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HEADLINES: Since this will go to press before the big game, we'll just assume that the Blue Ridge Women's Softball team will have won the PIAA Class A State Championship, again. They will meet Sto-Rox (Stowe Township-McKees Rocks) on June 18th in the state finals at Shippensburg. There's a lot of excitement at Blue Ridge around the achievements of the Lady Raiders, who finished the regular season undefeated, with a record of 9-0. At the School Board meeting on June 14, Superintendent Robert McNamara was encouraged to provide a bus to take team boosters to the game. He made no commitments, but School Board members and District administrators were clearly proud of their charges - all of them - as they congratulated each other, the students, and the faculty for a successful end to the school year. Board President Alan Hall moved his own team smartly through a long and varied agenda. Summer school this year will be taught by Richard Mackrell (Mathematics), Jane McNamara (Science), Alicia Ross (Social Studies) and Mike Ostrowski (English). The Elementary School will continue the now-defunct Read-to- Succeed program on its own hook with two sessions this summer. The first session, June 21 through July 2 (3 1/2 hours per day) will be taught by Stephenie Ogeka, Dominica Skal and Margaret Glezen. The second session, August 2 through August 13, will be taught by Kelly Button, April Rhone and Dominica Skal. Other summer activities at the school will be directed by the Summer Adventures Program, which, with board approval, will use the school grounds and facilities. Other personnel decisions, together with long lists of instructional and non-instructional substitutes and coaches, included the re-appointment of Suzanne Seamans as the coordinator of the gifted-students program. Margaret Ainey's appointment as Truancy Officer for the school year (just ended) was re-approved when no record could be found that the Board had approved the appointment in the first place. Four teachers were granted tenure: Donna Kintner, Brian Lewis, Anna Mack and Michael Ostrowski. Some Board members asked for clarification of the "Guest teacher" program, under which some faculty - especially substitutes - are hired. "Guest" teachers are hired under a state- sanctioned program when a vacant position has to be filled quickly (a so-called "emergency" situation), but a fully- certified teacher cannot be found. Guest teachers are generally well-educated and well-qualified instructors; however, they are not fully certified by state regulators; their status as instructors in the public schools must be renewed each year. They are generally paid at the same levels as certified teachers in similar positions. Several year-end items were cleaned up at the meeting, not the least of which was final passage of a budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. The Blue Ridge District expects to spend $14,229,932 next year, with no increase in tax rates. Mr. McNamara said that, although the state legislature has yet to approve a budget of its own, he is confident of the revenue figures in his own budget, which should leave the District with a surplus by next summer of just under $1 million. Some of the money in that new budget will pay for a variety of new textbooks in the High School, including architectural drafting, computer instruction, geography, business and accounting. The high school's was the largest purchase of textbooks this year. An additional amount will purchase twice as many gowns for the chorus. Board member Priscinda Gaughan moved to double the number of gowns to 50. Each gown is thought to cost about $75. Mr. Hall, usually a very forceful and well-liked leader, was snubbed twice in one evening by his usually well- disciplined Board. Together with the administration, he had developed a major plan to upgrade the facility and its many services. He presented it to the Board as a recommendation to submit "PlanCon A & B". PlanCon is short for "Planning and Construction Workbook," a collection of forms and documentation that must be submitted to the state Department of Education when a construction or renovation project of more than $15,000 is planned and a district is applying for reimbursement by the state. There is a cost to the district just to develop and submit the PlanCon; in this case Mr. Hall estimated the cost to be about $43,000. There is no guarantee that the state will accept the submission. Mr. Hall had said that details of the projects to be undertaken would be discussed at subsequent workshops. He said that projects under consideration would include repairs to the high school lobby floor, adding air conditioning to the gymnasiums, improving air conditioning in some other areas, leveling the soccer field, repairing winter damage to the track, upgrading the computer network and telephone and security systems, improving exterior lighting, major boiler maintenance, and possibly new bleachers. He estimated the total cost of everything on the list at about $5.9 million. He said that a bond issue to cover the project would be especially attractive now at current low interest rates. But some of his colleagues weren't prepared to risk $43,000 on the uncertainties in the budget process in Harrisburg, that might put support for partial state reimbursement in jeopardy. The vote to approve the cost of submission was 4-4 (one Board member was absent), which effectively killed the motion. They also rejected a suggestion from their President to move the next workshop up by a week. The Board and its Transportation Committee is still struggling with a proposal to switch to a "single-tier" bus schedule. Mr. McNamara was not willing to commit to the cost advantages one way or the other. This is likely to be a continuing topic of debate as experience develops. The Transportation Committee will also solicit bids for multi- year "extra activity" bus contracts. Business Manager Loren Small told the board that, as a result of a letter sent to Miller Brothers Construction, the District is expecting a check for about $2,000 in back taxes for a property at the Gibson exit on the Interstate that was put into the Keystone Opportunity Zone (KOZ) program some 4 years ago. The property was never developed, as required under KOZ, and has since been sold. The District is seeking to collect since the KOZ agreement seems to have been abrogated. Another developer is planning a cluster of townhouses down the hill from the Blue Ridge campus. Under the law, wells are not adequate to provide water to the 26 units he plans to build; the development must be supported by a water "authority." The developer either has to become an authority, or find a convenient one nearby to connect to. As it happens, the Blue Ridge School District is such an authority, since it treats its own water. The District recently drilled a second well to provide additional supply in emergencies, but doesn't expect to have to use it very much. The developer has asked the school district to consider acting as a water authority for his project - presumably at a price. Nothing is yet to be committed to paper, but the Board did vote to investigate the possibilities further. Some members of the Blue Ridge community are investigating the possibility of adding a swimming pool to the campus. The Board was informed of this activity and assured that the effort would not imply any Board sanction. Research will include visits to nearby districts with pools to find out how they paid for them. Mr. Hall and the Activities Committee have wrangled for several months on the details of a proposal to give Blue Ridge jackets to high-performing athletes. The program, as it was finally approved by the full Board seeks to ensure that deserving students will receive the jackets as early as possible, as early as the beginning of their Junior year. To earn one of the bright red and white jackets, an athlete must compete in a PIAA sanctioned sport for 2 complete seasons. The cost of the jackets will become the responsibility of a consortium of the booster clubs. Whether they get jackets or not, the Blue Ridge sluggers deserve all the acclaim they have received, and we wish them success at Shippensburg.
