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Look For Our MONTROSE APPLE FESTIVAL SPECIAL In The September 8th Issue Of The County Transcript

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Issue Home August 24, 2004 Site Home

HEADLINES:
Codes Process Explained, Again
Vacant Seat In GB Township?
Gov. Rendell To Visit Hallstead
Gibson Barracks Report
Court House Report

Clifford Meeting Is Brief
No Word On Harford Odd Fellows
SCSD Revises Dress Code


Codes Process Explained, Again

The dog days of summer may have been the reason for short and sparsely attended August meetings of the Council of Governments and its committees.

Rick Pisasik presided over a Sewage Enforcement Committee meeting that informed members of an August 30 hearing date on the ongoing Kuzma/Vadovsky violation.

Secretary Karen Trynoski reported that new, temporary employee Adam Griffis was unable to complete his August PSATs SEO testing due to illness and is scheduled to retake the tests in November. In the meantime, he’s completed a few perc tests for the group and is anxious to do more, once he gets his doctor’s okay. A member suggested that when he does, any limitations should be included on his return-to-work slip.

The SEOs reports were brief: They are all still very busy, with the rain slowing things down and getting in everyone’s way. In eleven minutes, this group wrapped up its regular August meeting.

CODES ENFORCEMENT COMMITTEE

President Ted Plevinsky started the meeting by noting that the ad for a non-UCC ordinance was appearing in the local papers, on behalf of those member municipalities planning to adopt it. [This ordinance applies to non-attached, non-residential structures of less than 1000 square feet.]

Secretary Karen Trynoski provided the group with some answers to questions asked at earlier meetings. The first concerned building plans that are denied by BUI, the group’s third-party inspection service. She spoke with a representative who said that a report on any denied plan would contain a written explanation of the denial. Trynoski also found out that the UCC has no time limit for when a property-owner or builder could appeal an inspection decision. If someone starts building without a permit, Trynoski reported that the building inspector will go out and put a stop order on the site; if work is continued in spite of this, a $1,000 a day fine kicks in. Trynoski emphasized that a municipality must notify COG of any work they suspect is being done without the permitting for them to follow up on. She also reminded members to call, or have property owners or builders call, COG offices is they had any questions at all about building in their municipalities.

Members were given a dozen copies of a nifty pamphlet to take back to their municipalities and answer questions from their residents. The pamphlet summarizes the application and inspection process and requirements, and includes a card with COG’s toll-free number. If members need more copies of the pamphlet, they should just let Trynoski know and they’ll be sent.

Some discussion was given to recent letters-to-the-editor in the Transcript from a Wayne County resident and one other letter-writer, making claims that COG is a kind of Mafia that is taking kickbacks for the inspection work that it has contracted out to a third party.

The group is concerned that these letters are misinforming readers who may not know the established process by which the group made its decisions. That, in fact, Codes originally wanted to train its own employees to perform all the inspections but soon realized, as the UCC was revealed with all its 18 categories, that was not likely to occur. That it then advertised for bids and solicited them from four building inspection organizations, one of whom chose not to bid and all of whom were identified by the group from ads in an industry journal or a business card picked up at a seminar or left at a municipal office. That interviews were conducted with all three firms that submitted a bid. That the best bid came from BUI in Scranton, with a dedicated COG inspector who lives in Montrose. And that the so-called "bribe" is, in fact, an administrative fee – not unusual in the cost of doing business for any organization – that helps cover expenses, such as salary, equipment, supplies, utilities and other related expenses in a COG office where permit and inspection services originate and are coordinated with member municipalities.

As one member put it, "We believe we got the best possible service at the best price for our municipalities." Another added that if anyone has a problem, they should see their borough or township officials. And if they want more information, they should come to COG offices.

The reviews thus far from residents in member municipalities are good – either they don’t hear anything or, as happened in one municipality, a resident comes to the township meeting to report on how smooth and efficient it was working with the BUI inspector on that resident’s property.

In fact, the Codes group is considering developing a survey requesting input from permit-requesters about their permitting and inspection experiences.

COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

Elliot Ross presided over a meeting at which various items of information were announced. Secretary Cheryl Tillman passed along to members the name and toll-free number of PENNDOT’s weigh team, as well as making available in COG offices a guide to road bonding and standards for members’ use. Tillman and insurance committee member Mike Greene will be meeting soon with the group’s insurance agent to discuss renewal. Tillman passed along information from the Northern Tier Planning Commission about grants for various purposes (website development, technical assistance and others) and which contained requirements for applying for a grant.

