DAMASCUS, PA — The Damascus Township Board of Supervisors discussed the final township business of 2024 at its December 16 meeting, including the receipt of a $250,000 grant for the Damascus Township Trail. The board also discussed some upcoming 2025 business, including the installation of the township’s ice rink. 

Parks and recreation 

A Local Share Authority (LSA) Grant for $250,000 was received for the completion of the Damascus Township Trail. The application for a second grant will be submitted once the design and plan are submitted. LSA grants, provided through the  PA Race Horse Development and Gaming Act (Act 2004-71), provide for the distribution of gaming revenues to support projects in the public interest within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The park bench donated by the 4-H AG club is in hand and will be installed soon. The bathroom project at the park is on hold until the spring. 

Ice skating rink 

The township is ready to install the ice rink for the winter, weather permitting. There was no ice rink last winter due to the warm weather. Assuming a forecast of sustained cold weather, it will be in the pavilion, adjacent to the playground. 

Mixed feelings were acknowledged during the discussion since winter temperatures are needed for more than a day or two at a time, and some of the pavilion’s outdoor tables would need to be moved. 

Once again, the rink will be free for the public to use, weather permitting.

Solar projects 

The Tyler Hill Solar project has asked for an extension on its conditional use approval. This request was tabled for the next meeting. 

Also discussed, in the planning commission portion of the meeting, was the Funaro Solar project (Honesdale Solar 1), which is associated with engineering firm LaBella. The final land development plan has been received and the project is under final review with Wayne County and with the Damascus Township engineer. 

Township business

A motion to approve the appointment of a CPA passed and will be advertised in the near future. 

Also, the township’s emergency coordinator reminded residents to check on their neighbors, saying this season is a good time to do so, especially with the elderly and others who may be alone. 

Roads, bridges and projects 

As of December 16, Damascus Township had five snowstorms in the past month. Snowplow crews had been out each time. 

There was also quite a lot of brush cutting on the sides of the roads. 

Damascus Manor Community Center 

The blood drive held December 2 was considered to be a success. There were quite a few walk-ins and the Pleasant Mount group came with their own folks. 

The next Red Cross blood drive will be Thursday, April 3 in the community center at the Damascus Township Building, 60 Conklin Hill Road.

Although walk-ins are accepted, registration can be done by calling 800/733-2767 or 800/RED CROSS or by scheduling online at https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/donation-time 

The food pantry served 32 families on November 21. 

The food pantry is open on the third Thursday of each month from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Emergency requests can be made by calling 570/224-4217.

Recycling at the community center is held every second Saturday each month. For details, call 570/676-4976 or 570/224-4410. 

The next meeting of the Damascus Township Supervisors is Wednesday, January 15.