24-Hour Fitness Gym on Route 739 Wins Approval
24-Hour Fitness Gym on Route 739 Wins Approval
By Wayne Witkowski
The Pike County Dispatch
DINGMANS FERRY -- With the New Year only weeks old, Delaware Township Supervisors John Henderson and Rick Koehler hit the ground running at the first workshop and regular meeting of the year.
- They voted, in a tone of regret, to accept the unexpected resignation of fellow Supervisor Jane Neufeld, effective on New Year's Eve. They will appoint an interim supervisor for the duration of Neufeld's term, which expires at the end of the year, at the Feb. 8 meeting in compliance with state Class 2 township codes. Henderson explained, when asked, that townships must fill a supervisor vacancy within 30 days of a resignation. No letters of interest will be considered. If they can not decide on a replacement, the task goes to the vacancy board, which is Steve McBride, for a recommendation.
- A proposal for a 24-hour fitness gym to be built on the property next to Dollar General beyond Akenac Park on Route 739 was approved with a hefty list of conditions after a joint public hearing with the township Planning Commission and the supervisors. Project manager Lou Cozza of Niclaus Engineering in Stroudsburg presented the blueprints as he and fitness center owner Chris Colella, joined by co-owner and wife Veronica, discussed the 7,000-square-foot project. The Colellas wish to relocate Iron Body Strength and Fitness center from its current location that opened in 2021 farther along Route 739 in Dingmans Ferry, which has 4,800 square-feet split in the two-floor building. Chris Colella said the public popularity with memberships is "outgrowing" the current location, which "has been working out pretty well and gotten established."
- At the end of the meeting, Henderson announced a proposed Shawnee-Walker Transmission Line Public Information Session that will take place at the township municipal building 6 p.m. on Wednesday (Jan. 18) this week. Henderson expressed expectation that it will draw a larger public gathering than usual, much like a September meeting when residents came to express their concerns about health risks from exposure to electromagnetic waves from the high voltage wires. Residents also briefly discussed the project at the previous meeting on Dec. 7. The line, which would serve as an alternate power supply during outages, would run through rights of way next to homes in the township's residential zone and through Akenac Park. It also would run through neighboring Lehman Township through its state gameland areas but not run through residential neighborhoods.
- The township also took its first steps toward posting mph speed limit signs at curves in the township by approving the $760.80 purchase of a ball bank indicator. The device measures in a vehicle the centrifugal force as it takes a curve in the road to tabulate the preferred speed. "We have no sped limit signs on our roads (for curves) right now," said township Administrator Krista Predmore.
The public hearing for the fitness center drew the most attention, taking a half hour before motions for land development, conditional use and the planning module for the .9 acres of property for the building were approved afterward during the regular meeting. Chris Colella said groundbreaking was anticipated to begin in April. Cozza said the startup plans were not final but township Engineer Jon Tresslar said he cited only "minor things" in his letter critiquing the initial plans.
Chris Colella afterward expressed confidence in meeting the conditions, saying the public hearing and approvals "went well, better than we thought."
A posting on his website forecasted this move. It read, "We would like to thank everyone for helping our business grow this past year. We are excited to see that we were able to help everyone achieve their goals. We will keep striving to make the best gym for this area. BIG THINGS TO COME IN THE FUTURE FOR IRON BODY STRENGTH AND FITNESS."
Much discussion of the conditions focused on stormwater management facilities in the buffer area in which a variance would be obtained while the township ordinance would be amended in 60 days to suit the project.
Cozza said the center would have 37 parking spaces. The entrance to the parking area would be shared with Dollar General. Cozza said the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation expressed no concern about any increase in traffic that would need modifications to that part of Route 739. Parking lot lights would be pointed downward so as not to intrude on nearby residential areas. "You will see Dollar General lights more than these," said Cozza.
Cozza said a "minimal amount of trees would be eliminated where necessary." "We're not doing a lot of earth work but working with what is necessary," Cozza told the supervisors.
George Beodeker, president of the township volunteer fire company's Board of Directors, questioned whether drive lanes through the parking lot would enable fire company access to the back of the building if needed and Cozza showed in the plans that it would be an adequate 25 feet wide.
