| Forks Action Committee |
| Homepage - Last Day of the Month |
| May 31, 2005 |
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Thank you to the 35+ residents who attended our May Forks Action Committee
meeting! The positive feedback regarding Professor Roger Ruggles presentation
about flooding and storm-water runoff was very well received and appreciated. As
a reminder there will be no meetings during the summer months but we encourage
everyone to continue to attend Board of Supervisors meetings (1st and 3rd
Thursdays) and Planning Commission (2nd Thursday and the Workshop on the 4th
Tuesday) Meetings.
We look forward to seeing you again in September. Please let us know if there
are any topics or specific speakers that you would like to see at future meetings.
Also, if you would like to help coordinate and plan for our "meet the candidate"
forums please drop us a line.
On behalf of everyone at Forks Action Committee, please have a safe, enjoyable
and relaxing summer!
meeting! The positive feedback regarding Professor Roger Ruggles presentation
about flooding and storm-water runoff was very well received and appreciated. As
a reminder there will be no meetings during the summer months but we encourage
everyone to continue to attend Board of Supervisors meetings (1st and 3rd
Thursdays) and Planning Commission (2nd Thursday and the Workshop on the 4th
Tuesday) Meetings.
We look forward to seeing you again in September. Please let us know if there
are any topics or specific speakers that you would like to see at future meetings.
Also, if you would like to help coordinate and plan for our "meet the candidate"
forums please drop us a line.
On behalf of everyone at Forks Action Committee, please have a safe, enjoyable
and relaxing summer!
Strausser Enterprises' representative, Sal Panto, presented the proposed Village at Riverview project to a Joint Meeting
of the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors on May 24th. It was his third presentation to the
Township officials of this commercial development in the CR (country residential) district. Strausser Enterprises is asking for
a zoning change to allow it but mostly he is asking for our officials to indicate that they want him to go ahead with the project's
planning. Panto said that he held a meeting with some Riverview residents the night before (5/23/05). Some of these
residents were present in the crowded audience. Some spoke in favor of the project, others spoke against it. Obviously, the
Riverview residents are not 100% behind it. There was no mention by Panto of the "focus groups" that he has talked about in
previous presentations.
The PC, after hearing all about it and asking questions, voted on whether or not to recommend the project to the Board. Their
vote was a 3:3 tie. They are making NO recommendation one way or the other. John Ackerman, Chairman of the Board of
Supervisors, asked that IT be added to the June 2nd BoS agenda.
A TIE vote by the PC should mean that another vote should be taken shouldn't it? Really, think about it. If the PC is THE
advisory entity to the Board, should they not be required to issue advice? A tie means they have not come to a consensus and
therefore can issue NO ADVICE. However, if the Board then votes (it will be added to the 6/2/05 BoS agenda according to
Board Chairman Ackerman at this meeting) for Strausser's crew to continue work on the plans, is it then implicitly RUBBER
STAMPING it? How, if they ask Strausser Enterprises to invest MORE money in the plan, can they then turn it down? They
can't. They will be part of the process and therefore, the process will yield a project. This should go back to the PC for another
vote and another and another if necessary until the PC can perform its advisory function.
Read more details of the presentation in our blog... express your opinion! For more about it, check out Joe Nixon's (5/25/05)
Morning Call report too.
of the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors on May 24th. It was his third presentation to the
Township officials of this commercial development in the CR (country residential) district. Strausser Enterprises is asking for
a zoning change to allow it but mostly he is asking for our officials to indicate that they want him to go ahead with the project's
planning. Panto said that he held a meeting with some Riverview residents the night before (5/23/05). Some of these
residents were present in the crowded audience. Some spoke in favor of the project, others spoke against it. Obviously, the
Riverview residents are not 100% behind it. There was no mention by Panto of the "focus groups" that he has talked about in
previous presentations.
The PC, after hearing all about it and asking questions, voted on whether or not to recommend the project to the Board. Their
vote was a 3:3 tie. They are making NO recommendation one way or the other. John Ackerman, Chairman of the Board of
Supervisors, asked that IT be added to the June 2nd BoS agenda.
