Luhrs Hardware Expansion Wins Approval
Luhrs Hardware Expansion Wins Approval
By Wayne Witkowski
DINGMANS FERRY -- Commercial growth continues along the Route 739 corridor as Delaware Township Board of Supervisors, after a public hearing during the regular meeting, unanimously approved the Luhrs Land Development plan that calls for expansion of the True Value hardware store.
Tom Magnotta, an attorney whose office is in Hawley, represented the owners, and project designer Lou Cozza of Riley Associates, presented a blueprint of the plan at 1543 Route 739 that calls for a 50 percent expansion of the store and additional parking spaces on the property. The owners were unable to attend as they were away, although it was stated that they would have attended the originally scheduled meeting that was postponed from the previous week because of a snowstorm.
Magnotta said the plan has a developer's agreement and was cleared by the township Planning Commission. A letter of adequacy from the Pike County Conservation District was received as well as an approval from the Pike County Planning Commission, with no comment.
The store, situated on a 10.37-acre parcel, will have a 3,000-square-foot addition to the current 6,000-square-foot property. Parking will be more than doubled from 20 spots to 44, with two handicap parking spots.
Cozza said there is no increase in septic or stormwater runoff.
There will be access through a covered porch from the side of the building. Tractor trailer deliveries can be unloaded in the back. The entry roadway will be properly prepared.
Also during the meeting, supervisors approved resolutions to request Loan Share Account (Monroe gaming casino funds) grant requests for $176,755 toward replacing an Akenac Park road culvert and $73,975 for a Public Works vehicle that will include an auger and a snow plow.
The board also approved adopting the Short-Term Rental Application form and the amended fee schedule for short-term rental permits for the recently passed ordinance.
Also approved was the Non-Conforming Use Certificate Application Required for Dwellings rented for 30 consecutive days or less. Supervisors also answered questions clarifying the "grandfathering" of short-term rentals and their extent of responsibilities under the new ordinance.
The board approved payment of $4,625 to Zelenkofske Axelrod LLC for its consultation work on properly disbursing American Rescue Plan funding over the next three years.
Richard Englehardt, vice president of the Delaware Township Volunteer Fire Company who heads recruiting for the company, spoke in his presentation during the supervisors' workshop before their regular meeting about a proposed tax break under consideration for members of the fire company. "We're collecting ordinances from around the state on how they (townships) use it, as a model," said Englehardt. "Toward the end of the second quarter, we'll bring a formal proposal."
Members of the company residing in the township would have a reduction in their property tax. Englehardt said it "definitely can help" with recruitment and retention of members, which he called a "tremendous challenge."
At the end of his presentation, Englehardt said to the supervisors, "It sounds like your receptive to this," as Board of supervisors Chairman John Henderson responded, "Oh, yeah."
Supervisors approved Kuharchik Construction Inc.'s proposal to purchase and install a steel junction box (instead of the concrete ones that has been used) at the intersection of state routes 209 and 739 for $1,594 and for annual traffic signal response maintenance and preventive maintenance.
The board also approved a municipal hall request by the Old Marcel Lake Property Owners Association from 8 a.m. to noon on July 9 for an annual property owners meeting. Also approved was the Delaware Township Democratic Club's use of Akenac Park on July 16 (with a July 17 rain date) from noon to 6 p.m. for its annual picnic and for use of the municipal hall on Aug. 13 from noon to 9 p.m. for a mystery dinner fundraiser.
Henderson during public comment apologized for what he regarded as his improperly pursuing complaints he received about loud noise from a local establishment. Henderson said he contacted the state police through the main number rather than a special 800 number that dispatches the proper state police authority to handle that situation. Henderson said the state police did arrive at the scene to address the problem but that complaint is handled by a specific department.
Under Announcements, Henderson informed the gathering that First Energy's Pennsylvania Utilities are urging residential customers experiencing financial hardship to contact their utility as soon as possible to establish an affordable payment arrangement or obtain assistance before the winter utility disconnection moratorium is lifted and shutoffs for nonpayment resume, beginning April 1.
