Damascus Township Board of Supervisors
Aug 19, 2024
-by Mark Casner, River Reporter.
Present were the following:
Joseph Canfield, Chair
Sean Rutledge Vice Chair
Steve Adams, Operational Supervisor
Ed Lagarenne, Zoning Officer
Alex Tucciarone, Chair of Planning Commission.
Jeff Dexter, Delegate to the Upper Delaware Council
RE: Storm of August 9-10, 2024
Documentation and estimates are in process as to storm damage. There was an emergency declaration. The township did meet the threshold for state assistance. There will be an application once the estimates have been collected.
Please note:
“USDA's NRCS is conducting a rapid survey to determine if the impacts of flooding from the August 9, 2024 rainfall events have caused a watershed impairment and has left property owners at risk. FOR FARMS, UTILITIES AND CERTAIN RESIDENCES - CONTACT THE DAMASCUS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR FOR DETAILS”
The emergency coordinator is
Ed Lagarenne
(570) 224-4410
e-mail: zoningdamascus07@gmail.com
Public Input
Visitors from the NEP telephone company or NEP data came to the meeting. They plan to and are coming to northeast pennsylvania to provide services, including “video services” to customers here. They mentioned that they work at the pleasure of the F.C.C. or with appropriate regulatory oversight, and have contracts with other localities throughout the Commonwealth, and want to avoid issues with the approving entity, which in this case is Damascus Township. They are established and are looking to provide services, as they have been asked to do so, to Wayne County and Northeastern Pennsylvania. These services include high speed internet, fiber optics, and video services. They are questioning the modifications to the signed approval in the case of Damascus Township. Township supervisors replied that the company should “use what is there, PPL, Verizon poles; whatever is in place”. For example, if a line of poles is there on the left side of the local road, don’t ask to put more poles on the right side of the same road. Private Property rights were mentioned. It was noted that NAP has agreements with Penn Electric and Verizon that entail use of same lines or poles.
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NEP Data continued
We have previously reported on the contract between NEP data and Damascus Township.1 This is the NEP DataVision Franchise Agreement 2024-04.
According to the minutes of July 15 2024,
“The Board of Supervisors received an updated copy from Treat addressing their concerns. After looking over the changes and discussing the agreement the Board decided to remove the word “excess” from Section 4. Adams made a motion to send Resolution 2024-04 to NEP DataVision for review/approval then resubmit a signed copy to act on during the Aug. 19th meeting. Canfield seconded the motion, motion carried all in favor.”2
Blue Ridge Cable vs PennTeleDate Phone service.
This is phone service for the Township administrators. The motion was made to go with Blue Ridge. Motion Passed.
Steve’s Report - Supervisor Steve Adams reporting on Bridges, Roads and Projects -Chicopee Rd
-Grist MIll Rd.
-Davis Rd plan
- Cul-de-sac.
Chipseal Bids: Stone House, Old Road, First Steet, Second Steet, Third Street, Elizabeth, Highschool, Atco, Edward, Plank, Main Avenue advertised and bid out on PennBid. -Grading calcium.
-Sky Lake, flat rock.
-Kellam Rd- ditching
-Stonehouse Rd. - Culvert Pipe Washed out twice.
Also Stonehouse Road- spray patching and bid for Tar/chipping.
T.A.G. Grant- Application is due August 23.
The Commonwealth will not approve an application to install a monitor screen in the Damascus Township Building. The grant should be used for services, not products.3 The township is looking to submit an application in time.
In process - Looking at used motor-grader for the township. There is one in mind. There was a Motion to get the demonstration of the motor-grader done on site at Damascus Township building grounds or someplace locally . Motion Approved.