Also approved during the regular meeting was advertising to fill two vacancies on the township Zoning Hearing Board and two on the Recreation Committee.
Supervisors approved the 2023 proposal for lake management at Akenac Park by Aquatic Environment Consultants Inc. for $3,675.00. It will treat filamentous algae, watershield and other negative elements at the lake at Akenac Park.
They also renewed service with Ehrlich Pest Control for pest control maintenance at the park for $840 and exterior insect maintenance at the park for $2,156. Also renewed was TruGreen service for township athletic fields for $7,100.15.
A retroactive motion to pay John Bonham Road Supplies' invoice of $5,857.62 was approved.
Municipal hall use request was approved for the Milford Valley Quilters Guild for a community service project 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Monday in 2023 as well as the Wild Acres Property Owners Association on the third Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for Board of Directors meetings and for June 3 for the annual board meeting from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
During the workshop, Henderson said the Delaware Township Volunteer Ambulance Corps is asking for $107,500 from the township for its current quarterly subsidy. Also during the workshop, Delaware Township Volunteer Fire Company Chief Michael Cairns gave a December report that he said "is no different than any other month," including 21 members working 251 hours. "You guys do wonderful things," commented Henderson afterward. Supervisors approved the $1,170.79 fourth quarter fire taxes distribution during the regular meeting.
Twp. Supervisor’s Resignation Surprises Other Board Members
Twp. Supervisor’s Resignation Surprises Other Board Members
By Wayne Witkowski
The Pike County Dispatch
DINGMANS FERRY -- Jane Neufeld has resigned, unexpectedly, as a member and vice chairman for the Delaware Township Board of Supervisors as well as her seat as township treasurer.
"It's been an honor to serve Delaware Township residents for five and a half years but I find it's time for me to move on," said Neufeld, who later said. "It's a new chapter for me and a new chapter for the township."
Neufeld submitted her resignation on Dec. 31 and, therefore, did not attend the board's Reorganization Meeting held early last week. Her term expires the end of 2023.
Neufeld's resignation is subject to an approval vote at the next board meeting on Wednesday evening this week. Township Administrator Krista Predmore said that a time frame will be set up within compliance of the state code for townships of that population to accept letters of interest for an interim supervisor to fill the vacancy for the rest of the year.
Another deadline will be set to decide on an interim supervisor and to schedule an approval vote.
At the reorganization meting, Supervisor Rick Koehler was voted vice chairman and township treasurer, the posts held by Neufeld in recent years.
John Henderson was re-appointed as chairman of the board and as secretary. Predmore was re-appointed township administrator and as township assistant treasurer. Robin Jones is full-time Administrative/Human Resources assistant.
In recent years, Neufeld and Premore have collaborated on township budgets, balancing them without a tax increase since 2017 when the general fund millage rate was lowered by one mill to 8.68.
Neufeld denied any friction with fellow board members or the township when asked about it.
Predmore said, "Not that I'm aware of" any differences with board members, saying the decision was "definitely not expected."
Neufeld said there were no health issues involved with her decision, when asked.
"There was no forewarning of this, typical of Jane," said Henderson. "It was a surprise to all."
The reorganizatin meeting lasted just 18 minutes for approvals, without comment.
They included recognizing Jones as deputy tax collector as approved by township Tax Collector Mary Lou Corbett. Henderson and Koehler will serve as banking and checking signatories. Wayne Bank, Dime Bank and PLGIT are depositories again this year.
The Treasurer's Bond was set at $2.8 million and the assistant bond at $100,000.
Kirk Summa and Co. LLP remain as the certified public accounting firm to replace the elected auditors.
The Pike County Dispatch was approved as official township newspaper, along with the Pocono Record and the Tri-County Independent.
LVL Engineering Group was appointed township engineer. Code Inspectors, Inc. is the township residential and commercial building inspector.
Jamie Montague was appointed full-time permit assistant and Right to Know officer and also as Zoning Hearing Board Secretary.
In a noteworthy appointment, Richard Bailo was named township roadmaster. He was the second one to serve as alternate roadmaster during the closing months of last year after longtime roadmaster Vince Flatt died early last year.
Bailo also will serve on the Pike County Road Task Force. He and Koehler were named as township representatives attending the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS) annual convention in Hershey. Koehler was appointed voting delegate for the convention.