Supervisors again will have their workshop and regular board meeting on Wednesday this week as usual. Meetings are on the second and fourth Wednesdays but are being held on back-to-back weeks because the March 9 meeting was rescheduled to last Wednesday because of the weather. The workshop begins at 6 p.m.
Delaware Explores Tax Break For Firefighters
Delaware Explores Tax Break For Firefighters
By Wayne Witkowski
DINGMANS FERRY -- Delaware Township supervisors, during the workshop prior to their bi-monthly regular board meeting last week, began a dialogue with officers from the township's volunteer fire company about possible tax breaks for its members.
Discussion was ignited by a proposal sent to the township from fire company president George Beodeker for a possible enactment of a stipend/tax abatement in 2023. If approved, it likely would mean that the volunteer firefighters who are homeowners in the township would get a reduction in their real estate municipal taxes as compensation for their non-salaried services. Members of the fire company who rent would receive a compensation.
"It seems to be working in Lackawaxen (Township), " said Delaware Township Solicitor Tom Farley, who also serves as Lackawaxen's solicitor. Neighboring Lehman Township last fall enacted reduced real estate tax payments for volunteers on the Bushkill Volunteer Fire Company starting in 2022 and a lowered Earned Income Tax fee for members who rent in the township. Lehman officials said they have been gathering the list of eligible recipients.
"We're going to dig deeper into this," said Delaware Township Fire Chief Michael Cairns afterward. Cairns had presented the fire company's 2021 Year End Report with Fire Captain and former Chief Sean Hughes. The report mentioned that the fire company lost three volunteers, who relocated, but gained five new ones, including a junior firefighter. Retention is a key, said Cairns, amid the ongoing reduction of volunteers statewide amid the job demands and the many demanding hours of training by firefighters as well as other job commitments needed to support their families.
Supervisor Jane Neufeld said work on the 2023 budget begins in July.
Also discussed was possibly developing and approving a Cost Recovery Ordinance for DTVFC that would enable it to recover costs for emergency responses from victims' insurance providers. Lehman and southern neighbor Middle Smithfield Township in Monroe County have similar ordinances. Neufeld said the board would examine the Lehman ordinance.
Cairns said approving a Cost Recovery Ordinance would come at a good time.
"We can't continue like this with costs (for emergency response) that keep going up," said Cairns.
Supervisors said the 1.5 mills fire tax, which ranges from $12 to $75 per household, also can be examined for a possible .5 mills increase. But Cairns pointed out that the insurance revenue from a Cost Recovery Ordinance "would not cost township taxpayers more money" for emergency responses.
Supervisors also pointed out that some emergency victims may not have insurance coverage, or have an insurance policy that would not cover that emergency situation. "You can't go after residents for a fee if they're paying their fire tax," added Farley.
Hughes said the Delaware Township fire company "has had numerous conversations with Bushkill" on its cost recovery ordinance. "We need to see how many times they (Bushkill fire company) got insurance money," said Neufeld. Lehman supervisors reported to the Dispatch that there have been favorable results already.
"We're not saying 'no' to these (proposals). Just get back to us with more information," said Board of Supervisors Chairman John Henderson to Cairns and Hughes.
Their report pointed out that a new brush truck and assistant chief's truck were purchased in 2021.
It also said Beodeker was in the process of meeting with state representatives for a Loan Share Account grant (from Monroe County casino gaming funds) that would go toward upgrading the fire company's substation.
In other report highlights, a $15,000 State Fire Commissioners 2020 grant covered the installation of exhaust removal systems at apparatus bays in both stations in conjunction with the state fire commission's Cancer Prevention Initiative.
Another $15,000 from the State Fire Commissioners grant of 2021 offset the cost of hose replacement in engine 1, which is the only vehicle of the fleet still being paid off.
