Ding-Del Historical Seeks Digital Signage On 739
Ding-Del Historical Seeks Digital Signage on 739
By Wayne Witkowski - The Pike County Dispatch
DINGMANS FERRY -- The Dingmans Ferry-Delaware Township Historical Society may be well recognized by those "in the know" around Pike County who appreciate its displays and well-attended monthly programs, but it seeks better exposure among more local residents who may not even know it exists.
Headquartered in a building in Akenac Park,. it will host an Irish program in honor of St. Patrick's Day performed by acclaimed, professional storyteller Jonathan Kruk at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Delaware Township Municipal Building. Those who regularly attend the historical society's programs may have seen him at a previous one telling stories such as the one of the Headless Horseman as well as historical stories.
Historical society President Tim Singleton has explored ways of reaching out to the casual observers and at the Delaware Township Board of Supervisors workshop prior to its regular meeting on Wednesday last week, Singleton asked that an ordinance prohibiting electronic signage in rural residential ares, which includes the Akenac Park location, be amended to allow him to put up a permanent electronic sign that may be purchased by the society to go below the Akenac Park sign on busy Route 729.
Singleton said he found one California company that would make that type of sign that is 5 1/2 to 6 feet by 2 feet and would illuminate both ways for motorists driving either direction. He said it costs $3,000 to $3,500. He said it is the only sign size the historical society can afford in its budget.
Discussion took up much of the 45-minute workshop.
"We're not looking for a gaudy sign but to get out a message when something is happening that can be seen in both directions," said Singleton. He said the society, which launched in 1994, "has built quite a reputation around the area, including Milford and Shohola, and I'm asking to allow for a sign."
Singleton said the sign would announce the monthly shows hosted by the historical society and can be used at other times by the Dingmans Ferry Theatre for its shows at the park as well.
"I see signage like that for other municipalities and it's beautiful," said Supervisor Joe Dunne, who expressed support for the idea.
"You realize you can't see the sign coming (on Route 739) and I don't think it fits where you want it," said Supervisor Rick Koehler.
Singleton said that brush would have to be cut back. He said afterward that he hoped the historical society might get additional funding from the theatre and/or the township toward buying a bigger sign.
Resident Steve Tarquini later cautioned that "I would not want a driver looking off the road (at the sign) with me going the opposite direction." Tarquini. said it would be more problematic for those drivers trying to read the sign while travelling in the eastbound lane farther away from the park and the sign.
Board of Supervisors Chairman John Henderson said the two-way sign idea "is opening up a Pandra's box."
Roadmaster Rich Bailo said he was aware of Singleton's idea. He said the sign could get an electric feed from Akenac Park.
"I was looking into the sign like the one the (township) fire department has and what we need to do for it as an in-house project," said Bailo. "I've been doing a lot of research on it."
Henderson suggested the proposal go to the township's Planning Commission.
During the regular meeting, supervisors approved a municipal hall use request by Met-Ed/First Energy Service Company on March 28 from 5-9 p.m. for a Public Informational Session regarding the Shawnee-Walker 69-kilovolt Transmission Line Reliability Project. It will be the second public meeting on the proposed 30-mile power line after the first one drew a large turnout in late January.
A regional manager from First Energy Corp., fielded feedback and questions but had few answers while taking notes, saying he would return with answers. Concerns centered around lowered property values and medical problems reported by many people who reside in other areas near electromagnetic lines.
The line would run along many homeowners' rights-of-way through parts of Shohola Township, Milford Township, Dingmns Township, Delaware Township, Lehman Township and Monroe County municipalities Middle Smithfield Township and East Stroudsburg Borough and is designed to reduce power outages for 13,000 customers in the two counties. Construction would begin in 2024 and be completed by the end of 2025.
