Budget Adjusted For Replacing Township Building Roof
By Wayne Witkowski
Pike County Dispatch
Thursday, January 16, 2020
DINGMANS FERRY -- The first phase of financing and the work on the Delaware Township municipal building roof is under way, supervisors announced at their latest board meeting last week.
Supervisor Jane Neufeld pointed out that revisions to the 2020 budget included setting aside $105,443 for replacing the roof that was not originally listed in the potential spending for 2020. It brings that total to $174,175.
"When they (H&P Construction) submit for a CO (certificate of approval permit) in a few weeks, they'll put in for final payment when they get it," said township Administrator Krista Predmore after the meeting
The potential spending already earmarks $5,000 to repaint the building, $24,162 for security cameras on township property, $29,870 to replace a Public Works vehicle and $8,900 for Blue Ridge Communication contract fees.
The additional funding for the roof replacement is available in the General Fund surplus to be assigned to potential spending, said Neufeld.
Supervisors during the meeting unanimously approved a motion for the first payment of $53,190 for the roof replacement to low bidder H&P and a change order of $12,887 for it to install a continuous snow guard, which was decided by the board after the bidding process was completed.
"The revisions are minor," said Neufeld of the budget changes. They include $4,509 more toward the Recreation Fund, bringing it to a $141,600 total. It covers the financial shortfall of income from recreation events minus spending.
The revisions include $7,181 more toward wages and $1,000 less toward General Government Administration.
There also is $392,436.08 allocated into the reserve for potential work in 2021 on Myck Road.
The meeting included lengthy discussion during the public comment period to resident Steve Tarquini asking for an update on emergency ambulance service. It has become an issue since the Delaware Township Volunteer Ambulance Corps scaled back service hours. Bushkill Emergency Corps has picked up some of those additional calls with its Advanced Life Support and Basic Life Support services.
Dingmans Township Volunteer Fire Company, which offers ambulance service, and other regional ambulance companies have picked up some calls.
Supervisors said there are no new developments on the issue aside from a recent $10,000 subsidy to Bushkill in lieu of its many responses to service calls in the township in 2019, said Board of Supervisors Chairman John Henderson. He pointed out that the township has had many meetings with Bushkill on the issue and also has met with officers from its own township ambulance company requesting financial data so they can determine how much to give to that company but the board still awaits complete financial data.
Henderson said the supervisors also have an informational meeting set for later this week with Dingmans emergency responders to discuss how they handle their ambulance services.
Supervisors called ambulance service a "major issue" not only in the township but statewide amid the shortage of volunteers.
Henderson said, when asked, that there is no update on the seven municipalities working together to establish a countywide ALS/BLS service.
Neufeld then read a statement clarifying her opinion on details concerning the last 12 months of ambulance service, pointing out that Bushkill Emergency Corps is strictly an ALS/BSL ambulance service that is not for profit.
The statement reads, "We are very fortunate that Bushkill, in addition to a number of other neighboring ambulance services, had been providing mutual aid and responding to Delaware Township 911 calls when Delaware Township Volunteer Ambulance has not.
"All efforts by the Board of Supervisors has been done according to Pennsylvania laws and regulations: The board has consistently talked in public at meetings; board minutes have been available to those (residents) not at meetings; as much as it has done, there has been news available in the Pike Dispatch coverages of our meetings. Nothing has been hidden or has any 'agenda.' "
She commented on the money given to Bushkill Emergency, saying, "They asked. As with any request for money, they filled out the township donation request form. They provided financial information and we had info regarding the number of times they have been dispatched to Delaware Township in 2019.
"Our efforts to ascertain the viability and condition of DTVAC has provided us with someinformation, enough to question that DTVAC can provide good service or will be able to in the future.
"Looking to see if a different ambulance company can provide what we need, our efforts have been and are continuous. We have had discussions with other ambulance businesses as part of the multi-municipality group and as one township. The criteria is simple:
- We want the best possible everyday response that can be counted on.
- We want response that is faster as Delaware Township's primary provider.
- We want capable, certified ambulance people that care.
- We want an ambulance company that we know we can afford.
- We want an ambulance company that is a well-run business.
- We want to know that, in a real medical emergency, when anyone in Delaware Township calls 911, an ambulance is on the way."
Henderson added after Neufeld's statement, "I concur with that."
Also at the meeting on payment of bills was included $3,036.09 for its 2019 fourth-quarter Delaware Township Volunteer Fire Company's tax distribution. Township fire company President George Beodeker submitted the company's financial report to the supervisors.
The board approved paying Wayco Inc. the remaining $38,301.64 for the Doolan Road paving project.
The resignation of Rebecca Gray from the township Recreation Committee as of Feb. 1 was accepted "with regret" by the supervisors, who agreed to advertise for the position.
Also accepted "with regret" was the resignation of longtime member Ida Walker as well as Lawrence Walsh from the township zoning board. Both vacancies will be advertised as well as a vacancy for the township Building Hearing Board vacancy.
Per the recommendation of the Planning Commission from its Dec. 18 meeting, the board approved the Kresnik subdivision on Long Meadow Road and a resolution for a plan revision for new land development for that subdivision.
The board approved an application for a license to operate a junkyard by Kathleen and John Henderson at 1756 Route 739 in Dingmans Ferry.
The board approved for Predmore, Neufeld and Supervisor Rick Koehler to attend the Local Government Responsibility of Emergency Services class 1 p.m., Feb. 13. It also approved Neufeld attending the Effective Relationship with Volunteer Fire Companies and Municipal Officials class 6 p.m., Feb. 13. Both will be held at the Pike County Training Center.
During the workshop, the board tabled, after discussion, the township Planning Commission's memo to amend Ordinance 110 regarding the size and brightness of business signs. The recommendation comes with the construction of the Weis Markets at Delaware Plaza and would include that project and future ones.
The township reorganization meeting coverage in the previous Pike County Dispatch did not include the appointment of Liz Forrest and Jeff Opitz to the township Planning Commission for four-year terms.