About $20,000 funds from the Robert and Marie Orr Smith Foundation that was received last spring went toward replacing thermal imaging cameras.
As for emergency response, 177 calls were answered and included 17 percent fire related (including 11 building fires), 14 percent to assist EMS (22 incidents, including 3.8 percent for CPR), 20 percent for motor vehicle accidents (33, including six with injuries), 13 percent as false alarms/system malfunctions and 36 percent other calls, including 13 downed power lines.
Akenac Park use request by the fire company last Saturday from 9 a..m. to 1 p.m. for the annual ice rescue refresher was approved at the supervisors' regular meeting. The fire company also was approved the use of Akenac Park on Tuesday nights from 7-10 p.m. beginning March 15 through Nov. 22.. In both approvals, the fire company was expected to provide proper insurance coverage
Also during the workshop, supervisors said that they would interview on Friday last week a candidate for Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator after receiving a letter of interest. Matthew Light had served that post last year but was moved up to Emergency Management Coordinator when Beodeker retired from the post at the end of last year.
During the regular meeting, supervisors approved advertising for a public hearing on the land development for Independence True Value on Wednesday, March 9 at 7:15 p.m. It involves a conditional use permit approval for True Value for an addition to its property. The application went through the township's Planning Commission, which granted a variance for a reduction in parking.
Supervisors approved Township Administrator Krista Predmore's appointment to the Delaware Township Building Hearing Board.
The board also approved adopting the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS) Trustees Insurance Fund Disclosure Statement for 2021 as required by Chapter 7-A of Act 44 of 2009, the Municipal Pension Plan Funding Standard and Recovery Act.
Dingmans Ferry-Delaware Township Historical Society was approved use of the municipal hall for presentations on the following Sundays from 1-4 p.m.: March 20, May 15, Sept.18, Oct. 16 and Nov. 13 and also for meetings and presentations on the following Thursdays from 6-10 p.m.: April 21, June 16, July 21 and Aug. 18.
Dingmans Ferry Theatre was approved a request for use of Akenac Park in conjunction with the Delaware Dingmans Ferry-Delaware Township Historical Society for outdoor shows on June 25 and on Sept. 25, both at 2 p.m.., which would include having liability insurance coverage.
Supervisors during the workshop discussed established procedures for approved use of the municipal building and Akenac Park. Although more applicants have been including a certificate of liability, as recommended, a few still are approved with a waiver of the certificate. Some with waivers are not a legal entity with liability insurance for the township.That includes softball teams that do not have their own certificates for playing games on township fields but are approved under a request and certificate from the league.
Supervisors also discussed an update of the township employee handbook. Henderson objected only to the section that bans gossiping on the job, saying some of it can be regarded more as an exchange of information and said the ban violates the constitutional right of freedom of speech. The board will further examine his point.
Supervisors announced at the end of the regular meeting that the Short-Term Rental Ordinance Public Hearing will be held 7:15 p.m. on Feb. 23. Farley said that he can not attend that meeting but assured residents who expressed concern because of Farley's familiarity with the issues that his partner who will attend will be well prepared.
The year-round road weight maximum again was discussed during the workshop amid concerns of heavy commercial trucks detoured from Deep Hollow Bridge onto Park Road, which township Roadmaster Vince Flatt said could increasingly damage the road bed. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation lowered the weight limit on the bridge because of its condition until repair work is done sometime around 2025, forcing the commercial truck detour..
To set a township road weight limit different from the one last established about 40 years ago, Farley said a traffic study must be conducted so the weight restriction can be properly enforced in a court of law. Signage on the weight limit also would have to be posted on any roads with weight limits. Discussion will continue through upcoming workshops.
