PALMYRA TOWNSHIP – WAYNE COUNTY January 5, 2026
Chairman Steffen called the board of supervisor’s meeting to order at 6:30 PM.
Roll calls showed Chairman Steffen and Supervisors Kmetz were present. Supervisor Bartleson has been excused.
Last month’s minutes were reviewed as written. A correction from “Chairman” to “Supervisor” is to be made at the top of page 3. With this correction Chairman Steffen made a motion to accept the previous month’s minutes, with a second by Supervisor Kmetz and all supervisors voting yes.
Supervisor Bartleson has submitted a letter of resignation as of December 31, 2025. This letter will be accepted tonight by the Board of Supervisors. Currently Chairman Steffen makes a motion to accept Steve Bartleson’s resignation, and to place an ad for the open supervisor position, with a second from Supervisor Kmetz and all supervisors voting yes. Chairman Steffen thanks Steve for his service to the township and wishes him well on his future endeavors. The township will have 45 days to name a new supervisor making the deadline February 19, 2026. The motion will also include interviews only for the applicants.
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 #1 was presented. Chairman Steffen made a motion to pay the bill list, with a second by Supervisor Kmetz and all supervisors voting yes.
Resolution 2026-2 is the new Sewage Enforcement Fee Schedule. Chairman Steffen makes a motion to accept Resolution 2026-2 and the new sewage fees as written with a second from Supervisor Kmetz and all supervisors voting yes.
Tax Levy Resolution 2026-1 is the new corrected Tax milage for the 2026 Year. It was brought to Shayla’s attention that the tax accepted and submitted last year was at the .5 milage rate. The county recognized the decrease in tax revenue set for the year 2026 and advised Shayla to go backwards not be recommended. The Real Estate Tax Milage for 2026 will be .5. Both Supervisors have signed off on the corrected Resolution by the direction of Chairman Steffen.
Chairman Steffen would like to see some of our extra funds distributed to Hawley Fire and Police Departments as well as to Shayla for a performance bonus for 2025. Supervisor Kmetz suggests that we add White Mills onto the list for extra funds as well. Supervisor Kmetz makes a motion to distribute $6,000 to both Hawley Fire Department and Police Department, $3,000 to White Mills Fire Department, and $400 to Shayla Gouger, with a second from Chairman Steffen and all supervisors voting yes.
Police Report was given by Officer Rowan is on file.
Fire Report was given and is on file.
PPH Ambulance Report
Road Report was given by Roadmaster Kmetz and is on file. Roadmaster Kmetz also stated that soon he will need a new plow truck as his 2015 is starting to rust. And he would also like to upgrade the tractor in the future as the one we have is old and makes the loading process for salt lengthy. Roadmaster Kmetz also states there are 3 pipes he would like to see replaced this year. Chairman Steffen stated they will check other townships and government sites to see if anyone has vehicles/tractors for sale.
Correspondence The Township received its normal newsletters, pamphlets, brochures, and magazines. Alternate SEO Leroy Butch Finlon will be retiring after 50 years of SEO Service. A Letter of Interest has been submitted by Caleb Martin who hopes to take over the Alternate SEO position here in the township. Wayne County Housing and Development sent a letter asking townships to please advise them of the homeless population in their areas. 2 Emails have been received in favor of the Daycare located on Gravity Road. (Kuzmiak Property)
Planning Commission will reorganize on Thursday January 8, 2026. At this time, they will look at a Module 3 Sewer Component Plan and Application requesting approval on behalf of the Gravity Road Daycare Project. A special Board of Supervisors Meeting will occur at 6:45 pm after the Planning Commission Meeting to look over the application and its possible approval by the Board.
