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January 31, 2005
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Besides the ongoing discussion on our blog regarding the upcoming proposed zoning changes, the
Morning Call's Joe Nixon took the opportunity today (1/30/05) to let the world in on Forks' little secret,
there's still a square foot or two that hasn't been developed. It's a worthy article and should be read by
every Forks resident. We are facing some even more profound changes than some of us could
imagine. Read it. Express yourself on the blog!
Morning Call's Joe Nixon took the opportunity today (1/30/05) to let the world in on Forks' little secret,
there's still a square foot or two that hasn't been developed. It's a worthy article and should be read by
every Forks resident. We are facing some even more profound changes than some of us could
imagine. Read it. Express yourself on the blog!
FYI: The Forks Action Committee was quoted in a Joe Nixon Morning Call article 1/22/05. The article is
on the upcoming candidate race for the Supervisor position. Two of the apparently "declared" candidates
were interviewed. The race is on! We will announce our candidate choice very soon.
on the upcoming candidate race for the Supervisor position. Two of the apparently "declared" candidates
were interviewed. The race is on! We will announce our candidate choice very soon.
The Board of Supervisors met on 1/20/2005 at 6:30 PM for two Conditional Use Hearings, one for a day
care and the other for the EASD Middle School. Both were granted. Also at the regular meeting (7:30) the
Board postponed action on the Elected Tax Collector's (June Vail) request for a rate increase saying that
any changes they make to the rates by law can only be effective for the next Tax Collector's term in 2006.
They have a February 15th deadline to do this. Ms. Vail was told to see Judge Moran for a ruling if she
wants a new rate for 2005. The Strausser Enterprises zoning change presentation(s) are now officially
scheduled for 3/10/05 (6:30 PM) for the Planning Commission and at 6:30 PM on 3/17/05 for the Board.
These are PUBLIC meetings. Do attend. Sal Panto, the Strausser representative, said that he would give
copies of the Strausser created proposed zoning ordinance and CDs of the presentation to both the
Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors so that they can consider it privately before the
formal presentations by the developer. ??? Private screenings? Oh boy.
See our blog for more meeting details! Don't forget to read some of the other posts there... and the
Comments too. Don't be afraid to join in the discussion(s) and add your own Comments.
care and the other for the EASD Middle School. Both were granted. Also at the regular meeting (7:30) the
Board postponed action on the Elected Tax Collector's (June Vail) request for a rate increase saying that
any changes they make to the rates by law can only be effective for the next Tax Collector's term in 2006.
They have a February 15th deadline to do this. Ms. Vail was told to see Judge Moran for a ruling if she
wants a new rate for 2005. The Strausser Enterprises zoning change presentation(s) are now officially
scheduled for 3/10/05 (6:30 PM) for the Planning Commission and at 6:30 PM on 3/17/05 for the Board.
These are PUBLIC meetings. Do attend. Sal Panto, the Strausser representative, said that he would give
copies of the Strausser created proposed zoning ordinance and CDs of the presentation to both the
Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors so that they can consider it privately before the
formal presentations by the developer. ??? Private screenings? Oh boy.
See our blog for more meeting details! Don't forget to read some of the other posts there... and the
Comments too. Don't be afraid to join in the discussion(s) and add your own Comments.
The 1/13/05 Planning Commission meeting hit us with a surprise. During discussion of correspondence received the PC
mentioned a letter from Strausser Enterprises which asks for a public hearing to present a proposal for a zoning change.
Strausser Ent. wants to rezone 25 residential acres to allow for the development of a Village at Riverview Estates. Like many
things, this sounds benign on the surface, even beneficial. Because of this developer's history in the Township, one must
question not what is going to be presented but what it will mean for the future. Twenty five acres is a LARGE piece of land.
Today it may be a quaint village serving the new residents. Tomorrow? It's up to YOU to help the Planners, the Zoners, and the
Board learn about it and its far reaching ramifications. ATTEND the next few meetings! The first is on 1/20 (BoS), the second
on 2/10 (PC), and the third on 2/17 (BoS). The public hearing/presentation will PRECEDE one of those meetings. We will let you
know more as we know it.
mentioned a letter from Strausser Enterprises which asks for a public hearing to present a proposal for a zoning change.