And while the bylaws committee has yet to meet, Tillman pointed out that current bylaws state that a municipality’s membership fee would be prorated for the first year of their membership to the time of their signing up with COG. This prorating was not done for a few new members and, while the $100 annual membership fee translates into a monthly fee of $8.33, the issue still needed to be addressed.

Ross, who is also the street/road signs committee, reported that he’s close to delivering the hundred or so signs for Middletown Township, and is working on others for Choconut, Rush and Thompson Townships.

One member asked Ross whether townships were going with bigger letters on their new signs. Ross replied some were, and others were replacing with smaller-sized letters. "Theoretically," said Ross, "you can use your liquid fuel funds for signs if they are the larger, PENNDOT-approved size; otherwise, they’ve got to come out of your general funds."

With so many signs needing the replacing because of theft or vandalism, one member pointed out that he read where a municipality took to greasing its signposts with good-quality grease, which put a dent in the number of signs stolen. His municipality is going to do the same.

Talk also turned to the county readdressing and emergency response. Several member municipalities see merit in the plan, and have adopted it or, like Oakland Township, modifying a sample ordinance to suit its needs. Cy Cooperthwait told the group that Oakland Township’s proposed modifications were to determine (for itself) the size of its signs, to address any renaming of roads through resolution rather than an ordinance, as called for in the sample, and other controls he believes should rest with a municipality and not a commission.

Other members expressed impatience with county communications, to whom they submitted their readdressing plans some time ago with no response to date. Tillman reminded members that county emergency communications chief Dawn Watson would be attending the upcoming Township Officials convention, and to take their questions and frustrations directly to her.

Which brought Tillman to the book distributed at this convention. She told members that COG would be handling the inclusion of a page for each COG member, including whether it also belongs to the Sewage or Code committee or both. The convention book is popular with builders and others who want information about codes, and Tillman will be laying in a good supply at COG offices.

The next meeting of the Council of Governments is scheduled for September 21 at 7 p.m. in COG offices in the New Milford Borough Building on Main Street.

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Vacant Seat In GB Township?

The three-person board of supervisors of Great Bend Township may once again have a vacant seat come September 20. Before the close of its regular meeting on August 16, current supervisor and roadmaster George Haskins announced that he is contemplating resigning on that date. He wanted to make the rest of the board aware of his thinking.

Haskins cited the severe time demands for his township responsibilities, which means he has less of it to dedicate to a business he started in January, 2002. He spoke of his internal struggle – "a commitment to the people who elected me" versus a "lot of money in lost income over the last two and a half years" from a business that often came in second as far as his time was concerned. "I just can’t cheat my business any longer," said Haskins.

Township roads, for some, may not be in great shape, but from all appearances, that doesn’t seem to be for a lack of time, work and energy on Haskins’ part. His regular roadmaster’s reports are full of detail, and he has been quick to respond to emergency situations which have been all too frequent in these past couple of years of heavy rains that take out or threaten roads.

So, while Haskins’ resignation was not a certainty at the meeting, he did graciously express his enjoyment of working with supervisor and chair Bob Squier, former chair Jim Banko, secretary Sheila Guinan and supervisor Walt Galloway, whose tremendous energy he especially admires.

The bulk of the rest of the meeting that preceded Haskins’ announcement was, of course, about roads. Airport Road resident Bob Smith, acknowledging that weather has been lousy for road work, asked if the board had some kind of date for taking care of substantial potholes and water run-off on the road. They did, and – with the grader back from being repaired – Haskins said that by the end of the month, the township expects to do some regrading, put down some calcium and dump some rip-rap in a couple of spots – weather pending, of course.

Airport Road is one of six roads set for grader work before all the rain turns and becomes all snow. With the grader out for repairs since around March and only recently returned, there’s a bunch of catching up to do.

The bill for fixing the grader was a real eye-popper, too – $22,600. Said Haskins, "That is a tremendous bill, and had I known it was going to cost that much, I think we would have junked it and bought something." So, Haskins put in place a rigorous maintenance program for the grader to extend its life after these repairs. That includes frequent changes to its oil and six filters. "As long as the filters don’t get plugged," said Haskins, "we should be okay. Oil and filters are cheap compared to $22,000, and protecting the $2,700 pump on the grader is worth the effort." Township employees are also servicing the pickup and the mower, both of which recently required some work.

In other road matters, Haskins reported that the township is still waiting for engineer Todd Schmidt’s report for the lower slide on Graham Hollow Road, and that’s holding up progress there. Galloway will call Schmidt to follow up, since he apparently has not been returning Guinan’s calls. Haskins also pointed out that the upper slide has doubled in size since the township first applied for grants to help in its repair, and should make this fact known to those doing the grant-reviewing. Squier will follow up.