Hallstead
Addresses Complaints Hallstead Boro Council met on June 17; present were council members Mary Rudock, Michelle Giangrieco, David Callender and John Giangrieco, Mayor Willard Canfield, Secretary Cindy Gillespie, Maintenance Supervisor John Gordon and several guests. Council discussed particulars of their lease agreement with Lynette Ryman, owner of Children’s Palace Daycare. It was agreed that, although the lease will not go into effect until July 1, Ms. Ryman could begin moving in and setting up the week following the meeting. Council agreed to have Mr. Gordon install child safety locks on the second floor windows. There were some questions as to whether the lease would allow a sign to be placed outside the building; the boro solicitor will be contacted for clarification. Council agreed that a small area at the building’s back entrance could be fenced off to allow children an area to play outdoors; Children’s Palace will supply the fencing. It was agreed that the daycare facility could use what has traditionally been used as a voting room for a nursery for younger children, with the stipulation that the area be kept available for voting on the two election dates during the year. And, in a related discussion, a motion carried to authorize Mr. Gordon to install an exhaust fan in the boro garage, which is directly below the rooms that the Children’s Palace will be using. During public comment, two residents addressed council regarding letters they had received, asking them to address several situations of concern, specifically, to "clean them up." Ms. Giangrieco responded, in answer to a question, that it was not council’s practice to reveal who exactly had initially made a complaint, but council does follow up on all complaints. If they are found to have merit, they are addressed. She added that in this instance, a number of letters had been sent to boro property owners, not just these two. Council answered questions the residents had, regarding other situations, and what action could or had been taken. She ended with a suggestion; council’s experience has been that residents attend meetings when there is a specific instance of concern; why, when there is an open seat on council, don’t these same people apply or run to fill the vacancy? In response to two of the complaints raised, Mr. Gordon will check an area on Fourth Ave., where the shoulder of the road is low, causing a hazard. And, the owner of a property where there is a large tree limb on the roof and a chimney that is apparently falling will be sent a letter advising him/her of the situation. Other complaints included concern about a blocked storm drain, where bricks placed to divert storm water have apparently fallen and blocked the drain; Mr. Gordon agreed to check it out. Mayor Canfield reported that he has contacted PENNDOT a number of times, in regard to a storm drain that is too low; there was reportedly an injury sustained by a youth who fell there. He agreed to contact Harrisburg to see what could be done. Council will contact Jeff Case, who was given approval to put in a dirt bike track at the Route 11 park; Mr. Case will be asked to update council as to the status of the track. And, council will ask the fire company to notify them of the company’s intentions regarding a portion of the ballfield that is currently not being used. If the fire company has no immediate plans for its use, it was suggested that it could be turned into an additional practice field, to be used for several sports. Mayor Canfield asked if council had made any decisions as to what to do with donations received from the Fancher memorial fund; could it be used to purchase playground equipment, and if so, where specifically should it be placed? Ms. Giangrieco suggested that the Route 11 park would be an ideal location, as the park is generally used by families for picnics and gatherings. She suggested that Mayor Canfield discuss this with council member Ted Loomis, who had was getting information about (commercial grade) playground equipment. To address a runoff problem at the pavilion at this park, it had been decided to install rain gutters, rather than cement ramps around the building. The ditches caused by the runoff will be filled in and grass planted. Correspondence reviewed included a notice that an insurance claim had been filed by a firefighter who had received leg injuries while responding to a recent bear attack that occurred within the boro. The bridge beautification committee has requested that council send letters to property owners on Main St., where sidewalks will be replaced. Ms. Gillespie will see that the letters are sent, and will forward releases from those property owners, consenting to the work, to the committee. Ms. Giangrieco noted that the Hallstead-Great Bend Sewer Authority had sent letters to property owners with delinquent accounts, informing them that water would be shut off by a specific date at those properties where arrangements were not made to bring those accounts up to date. The next meeting will be on Thursday, July 15, 7:00 p.m. in the boro building.
SCSD
Receives Grant $$ At the June 16 meeting of the Susquehanna Community School Board, the minutes of the May 19 meeting were approved as was filing of the treasurer’s report, the general fund bills, the food service report, filing of the activity fund and athletic fund reports. Superintendent Bronson Stone reported that the district will be receive a $60,000 grant, payable over two years, which will be utilized to enhance technology resources to promote increased communication with students’ parents through technology. The faculty has a very busy summer ahead. The district’s crisis response plan is being revised; meetings will be held over the summer to keep it updated. The faculty is working on the Social Studies curriculum to ensure that it is in line with state standards. And, Mr. Stone toured the campus with two architects to decide what, if any improvements or enhancements may be needed. Elementary Principal Bob Keyes gave a summary of the annual year-end awards ceremony where students are recognized for their accomplishments. He introduced several applicants for elementary staff positions; some who had worked in other capacities within the district and some who had previously been substitutes. There are a number of faculty changes for the coming year, he said, as a result of changing enrollment numbers. High School Principal Mike Lisowski reported that the faculty has been revising the dress code. A committee, consisting of fifteen members, had met to work on the code, to make it less ambiguous and more clearly defined. He has been reviewing applications for a math teaching position. And, graduation day had gone very well, with the weather cooperating so that the ceremony could be held outdoors; the speaker, David Tiffany, had been well received. Business Manager Ray Testa introduced Kathy Hinkley, the new Education Association President. Mrs. Hinkley gave a rundown of the other officers recently elected; vice president, Diane Dunn; secretary, Michelle Conklin; and treasurer, George Overmeyer. Special Education Coordinator Joni Miller gave a favorable report on occupational and physical therapy programs, for which the district has contracted with Barnes-Kasson Hospital. Board member Mary Wescott commended coach Jeff Hall for the recently completed track season. Mr. Hall in turn commended the students for their hard work; many of their meets are against larger schools with larger teams, but they performed well. A motion carried to approve the district budget, $11,458,326.09 for the 2004-05 school year and to award a bid for a $1,000,000 tax anticipation note as per the district solicitor’s recommendation to Peoples National Bank. The note will be at 2.5% per annum, with a reinvestment rate of 2.95 % per annum. Mr. Stone noted that the budget includes a zero millage increase; the district has been holding steady on taxes despite rises in health and fuel costs. Fiscal responsibility is going to be a unique situation, Mr. Stone said, in light of the "murky waters" ahead while school districts across the state are anxiously awaiting to see what transpires in Harrisburg, whether