Delaware Tweaks Plaza Plan, Voices Concern About Exit
Pike County Dispatch
March 31, 2022
By Wayne Witkowski
DINGMANS FERRY -- What started as a procedural public hearing for a modification of the final Delaware Plaza plan that would reconfigure a bluerprint for a bank on the front of the plaza evolved into a discussion of concerns about public safety by two Delaware Township supervisors.
The plan was heard by a joint session of members of the Planning Commission and the Delaware Township supervisors during their regular meeting, an arrangement that has been used in the past that was considered "unique" by township Solicitor Thomas Farley to have both boards present at the hearing.
Project Engineer Joe Hudak presented the blueprint that enlarges the proposed bank from 2,000 to 2,500-square feet. The three drive-through lanes originally proposed would change to two drive-through lanes and a passing lane.
The chanrge was requested by a prospective bank during negotiations with the developer, according to Hudak, who said he did not know the name of the bank. Weis Market is the anchor store for the plaza.
"I know they (the bank) need space and wanted to eliminate the extra drive-through (lane)," said Hudak.
Roadmaster Vince Flatt asked if the change would affect the impervious surface and stormwater runoff and Hudak answered, "It will actually reduce it."
Members of the Planning Commission approved the modified plan during the hearing and the supervisors later unanimously approved the change on a motion after they reconvened their regular meeting.
But late during the public hearing, Board of Supervisors Chairman John Henderson firmly posed his concerns about the safety of motorists exiting the plaza onto Route 739. Although the contour exit lane is designed for right-hand turns only, with signage, some drivers turn left into speeding traffic coming from both directions.
"There are drivers speeding fast up the hill (before the plaza on Route 739) and these (exiting) drivers are not supposed to be turning left," said Henderson as he and fellow Supervisor Rick Koehler commented, "Somebody is going to get killed."
Supervisors discussed alternatives. Farley cautioned that the hearing was scheduled to discuss only the bank property modifications but Hudak addressed the issue of what he called an "illegal turn."
"There is sufficient sight distance but it should be a right turn only," said Hudak. "We have signs and have spoken to the state police about it. I'll speak to them again.".
Also at the meeting, the supervisors approved unanimously a subsidy of $81,536.98 to the Delaware Township Volunteer Ambulance Corps for electronic stretchers and maintenance of the three ambulances. Half of the funding would come from the township and the other half from the Pike County commissioners under their Emergency Medical Services funding supplied by the federal American Rescue Plan for COVID-19 relief. Delaware Township can apply for a maximum $215,664 fro emergency medical purposes.
The subsidy was discussed during the workshop prior to the regular meeting by the supervisors with DTVAC captain Kyle Wright and DTVAC Board of Directors President Carl Will. They had requested $106,537 as the supervisors disagreed.
DTVAC recently received a quarterly payment of $37,500 from the township for personnel expenditures during the first quarter of 2022.
Wright said DTVAC response to emergency calls has increased of late despite its limited schedule. Will said the ambulance transports emergencies that need hospitalization to four possible hospitals: Newton Memorial, Bon Secours Care Center in Milford, Lehigh Valley in Stroudsburg and St. Luke's, also in Stroudsburg.
"We have to follow EMS protocols to the closes and most appropriate facility," said Will.
Will said DTVAC still is restructuring and filling seats for its Board of Directors. He said afterward there are five members "but we're hoping for seven to nine" as they go through letters of interest.
Will said the organization is looking to purchase a new ambulance next year as it is getting more costly to maintain its current, aging fleet.
Both Wright and Will agreed that the upkeep of equipment is becoming more difficult. "We only have another year of service from some of this equipment before it no longer can be useful," said Wright.
Resident Ron Hough objected to residents having to pay for two ambulance companies' services for an emergency call if two ambulances show up at the same time. "Those residents shouldn't have to pay for both," said Hough.
"That is a valid point," said Wright. "But this is a federal issue, not a state issue when it involves Medicare and Medicaid. There is nothing that local municipalities can do."
Henderson said the supervisors have been receiving in recent months more financial data covering recent years from the ambulance corps, but the board imposed an April 20 deadline to receive 2021 balance sheets and personnel costs in order for the township to be encouraged to continue funding the service.
"The township needs to have a perfect picture of the (DTVAC's) financial situation to give the money that's needed," said resident Steve McBride.
On recommendation from Supervisor Jane Neufeld, the supervisors approved the subsidy, bypassing receiving the 2021 balance sheet and personnel costs scheduled by April 20 in order to meet the deadline for the county matching fund that has a quarterly deadline at the end of March.
Supervisors approved, in a 2-1 vote, the request for proposal for a planner related to update the Delaware Township Comprehensive Plan as well as the Delaware Township Akenac Park Master Plan. Henderson cast the dissenting vote after arguing during discussion before the vote that the designers of the plans should be local people rather than outside agencies. Henderson said those people would have a deeper understanding of the plans and also would charge less.
Supervisors opened road bids for Spencer Road and for Log & Twig Road -- seven each -- and tabled the selection of the construction company for each job pending engineer review and recommendations. Low bidders were Wayco for Spencer Road and Hanson Aggregates for Log & Twig Road.
Also approved was the $5,325.00 steel plate purchase from R.S. Phillips Steel to cover the Akenac Park bridge until the culvert can be replaced.
Supervisors approved advertising for part-time seasonal lifeguards and a part-time seasonal park supervisor for the Akenac Park lake.
They approved request for the use of fields 1 and 3 by the Matthew Oehlman Men’s Softball League for games on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. beginning April 17 through Sept. 11.
Henderson announced that a Working Pike Job Fair will be held 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 5 at the Best Western Inn at Hunt’s Landing. For questions call 570-296-2909. He also said a Zoning Hearing Board meeting will be held 6 p.m. on April 9.