State Route 2002 (Wilson Hill Road) in Pike County will be Closed on Monday, November 22 for Repairs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 19, 2021
State Route 2002 (Wilson Hill Road) in Pike County will be Closed on Monday, November 22 for Repairs
Dunmore, PA – SR 2002 (Wilson Hill Road) in Delaware Township, Pike County will be closed to make slide repairs beginning Monday, November 22nd. The road will reopen in the summer of 2022.
The detour is as follows:
- SR 2002 (Wilson Hill Road) to SR 2001;
- SR 2001 to SR 739;
- SR 739 to SR 209; and
- SR 209 to SR 2002 (Wilson Hill Road)
Motorists can check conditions on major roadway miles by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.
511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.
Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties at www.penndot.gov/District4.
Information about infrastructure in District 4, including completed work and significant projects, is available at www.penndot.gov/D4Results.
Follow local PennDOT news on Twitter and like the department on Facebook and Instagram.
MEDIA CONTACT: Jessica Ruddy, (570) 963.4044
Twp. Passes Dilapidated Properties Ordinance
Twp. Passes Dilapidated Properties Ordinance
By Wayne Witkowski
Pike County Dispatch - November 10, 2021
DINGMANS FERRY -- The National Park Service is in the process of demolishing some dangerously rundown buildings in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area that are not historic landmarks.
Lehman Township passed an ordinance in 2018 addressing repairing or razing neglected buildings in the township.
Now, Delaware Township has a similar ordinance regulating shabby buildings.
The Board of Supervisors, after a brief public hearing during last week's bi-monthly regular meeting , passed Ordinance 801 regarding dangerous or dilapidated properties.
The ordinance aims to "protect the life, safety or general health and welfare of the occupants or the people of the Township of Delaware from structures damaged by fire, wind, water or other causes so as to have become dangerous."
Its intent is to "prevent injury to members of the public or adjoining property from parts that might fall or injure them."
Many of these properties either were abandoned or the owners were evicted through foreclosure.
Board of Supervisors Chairman John Henderson responded to a question on how the township would respond to those problems and said the township must get a complaint from a neighboring resident.
When that happens, the owner of the property will receive a written notification and have 30 days to remedy the problem or repair the building. The owner can be granted an extension "for good cause."
If action is not taken within that time, the owner will receive an order to vacate the property from the township and the property must be secured.
If action is not taken, the township will secure the property and submit a billing of costs to the owner with a 10 percent penalty. In cases where no further action is taken by the property owner, the township can move forward with demolition, if necessary.
When asked afterward if there are dilapidated structures in the township, Henderson said, "Yes." When later asked if it is a prevalent problem, Henderson said there are "quite a few" structures in disrepair.
The board also is moving forward with updating building ordinance 201 in compliance with the recently updated federal Uniform Construction Code (UCC) after supervisors discussed that matter during a workshop preceding the regular meeting.
Supervisors at the regular meeting also approved the first payment to Wayco Inc. for $11,834.80 for the Log & Twig Road Culvert Replacement Project. It also approved renewal of the athletic field service contract with TruGreen for $7,100. They agreed to advertise for a township cleaning contract for all township facilities for the 2022 fiscal year.
After interviewing her during the workshop, the board during the regular meeting approved Donna Laux to fill a vacated seat on the Recreation Committee.
A $300 donation to the Pike County Developmental Center also was approved. Small donations were given in prior years to PCCD except last year because of COVID-19.
Also at the meeting the board approved Roadmaster Vince Flatt to drive truck 1 to and from work beyond regular business hours, beginning Nov. 1, which would make him readily available to respond to emergency calls.
Dingmans Ferry-Delaware Township Historical Society was approved use of the municipal hall from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Dec. 4 for its annual meeting and luncheon. The society does not meet at its building at Akenac Park during winter months.
However, the board unanimously refused LightsConnect Yoga from use of the building on Wednesdays and Fridays from Oct. 15, 2021 through May 15, 2022. Before the vote, Henderson commented, "This may be for profit, which is not something we normally do." Supervisor Jane Neufeld said that organization may want to look into renting a hall elsewhere.
During the workshop the board also interviewed Joseph Dunn for a Zoning Hearing Board vacant position after he had submitted a letter of interest. Dunn, who recently relocated to the area, said he offers 30 years of construction experience and his familiarity with rules, regulations and codes. "I just want to be part of the community," said Dunn, who continues to work daily in New York City.
