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.