PALMYRA TOWNSHIP – WAYNE COUNTY July 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 #7 was presented. Chairman Steffen made a motion to pay the bill list, with a second by Supervisor Kmetz and all supervisors voting yes. Joyce Carson has submitted a letter to the BOS requesting a refund on her property taxes for a lot purchased by Joyce known as 72 Skyview Lane. The dwelling was torn done in April 2026 leaving the 2.68 acres open. Joyce must first receive the approval from the county to receive a refund before the BOS is able to pass this motion. Once the county has made their decision, we will reevaluate the request.

 

Police Report was given by an Officer and is on file.

 

Fire Report is on file.

 

Road Report was given by Roadmaster Kmetz and is on file. Supervisor Kmetz brings an ordinance to the attention of the board via the Hawley Area Authority. This ordinance would make it necessary for a homeowner to have the lines inspected from a residence to the lateral connection of the main line of HAA at the time of a sale. What Supervisor Kmetz presents is a draft, this will also have to be enacted in Hawley Borough. Tony Magnata is the solicitor for the HAA and has drafted the ordinance.

 

Correspondence The Township received its normal newsletters, pamphlets, brochures, and magazines. Department of Transportation submitted a formal letter with their intent to submit an environmental permit application to the PA DEP for an unnamed Tributary to the Lackawaxen River. The project consists of the replacement of a failed 36” cross pipe and repair a failed embankment.

 

Public Comment A constituent from Highland Fields states there is a bump in the road where a new drainage pipe was placed and the road has settled. Roadmaster Kmetz is aware and will be fixing it.

 

Planning Commission will be meeting tomorrow to discuss two Lot Consolidations and a conditional use for a billboard sign.

 

Zoning Report was given by Paul. The BOS, Paul and Jeff, all had a work session to correct and rework the Noise Ordinance, the Junk/Rubbish Ordinance, and Data Center Ordinance. There was some wording that had been reworked in the Solar and Wind Ordinance. Changes were also made to the Zoning Districts. Once these final changes are made Paul will be posting them online on the township website so the constituents in town can look them over and offer comments at our next monthly meeting and proceed with a final hearing and adoption after that. This was at the advisement of Solicitor Treat.

Aqua held a meeting at Bingham Park to discuss improvements to the water line that crosses over Main Street at the Columbus intersection onto the Stourbridge Line Railroad property. It came to light that these improvements would also contain a lateral installation for the Railroad to use. Aqua was very surprised to hear that there are no permits for any of the buildings located at this property. Hawley Area Authority was also surprised to hear that. At some point an application was presented to Aqua and its engineering firm for this lateral to be put in at the Railroad. Aqua assures us that this lateral will be locked once it is placed, until we confirm that the Railroad has obtained all necessary permitting. Aqua assures us they will also be aware if someone tries to hook up to said lateral unannounced. Jeff Treat states that this means Stourbridge Line RR has applied for all these utilities to be hooked up knowing fully that they are not in compliance with the township and have unpermitted buildings. 4 representatives from Stourbridge Line were present and didn’t not speak with solicitors.

Paul states there are 2 Short Term Rental violators. Notices have been placed on the buildings and certified letters have been sent. Violations were both “No Permit” violations.

We have received our first Short Term Rental Application. The onsite inspection has been scheduled. Paul would like to know if the BOS would like the smoke detectors to be “smoke” tested. The Board agrees that they would like to fully test the alarms with the fake smoke. Paul will order the necessary tools.

 

The report of Digitizing Records has nothing to report.

 

Emergency Management has nothing to report.

 

The Solicitor’s Report Jeff Treat states that the first thing he noticed on the HAA drafted ordinance would be that the township would be responsible for the inspection or we would need a designated agent to conduct these inspections. There is a list of Inspectors for the sewer pipes that will are available for these types of inspections. He also feels the length of time suggested should be less. He feels that 90 days for results of said inspection is too long for people to wait. Mr. Treat feels 30 days is better. Jeff and Paul will be meeting to formally finish the letter of complaint about the Stourbridge Line and PA Railbike on Thursday. Jeff asks if the BOS would like to file a complaint on both locations or one specific. The BOS state both locations are in violation. There is still the concern of open containers and drinking at these events and locations. Alcohol is included in the ticket price. Jeff Treat suggests a letter to be sent to the LCB addressing our concerns with the RR to them. He states that the letter should address our concerns with licensing, permitting, monitoring, etc. at these events. A motion to have a letter written to the LCB addressing all the townships concerns with the Railroad and the consumption of alcohol is made by Chairman Steffen with a second from Supervisor Kmetz and all supervisors voting yes.

 

Final Call for Public Comment

 

Next scheduled meeting is Monday August 3, 2026, 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.