Matthew Light again will serve as township Emergency Management Coordinator after completing his first year at the post in 2022 when George Beodeker retired. Dillon Miller was re-appointed deputy coordinator.
Tom Farley, Esq. wil remain as township solicitor at a pay rate of $175 per hour, with Christian Weed, Esq. as alternate solicitor for that rate. Farley also was re-appointed township Planning Commission solicitor, with Weed as alternate, both at the same pay rate.
Stanley Beecher, Esq. remains as solicitor, with Anthony Waldron, Esq. as alternate for the township Zoning Hearing Board. Beecher also is attorney for the Building Hearing Board of the township.
Max Brinson was approved to a four-year term on the township's Zoning Hearing board and Jim Owens will serve a three-year term on the Building Hearing Board. Mike Moffa was named an alternate to the Building Hearing Board. Predmore again will serve as secretary of that board.
Scott Axelband, Gary Freene and Meghan Irwin were approved to serve one-year terms on the Safety Committee and Jones was named secretary.
Steve McBride was appointed to the Vacancy Board.
Ron Tussell was appointed part-time sewage enforcement officer and part-time zoning/code enforcement officer.
Gas reimbursement is $65.5 pert mil for use of personal vehicles while on township business.
As for scheduling, holidays were approved and Board of Supervisors workshops and regular meetings remain on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month, except for November and December.
As for other meetings, the Planning Commission will meet the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 6:30 p.m., or as necessary. The Recreation Committee will meet the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m. and the Safety Committee on the first Thursday at 8:30 a.m. the Zoning Hearing Board will meet as needed at a date and time to be determined.
Township Approved Budget, No Tax Increase!
Township Approved Budget, No Tax Increase!
By Wayne Witkowski
The Pike County Dispatch - December 15, 2022
DINGMANS FERRY -- Delaware Township supervisors at their regular meeting on Wednesday last week unanimously approved, without discussion, a budget that will hold taxes for a sixth straight year.
But that wasn't the main issue attracting a dozen residents as they sat through the brief meeting of agenda items.
They were awaiting the Public Comment segment ending the meeting to express their concern about Met-Ed's conspicuous silence regarding the proposed Shawnee-Walker 69-kilovolt Transmission Line project. It's an auxiliary power line built on right-of-way next to many homes to improve electric service reliability for approximately 13,600 residents involved in Monroe and Pike counties and to mitigate power outages largely caused by adverse weather.
It would extend through Lehman Township but supervisors there have not voiced objection because the route traverses non-residential areas and along Bushkill Falls Road through state game lands.
Yvonne Tetta started the discussion when she said she had not heard anything about the project from Met-Ed since she was first notified in early summer. The notification said that Met-Ed would send representatives to homes to explain the project to homeowners affected.
"That's a dead issue," said Supervisor Jane Neufeld of the visits.
Tetta said the line runs on a right of way that would go next to her house. She said her research shows that living near the power line can lead to serious illness.
Tetta pressed the supervisors about their position.
"We're totally against this because it's going through Akenac (Park)," said Board of Supervisors Chairman John Henderson.
Another resident asked the supervisors if they (the township) are getting paid by Met-Ed for permission and Henderson said they are not.
He said the board had sent a letter to Met-Ed when the project was made public to request a meeting to discuss the project but did not get a response. He and his fellow supevisors agreed to send another letter requesting a meeting.
Supervisors also sent an email the following morning about the project to Mike Mrozinski, director of Pike County Office of Community Planning.
"They (Delaware Township) are trying to get a representative to Pike County to explain this; their (Met-Ed's) idea is to provide a website to walk you through the whole project and for people to comment on the website and not for them (Met-Ed reps) to e to Pike County," said Mrozinski to the Dispatch that day. "They don't want to confront these people."
Copies of the first supervisors' letter sent on July 20,which establishes Mid-Atlantic Interstate Transmission LLC commandeering the project, were distributed by township Administrator Krista Predmore to residents.
Part of the letter reads, "We believe this project will have a negative impact on property values, plants, animals and water resources, recreation and the overall rural character of our township. Additionally, there are health concerns that are directly linked to stray voltage and magnetic fields near the wire, which could affect property values and anyone visiting the township's park.
