Retention Ponds Allowed in Business Buffer Areas

Retention Ponds Allowed in Business Buffer Areas
By Wayne Witkowski
The Pike County Dispatch 3/2/23

DINGMANS FERRY -- Business owners in Delaware Township are able to set up a stormwater retention pond on their property, according to amendments to a township zoning ordinance approved after a public hearing during Wednesday night's meeting.
Business property owners also will no longer have material storage on the property permitted under the ordinance.
The motion for the amendment to the Delaware Township Zoning Ordinance 110.8(B) said it includes stormwater maintenance facilities as an exception to the term “structure” and also eliminates material storage areas. It passed unanimously after the public hearing during which a resident pressed supervisors about the need to amend the ordinance.
Township Alternate Solicitor Christian Weed presented and talked about the ordinance amendments during the hearing. After the meeting, Board of Supervisors Chairman John Henderson said, "Zoning (ordinance) 110.8(B) pertains to buffers and screening. Allowing material storage considered unsightly is inconsistent with the purpose of 110.8 (B).
"Water maintenance facilities, on the other hand, would be virtually invisible."
The amendments had been approved by the township Planning Commission before going back to the supervisors for final approval.
"What was the reason for the storage areas, what properties did you have in mind," resident Steve Tarquini asked the supervisors.

"Any properties," responded Board of Supervisors Chairman John Henderson.
"We had nothing specifically in mind," said Supervisor Rick Koehler.
Henderson later said business property owners that have had storage areas would be "grandfathered" and can continue to have them, "We're just trying to help them out," he said.
Although supervisors said they had no specific property owner in mind, the stormwater management issue had come up at an early January meeting involving a proposed 24-hour fitness gym to be built on Route 739. The applicant received conditional approval, with many stipulations, to relocate from a site on Dingmans to a larger facility in the township in response to their growing business.
Much discussion of the conditions focused on stormwater management facilities in the buffer area in which the applicant was told a variance would be obtained while the township ordinance would be amended in 60 days to suit the project, which occurred at last week's meeting.
"Someone bought (property) and their stormwater situation could be better handled if a drainage stormwater retention pond is approved," said Henderson.
Storage area was not part of that discussion.
Also, during the meeting, supervisors approved a letter of support to the Pennsylvania Route 6 Alliance for their Keystone Communities Grant application to fund a façade improvement program in Wayne and Pike counties.
"The (www.paroute6.com) alliance seeks to 'spruce up' historic Route 6 across Pennsylvania by providing grants to eligible entities," explained Henderson afterward.
Supervisors agreed to purchase Doolan Road signage from Main Stream Industries, Inc. (via Costars) for $1,553.50.
They also approved the purchase of 50 white delineators (white vertical road posts) for $1,350 from Main Stream Industries Inc. (via Costars).
An estimate from JALVO Inc. for $6,300 to install a repeater was tabled. In prior meetings, Roadmaster Richard Bailo has discussed poor reception of radio transmission to township vehicles in certain areas and the need for a second repeater.
Jeff Opitz's resignation from the Delaware Township Planning Commission, effective immediately, was accepted and supervisors approved advertising to fill the vacancy.
Township Administrator Krista Predmore was approved as the Delaware Township representative to the Pike County Council of Government.
The 2022 financial audit of Delaware Township was accepted and a motion was passed to advertise the 2022 concise financial statement for Delaware Township.
An Akenac Park use request by the Pocono Environmental Education Center for Summer Camp on July 3 through Aug. 18 for approximately 22-24 campers was approved by the supervisors. It includes a morning session from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and an afternoon session from 1-3 p.m. They'll take place on Wednesdays for seventh to ninth graders (morning) and 3- to 5-year-olds (afternoon), on Thursdays from fifth to sixth graders (morning) and first and second graders (afternoon) and on Fridays for third and fourth graders (morning) and an alternative rain date (afternoon).
Supervisors agreed to adopt the Pennsylvania Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS) Trustees Insurance Fund Disclosure Statement for 2022 as required by Chapter 7-A of Act 44 of 2009, the Municipal Pension Plan Funding Standard and Recovery Act.
They agreed to advertise for a full-time job opening for a Public Works employee.
Resolution No. 2023-02 for the destruction of documents was passed.

