Local Summer Leagues Urged To Enforce Stewardship Of Ballfields
Local Summer Leagues Urged To Enforce Stewardship Of Ballfields
By Wayne Witkowski
DINGMANS FERRY -- Proper caretaking of the Delaware Township playing fields for Little League baseball and three adult softball leagues dominated discussion during the township Board of Supervisors' workshop prior to its regular meeting on Wednesday last week.
Township Roadmaster Richard Bailo and the Department of Public Works continued to clean up litter at the fields last year and it has become a daunting task.
Dingman-Delaware Little League's lagging numbers of the past have had a large turnaround. "I don't know why but the league has grown exponentially the last couple of years," said Mike Zaucha, league president the past six years.
The program is up to 29 teams with the addition of two Tiny T's teams for 3-year-olds to experience the fun of the game. Add to that eight T-ball teams for 5-6-year-olds, six Rookie League teams for 6-8-year-olds, five Minor League teams for youngsters ages 8-12, three Major League softball teams for girls ages 8-12 and two Junior/Senior teams for 13-16-year-olds. Even the numbers of registrants for the Challenger special needs program may increase it to three teams.
"We're trying to push our All-Star teams," said Zaucha of the select players who begin practicing in mid-June for tournament play over the summer.
Supervisors approved the league requests for Dingman-Delaware Little League games from April 1-July 20 from 5-8 p.m. during the regular meeting. They also approved the Little League parade on April 19 from 6-8 p.m. at the meeting.
They also spent half of the hour-long workshop talking about stewardship of the fields with more players and teams.
There's also the Pike County Women's Softball League using fields on Sundays from 3:30-8 p.m. and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:15-9 p.m. from June 2-Aug. 11 and the Couples Fall Softball League on Sundays from Aug. 18-Nov. 17 from noon to 6 p.m., all of which were approved by the board at the meeting. There also is a Men's Softball League.
Use more dumpsters was one suggestion so garbage receptacles don't overflow.
"I know we can all do things better to make it better," said Zaucha. He said some of the porta potties were flushed out once a month and that might need to be done more often.
"It's all about working together," said Supervisor Joe Dunne.
Zaucha also said some of the fences surrounding the fields needs to be fixed for safety reasons.
"You have to put this on a list in July and August so I can put it in the budget," said Supervisor Rick Koehler. "We did not know about this until Dec. 6, which is when we were finishing up the budget (for 2024)."
Supervisors also want assurances from all of the adult leagues that they will have some members on the teams take charge in cleaning up after games.
Also at the meeting, supervisors passed a motion to award the Akenac Park Culvert Replacement Project to Columbia Excavating LLC in the amount of $121,040.00 as per the township engineer’s recommendation. It includes replacing a bridge over the culvert.
They approved first quarter 2024 funding for Delaware Township Volunteer Ambulance Corp. in accordance with the Pike County EMS grant program in the amount of $107,500 to be reimbursed to the township when EMS taxes are received.
Supervisors also passed a motion to pay the fourth quarter tax distribution of $3,856.84 to the Delaware Township Volunteer Fire Company.
They adopted Resolution No. 2024-01 regarding township fees, which Board of Supervisors Chairman John Henderson said are all increasing.
Payment to Theurkauf Design & Planning Invoice dated Dec. 29, 2023 for $1,045.01 for work on the comprehensive plan update was approved. They said the comprehensive plan was submitted to the county for a 30-day review.
Also approved was a price quote from Main Stream Industries Inc. in the amount of $3,039 for signs and traffic cones.
A proposal from Aquatic Environment Consultants Inc. for Akenac Park lake management for $3,675 was approved.
Cynthia Mazza was appointed to fill the vacancy on the township Planning Commission for a term expiring Dec. 31, 2026.
An application for license to operate a junkyard for 21st Century Restoration and Sales Inc. located at 1756 Route 739 was approved.
Municipal hall use request by Gambetta Ballet on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. January through May 2024 and September through December 2024 was approved as well as Akenac Park use request by Gambetta Ballet on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June through August this year.
The Milford Valley Quilters Guild were granted their request to use the municipal hall on Jan. 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a quilt workshop.
Wild Acres Lake Property Owners Association was approved use of the municipal hall for meetings fro 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the third Saturday of each month, on Feb. 1 and Feb. 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., on June 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Oct. 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
A use request by Pike County Conservation District for Wilson Hill Pond on June 24 from 6-8 p.m. for a twilight pond walk was approved.
Local Summer Leagues Urged To Enforce Stewardship Of Ballfields
test edited by delawaretownshipoffice user
EMS, Fire Requests Would Hike Twp. Tax
EMS, Fire Requests Would Hike Twp. Tax
By Wayne Witkowski
Pike County Dispatch
DINGMANS FERRY -- Delaware Township property owners could face a 2 mills increase on their taxes if proposals by the township's volunteer ambulance corps and volunteer fire department go through for the 2024 budget year.