"It is the township's goal to conserve, maintain and enhance the historical, cultural and environmental resources in our township and the proposed project does not align with those goals."
A few residents, along with Tetta, expressed similar sentiments.
"You could hear the wires," said resident Gary Evans of the electromagnetic hum. He and other residents cautioned that the project would move forward even if residents object and those dissenters could be forced out by eminent domain.
"There are multiple people (objecting to the project). You have a lot more power than you think," said Henderson, who also cautioned, "We need to run on evidence, not rumor."
Township Solicitor Tom Farley assured the gathering that the project has to run through the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), which ensures reliable, safe, secure and economically efficient energy for consumers at a reasonable cost.
As for the earlier part of the meeting, Neufeld said during the workshop the 2023 township budget has "no change in revenue" from when it was unveiled on Nov. 16 but said there is "a matter of overestimations (of expenses). Expenses decreased by $35,000.
Neufeld said the latest Blue Ridge franchise agreement for cable TV (not Internet service) calls for $8,900 quarterly, $35,600 annually under the latest five-year agreement.
The 2023 township budget remains at 11.868 mills. The General Fund holds at 8.68 mills.The Recreation tax and Fire tax for the township Volunteer Fire Company both will stay at 1.5 mills, each drawing $153,000. The Park and Recreation budget is $167,155.00.
The estimated unallocated balance moved forward will be $38,500. State Liquid Fuels tax is $570,515.46
Motions were passed for the budget and for the resolution for levy of taxes for 2023.
Supervisors approved Kirk Summa & Co LLP management letter for the 2022 independent audit.
They approved advertising for a joint public hearing with the Planning Commission on the Iron Body Fitness Land Development and Conditional Use for 7:15 p.m. on Jan. 11. It's a $6,000-square-foot gym on the lot next to Dollar General on Route 739.
A 2023 lawn mowing contract to Wayne’s Lawn Care for $30,740 was awarded, a "slight increase" from the previous budget, said Neufeld.
A Dependable Cleaning Co., Inc.’s quote on the municipal hall tile floor for $600 was approved.
Delaware Township Bulk Days were set forth for 2023. They will be held on the first Fridays of the first three months -- Jan. 7, Feb. 4 and March 4, will be held the first and third Fridays on April through October and then be held only the first Friday of November and December.
Also approved was the 2023 goose control proposal by Geese Police at $415 per week, along with a $100 addling charge per nest.
Supervisors approved $350 toward the employee Christmas party.
A $250 donation from the Dingmans Bridge to the Recreation Commission to be used toward the annual holiday event on Dec. 10 at Akenac Park was approved.
Akenac Park use requests by Delaware Township Recreation and those event budgets for 2023 were approved. They include April 2, Easter Event ($1,000), July 15 – Summer Event ($1,000), Aug. 26 - Summer Event ($1,000), Sept. 16 – Harvest Festival ($2,000), Oct. 28 – Trunk or Treat ($1,000), Dec. 9 – Christmas Event ($1,000).
During Public Comment, resident Steve Tarquini expressed his concerns about detonations of an explosive that lit up the night skies and made loud sounds heard throughout neighborhoods. "I know of at least seven times (it happened)," said Tarquini as he and Koehler agreed that it was bigger than fireworks. Koehler agreed that he saw the sky lit up while driving one evening.
Supervisors cancelled their final regular meeting and workshop that was scheduled for Dec. 21.
Delaware Township crafts 'conservative' 2023 budget
Delaware Township crafts 'conservative' 2023 budget
The Pike County Dispatch
By Wayne Witkowski
DINGMANS FERRY -- The streak goes on for Delaware Township property owning taxpayers -- no increase in six years on their municipal taxes.
The final draft for the 2023 township budget remains at 11.868 mills. The General Fund holds at 8.68 mills.The Recreation tax and Fire tax for the township Volunteer Fire Company both will stay at 1.5 mills, each drawing $153,000.
The budget was discussed at the Board of Supervisors meeting on Wednesday last week and made available starting last Friday for public inspection for 20 days at the municipal building at 116 Wilson Hill Road.
Supervisors also decided to post the budget online this year on the township website.
A ratification vote was approved by the supervisors for their regular meeting on Dec. 7.