24-Hour Fitness Gym on Route 739 Wins Approval

24-Hour Fitness Gym on Route 739 Wins Approval
By Wayne Witkowski
The Pike County Dispatch 

DINGMANS FERRY -- With the New Year only weeks old, Delaware Township Supervisors John Henderson and Rick Koehler hit the ground running at the first workshop and regular meeting of the year.

- They voted, in a tone of regret, to accept the unexpected resignation of fellow Supervisor Jane Neufeld, effective on New Year's Eve. They will appoint an interim supervisor for the duration of Neufeld's term, which expires at the end of the year, at the Feb. 8 meeting in compliance with state Class 2 township codes. Henderson explained, when asked, that townships must fill a supervisor vacancy within 30 days of a resignation. No letters of interest will be considered. If they can not decide on a replacement, the task goes to the vacancy board, which is Steve McBride, for a recommendation.

- A proposal for a 24-hour fitness gym to be built on the property next to Dollar General beyond Akenac Park on Route 739 was approved with a hefty list of conditions after a joint public hearing with the township Planning Commission and the supervisors. Project manager Lou Cozza of Niclaus Engineering in Stroudsburg presented the blueprints as he and fitness center owner Chris Colella, joined by co-owner and wife Veronica, discussed the 7,000-square-foot project.  The Colellas wish to relocate Iron Body Strength and Fitness center from its current location that opened in 2021 farther along Route 739 in Dingmans Ferry, which has 4,800 square-feet split in the two-floor building. Chris Colella said the public popularity with memberships is "outgrowing" the current location, which "has been working out pretty well and gotten established."

- At the end of the meeting, Henderson announced a proposed Shawnee-Walker Transmission Line Public Information Session that will take place at the township municipal building 6 p.m. on Wednesday (Jan. 18) this week. Henderson expressed expectation that it will draw a larger public gathering than usual, much like a September meeting when residents came to express their concerns about health risks from exposure to electromagnetic waves from the high voltage wires. Residents also briefly discussed the project at the previous meeting on Dec. 7.  The line, which would serve as an alternate power supply during outages, would run through rights of way next to homes in the township's residential zone and through Akenac Park. It also would run through neighboring Lehman Township through its state gameland areas but not run through residential neighborhoods.

- The township also took its first steps toward posting mph speed limit signs at curves in the township by approving the $760.80 purchase of a ball bank indicator. The device measures in a vehicle the centrifugal force as it takes a curve in the road to tabulate the preferred speed. "We have no sped limit signs on our roads (for curves) right now," said township Administrator Krista Predmore.
The public hearing for the fitness center drew the most attention, taking a half hour before motions for land development, conditional use and the planning module for the .9 acres of property for the building were approved afterward during the regular meeting. Chris Colella said groundbreaking was anticipated to begin in April. Cozza said the startup plans were not final but township Engineer Jon Tresslar said he cited only "minor things" in his letter critiquing the initial plans.

Chris Colella afterward expressed confidence in meeting the conditions, saying the public hearing and approvals "went well, better than we thought."
A posting on his website forecasted this move.  It read, "We would like to thank everyone for helping our business grow this past year. We are excited to see that we were able to help everyone achieve their goals. We will keep striving to make the best gym for this area. BIG THINGS TO COME IN THE FUTURE FOR IRON BODY STRENGTH AND FITNESS."

Much discussion of the conditions focused on stormwater management facilities in the buffer area in which a variance would be obtained while the township ordinance would be amended in 60 days to suit the project.
Cozza said the center would have 37 parking spaces. The entrance to the parking area would be shared with Dollar General. Cozza said the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation expressed no concern about any increase in traffic that would need modifications to that part of Route 739.  Parking lot lights would be pointed downward so as not to intrude on nearby residential areas. "You will see Dollar General lights more than these," said Cozza.
Cozza said a "minimal amount of trees would be eliminated where necessary."  "We're not doing a lot of earth work but working with what is necessary," Cozza told the supervisors.
George Beodeker, president of the township volunteer fire company's Board of Directors, questioned whether drive lanes through the parking lot would enable fire company access to the back of the building if needed and Cozza showed in the plans that it would be an adequate 25 feet wide.