Some rip-rap was dumped at the corner of Sienko Road and Old Route 11, said Haskins, when a recent flash-flood warning was broadcast a couple of weeks ago. Another load is on the way because Haskins says another flash flood would erode the road. Potholes were also repaired on Old Route 11, and ditches were worked on elsewhere through the township so they could hold more water when floods flashed through. Galloway reported that some 1.6 miles of roads were expected to be tarred-and-chipped over the next several weeks as part of the township’s participation in the state Agility Program.

Resident Pat McHugh Derrick asked supervisors if they had yet determined what could be done on McHugh Hill Road. Galloway reported that the bottom of the hill is in the worst shape and needs to be dug up and redone. Haskins will visit the road soon, and noted that a crumbling corrugated pipe in a culvert needed to be replaced, as well. They are hopeful that some work can be done soon to at least stabilize the road until a more permanent fix can be done.

For his part, Galloway prepared a financial report which projected out normal, budgeted operating expenses and funds available over the next seven months for projects, mostly roadwork. That amount is $53,500. "Fuel may go over, skid might go under," he said, but for now it’s an estimate reasonably developed.

Haskins said he wanted to apply $10,000-$15,000 to repairs on Old Route 11 until the township worked on a road-repair program this winter for work next season. That might include a cold process, he said, used by some municipalities and which costs significantly less than blacktop. Another $15,000 for 400 tons of material would, he thought, get some of the worst spots on other roads through the winter. "In the first three months of the year, we have to lay out a program to do the roads correctly and borrow the money to do all the projects. DCED will need specifics of what we expect to do on each road."

The one bid received for the salt storage building in the township was significantly higher ($61,000) than anything the supervisors anticipated and it was rejected. Instead, this winter, salt will be stored in a design by George Haskins. He received an estimate of $2,250 for delivered materials to build a covered but open-sided structure to store the salt. Township employees will provide the labor, and tarps will be used to close in the sides against the weather.

In other business, Squier reported that a resident asked him if he could put in a temporary sewage holding tank until the house he’s building gets hooked up to the sewer line. Squire seemed to have told him that was okay, but the tank had to come out within 90 days of the sewer hookup. In order to avoid a situation where a holding tank might become a permanent tank, Galloway suggested that the resident be referred to the sewage enforcement officer before anything was done. Haskins thought that the resident should first have a commitment from the sewage authority to hook to it before seeing the SEO for a permit, and that’s the course of action that will be taken.

A yard sale ordinance has been advertised. Its purpose is to discourage the "yard sales" that turn into a perpetual, ongoing businesses set up every weekend or every day on porches or in front yards. The board was emphatic that residents could still use the occasional yard sale to get rid of what is often other yard-sale stuff. Enforcement of the ordinance will be made, however, for those who turn it into a regular thing throughout the season.

The next regular meeting of the Great Bend Township board of supervisors is scheduled for September 13 at 7 p.m. in the township building.

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Gov. Rendell To Visit Hallstead

Hallstead Boro Council met for their regualr meeting on August 19; present were council members Mary Rudock, Michele Giangrieco, David Callender, John Giangrieco, Joseph Franks and Mayor Willard Canfield.

The Hallstead-Great Bend American Legion will be hosting a dedication of their memorial park on September 11. According to a representative of the Legion who was present at council’s meeting, expected guests include Governor Rendell, Representative Sandra Major, Senator Roger Madigan and other dignitaries. The dedication will kick off with a parade at 9:30, starting from the intersection of New York and Park Avenues, down New York to the Legion hall.

Council discussed rumors that had been circulating in the boro regarding the four war memorials along the riverbank; three of the memorials are sited on boro property, but the fourth is, in fact on private property. The rumors claim that the property owner where the fourth memorial is located had a problem with its being situated there. Not so, Mr. Canfield said. He had spoken with the owner, who does not have a problem with the memorial and, to accommodate visitors, would make every effort to avoid parking his/her vehicles there.

Council approved a building permit for the Holgate property, to replace a garage.

Several complaints about plugged storm drains were discussed and will be looked into.

Mayor Canfield relayed that he had been approached by some Boy Scouts in search of a community project to work on towards obtaining their Eagle Scout badges. Several options were discussed; council members agreed to give the matter their consideration, with suggested projects to be discussed at next month’s meeting.

A motion carried to order a new sign for the boro building, which will post when council meetings are held.