Free COVID-19 Testing Site in Pike County
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 13, 2022
CONTACT: Krista Gromalski 570-296-9805 office / 570-832-1434 cell /
Free COVID-19 Testing Site in Pike County
LORDS VALLEY, PA ― The Pennsylvania Department of Health will offer free drive-through COVID-19 testing at the Pike County Training Center, from January 18 through 29, Tuesdays through Fridays, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; and Saturdays, 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
No appointment is necessary. No prescription is necessary. The Pike County Training Center is located at 135 Pike County Boulevard, in Lords Valley.
Testing is on a first-come, first-serve basis and is completely free to all patients. Patients must be ages three and older and are not required to show symptoms of COVID-19 in order to be tested.
Up to 450 patients can be tested per day. Mid-nasal passage swab PCR tests will be performed. Patients are encouraged to bring a photo-ID. Registration will be completed on-site. The turnaround time for testing results is two to seven days after testing.
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Proposed Ordinance for Public Review & Comment
Proposed Ordinances for Public Review & Comment
December 17, 2021
There are two proposed Ordinances which have been recommended by the Delaware Township Planning Commission to the Board of Supervisors for approval:
1. Short-Term Rental Ordinance
Please click on the link above to review the proposed ordinances or you can request a copy at the Township Office. The Board of Supervisors will listen to public comment on the proposed ordinances on Wednesday, January 12, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. during the regularly scheduled workshop. Meetings take place at 116 Wilson Hill Road, Dingmans Ferry, PA. Attendance via zoom is also available. Please request the zoom link by Monday prior to the scheduled meeting via email to
Dingman: 37 Percent Of Calls Go To Delaware
Dingman: 37 Percent Of Calls Go To Delaware
Pike County Dispatch
By Wayne Witkowski
DINGMANS FERRY -- Mark O'Brien, chief of the Dingman Township Volunteer Fire Company that also provides round-the-clock ambulance service, discussed with Delaware Township supervisors during their workshop on Wednesday last week prior to their regular meeting about his company's response as a backup emergency services alternative for Delaware Township residents when other local services are unavailable.
O'Brien had sent a letter earlier in the fall to the supervisors requesting a $27,500 donation from the township to cover costs for medical responses for Delaware Township residents. In that Oct. 19 letter, O'Brien said the donation would help alleviate expenses from the "37 percent of the incidents responded to in Delaware Township" by Dingman ambulances.
"We can't hardball if patients are not covered by Medicare or Medicaid," said O'Brien during the workshop, although he said that his company does remind patients that, if they receive a reimbursement check from Medicare of Medicaid, that they sign it over to his company.
O'Brien handed out a rundown of services to the supervisors during his presentation, which includes the number of responses when Delaware Township Volunteer Ambulance Corps services are not available due to their limited schedule and fewer personnel.
"We don't mind coming down (to Delaware Township)," said O'Brien. "Our issue is of the 'out of service' (by DTVAC) for their number of hours."
In his report, O'Brien indicated that his ambulance company from Jan. 1 through Nov. 22 received 163 calls to Delaware Township, 107 of them when DTVAC was unavailable or on other calls for service, and another 49 when they were called and then the call was cancelled.
O'Brien said there are times in the seven occasions when DTVAC and the Dingman Township ambulance corps arrived at the same time and the patient prefers service from Dingman.
"We try to take into consideration those requests and we'll do that (honor those requests) as long as they're not way out of the way, like to hospitals well into New Jersey or something like that," said O'Brien. He said his company next year may examine broadening into Advanced Life Support Services.
O'Brien said most emergency transports from Delaware Township go to Bon Secours or Newton Medical, which is the nearest New Jersey hospital, and some are brought to Lehigh Valley-Pocono.
O'Brien said his company's staff is mostly paid professionals, many supplied by CNG manpower services company of Milford, although there also are a few accredited volunteers. He said his ambulance division has maintained a favorable relationship with CNG. The $17 hourly rate for paid staff is expected to increase in 2022, said O'Brien, who pointed out a number of medical volunteers has been steadily dwindling around the area over the years. Township Solicitor Tom Farley elaborated on that dilemma, saying that limited availability for many who need to work for pay to support their families over the years has led to the decline of volunteers across the state and the reliance on salaried positions..
