DTVAC Gets Funding, Plans on 24/7 Service
The Pike County Dispatch
By Wayne Witkowski
DINGMANS FERRY -- Delaware Township supervisors, at their bi-monthly board meeting, unanimously approved the second quarter 2023 funding request from Delaware Township Volunteer Ambulance Corp for $107,500 for continued EMS coverage of 18 hours per day.
The stipend is in accordance with the Pike County EMS grant program with a $53,750 split between the township and the county.
In a letter sent to the supervisors dated April 3 requesting the subsidy, DTVAC President Carl Will said the money would pay for staffing for the second quarter.
The letter reads, "With this subsidy, we will be able to provide (at a minimum) ambulance coverage with one staffed ambulance, 18 hours per day, seven days a week during the quarter. However, please note, we are planning on continuing to provide 24/7 ambulance service."
In prior meetings this year, Board of Supervisors Chairman John Henderson expressed his satisfaction with the performance of the ambulance service.
Also at the meeting, the first quarter 2023 Fire Tax Distribution to the Delaware Township Volunteer Fire Company for $8,409.84 was approved.
Wayco estimates for adjustments for Akenac Park Hall ADA parking for $8,400.00 and Akenac Park Historical Society ADA parking for $9,950.00 were approved.
Supervisors agreed to advertise for the Deputy Emergency Management vacancy with a May 8 deadline for receiving letters of interest via email at
It reads that the deputy EMC will assist the EMC "in all phases of the township's emergency management plan -- mitigation, preparation, response and recovery." Although no experience is required, it says, "Both administrative and operational field work are required as well as completing a state-mandated online training curriculum to become certified."
Supervisors also approved a series of appointments to township committees. They include Richard Bailo to the township Planning Commission and Christopher Camal to the township Zoning Hearing Board as well as Eleanore Pesce and Laura Harris to the township Recreation Committee. Rick Koehler's resignation from the Delaware Township Recreation Committee was approved.
At a special meeting held on March 31, Steve Demo also was appointed to the township Zoning Hearing Board.
In the Announcements segment at the end of the meeting, Henderson said the township is accepting letters of interest to fill one final vacancy on the Zoning Hearing Board.
Also approved was a Signal Service, Inc. traffic signal maintenance contract for both preventative maintenance and response maintenance for a two-year agreement at an annual cost of $850 to service two traffic lights at the Weis Markets intersection on Route 739 and the Route 739/State Route 2001 (Milford Road) intersection. The contract covers an annual check and labor costs but does not cover parts or overtime work, if needed.
Supervisors also agreed to purchase a second pocket colorimeter in the amount of $628 from Hach. The colorimeter runs tests at three different stages of chlorine at the township ballfields and at Akenac Park. Roadmaster Richard Bailo said purchasing the second device saves the trouble of moving the equipment from one site to the other.
The purchase of a prefab pedestrian walking bridge for Akenac Park was tabled to the next meeting as Bailo said he needs two weeks to gather more information and price quotes. He felt one price quote he had received was expensive.
Supervisors passed a retroactive motion to approve Dingman Delaware Little League free use of the Township bulk disposal for two truckloads of old baseball materials. During the workshop prior to the regular meeting, they also refused a request from the Little League to waive the $800 yearly fee they pay to the township from concession stand sales for using township fields. The league wanted the waiver after it pulled the infield sod with plans to revitalize the infield and sought funding for the work, but supervisors said they were never contacted about the matter beforehand.
Township Volunteer Insurance was renewed for the policy term July 1, 2023 to July 1, 2024 for $720.80
Supervisors approved a series of motions for Akenac Park use request by the Dingmans Ferry Theatre. They include May 27 from noon to 10 p.m. and on May 7 and Sept. 17, both from noon to 5 p.m. Also included are May 8, 15, 22, and 29 and June 5, 12, and 19, all from 5-8 p.m.
Supervisors discussed during the workshop the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Winter Maintenance Agreement with the township and Bailo pointed out that there is a formula determining the allocation based on the population of the township, a criterion that resident Steve McBride criticized.