Also approved during the regular meeting was advertising to fill two vacancies on the township Zoning Hearing Board and two on the Recreation Committee.
Supervisors approved the 2023 proposal for lake management at Akenac Park by Aquatic Environment Consultants Inc. for $3,675.00. It will treat filamentous algae, watershield and other negative elements at the lake at Akenac Park.
They also renewed service with Ehrlich Pest Control for pest control maintenance at the park for $840 and exterior insect maintenance at the park for $2,156. Also renewed was TruGreen service for township athletic fields for $7,100.15.
A retroactive motion to pay John Bonham Road Supplies' invoice of $5,857.62 was approved.

Municipal hall use request was approved for the Milford Valley Quilters Guild for a community service project 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Monday in 2023 as well as the Wild Acres Property Owners Association on the third Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for Board of Directors meetings and for June 3 for the annual board meeting from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

During the workshop, Henderson said the Delaware Township Volunteer Ambulance Corps is asking for $107,500 from the township for its current quarterly subsidy.  Also during the workshop, Delaware Township Volunteer Fire Company Chief Michael Cairns gave a December report that he said "is no different than any other month," including 21 members working 251 hours. "You guys do wonderful things," commented Henderson afterward. Supervisors approved the $1,170.79 fourth quarter fire taxes distribution during the regular meeting.

Twp. Supervisor’s Resignation Surprises Other Board Members

Twp. Supervisor’s Resignation Surprises Other Board Members
By Wayne Witkowski
The Pike County Dispatch 

DINGMANS FERRY -- Jane Neufeld has resigned, unexpectedly, as a member and vice chairman for the Delaware Township Board of Supervisors as well as her seat as township treasurer.
"It's been an honor to serve Delaware Township residents for five and a half years but I find it's time for me to move on," said Neufeld, who later said. "It's a new chapter for me and a new chapter for the township."