Public Comment Lynne Landry from Milestone Estates is back on behalf of the possible adoption of the Noise Ordinance. Over the last few months Lynne has provided the township with personal information about a particular problem she and her husband are dealing with. The Landry’s decided after the last meeting that they should seek help as the problems they are dealing with are now leaning toward harassment. They contacted the Hawley Police and received no return call to deal with said issue. They are very committed to seeing a Noise Ordinance passed to protect residents, like them, from issues like they are incurring. Lynne proceeds to show the Board of Supervisors a video from that very morning showing the neighbor lying on the horn as they drove past the house. They claim that the car has been past their house at least 7 times, just today! Chairman Steffen stated he was surprised that they did not receive a call back from the local police. The Landry’s are concerned for the older population and want to make sure everyone is protected. Solicitor Treat interrupts and states that this is a harassment issue and needs to be brought to the police. Lynne states that she understands that they need to escalate this issue to get it handled but are still advocating for the ordinance as maybe it could have helped them from going this far and needing to get the police involved. Mr. Landry states they have tried so hard to be good neighbors and not to escalate it to this level. They just want what it best for the township residents. Officer Rowan states this sounds like a misdemeanor or felony stalking. Officer Rowan states he will take the Landry’s down after the meeting to the station to file a report on this matter as it is out of hand. Solicitor Treat offers a story of a similar situation and offers some guidance.
Chairman Steffen offers a lighter note in the night. Marie Osterman has been a part-time resident for 75 years. She came to America at the age of 20. She will be turning 100 years old on January 14. We would like to extend a Happy Birthday wish to Marie! Christine Krauss states the state police will not enforce borough or township Noise Ordinance. She is concerned about the ordinance effecting our commerce. From the church bells to the quarry banging. She is concerned that the ordinance will limit these businesses.
Zoning Report was given by Paul. Mr. Treat has not had a chance to look over or talk with JHA over the new map provided for behind Dime Bank on Wellwood Ave Hawley. Paul asks about Preferred Management and the renewal of their services. Chairman Steffen states that we will be cutting ties with the company. Shayla states our township contract is renewed in March 2026 with Preferred Management so that will give us 2 months to come up with a plan of action. Solicitor Treat asks Shayla to procure a letter of termination to be reviewed by the BOS during February’s meeting. Paul also provided his end of the year totals to the BOS for 2025.
An executive Session takes place between the Supervisors, Shayla and Jeff Treat. This concerned personnel issues which is protected under the Sunshine Act.
The report of Digitizing Records has nothing to report.
Emergency Management has nothing to report.
The Solicitor’s Report Wallenpaupack Bowling Alley received our letter. Jeff has been notified that Attorney Jack Spall will be responding to this letter. Solicitor Treat has not received said response. Once he does, he will pass it along to the Supervisors.
Final Call for Public Comment
2025 Board of Supervisors has officially been dissolved. Appointments Plus Wages for Palmyra Township Wayne County Reorganizational Meeting January 2026
Supervisor Kmetz makes a motion to nominate Pete Steffen as our Chairman for the 2026 year, with a second from Chairman Steffen and all supervisors voting yes.
Chairman Chairman Pete Steffen Vice Chairman Supervisor Kmetz Road Master Supervisor Kmetz Asst. Road Maters Supervisor Steffen Office Secretary/Treasurer Open Records Officer
Shayla Gouger at a rate of $17.68/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 $19.76 per hr Building Code Officer Northeast Site Consultants
SEO Chris Martin Alt Seo Caleb Martin
Equipment Maintenance Hawley Garage, Kuzmiak’s Garage, Gary’s, Bill Carson Excavating
Depositories The Dime Bank, Pligit
Newspaper of Record Tri County Independent
Emergency Management Coordinator Supervisor Steffen temporarily until new Supervisor is named.
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
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 $18.36 per hr, scheduled 1664 hrs per year, OT may be necessary for Storm Events, will receive Medical Benefit Stipend same as Supervisors Also, Road Master Kmetz will have option to use services of a general laborer for no more than 100 hrs per year if a situation arises requiring immediate attention. Primarily this will involve a situation that Road Master Kmetz may notice while performing duties in his own business, that for the benefit of the Township, can be performed and or corrected quickly.
Holidays to be paid out to Shayla and John with an average of their weekly hours as holiday pay are Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day and Christmas.
The September meeting will be scheduled for Tuesday September 8 instead of Monday September 7, which is Labor Day.
Chairman Steffen makes a motion to accept all offices, and titles as read for 2026, with a second from Supervisor Kmetz and all supervisors voting yes
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Business that Paul would like to see discussed in 2026 are the conclusion of the Solar Ordinance. And to discuss Wind and Data Farms. Solicitor Treat agrees.
Next scheduled meeting is Monday February 2, 2025, at 6:30 PM. Motion to adjourn at 7:38 pm by Supervisor Kmetz with a second by Chairman Steffen and all supervisors voting yes.