Council reviewed two letters regarding the beautification committee. The first, from Great Bend Township requested information as to when the boro would be paying the balance of their commitment to the project, $3,500. The second, from Debbie Dissinger, coordinator of the Bridging Communities Committee, provided an update on the committee’s progress. The next step of the project is the design stage for the sidewalks in Great Bend and Hallstead and the riverbank park in Hallstead. The committee met with representatives of DCNR to discuss applying for grant funding (for the riverbank park). The committee’s goals are the creation of a scenic and safe walkway along Route 11 from the new Welcome Center to the south side of the boro, and to enhance the look of the corridor and river with plants, shrubs and benches. And, the committee has been notified that the Hallstead Plaza area, the last phase of the project, is slated to be added to the Transportation Improvement Plan list in October; PENNDOT will be conducting a traffic analysis.

The boro’s financial commitment to the project was $5,000, of which $1,500 has been paid. The remainder of the funds have been allocated; but, there were questions, such as when will work on the sidewalks in the boro be started. Ms. Giangrieco agreed to contact Mrs. Dissinger for the answer to this question and a few others, after which council will approve payment of the remaining balance.

Several bids were received for heating fuel for the boro building; as the rates were all the same, a motion carried to accept the bid from Benson Brothers, which has supplied fuel to the boro for a number of years. In a related discussion, it was noted that the fuel tank is located outside of the building, which has caused "gelling" of the fuel in harsh winter weather. As the tank is in need of replacement, a motion carried to get prices on a new tank, and to relocate it in the boro garage. Moving the tank should eliminate the gelling problem and keep the heating system running better, of increased concern now that the building rents space to a daycare center.

Council had been in the process of converting the building’s lavatory, to make it handicap accessible. But, the daycare operator has requested that, instead of just converting to handicap accessible facility, another, non-handicap facility be kept, making two lavatories available. After some discussion, it was decided that it would be a minimal increase in the project’s cost to comply with the request if it were to be included now, with the present renovations. A motion carried to approve.

Council agreed to send a letter to a property owner who has not kept his grass mowed, despite a number of warnings from Mayor Canfield.

Correspondence reviewed included a letter from Jason Legg, the county’s District Attorney, providing a list of potential indicators of terroristic activities in regard to owners of storage facilities; a letter from PENNDOT providing information regarding Highway Occupancy Permits; an additional letter from PENNDOT requesting that municipalities become a "Registered Business Partner" which is required to receive federal and state funds for highway projects. The final item was from the daycare operator, requesting permission to replace the (older) refrigerator in the kitchen of the boro building with a newer, more efficient one, which will be left should the tenant move out; council approved the request.

The next meeting will be on Thursday, September 16, 7:00 p.m. in the boro building.

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Gibson Barracks Report

THEFT BY UNLAWFUL TAKING

An unknown person(s) went to a residence on Fitch Hill Road in Springville Township on the afternoon of August 16 and took a 4-foot-long ceramic countertop sink unit from the front porch. The bowl of the sink is white and the countertop is hunter green. Anyone with information is asked to please call the State Police at 465-3154.

ONE-VEHICLE CRASH

F. Koons, 80, Susquehanna, was driving his 1998 Ford Ranger through a curve on Route 171 about a mile south of the Interstate. Koons’ vehicle went off the pavement and dropped onto the shoulder, where Koons lost control of the Ranger. He veered back onto the roadway and crossed onto the opposite shoulder, down a grass embankment, and then back onto the road. The left front rim of the Ranger struck the pavement, causing the truck to roll over onto its left side. It rolled several more times and then spun about 90 degrees, coming to rest on its left side on the northbound edge of the road. This crash occurred around 3 on the afternoon of August 16. Koons, who was wearing a seat belt, received moderate injury. His truck received major damage.

THEFT OF A MOTOR VEHICLE

A green 1998 Yamaha Grizzly 600 was stolen from a garage belonging to Kurt Frye of Silver Lake Township sometime between 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. on August 11. An unknown person(s) entered Frye’s garage through a window, opened the garage door and, after taking the Grizzly, left in an unknown direction. Anyone with information is asked to please call the State Police at 465-3154.

THEFT

Between August 14 and 15, someone stole a mailbox belonging to Andrew Banko from its post in Jackson Township. Anyone with information is asked to please call the State Police at 465-3154.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF

A person(s), possibly driving a red pickup truck, pushed a mailbox belonging to Darlene Wilbur off its post in Great Bend Township at around 2 a.m. on August 15. Anyone with information is asked to please call the State Police at 465-3154.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF

At around 2:30 a.m. on August 15, someone smashed a mailbox belonging to Richard Louis Francher, Great Bend Township. Francher lives along the same road as Wilbur (see report above.)