or not the school tax referendum is passed. Two revisions were made to the board meeting schedule; a meeting was added for July 21, and the August meeting was rescheduled to August 18. Information sessions are scheduled for the Tuesdays prior to these two dates. The board approved a change/addition to the professional contract, schedule B to include a change, from JV baseball/softball coach to junior high baseball - co-advisors and junior high softball - co-advisors. Mr. Stone explained that the junior high softball program was started two years ago; both programs have been a success which students have enjoyed participating in. A contract with Barnes-Kasson County Hospital to provide occupational and physical therapy to district students at a cost of $74.25 per hour for the 2004-05 school year was approved. Appointment of Sweet, Stevens, Tucker and Katz as special counsel for such Special Education matters as deemed appropriate by the superintendent was approved. The board approved revisions/additions to the district policies pertaining to employee computer and internet use policy (required as part of the child/internet protection act) and the nondiscrimination policy - Title IX, which covers sexual harassment. A contract with Lauren Studios, Inc., Photography Services, was approved for the 2004-05 school year. Board president Terry Carpenter outlined some of the items included in the contract. A family plan will be offered; if two siblings purchase photo packages, other children in the family will receive theirs free. A family portrait night will be offered. Elementary students will receive a yearbook. Digital cameras will be made available to the district throughout the year. Packages will be offered for special events, such as homecoming or the prom. And photo ID cards will be provided to students. A bid was accepted from NutriKids for the cafeteria point of sale system, in the amount of $14,680. The system will streamline the cafeteria management program as lunch tickets will no longer be used. Parents may pay into their child’s lunch account well in advance, and they may set spending limits and include special dietary information if required. The system will also be a time-saver, as it will compute data for reports. Homebound instruction requests for two grade 12 students were approved, each for approximately four weeks. Additions to the elementary teaching staff for the 2004-05 school year were approved: Jeff Hall, Dawn Steele, Dori Chervanka, Sharon Lubasyewski, and Mark Gerchman was approved as K-12 assistant principal. Hiring for two summer school positions were approved, Social Studies, Kristin Potter and Special Education, Margot Parsons. Approval was given for the hiring of teacher aides for the 2004-05 school year, both for the pre-kindergarten program, Jodie Stanford and Judy Parks; hiring for a Schedule B position, Student Council advisor, John Seigle; and an addition to the substitute list, Stephen Mazikewich, Secondary Science. Resignations were approved from Kathy Matis, assistant yearbook advisor; Edward Greene III, bus contractor; and Stacy Donahue, Student Council advisor. A list of activity fundraising requests was approved. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, July 21, 7:30 p.m. in the administration offices in the elementary building.
The Forest City Regional Board of Education dished out some pay raises last week as part of a management team compensation plan for the 2004-2005 school year. Each team member was awarded a 3.5 percent raise. In addition, individuals in the secretary and maintenance groups will receive an additional longevity stipend of $75 for 2-4 years, $75 for 5-9 years, and $75 for ten years. In addition to the 3.5 percent increment, anyone with 10 years of service would receive an additional increase of $225. Other benefits in the package include life insurance increased to two times each employees’ salary or $60,000 whichever is greater; 75 percent reimbursement for college credit; Up to 10 unused vacation days can be converted to sick days at the end of the 2004-2005 school year; three weeks vacation; and paid National Association dues. The pay raises will take the team members to the following salaries: Tony Rusnak, high school principal, $81,506; Ken Swartz, elementary principal, $69,692; Chip DeWolfe, technology coordinator, $62,151; Karen Forsette, business manager/board secretary, $60,339; John Reeder, maintenance supervisor, $33,120; Joanne Barron, CEO secretary, $32,836; Chris Kuruts, technology assistant $31,050; Phil Mursch, housekeeping supervisor, 24,757; Pat Chesnick, transportation coordinator/secretary, $21,528; Mary Kay Wilczewski, administrative assistant, $21,528; Barbara Richards, cafeteria supervisor, $19.500. Director Al Dyno cast the lone dissenting vote on the salary package. Later Mr. Dyno told The Transcript that he would have preferred that the increments be handled individually rather than as a team management plan. In another matter, Paul J. Ravnikar, a retired school teacher, asked the board to consider eliminating the annual $10 per capita tax for senior citizens. Mr. Ravnikar pointed out that many senior citizens pay sizeable real estate taxes and eliminating the per capita tax would be a help to them. Board President Tom Baileys said the matter would be taken up at the board’s August meeting. There is no regular board meeting in July. Mr. Baileys also explained that his vote and the vote of Director Joseph Lucchesi in support of placing the ABC building on Main Street in the Keystone Opportunity Zone was not a conflict of interest. The matter was brought up after a letter in a Wayne County newspaper suggested Mr. Baileys and Dr. Lucchesi were in conflict because the building is owned by Community Bank and they are members of the bank’s advisory board. Motions passed by the board: Accepted the resignation of Amy Lesek, English instructor, effective Aug. 30 and the resignation of Joanne Durko, part-time elementary assistant, effective June 9. Adopted the 2004-2005 budget in the amount of $9.3 million. Set the tax levies as follows: Real Estate, Forest City, Union Dale and Herrick Twp., 28.9 mills; Clinton II and Pleasant Mt. Twp., 202.2 mills; and, Vandling, 68.2 mills. The wage tax remains at one percent and the real estate transfer tax is one half of one percent. Approved the budget of the CTC of Lackawanna County for the fiscal year July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005 in the amount of $5.3 million and an average cost per pupil of $4, 364 an increase of $58 per pupil. Forest City has 30 students in the program. Approved the following extracurricular positions: Brian Durkin, athletic director; John Majdic, varsity boys basketball; Carl Urbas, varsity girls basketball; Pete Supko, varsity boys baseball; Cristina Toralso, varsity girls softball; Matt Nebzydoski, JV girls softball; Jason Pantzar, 9th grade boys basketball; Lorne Elliott, 8th grade boys basketball; and Pam Kresock, 8th grade girls basketball. Also, David Liuzzo, 7th grade girls basketball; Jack Pisarcik, JV boys basketball; Michael Heck, JV girls basketball; Brian McCormack, 7th, 8th and 9th grade boys baseball; Jeremy Snyder, boys volleyball; Matt Nebzydoski, girls volleyball; Kelly Svecz, JV boys volleyball; Charlene Collins, JU girls volleyball; and, Ron Richards, boys varsity soccer. Also, Lorne Elliott, girls varsity soccer; Steve Fonash, timekeeper; Mary Alice Remus and Linda Fitzsimmons, ticket collectors; Dave Costanzo, ski club; Matt Nebzydoski, student council; Sandy Morahan, Terri Erdmann, junior prom; Mary Ferraro, choral director; John Olcese, band director; Nancy Brown, senior class advisor; Cynthia Washine and Dan Nebzydoski, Washington trip chaperones; and Amy Orasin, cheerleading. And, Gene Corey, cross country; Jessica Corey, JV cross country; Carrie Kemmerer, school newspaper; Sandy Morahan, SADD advisor; Linda Corey and John Klimkiewicz, drama club directors; Teri Nebzydoski, yearbook; Mike Heck, golf coach; Harold McGovern, 5th and 6th grade boys basketball; Linda Zefran, 5th and 6th grade girls basketball; Mary Jane Hoffmann and Dan Nebzydoski, Junior Academy of Science; and, Nancy Brown, math counts.