Those issues were discussed during the budget workshop segment at the end of the crowded Delaware Township Board of Supervisors regular meeting and at the regular workshop that precedes the voting meeting.
During the regular workshop, the ambulance corps stressed the need for approval of a 1.5 tax millage rate subsidy up for voter approval on a referendum at the Nov. 7 General Election.
Ambulance corps Captain Kyle Wright and board member Carl Will discussed the rising costs of keeping their vehicles in service as well as the rising cost of medical care.
"Capital-wise, we're getting there," said Wright.
Wright and Will also talked about the new by-laws that will go into effect in January for the board, which they hope to restore to seven members. It currently is down to four.
"We're fully licensed now, we're there," said Wright. "But the fact is we lose money on every call."
Delaware Township Board of Supervisors Chairman John Henderson cited the improved financial bookkeeping by the department.
"It's a night and day improvement from five, six years ago," said Henderson.
"We're in a much better place," said Wright.
Supervisors said in previous meetings the 1.5 mills proposal would help subsidize rising costs of supplies, salaries and perhaps adding another ambulance to the fleet.
Wright also talked about the current agreement in which the county matches funds up to two mills of a township's subsidy to its ambulance service under Pike County's EMS grant program.
"At one point, the county is not going to be there," said Wright, although the supervisors expressed their doubts to that point.
During the regular meeting, supervisors approved the fourth quarter 2023 funding request from Delaware Township Volunteer Ambulance Corp. in accordance with the Pike County EMS grant program in the amount of $107,500 for continued EMS coverage ($53,750 split between Delaware Township and Pike County).
Meanwhile, township fire chief Mike Cairns gave a moving appeal during the budget workshop for a .5 increase beyond the township's existing 1.5 mills allocation to the fire company, citing the commitment to demanding training and firefighting duty shown by its members, including those juggling volunteer their time with full-time jobs.
A .5 millage increase can be approved without a referendum at any time by the municipal authorities.
The last increase in 1999 raised the fire tax millage rate by .5 to the current 1.5 standard. It brought in $152,202 in 2022, with capital operating expenses increased by 19 percent from the previous year to $79,175 and vehicle replacement costs up by $82,921.
"Cost increases for even the most basic equipment and PPE required for all firefighters are astronomical and not expected to decrease due to ongoing supply chain-manufacturing issues/inflation, even post pandemic," Cairns read from a four-page report formulated by him and George Beodeker he handed to the supervisors..
The report says self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) next year will cost upwards of $10,000 each, according to the report, and turnout gear is nearly $4,000 per person. "Current reserves are not adequate and cannot be built fast enough to overcome expected price increases," the report reads.
Add utilities for the firehouse and administrative supplies and the need for an increase in funding becomes more acute.
Cairns said a fire tax increase would reap an additional $40,000-$50,000.
"I sincerely urge you to invest in the best investment for the township," said Cairns, outlining the miscellaneous duties his department performs.
Supervisors during the regular meeting passed a motion to pay Delaware Township Volunteer Fire Company $11,375.47 for third quarter tax distribution.
Also approved was the annual renewal of the State Worker’s Insurance Fund policy in the amount of $25,201.00 for the Delaware Township Volunteer Fire Company Workers Compensation Policy.
During the budget workshop. Tim Singleton, president of the Dingman's Ferry-Delaware Township Historical Society, also requested an increase of $500 to the customary $2,500 subsidy for 2024 to better support its monthly programs that are free to the public as well as to improve the driveway to the building and to complete the parking lot refurbishing, possibly with lighting.
Dennis Lee from the Dingmans Ferry Theatre said he was not requesting any increased subsidy but asked the township to even better maintain the cabin in Akenac Park used for its indoor productions. The board during the regular meeting approved an Akenac Park use request by the Dingmans Ferry Theatre on Nov. 9 through Nov. 12 for its Gilbert & Sullivan Show, performed by a separate, private company.
A preliminary 2024 budget reflected a potential surplus to the General Fund but Henderson stressed that it's only the start of work on the budget.
Another budget workshop is planned after the next regular meeting on Oct. 25.
Also during the regular meeting, supervisors approved the payment of $1,562.50 to former township Treasurer and Supervisor Jane Neufeld under the budget contract. Current township Treasurer and Supervisor Rick Koehler and township Administrator Krista Predmore have been formulating the budget but cited Neufeld's experience and expertise on past township budgets as an incentive to render her services for the 2024 budget as well.
Supervisors also approved a contract with StarLink that provides satellite communications during natural disasters and emergencies. It costs $2,039.95, with a one-time fee of $599 plus a monthly charge of $120 per month.