Strausser Ent. wants to rezone 25 residential acres to allow for the development of a Village at Riverview Estates. Like many
things, this sounds benign on the surface, even beneficial. Because of this developer's history in the Township, one must
question not what is going to be presented but what it will mean for the future. Twenty five acres is a LARGE piece of land.
Today it may be a quaint village serving the new residents. Tomorrow? It's up to YOU to help the Planners, the Zoners, and the
Board learn about it and its far reaching ramifications. ATTEND the next few meetings! The first is on 1/20 (BoS), the second
on 2/10 (PC), and the third on 2/17 (BoS). The public hearing/presentation will PRECEDE one of those meetings. We will let you
know more as we know it.
The Board of Supervisors re-organizational meeting was held at 7:00 PM on January 3, 2005. They elected officers and
renewed appointments. All but one were unanimous. You can read about it in the Express Times and the Morning Call. Both
Supervisors Nicholas and Holmgaard announced that they had met with the developers (the 400 acres = 830 homes project) in
the Municipal Building recently. Ms. Nicholas stated that she did it because she did not want to be the only Supervisor who did
not know about it. She thinks that the developers should have to go before the Zoning Hearing Board rather than be considered
for overlay zoning. Mr. Holmgaard, who had a similar meeting, thinks zoning isn't an issue but that it should "maybe" go to the
Planning Commission first and then to the Zoning Board.
The special session was followed by a regular Board meeting in which two new full-time police officers, William Mills and
Michael Friel, were hired. Both have been part-time with the force for a while and both were promoted from their part-time
positions. Congratulations!
Forks' Elected Tax Collector, June A. Vail, addressed the Board during the Comments From the Floor session (she did well with
the 5 minute rule). She asked that her pay be commensurate with the pay of elected tax collectors in neighboring communities.
She stated that she earned approximately $7000 in 2004 while the tax collector in Bushkill Township earned $15K "plus tax
earned fees " and the collector in Palmer Township earned in excess of $50K. She said that the Township has $20K in the
budget for the Tax Collector. This issue will be on the agenda for the Jan. 20th meeting.
AND, the EMS Tax (Ordinance No. 290) was unanimously accepted! Everyone holding a job within the Township that pays more
than $12K per year will now be assessed $52 instead of the $10 OPT.
More details are available in the meeting notes on our Blog. Don't forget to read some of the other posts there... and the
Comments to them too.
renewed appointments. All but one were unanimous. You can read about it in the Express Times and the Morning Call. Both
Supervisors Nicholas and Holmgaard announced that they had met with the developers (the 400 acres = 830 homes project) in
the Municipal Building recently. Ms. Nicholas stated that she did it because she did not want to be the only Supervisor who did
not know about it. She thinks that the developers should have to go before the Zoning Hearing Board rather than be considered
for overlay zoning. Mr. Holmgaard, who had a similar meeting, thinks zoning isn't an issue but that it should "maybe" go to the
Planning Commission first and then to the Zoning Board.
The special session was followed by a regular Board meeting in which two new full-time police officers, William Mills and
Michael Friel, were hired. Both have been part-time with the force for a while and both were promoted from their part-time
positions. Congratulations!
Forks' Elected Tax Collector, June A. Vail, addressed the Board during the Comments From the Floor session (she did well with
the 5 minute rule). She asked that her pay be commensurate with the pay of elected tax collectors in neighboring communities.
She stated that she earned approximately $7000 in 2004 while the tax collector in Bushkill Township earned $15K "plus tax
earned fees " and the collector in Palmer Township earned in excess of $50K. She said that the Township has $20K in the
budget for the Tax Collector. This issue will be on the agenda for the Jan. 20th meeting.
AND, the EMS Tax (Ordinance No. 290) was unanimously accepted! Everyone holding a job within the Township that pays more
than $12K per year will now be assessed $52 instead of the $10 OPT.
More details are available in the meeting notes on our Blog. Don't forget to read some of the other posts there... and the
Comments to them too.
In case any of you wonder how our website and blog are doing lately, here are some graphs to view. Double click on the images
below for larger views. We are excited at the traffic we are getting. Thank you all! Tell your friends!
below for larger views. We are excited at the traffic we are getting. Thank you all! Tell your friends!
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