PUBLIC NOTICE 3/8/23
Public Notice
Mid-Atlantic Interstate Transmission, LLC., a FirstEnergy Company (MAIT), will hold an Open House public informational meeting to discuss its Shawnee-Walker 69 kV Transmission Line Project. MAIT has completed an evaluation of the existing electrical transmission system in Monroe and Pike counties and identified a need to construct the new Shawnee-Walker 69 kV Transmission Line. The approximately 30-mile line will provide a new transmission source extending from the existing Shawnee Substation in East Stroudsburg to the existing Walker Substation in Dingman Township. The new transmission line will enhance system capacity, reduce overloading conditions and mitigate reliability concerns on the existing distribution systems. After the events of Winter Storm Riley and Winter Storm Quinn in 2018, which left tens of thousands of Met-Ed customers without power in Pike and Monroe counties for an extended period, FirstEnergy identified a need for enhanced transmission service in the area, among other commitments, which is aligned with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission’s 2019 recommendations following the storms.
The project will enhance operational flexibility and will be able to provide electric service from both the north and south, which will aid restoration efforts if a portion of the transmission line becomes damaged or requires maintenance. The project will also provide additional capacity to accommodate future load growth.
MAIT will host this public informational meeting on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Delaware Township Office Building 116 Wilson Hill Road, Dingmans Ferry, PA 18328. The purpose of this public informational meeting is to provide members of the community with information and answer questions concerning the Project.
Attendees to the Open House will have the opportunity to learn more about the project and have the opportunity to speak to company representatives. The Open House will not include a formal presentation. Interested parties are invited to visit the event any time between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., as convenient.
For those that cannot attend in-person, MAIT has prepared a virtual public meeting that provides information on the Project. The virtual platform, which has been available since July 2022, contains the same information that will be available at the in-person meeting, including an interactive map that can be used to locate specific properties and the relationship to the project. This virtual public meeting includes instructions on how to contact MAIT with questions, concerns or to schedule a meeting.
The virtual public meeting can be found at:
https://firstenergy.consultation.ai/shawnee
The virtual public meeting room, interactive map and up-to-date Project information also can be found online at:
https://www.firstenergycorp.com/about/transmission_projects/pennsylvania/shawnee-walker.html.
Please feel free to submit questions or comments you may have to
Retention Ponds Allowed in Business Buffer Areas
Retention Ponds Allowed in Business Buffer Areas
By Wayne Witkowski
The Pike County Dispatch 3/2/23
DINGMANS FERRY -- Business owners in Delaware Township are able to set up a stormwater retention pond on their property, according to amendments to a township zoning ordinance approved after a public hearing during Wednesday night's meeting.
Business property owners also will no longer have material storage on the property permitted under the ordinance.
The motion for the amendment to the Delaware Township Zoning Ordinance 110.8(B) said it includes stormwater maintenance facilities as an exception to the term “structure” and also eliminates material storage areas. It passed unanimously after the public hearing during which a resident pressed supervisors about the need to amend the ordinance.
Township Alternate Solicitor Christian Weed presented and talked about the ordinance amendments during the hearing. After the meeting, Board of Supervisors Chairman John Henderson said, "Zoning (ordinance) 110.8(B) pertains to buffers and screening. Allowing material storage considered unsightly is inconsistent with the purpose of 110.8 (B).
"Water maintenance facilities, on the other hand, would be virtually invisible."
The amendments had been approved by the township Planning Commission before going back to the supervisors for final approval.
"What was the reason for the storage areas, what properties did you have in mind," resident Steve Tarquini asked the supervisors.
"Any properties," responded Board of Supervisors Chairman John Henderson.
"We had nothing specifically in mind," said Supervisor Rick Koehler.
Henderson later said business property owners that have had storage areas would be "grandfathered" and can continue to have them, "We're just trying to help them out," he said.
Although supervisors said they had no specific property owner in mind, the stormwater management issue had come up at an early January meeting involving a proposed 24-hour fitness gym to be built on Route 739. The applicant received conditional approval, with many stipulations, to relocate from a site on Dingmans to a larger facility in the township in response to their growing business.
Much discussion of the conditions focused on stormwater management facilities in the buffer area in which the applicant was told a variance would be obtained while the township ordinance would be amended in 60 days to suit the project, which occurred at last week's meeting.
"Someone bought (property) and their stormwater situation could be better handled if a drainage stormwater retention pond is approved," said Henderson.