IDENTITY THEFT

An unknown person(s) acquired personal information of someone living in Little Meadows by unknown means. This person(s) then used the victim’s personal information to acquire credit cards in the victim’s name, then fraudulently made several purchases – primarily in Delaware – on the cards. It isn’t known how the personal information was obtained. State Police warn everyone to take caution both in making purchases on-line and in discarding any paperwork containing their personal information. This incident occurred between June 1 and July 1. Anyone with information is asked to please call the State Police at 465-3154.

ASSAULT

On the evening of August 13 in the Susquehanna County Correctional Facility, Joshua Allen Baker, 18, assaulted Garret James Yakoski, 24, in his jail cell. Yakoski was injured in the assault and transported to the Endless Mountains Health Care Facility in Montrose for treatment. Baker has been charged with aggravated assault, assault by a prisoner, terroristic threats, simple assault and reckless endangering of another person.

TRAFFIC ACCIDENT

An 8-year-old by from Lawton was riding his bicycle and made a wide turn into the parking lot of the Elk Lake School in Dimock Township. He stuck a 2001 Dodge Dakota driven by Lee Stand, 46, Meshoppen. The boy fell from his bike and broke his wrist. He was treated at Tyler Memorial Hospital. Neither the boy nor Stand were cited in this accident that occurred at 1:00 in the afternoon of August 13.

BURGLARY

On the afternoon of August 12, two juvenile females entered the Blue Ridge Sportsmen’s Club in New Milford Township through the kitchen window. They removed a case of soda and damaged two tables.

FUGITIVE

During the course of an investigation in Lathrop Township on the night of June 24, police discovered that John Walter Lazinsky, 49, Hop Bottom, had an active warrant for his arrest out of Luzerne County. He was taken into custody and lodged in the county jail.

CRIMINAL ATTEMPT THEFT

Shortly after midnight on August 2, an unknown person(s) tried to steal a 2002 Suzuki motorcycle from near the garage of the home of Lynn Bennett, Clifford Township. The person fled the scene when Bennett left her home.

TRAFFIC COLLISION

Gail Williams of Binghamton was stopped on Route 29 south where it intersects with Route 706 in Bridgewater Township. A 2001 International operated by David Warner, Montrose, was directly behind her. The International accelerated from the stopped position and struck Williams’ 2002 Chrysler van in the rear. Both drivers were wearing seat belts and received no injuries. Their vehicles received minor damage in this accident that happened close to noon on July 21.

TRAFFIC CRASH

Brandon Barlow, Uniondale, lost control of the 1998 Dodge pickup he was driving on a muddy roadway in Gibson Township and struck a stone wall and then a telephone pole late in the afternoon of August 12.

TRAFFIC COLLISION

Around 6:30 in the morning on July 31, a 2004 Hyundai Elantra driven by James Rozell of Kingsley was stopped in the northbound lane of Route 29 in Liberty Township, its left-blinker on and waiting to turn left. A 1988 Chevy Z28 driven by Shawn Gumaer was also traveling north. Gumaer tried to avoid a crash by steering to the left, but could not avoid hitting Rozell’s car. Gumaer’s Chevy then traveled across the southbound lane and off the west berm, where it hit two trees, traveled across the road again, coming to rest off the berm. Both drivers received minor injuries. Rozell was wearing a seat belt; Gumaer was not. The Chevy received major damage; the Hyundai, moderate damage.

HARASSMENT

Amanda Brand, 31, and Chris Merritt, 38, both of Great Bend Township, apparently became involved in a domestic dispute. Merritt apparently subjected Brand to unwanted physical contact and faces appropriate charges in this incident that occurred on the evening of August 9.

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Courthouse Report

DEEDS

Andrew R. Whitehead and Tracy L. Whitehead to Joseph A. and Patricia L. Vietri, in Susquehanna for $58,000.

Betty Rudowsky to Stephen Rudowsky and Betty Rodowsky, in New Milford Township for one dollar.

James N. Hill and Tammy M. Hill to Frederick J. Malloy and Barbara A. Reynolds, in Bridgewater Township for $38,700.

Donald E. Tyler and Mary Ann Tyler to Emilia M. Gemmer, in Great Bend Township for $95,000.

Mary Breese Elmore (estate, aka) Mary Breese (estate) to William Carole, in Auburn Township for zero dollars.

Taisja Tworek to Mark Marshall and Alyce Marshall, in New Milford Township for $90,000.

Beverly B. Bartels (nbn) Beverly Bartels-Winters, Stanly Winters, Christopher W. Bartels, and Wendy Bartels to Barry Michaels Lewis and Constance E. Lewis, in Jackson Township for $165,000.