"This again is a careful, conservative budget," announced Supervisor Jane Neufeld who, as township treasurer, again crafted the budget with township Administrator Krista Predmore, with input on details from Roadmaster Richard Bailo.
"Income from our township taxes has not really changed. Potential income that caries from year to year -- real estate transfer taxes, service charges, etc. -- for the most part have increased. But as the amounts may undergo change at any time, conservative projections are made.
"We have been able to occasionally get grants for the big money projects and have worked to fix, update, maintain our roads, buildings, our infrastructure," Neufeld told the gathering as the 2023 budget shows $502,992.66 set aside for roads and bridges. "There is still a bit more to do to ensure our infrastructure is safe, our services can continue to be of use and service to our residents and visitors.
"And expenses have -- no kidding -- grown."
The General Fund balances at $1,547,485.28, with a surplus of $137,078.30. It's a decrease from the 2022 budget that was set at $2,430,418.64. The General Fund was budgeted in 2021 for $1,273,939.
For the 2023 budget, state Liquid Fuels totals $570,515.46.
Neufeld said any salary increases "will be based on good work done."
The Capital Reserve Fund - General Fund is $318,444 and the Capital Reserve Fund - Parks and Recreation is $317,119.
The Emergency Services Fund is set at $344,005. The township will receive $215,000 from the Pike County emergency services fund.
The Rec budget is at $180,770, which creates a $20,615 shortfall of its allocation and its revenue through the year. Neufeld pointed out that supervisors passed a motion at the last meeting to move $30,000 from the General Fund to Recreation, which would cover that shortfall.
Neufeld said rising fuel and heating costs is "a moving target and not fun to do" for the budget.
Supervisors at the meeting discussed with Bailo some issues for the upcoming months. On the budget for 2023 is emergency lighting for and painting of the bathrooms, replacing the culvert and the footbridge over it at Akenac Park, painting and replacing the flooring and door of the gatehouse at the park, painting the back of the Dingmans Ferry Theatre building and refurbishing the roof as well as a $22,500-$30,000 project replacing the meeting room floor, repairing loose tiles in the kitchen. a $50,000 expense to redo the two public bathrooms and $4,310 toward lighting in the municipal parking lots.
Most of that work will be funded from the American Rescue Fund that has $393,462.99 earmarked to be spent on overall township projects by 2024.
Also at the regular meeting, supervisors approved new heaters for the recreation hall at Akenac Park in an amount not to exceed $4,200. They will be used at the annual event "Gnome for the Holidays" from 5-8 p.m.on Dec. 10. They approved Delaware Township Volunteer Fire Police to provide traffic control that day.
Theurkauf Design & Planning will receive $6,918.12 for the Delaware Township Comprehensive Plan Update.
Supervisors approved the annual renewal of the State Workers’ Insurance Fund for $19,030 for the Delaware Township Volunteer Fire Company Workers Compensation Policy.
They agreed to advertise for the vacancy of the Delaware Township Zoning Hearing Board after accepting the resignation of Ted Persall.
Board of Supervisors Chairman John Henderson announced that the Delaware Township Planning Commission Comprehensive Plan Update Public Workshop will be held 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 6.
They also approved advertising for a part-time office assistant and for a full-time public works employee.
Supervisors approved municipal hall use request by newly elected state Rep. Tarah Probst to use the municipal hall in 2023 for state office hours from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursdays beginning Jan. 5.
Municipal hall use requests also were approved for Dec. 5 from 6-10 p.m. by the Pike County Democratic Committee for a holiday get-together and a municipal hall use request by the Delaware Township Democratic Club on Dec. 16 from 6-10 p.m. for a club meeting and holiday get-together.
The Delaware Township Rec Committee was approved use of municipal hall on the second Monday of every month from 6-7 p.m., beginning Jan. 9.
Henderson and Neufeld said, when asked during Public Comment at the end of the meeting, that they were informed that Wilson Hill Road will reopen this week as Pennsylvania Department of Transportation completes repairs.
Supervisors approved renewing Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance policy at a 3 percent increase for 2023 for full-time township employees.
Also approved was a $4,310 payment to Amp Electrical Contracting LLC for upgraded lighting.
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November 9, 2022