A TIE vote by the PC should mean that another vote should be taken shouldn't it? Really, think about it. If the PC is THE
advisory entity to the Board, should they not be required to issue advice? A tie means they have not come to a consensus and
therefore can issue NO ADVICE. However, if the Board then votes (it will be added to the 6/2/05 BoS agenda according to
Board Chairman Ackerman at this meeting) for Strausser's crew to continue work on the plans, is it then implicitly RUBBER
STAMPING it? How, if they ask Strausser Enterprises to invest MORE money in the plan, can they then turn it down? They
can't. They will be part of the process and therefore, the process will yield a project. This should go back to the PC for another
vote and another and another if necessary until the PC can perform its advisory function.
Read more details of the presentation in our blog... express your opinion! For more about it, check out Joe Nixon's (5/25/05)
Morning Call report too.
The regular Board of Supervisors meeting on May 19th had a bit of a different flavor. There were no major future
projects on the agenda but there was much discussion about an existing project, the Sullivan Trail Business Park, including an
appearance and participation by the site's developer, Michael Goffredo. Goffredo made several arguments about the current
state of the project's improvements. He said that "there is nothing that will deter the heavy construction sequences with the
roads in their current state" and that the roads are settling. His second point was that under the terms of the agreement there
is a 2 year period FROM THE DATE OF THE FIRST PERMITS for the site improvements to be completed. Interesting since the
building permits cannot be issued until the improvements are completed (to a point) and that the lots are being sold and
Goffredo will not be the entity applying for building permits. A "catch-22" for sure! We did learn that there have been 51" of rain
in the Township for 2 years in a row. And, that the Sullivan Trail/Uhlers Road intersection is one of the "most difficult" in the
Township.
In the "duh, how'd they do that department," the Board voted 3:2 to advertise the new position of Finance Manager. So much for
the "re-evaluation" of the need for such a post after the new software package has been in place for 6 months. Right. The title
seems to have changed from what was originally discussed last November (Finance Director) to Finance Manager.
Supervisor Hoff said that he and Township Manager Kichline have written a job description. It was not read at the meeting. As
to where the money will come from, no one seems to know since the funds set aside in the 2005 budget have been used to
hire a receptionist (at the agreement of the both Board and the Township Manager).
In other meeting news, a resident once again implored the Board to raise the fees charged to developers. He asked that it be
put on the next agenda. Chairman Ackerman said that it would be on there. This is good news as is the appointment of
resident, Jim Wideman to fill the vacancy on the Planning Commission. (Brent Alinger resigned due to a job change. The term
expires 12/31/06).
After the executive session to discuss personnel and real estate issues, it was announced that Deputy Fire Chief Brian Weis
will be the new tenant in the little stone house next to the park. He is willing to undertake all the necessary minor repairs
himself and will pay a rent of $750/mth.
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.
projects on the agenda but there was much discussion about an existing project, the Sullivan Trail Business Park, including an
appearance and participation by the site's developer, Michael Goffredo. Goffredo made several arguments about the current
state of the project's improvements. He said that "there is nothing that will deter the heavy construction sequences with the
roads in their current state" and that the roads are settling. His second point was that under the terms of the agreement there
is a 2 year period FROM THE DATE OF THE FIRST PERMITS for the site improvements to be completed. Interesting since the
building permits cannot be issued until the improvements are completed (to a point) and that the lots are being sold and
Goffredo will not be the entity applying for building permits. A "catch-22" for sure! We did learn that there have been 51" of rain
in the Township for 2 years in a row. And, that the Sullivan Trail/Uhlers Road intersection is one of the "most difficult" in the
Township.
In the "duh, how'd they do that department," the Board voted 3:2 to advertise the new position of Finance Manager. So much for
the "re-evaluation" of the need for such a post after the new software package has been in place for 6 months. Right. The title
seems to have changed from what was originally discussed last November (Finance Director) to Finance Manager.
Supervisor Hoff said that he and Township Manager Kichline have written a job description. It was not read at the meeting. As
to where the money will come from, no one seems to know since the funds set aside in the 2005 budget have been used to
hire a receptionist (at the agreement of the both Board and the Township Manager).
