Superintendent open to tractor-trailer ban on Route 209

| 16 May 2013 | 12:29

By Charles Reynolds
— The superintendent of the Delaware Water Gap Recreational Area told a Milford supervisor that he opposes all commercial traffic on Route 290 through the park, but would not oppose a ban that affected only tractor-trailers.

According to Supervisor Gary Clark, who reported to the supervisors on May 6, Superintendent John Donahue said he would not actively pursue legislation related to banning commercial traffic Route 209. If the current law allowing limited commercial use of the road expired in September 2015, Donahue would be just fine with that, Clark said.

Donahue also told Clark that any proposed legislation would be active for only five years, not ten, because “things change.” The 2005 law allowing limited commercial traffic was good for 10 years, and will expire in 2015.

“That doesn't mean the township is going to sit silent on the issue,” said Supervisor Donald Quick. He said light commercial traffic on Route 209 was necessary for the area's economic viability.

“We will still need to be vigilant and work with other municipalities and counties to see that happens," Quick said.

Donahue told Clark that his budget — which went from $10.5 million to $8.9 million as a result of the federal sequester — was still a problem. The National Park Service would save $150,000 if it did not have to staff the park booths on 209 that serve commercial vehicles.

Clark said they also discussed the gates on Raymondskill Road and Milford Beach. Earlier this spring, Donahue said he was going to close Milford Beach for the season because of the deep budget cuts set in motion by the sequester. But soon thereafter, Tennessee Gas Pipeline, which is clearing masses of trees as part of its Northeast Upgrade, ponied up the money to keep the beach open.

Donahue told the Milford officials that the gates at Raymondskill Road and the beach were only to be closed for emergencies, such as flooding, downed trees or accidents.

Kenneth Rosanelli, vice-chair of Milford's planning board, also attended the meeting with Clark and Donahue.

Clark said Donahue was open to coming before the supervisors to answer questions.

"At this point," Quick said, "he answered a lot of questions that were on our horizon.” He said he would not be inviting him.

Nancy Price politicks
The meeting closed with a long speech by Nancy Price of Milford Borough, who is running against Sheriff Philip Bueki in the November election. Despite the rejoinder by Quick to “not politically campaign,” she proceeded to do just that.

Price said she was concerned about the federal government coming in, "taking our guns," “kicking on our doors,” and violating the Fourth Amendment rights of citizens. She supports a bill to jail and fine any federal, state or local agent that takes away guns.

She said the National Defense Authorization Act allows the President to “assassinate even any American citizen suspected of terrorism.”

She said the sheriff's position is simply administrative, which gives her the qualifications since she was a project manager for a law firm.

After a heated exchange with the township solicitor, Douglas Jacobs, who also acts as solicitor for the county Sheriff's office, Quick intervened. Price relented.

In other business
Fire report — Fire Chief Tony Mann said year-to-date his department responded to 188 EMS calls and 117 fire calls.

Four members of the department completed EMT classes, others attended Pre-Incident Planning and the Junior Firefighter Weekend, and three members will attend the firefighter essentials program this month. The department purchased a 200-hour training package from Bucks County Community College for training that “might not be feasible for all the county.” Three of the department's officers will attend the Lancaster County Fire Expo in Harrisburg with $12,000 in grant money, which is earmarked for specific purchases.

Members of his department participated in the St. Baldric's fundraiser for Children with Cancer hosted by the Dingman Township fire department. The Milford team raised over $1,000 for the cause.

Government group — The Tri-State Government Group met in Matamoras at the invitation of borough mayor Janet Clark to “explore how the municipalities can work to together and solve problems.” The first meeting was just organizational in nature. Attending were Mayor Clark of Matamoras, Mayor Bo Fean of Milford Borough, Supervisor Bob Eubanks from Westfall, Supervisor Clark from the township, and George Zitone from Montague. The next meeting will be held on June 14. The group requested use of the Milford Township Administration building.

Next meeting — The next supervisors meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, May 20, in the township administration building.