S A & D Armstrong Trust (by trustee) to Mark Smetana and Connie Smetana, in Herrick Township for $76.500.

Eric J. Glemser and Patricia A. Glemser to Beth Ann Reilly and James P. Reilly, in Springville Township for $105,500.

Nicholas Palmucci and Michele Palmucci to James L. Venneman Jr., in Jackson Township for $121,000.

Craig Naylor to Maragret R. Caines, in Springville Township for $127,200.

Beth M. Barnhart and James C. Hansucker to Thomas J. Kerr, in Liberty Township for $177,000.

Dorothy May Schultz (est) to Robert G. Schultz and Joan Schultz, in Lenox Township for $12,000.

Michael J. Shefchick and Bernadette Cipilewski to Sharon J. Kemmerer, in Springville Township for $125,000.

Earl Arthur Butts and Marie J. Butts to Darwin R. Greene and Paula J. Greene, in Harmony Township for $140,000.

John Giacovelli to Scott and Mary Beth Johnson, in Auburn Township for $40,000.

Brad Schmidt and Shaela D. Schmidt to Shirley D. Sheridan and Raymond G. Sheridan, in Montrose for $32,000.

Carl Carpenter, Frances Carpenter, Marilyn Peters, Charles Peters, Sharon Carpenter (nbm) Sharon Mitchell, Bradford Mitchell, Dana Carpenter, Susan Carpenter , Ruth Skinner, Ronald Skinner, and Josephine Carpenter, to Jack J. Thullen, Heidi Thullen, William J. Privitar, and Gaile Privitar, in Ararat Township for $45,500.

Gerald A. Benner and Kenneth A. Benner to Gerald A. Benner, Rhoda A. Benner, Kenneth A. Benner, and Carolyn J. Benner, in Harmony Township for one dollar.

Stanley Swarts and Nancy Swarts to Richard Dryer and Beverly Dryer, in Apolacon Township for $5,000.

Richard Dryer and Beverly Dryer to Martin E. Yerkey and Kathleen A. Yerkey, in Apolacon Township for $4,200.

Forest City DG Ventures to Larry N. Reed and Ramona L. Reed. in Forest City for $533,333.

Shirley D. Sheriden and Raymond G. Sheriden to Shirley D. Sheriden and Raymond G. Sheriden, in Brooklyn Township for one dollar.

Raymond G. Sheriden Jr. and Shirley D. Sheriden to Raymond G. Sheriden Jr. and Shirley D. Sheriden, in Lanesboro Borough for one dollar.

Raymond G. Sheriden Jr. and Shirley D. Sheriden to Raymond G. Sheriden Jr. and Shirley D. Sheriden, in Susquehanna for one dollar.

Helen McMullen (estate) to Diane MacPhee, in Rush Township for one dollar.

Brian L. Sudbrink and Monida R. Sudbrink to Clair Cook and Shirley Smith, in Harmony Township for $6,000.

Loren Robinson, Linda C. Robinson, Kenneth Bennett, and Betty Lou Bennett to Alma Robinson, in Harford Township for one dollar.

Wallace B. Michener and Adalina Michener to William F. Walling and Diane P. Walling, in Auburn Township for $129,900.

Gary C. McMillen to Wallace B. Michener Jr. and Adalina Michener, in Lathrop Township for $87.500.

Marcia Cope and Amy Cope to David Strohli and Marcella Strohli, in Herrick Township for $1,500.

Stephen Brozana and Joanne Brozana to Stephen J. Brozana, in Bridgewater Township for one dollar.

Rosie M. Very to Henry Steven Very and William Brian Very in Rush Township for one dollar.

Manzek Land Company Inc. to Paul G. Montalbano and Linda E. Montalbano, in Auburn and Rush Townships for $12,000.

Frank G. Gavern Jr. and Catherine J. Gavern to Kathleen Caputo, Dean F. Gavern, Nicole Gavern, Kelly McCool and Frank A. Gavern III, in New Milford Township for one dollar.

Lynn H. Abbott and Barbara A. Abbott to Dale A. Rumage, in Hallstead Borough, for $94,000.

Felix Hardware Inc. to Felix Oleniacz, Elizabeth Oleniacz, Paul Oleniacz, and Pamela Oleniacz, in Bridgewater Township for $60,000.

Prezelski Family Irrevocable Trust (by trustees) to David Prezelski and Richard Prezelski, in Herrick Township for one dollar.

David Prezelski and Richard Prezelski to Margaret Prezelski, in Herrick Township for one dollar.

Ronald S. Cook and Gloria Jean Cook (both by US Marshall) to Charlotte Smetzer, in Franklin Township for $56,000.

