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.

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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The special meeting to address these ordinances originally scheduled for August 30th has been cancelled.

Supervisors Sign Treaty With Lenape
By Wayne Witkowski

At the July  18 regular meeting, Delaware Township supervisors signed a treaty with the Lenape Native American tribe recognizing the tribe. Chief Adam Waterbear DePaul presented a large, traditionally styled treaty to the supervisors and they signed a similar one on one standard page drafted by the township. Township Solicitor Tom Farley noted some differences in the township treaty, particularly in terms of tribal observances in schools.
The original Lenape tribe, indigenous to this area, migrated to Oklahoma as part of the Walking Purchase treaty with William Penn back in the 1732 that moved tribes westward and eventually was disputed by historians. Some Lenape tribe members remained in this area and their descendants are the ones establishing a treaty with the township, although that tribe supposedly is not recognized by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Tim Singleton, president of the Dingmans Ferry-Delaware Township Historical Society, said the Pennsylvania Lenapes "are not recognized by the tribe in Oklahoma as a true Lenape tribe." Singleton investigated the matter and reached out to the Oklahoma tribe, which finally responded to Singleton 15 minutes before the start of the Delaware Township supervisors meeting and said they can speak the next day. Singleton recommended the township move forward with the signing. "I don't believe that to be accurate," said Singleton of the Oklahoma tribe's refusal to recognize the Pennsylvania tribe. "I recommend the treaty to be signed without hesitation," he said, regarding them as "true Native Americans to this area."
The treaty, which is in effect for four years until July 12, 2027, recognizes the Lenape as original inhabitants of eastern Pennsylvania" and "acknowledge(s) the Lenape people as the indigenous stewards of their homelands and also as the spiritual keepers of the Lena'pe Sippu or Delaware River."
"We do hereby commit to actively supporting our Lenape sisters and brothers in whatever way we are able to."
That includes hosting cultural/educational programs, partnering as caretakers of the Lenape homeland and Delaware River, assisting in Lenape language revival projects and in displays/exhibits of Lenape culture by attending functions and providing volunteer services and support, according to the treaty.
Chief Waterbear DePaul, who resides in Brodheadsville in neighboring Monroe County, said afterward that there is an annual Lenape pow-wow that takes place in Jim Thorpe in September.
Supervisors and the Lenape tribe also share opposition to the National Park Service's pursuit of turning the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (DEWA), into a national park. Board o Supervisors Chairman John Henderson has said that shared commitment to resist the changeover further encouraged establishing the treaty.

During the meeting, it was learned that drivers of tractor trailers and other large trucks pounding Delaware Township side roads, which is contrary to Pennsylvania Department of Transportation detours of the Milford Road/Route 2001 bridge reconstruction, will face tougher travel restrictions.
Township supervisors at their next board meeting on July 26 are expected to pass a series of ordinances limiting vehicle weight limits to 10 tons during bridge repairs by PennDOT that it projects to be completed sometime in November. Signs have been posted in the past for that weight limit, but are stipulated only for peak winter months when roads are most vulnerable to damage from heavy vehicles.
Another ordinance would limit the length of trucks to 24 feet.
The posted roads would include three township roads: Johnny Bee/Mary Stuart Road, Chestnuthill Road and Myck Road. Myck Road will undergo serious rehabilitation in the upcoming months, including a straightening of the rod's dangerous curves. Delineators recently were installed on the curved stretch of Myck Road.
Truckers will be allowed a half-ton over the posted weight limit. Supervisors agreed that most tractor trailers would have to be empty to perhaps meet that weight limit.
"Once those ordinances are passed, the signs can go up the next day," said Delaware Township Roadmaster Rick Bailo.
Jason A. Snyder, P.E., an engineer employed by the Commonwealth, gave a report to the supervisors during their recent regular meeting on Wednesday last week to discuss the problem of large trucks taking short cuts on township roads around the detour.
All parties said the Pennsylvania State Police agreed to get more involved in patrolling the area to enforce the limits once signage is posted. Snyder said summonses can run to $250. Trucks would receive a $155 ticket for "failure to heed."
A large barricade sign is posted at the corner of Bushkill Rod and State Route 201/Milford Road, warning drivers of the bridge detour 10 miles ahead. Drivers of large trucks heading northbound toward Milford who fail to heed that sign and continue on Milford Road to the closed bridge, must eventually follow PennDOT detour signage. That signage would turn them 10 miles back, then make a right turn onto Bushkill Falls Road and continue on that looping detour to Silver Lake Road.
"Our point is to get the message across," said Snyder.
There will be an allowance only for trucks making a local delivery, fire trucks on emergency calls, forestry vehicles, utility vehicles, school buses and large military vehicles. Bailo said UPS trucks and propane trucks involving local delivery are exempt. "My goal is to make this as simple for the township as possible," said Snyder.
Snyder conducted a study of township roads and said on that day that there were three large flatbed trucks carrying modular homes on township roads.
Bailo pointed out there already is signage posted on Park Road banning trucks to travel past the quarry unless they are making local deliveries. He said the truck traffic on local roads, particularly the three aforementioned roads, has accelerated their deterioration.
Also at the meeting, supervisors accepted the semi-annual report by Delaware Township Volunteer Fire Company Chief Michael Cairns, who reported a somewhat high number of calls -- 96 -- since Jan. 1. He said "daytime still is very difficult" and there are fewer available firefighters during the daytime because many volunteers commute to their regular jobs outside the area. Despite the decline of volunteerism among fire companies throughout the state, he said three new members have been added to Delaware Township's company and membership is "continually growing," although more members are needed. Members have had 1,300 total hours of training and that they are "asked to be a jack of all trades" for various firefighting duties.
But he said Delaware Township's company "is not set for heavy rescue" like some companies in neighboring townships.
Supervisors, during the meeting, also agreed to pay the second-quarter tax distribution to the fire company for $129,573.92.
Supervisors also approved a third 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 -- a $53,750 split between the township and the Pike County Commissioners Emergency Medical Services Funding. The funding annually matches the equivalent of two mills on property taxes to go toward emergency services.
Supervisors discussed options of either continuing to take the subsidy out of the township's General Fund or to create a separate EMS tax. If the EMS tax exceeds .5 mills, it must go to voter referendum in the November General Election.

