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Salem Township adopts four six-month moratoriums, approves municipal projects and enacts 65-day burn ban
Summary
At its April 14 meeting, the Salem Township Board of Supervisors adopted four six-month moratoriums covering commercial solar, man-camps, games of skill and batch plants; approved several contracts and purchases including paving and building renovation design work; and enacted an immediate 65-day emergency burn ban after recent brush fires.
The Salem Township Board of Supervisors on April 14 adopted four six-month moratoriums on commercial solar developments, man-camps, games of skill and batch plants and approved a series of municipal contracts and purchases, while enacting an immediate emergency burn ban for 65 days.
The Board voted to adopt Resolutions 08 of 2026, 09 of 2026, 10 of 2026 and 11 of 2026 to impose each moratorium, with Vice Chairman Steven Fraind moving and John Fogg Jr. seconding the motions. The moratoriums are six months in duration and were described to the Board as temporary pauses to allow further review of regulations and impacts.
In other business the Board approved multiple professional services contracts and purchases: a $23,800 agreement with Barry Isett for design, bidding and management of the 2026 Street Paving Project; a $39,500 contract with Barry Isett for site design, civil plans, bidding and construction administration for Administration/Police Building renovations; and a park camera replacement for $864.99 after storm damage. The Board also agreed to make an offer of $40,483 for 53 Main Street in Berwick, with Realtor Shannon Kulp preparing the contract pending review by the Township Solicitor.
The Board approved community-event spending, including the $630 purchase of two Zootopia costumes to be charged to Community Events budgets. The Board accepted free roof repairs to the Beach Haven Carnival Grounds concession stand offered by Reds Roofing and asked the Berwick Area Youth Soccer League to provide cost estimates for additional renovations for consideration at a future work session.
Public works items included approval of monthly brush drop-off days for Township residents beginning May 2 and continuing the first Saturday of each month from 8:00 AM to noon. Engineer Rock Stahovic reported the Main Street sewer line that had been damaged was repaired, and DPW Foreman Ed Fenton reported crews completed crack-sealing and cleanup work.
The Board also agreed to have the Solicitor prepare an amendment to Ordinance 02-2021 to rescind mandatory waterline hookup requirements. BAJSA matters were noted: BAJSA will purchase a new belt press under an agreement with Amazon, and Solicitor Anthony McDonald reported BAJSA filed twelve liens related to unpaid sewer bills.
Votes at a glance: - Minutes of March 10 (regular) and March 24 (work session): Motion by Steven Fraind; second by John Fogg Jr.; outcome: approved. (SEG 008) - Treasurer's Report for March 2026: Motion by Steven Fraind; second by John Fogg Jr.; outcome: approved. (SEG 012—) - Brush drop-off days (monthly, beginning May 2): Motion by John Fogg Jr.; second by Steven Fraind; outcome: approved. (SEG 016) - DCED GCLGS Fire Service Management Study cooperative agreement (no cost to Township): Motion by John Fogg Jr.; second by Steven Fraind; outcome: approved. (SEG 023) - Zootopia costume purchase ($630): Motion by Steven Fraind; second by John Fogg Jr.; outcome: approved. (SEG 023) - 74 Walnut St. nonconformity and curative amendment; waiver to send subdivision to Luzerne County: Motion by John Fogg Jr.; second by Steven Fraind; outcome: approved. (SEG 025) - Temporary traffic signal ownership at Cumulus Blvd./Route 11 (Township maintenance conditional on AWS contract): Motion by Steven Fraind; second by John Fogg Jr.; outcome: approved (conditioned). (SEG 025) - Direction to Solicitor to prepare amendment to Ordinance 02-2021 (rescind mandatory hookup): Motion by Steven Fraind; second by John Fogg Jr.; outcome: agreed. (SEG 025) - 2026 Paving Project agreement with Barry Isett ($23,800): Motion by John Fogg Jr.; second by Steven Fraind; outcome: approved. (SEG 025) - Administration/Police Building renovation services with Barry Isett ($39,500): Motion by Steven Fraind; second by John Fogg Jr.; outcome: approved. (SEG 026) - Park camera replacement ($864.99): Motion by Steven Fraind; second by John Fogg Jr.; outcome: approved. (SEG 028—) - Offer on 53 Main Street ($40,483) pending Solicitor review: Motion by John Fogg Jr.; second by Steven Fraind; outcome: approved (pending). (SEG 029) - Four six-month moratorium resolutions (Commercial Solar; Man-Camp; Games of Skill; Batch Plants): Motion by Steven Fraind; second by John Fogg Jr.; outcome: adopted. (SEG 031) - Emergency Burn Ban added to agenda and enacted immediately for 65 days: Motions by Steven Fraind/John Fogg Jr. to add; enacted on motion by John Fogg Jr.; second by Steven Fraind; outcome: enacted, effective immediately for 65 days. (SEG 032—)
Why it matters: The moratoriums pause new activity in multiple land-use categories while the Township reviews policy and potential impacts. The burn ban responds to recent brush fires and is intended to reduce near-term fire risk. The design and bidding contracts signal preparation for capital work this year, and the pending purchase of 53 Main Street indicates the Township plans to expand municipal holdings adjacent to Carnival Grounds and the DPW site.
The Board scheduled follow-up items including cost estimates for the concession-stand renovations and further discussions with Amazon about utility and construction concerns raised by residents.
Ending: The meeting adjourned at 6:58 PM. Manager Amy Evans signed the minutes.
