PALMYRA TOWNSHIP – WAYNE COUNTY March 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 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.

 

Bill List number #3 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.

 

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

 

PPH Ambulance Report has nothing new to report this month.

 

Road Report was given by Roadmaster Kmetz and is on file. Chairman Steffen is concerned about the uptick in traffic once the bridge project on Route 6 begins. He would like to get a streetlight installed at the pole on the intersection of Owego and Columbus. This pole has a transformer and the pole number has been passed off to Supervisor Kmetz who will make the call concerning the light once a phone number has been located for installation. Chairman Steffen made a motion to have a street light installed at the intersection with a second from Supervisor Kmetz and all Supervisors voting yes.

 

Shayla has spoken with Scott Mead and Jim MacKay, who is the Traffic ITS Engineer at CDM Smith, about the addition of preemptive emergency traffic controls being added to the light project. Since the lights at IGA and Settlers already have these lights, Jim stated that should be an easy addition to make to the project. Roughly 80 seconds is planned to be added to the light at the bottom of Route 590 and 6. There will be additional time added to the lights at IGA and at the Wallenpaupack lights. We are not sure how much additional time will be added. Shayla has requested that the Supervisors sign all the necessary paperwork involved with the bridge project, the letter for request from the township for additional time to the traffic light on the 590 side, the application for the addition of time to the traffic light on the 590 side, Resolution for Shayla’s signature approval and PennDot traffic Maintenance Agreement.

 

Correspondence The Township received its normal newsletters, pamphlets, brochures, and magazines. Annual Spring Meeting is March 19, at 7pm at Texas #4 Grove Street, Honesdale. Liquid Fuels have been distributed. The township will receive the amount of $61,699.49 and Road Turnback in the amount of $3520.00 on March 3, 2025. PennDot has submitted the list of yearly Traffic Engineering Data Count Services Contract Roads for the 2025 year. Palmyra Township will have traffic data counters placed on the following roads: Madison Ave between Vine and North, Vine Street between SR2004 and Grandview Ave, Palm Street between Oak and Vine, and Beech Nut Drive between SR 3028 state Route and Dead-end TC.

 

Planning Commission Nothing to report. A meeting is scheduled for March 4, 2025, to review plans for a landscaping storage/staging yard almost at the very end of Columbus Ave.

 

Public Comment Solicitor Treat will be recusing himself from the following and Solicitor Tony Magnotta will be our representative concerning anything New Leaf Energy related as Solicitor Treat represented the buyer of the property in matter. Solicitor Magnotta states that a special exception (a use not provided for) is needed for this project, as the township does not have a current solar ordinance. A special exception goes before the Zoning Hearing Board after review from the Planning Commission. Solicitor Magnotta is familiar with New Leaf Energy as he has dealt with them at 2 different townships he represents. Solicitor Magnotta suggests that we get a Solar Ordinance in effect as soon as possible to make this process easier and more defined.

 

Rob Tompkins, Project Developer, and Nick Delp, Project Engineer, are here from new Leaf Energy. They are not against delaying the project a few months to allow the township to address the solar ordinance. They want to be good neighbors and don’t want to try to get their project approved before an actual ordinance is voted in. Paul states that he feels we can have a new ordinance written, with public comment and voted on within 3 months. New Leaf is interested in the property located behind the Dime Bank on Wellwood. The only neighboring property is Harmony in the Woods. New Leaf has decided to wait for the township to put together an ordinance. The project will be roughly about 30 acres with 5megawatt AC.

 

Solicitor Treat also states the Junk Ordinance needs to be worked on as well. He suggests that the township have a workshop to discuss both these matters. The township has decided to get together for a Saturday workshop with NO public comment. The supervisors will email Shayla with available dates. This meeting will be advertised.

 

Zoning Report Paul stated that Mike Kuzmiack is applying to put up a daycare on the property located on Gravity Road next to his storage garage. He is wondering about the parking lot area and how many spots he will need. As the building will occupy children who do not drive, and parents will only be parked for drop off and pick up time with limited staff vehicles. Our Zoning Ordinance would have the parking lot at 25 spaces which Paul feels is overkill. The parking lot will be gravel. Mike has plenty of space for 25 spots should the township require him to have them.

 

Paul stated that we have received a response letter from Preferred Management addressing our concerns. Neither Paul nor Shayla have heard from them. Solicitor Treat states that he spoke with Brad from Preferred Management today and Brad has indicated that he will be more proactive in the search for short term rentals here in the township. Any rentals that Paul has found will be sent to Brad at his request. Solicitor Treat is concerned about the safety at these rentals, and he has stressed that to Brad.

 

Report of Digitizing Records has nothing to report.

 

Emergency Management has nothing to report. The Solicitor’s Report Paul has sent out our current junk ordinance for comments. Solicitor Treat has reviewed this paperwork and feels that there are also changes that need to be made. This can also be discussed at the workshop.

 

Ordinance 25-02 will concern the Meeting Salary Increase as per the legislative update in 2024. This ordinance has been reviewed by the supervisors. Jeff suggests that we keep it at the monthly pay. This will be advertised for public comment and adopted at the next meeting.

 

Final Call for Public Comment

 

Next scheduled meeting is Monday April 7, 2025, at 6:30 PM. Motion to adjourn at 6:59 pm by Chairman Steffen with a second by Supervisor Kmetz and all supervisors voting yes.