Berlin Twp roads, properties

Linda Drollinger
Posted 8/21/12

BEACH LAKE, PA — “Thank you for joining us tonight. We’re glad you could make it. If you have questions or comments, jump right in.” Chairman Paul Henry’s opening remarks at the August 19 …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Berlin Twp roads, properties

Posted

BEACH LAKE, PA — “Thank you for joining us tonight. We’re glad you could make it. If you have questions or comments, jump right in.” Chairman Paul Henry’s opening remarks at the August 19 meeting of the Berlin township board of supervisors set an interactive tone for the evening.

“Anyone here want to volunteer to be on the board of the community center?” asked Henry. No one responded. Henry was looking for people willing to donate a few hours per month to operation of the township’s community center building. Supervisor Cathy Hunt outlined board-member duties: some light bookkeeping, newsletter production and oversight of fundraising activities as well as cleaning and maintenance contracts. Anyone interested in learning more about these open, unpaid positions should contact Cathy Hunt at 570/729-8073. The community center is located at 50 Milanville Rd. in Beach Lake. Berlin township residency is not required.

Referring to a PennDOT letter request for the township to identify the three “worst condition” state roads within its borders, Henry immediately named Peggy Runway and Adams Pond Road. Then he asked everyone present for suggestions. At first there was silence. But after Henry said that scarcely a meeting goes by that someone doesn’t complain about the terrible condition of one state road or another, a few other roads were mentioned. The winner, by consensus, was Smith Hill Road.

Hunt reported on the disposition of Dollar General’s (DG) Preliminary Land Development Plan submission. The proposed site for a new DG store, next to Joe’s Ranch House on Route 652, is currently under review by Wayne County, and Hunt said that the $2,500 escrow retainer received from DG will fund township solicitor and engineer reviews aimed at achieving a lot landscaped with trees, shrubbery and benches, similar to the CVS property in Honesdale.

Before adjourning, Henry asked the public to voice their concerns on any matter at all. Several people asked what could be done about the high number of derelict properties in the township. Henry said that Pennsylvania’s Abandoned and Blighted Property Conservatorship Act (www.rhls.org/documents/ConservatorshipManualDec09Draft.pdf) might provide a vehicle to rid the township of eyesores that deter residents and businesses alike from moving into the area. The stated purpose of the act, which went into effect February 26, 2009, is “to alleviate the negative economic effect that abandoned and blighted properties have on business, neighboring property owners, municipalities and taxpayers. The act provides for court-appointed conservators to rehabilitate blighted residential, commercial and industrial properties in order to bring them into compliance with municipal codes and, eventually, transform them into productive reuse.”(www.pahouse.com/deasy/conservatorship_act.asp.)

Henry noted that this relatively new legislation is still subject to court challenges and amendments, as is most new legislation. “When the bugs are finally worked out, it may be in our favor,” said Henry.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here