Storage area was not part of that discussion.
Also, during the meeting, supervisors approved a letter of support to the Pennsylvania Route 6 Alliance for their Keystone Communities Grant application to fund a façade improvement program in Wayne and Pike counties.
"The (www.paroute6.com) alliance seeks to 'spruce up' historic Route 6 across Pennsylvania by providing grants to eligible entities," explained Henderson afterward.
Supervisors agreed to purchase Doolan Road signage from Main Stream Industries, Inc. (via Costars) for $1,553.50.
They also approved the purchase of 50 white delineators (white vertical road posts) for $1,350 from Main Stream Industries Inc. (via Costars).
An estimate from JALVO Inc. for $6,300 to install a repeater was tabled. In prior meetings, Roadmaster Richard Bailo has discussed poor reception of radio transmission to township vehicles in certain areas and the need for a second repeater.
Jeff Opitz's resignation from the Delaware Township Planning Commission, effective immediately, was accepted and supervisors approved advertising to fill the vacancy.
Township Administrator Krista Predmore was approved as the Delaware Township representative to the Pike County Council of Government.
The 2022 financial audit of Delaware Township was accepted and a motion was passed to advertise the 2022 concise financial statement for Delaware Township.
An Akenac Park use request by the Pocono Environmental Education Center for Summer Camp on July 3 through Aug. 18 for approximately 22-24 campers was approved by the supervisors. It includes a morning session from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and an afternoon session from 1-3 p.m. They'll take place on Wednesdays for seventh to ninth graders (morning) and 3- to 5-year-olds (afternoon), on Thursdays from fifth to sixth graders (morning) and first and second graders (afternoon) and on Fridays for third and fourth graders (morning) and an alternative rain date (afternoon).
Supervisors agreed to adopt the Pennsylvania Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS) Trustees Insurance Fund Disclosure Statement for 2022 as required by Chapter 7-A of Act 44 of 2009, the Municipal Pension Plan Funding Standard and Recovery Act.
They agreed to advertise for a full-time job opening for a Public Works employee.
Resolution No. 2023-02 for the destruction of documents was passed.
24-Hour Fitness Gym on Route 739 Wins Approval
24-Hour Fitness Gym on Route 739 Wins Approval
By Wayne Witkowski
The Pike County Dispatch
DINGMANS FERRY -- With the New Year only weeks old, Delaware Township Supervisors John Henderson and Rick Koehler hit the ground running at the first workshop and regular meeting of the year.
- They voted, in a tone of regret, to accept the unexpected resignation of fellow Supervisor Jane Neufeld, effective on New Year's Eve. They will appoint an interim supervisor for the duration of Neufeld's term, which expires at the end of the year, at the Feb. 8 meeting in compliance with state Class 2 township codes. Henderson explained, when asked, that townships must fill a supervisor vacancy within 30 days of a resignation. No letters of interest will be considered. If they can not decide on a replacement, the task goes to the vacancy board, which is Steve McBride, for a recommendation.
- A proposal for a 24-hour fitness gym to be built on the property next to Dollar General beyond Akenac Park on Route 739 was approved with a hefty list of conditions after a joint public hearing with the township Planning Commission and the supervisors. Project manager Lou Cozza of Niclaus Engineering in Stroudsburg presented the blueprints as he and fitness center owner Chris Colella, joined by co-owner and wife Veronica, discussed the 7,000-square-foot project. The Colellas wish to relocate Iron Body Strength and Fitness center from its current location that opened in 2021 farther along Route 739 in Dingmans Ferry, which has 4,800 square-feet split in the two-floor building. Chris Colella said the public popularity with memberships is "outgrowing" the current location, which "has been working out pretty well and gotten established."
- At the end of the meeting, Henderson announced a proposed Shawnee-Walker Transmission Line Public Information Session that will take place at the township municipal building 6 p.m. on Wednesday (Jan. 18) this week. Henderson expressed expectation that it will draw a larger public gathering than usual, much like a September meeting when residents came to express their concerns about health risks from exposure to electromagnetic waves from the high voltage wires. Residents also briefly discussed the project at the previous meeting on Dec. 7. The line, which would serve as an alternate power supply during outages, would run through rights of way next to homes in the township's residential zone and through Akenac Park. It also would run through neighboring Lehman Township through its state gameland areas but not run through residential neighborhoods.