"With his background, he could be a valuable member of the zoning board," commented Neufeld.
Dunn also said he wants to be involved with the township's volunteer fire company and spoke afterward with Emergency Management Coordinator George Beodeker, who also is president of the fire company.
Beodeker spoke at a budget workshop after the regular meeting about the fire company's allocations, which he said it is "not asking for anything additional" from the township budget. Beodeker's Emergency Management Department as well as Liquid Fuels and the Recreation Committee were discussed and funding will be unchanged in the budget.
Beodeker said he is planning to schedule two meetings in the weeks ahead before the end of the year: one with the public and one with community business people.
Henderson announced at the end of the regular meeting that the Pike County Office of Emergency Management is partnering with Wayne Community Health Center to host a COVID-19 vaccine clinic at the Pike County Training Center every third Wednesday of the month from 9 a.m. to noon. The next one is Nov. 17. All brands of vaccine will be available for first, second or booster shots as applicable. Advance registration is required by calling the Wayne Community Health Center COVID Hotline at (570) 253-8197 or registration can be done online at www.wmh.org.
Sides Skirmish over Wild Acres Clubhouse Rebuild
Sides skirmish over Wild Acres Clubhouse Rebuild
By Wayne Witkowski
Pike County Dispatch - October 28, 2021
DINGMANS FERRY -- Does rebuilding a clubhouse fall under the provisions of a township's subdivision and land development ordinance?
That discussion was the thrust of a special meeting held last Wednesday by the Delaware Township Board of Supervisors regarding Wild Acres private community's plans to rebuild its clubhouse. The meeting was a continuation of agenda items that were not covered during the customary bi-monthly meeting held a week earlier.
Marshall Anders, an attorney representing the homeowners' association, jousted with township Solicitor Thomas Farley while a Wild Ares homeowners' association board member and Nicholas Hewes, senior project manager of MKSD Architects.handling the project design, also participated in the discussion. Hewes was on a teleconference call. They argued that the project does not fall under the jurisdiction of the SALDO in the township ordinance.
"In no way does it affect public use," said Anders in his presentation to the board. "People in the community voted for this and have the right to make that decision. One community building does not affect the public or township in any fashion."
Supervisors countered that the public can come into the community to the building. "Just because it's in the association does not mean it's not in public use," said Farley.
The SALDO sets guidelines for sewer, septic, streets, sidewalks, lighting and stormwater.
Hewes argued that the new clubhouse "has the same footprint" as the existing one. Farley said, upon viewing the plans, the new clubhouse is not identical to the existing one and said stormwater requirements have changed over the years.
Anders said it is not a land development and cited three court cases in which the ruling on SALDO issues favored the community. "Just putting a roof over a patio is not a land development," said Farley of one of the cases.
Farley said the SALDO not only covers land development but any non-residential building. "The clubhouse is a non-residential building. That alone makes it a land development," said Farley, who stressed that no township regulations are prohibiting development, just regulating it.
A Wild Acres HOA board member present at the meeting questioned whether this situation "would open a Pandora's box" of numerous, time consuming and costly conditions. Supervisors pointed out that a $1,500 application fee and $7,500 funds in escrow are the only obligations.
"The intent is to make the project safe for the community and the public, not to drag it out," said Farley.
Farley afterward said it is up to Wild Ares to decide whether to move forward with compliance or litigate it in the courts.
"The ball's in your court," said Board of Supervisors Chairman John Henderson to the Wild Acres representatives.
Also at the meeting Ronald Shaskan was approved unanimously by the supervisors to fill a vacant seat on the township's Recreation Committee and voted to table the decision on Dana Laux filling another vacant seat. Shaskan was on hand to discuss his views as a committee member. He said he'll wait until he begins his tenure to completely determine his outlook. The board agreed to advertise for a third vacant seat on the committee. It also approved advertising that the Rec Committee meets the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at the township Emergency Management Building from October through March and at Akenac Park April through September.
Supevisor Jane Neufeld continued the discussion of prior meetings about spending federal funds from the American Rescue Plan earmarked to the township for COVID relief. "The money can be put to very good use and get a lot of things done," said Neufeld, who said the funds come in two payments totaling $742,000..
