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Pocono Township adopts multiple ordinance changes, awards bridge contract and ratifies acting managers
Summary
The Board of Commissioners on Monday repealed an unused developer tax-incentive (LERA) ordinance, adopted sewer F.O.G. controls and a zoning definition amendment, awarded a TLC Park bridge contract, approved several procurement items and ratified two acting managers with weekly stipends.
The Pocono Township Board of Commissioners on Monday carried a package of formal actions including the repeal of a developer tax-incentive ordinance, adoption of wastewater discharge controls and multiple administrative approvals.
The board voted to repeal the township's LERA tax-incentive ordinance after opening a public hearing; staff told the board the incentive had been little used and the repeal was intended to "clean up" the code. One commissioner announced an abstention at the start of the hearing citing a potential perceived conflict of interest; the hearing was opened and the repeal motion carried.
The board also adopted an amendment to Chapter 110, Section 470 of the zoning code to add definitions for recreation use and related supplementary accessory regulations. During debate commissioners clarified that the ordinance text does not establish a permit fee; the board can address fees separately via the township fee schedule.
Separately, the board adopted an ordinance adding Article 5 to Chapter 333 to regulate discharges of wastewater and to address fats, oils and grease (commonly called a F.O.G. ordinance). Staff and an engineer described the rule as establishing grease-trap requirements for new construction and providing a program to prevent grease from being discharged to the sewer system. "Without the ability to inspect, it's harder to ensure maintenance," one staff member said when explaining the preference for external traps in many situations.
In capital and procurement business, the board awarded the base bid for the TLC Park pedestrian bridge replacement to Manichi Inc. for $127,000 to keep construction on the summer schedule. The board approved other consent-agenda items including financial transactions and a co‑star-phase contract noted in staff materials, and approved the purchase of a 2026 Ford F-250 for public works as included in the capital budget.
On personnel, the board ratified the appointments of James Wagner (Chief of Police) and Patrick Brigal as acting township managers and approved a payment of $1,000 per week to each as a separate payroll item. The board also directed the solicitor to draft contract renewals for the chief of police (listed annual salary $127,920) and the director of public works (listed annual salary $127,036); members debated one- versus two-year terms but approved directing the solicitor to prepare the documents with benefits consistent with the prior contracts.
The board's actions followed a mix of public comment and routine staff reports; staff advised the public on how to file service requests with PennDOT and outlined upcoming park and drainage projects. The meeting concluded after department updates and routine adjournment.
