DallasTownship
Volume 2 | Issue 4
Home of the Mountaineers
Visit us online: DallasTownship.com | facebook.com/DallasTownship
Historic School to be Razed
Photo by Christopher S. Conccert
Sad Ending to a Bygone Era
In a culture that urges the renovation and reuse of old buildings, it is a sad state of affairs when
a well-built historic landmark school can’t be spared from the wrath of a wrecking ball and
retain a place of respect in our community. Although there were two very credible proposals
placed on the table a few years ago, as well as a structural integrity study attesting to the soundness of the old Township School, it is moot at this juncture to point the finger of blame for allowing the building to fall into its present state. Perhaps we should reflect back to a simpler time
when our parents and grandparents enjoyed the value of education for the sake of academics,
with athletics as a secondary consideration.
In an attempt to salvage (literally) the history of our foremothers and fathers, Dallas Township
has petitioned the Dallas School District for the cupola, an eyebrow window, chalkboards, and
several pallets of brick to be used in the construct of a memorial to the school. Although there is
no immediate plan in place, residents are urged to share their ideas with Supervisor Liz Martin,
via email at [email protected], on the Township’s Facebook page, or by calling the
office at (570) 674-2008 to speak with her directly.
To Park...
Winter parking. Except in locations
where it is otherwise prohibited and/or
restrictive, vehicular parking on Dallas
Township roads is prohibited during the
period from November 1 through April 30,
inclusive, between the hours of 6:00 p.m.
and 6:00 a.m. to facilitate snow removal.
Fire lanes. The Dallas Township Board of
Supervisors, through the Dallas Township
Zoning and Planning Commission, may
require the owners of shopping centers,
businesses, or other commercial property
...or Not?
owners to establish fire
lanes around the build
ings and structures
on their property. It shall
be unlawful for any
person to park, or allow
to remain parked, any vehicle in an area about
any commercial establishment or other buildings which has been designated and marked as
a “fire lane.” This shall apply to areas designated
as a “fire lane” on both public and private property. Violators will be subject to fines.
Dallas Township
News & Views
In an effort to keep our residents
abreast of news and current events in the
Township, we urge you to read this issue
of our quarterly newsletter. If you haven’t
already done so, please take the time to
sign up for subsequent issues at www.
dallastownship.com.
If you don’t have access to a computer,
call (570) 674-2000. Copies will also be
available at the Township office.
We’re just a phone call
away... (570) 674-2000!
Increased Accessibility
The Dallas Township Municipal Office
is now accessible to our residents 24/7 due
to the installation of an auto attendant
system from Frontier Communications.
By calling (570) 674-2000, a voicedirected system will instruct callers how
to reach the party they seek, and will also
include the ability to leave a voicemail
message.
For those wary of automated systems,
simply hit “0” when the system answers
and your call will be directed to the office
during normal business hours.
The Roundabout & Upper Demunds
Dallas Township
News Clips
Ordinances Passed
Ord. #1 of 2013: SALDO Amendment
Comprehensive Plan
Dallas Township’s Comprehensive
Plan/VISIONING Committee is
comprised of Township officials and
residents and meet on the last Monday
each month, as needed.
Presently in its final phase, the
Comprehensive Plan will promote
sustainable development concepts to
emphasize the Township’s exceptional
natural environment, sense of place, and
community character, while supporting
new development strategies.
By now, Back Mountain residents are quite
aware of significant changes being planned
for the 5-point intersection in Dallas over the
next few years. In 2015, we should begin to
see preliminary utility work commence; and
then, by 2016, Downtown Dallas will find
itself in the throngs of major construction for
the proposed roundabout.
Driving through Dallas will become a
challenge - one detour after another - but the
end product promises to ease traffic issues
that have plagued that intersection for many
years.
Roundabout aside, Dallas Township will
also experience its own changes as the Upper
Demunds/Hildebrandt Road intersection is
restructured and Upper Demunds Road is
redirected to meet SR 309 at a new light signal, between the Dallas Township Building
and former Dallas Drive-In property.
Eliminated will be the infamous S-curve
and intersection with Hildebrandt Road near
the existing light signal. Numerous traffic
accidents have historically occurred at this
intersection. The addition of a full turning
lane is also planned.
Both projects are part of the same
PennDOT project that has been part of the
TIP (Traffic Improvement Project) since
about 2003.
The Commonwealth’s Twelve Year Transporation Program (TYP) is Pennsylvania’s
official transportation program. The TYP is
a dynamic schedule of agreed upon priority projects that PennDOT, with its various
partners, will work to accomplish over a
twelve-year period.
The program is fiscally constrained to be
consistent with expected funding levels.
Regular review of the Program is made and
changes, if necessary, are based on the ability
to accomplish projects, the costs for projects,
and changing needs.
For a video clip of the proposed roundabout in action, visit http://www.youtube.
com/watch?v=hVrT8zIq2Yc
Adminstrative office:
(570) 674-2000
Frank Wagner - Supervisor, Chairman
Liz Martin - Supervisor, Vice Chairman
Bill Grant - Supervisor
Nancy Balutis - Secretary/Treasurer
Liz Martin - Assistant Secretary/Treasurer
Tammy Miller - Clerk/Zoning & Planning
Commission Secretary
Carl Alber - Zoning/Code
Enforcement Officer
Robert Jolley - Police Chief
Len Kozick - Tax Collector
Resident Reminder
Martin Barry - Road Master
Snowplow Mailbox Policy
While Dallas Township does not prohibit
property owners from placing mailboxes
within the legal right-of-ways, the post office
does have certain placement requirements
regarding the location of mailboxes. Since
they are not placed under permit regulations, mailboxes are technically deemed to
be encroachments, which are placed and
remain at the risk of the property owner.
Therefore, the Township is not liable for
damage to mailboxes, fencing, shrubbery,
trees, etc, caused by snow removal or other
Dallas Township
Administration
Atty. Tom Brennan - Solicitor
Douglas F. Trumbower & Associates Tom Doughton, Engineer Representative
Alan Pugh - EMA Coordinator
maintenance operations within the limits of the
legal right-of-way.
The ideal placement of mailboxes would be as
far beyond the shoulder of the road as possible,
but within your postman’s reach.
Harry Vivian - EMA Deputy/BM Regional
Fire Chief/BM Regional EMA Chief
Jack Dodson - EMA Deputy/Kunkle Fire
Kozick
Chiefaccepts tax payments at the Township