Neufeld submitted her resignation on Dec. 31 and, therefore, did not attend the board's Reorganization Meeting held early last week. Her term expires the end of 2023.
Neufeld's resignation is subject to an approval vote at the next board meeting on Wednesday evening this week. Township Administrator Krista Predmore said that a time frame will be set up within compliance of the state code for townships of that population to accept letters of interest for an interim supervisor to fill the vacancy for the rest of the year.
Another deadline will be set to decide on an interim supervisor and to schedule an approval vote.
At the reorganization meting, Supervisor Rick Koehler was voted vice chairman and township treasurer, the posts held by Neufeld in recent years.
John Henderson was re-appointed as chairman of the board and as secretary. Predmore was re-appointed township administrator and as township assistant treasurer. Robin Jones is full-time Administrative/Human Resources assistant.
In recent years, Neufeld and Premore have collaborated on township budgets, balancing them without a tax increase since 2017 when the general fund millage rate was lowered by one mill to 8.68.
Neufeld denied any friction with fellow board members or the township when asked about it.
Predmore said, "Not that I'm aware of" any differences with board members, saying the decision was "definitely not expected."
Neufeld said there were no health issues involved with her decision, when asked.
"There was no forewarning of this, typical of Jane," said Henderson. "It was a surprise to all."
The reorganizatin meeting lasted just 18 minutes for approvals, without comment.
They included recognizing Jones as deputy tax collector as approved by township Tax Collector Mary Lou Corbett. Henderson and Koehler will serve as banking and checking signatories. Wayne Bank, Dime Bank and PLGIT are depositories again this year.
The Treasurer's Bond was set at $2.8 million and the assistant bond at $100,000.
Kirk Summa and Co. LLP remain as the certified public accounting firm to replace the elected auditors.
The Pike County Dispatch was approved as official township newspaper, along with the Pocono Record and the Tri-County Independent.
LVL Engineering Group was appointed township engineer. Code Inspectors, Inc. is the township residential and commercial building inspector.
Jamie Montague was appointed full-time permit assistant and Right to Know officer and also as Zoning Hearing Board Secretary.
In a noteworthy appointment, Richard Bailo was named township roadmaster. He was the second one to serve as alternate roadmaster during the closing months of last year after longtime roadmaster Vince Flatt died early last year.
Bailo also will serve on the Pike County Road Task Force. He and Koehler were named as township representatives attending the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS) annual convention in Hershey. Koehler was appointed voting delegate for the convention.
Matthew Light again will serve as township Emergency Management Coordinator after completing his first year at the post in 2022 when George Beodeker retired. Dillon Miller was re-appointed deputy coordinator.
Tom Farley, Esq. wil remain as township solicitor at a pay rate of $175 per hour, with Christian Weed, Esq. as alternate solicitor for that rate. Farley also was re-appointed township Planning Commission solicitor, with Weed as alternate, both at the same pay rate.
Stanley Beecher, Esq. remains as solicitor, with Anthony Waldron, Esq. as alternate for the township Zoning Hearing Board. Beecher also is attorney for the Building Hearing Board of the township.
Max Brinson was approved to a four-year term on the township's Zoning Hearing board and Jim Owens will serve a three-year term on the Building Hearing Board. Mike Moffa was named an alternate to the Building Hearing Board. Predmore again will serve as secretary of that board.
Scott Axelband, Gary Freene and Meghan Irwin were approved to serve one-year terms on the Safety Committee and Jones was named secretary.
Steve McBride was appointed to the Vacancy Board.
Ron Tussell was appointed part-time sewage enforcement officer and part-time zoning/code enforcement officer.
Gas reimbursement is $65.5 pert mil for use of personal vehicles while on township business.
As for scheduling, holidays were approved and Board of Supervisors workshops and regular meetings remain on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month, except for November and December.
As for other meetings, the Planning Commission will meet the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 6:30 p.m., or as necessary. The Recreation Committee will meet the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m. and the Safety Committee on the first Thursday at 8:30 a.m. the Zoning Hearing Board will meet as needed at a date and time to be determined.

Township Approved Budget, No Tax Increase!

Township Approved Budget, No Tax Increase!
By Wayne Witkowski
The Pike County Dispatch - December 15, 2022

