Delaware Township Preps for Winter
By Dakota Hendricks
Pike County Dispatch – Thursday, November 2, 2017
DINGMANS FERRY – The Delaware township Board of Supervisors authorized repairs and purchase to prepare the township for winter.
The Board authorized the repair of several Township vehicles and equipment. Two Ford F550’s need repairs, including transmission lines, oil pan replacement, rotors, bakes, etc. They also approved repairs to the township backhoe totaling $1969.79 and the purchase of tire chains and plow blades for $3,026.50.
Tim Singleton, President of the Delaware Township Historical Society and Delaware Township Historian, requested a key to the front gate of Akenac park. The Historical Society hosts events at eh Camp Akenac Museum and has access to many of the historical township records from the museum making any research much easier.
During the winter months, Camp Akenac is open only during library hours, which imposes some restrictions on the times Singleton could do research. The Board approved granting him a key on the condition that he must immediately lock the gate behind him and that he was the only person allowed at the facility. Singleton also requested financial assistance for the Historical Society as they are struggling to maintain funds.
Jerry Debalao, a representative from PA American Water, spoke during the workshop portion of the Oct. 25 meeting about the utility taking over for Delaware Sewer in parts of Wild Acres. Sections 19-22 are currently unusable due to damage to the original sewer system that has resulted in pooling of sewage among other problems and the inability to put a new system in place. PA American Water plans to rehabilitate the zone with a subsurface disposal system over a 5 to 10 year phased rehabilitation process.
Residents are concerned over potential rate increases for sewage hookup; however, Debalao stated Wild Acres residents would not see an increase in price for water use. The only residents that would receive a rate increase for sewer hookup are those moving into sections 19-22 of Wild Acres.
The Supervisors approved a change in worker’s compensation insurance carriers from AmeriTrust to Municipal Risk Management Workers’ Compensation Pooled Trust at an annual cost of $17,427. They said the change will save the township approximately $3,000 to $3,500 a year.
The Board also authorized payment to Wayco Incorporated in the amount of $93,741.81 for roadwork done for the Chestnut Ridge Road project. Wayco painted and repaired Log and Twig, Doolan, Myck, Park and Spencer Roads.
The Fire Police were approved to purchase new equipment like protectives gloves and road cones for $1,147.40.
The Board voted to send a proposed medical marijuana ordinance to the planning commission. There are no medical marijuana facilities currently considering moving to Delaware Township; however, as a cautionary measure the Board would like to outline strict rules in the zoning code to account for the possibility.
The Supervisors will be holding a public 2018 Budget meeting on Wednesday, November 15.
Akenac Park will close for the winter on November 1, except for Delaware Township Library hours, which are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 12pm to 3pm.
The next Board of Supervisors’ meeting will be on November 8.