DEEDS Thomas David Witko and Blanche Marie Witko to James Mitchell and Jean Mitchell, in Union Dale Borough for $35,000. Douglas V. R.Adams to Vincent N. Paul Riggi and Jane D. Riggi, in Herrick Township for $145,000. Steven C. Ryder and Marlyn A. Ryder to Dava Rinehart-Cowan and Joseph Cowan, in Brooklyn Township for $40,000. John A. Humphry and Lori J. Humphry to John A. Humphry, in New Milford Township for one dollar. Wayne R. Smith (aka) Wayne R. Schmied and Susan A. Smith to Susan A. Smith, in Lenox Township for one dollar. Roger D. Bennett and Elizabeth S. Bennett to Gregory Symuleski and Cathy Symuleski, in Lenox Township for $25,300. Andrew Hubal to Robert W. Hubal, in Thompson Township for one dollar. Lawrence T. O’Reilly, Christine M. O’Reilly, and Thomas J. O’Reilly to Robert J. Adamson Sr. and Grace Adamson, in Apolacon Township for $41,000. Roberta A. Jelicks and Marie Elite to Joseph Pleva and Virginia Pleva, in Jessup Township for $267,000. Ruth Stanton to Daniel H. Wages and Katherine P. Wages, in New Milford Borough for $80,500. Anita J. Griffis (trust), Anita J. Griffis to Sharon Barondeau and Richard Barondeau, in Forest Lake Township for one dollar. Roger D. Bennett and Elizabeth S. Bennett to Roger D. Bennett, in Lenox Township for one dollar. Stanley Henry Binewicz and Darlene Binewicz to Stanley Jason Binewicz, in Harford and Gibson townships for one dollar. Charlotte Rafferty (aka) Charlotte Mason to Joseph Rafferty and Penny Rafferty, in Apolacon Township for one dollar. Lawrence T. O’Reilly, Christine M. O’Reilly and Thomas J. O’Reilly to Sheldon Donald Cope, in Apolacon Township and a parcel out of county for $250,000. Joseph Coppola (estate) to Ronald Coppola, in Ararat Township for one dollar. Diane L. Vankuren to John A. Hossack, in Thompson Township for one dollar. Kendall J. Scott and Wendy K. Scott to Allen K. Scott and Kim L. Scott, in Liberty and Franklin townships for $80,000. Richard Brewster and Diana Belle Brewster toJoseph Petroceli and Lois Petroceli, in Silver Lake Township for $82,680. Alma W. Robinson and Willard H. Robinson to Loren Robinson, Linda C. Robinson, Kenneth Bennett and Betty Lou Bennett, in Harford Township for one dollar. John J. Puzo and Kimberly L. Grace to Kimberly L. Grace in Bridgewater Township for one dollar. Mary A. Payne and Paul Payne to Mark R. Reading, Joan B. Reading, William P. Hayes Jr. and Mary Hayes, in Herrick Township for $60,000. David E. Harvey and Linda J. Harvey to David E. Harvey, in Harford Township for one dollar. David E. Harvey and Linda J. Harvey to David E. Harvey, in Lathrop Township for one dollar. Norma Ashcraft to Kenneth Bryant and Patricia A. Bryant, in Little Meadows Borough for one dollar. MARRIAGES Justin Douglas Radicchi of New Milford and Susan Rose Falls of Carbondale. William F. Millard of New Milford and Sandra Louise Carpenter of New Milford. George P. Shields Jr. of New Milford and Helen Teresa Whitehead of New Milford. Dominick A. Barile of Great Bend and Kari Leah Ward of Great Bend. Jason Lee Aukema of RR1, Montrose and Kimberly Michele Kooiman of Montrose. Matthew Warren of Leraysville and Michele D. Fenton of Leraysville. William K. Overholt of Saratoga Springs, NY and Laurel Ryan Kristin of Saratoga Springs, NY. Emry J. Place II of Laceyville and Toddeene M. Grodzicki of Laceyville. Stanley Jason Binlewicz of New Milford and Amy Lynn Mulligan of New Milford. Ray Walter Travis of Montrose and Maren Elisabeth Johnson of Montrose. DIVORCES John Humphry of Great Bend vs. LoriJo Humphry of Susquehanna. Eric C. Brunges of RR1, Montrose vs. Elizabeth M. Brunges of RR4, Montrose. Ellen Grant of Montrose vs. Henry C. Grant of New Albany. Robert G. Templeton of Montrose vs. Karen M. Templeton of Montrose. Malcolm L. Truesdale of Susquehanna vs. Jancy G. Carbet of Nutley, NJ.