"The days of volunteers are gone," said Farley, who has a deeper perspective as a solicitor to another township in the county and with Pike County. "I think this county is reaching the same conclusion, slowly but surely, because volunteers aren't coming."
Funding for Dingmans ambulances comes largely from the township budget to cover personnel while medical insurance coverage from patient care goes to maintaining and updating ambulances and medical apparatus. O'Brien said the total budget for his ambulance corps next year is expected to run between $700,000 and $800,000.
Board of Supervisors Chairman John Henderson asked what is the daily cost for operations at Dingman and O'Brien said it runs $1,000 a day.
Dingman's ambulance corps is headquartered at Log Cabin Road, although there has been discussion about opening a second station at Buist Road. The corps operates two ambulances but there are supplemental services on weekends when there is heavier call volume.
"We want to make sure we can make the call to Delaware Township in 10 minutes," said O'Brien, which is generally the obligatory response time for ambulance services.
DTVAC president Carl Will, also invited to the workshop, did not attend and supervisors agreed to table any action until getting more complete details from the township's own ambulance service.
Henderson also announced at the regular meeting that supervisors will vote on the 2022 Fiscal Year Budget at the next regular meeting on Dec. 15 at 7 p.m.
Also at the meeting, supervisors unanimously approved spending $7,393.93 of federal American Rescue Plan funds to the township for new computers from CDW-G company through the state COSTARS cooperative purchasing program. Henderson questioned the need and township Administrator Krista Predmore recommended two new computers for two township departments -- Emergency Management and Sewage Enforcement Officer/Zoning Enforcement Officer and the third would be on standby.
In a 2-1 vote, with Henderson opposed, supervisors also approved through ARP funding the $999 purchase of Meeting Owl Pro that provides better broadcast coverage of Board of Supervisors meetings. "I'm opposed to spending (about) $1,000 for (accommodating) a small group of people," said Henderson.
Supervisors voted down a motion for a $19,715.64 electronic welcoming sign to the township that also would post township information out of ARP funds.
Supervisors also agreed to re-advertise for letters of interest for a vacancy on the Delaware Township Recreation Commission and to advertise for letters of interest for a vacancy on the township Planning Commission and for township auditor after accepting the resignation of elected auditor Mike Dickerson.
A township Emergency Preparedness Forum, conducted by Emergency Management Coordinator George Beodeker, will be held on Saturday, Dec. 11, at the municipal building. It starts at 8:30 a.m. and runs in two parts, one for homeowners associations and the other for local businesses.
At the workshop, supervisors discussed with interest a letter submitted by resident Linda Schwall requesting a "round glass convex mirror" to be installed on Route 739 facing and across from Doolan Road." Supervisors pointed out that a number of fatal accidents have occurred in that area.
"Coming out of Doolan Road trying to make a left hand turn has become pretty risky due to the increased traffic, speeders and bends in the road (from both sides), making for limited visibility of oncoming traffic," the letter reads. "I called the township building regarding my request and was told that I would have to call PennDOT. PennDOT simply told me 'no.' No reason given.
"So I am resorting to contacting the Board of Supervisors in hopes that you might agree that this t-intersection is not as safe as it used to be for those drivers making left hand turns onto Route 739, and might be willing to use your influence over the 'powers that be' to simply have an inexpensive convex mirror installed (there)."
Henderson said he discussed the matter the following morning over the phone with Schwall,
"PennDot would not allow such mirror in their right of way. We therefore can do nothing about a mirror," said Henderson. "However I suggested that we remove more dirt from property we own, increasing the sight distance to the left when attempting a left turn from Doolan Road. That idea will be forwarded to our engineer for review."
Supervisors also agreed to send a letter to Pike County that it will apply for a scenic rural preservation grant to help subsidize its park plan. Funds from that grant also could go toward the township's comprehensive plan.