Delaware Township Weighing Stringent Policy on Donations
By Wayne Witkowski
Pike County Dispatch-Thursday, July 20, 2017
DINGMANS FERRY – Any nonprofit or goodwill community cause will need to dot a lot more “i’s” and cross a lot more “t’s” to get funding approved by the Delaware Township Board of Supervisors.
A proposed township donation policy and application took up much of the discussion during the township workshop before the regularly scheduled meeting last week and appeared headed for approval before it was tabled for the next meeting.
The holdup involved getting the same wording added to the one-page policy that already was in the accompanying two-page application that requires the applicant to show that the donation will directly benefit the Delaware Township community. It’s stated in item No. 13 of the 24 questions on the application.
The supervisors asked township Attorney Robert Bernathy, sitting in for lead Solicitor Thomas Farley who was unavailable for the meeting, if they could amend the motion to include that item No. 13 into the policy. After brief discussion, they decided it would be better to table the matter until drafting a revised policy with the item and then put it to vote.
The stringent policy states that the applicant must include in the request financial statements for the last fiscal year and a projected budget for the next fiscal year. It must include tax returns of the last three years.
Considerations for the supervisors include how many people will benefit, particularly those who reside in the township’ activities and fundraising by that organization. The township will not fund projects or services performed by the township or other governmental agencies or school activities already paid by school taxes.
The application is ever more detailed, asking if the applicant has a history of service to the township community and for how long, the purpose of the donation and the reason for the project or service. It also asks who will benefit and how, admission or membership fees for any event where funding is requested and any grants received or applied for in the project. It also asks if there are other sources of revenue with an explanation.
Resident Jane Neufeld asked about application form item No. 13 to define the word “tangible” on the subject of what “direct tangible benefits to the Delaware Township community” would come from the funding.
“Tangible is a hard word to define, “ Neufeld said. “(Delaware Township) taxpayers can get something out of it (the project) but it may not be tangible. It may not be able to be measured. To have that (word) stand alone makes me nervous, that a lot of services might not be tangible.”
Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff Scheetz admitted afterward that the word might be “problematic” but said it would be kept in the policy.
The board at its meeting tabled passage of the Akenac Park Recreation and Kitchen Policy with a rental rate of $400 minimum for five hours and $80 per additional hour. It was tabled because of an item that would be added to the policy requiring applicants take an online course on kitchen safety.
Township Supervisor John Henderson during the workshop introduced the online course for anyone from the public requesting use of the Akenac Park kitchen as well as township employees using that kitchen or the one at the municipal complex. “The kitchen is subject of concern in terms of safety,” said Henderson.
He said the course, which would cost the township $245 yearly and can be offered for an unlimited number of users, can be completed in an hour’s time.
It covers personal protective equipment, hazardous chemicals, common accidents and injuries, fire prevention and fire safety, electrical safety, foodborne illnesses, personal hygiene, pest and waste management and cleaning and sanitizing.
Also, Boucher & James Inc. consulting engineers reported on their June 22 inspection of the pier work at Akenac Recreation Hall. “Our observation confirmed work was proceeding in accordance with the intent of the design plans,” it reads.
DELAWARE PLAZA UPDATE
During the workshop, the board discussed an update of the Delaware Plaza project it requested from developer Joe Hudak after residents inquired at the previous meeting.
“Things are moving along,” wrote Hudak in an emailed response to township administrator Krista Predmore. “PennDot has issued a temporary construction permit to allow us to enter and exit the (construction) site. We are optimistic that the next submission to PennDot will result in the issuance of both the Sign Timing Permit and Highway Occupancy Permit for all of the driveway locations and other highway improvements to Delaware Township.
The board also got a response on July 7 to its June 15 letter to PennDot regarding the condition of Wilson Hill Road’s roadside barriers that are falling out of their proper positioning.
“Please be advised that the District Traffic Unit has scheduled a review of this section of Wilson Hill Road,” the response reads. “Upon completion of the review you will be informed in writing of our finding.”
The letter said flashing yellow warning signals would be installed in areas of concern.
Also, the board presented a correspondence from Dingmans Ferry Stone to township administrator Predmore, who was absent from the meeting, regarding one resident’s detailed report of large dump trucks on Doolan Road, rather than their using State Route 2001/Milford Road. A representative from that company said tis trucks are not using Doolan Road and said a lot of trucks, in fact, involved with the Marcel Lakes project take Silver Lake Road. The representative said trucks from other companies could be using Doolan Road. Neufeld said she noticed an improvement in that situation lately, that it seemed more trucks are taking Milford Road and fewer are on Doolan Road.
The board approved GAIT therapeutic riding’s usage of Akenac Park on Aug. 27 from 11am to 4pm to present and celebrate a newly acquired therapy horse. It also approved the township fire department to handle parking and traffic control, which it has offered to do for free.
The board agreed to table examining the bids for the new salt shed project on 145 Wilson Hill Road because of what Bernathy regarded as significant clerical error in one company’s bid that needs to be fixed.
The township approved a $120,855.40 quarterly payment to its volunteer fire company.
A township Board of Supervisors Budget Workshop is scheduled for 7-9pm on Aug. 2.
Announcements from the board included an American Red Cross blood drive 10am to 2pm on Saturday at the Delaware Township Ambulance Corps at 135 Park Road in Dingmans Ferry. Walk-ins are accepted but pre-registrants with the Red Cross can avoid possible lengthy waits…The Family Fund Festival Fundraiser at Holy Trinity Church, 103 Delaware Crest in Dingmans Ferry, on 1-6pm on July 29 will benefit the Holy Trinity Food Pantry and Habitat for Humanity. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door.