TERRORISTIC THREATS On June 9 between 9 and 11 in the morning, Brian Timothy Welch, Thompson, telephoned Andrew Genneken, also of Thompson, numerous times. During one of these calls, Welch threatened Genneken. Welch was charged with terroristic threats and harassment, both misdemeanors. THEFT Two rims were taken off the 1993 Ford Tempo owned by Carol Severs while it was parked on the Rails to Trails pathway where it intersects with Riverview Drive in Harmony Township. The incident occurred between May 1 and 3, and anyone with information is asked to call the State Police at 465-3154. SIMPLE ASSAULT Both Malinda Swartz and David Gowe, both of Hallstead, were arrested for mutual assault in a domestic argument that took place on May 23. THEFT Between the evening on June 11 and the following morning, someone stole a trailer belonging to John P. Napolitano, Susquehanna, while it was parked at Susquehanna Small Engines, Inc., Route 171 in Oakland Township. The trailer is a Snow Bear 8-foot utility trailer, Pennsylvania registration XW60995. Anyone with information is asked to call the State Police at 465-3154. SIMPLE ASSAULT Francis Thomas Fassett, 39, Montrose, was criminally charged with four counts of simple assault, M1, and four counts of endangering the welfare of children for burning a 3-year- old boy with the metal heated end of a lighter. Fassett was arraigned before Watson Dayton and released on non-monetary bail for this assault that took place between June 11 and 12. CRASH On the night of June 12, Paul Ingersoll, 33, Laceyville, was traveling west on Route 706 in Rush Township when he hit a deer. Ingersoll, who was wearing a seat belt, was taken by the Montrose Minutemen Ambulance to Tyler Memorial Hospital for treatment. The Rush Township Fire Department assisted at the scene. CRIMINAL TRESPASS Karen White of Montrose reported that an unknown man was seen at her residence around midnight on June 10. He is described as tall and skinny, and he drove away in a white vehicle and headed east to Route 29. Anyone with information is asked to call the State Police at 465-3154. CRUELTY TO ANIMALS An unknown person(s) shot a horse and cat belonging to Roger Taylor, Friendsville, on June 6, causing minor injuries to both animals. Anyone with information is asked to call the State Police at 465-3154. MOTOR VEHICLE COLLISION Scott Decker, Montrose, was driving his 2002 Ford F150 east on Route 3023 in Dimock Township where it intersects with Route 29. After stopping at a stop sign, a 1998 Chevy Lumina driven by Gladys Parker, Hop Bottom, pulled in front of Decker, causing a collision. Parker’s car then struck a parked vehicle on the side of the roadway and Decker’s struck a building at the intersection. Both Parker and Decker were wearing a seat belt in this collision that took place on the afternoon of June 13. Parker received minor injuries; her Chevy, moderate damage. Decker was uninjured, but his Ford received major damage. ASSAULT-HARASSMENT At around 10:30 on the morning of June 13, Yvonne and Kyle MacGeorge, both of Hallstead, became involved in a domestic dispute. Yvonne MacGeorge went to a neighbor’s home to report this incident. Her husband faces the charge of harassment. THREE-CAR CRASH A 2001 Dodge driven by Thomas Ulrich, Owego, received moderate damage when it rear-ended a 1997 Ford truck being driven by Marlene Innanen, Clifford. Innanen’s truck then struck a 1988 Dodge Ram truck, which was unoccupied and legally parked on Route 106 in Clifford Township. Neither Ulrich nor Innanen were injured in this crash, both were wearing seat belts, and their vehicles were towed from the scene of this June 9 accident. THEFT Between May 25 and June 8, a person(s) took a wood chain saw bear sculpture from the front driveway of William Dingethal, Gibson Township. The sculpture is about 2-3 feet tall and has one eye missing. Anyone with information is asked to call the State Police at 465-3154. TRAFFIC COLLISION Shortly after noon on June 11, Daniel Brinton, 16, Susquehanna, lost control of the truck he was driving along TR 749 in Thompson Township. The truck left the roadway and hit a concrete culvert. It next began to roll over, causing four passengers in the truck bed to be ejected. The passengers were Nicholas Ott, 15, Thompson, who received moderate injuries; Shelby Brinton, 7, Thompson, minor injury; Christina Butts, 14, Thompson, moderate injury. The nature of any injury was unknown for two other passengers, Allen Plant, 15, address unknown, and Melayna Amrein, 8, address unknown. Two passengers were life-flighted to CMC Hospital in Scranton; three were transported to Wilson Hospital, Johnson City, and Brinton was transported to Barnes-Kasson Hospital. Both Thompson and Susquehanna Fire companies assisted on the scene. BURGLARY AND RELATED OFFENSES Garrett Yakoski, Springville, reported that at around 6 in the evening on June 10, Robert Joseph Stephenson, Tunkhannock, kicked in his front door and threatened to kill him. With the assistance of the State Police in Tunkhannock, Stephenson was taken into custody without incident for burglary, criminal trespass, simple assault, criminal mischief and terroristic threats. He was arraigned and released on bail.
COG
Gearing Up For Codes With the effective date of new UCC enforcement coming up fast, municipalities throughout the county are meeting to decide how they will accommodate the new rules and their enforcement. Many of them are choosing to turn over that function to the Council of Government’s Codes Enforcement Committee. Auburn Township is the latest to do so and as announced by Committee president Ted Plevinsky at the group’s June meeting. He also reported that all of the now-24 members but one had adopted the appropriate ordinances and were set to go. The effective date of UCC for Codes’ member municipalities is July 1. Plevinsky announced that a representative from BUI, the group’s third-party certified inspection service, would be available in COG office’s on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8:30 to 11:30 to answer any questions members or their constituents might have. Come July 1, that schedule might change, depending on response and need. "We’ll play it by ear," said Plevinsky, adding, "If we need him for a different time or dates, he’ll work with us." Members can also contact the BUI representative at a toll free Codes number, which is 866-552-3037. One piece of business Codes must address is the formation of a state-required appeals board to hear requests for variances, appeals of inspection results, and other requests. At its last meeting, the group discussed having a three-member board, with three alternatives to a conflict of interest, and decided to pay those who serve $50 an appeal plus mileage reimbursement at IRS rates. It also discussed, both last month and at this meeting, a $650 nonrefundable application fee by those wishing to appeal a decision. Member Charlie Fahringer said his municipality discussed the fee at its last meeting, and thought it seemed prohibitive. His group’s consensus was that people might say, "To heck with appealing, we’ll go to civil court." He also noted that the Sewage Enforcement Committee did not require an application fee for appeals made to it. However, it was pointed out that Sewage appeals costs are reimbursed, while Codes’ are not. The proposed $650 fee would recoup Codes’ administrative costs of the appeal, which would include a stenographer’s and attorney’s fees. The non-refundability of the fee, should the appealer make his or her case, worried Rick Pisasik. The proposed COG resolution does not state that the fee is non-refundable, so discussion took place about returning the appeals fee should the COG inspectors be proven wrong. It was also pointed out that BUI has stated it has participated in only a handful of appeals boards in the hundreds of inspections it has performed for other municipalities. An appeals board, said Plevinsky, would be a worst-case scenario that he didn’t anticipate happening all that often. Others wondered if there was a time limit on how long a person would have to appeal, and Codes secretary Karen Trynoski will find out. But with the July 1 effective date looming, the group did adopt the resolution. Should more information become available, and with more experience under the new law, it has the option of changing it down the road. Now all it needs are candidates to serve on the appeals board. Appeals board members cannot be elected officials, even if an appeal concerned a municipality that a board member did not represent. So far, the group has received one application, and it is looking for more. Trynoski wanted members to let her know if they knew of anyone with knowledge of electric, plumbing, footing, and other construction code areas; she’d love to send them an application form for consideration to sit on the appeals board. Several members talked about how they are addressing the needs of some residents who planned on doing work on their homes sometime during the next few months but were not yet ready to start or did not have plans yet drawn up. Trynoski said she and codes enforcement officer Jim Silletto discussed this as well. They suggest that residents include on an application for a permit the work