PALMYRA TOWNSHIP – WAYNE COUNTY April 6, 2026

 

Chairman Steffen called the board of supervisor’s meeting to order at 6:30 PM. Roll calls showed Chairman Steffen, Supervisors Kmetz and Supervisor Hillriegel 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 Hillriegel 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 Hillriegel and all supervisors voting yes.

 

Bill List number #4 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 by an Officer and is on file.

 

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

 

PPH Ambulance Report had 2 meetings that Chairman Steffen attended. On March 25, the meeting was to discuss in detail Call Volume that PPH has answered over the last year and what percentage of the calls were from the PPH service area. It was determined that The Hideout, Salem, Lake and Honesdale area have had more than 1,160 calls to those townships out of roughly 2,726 out of service area calls. Only 878 calls were addressed in the PPH Service area.

The financial strain On PPH was discussed in length. During that meeting, PPH also discussed the cost of a new private ambulance. This ambulance will be given to the PPH in hopes to cut down the cost in the coming year of service. A grant is in the means of being secured to help with the cost of this ambulance which is estimated at $150,000. The township has been asked to contribute to the cost of this new ambulance. The cost to the townships in PPH is around $88,000 after the grant has been used. PPH asks if Palmyra Township will contribute 11% of the $88,000 cost which is $8,800. Shayla confirms that the funds are available in the Ambulance Tax account.

Chairman Steffen makes a motion to contribute $8,800 to the PPH for the cost of a new ambulance, with a second from Supervisor Kmetz and all Supervisors voting yes. It was also determined that a second letter will be sent to all neighboring townships to ask them for financial assistance with PPH if their areas are being served at a high rate. The first round of letters was not received well by the neighboring communities so the hope is there will be a better response to this set of letters.

On March 26th there was a county meeting. The consensus at that meeting is yes there is a problem with volunteerism. Volunteerism is at an all-time low. PPH was mentioned as a model for other townships numerous times during this meeting. Betsy Turner used the PPH as an example of what the future is going to look like for most municipalities moving forward. The commissioners announced that morning there will be an ambulance service feasibility study done in Wayne County. This is estimated to take 6 to 9 months to complete. The PPH organization is happy with the service they have provided this year. A discussion ensues between Mr. Treat, Chairman Steffen, Scott Mead and the attending public sharing information about neighboring volunteer companies in other townships/boroughs.

 

Road Report was given by Roadmaster Kmetz and is on file. Roadmaster Kmetz stated that we will be sharing the cost of a skid steer with a pickup broom sweeper rental with Hawley Boro, to clean up some areas where the cinder is very heavy from the winter, like Highland Fields and Sutter Court. The cost of this rental should be around $550 a day and it is expected to take 2 days to complete the work. Wednesday and Thursday Roadmaster Kmetz will be attending a Dirt and Gravel Seminar that will allow us to apply for a grant to hopefully get Mushpaw taken care of. Supervisor Kmetz made a motion to approve a pay of $17 an hour for the part time DPW worker with a second from Chairman Steffen and all Supervisors voting yes.

 

Correspondence The Township received its normal newsletters, pamphlets, brochures, and magazines. A Thank you card has been received from the Hawley Fire Department for our donation. Wayne County Board of Elections has asked for permission to use the township building on May 19, 2026, as a polling place for the General Primary. The Board of Supervisors approves and signs off in acceptance. Texas Township Wayne County has applied to the Department of Community and Economic Development Multi-Modal Transportation Fund Grant for financial assistance in the cost of paving Shady Lane Rd.

 

Planning Commission has nothing to report.

 

Public Comment Mr. Landry asks if there is any update on the Noise/Nuisance Ordinance. Chairman Steffen states it is still a work in progress.

 

Zoning Report was given by Paul. A new Short Term Rental Application has been procured by Paul. He presented it to the Board of Supervisors for review before the meeting. The application is like the old application, but without unnecessary information. Mr. Treat states the application is very well done. Chairman Steffen makes a motion to accept the Short-Term Rental Application with a second from Supervisor Kmetz and all Supervisors voting yes.

Paul updates the Board of Short-Term Rentals he has found still active. One Short-Term Rental is in Milestone. This individual was spoken to directly by Paul and was advised how to proceed with Preferred Management when they were handling the applications. He failed to do so at that time. Now that Paul will be responsible for the Short-Term Rentals, he will be issuing his second warning by taking this individual to the magistrate.

Paul shares some insight on the Noise/Nuisance ordinance that everyone has been working hard on. He states that he does not find it advisable to adopt an ordinance that will be unenforceable by the township. Instead, he feels that the township should make a “statement” or “stand” on our website and Facebook addressing how the township feels about this matter and how to properly seek help when dealing with this type of issue. Chairman Steffen asks Solicitor Treat his opinion on Paul’s statement. Mr. Treat agrees. You would need someone to enforce the ordinance. A criminal code violation would be the local/state police. But if it is an ordinance violation occurs it would be the township’s responsibility to enforce. Mr. Treat states enforcing a noise ordinance is very difficult. After going through an example scenario, it still would come down to, even if documentation has occurred, someone will need to be authorized to enforce this. Mr. Treat states most of the Noise/Nuisance ordinance are people doing activities that other people would deem unacceptable at that time. Then it becomes determining what becomes unreasonable/unacceptable. If we do not adopt an ordinance, then the residents would fall back on the state’s adoption of the noise ordinance.

Paul feels that a statement/policy/stance posted on our websites, concerning our beliefs or stands on noise/nuisance without adopting would be a better alternative for the township. Mr. Landry feels that some sort of recognition of how the townships view how a reasonable person should act and set some sort of standards holds value to the community. Mrs. Landry feels that this will also help local HOA take a stand in this matter and lends support. Chairman Steffen asks that Mr. Treat work on a policy statement for the township.

New road signs in Highland Fields have also been requested by Paul. Constituents have reached out to him.

 

The report of Digitizing Records has nothing to report.

 

Emergency Management has nothing to report.

 

The Solicitor’s Report asks about the Zoning change. Shayla states that the last thing she recalls is Mr. Treat was addressing a possible correction to the lines. Paul states that the map has since been deemed correct and now it is due for supervisor signatures and public statement. This will be addressed in conjunction with the Solar Ordinance.

 

Supervisor Kmetz states he has been approached by a few people concerning the traffic lights on Owego and 590. People are concerned about people being able to stop for the light and line of sight. The supervisors have questions concerning the light. They would like to talk to PennDot again to get some of these uncertainties answered. Andrea Whyte is concerned for line of sight making the turns out of Owego. There is an appreciation for the light but at the same time there seem to be more unanswered questions and uncertainties than there seems to be necessity. Shayla advises she has no new information on the light. She is still sharing the information that was shared back at the initial meeting that was held with PennDot. Shayla does believe that the plans have changed since then. There is a question as to what Paupack wants and their involvement. A side discussion takes place between multiple constituents and supervisors. Gary asks if we do not like the plan or that we find the plan ineffective if we can pull out. Chairman Steffen believes we can. Supervisor Kmetz asks Shayla to reach out and set a meeting to get updates.

Short Term Rental Fees need to be updated. A fee schedule of $650 for the initial application and then a $250 Annual Renewal Fee has been deemed appropriate. This fee schedule was made in motion by Chairman Steffen with a second from Supervisor Kmetz and all supervisors voting yes. Paul will be inspecting and handling applications going forward.

 

Final Call for Public Comment

 

Next scheduled meeting is Monday May 4, 2026, at 6:30 PM. Motion to adjourn at 7:22 pm by Chairman Steffen with a second by Supervisor Kmetz and all supervisors voting yes.