- The township also took its first steps toward posting mph speed limit signs at curves in the township by approving the $760.80 purchase of a ball bank indicator. The device measures in a vehicle the centrifugal force as it takes a curve in the road to tabulate the preferred speed. "We have no sped limit signs on our roads (for curves) right now," said township Administrator Krista Predmore.
The public hearing for the fitness center drew the most attention, taking a half hour before motions for land development, conditional use and the planning module for the .9 acres of property for the building were approved afterward during the regular meeting. Chris Colella said groundbreaking was anticipated to begin in April. Cozza said the startup plans were not final but township Engineer Jon Tresslar said he cited only "minor things" in his letter critiquing the initial plans.
Chris Colella afterward expressed confidence in meeting the conditions, saying the public hearing and approvals "went well, better than we thought."
A posting on his website forecasted this move. It read, "We would like to thank everyone for helping our business grow this past year. We are excited to see that we were able to help everyone achieve their goals. We will keep striving to make the best gym for this area. BIG THINGS TO COME IN THE FUTURE FOR IRON BODY STRENGTH AND FITNESS."
Much discussion of the conditions focused on stormwater management facilities in the buffer area in which a variance would be obtained while the township ordinance would be amended in 60 days to suit the project.
Cozza said the center would have 37 parking spaces. The entrance to the parking area would be shared with Dollar General. Cozza said the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation expressed no concern about any increase in traffic that would need modifications to that part of Route 739. Parking lot lights would be pointed downward so as not to intrude on nearby residential areas. "You will see Dollar General lights more than these," said Cozza.
Cozza said a "minimal amount of trees would be eliminated where necessary." "We're not doing a lot of earth work but working with what is necessary," Cozza told the supervisors.
George Beodeker, president of the township volunteer fire company's Board of Directors, questioned whether drive lanes through the parking lot would enable fire company access to the back of the building if needed and Cozza showed in the plans that it would be an adequate 25 feet wide.
Also approved during the regular meeting was advertising to fill two vacancies on the township Zoning Hearing Board and two on the Recreation Committee.
Supervisors approved the 2023 proposal for lake management at Akenac Park by Aquatic Environment Consultants Inc. for $3,675.00. It will treat filamentous algae, watershield and other negative elements at the lake at Akenac Park.
They also renewed service with Ehrlich Pest Control for pest control maintenance at the park for $840 and exterior insect maintenance at the park for $2,156. Also renewed was TruGreen service for township athletic fields for $7,100.15.
A retroactive motion to pay John Bonham Road Supplies' invoice of $5,857.62 was approved.
Municipal hall use request was approved for the Milford Valley Quilters Guild for a community service project 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Monday in 2023 as well as the Wild Acres Property Owners Association on the third Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for Board of Directors meetings and for June 3 for the annual board meeting from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
During the workshop, Henderson said the Delaware Township Volunteer Ambulance Corps is asking for $107,500 from the township for its current quarterly subsidy. Also during the workshop, Delaware Township Volunteer Fire Company Chief Michael Cairns gave a December report that he said "is no different than any other month," including 21 members working 251 hours. "You guys do wonderful things," commented Henderson afterward. Supervisors approved the $1,170.79 fourth quarter fire taxes distribution during the regular meeting.
Twp. Supervisor’s Resignation Surprises Other Board Members
Twp. Supervisor’s Resignation Surprises Other Board Members
By Wayne Witkowski
The Pike County Dispatch
DINGMANS FERRY -- Jane Neufeld has resigned, unexpectedly, as a member and vice chairman for the Delaware Township Board of Supervisors as well as her seat as township treasurer.
"It's been an honor to serve Delaware Township residents for five and a half years but I find it's time for me to move on," said Neufeld, who later said. "It's a new chapter for me and a new chapter for the township."