they intend to do in detail, then to date the application and turn it in to COG or their municipality. Members thought documenting a permit application like this was a good idea, too, for applications requested before the July 1 effective date for work anticipated to take place after it. These permits, like others, will have an expiration date. For some municipalities, this is six months, longer for others. With CEO Silletto unable to attend the meeting because he was attending a Codes seminar, there was no SEO report, and the Codes meeting was adjourned. SEWAGE ENFORCEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING After the minutes, treasurer’s report and bill list were reviewed and accepted, Sewage Enforcement Committee president Rick Pisasik reported to members the actions of the group’s executive committee. He said that negotiations were continuing on the Hawkins Homes settlement, and tabled for the group’s next meeting guidelines on sponsoring individuals for SEO coursework. Pisasik updated members on a continuing Vadovsky violation that was decided by an appeals board back in 2002. The violator was given 18 months to fix a system he installed to bring it up to DEP standards, and then was given a 30-day extension after that. The extension date has come and gone, and Pisasik said that not enough progress has taken place, even given the additional time. He wanted to enforce the terms of the appeals board agreement and notify Vadovsky and Kuzma (the person for whom Vadovsky is doing the work) of that fact. Members agreed with his conclusion and the letters will go out. They also agreed to contract out perc tests for when the sewage enforcement officers were swamped with work, as they are now. Especially when it came to sub-division work, Pisasik thought having perc test technicians would free up the SEOs to do more inspections and enforcement work for which the group gets reimbursed. Thus, the committee voted to call upon perc test technicians Mary Fiorentino and Adam Griffis to do perc tests on an as-needed basis. The technicians would not be employees, but rather sub-contractors, to be paid a straight $175 per perc test conducted. Both would need to provide evidence that they have liability insurance in place for themselves. To compensate for the cost of these technicians, the group also voted to increase the fee for a soil test and a perc test from the current $150 to $175. After SEO Duane Wood welcomed members to observe the installation of a new peat-moss-flow system (which leaves about a 2-foot mound instead of the higher sand mount) in Dimock Township on the morning of June 23, the meeting was adjourned. COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS MEETING Only a few items were discussed at the COG meeting presided over by Elliot Ross. The first was road signs. Ross, who’s also the Street/Road Sign committee, reported he’s been very busy making up a bunch of signs for Bridgewater Township (with the help of supervisor Chuck Mean and wife, Mary), and for Middletown Township. For the last, Ross reported he cut 62 out of the 102 the municipality ordered. Others for whom he’s working on include Choconut and Oakland townships. Ross also announced that 108 stop signs are left and asked anyone interested in them to see him after the meeting. Secretary Cheryl Wellman brought up the group’s bylaws, and the fact that they were adopted in 1991 and last reviewed and updated in 1993. She thought it was time to review them and see if any changes made sense. Since the bylaws are but five pages or so, Wellman copied them to distribute to members at the meeting and will include them on the minutes she sends to all members for their input. Wellman, in going over bills to be paid with the group, noted that the $65 fee for LP3 – the state piggyback group – meant that all member municipalities could take advantage of the system as part of their COG membership. There was no need for each municipality to pay the $65 annual fee. Member Bill Bayne welcomed members to attend a June 30 conference on community and economic development at Drier Hall in Montrose. The cost is $25. Wellman reported that she and Trynoski attended the conference when it was held last year in Wilkes-Barre, and both found it to be worthwhile and informative. The next regular meetings of the Council of Governments is scheduled for July 20 at COG offices in the New Milford Borough Building on Main Street.
Close on the heels of its last school year, the Montrose Area School District board of directors addressed a wide-range of topics at its work session last Friday in preparation for the next one. It heard from Trudy Robertson, who prepared a proposal for review by board members that recommends raising the price of milk to 30 cents, and for a lunch from $1 to $1.40. Robertson noted that milk prices have "skyrocketed," and pointed out that the last time milk and lunch prices were raised was at least three, and possibly four, years ago. She said that the cafeteria staff was able to hold down prices during this time because it was using its fund balances to offset food price increases. This will no longer cover the latest increases in food and milk costs. The board will review Robertson’s report. In the meantime, director Jim Blachek wondered if there were any way for a parent to view a student’s lunch account from the website. That won’t be possible, said superintendent Mike Ognosky, for at least a year. However, Robertson will work on a system that would notify parents via e-mail when a student’s lunch around is going down. Board president Ken Gould asked where more food shows would be held in the cafeteria. He said he got a lot of positive response about them from students. Robertson said that shows will continue, but cautioned that many of the foods that are available for the sampling are not menu items, but rather a la carte ones, and wouldn’t make their way on to the school lunch menu. Other items, she was told by the school nurse, had little nutritional value or a high fat content. Going forward, the nurse will review the items that would be available at food shows. Ognosky reported that a meeting of the policy committee would need to be called to look at the district’s student attendance policy (ten years old, and well out of date), communications devices policy ("it behooves us to allow kids to use cell phones at certain times"), and various PSBA policies. He also asked directors to read through a report summarizing 37 administrative goals – what was accomplished and what was not – for a more formal review later on. Gould told the board that he and Ognosky would like administrators, in addition to the board, the provide input on district goals. Specifically, what did the board think of asking all administrators to bring up three goals for their areas of responsibility? They thought it a good idea, and Ognosky will move it forward. Director George Gow asked where upgrading the locker rooms stood. Clapper responded that he’s just beginning to speak with a contract about the locker rooms and the showers. Ognosky hoped to get the showers done first and, over the Christmas break, get to the lockers. With the bids for a van and other services came in about $10,000 less than anticipated, Ognosky thought the funds were there to take care of both. Directors also did a post-mortem of sorts on this year’s commencement, which was held in the stadium. Chris Caterson thought it was nice to have it held outdoors, but would there be a photographer there next time? There would. He also that that a way needed to be found to shorten up the program, and wondered if some of the awards could be more appropriately presented at baccalaureate night. Director Mary Homan noted that about three years ago, the reason some of the awards were changed from baccalaureate night to commencement was that quite a number of students weren’t showing up at the baccalaureate ceremony to accept their awards. Ognosky said that attendance at the baccalaureate night had improved since the District starting sending notes regarding attendance to award recipients. Gould thought that perhaps another page could be added to the commencement program, listing the students who were honored with an award at baccalaureate night. Ognosky said he had already started on putting together suggestions to address some of these concerns, and would add the directors’ input to them. Director Linda LaBarbera reported that some in the audience couldn’t hear what was going on, and she wondered whether the speakers could be better placed to avoid these complaints. Clapper explained that the only speaker system in the stadium is the one used for football games. If it’s turned up, the sound rebounds and is pretty well unintelligible. "It’s not a great system to be doing what we did at commencement, and perhaps we can come up with a better one" for the graduation, he said. Gould didn’t think the speakers on press box were working at all. He wondered if it made sense to purchase a portable system that could be hooked up on an as-needed basis. Clapper will look into that. The next regular work session of the Montrose Area Board of Directors is set to follow its next regular meeting scheduled for July 9, 6 p.m. at Choconut Valley Elementary School.