In other meeting news, a resident once again implored the Board to raise the fees charged to developers. He asked that it be
put on the next agenda. Chairman Ackerman said that it would be on there. This is good news as is the appointment of
resident, Jim Wideman to fill the vacancy on the Planning Commission. (Brent Alinger resigned due to a job change. The term
expires 12/31/06).
After the executive session to discuss personnel and real estate issues, it was announced that Deputy Fire Chief Brian Weis
will be the new tenant in the little stone house next to the park. He is willing to undertake all the necessary minor repairs
himself and will pay a rent of $750/mth.
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.
Primary Day has come and gone. The winning candidates have been chosen by 15% (or so) of the registered Forks voters
who braved the sunshine and beautiful weather to come out and vote. We applaud these voters who took time from their busy
schedules to make a difference in Forks Township.
who braved the sunshine and beautiful weather to come out and vote. We applaud these voters who took time from their busy
schedules to make a difference in Forks Township.
We have added some links to our TELL THEM page. One is to the NOAA (Easton) weather site, another is to NOAA's Delaware
River height page and another is to an online petition for flood control on the Delaware River. From the website: "This petition
is meant to directly address New York City Department of Environmental Protection and their responsibility towards flooding
and environmental issues." We believe these links will be helpful to all who live along our river and streams.
River height page and another is to an online petition for flood control on the Delaware River. From the website: "This petition
is meant to directly address New York City Department of Environmental Protection and their responsibility towards flooding
and environmental issues." We believe these links will be helpful to all who live along our river and streams.
In other news around the Township, we learned that the Meco and Sullivan Trail stoplight is "in design" and that the Uhler &
Sullivan Trail improvements are tied in with the Sullivan Trail Business Park and the U-Store-It project. There is no timeline yet.
The developer of the Sullivan Trail Business Park, Goffredo, has yet to finish the site improvements. Warren Hospital and
Merchants National Bank of Bangor are anxious to begin their projects and cannot until the developer does his part. Maybe
they have the "muscle" to make it happen. Uhler Road is very backed up these days.
Sullivan Trail improvements are tied in with the Sullivan Trail Business Park and the U-Store-It project. There is no timeline yet.
The developer of the Sullivan Trail Business Park, Goffredo, has yet to finish the site improvements. Warren Hospital and
Merchants National Bank of Bangor are anxious to begin their projects and cannot until the developer does his part. Maybe
they have the "muscle" to make it happen. Uhler Road is very backed up these days.
The Board of Supervisors May 5th meeting was held before a room full of residents and STUDENTS from EAHS.
There were at least two dozen students there. Some even stayed for the entire main portion of the meeting. They got an earful
too since a few dozen flood victim residents showed up to express their disappointment with the Township for the lack of
assistance and general consideration immediately following the April flooding. They described that while they were working to
remove their soaked belongings from their homes, the Township and PennDot came by with street sweepers to clear the mud
from the roads causing a cloud of possibly toxic river silt to fill the air and then coat everything they were working to clean. They
told how hurt they felt when they read letters to the editor in the newspapers from flood victims in nearby communities thanking
their municipalities for the help they received (drinking water and roads and homes hosed to rid them of the mud) while they got
no help at all. They told of how there was NO radio coverage describing the rising river levels and when told by Supervisor
Miller that the State has a website with that information they said that not everyone has computers. They suggested that the
Township's new website include a river level report that is specific to Forks Township. They asked the Township for help
working with FEMA/PEMA. Chairman Ackerman asked that a special meeting be set up to hear their problems and see what
can be done to help. It was a very sad meeting. It is disheartening to learn how little WE did to help those affected. Forks
residents have been hit by two devastating floods in 6-1/2 months. We hope that a plan will be developed and implemented
that will deal with the next tragedy in a more compassionate way.
At the end of this night's Executive Session, the Board voted 5:0 to accept the resignation of Officer Terre Feinberg.
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.