Neufeld submitted her resignation on Dec. 31 and, therefore, did not attend the board's Reorganization Meeting held early last week. Her term expires the end of 2023.
Neufeld's resignation is subject to an approval vote at the next board meeting on Wednesday evening this week. Township Administrator Krista Predmore said that a time frame will be set up within compliance of the state code for townships of that population to accept letters of interest for an interim supervisor to fill the vacancy for the rest of the year.
Another deadline will be set to decide on an interim supervisor and to schedule an approval vote.
At the reorganization meting, Supervisor Rick Koehler was voted vice chairman and township treasurer, the posts held by Neufeld in recent years.
John Henderson was re-appointed as chairman of the board and as secretary. Predmore was re-appointed township administrator and as township assistant treasurer. Robin Jones is full-time Administrative/Human Resources assistant.
In recent years, Neufeld and Premore have collaborated on township budgets, balancing them without a tax increase since 2017 when the general fund millage rate was lowered by one mill to 8.68.
Neufeld denied any friction with fellow board members or the township when asked about it.
Predmore said, "Not that I'm aware of" any differences with board members, saying the decision was "definitely not expected."
Neufeld said there were no health issues involved with her decision, when asked.
"There was no forewarning of this, typical of Jane," said Henderson. "It was a surprise to all."
The reorganizatin meeting lasted just 18 minutes for approvals, without comment.
They included recognizing Jones as deputy tax collector as approved by township Tax Collector Mary Lou Corbett. Henderson and Koehler will serve as banking and checking signatories. Wayne Bank, Dime Bank and PLGIT are depositories again this year.
The Treasurer's Bond was set at $2.8 million and the assistant bond at $100,000.
Kirk Summa and Co. LLP remain as the certified public accounting firm to replace the elected auditors.
The Pike County Dispatch was approved as official township newspaper, along with the Pocono Record and the Tri-County Independent.
LVL Engineering Group was appointed township engineer. Code Inspectors, Inc. is the township residential and commercial building inspector.
Jamie Montague was appointed full-time permit assistant and Right to Know officer and also as Zoning Hearing Board Secretary.
In a noteworthy appointment, Richard Bailo was named township roadmaster. He was the second one to serve as alternate roadmaster during the closing months of last year after longtime roadmaster Vince Flatt died early last year.
Bailo also will serve on the Pike County Road Task Force. He and Koehler were named as township representatives attending the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS) annual convention in Hershey. Koehler was appointed voting delegate for the convention.
Matthew Light again will serve as township Emergency Management Coordinator after completing his first year at the post in 2022 when George Beodeker retired. Dillon Miller was re-appointed deputy coordinator.
Tom Farley, Esq. wil remain as township solicitor at a pay rate of $175 per hour, with Christian Weed, Esq. as alternate solicitor for that rate. Farley also was re-appointed township Planning Commission solicitor, with Weed as alternate, both at the same pay rate.
Stanley Beecher, Esq. remains as solicitor, with Anthony Waldron, Esq. as alternate for the township Zoning Hearing Board. Beecher also is attorney for the Building Hearing Board of the township.
Max Brinson was approved to a four-year term on the township's Zoning Hearing board and Jim Owens will serve a three-year term on the Building Hearing Board. Mike Moffa was named an alternate to the Building Hearing Board. Predmore again will serve as secretary of that board.
Scott Axelband, Gary Freene and Meghan Irwin were approved to serve one-year terms on the Safety Committee and Jones was named secretary.
Steve McBride was appointed to the Vacancy Board.
Ron Tussell was appointed part-time sewage enforcement officer and part-time zoning/code enforcement officer.
Gas reimbursement is $65.5 pert mil for use of personal vehicles while on township business.
As for scheduling, holidays were approved and Board of Supervisors workshops and regular meetings remain on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month, except for November and December.
As for other meetings, the Planning Commission will meet the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 6:30 p.m., or as necessary. The Recreation Committee will meet the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m. and the Safety Committee on the first Thursday at 8:30 a.m. the Zoning Hearing Board will meet as needed at a date and time to be determined.