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Political Signs
Discussion of political signs due to upcoming election and the recent mail ballot deadlines. As a reminder, the local zoning ordinance for Damascus Township PA has the following under Section 408.6 “Temporary Signs: The following temporary signs shall be permitted in all Districts: Special advertising or business identification signs or banners not exceeding sixty-four (64) square feet in total surface area; including, but not limited to, signs announcing to the general public any special events such as commercial sales days, cultural or entertainment attractions, or charitable activities. These shall be permitted for the length of the activity, but in no case exceeding seven (7) days after the event. Political signs may be permitted on a similar basis.”
In addition , under Section 408.7 “Has the following under section 408.6 “Temporary Signs: The following temporary
signs shall be permitted in all Districts: Special advertising or business identification signs or banners not exceeding sixty-four (64) square feet in total surface area; including, but not limited to, signs announcing to the general public any special events such as commercial sales days, cultural or entertainment attractions, or charitable activities. These shall be permitted for the length of the activity, but in no case exceeding seven (7) days after the event. Political signs may be permitted on a similar basis.” In addition , under section 408.7 “ No sign, except a public sign, visible from a public road, shall
use the words "stop," "danger" or any other word, phrase, symbol or character which could be interpreted by a motorist as being a public safety warning or traffic sign.”4
U.D.C news: (Jeff Dexter)
Work has begun on the 17 million dollar upgrade to Calicoon-Damascus Bridge. This will include bridge deck replacement and repairs to the Piers underneath. There will also be a causeway built so that equipment can have access at river level. As previously reported there were delays in the past to this already-approved project and the current work will continue
until November 2027.
A Northern Snakehead fish was seen near Easton PA, but not caught.
The Northern Snakehead is an invasive species. Anglers will see the occasional sign posted near the Delaware River with photo. These can be reported if seen. The Northern Snakehead is an aggressive predator and has been associated with declines in sport fish such as Bass.
4 https://damascustwp.org/ord/ZONING.pdf
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U.D.C news: (Jeff Dexter)
Work has begun on the 17 million dollar upgrade to Calicoon-Damascus Bridge5. This will include bridge deck replacement and repairs to the Piers underneath. There will also be a causeway built so that equipment can have access at river level. As previously reported there were delays in the past to this already-approved project and the current work will continue until November 2027.6
UDC, continued
A Snakehead Fish was seen near Easton PA, but not caught.
The snakehead is an invasive species. Anglers will see the occasional sign posted near the Delaware River with photo. These can be reported if seen.7the Northern Snakehead is an aggressive predator and has been associated with declines in sport fish such as Bass. Anglers have been advised to harvest and kill the Northern Snakehead fish onsite.8
Jeff’s Report- Jeff Dexter reporting on Damascus Manor Community Center and the Recycling Program.
Recycling : last time was Aug 10.
6 customers assisted last time.
Pancake Breakfast :Successful community breakfast, Sunday Aug 10.
The Anacheck family who are the new owners of Wahoo Ice Cream right here in Damascus Township, provided some Ice Cream for those who wanted, on their pancakes or on the side. The regular community breakfast menu includes eggs, scrambled or how you like them, sausage, bacon, buckwheat and classic pancakes, applesauce, coffee, tea, juice. They may have locally produced maple syrup as well.
Next: September 14 2024 for Recycling and for the Community Pancake Breakfast
1 https://riverreporter.com/
2 “Adams” refers to Steve Adams, Damascus Supervisor, and “Canfield” refers to Joseph Canfield Damascus Supervisor
3 https://dced.pa.gov/local-government/technical-assistance/
4 https://damascustwp.org/ord/ZONING.pdf
5 https://delawarecurrents.org/2024/07/26/callicoon-bridge/
6
https://upperdelawarecouncil.org/callicoon-damascus-bridge-rehab-starts-in-july-skinners-falls-milanville-b ridge-future-uncertain/
7 https://www.fishandboat.com/Fishing/All-About-Fish/Catch-PA-Fish/Pages/Snakehead.aspx 8 https://www.media.pa.gov/pages/fish-and-boat-commission-details.aspx?newsid=534