Public Input Sought to Help Update Pike County’s Hazard Mitigation Plan
Public Input Sought to Help Update Pike County’s Hazard Mitigation Plan
July 22, 2021
MILFORD, PA ― The Pike County Office of Community Planning is leading the process of updating the County’s Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) to help reduce vulnerability and enable local communities to become more resilient to disasters. Public participation is essential to ensure the new plan is effective.
An online Mitigation Survey is available to provide the community an outlet to contribute to the development of the updated HMP. The questionnaire will take approximately 15 minutes and consists of questions about current hazard and disaster issues, and information regarding potential areas vulnerable to disaster. Feedback collected from the survey will remain anonymous. The Public Mitigation Survey is available at www.pikepa.org under the “What’s New” tab.
Visit pikecountypahmp.com for more information about the Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Supervisors OK Safer Parking Lot for New Life Fellowship
The Pike County Dispatch
July 1, 2021
Supervisors OK Safer Parking Lot for New Life Fellowship
By Wayne Witkowski
DINGMANS FERRY -- A potentially dangerous parking situation at Dingman's New Life Christian Fellowship should be resolved soon.
Engineer Joe Hudak of Kiley Associates LLC presented a reconfigured parking plan as he and church owner Genaro Dellarocco talked during a public hearing at the Delaware Township Board of Supervisors meeting last week about avoiding situations of cars backing out of the property or parking on the edge of Silver Lake Road, where the church is located, which can pose traffic and safety hazards. They expect the new plan, with parking moved away from the roadway, to remedy the problem with a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation highway permit they received.
The plan allows for eight paved parking spots, with a grassy area to accommodate more cars if needed.
"Is that enough," asked Supervisor Rick Koehler.
"We have room to grow," said Dellarocco.
Supervisors, at the end of the brief public hearing, approved the plan.
During the workshop prior to the regular meeting, supervisors had a lengthy discussion with owners Mike and Livia Casagrande and employee Lisa Iribarren of SideStreet Bar & Grill on Dingmans Court to discuss neighbors' concerns about loud music on weekends. Board of Supervisors Chairman John Henderson commended the "wonderful job" of improvements to the establishment by the new owners, who took over in March of 2020.
"It was tough in the beginning because we opened up during the (peak of the) COVID," said Mike Casagrande afterward.
"We're not against you. We're working together to resolve the problems," said Henderson.
Resident Matt Light said that loud music often is heard throughout the area past midnight and said that on a weekend early this month loud music was heard to 2:15 a.m.
Township Solicitor Tom Farley cautioned the owners that their state license "can be at risk" if noise complaints go to the state Liquor Control Board.
Light pointed out that more people are coming into the area and are shooting off fireworks as late as midnight with the approaching July 4 holiday and this just adds to the situation.
"We're trying to be family-oriented," said Livia Casagrande, who presented to the board photos of sound barriers they plan to build soon around the establishment. They said they also plan to lower the volume of music, although Farley pointed out that part of the issue could be avoided if speakers are turned toward the bar and not outward.
Henderson said a noise regulation for the township may be considered in the future.
During the regular meeting, the board unanimously voted to terminate the township's COVID-19 emergency disaster declaration resolution.
The board also accepted, with regret, the resignation of Liz Forrest from the township Planning Commission, effective immediately. The commission's July 6 meeting has been cancelled
The township Planning Commission at its last meeting on June 15 agreed to table any decision on the township Comprehensive Plan until 2020 Census information is received.
Supervisors also need to fill a vacancy on the Zoning Hearing Board. Letters of interest can be sent to
They said during the workshop that they plan to advertise to fill the recent vacancy of the township representative on the Pike County Planning Commission.
Supervisors plan to advertise for a Public Works position with the resignation of Jeffrey Ireland, effective July 1.
Supervisors announced that Wilson Hill Road will be closed July 26-Oct. 12 for slide repair. They said during the workshop that extensive work on Myck Road and for Spencer Road remains on schedule, at this point, for next year, with funding in place, but the board needs updates from the township engineer and PennDOT.
