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Reorganization Meeting
Smithfield Township Board of Supervisors
Board of Supervisors Organization as of January 3, 2022:
Chair of the Board of Supervisors: Jacob Pride
Vice-Chair of the Board of Supervisors: Robert Lovenheim
Secretary: Brian Barrett
Moving forward this year, the Board of Supervisors will hold two regular business meetings per month: one on the second Wednesday at 4 PM and the other on the fourth Wednesday at 7 PM with the exception of January.
Regular Meeting dates and times are as follows:
January 11, 2022: 4 PM
February 9, 2022: 4 PM
February 23, 2022: 7 PM
March 9, 2022: 4 PM
March 23, 2022: 7 PM
April 13, 2022: 4 PM
April 27, 2022: 7 PM
May 11, 2022: 4 PM
May 25, 2022: 7 PM
June 8, 2022: 4 PM
June 22, 2022: 7 PM
July 13, 2022: 4 PM
July 27, 2022: 7 PM
August 10, 2022: 4 PM
August 24, 2022: 7 PM
September 14, 2022: 4 PM
September 28, 2022: 7 PM
October 12, 2022: 4 PM
October 26, 2022: 7 PM
November 9, 2022: 4 PM
November 23, 2022: 7 PM
December 14, 2022: 4 PM
December 28, 2022: 7 PM
Agendas will be available here up to 24 hours before each meeting. |
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Smithfield Township Special Event Permit
As we look to planning our new year, many organizations may be preparing to get their fundraisers and events back on track. If you are planning to have an event in Smithfield Township, remember to get a special event permit. This permit is issued to temporary events such as a carnival, fireworks display, parade march, or any other activity the supervisors may deem similar in character that does not exceed ten consecutive days. Any questions pertaining to your event and its need for a permit, please contact the Smithfield Township Municipal Center. Applications can be made 30 days prior to the event. Permits do have a fee but non-profit organizations may request a waiver from the cost.
More information about the permit process can be found here.
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| All customers that qualify for this program will need to contact the Sewer Authority Office and request an account statement. Please, DO NOT send your invoice. Please contact Terri by email at ssauthority@smithfieldtownship.com, or leave a message at 570-223-5082, option #4 stating that you are requesting an account statement for the LIHWAP program. Please allow 48 hours for processing. Thank you. |
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9 Things Plow Drivers Wish You Knew
Driving in hail, freezing rain, and snow can be stressful. We get it and we all avoid it when we can. For when you have to be on the road, we’ve compiled some tips and tricks from our plow drivers that might just make your winter season easier (or at least less stressful).
- Stay behind the plow. Yes, they might go a bit slower than you’re used to, but consider this: the road is clearer (and treated) behind the plow.
- Leave double the space. Plow trucks are heavy; some can reach 36 tons. Even with great tires and traction, they have a longer braking period than regular cars. Add ice to the roads, and braking distance increases for everyone. Additionally, spreaders throw material onto the road. Getting too close puts your car in range of flying salt and antiskid.
- Wait while we open intersections. You’ve all seen it, a plow going back and forth across the road while they open intersections to make turning easier. Let us open the intersections so we can keep plowing elsewhere.
- Plows aren’t always allowed to plow roads. Confusing, yes, but consider this: PennDOT is responsible for state roads, individual municipalities plow township roads, and contractors clear businesses, driveways, and private roads. Drivers are paid to clear certain areas, and that doesn’t always include the route they take to reach their destination.
- Always try to clear the road. If you are parked on the road with your car, the plow trucks can’t get through. Do what you can to clear the roadway.
- We don’t plow in your driveway on purpose. Angling the plow away from driveways pushes snow into the road, which defeats the purpose of plowing. There will always be a trail of snow at the edge of your driveway. Yes, drivers plow in their own driveways too.
- Avoid pushing snow from your driveway into the road. Snow shoveled or plowed onto any roadway can increase the potential for crashes. Shovel or plow snow to the right side of your driveway as you face the intersecting roadway- by piling the snow away from the oncoming direction of the snow plows, the snow will not be pushed back onto the driveway. Refer to the diagram below for a visual!
- No, we aren’t targeting your mailbox. Mailboxes are built right next to the road for ease of access for mail carriers. This also means they are in the direct path of flying snow, and dangerously close to the plow. If your mailbox has been knocked over, consider moving it back from the road a little.
- Anything you do to slow a plow truck down means it takes us longer to clear the roads, which means a more dangerous commute for everyone. Drive smart, take your time, and get home safe!
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YE OLDE SKIER
By Robert Lovenheim
My boots clump over the wooden bridge to a local ski mountain. Around me, skiers of all sizes rush to get in line for tickets, or claim lockers, or simply deposit their ski bags on an empty table in the lodge.
Another season is beginning.
I’ve been a ski instructor for several years, but I’ve lost count of when I started. The teaching staff is mainly high school kids from the area, “internationals”— college students coming from South America where it is summer, and die-hard old guys who keep at it, such as myself. Each November at the yearly orientation, we welcome each other back, all glad we’ll have some company again this year.
Come the first cold weekend in December, we put on our boots in the fishbowl – management’s name for the instructor’s room – and trudge out to the ski school area to face another group of students.
Most ski areas have a learn-to-ski package deal that is great if you are a beginner. The package includes skis, boots, poles, helmet, lift ticket, and one lesson. Many of our students are just out for a day of fun, others are intent on really learning to ski, or ski better. I don’t know if there is an official motto for the ski school but it should be, “Be Safe and Have a Good Time.”
We, the instructors, are the “Be Safe” part. If we can teach you the proper stance, how to glide, stop, turn, and use a chairlift, we know you’ll understand how to ski in control and have fun. Many visitors local don’t take lessons. They jump on the beginners’ slope chairlift, ride to the top, and – especially if they are snowboarders – usually fall in a heap at the top. Rarely does anyone get hurt, but lessons are good insurance so you know how to avoid these situations.
The most rewarding part of teaching, for me at least, is when you get a group that really clicks and everyone manages to do well in the basic drills. Then we go farther uphill, try some follow the leader turns, and build a little speed as we glide down to the end of the instruction area. Suddenly all the endless practice plays out in the pleasure of making effortless turns, gliding, building speed, and feeling like part of a group. When you ski this year, keep an eye out for me – one of the old guys in a yellow jacket who still gets excited when someone learns to ski. |
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FREE Recycling Bins
The township has an abundance of blue recycling bins that stand about 2 feet tall. Anyone interested in receiving one can contact the Municipal Center. These bins are not limited to Smithfield Township residents! |
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Recycle Your Real Christmas Tree
After the holidays, our residents have two places to drop off their real Christmas trees:
Oak Grove Multi-Municipal Compost Facility
3305 Oak Grove Dr.
East Stroudsburg, PA 18302
Monday – Saturday from 7 AM – 2 PM
Smithfield Township Municipal Center
1155 Red Fox Rd
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
Monday – Friday from 8 AM – 4:30 PM
(From Dec 28 – Feb 28 only)
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