Penn Forest Township residents turned out at the July supervisors meeting to repeat their opposition to the site of the proposed new Dollar General store, even as the developer has a well that is being drilled. The presence of the drill rig riled up the neighbors, who have been working to get the project stopped.

Neighbors, primarily from the Mount Pocahontas development, some of whose homes are right up against the property, have circulated a petition against it. They have collected 700 names so far.

Opposition spokesperson Kelly Hall complained about the trees that were cut on the site to get the drilling rig into place. She says the use is not compatible to the neighborhood.

Township engineer Sal Caiazzo of Hanover Engineering explained that the developers went back to their plans and have chosen to use the entire 9-acre lot for the plan, even as the development itself will be about 2 acres. Their plan shows improvements to the side of Old Stage Road, where the store is proposed, to improve safe access.

The developers of the store were granted a 90-day extension for their plans. They have used the time to gain some normal waivers for their site plan (plan scale and natural features), plus a reduction in the water detention basin so it is 6 feet shorter, which will preserve some of the trees on the site.

The immediate neighbor, Jacob Vargas, is concerned that the store will attract illegal activity. He also points to two other Dollar Generals, each about eight minutes away, so he questions the need for the location.

Opponents raised additional objections, and were directed to attend the upcoming township planning commission meeting on July 26. That meeting will also be available on Zoom.

In other business

In regular business, the 2021 paving projects of Meckesville Road and Drakes Creek Road are complete. Supervisors even received a thank-you letter from Anthony Price, president of Rhodo Mountain Estates, for the nice paving job on Drakes Creek Road.

Attorney Robert Frycklund was appointed to represent the township on the appeal of a Uniform Construction Code violation at 586 Stony Mountain Road.

Fire Police from both fire companies were given permission to assist with traffic control at the Carbon County Fair from Aug. 9-14.

After discussion, it was decided to have Carmine Corridore of Underdog Computer, the township’s IT contractor, dispose of obsolete computer equipment that had been taking up space in the basement.

Residents asked about Granicus, the contractor hired to bring the township’s short-term rental ordinance into effect. Answers are that the company has compiled a great deal of data, and that it will have the form needed to issue to short-term rental owners so that they can start to register their properties.

Before the meeting, the new trucks for Penn Forest Volunteer Fire Companies No. 1 and No. 2 were on display beside the township building.