Robert G. Socolick and Ann M. Socolick to Robert G. Socolick and Ann M. Socolick, in New Milford Township for one dollar.

MARRIAGES

Allen Scott Harvey Jr., Fairfax, Va., and Melissa M. Koleff, Alden, NY.

Robert G. Knobel, Ontario, and Cynthia Marie Prues, Ontario.

John D. Sauer, Binghamton, NY, and Jessica M. Srinko, Great Bend.

John William Greene Jr., Carbondale, and Kelly Jo Welch, Montrose.

Jeemy R. Kays, New Milford, and Heather L. Fisk, New Milford.

Joseph Michael Schmidt, Kingsley, and Sandra L. Fancher, Kingsley.

James Grisafi, Montrose, and Jennie Lynn VanKuren, Montrose.

Jerry T. O’Neil, Binghamton, NY, and Nicole D. Greene, Binghamton, NY.

Douglas L. Bishop, Susquehanna, and Ruby Lee Clapper, Susquehanna.

Chad Douglas Perry, Hallstead, and Nichole M. Jesse, Hallstead.

Steve L. Cady, Montrose, and Joanne L. Knight, Montrose.

William Melvin Shimer, Montrose, and Nicole Tyler, Montrose.

DIVORCES

Carrie Brush, New Milford, vs. David Brush, New Milford Twp.

Christopher A. Nuttall, Forest City, vs. Mary B, Nuttall, Middletown, NY.

Eric T. Daniels, Gibson, vs. Dawn R. Daniels, Lock Haven.

Samuel R. Long, Union Dale, vs. Winona K. Long, Carbondale.

Kenna L. Ramey, Kingsley, vs. Richard W. Ramey, Springville.

Tamara A. Fink, Falls, vs. Christoper L. Fink, Glen Lyon.

James Smell, Montrose, vs. Billie Jo Smell, Montrose.

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Clifford Meeting Is Brief

It took the Clifford Township Board of Supervisors a little less than 20 minutes to complete a very light agenda at last week’s monthly meeting.

With winter fast approaching, residents of Crystal Lake Forest, a housing project that stretches from Fell Township in Lackawanna County to a small portion of Clifford Township in Susquehanna County, again asked the supervisors to consider accepting the portion of the road that is in Clifford Twp.

"It’s only three-tenths of a mile," a resident of the development told the supervisors. "We are looking for it to be plowed this winter."

Supervisor Randy LaCroix, who presided at the meeting because Chairman John Regan was absent, said the township would look at the road with a representative from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

At the present time, it is believe the street is owned by the Crystal Lake Forest Association, a group comprised of homeowners in the development. A spokesman for the group pointed out that Fell Township has already accepted its portion of the road.

In response to a question, Paul Peterson, township solicitor, said a deed would be "perfectly acceptable for the township to take over the road." It was also mentioned that the township would have to inspect the housing project to make certain is meets subdivision standards.

In another matter, the supervisors agreed to advertise for 5,000 gallons of heating oil and 700 tons of black road cinders.

Fire Chief Walt Turner asked the township for a copy of the ordinance relating to burning in the township.

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No Word On Harford Odd Fellows

Supervisor Sue Furney was absent for their meeting on Saturday, August 14, but, in her capacity as Township Secretary, she had prepared an agenda and other paperwork for her colleagues. As usual, the agenda was topped by the latest information on the village Odd Fellows Hall. Only this time there wasn't any information.

With community consensus running against the old building in the middle of the village, the Supervisors had determined on a course that would have put a question about its fate on the November ballot. They asked their solicitor to solicit information from the county election board. From the lawyer they received a response that the county had refused to conduct the referendum. No reason was given, and, two weeks hence, no one yet knows why. Nor was anyone willing to say what the next step might be.

"I'm going to gain as much information as I can before moving forward," said Supervisor Rick Pisasik, vowing a deliberate approach that would try to take into account the voice of the people, with or without a formal ballot. He is determined to have the restrictions on the Township's use of the property removed from the deed. He said that, since the deed requires a vote at a general election, and since the county won't give them one, there is "no way for us to fulfill the terms of the deed." He figures that a judge could easily be convinced to have the restrictions removed, but wants some sort of poll of local voters to strengthen the argument. He hopes that a survey of registered voters, and the approbation of the Harford Fire Company, which put the restrictions in the deed when the property was signed over to the Township, will be enough to progress to the next step, whatever that might be.

There was other business on the agenda, including a couple of land subdivisions and a letter from the state Department of Transportation (PENNDOT) regarding driveway permits.