Neufeld said road projects "are a high priority for 2022 and there are a number of small cost items that the American Rescue Plan can do."
The board approved paying Zelenkofske Axelrod LLC $4,625 for 2021 ARP consultation services from the ARP for guidance on spending the funding.
Emergency Medical Services
The Pike County Dispatch
By Wayne Witkowski
DINGMANS FERY -- Delaware Township supervisors are planning to set aside $215,000 -- the equivalent of two mills from property taxes -- pulled from unallocated existing taxpayer revenue in the 2022 budget for emergency medical services.
In the past, the township had set aside about $53,000 -- the equivalent of about a half mill -- for EMS services as needed.
The decision to raise the amount to $215,000, which came durirng a special meeting held in late September, was discussed during last Wednesday's budget workshop. The budget workshop followed the bi-monthly regular meeting.
That decision at the special meeting and a subsequent letter sent to the Pike County commissioners confirmed the new allocation by the Oct. 1 deadline to request a matched amount from the the Pike County Commissioners Emergency Medical Services Funding. Townships can apply for a match up to two mills.
Delaware Township has its own basic Life Support and Advanced Life Support ambulance services under the Delaware Township Volunteer Ambulance Corps.
"We would do this to spend money to help our EMS service be as good as it possibly can," said Supervisor Jane Neufeld, who also serves as township treasurer. "We have taken a big step toward that. ... This is a business that (typically) operates in the red."
The county has agreed to match up to two mills of municipal funding EMS, according to the plan announced by the county commissioners on July 27. In the case of Delaware Township, that two mills would equal about $215,000.
Neufeld explained that township money allocated for EMS does not have to come from a dedicated tax levy to be eligible for the county match. "It can come from many different sources (in the budget)," she said.
The county commissioners document reads that "municipalities are encouraged to fund their portion from the general fund, an EMS tax, grants, or a combination." It says "municipalities are encouraged to work with existing providers or contract service to continue or expand coverage."
That means that the funds set aside for EMS will not impact residents' tax rates. Property owners currently pay an 8.68 real estate tax allocation, 1.5 mills for the township's volunteer fire company services and 1.5 for its Recreation Committee's programs, which is about $160,000 available annually to each of the latter two categories.
In the county's proposal it says its matching allocation will:
• Be used to fund the primary municipal EMS provider, as shown on 911 call list. If a municipality has more than one primary provider, then the funds will be adjusted by percentage of coverage area.
• Be specifically used to provide services rather than infrastructure, i.e. paid staff, contracted service, expanded service.
The county will make payments on a quarterly basis.
American Rescue Plan (ARP) allocations from federal COVID-19 relief to the county also have helped the county commissioners offer their Emergency Medical Services Funding.
Resident Eleanore Speert at the workshop asked if the township will put up a referendum for residents' vote in the future to dedicate a tax levy for EMS. "Not yet," responded Supervisor Rick Koehler.
Neufeld said that a dedicated tax can be enacted without referendum up to .5 mills. Beyond that requires a voter referendum.
"We might look at doing a half-mill tax out of the 2022 budget," said Neufeld. That would replace the $53,000 that has been made available in the annual budget for at least the past four years. Or it can be a higher millage rate if approved by voter referendum.
There also has been about $8,000 set aside separately each year for ambulance fuel and workmen's compensation costs. "Residents are learning how important the ambulance business is," said Neufeld.
Neufeld said spending will hinge on DTVAC's record of response to 9-1-1 emergency calls and how well the organization is run. When ambulance corps President Carl Will reported an update at a meeting last month, supervisors asked for financial data. Neufeld said they have received the 2019 990 form tax records but still have not received 2020 data. Neufeld said they were told they will have 2020 data by the end of the year.
Speert asked if the county's Emergency Medical Services Funding will continue beyond this year.
"There has been discussion with the commissions and they feel very strongly that this (plan) will continue beyond a year," Neufeld said.
The budget workshop discussed the township Volunteer Fire Company and its Emergency Management and Neufeld said neither submitted any requests for additional funding.