Supervisors agreed to renew a three-year agreement with Portland Contractors Inc. for certified water operations at Akenac Park. The cost will be $460 per month from Aug. 1 2021 to July 31, 2022 and increase to $475 for the following 12-month period and to $490 per month from Aug. 1, 2023 to July 31, 2024. The agreement states that the company will not be responsible for any equipment malfunction of the township or acts of God that will affect the quality of operations and is not responsible for snow or ice removal on roads or walkways to the facility.
They said that the township Rec Committee's Movie Night showing of "Jurassic Park" will be held July 10 at Akenac Park.
At the workshop, Dennis Lee, head of the Dingmans Ferry Theatre, said he would hold off on pursuing a lease for Cabin 21 at Akenac Park and the supervisors approved during the regular meting that he head an ad hoc committee of the theatre under the township's Recreation Committee. Lee said that better handicap accessibility is needed for the cabin.
Lee said afterward that plans are going well for a return of a Frank Sinatra tribute performer for a free outdoor show adjacent to the maintenance building at Akenac Park on Aug. 14. "More singing groups that also are in the show are preparing and we're working on dancers, some back from last year's show," said Lee.
Department of Health Mask Order Reflects Latest CDC Guidance for Fully Vaccinated Individuals
Department of Health Mask Order Reflects Latest CDC Guidance for Fully Vaccinated Individuals
May 14, 2021
Harrisburg, PA - Department of Health Acting Secretary Alison Beam announced that the commonwealth’s mask order reflects the announcement made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) earlier today.
On March 16, 2021, the SOH amended the commonwealth’s mask order by adding language directing to the CDC’s guidance for fully vaccinated people allow for no face coverings. That means that today’s CDC guidelines automatically go into effect in Pennsylvania. Masking requirement will still be in place for unvaccinated individuals until 70 percent of Pennsylvanians age 18 and older are fully vaccinated.
“Today’s guidance from the CDC affects only people who are fully vaccinated” Acting Secretary Beam said. “This is another incentive to get the vaccine that is now easily and conveniently available. Once 70 percent of Pennsylvanians over 18 are fully vaccinated, we can completely lift the masking order.”
The CDC today provided guidance that fully vaccinated individuals can resume activities that they did prior to the pandemic without wearing a mask or physically distancing except where required by law, rule, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.
For more information on the CDC guidance, visit here.
People can find vaccination locations near them using Vaccines.gov, also known as Vaccine Finder. Individuals also can text their zip code to GETVAX (438829) for English, or VACUNA (822862) for Spanish and receive three possible vaccination sites in their area.
MEDIA CONTACT: Barry Ciccocioppo,
Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 Mitigation Orders to be Lifted May 31
Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 Mitigation Orders to be Lifted May 31
Governor Wolf and the COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force are announcing that all mitigation orders, except for the masking order, will be lifted on Monday, May 31, 2021. This would include restrictions on employers, businesses, and restaurants. The masking order will be lifted when 70% of Pennsylvanians 18 and older are fully vaccinated.
The Department of Health recommends that Pennsylvanians refer to Centers for Disease Control guidance and recommendations regarding ongoing COVID-19 safety measures and procedures.
Municipalities and school districts may continue and implement stricter mitigation efforts. Additionally, the governor’s Proclamation of Disaster Emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic will remain in place.
Testing and reporting of new COVID-19 cases will remain in place for hospitals and long-term care facilities. Maintaining requirements for hospitals and long-term care facilities will allow Pennsylvania to continue to closely monitor COVID-19 spread as other restrictions are lifted.
Milford Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic
Milford Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic
April 20, 2021
There will be a free COVID-19 vaccine clinic in Milford on April 28. It is open to all (not only PA residents).
Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers in partnership with the Pike County Office of Emergency Management will provide 1st shots of the Moderna vaccine.
Pre-registration is required via the Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers portal.
Download registration instructions.
Or, those needing assistance can register by calling the Wayne Memorial Community Health Center hotline at 570-253-8197. Senior citizens can also call the Pike Area Agency on Aging at 570-775-5550.
The clinic is sponsored by Milford Borough, Milford Township, and Pike County Commissioners.
Wednesday, April 28
9 am to 11 am
St. Patrick's Parish Hall
111 East High Street, Milford, PA
2nd shots will administered on May 26, same time and location.