DAMASCUS, PA — The Damascus Township Board of Supervisors discussed a range of issues at its Monday, April 20 meeting, including the status of several solar development projects and the township’s data center moratorium. 

Tyler Hill Solar I 

Tyler Hill Solar 1 is a five-megawatt project proposed on a 21.6-acre property off Cochecton Turnpike. The project’s final development plan has been reviewed by the planning commission and by zoning officer and code enforcement officer Ed Lagarenne, and all stipulations were met, so the plan was accepted and is now in the hands of board of supervisors. 

Conditional use permit for Delatore/WA Cochection II solar project 

The Cochecton II solar project is located at 752 Township Road 566 in Honesdale. The meeting to discuss the continuance of the conditional use permit took place on May 20. 

Employee pensions 

Notice for bids for a pension plan for full-time employees of Damascus Township will be posted in near future in the Tri-County Independent in order to move ahead. Plan options may include a 401a or 457k plan. 

Inter-municipal cooperation agreement 

A motion was passed to adopt an Inter-Municipal Cooperation Agreement Resolution (Res # 2026-05). This is a mutual agreement between Damascus Township and Honesdale Borough to exchange equipment for use in matters such as street sweeping and traffic control. Honesdale currently has a similar agreement with Texas Township. 

Data centers and a moratorium

Resolution #2026-06 stipulates a moratorium on data center plans in Damascus. The motion was passed, so no applications for data center construction will be considered for a period of 180 days, and the township has the option to renew the moratorium. 

General road repairs 

Kellam Road is open now, after a closure in the winter. 

Work on Hopkins Bridge will commence when weather improves. 

For Boyce Bridge, the applications and support letters for a grant are completed and the application needs to be submitted. 

Work on the bathroom project, the sign and the parking area at the Damascus Forest Trail will be done when weather improves. The Dexter Memorial Bench is ordered and is scheduled to be installed in the spring. 

Defibrillator for Damascus Manor Community Center 

The Damascus Manor Community Center did not receive a grant for a defibrillator and is requesting assistance from the township to provide the equipment. There was discussion of the cost, which is roughly $2,000, and the installation of the mounting box and first aid kit.

The Farmstead at Duck Harbor 

A preliminary plan was accepted for six new lots and a road extension on Mane Street, off of Duck Harbor Road in Equinunk. The township would or could approve the sale once the road is completed. 

The lot road would be bonded at 120 percent since the township could not absorb the cost of the road if it were not completed. 

The DEP approval for the expected stormwater is expected by August. It should be noted that projects that disturb one acre or more would need to obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit, which is based on U.S. Department of Environmental Protection regulations.