event or similar storm event may necessitate an OT situation. Duties will be to develop schedule of all normal duties for the maintenance of roads, township property, drainage structures, etc.
Additional duties may be assigned by Road Master Must be available to respond to winter road maintenance needs, such as plowing and salting and cindering. At times duties will include maintenance activities within the township building. Must be able to maintain township vehicles, including tractors, to be kept clean, lubricated, and up to date on service work such as oil changes. Must be responsible for proper care and use of all small equipment including chain saws, string trimmers, etc. Must keep Road Master informed of any situation that may arise within the township that is outside normal activity. This might be large trees down, sink holes in roadways, or possibly plugged drainage structures.
Road Master will have the final say as to schedule priorities if changes are necessary. Compensation will be listed in the upcoming Reorganizational Portion of the tonight’s proceedings. Supervisor Kmetz suggested the wording should be changed regarding hours to around 1664 hours per year, not simply 1664 as the township may need more hours if there should be a problem.
Supervisor Bartleson made a motion to create the foreman position for the DPW, with a second from Supervisor Kmetz, and all supervisors voting yes.
Supervisor Bartleson also mentioned that the BOS were looking to move the secretary to 32 hours week as discussed in last months meeting. Supervisor Bartleson made a motion to up the number of hours per week to 32 for the secretary position, with a second from Supervisor Kmetz and all supervisors voting yes.
Road Report was given by Roadmaster Kmetz and is on file. Correspondence
The Township received its normal newsletters, pamphlets, brochures, and magazines.
Planning Commission Paul stated that the Planning Commission is thinking of moving the monthly meeting that they have when needed to the first Tuesday of the month instead of the second. Supervisor Bartleson made a motion to approve the move of meeting dates from the second Tuesday to the first Tuesday of the month with a second from Supervisor Kmetz and all supervisors voting yes. The township has been posting more on the Facebook page in hopes to be seen on more people’s profiles so when there is an emergency maybe more individuals will check there for us to be able to share important information.
Supervisor Kmetz stated he is still interested in looking at a letter changeable light sign like Hawley Boro has so we could share information as not everyone is on Facebook or online. There is also talk of using the local radio as a source of getting our information out there.
Zoning Report was given by Paul Natale for the month.
Public Comment
Report of Digitizing Records has nothing to report.
Emergency Management has nothing to report.
The Solicitor’s Report Attorney Treat stated that he has been notified that 306 Columbus Ave is actively being cleaned. Mr. Treat will also be filing the answer to the appeal letter that he has received from Total Energies concerning the solar farm denial on Long Ridge Road. He believes that Total Energies will be starting the process over again to apply within the township for a special exception instead of a conditional use.
Final Call for Public Comment
At this time, it is declared that the 2024 Palmyra Township Wayne County BOS is now dissolved.
At this time the Reorganizational Meeting of 2025 will begin.
First order of business is to nominate and elect a Chairman. Supervisor Bartleson makes a motion to elect Pete Steffen as the Chairman of the BOS of Palmyra Township Wayne County with a second from Supervisor Kmetz and all supervisors voting yes.
The following will be read and voted on in its entirety after discussions:
Appointments Plus Wages for Palmyra Township Wayne County Reorganizational Meeting January 2025 Chairman Chairman Steffen Vice Chairman Supervisor Bartleson Road Master Supervisor Kmetz Asst. Road Masters Supervisor Steffen and Bartleson
Office Secretary/Treasurer Open Records Officer Shayla Gouger at a rate of $17.00/hr Up to 1664 hrs per year, will receive Medical Benefit Stipend same as Supervisors
Solicitor Jeff Treat $175 per meeting and $100 per hr for additional work
Vacancy Board Chairman Gary Van Orden
Engineer JHA Companies Alt Engineer Kiley Associates
Zoning Officer Paul Natale at $19.00 per hr
Building Code Officer Northeast Site Consultants
SEO Chris Martin Alt Seo Leroy Finlon
Equipment Maintenance Hawley Garage, Kuzmiak’s Garage, Gary’s, Carson Excavating
Depositories The Dime Bank, Pligit
Newspaper of Record Tri County Independent
Emergency Management Coordinator Supervisor Bartleson
Planning Commission To be scheduled Reorganization
Zoning Hearing Board Robert Hochreiter, Cindy Keilar, and James Gibbons
Appeals Board for UCC Decisions Casey Warnot, Rich Hillriegle, Dan Shariest, Matt George and open position
Sewer Authority Representative Supervisor Kmetz
Independent Contractor of Record Carson Excavating
Department of Public Works Foreman Reporting to Road Master John Flanagan at rate of $18.00 per hr, scheduled about 1664 hrs per year, OT may be necessary for Storm Events, will receive Medical Benefit Stipend same as Supervisors
The September meeting will be scheduled for September 2 instead of September 1, which is Labor Day. Also, early note Supervisor Steffen will not attend the July 7, meeting.
After discussion about raises for 3 employees, Supervisor Kmetz makes a motion to approve all the discussed reorganization and raises, with a second from Supervisor Bartleson and all Supervisors voting yes.
New Business Supervisor Kmetz stated that he had heard the compensation pay for meetings for supervisors had been raised. Supervisor Kmetz stated he would like to see the meeting pay go from $50 a meeting per supervisor to $75. Solicitor Treat states that this is acceptable and is aware of the pay increase allowed by the state. He will be working on an ordinance to get this pay increase voted on in the future. Solicitor Treat also asked about the mileage that the township pays out to the supervisors who choose to turn in gas mileage to receive reimbursement for traveling to meetings, trainings, etc. The supervisors stated that there was no such thing instated. With advice from solicitor Treat, Supervisor Kmetz makes a motion to pay .70 cents per mile for supervisors who use their personal vehicles to travel to township related trainings/meeting/business etc. with a second from Supervisor Bartleson and all supervisors voting yes.
Next scheduled meeting is Monday February 3, 2025, at 6:30 PM. Motion to adjourn at 6:56pm by Supervisor Bartleson with a second by Supervisor Kmetz and all supervisors voting yes.