They also passed a motion to remove the emergency management landline with Verizon.
Township Emergency Management Coordinator Matt Light did not request any additional funding from the upcoming budget beyond the aforementioned approvals.
Supervisors also agreed to adopt an updated Delaware Township Emergency Operations Plan.
Supervisors approved the purchase of two mobile traffic signals from Road Safe in the amount of $24,289 (through the Costars program) from the state Liquid Fuels Fund. The matter was discussed during their workshop before the meeting and Koehler questioned whether motorists would fully abide by the signal for one-lane alternating traffic during construction work. Supervisor Joe Dunne said it would be a safer alternative than a flagger directing traffic
Also approved was the purchase of two more pallets of crack sealing material at a total cost of $5,000.
Supervisors approved the annual renewal of the township’s cyber insurance policy with Cowbell Cyber for $2,419.
A $2,500 donation to the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Food Pantry for the annual Day of Giving was approved.
A municipal hall use request by Friends of Warrior Football from 1-7 p.m. on Oct. 29 for an end of regular season banquet was approved.
Supervisors also approved a municipal hall use request by Wild Acres Lake Property Owners Association on Oct. 19, Nov. 3 and Nov. 16 from 6-10 p.m. for committee meetings.
They passed a retroactive motion to approve municipal hall use request by WALPOA on Oct. 6 from 6-9 p.m. for a Capital Improvement Committee meeting.
A municipal hall use request by the Pike County Democratic Committee on Dec. 4 from 6-10 p.m. for a holiday get-together was approved..
Under Announcements, the Delaware Township annual Trunk or Treat at Akenac Park will be held 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct. 28. Register to participate by emailing Cyndi:
Twp. Reworks Weight Limits on Detour Short-Cuts
Twp. Reworks Weight Limits on Detour Short-Cuts
By Wayne Witkowski
Pike County Dispatch - 9/7/23
DINGMANS FERRY -- A large gathering that filled the Delaware Township meeting room, some left standing, at the start of the Board of Supervisors meeting before a public hearing, convinced the board members to rework four ordinances for weight and length limits of large vehicles and to table a ratification vote until it's completed.
With many of the gathering wearing work shirts reading Dingmans Ferry Stone and speaking earnestly of their concerns, they convinced the board to adjust exemptions for commercial vehicles of local businesses from restrictions banning them from four local roads.
At the conclusion of the two-hour public hearing, the board quickly passed a motion unanimously to table a vote for the ordinances after some changes were made. The vote will be held at the next regular meeting on Sept. 13.
Instead, the new wording will more specifically allow vehicles making deliveries to the area and of businesses that are located in the area to make deliveries to other areas while using three roads stipulated in three of the ordinances: Myck Road, Chestnut Ridge Road and Johnny Bee/Mary Stuart Road.
A fourth ordinance sets a 24-foot length on trailers traveling Childs Park Road. A local vehicle exemption was added to the original draft of that ordinance on recommendation by resident Steve McBride, who offered a lot of perspective during the public hearing.
The ordinances are in response to an influx of traffic from businesses outside the area taking those four roads to destinations beyond the township rather than following a designated detour route by Pennsylvania Department of Transportation while it repairs a timeworn bridge on State Route 2001/Milford Road just beyond Myck Road. Roadmaster Richard Bailo and the supervisors said the increased heavy truck traffic would take its toll on those roads, which were not designed to endure heavy vehicles.
PennDOT has estimated the bridge project to be completed before December.
The revised drafts of the ordinances were being placed on the township website where members of the public can offer any further changes in emails sent to the township.
Once the ordinances are approved and signage of the limits are posted that will include a line exempting local traffic, supervisors said they were told by the State Police that the bans could be enforced. Township Solicitor Tom Farley said the the township would issue copies of the ordinance to State Police to exempt local traffic over the weight limit but were told by the police they would look to increase local coverage despite being undermanned.
Typically, trucks over 10 tons have been banned from traveling local roads only during the winter season of the first three months of the year.
When local businessman Don McConnell questioned during the hearing whether the State Police have the manpower to enforce the ordinances, Farley said, "The State Police are undermanned. To get anyone out here is a blessing. That's all we have is state police."
Board of Supervisors Chairman John Henderson said that police "not enforcing detours are hurting our roads" as he pointed to the need to establish enforcement in writing.
"Enforcement, that's the problem," said resident Tom Pallozzi during the hearing. "We're trying to fix the problem after the fact."
"Once it get out on the (truck broadcast) radio, those truckers will stop," said Supervisor Rick Koehler.
Some residents questioned whether police would be able to sift through those exemptions while making a traffic stop, saying they anticipated receiving many citations.
