PALMYRA TOWNSHIP – WAYNE COUNTY June 1, 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 correction on the last page (last paragraph Chairman Kmetz to Supervisor Kmetz), with a second by Chairman Steffen 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 #6 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. Mr. Mead advised that there was a fire at 127 Gravity Road. The power is cut off from the house currently. The living room and kitchen took most of the damage. Looking at the building, it will be the right side of the house.
PPH Ambulance Report Even with the Covington and Hamlin Merge it does seem the PPH still answered about half of the calls received in that area. PPH hopes to see this number decrease going forward. The letters that were sent out to the neighboring townships about contributing to the cost of PPH did not go over well. There have been minimal responses from these townships. They provided no new means of financial assistance for PPH services.
Road Report was given by Roadmaster Kmetz and is on file. Road Bids for Paving Project 2026 for Rocky Run have been received. Bids were received from Wayco Inc., Pioneer Construction Co Inc., and Leeward Construction, Inc. Bids were opened. All bids were above what is available in the State Road Account.
Roadmaster Kmetz would like to complete as much of this project as possible, and has spoken to the accountant, and the accountant states we can use the General Account to compensate for the remainder of the cost of project. Shayla advises that she would like to spend $60,000 out of the State Road PLGIT Account leaving around $12,000 to make it through the remainder of the year. That will make the cost out of the General Checking Account roughly $34,931.20. The township Roadmaster and Supervisors have decided to remove line number 1 from the paving project on Rocky Run Road. The bid is awarded to Wayco Inc in the amount of $85,831.20 after the removal of line 1 (Line one total was $9,100.00). Roadmaster Kmetz makes a motion to award the bid to Wayco, after removing line number 1 in the amount of $85,831.20, with a second from Supervisor Hillriegel and all supervisors voting yes.
Supervisor Hillriegel makes a motion to spend $60,000 of the State Road PLGIT Account on the Paving Project for 2026 and using the General Checking account to cover the roughly remaining balance of $34,931.20 for the 2026 Paving Project with a second from Chairman Steffen and all supervisors voting yes.
Correspondence The Township received its normal newsletters, pamphlets, brochures, and magazines. TextMyGov would like to see if the supervisors are interested in seeing a presentation on their available township application and its perks. Department of Transportation will be depositing $392.79 on June 1, 2026, for State Police Fines. A copy of the letter sent by PPH was received by the township. Planning Commission has nothing to report.
Public Comment Paul presents a slide show of pictures concerning the Railroad at both the Hawley and White Mills locations. He has spoken to Lisa Bakers office who states they will not get involved. He has also spoken with Jim Shook who will be doing some investigation into this issue. Representative Olsommer has also been notified and will be running this up the pipeline. Representative Olsommer responded with an email that they also will not be getting involved, that we should reach out to local officials. Paul states that it is time to either deal with these problems and violations or drop this all together. Paul proceeds to show multiple violations, some concerning clay bird shooting, electric, wiring, building, sign violations etc.
Jeff Treat states that there has been no communication. Jeff states NEIC should have handled this situation when NEIC placed a stop work order on the building and the railroad ripped it up. Jeff believes that the Railroad is NOT exempt from any building code or permitting processes. He feels that if our 3rd party NEIC will not make a stand then we must.
The County was approached with a tax exemption from the Railroad and Jeff states the county is going to turn it down, so even the County feels they are not exempt. Jeff recommends an emergency injunction. Paul is worried about going head-to-head against the railroad, Jeff states the township has a legitimate case. Chairman Steffen feels like this has gone on long enough and asks about the injunction and states this injunction should happen immediately. There is confirmation from a resident that they have in fact been on a pedal ride called Rails and Ales, at the Hawley location where beer is provided before the start, at a rest spot in the middle of the pedal along with food, and for the pedal back to the main area. The beer was included in the ticket price. Mr. Treat feels Paul should write a letter to Olsommer and Baker asking them if they are aware as State Representatives about the Railroad having a liquor license. Chairman Steffen makes a motion to have Paul draft a letter to both Olsommer and Baker concerning the liquor license and to also meet with Jeff Treat to construct a letter formally acknowledging all the violations for an emergency injunction all concerning the Railroad with a second from Supervisor Kmetz and all Supervisors voting yes. Gary asked how they could have power in White Mills if PP&L did not receive an inspection on the hookups. No one knows how this happened.
Zoning Report was given by Paul.
Chairman Steffen summarized a Data Center meeting that they attended in Lords Valley hosted by Olsommer. The meeting was handled mostly by PSATS. Chairman Steffen asks Solicitor Treat if we can make amendments to the ordinances concerning Data Centers, Solar and Wind Farms. Paul states we simply need to adjust and rewrite the final copy of these ordinances. We need to amend the current ordinances to reflect the stipulations that the township would require to have data, solar or wind farms erected. Jeff states that we can institute minimum setback and acreage required. Chairman Steffen makes a motion to hold a work session for the supervisors, Paul and Jeff to finalize ordinances and amendments, with a second from Supervisor Hillriegel and all supervisors voting yes.
The report of Digitizing Records has nothing to report.
Emergency Management has nothing to report.
The Solicitor’s Report
Final Call for Public Comment
Next scheduled meeting is Monday July 6, 2026, at 6:30 PM. Motion to adjourn at 7:09 pm by Chairman Steffen with a second by Supervisor Kmetz and all supervisors voting yes.