Supervisors approved a donation from the Delaware Township Recreation Fund to the Wounded Warrior Project in the amount of $1,037 raised at the first annual Car Show on July 1. Henderson said the event was a "phenomenal success" with a strong turnout.
Supervisors approved paying Theurkauf Design & Planning's invoice of $13,521.82 for work on the Delaware Township Comprehensive Plan update. The township projects the plan to be completed by the end of the year.
Also approved was a $5,000 upgrade of the Delaware Township website to Joomla 4 by Niki Jones Agency.
A quote #Q1715671 from Barcodes in the amount of $1,690.00 for Akenac Park resident stickers was approved.
A municipal hall use request by Wild Acres Lake Property Owners Association was approved for July 14, 21 and 28 from 6-9:30 p.m. for committee meetings.
Henderson said during the workshop that new rules established by the state Liquor Control Board "help us" in terms of loud noise from establishments serving liquor. The amended Section 3 limits the sound of music or other entertainment from an establishment "not (to) exceed 75 decibels beyond the licensee's property line." It applies for 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on days except Fridays and Saturdays when the timeframe is from 10 a.m. to midnight. Henderson said he was involved with an incident beyond those late hours in his neighborhood and when he called State Police, an officer was dispatched and the loudness stopped.

The township considered a noise ordinance last year that was shelves over details.
Also during the workshop, supervisors discussed an electronic gate that would go up and down at the entrance to Akenac Park to reduce problems of traffic entering the park. It would cost $2,630.
Under Announcements, the township is accepting letters of interest for a vacancy on the Zoning Hearing Board.

Bridge Repair Creates Long Detour

The Pike County Dispatch 

By Wayne Witkowski

DINGMANS FERRY -- As if Delaware Township residents and other motorists traversing the township did not have enough inconvenience with the lengthy closure of Wilson Hill Road by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for repairs through late last year, they now have a new hurdle.
The bridge on Milford Road/State Route 2001 spanning a low area of the roadway located between Myck and Silver Lake roads has been closed recently for repairs. Instead, an orange mesh fencing blocks Milford Road with a road closure sign, forcing drivers to take a detour.
A greater concern for the township is truck traffic, particularly heavy trucks. Instead of following the detour marked by signs that sends trucks traveling north on Milford Road all the way back through Lehman Township and up to Route 402 for a long, looping rout. Trucks traveling southward from Milford have to take Silver Spring Road to Route 402, or Route 739 to Interstate 84. They cannot use Route 209 because the National Park Service bans rucks on that road through the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
Truckers taking a shorter detour of their own are putting punishing wear and tear on township roads.
"They're not taking PennDOT's 30-mile route but they're taking a 10-mile detour on our roads," said township Roadmaster Rick Bailo during a workshop that preceded the township's Board of Supervisors' regular meeting.
Township Administrator Krista Predmore said PennDOT estimated the bridge project "is expected to last six months" until the start of the holiday season sometime in November.
Bailo talked about posting 10-ton weight limit signs to be enforced around the township. Supervisors talked about issuing a bond to Dingmans Ferry Stone to allow their trucks to detour on local roads.
"Can we get the state to help us by fixing the roads," asked resident Steve Tarquini.
"That's the idea behind this," said Bailo.
"This is a work in progress," concluded board Chairman John Henderson.
Added to that inconvenience, drivers heading through neighboring Monroe County to Interstate 80 cannot take Hollow Road as a bypass to busy Route 209 because PennDOT has likewise closed that road at the midpoint for a bridge reconstruction. That bypass from Hollow Road onto River Road to Interstate 80 is regarded as a less time-consuming drive.
Also at the meeting, bids were scheduled to be opened for refurbishing Mary Stuart Road. Only one was received from Kobalt Construction for $388,132. The bid was tabled to the next supervisors meeting on June 28, pending further examination of it.
Supervisors approved a request by Dingman Delaware Little League to use township fields on July 25 for the 8-10-year-old regional championships.
They also approved the Delaware Township Volunteer Fire Police providing traffic control at the Car Show scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 1 at the township municipal parking area on Wilson Hill Road. Proceeds from the show will go to the Wounded Warrior Project.
Also approved was Triversity's request to use Akenac Park on Sept. 10, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., for its annual picnic and for the Dingmans Ferry-Delaware Township
Historical Society to use the municipal hall from noon to 4 p.m. on Sept. 17.
During the workshop, Predmore talked about replacing three automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and installing four other new ones at key locations around the township that would cost about $6,000. It will be on the next agenda for an approval vote.
Dingmans Ferry Theatre Director Dennis Lee talked about the Internet service that began a week earlier for the theatre cabin in Akenac Park that he said "will help what we're doing."
A treaty with the Native American Lenape tribe proposed to the township also will be on the agenda for the next meeting. A one-page copy of the treaty was received by the township when supervisors attended a meeting with the Native American tribe. The treaty establishes the Lenape's legacy as an indigenous tribe in the area. "There are eight to 10 elements we agree with," said Henderson favorable. The treaty includes objection to efforts to establish the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation area as a national park.