Susky
Council Holds Special Meeting Susquehanna Boro Council met for a special meeting on June 14 with vice president Mike Matis presiding in the absence of president Roy Williams. The first item of business was a letter of interest from Michael Vaccaro, who inquired about the possibility of purchasing a lot owned by the boro, believed to be parcel no. 73, and what used to be First St. There was some question as to whether the boro had ever actually vacated First St., whether or not approval was needed from the county (grant funding was used to demolish a condemned building at the site), and how to go about vacating what is essentially a vacant lot, if that is the direction council wishes to take. After discussion it was agreed to contact the boro’s solicitor for further information as to the proper procedure to vacate First St. As for parcel no. 73, council’s consensus was that they would be in favor of selling it, as the interested party would be looking to expand an existing business. However, councilman Kuiper suggested dividing the lot, selling the lower half adjacent to Main St., and retaining ownership of the upper half adjacent to Washington St., and turning it into municipal parking for Washington St. Residents; the lot could probably accommodate 20 to 25 vehicles. As any sale of boro property would require an appraisal, it was agreed to contact Mr. Vaccaro, who would be given approval to obtain an appraisal pending information from the solicitor, and to find out if he would be interested in just the lower half of parcel 73. The county Housing and Redevelopment Authority, which administered the demolition grant, will also be contacted for their approval of the sale. Under New Business, councilman Whitehead suggested that council reinstate committees to oversee each of the boro’s departments. The committees would bring items discussed to the two monthly council meetings for council’s approval. The streets committee will meet on the fourth Monday of each month; members are John Bronchella, Shane Lewis, Bill Kuiper, Mike Matis and streets commissioner Steve Glover. The codes committee, which consists of the same members, will also meet on the fourth Monday of each month, following the streets meeting. The finance committee will continue to meet at 6:30 on the Monday immediately preceding the council meeting held on the second Tuesday of the month; members are Pat Frederick, Ron Whitehead and Mike Matis. The police committee will meet immediately following the finance committee at 7:00; members are Ron Whitehead, Mike Matis, Pat Frederick, Bill Kuiper and Mayor Hurley. The committee meetings are open to the public, which is welcome and encouraged to attend. The meeting adjourned to an executive session, to review the seven applications that had been received for the boro secretary/treasurer job. The meeting reconvened briefly, to authorize reimbursement to a resident whose barbecue had been inadvertently disposed of by volunteers during the scrap metal pickup the boro had recently hosted. It was also agreed to set up interviews for the following evening for four of the job applicants. After interviewing those applicants on Tuesday, June 15, boro resident Judy Collins was offered the position. Council’s next meeting will be on Wednesday, June 23, 7:00 p.m. in the boro building.
Summer school board meetings are often about looking forward, and the directors of the Montrose Area School District did just that at their regular meeting last Friday. They hired student summer workers, as well as a dozen or so teachers for the next school year. But before getting to that, the group also looked back and recognized students who did some extraordinary things during the school year just ended. Sean Jones shyly came to the microphone after Superintendent Mike Ognosky summed up his accomplishments. A member of the high school’s tennis team, Jones volunteered to create – after school and after sports – not just a tennis website, but also one for the student council. Both link from the main District website. The school’s tennis coach couldn’t say enough good things about Jones, said Ognosky, and, in fact, a write-up on Jones’ efforts appeared in the Scranton newspaper. Jones gave a brief "tour" of the websites he created, and the board cited him for his outstanding work. (Jones is also one of the students the District hired later in the meeting; he’ll be one of the summer technology workers.) The students who make up the District’s "Out of Focus" junior-high film club and their advisers were also honored. The club is a singular success in a lot of ways: It had about 7 members during the 2002-2003 school year; this grew to 49 for the year just ended. Adviser John Koloski says he expects up to 60 students in the next school year, with sixth-graders looking forward to joining, and some senior-high students wanting to participate. Students do everything – story-boarding, sound recording, digital editing, acting, the works. This past year, the club produced two 30-minute movies – both recently screened at the Montrose Theatre. They also produced five-minute "short," for which Koloski said they shot 30 hours of footage (much of it "on location" at the high school). It recently took the honors for best screenplay at the annual Rod Serling Film Festival. And while the board was thanking the group for work well done, the club also thanked the board by way of a screen credit. Last year, the board authorized the purchase of equipment which allowed the young filmsters to show off their talent. They also thanked Ed Luecke. An adviser to the club, he was credited by Koloski as being "the heart of the video end of production." In fact, when board president Ken Gould asked if there was anything the club needed, Koloski asked for one thing, and that was if it were possible to do something salary-wise for Luecke. Club members in the audience applauded at this notion. Club members recognized are: Josh Hamernick, Kathleen Luecke, Cora Gibson, Hollen Graver, Matt Sydlosky, Kylynn Machir, Brad Bryant, Jason Cronk, Stephen Machir, Jaclyn Aldrich, Michael Stevens, Marion Huntley, Eleni Konstas, Steven Cole, Casey Gow, Sara Jones, Cathy Knapp, Steven Luecke, Veronica Power, Kate Woodward, Travor Nash, JoAnn Mollo, Sophie Hinkle and Emma Steed. David Wood also serves as adviser. Gould wanted to know if it were possible to load the club’s movies onto the district website for viewing on the Internet. Ognosky will check with technology director Craig Owen to see if that can happen. In other business, the board formally adopted it 2004-2005 budget of $21.7 million, and to set tax rates at 40 mils of assessed valuation on real estate. It approved the paying of bills and 22 Fund transfers, most of which were to pay for various expenses related to the new garage at Choconut to house equipment and an office for security and safety director Rick Clapper. It awarded bids for van replacement to Sherwood Chevrolet ($25,709), for paving to Broome Bituminous ($23,760; and for locker replacement to Robinson Steel ($63,985). Clapper noted that all three bids were lower than anticipated, which was more good news. Full-day kindergarten was also formally approved, and board secretary Lewis Plauny reported that site preparation expected in July, with placement of the modules that