FIVE RESPOND TO CALL FOR PARKS & RECREATION VOLUNTEERS
BY WAYNE WITKOWSKI

DINGMANS FERRY – Delaware Township continues to advance its goal to resurrect a Recreation and Parks Board that has been dormant since 2014.

The Board of Supervisors at their regular meeting disclosed the receipt of letters from five residents wishing to volunteer their services on the board.

The supervisors said that they plan to hold regular discussions with board members to framework their responsibilities and jurisdiction toward recreational events and event sites in the township.

“I think we have to look at this with people who applied, see what they are thinking,”  Supervisor Jane Neufeld said.  “We need to be clear on what they think they’re going to be allowed to do.”

Supervisors said they are not certain when the board will be officially staffed as they are allowing time for more letters of interest.  “We want more than five applicants (for the give positions),” Neufeld said.

Board of Supervisors Chairman John Henderson has led the way toward reviving the board, regulated under a Second Class Township ordinance passed in 2012.

He said in a March meeting he would help raise interest for volunteers with the board positions being advertised after no letters of interest were received under a previously advertised notice.

Township Solicitor Tom Farley quoted from the ordinance that the board is created “with power, as determined by the supervisors, to supervise, regulate, equip and maintain township funded recreation programs and township facilities with the township.”

He said the ordinance need not be changed but can have specifications of what the township wants those board members to do.

The supervisors agreed that the board can organize volunteers to help run an event but that the ordinance specifies that “no plan, program, budget, schedule, rule, regulation or other action of the board shall be effective until and unless it shall have received prior approval of the Board of Supervisor.”

The ordinance says funds appropriated by the supervisors for the recreation board will be paid by vouchers disbursed by the township treasurer.

Many activities recommended by the recreation board might still be run by township employees rather than strictly by volunteers.

“It might be a partnership with the township employees but you have to draw a line somewhere,” Neufeld said, “Some things are the township’s responsibility and liability.”

Supervisors spoke at the workshop before the meeting about discussion with Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) representatives regarding a master plan for Akenac Park… Supervisors approved at the meeting a motion for seasonal personnel to distribute a brief opinion survey about Akenac Park to visitors there and to leave surveys at other designated locations.

The board agreed to advertise in the newspaper and to provide to local contractors details on a flooring project that is needed for the Historical Society building at the park.

Also approved at the meeting after discussion during the workshop, supervisors unanimously agreed to buy for $2,451.77 a Lanier copy machine used by the township.  Its lease with the township is about to expire.  They also agreed to pay Voltron Electric of Matamoras $1,290 to repair wires for security cameras at Akenac Park damaged by the late winter Nor’easters.

They also agreed to pay Amp Electric of Dingmans Ferry $1,100 for repair work at Akenac Park at one cabin, to rewire and stabilize a leaning pole behind the bathhouse, to replace an electric panel and circuit breakers at the boathouse and to repair another panel behind the lifeguard cabin.

The board waived about $1,800 in permitting fees for Habitat for Humanity of Pike County home building project at Pocono Mountain Lake Estates … They approved an estimate of $3,770.65 by Kocher’s Water Pump & Tanks Inc. of Bath to seal the township’s municipal well casing.  It is the first time in memory that type of work is needed, said township officials.

Supervisors passed a resolution to close one end of Doodle Hollow Road with barricades at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area boundary until further notice.  The road closure will deny public access to the Dingman Falls Area that the National Park Service has warned is dangerous.

Supervisors discussed recommendations from engineering firm Boucher & James about the new salt shed in the township and advertisement for bids will take place shortly.