DINGMANS FERRY -- Delaware Township supervisors at their regular meeting on Wednesday last week unanimously approved, without discussion, a budget that will hold taxes for a sixth straight year.
But that wasn't the main issue attracting a dozen residents as they sat through the brief meeting of agenda items.
They were awaiting the Public Comment segment ending the meeting to express their concern about Met-Ed's conspicuous silence regarding the proposed Shawnee-Walker 69-kilovolt Transmission Line project. It's an auxiliary power line built on right-of-way next to many homes to improve electric service reliability for approximately 13,600 residents involved in Monroe and Pike counties and to mitigate power outages largely caused by adverse weather.
It would extend through Lehman Township but supervisors there have not voiced objection because the route traverses non-residential areas and along Bushkill Falls Road through state game lands.
Yvonne Tetta started the discussion when she said she had not heard anything about the project from Met-Ed since she was first notified in early summer. The notification said that Met-Ed would send representatives to homes to explain the project to homeowners affected.
"That's a dead issue," said Supervisor Jane Neufeld of the visits.
Tetta said the line runs on a right of way that would go next to her house. She said her research shows that living near the power line can lead to serious illness.
Tetta pressed the supervisors about their position.
"We're totally against this because it's going through Akenac (Park)," said Board of Supervisors Chairman John Henderson.
Another resident asked the supervisors if they (the township) are getting paid by Met-Ed for permission and Henderson said they are not.
He said the board had sent a letter to Met-Ed when the project was made public to request a meeting to discuss the project but did not get a response. He and his fellow supevisors agreed to send another letter requesting a meeting.
Supervisors also sent an email the following morning about the project to Mike Mrozinski, director of Pike County Office of Community Planning.
"They (Delaware Township) are trying to get a representative to Pike County to explain this; their (Met-Ed's) idea is to provide a website to walk you through the whole project and for people to comment on the website and not for them (Met-Ed reps) to e to Pike County," said Mrozinski to the Dispatch that day. "They don't want to confront these people."
Copies of the first supervisors' letter sent on July 20,which establishes Mid-Atlantic Interstate Transmission LLC commandeering the project, were distributed by township Administrator Krista Predmore to residents.
Part of the letter reads, "We believe this project will have a negative impact on property values, plants, animals and water resources, recreation and the overall rural character of our township. Additionally, there are health concerns that are directly linked to stray voltage and magnetic fields near the wire, which could affect property values and anyone visiting the township's park.
"It is the township's goal to conserve, maintain and enhance the historical, cultural and environmental resources in our township and the proposed project does not align with those goals."
A few residents, along with Tetta, expressed similar sentiments.
"You could hear the wires," said resident Gary Evans of the electromagnetic hum. He and other residents cautioned that the project would move forward even if residents object and those dissenters could be forced out by eminent domain.
"There are multiple people (objecting to the project). You have a lot more power than you think," said Henderson, who also cautioned, "We need to run on evidence, not rumor."
Township Solicitor Tom Farley assured the gathering that the project has to run through the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), which ensures reliable, safe, secure and economically efficient energy for consumers at a reasonable cost.
As for the earlier part of the meeting, Neufeld said during the workshop the 2023 township budget has "no change in revenue" from when it was unveiled on Nov. 16 but said there is "a matter of overestimations (of expenses). Expenses decreased by $35,000.
Neufeld said the latest Blue Ridge franchise agreement for cable TV (not Internet service) calls for $8,900 quarterly, $35,600 annually under the latest five-year agreement.
The 2023 township budget remains at 11.868 mills. The General Fund holds at 8.68 mills.The Recreation tax and Fire tax for the township Volunteer Fire Company both will stay at 1.5 mills, each drawing $153,000. The Park and Recreation budget is $167,155.00.
The estimated unallocated balance moved forward will be $38,500. State Liquid Fuels tax is $570,515.46
Motions were passed for the budget and for the resolution for levy of taxes for 2023.
Supervisors approved Kirk Summa & Co LLP management letter for the 2022 independent audit.
They approved advertising for a joint public hearing with the Planning Commission on the Iron Body Fitness Land Development and Conditional Use for 7:15 p.m. on Jan. 11. It's a $6,000-square-foot gym on the lot next to Dollar General on Route 739.
A 2023 lawn mowing contract to Wayne’s Lawn Care for $30,740 was awarded, a "slight increase" from the previous budget, said Neufeld.
A Dependable Cleaning Co., Inc.’s quote on the municipal hall tile floor for $600 was approved.
Delaware Township Bulk Days were set forth for 2023. They will be held on the first Fridays of the first three months -- Jan. 7, Feb. 4 and March 4, will be held the first and third Fridays on April through October and then be held only the first Friday of November and December.
Also approved was the 2023 goose control proposal by Geese Police at $415 per week, along with a $100 addling charge per nest.
Supervisors approved $350 toward the employee Christmas party.
A $250 donation from the Dingmans Bridge to the Recreation Commission to be used toward the annual holiday event on Dec. 10 at Akenac Park was approved.
Akenac Park use requests by Delaware Township Recreation and those event budgets for 2023 were approved. They include April 2, Easter Event ($1,000), July 15 – Summer Event ($1,000), Aug. 26 - Summer Event ($1,000), Sept. 16 – Harvest Festival ($2,000), Oct. 28 – Trunk or Treat ($1,000), Dec. 9 – Christmas Event ($1,000).
During Public Comment, resident Steve Tarquini expressed his concerns about detonations of an explosive that lit up the night skies and made loud sounds heard throughout neighborhoods. "I know of at least seven times (it happened)," said Tarquini as he and Koehler agreed that it was bigger than fireworks. Koehler agreed that he saw the sky lit up while driving one evening.
Supervisors cancelled their final regular meeting and workshop that was scheduled for Dec. 21.