The Dingmans Ferry Theatre and the Dingmans Ferry-Delaware Township Historical Society also were on the budget workshop agenda. Township historian and historical society President Tim Singleton discussed some of the society's needs, including requests to paint the outside of its building located inside Akenac Park and to fix the deteriorating outside deck as well as improving handicap accessibility. Singleton also requested $2,5000 for monthly lectures by acknowledged experts on historical aspects of the area as well as programs that would include a children's program. Those programs would take place from March through October before the building closes during winter months. Programs had been suspended for a while because of the pandemic.
During the regular workshop that precedes the regular meeting, supervisors discussed and later approved the Nov. 19 through Nov. 21 dates for the Dingmans Ferry Theatre's Beatles tribute show. Dennis Lee, head of the theatre, said he could arrange for a company to install heaters in the theatre cabin, located in Akenac Park, for the colder weather expected at that time, but asked for and received approval for the township to supply the propane.
Supervisors also approved a $94,447 payment to Sherwood Trucks for a 2022 Western Star truck, which includes a trade-in of a used township truck. They also approved a $64,700 payment to Watson Diesel Inc. for upfitting the Western Star truck and to pay Watson $10,150 for the purchase and installation of a plow on the new truck.
Supervisors also discussed a $1,0000 stipend for Matthew Light for his services as Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator . It was pointed out that George Beodeker receives a $2,000 stipend for serving as Emergency Management Coordinator. Supervisors during the regular meeting approved for Beodeker and Light to attend the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors' Fall Emergency Management Forum on Nov. 9 for $220, plus coverage of mileage to drive there and hotel costs.
Supervisor Koehler was appointed to fill, on a temporary basis, one of the three vacancies on the Recreation Committee after three committee members resigned recently. Two other candidates submitted letters of interest.
Township volunteer fire police were granted funding, not to exceed $1,100 to purchase six stream light flashlights ($661.44), six battery operated flares ($317.94), two 24 packs of C batters and two 24 packs of AA batteries.
Supervisors also approved distributing the $3,235.94 Highmark Blue Care rebate to township employees who paid into the plan during 2020.
They also moved to advertise for township grass mowing contracts for all facilities to a private company as has been done in the past. They said, in response to resident Speeert's question, that outsourcing the work instead of relegating it to township Department of Public Works employees has saved the township $13,000.
The township also is purchasing 20 tons of cold patch from Hanson Aggregates for $2,593.
Supervisors also approved a request by R. Hull to use the municipal building on Nov. 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a Thanksgiving Community Dinner for the needy.
Because of a lengthy executive session regarding Blue Ridge Cable and personnel matters, supervisors are holding another special meeting starting 6 p.m. on Oct. 20 on agenda items that they did not have time to cover, including the Recreation Committee. The next regular meeting on Oct. 27 will include a public hearing starting at 7:15 p.m. on a proposed Dilapidated Structure Ordinance. That meeting will be followed by the third and final budget workshop. After that time, the proposed budget will have a 30-day public review period before going to a ratification vote in December.
Short Term Rental Ordinance Talks Continue
Short Term Rental Ordinance Talks Continue
Pike County Dispatch
By Wayne Witkowski
DINGMANS FERRY -- Delaware Township supervisors at their bi-monthly meeting last week discussed the township Planning Commission's recommendations regarding a Short-Term Rental Ordinance and the Dangerous or Dilapidated Structure Ordinance.
They agreed to schedule a public hearing at 7:15 p.m. during a bi-monthly meeting on the Dangerous or Dilapidated Structure Ordinance
Supervisor Jane Neufeld stressed during discussion at the workshop prior to the regular meeting that the ordinance does not address discarded debris but "damages from fire, wind or water" on structures or about generally decayed structures. All could pose safety hazards. "It all comes down to that the township has to receive a complaint," said Neufeld and the property owner has 30 days upon notification from the township to remedy the problem. If proper action is not taken in 30 days, the township will secure the property and charge the owner for that service and a 10 percent penalty.
As for the short-term rental ordinance, it has come under discussion at prior meetings and it was decided after lengthy discussion to return it to the planning commission for further examination regarding zoning and subsequent revisions.
The short-term rental ordinance establishes a maximum occupancy of two persons per bedroom plus four additional guests for overnight stays. Disorderly conduct that is loud or indecent is banned (The township Planning Commission is working on a Noise Ordinance). So is parking at the property of recreation vehicles, campers and trailers as well as setting up tents.