The Township was also notified of increases in health insurance premiums for its four employees. Rates will increase by about 25% for the three different plans offered to the workers. The Township covers 90% of the premiums for its employees.

The Supervisors adopted a resolution designating the Montrose Minute Men as the primary Advanced Life Support responder for the Township. Each municipality is being asked by the county 911 emergency response center to name a first-responder, and local ambulance companies are actively soliciting these designations. Supervisor Terry VanGorden, also a long-time member of the Fire Company, said that the resolution was a response to the recent crisis in Hallstead and Great Bend, where the local ambulance service has fallen on hard times and made arrangements with the Broome Volunteers to help out. There seems to be some discomfort about allowing the outsiders, particularly from New York state, to operate such services in the county. Mr. VanGorden expressed reluctance to letting the Broome service "get their foot in the door."

The Harford Township Supervisors meet in public session 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, half a mile south of the Interstate.

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SCSD Revises Dress Code

The Susquehanna Community School Board began their August 18 meeting with an executive session to discuss a legal issue, listed as item 12 on the agenda.

When the meeting reconvened, the board approved the minutes of the July 21 meeting, filing of the treasurer’s report, the general fund bills, the food service report, filing of the activity fund and athletic fund reports.

Correspondence read included a number of letters from parents, asking that the board reconsider amendments to the district’s dress code.

Superintendent Stone reported that, under Title II D, the district has received Enhancing Education Through Technology grant funding, which will be used not only to improve technology but to host "Parents’ Academies" to improve parents’ involvement. Monthly programs will be held on a variety of topics.

The district’s PSAA scores have shown a marked improvement; results were detailed in a newsletter recently made available through mass distribution throughout the district. Reading scores were above average, math improved by ten percent, and students in two subgroups (economically disadvantaged and special ed.) improved dramatically. Both the elementary and high school students met all elements of yearly progress.

Fifty students are enrolled in the pre-kindergarten program; an orientation for parents was scheduled for August 23.

An at-risk program has been implemented in the high school; at-risk students are those who have had problems with truancy or discipline, and who indicate a tendency to drop out. The program’s intent is to reduce the number of out-of-district placements, eliminating payment of tuition to other districts as well as transportation costs. Through the program, parental cooperation (participation) is maximized. At present, five students are enrolled in the program.

An orientation for seventh grade students was scheduled for August 25.

Due to changes in the high school schedule and in enrollment figures, two bus routes were eliminated and consolidated into other routes. Parents of students affected were to be notified by mail. District staff will also keep an eye out once school starts to ensure that those students get on the right bus.

The district’s education association will be hosting a golf tournament, funds to be used for scholarships the association awards in the spring.

The board granted permission to the superintendent to tentatively hire, pending board approval, for any vacancies that may occur between August 18 and the beginning of the school year. Also approved were extended school year contracts for bus 14 B, 13, 15, and 24.

Item 12, the subject of the earlier executive session, involved an agreement, in a form acceptable to the district’s counsel and administration, to pay an amount not to exceed $65,000 to settle and compromise all claims raised by the parents of an eligible student, and to authorize the board president and secretary to execute that agreement on behalf of the district. A motion carried to approve.

Resignations were approved from Justine Elston, elementary personal aide, and Sheila Gulley, high school library aide.

The board gave approval for a quote/bid for painting of the high school gym to Quality Painting of Susquehanna. Mr. Stone explained that the painting was needed after some improvements had been made.

Hiring of the following was approved: Teresa Marino, secondary music; Cheryl Cotter, Pre-K bus aide; Sonia Acone, elementary library aide; Steven Hendrickson, elementary personal aide.

Per capita tax exonerations were approved.

The following teachers were approved for tenure: Thomas Adornato, Hannah Barnes, Michelle Conklin, Mary Fancher, Robin Glidden, Matthew Misiura, Robert Presley, John Salinkas, John Seigle.

A list of field trips, workshops, conferences and fundraising requests was approved.

Based on information provided by parents and students, the board agreed to a modification of the district’s dress code. All shirts must have sleeves, and must be long enough to be tucked in. Shirts with buttons may be worn with no more than two left unbuttoned, unless they are worn with another shirt (e.g. tee shirt) underneath. No garments may be worn that allow undergarments or cleavage to show. Dresses, shorts, skirts and skorts may be no shorter than the top of the knee. And, pants must not be long enough in the back to extend lower than the heel. Mr. Stone noted that some of the requested amendments had been deemed inappropriate; the board will periodically review the code during the coming school year.

The next meeting will be on Wednesday, September 15, 7:30 p.m. in the administration offices.

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