"We're not trying to prohibit local use by local businesses or for deliveries to local people but it's for (banning) individuals using it as a short cut (for routes going elsewhere)," said Farley, who said during the hearing. "Working with our local residents is the key."
David Jones, formerly the owner of Kittatinny Canoes, said, "I don't think you need this ordinance when the bridge is done," saying the ordinances need a "closer clause."
Henderson was unable to establish, when asked by the Pike County Dispatch during the hearing, whether those ordinances might be repealed after the bridge work is complete. "We'll leave that up to our engineers," he said.
Farley asked for civility at the start of the meeting while explaining the ordinances but one local businessman called the ordinances a "knee jerk reaction," although Farley explained said in response and repeatedly during the hearing that the ordinances are intended for the best interests of local residents and locally-run businesses.
He said that local attorney Jim Baron has consulted with him pro bono and Baron voiced support of the ordinances during the hearing.
"All I want to know is where does local traffic start and stop," pressed Steve Tarquini repeatedly.
"If they (businesses) are doing something inside the township, they can use the roads," said Farley.
Tarquini asked what if those trucks are using those roads to get to jobs outside the township. Farley said if the business is located in the township, it is exempt.
He later said the local traffic stipulation would cover residents of Delaware Township and Dingmans Ferry.
Also at the meeting, supervisors approved installing an alarm system in the Dingmans Ferry-Delaware Township Historical Society Museum building at Akenac Park by First Alarm for $410. Supervisors during the workshop before the regular meeting rejected historical society president Tim Singleton's proposal for another installer that would cost about $900 more. They also approved the purchase of painting equipment and paint in an amount not to exceed $1,250.00 for the museum building.
They also approved the fiscal year 2024 budget workshops on Sept. 27 and Oct. 11 and 25.
Approvals were made for Supervisors Joe Dunne, Rick Koehler and Henderson will attend the PSATS virtual class “Developing Your Township Budget” on Sept. 12 for $207 and for Bailo and Daniel Bellino will attend free LTAP Winter Maintenance training on Oct. 3 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Wayne County Emergency Management Agency.
Matt Light was reimbursed $150 for attending Emergency Management Training –G 191 ICS EOC Interface.
A motion to approve removal of the Delaware Township Emergency Management Building land line with Verizon at the end of the contract was tabled, pending further study and discussion. Dunne said that land line communication could be vital in emergencies when Internet service is disrupted.
During the workshop, supervisors discussed setting aside planned repair of Mary Stuart Road for a later time. "It's the lowest priority. We have other roads where we have to spend money," said Henderson, who declined further discussion on the subject.
Also discussed was refurbishing the Akenac Park tennis courts with some remaining grant money. "It seems $55,000 is a lot of money for repairing tennis courts," said Henderson. "They (tennis courts) get little usage when I surveyed other courts."
Township Administrator Krista Predmore said funding from an approved Loan Share Account (state casino gaming) can cover the cost. Predmore said, "I understand they recently dropped the requirement of match funding, which would only cover half of the expense, but now can cove the whole amount."
"That money can be used for different purposes," said Henderson.
Refurbishing the tennis courts will also allow for playing pickle ball, the newest outdoor sports trend.
BOS Special Meeting CANCELLED re Proposed/Amended Ordinances on Weight Limit & Length Limit on Twp Roads
Proposed/Amended Ordinances re Weight Limit & Length Limit on Twp Roads
BOS Special Meeting CANCELLED
8/29/23
The Delaware Township Board of Supervisors held a public hearing to adopt Ordinances 401C, 401D, 401E and 401F on Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at 7:15 p.m. in the Delaware Township Municipal Building located at 116 Wilson Hill Road, Dingmans Ferry, PA. The purpose of the hearing was to adopt Ordinances 401C, 401D, and 401E imposing a 10-ton weight restriction on vehicles operated upon, Myck Road, Johnny Bee/Mary Stuart Roads, and Chestnut Ridge Road; providing for the issuance of permits for movement of vehicles of weights in excess for restrictions; and prescribing penalties for violations. The purpose of the hearing was also to adopt Ordinance 401F imposing a length restriction on any truck and trailer operated on Childs Park Road; providing for the issuance of permits for movement of vehicles of truck and trailer length in excess of 24’; and prescribing penalties for violations.
Based on public comment received at the public hearing, the Board of Supervisors tabled the ordinances in order to make necessary changes and will revisit the amended ordinances on Wednesday, September 13th during their workshop and regular meeting.
Please see the below links to review the amended/proposed ordinances:
Ordinance 401C
Ordinance 401D
Ordinance 401E
Ordinance 401F
If you have any additional comments, concerns or questions prior to the September 13th meeting, please email
The special meeting to address these ordinances originally scheduled for August 30th has been cancelled.