A contact phone number of the homeowner or a phone number of a contact person within 30 miles of the property must be filed with the township in case of emergency.The ordinance establishes placement of smoke detectors around the house and a fire extinguisher in the kitchen. Trash must not be left or stored on the property unless it is for trash pickup.
The ordinance allows homeowner associations to enact additional requirements of short-term rental homeowners living in a private community.
Short-term rental permits are for one year and must be renewed annually. A homeowner loses his short-term rental permit for six months if there is a third violation of the ordinance within a year, pending inspection by the township zoning officer and/or building code official. Suspension of the permit can extend to a year for repeat violations. Fines range from $100 to $1,000, depending on the offense.
The ordinance explains an appeal process for the homeowner that would be heard by the board of supervisors.
Township Administrator Krista Predmore questioned what township zones prohibit short-term rentals. Township Solicitor Tom Farley said short-term rentals are permitted in all zones. Supervisors John Henderson and Rick Koehler expressed their objection to short-term rentals.
Predmore, who said she lives near a short-term rental home, said, "Negatives outweigh the positives. I have a lot of concern about them being in a residential zone."
She also raised the issue of short-term rentals in rural residential zones.
"Those properties are larger," Predmore said. "They have a lot more flexibility in a rural residential zone and I'm also concerned about them in residential zones."
That discussion led to the supervisors recommending that the township Planning Commission re-examine the ordinance.
Also during the meeting, supervisors decided to table the Delaware Township Volunteer Ambulance Corps funding pending a presentation given by DTVAC Board of Directors President Carl Will during the workshop.
Will pointed out to Neufeld's query during the workshop that the corps will have a 2022 budget "hopefully soon." Supervisors hope that can be ready in time for the next Board of Supervisors' budget workshop following the Oct. 13 meeting that will focus on emergency service figures and other township organization needs, such as DTVAC, the township's volunteer fire company, Emergency Management, the Recreation Committee and the Dingmans Ferry-Delaware Township Historical Society.
In Will's presentation, Henderson asked about the number of volunteers and Will said there are six EMTs and even more ambulance drivers, sometimes more than 10. "We're pretty well covered," Will said. But he later said there are "some vehicle issues" with the operation of ambulances.
When Koehler asked about staffing, Will said there is Advance Life Support (ALS) services two days a week, 12 hours per day. He said Basic Life Support services are 24/7, 365 days a year with two EMTs available at all times. He said BLS service costs $50,000 a year on the budget.
During the meeting, the board approved a motion to pay Wayco $298,405.02 for the three box culverts project at Long Meadow, Spencer and Log & Twig roads. It withdrew a lower price bid from Rutledge Excavating because of itemized errors on its bid.
Also during the meeting, the board accepted the resignations of Terasa Tarquini, Mandy Librizzi and Steve Wollman from the Delaware Township Recreation Committee. The trio had objected to the township delaying approval to release funding for pumpkins for the Harvest Festival held last Saturday until it received an updated financial report from the Rec Committee.Funding was approved at the last meeting after financials were submitted to the supervisors.
The board also approved $2,500 to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Food Pantry for its annual Day of Giving.
The board agreed to renew the township's annual $13,439.50 to Municipal Risk Management for the 2021-2022 Worker's Compensation policy.
The supervisors held their first budget workshop after last week's meeting to discuss General Fund, Recreation, Liquid Fuels and the fire company. It was pointed out that the American Recovery Plan for COVID-19 relief allocation of $371,314.03 will cover some expenses, including the cost for installing the new box culverts. Neufeld said the four parts of allowable expenditures covered under ARP that can be spent by the township includes replacing culverts, which falls under "high priority."
Neufeld pointed out that the township can not draft a resolution for the ARP funding until it specifies how the money is going to be spent.
Supervisors at the regular meeting had also approved the consultants Zelenkofske & Axelrod LLC for technical assistance and advice to the township regarding its spending of its ARP funding in the four-year time period. The company, an expert in that area of funding, will receive $18,500 for its services during that four-year period when ARP money is allowed to be spent.
In other budget meeting highlights after the regular meeting, the fire tax allocation to the volunteer department was listed at $145,000. Neufeld said the real estate transfer tax had a "very big year" in 2021 at $212,541 and will still be strong for 2022 at an estimated $175,000.
Roadmaster Vince Flatt said 350 tons of road treatment will be ordered next month for inclement winter weather.