will accommodate having full-day kindergarten expected in August. The group voted to approve continuing the Modified School Health Program, as well as a contract with Heartspring to provide services to a student with multiple disabilities for the upcoming school year at a cost of $254,640. It accepted with regret the resignation of several coaches, who either retired or because of family commitments were unable to continue to coach. They are Thomas Weller, as assistant football coach; Edward Goldsmith, head junior high boys’ basketball coach; Chris Canfield, assistant soccer coach; Joseph Gilhool, head softball coach; and Adam Rauch, assistant junior high wrestling coach. Also accepted with regret was the resignation because of family commitments of Eric Powers as student council advisor. Summer student workers (in addition to website designer Sean Jones) hired at the hourly rate of $5.15 were: Matt Lopez, Paul Travis, and Hannah Mahler, custodians, and Matt Oberg, Mike Rogers, Lee Caterson, and James Cain, technology workers. Teachers hired for the summer school program at $22 an hour are Heather Jurchak (maximum 20 hours), Kim Fruehan (24 hours), and Tracie McComb (24 hours). Students hired for a maximum of 20 hours a week at the hourly rate of $5.15 for the 2004-2005 school year at Caroline Millen and Danielle Colvin. Effective July 1, Douglas Cook and Richard O’Boyle were hired as full-time night custodians, with support staff fringe benefits and an hourly rate of $7.50. The board accepted with regret the resignation of Susan Newell as Lathrop Street lunchroom/playground supervisor, and granted tenure to Jill Kimsey, Russell Canavari, Mary Jeannette Kelly, Teri O’Reilly, Polly Pritchard and Anne Vaccaro. Additions to the teaching staff at the high school come August are Andrew Weller, math, salary of $44,691; Mary Gesford, math, $37,737; Katherine Oehler, guidance counselor, $41,206; Daniel Lukasavage, technology education, $40,016; Laura Griffith, long-term substitute computer science, $13,581; and Debra Andre, learning support, $40,051. New at the Choconut school will be Tracy Dunn, first grade, $39,442. At Lathrop Street, sixth grade $37,737 and Ragen Rehrig, $41,676. Ognosky thanked both the teachers and the board for vetting and interviewing the candidates for the teacher openings, and noted and Andy Weller is an MAHS alumnus. The next regular meeting of the Montrose Area School District is scheduled for July 9, 6 p.m. at the Choconut Valley Elementary School.
In this case, UCC stands for "Uniform Construction Code," coming soon to a construction site near you. Legislation passed in 1999 will soon require all municipalities in Pennsylvania to ensure that all residential and commercial structures are built according to the code. Since most boroughs and townships in Susquehanna County - like Harford - don't have the resources to handle such a chore themselves, they are joining the county Council of Governments (COG) to administer it for them. COG, in turn, is hiring an outside firm to conduct the necessary inspections. All of this will likely cost homeowners more money, and Harford Supervisor and Township Secretary Sue Furney expressed some concern over the initial confusion the program may cause. At the Supervisors' meeting on June 12, she and Terry Van Gorden approved two more ordinances binding Harford to COG. One of them contracts with COG to administer and enforce the UCC in Harford Township. The other covers issuance of "assessment" permits for structures that are not covered under the UCC. In general, the UCC covers residential and commercial structures intended for human occupation. Some historical buildings, auxiliary sheds and barns, and manufactured housing (which are usually built to code at the factory and so certified) would not have to be inspected, but they would be subject to taxation, and the new ordinance gives COG the responsibility to issue permits for such structures so the taxing authority can properly assess them. Ms. Furney said that the fee for such a permit would be set at a later date, and that the permit would be good for one year. Mr. Van Gorden said he had heard some concern about removal of the planter boxes from the Odd Fellows lot in the village. The boxes and trees had been cited in a Department of Transportation study of the Market Street-Tingley Lake Road intersection as restricting sight lines along Tingley Lake Road to the junction with Main Street (Route 547). Tingley Lake Road and Route 547 are both under state jurisdiction. Last Fall the Supervisors decided to remove the boxes and trees, and was willing to donate them to another organization. The Fire Company snapped them up, and they are now gracing the new fire hall on Fair Ground hill. Last month the Supervisors contracted to buy a new backhoe, to replace the 4-5 year old model that now has serious brake problems. The vendor, Cleveland Brothers, allowed just under $40,000 in trade. The Township will chip in another $41,100 for the new machine, plus $2,250 for a 3- year warranty. Since the current backhoe is out of service, the Supervisors also approved temporary rental at $12.50 per hour until the new machine is delivered. While they're using this equipment, the Township's workers will be outfitted in safety clothing, highlighted by day-glo ("slime green") vests and shirts. Word is they're not delighted with them, but the township's insurer feels better about their safety. Last month the Supervisors also agreed to help out the local Little League association with a $500 donation, and some in-kind assistance expanding the playing area on the field. The Township owns the field, but it is used almost exclusively by the Little League, which agrees to keep it mowed during the growing season. The Supervisors last month hired Graf Lawn Services to handle mowing elsewhere on Township property. In May the Supervisors also agreed to post all Township roads with speed limits not to exceed 35 miles per hour. The state police have said that they would not enforce traffic regulations on roads that were not posted. Since April there have been three more responses to the Supervisors' request for opinions on the future of the Odd Fellows Hall in the village. Two of them hoped to retain the building; the third was a vote for demolition. And last but not least, the Township's primary waste hauler, Waste Management of Pennsylvania, has discontinued the sale of blue and clear bags at area retailers. A letter circulated to customers offers two options to continue trash service. Under option 1 - which will cost $4.00 per month (billed quarterly) - pickups will be made at each residence (clustered pickups will be discontinued), and customers will have to call 1-800-222-2028 to order bags in packages of 10. Blue bags will cost $2.50 each; clear recycling bags will cost $2.00 apiece. A shipping charge of over $3.00 will be added to each order. Option 2 will be a subscription plan most suitable for businesses. Homeowners can continue to use up their current supply of bags. The Harford Township Supervisors meet on the second Saturday of each month beginning at 10:00 a.m., and on the fourth Tuesday of each month beginning at 7:30 p.m. All meetings are held at the Township Building on Route 547.
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