There were at least two dozen students there. Some even stayed for the entire main portion of the meeting. They got an earful
too since a few dozen flood victim residents showed up to express their disappointment with the Township for the lack of
assistance and general consideration immediately following the April flooding. They described that while they were working to
remove their soaked belongings from their homes, the Township and PennDot came by with street sweepers to clear the mud
from the roads causing a cloud of possibly toxic river silt to fill the air and then coat everything they were working to clean. They
told how hurt they felt when they read letters to the editor in the newspapers from flood victims in nearby communities thanking
their municipalities for the help they received (drinking water and roads and homes hosed to rid them of the mud) while they got
no help at all. They told of how there was NO radio coverage describing the rising river levels and when told by Supervisor
Miller that the State has a website with that information they said that not everyone has computers. They suggested that the
Township's new website include a river level report that is specific to Forks Township. They asked the Township for help
working with FEMA/PEMA. Chairman Ackerman asked that a special meeting be set up to hear their problems and see what
can be done to help. It was a very sad meeting. It is disheartening to learn how little WE did to help those affected. Forks
residents have been hit by two devastating floods in 6-1/2 months. We hope that a plan will be developed and implemented
that will deal with the next tragedy in a more compassionate way.
At the end of this night's Executive Session, the Board voted 5:0 to accept the resignation of Officer Terre Feinberg.
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 League of Women's Voters Guide insert in the 5/5/2005 Morning Call contains an inaccuracy. It
indicates that Forks voters can choose "not more than two" candidates for the ONE open Supervisor's seat. You may only vote
for one, Democrat or Republican. Our endorsed candidate, C. David Howell, the lone Democrat was not allowed to submit a
statement. He contacted the League and was told that since he is uncontested in the Primary his statement would neither be
solicited nor published. It will be in the General Election guide in November. The League only requests and published the
statements of candidates in contested Primary races. All Republican candidates for Supervisor were approached.
indicates that Forks voters can choose "not more than two" candidates for the ONE open Supervisor's seat. You may only vote
for one, Democrat or Republican. Our endorsed candidate, C. David Howell, the lone Democrat was not allowed to submit a
statement. He contacted the League and was told that since he is uncontested in the Primary his statement would neither be
solicited nor published. It will be in the General Election guide in November. The League only requests and published the
statements of candidates in contested Primary races. All Republican candidates for Supervisor were approached.
We just learned that the absentee ballots have the same inaccuracy "vote for not more than two"
in the Forks Supervisors race! The Voter's office has been notified by email. We will keep you posted!
in the Forks Supervisors race! The Voter's office has been notified by email. We will keep you posted!
Registered INDEPENDENTS can vote on ballot questions in the Primaries! The Jim Deegan 5/4/2005
Express Times article, Borrowing Plan Would Cover Flood Control describes a ballot question of interest to us all. The State
plan is to borrow $625 million "to preserve open space and spur environmental cleanups." It includes money to help control
floods. The source of the funds is not yet set but the legislation specifically states that debt paydowns will NOT come from new
taxes or fees. Click on the link above, read the plan, and VOTE in the Primary on May 17th.
Express Times article, Borrowing Plan Would Cover Flood Control describes a ballot question of interest to us all. The State
plan is to borrow $625 million "to preserve open space and spur environmental cleanups." It includes money to help control
floods. The source of the funds is not yet set but the legislation specifically states that debt paydowns will NOT come from new
taxes or fees. Click on the link above, read the plan, and VOTE in the Primary on May 17th.
FEMA has announced the May 6th closing of its Disaster Recovery Center in Forks Township. If you
need their help, you are urged to contact them ASAP. You should register before you go to the center by calling 800-621-3362.
Also, we were provided with a flier recently distributed to Forks residents living in the flood plain urging them to attend the May
5th BoS meeting. We hope that the organizers approach the Township before the Tuesday deadline in order to get this
important topic listed as an agenda item. If not, well, the speaker(s) will be limited to FIVE minutes (each) during the
Comments session. NEW RULES!
need their help, you are urged to contact them ASAP. You should register before you go to the center by calling 800-621-3362.
Also, we were provided with a flier recently distributed to Forks residents living in the flood plain urging them to attend the May
5th BoS meeting. We hope that the organizers approach the Township before the Tuesday deadline in order to get this
important topic listed as an agenda item. If not, well, the speaker(s) will be limited to FIVE minutes (each) during the
Comments session. NEW RULES!
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!
images below for larger views. We are excited at the traffic we are getting. Thank you all! Tell your friends!
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