HONESDALE, PA — The first mention of a helipad at the December 14 meeting of the Honesdale borough council came during the public comment portion of the meeting. Citing engine noise, wind and dust generated by helicopter blades, and the glare of navigation and landing lights, borough resident Paul Non said that he objected to a helipad located near his home. He went on to say that realtors had informed him his real property could lose a significant percentage of its current value if a helipad were located close to his property.

The council did not respond immediately to Non’s comments.

An explanation came later when zoning officer Daniel J. Hnatko reported to the council that Wayne Memorial Hospital (WMH) had submitted a November 23 application to establish a helipad at hospital-owned property on Fair Avenue.

The application stated that WMH desires to become a Level IV trauma unit. To become one, it needs the ability to transfer critically-injured patients to Level I-III trauma units, Level I providing the most complete and advanced trauma care and Level V providing the most basic care, including evaluation, diagnosis, stabilization and transfer services.

In its application, WMH stated that the upgrade to a Level IV trauma unit would not only save lives, it would also have a positive economic impact on the community, creating additional jobs in healthcare and service sectors.

But borough solicitor Richard B. Henry noted that there will likely be public outcry from neighbors of the proposed helipad and that, by law, the council must schedule a conditional-use public hearing on the proposal within 60 days of the application filing date. He also said that compliance will be all but impossible, as five of seven current council member terms conclude on December 31 and public hearings must be publicized for two consecutive weeks prior to hearing date.

Pointing out that residents who object to the helipad’s location near their properties are known in legal terms as “interveners,” third parties with no direct interest in a lawsuit or legal matter, Henry added that their aggregated interest might nevertheless influence the matter’s outcome and is therefore an important consideration.

“Asking WMH for a general continuance would not be passing the buck to the next council,” said Henry, adding that the additional time will allow for full compliance with public hearing laws.

The council voted unanimously to ask WMH for a continuance, with council president James Brennan asking Hnatko if the helipad would be operated 24 hours a day. Hnatko replied that it would be in use whenever medical emergencies require use of life-flight helicopters. Brennan said, “Helicopter traffic at three in the morning would be a problem for me.”

Hnatko said that the Fair Avenue location (approximately one mile from the hospital) was the only one approved at this time by the Federal Aviation Administration, but that WMH hoped eventually to locate the helipad on the trauma unit’s rooftop, for the most efficient transfer of trauma patients.

In other business, the council voted 5-1 to accept the 2016 budget as presented; Scott Smith cast the sole opposition vote.