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Issue Home March 29, 2005 Site Home

HEADLINES:
Blue Ridge Budget Beginns
Commissioners Adopt 9-1-1 Plan
Judge Seamans Sentences Ten

Gibson Barracks Report
Courthouse Report
Harford Chases Petition

Susky Discusses Condemnation



Blue Ridge Budget Beginns

The Blue Ridge School Board meeting on March 21st was a mixed bag that took more than two hours to sort through, but yielded something of interest for just about everyone. With a light formal agenda, it combined a business meeting, a workshop, some entertainment and some controversy, observed by a dwindling number of citizens who drifted away as their interests were addressed.

The largest group came to hear Holly Snitzer's Fifth Grade Select Choir open the session with five songs of patriotism and peace. The chorus began by bringing the room to its feet for the national anthem, which was followed by "I Wanna Be Happy", "Dance With Your Hands", "American Pop", and "I Will Light a Candle for Peace." The audience responded with enthusiastic applause after each number.

The business meeting followed immediately by reopening an issue tabled at the last session. The district administration believes that it can save substantially by bringing two special programs in-house. The "life skills" program in the Elementary School and the "emotional support" program in the Middle and High Schools help severely disturbed children learn to cope. Both programs are currently offered – at Blue Ridge – through Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit 19 (NEIU 19, or "the IU"), the consortium of 20 school districts. Districts with participating students – including Blue Ridge – pay fees to the IU for the time each student spends in one of the programs.

At the last meeting, Board President Alan Hall asked his colleagues to table the proposal because board member Joel Whitehead, who was absent, was known to oppose the idea of bringing the programs in-house.

Some believe that Blue Ridge can save money by administering the programs locally, and by collecting fees from other "sending" schools, especially since the programs are already offered at the Blue Ridge facility. Mr. Whitehead disagrees, and brought along three officials of the IU to help make his argument.

According to IU estimates, it would cost Blue Ridge about $78,000 per year to run each of the programs locally. They conceded that at current participation rates, the life skills program might pay off for the district; but the emotional support program they said was likely to be more expensive to run in-house. There was considerable discussion about the way costs are calculated, since the IU charges only for hours spent by each student in the program; some students are "main-streamed" for part of the time, and are not charged for a full day in such cases.

Blue Ridge Superintendent Robert McNamara pointed out, however, that schools other than Blue Ridge that send students would pay Blue Ridge for full-day participation, because, when appropriate, they would presumably be main- streamed at Blue Ridge as well.

The two full-time teachers in the programs are now employed by the IU at a total salary cost of about $84,000. The Blue Ridge administration evidently believes that it can employ teachers at lower cost under the local teacher contract.

Mr. Whitehead and the IU very nearly made its case, but when it came to a vote, the Board decided five to four to go it alone. Harold Empett, Lon Fisher, Cindy Gillespie and Mr. Whitehead voted opposed.

The workshop that succeeded the business session focused on the budget that needs to be in place by June 30, regardless what happens in Harrisburg. And the confusion in state government about school financing and tax "reform" shows no sign of letting up. There is yet no word on the status of Act 71, the measure that is supposed to finance the tax reforms envisioned in Act 72 and now faces a serious challenge in court. According to Mr. Hall, who follows such things in detail, the legislature is considering a broad variety of bills that could add to the confusing mix. The one the district administration is most optimistic about is a measure that would reimburse schools for mailings related to homestead/farmstead applications that are part of the Act 72 provisions.

The one part of Act 72 that everyone is sure will survive is the budget referendum. 39 states already allow voters to directly voice their approval of school budgets. Under Act 72, districts can choose to "opt in" to the tax reform and accept the referendum, which seems a most likely choice since the tax reform under the Act would be very popular indeed, even if it doesn't affect rental or other business properties. Mr. McNamara told the board that referendum is in the future, like it or not.

Business Manager Loren Small gave a brief preliminary outline of the revenue side of the budget that he foresees for next year. With local tax revenues almost flat, he doesn't expect much change in available funds from either local, state or federal sources. Local resources account for just over a third of operating revenue. The state accounts for more than half of the total. Direct federal support to Blue Ridge is negligible.

Expenses are the only part of the budget that the district itself has much control over. Activities Director James Corse started off that discussion by presenting a proposal that would be just slightly lower overall than what he has had to spend this year. Athletics at Blue Ridge accounts for over a quarter million dollars a year. Other activity programs will spend over $75,000. His proposal shows cuts of just under $15,000 in athletics, and a matching increase in spending on other activities.

Budget discussions are expected to begin, in earnest, in April.

As the meeting drew to a close, Mr. Hall recognized Roberta Gulick, tax collector for New Milford Township. Ms. Gulick launched into a scathing criticism of the Blue Ridge administration for the way the district handled the tax collectors when they offered cuts of 80 percent in fees for handling tax bills. The meeting that adopted the new fee schedule, which happened to be on February 14, she called the "night of the massacre." Ms. Gulick characterized the unsigned letter sent to the tax collectors in advance of the meeting as inconsiderate; it was not even printed on school letterhead. "We deserved better," she said. "You deserve to experience the public humiliation you gave us," she continued. And she charged Mr. Small with a potential conflict of interest by pointing out that he had run for tax collector himself (he lost).

Ms. Gulick brought up a possible legal issue that Mr. Hall tried hard to suppress, but she forged ahead, reading a statement concerning the property at the Gibson exit on Interstate 81 that has been in the tax-exempt KOZ program for several years. Apparently the county exonerated the property from real estate taxes as it must do each year, but she said she was directed by Mr. Small to send the owners a bill anyway, which they paid. She charges that the property owners are due a refund of $1,584.46 from the school district. Mr. Hall asked the woman to send him a written statement of the situation, which he pledged he would then "handle."

Mr. Hall listed a number of projects in prospect for the summer, not the least of which is a search for a new High School Principal. Michael Thornton's resignation was accepted at the meeting. (He did not attend.) Mr. Whitehead renewed a suggestion he said he has made in the past that all administrators should be encouraged to reside in the district.

The Blue Ridge School Board will meet in April on the 11th and the 25th. All meetings are held in the cafeteria in the Elementary School, and begin at 7:30 p.m.

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Commissioners Adopt 9-1-1 Plan

The Susquehanna County Commissioners adopted a Wireless 9-1-1 Plan last week. A resolution approved unanimously by the commissioners indicates the primary purpose of the plan is to protect county residents in times of emergencies.

“Our paramount concern for the development and implementation of this plan is for the health, safety and welfare of our citizens,” said Roberta Kelly, chair of the county’s Board of Commissioners.

The three-year plan was developed in accordance with legislative directives on the state and federal levels. It was prompted by the growth of cellular telephone use. According to the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA), there are more than 162 million cellular phones in use in the United States today.

The wireless 9-1-1 plan shows cost and equipment upgrades implemented to deploy wireless Phase I and II in Susquehanna County. Wireless Phase I means that when a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) answers a call it receives enhanced information that includes the identity of the wireless provider and the location of the cellular antenna receiving the call.

Wireless Phase II is the ability of a PSAP to receive both the callback number and the actual location of a wireless 9-1-1 caller as well as the name of the wireless provider.

In 2003, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania adopted Act 56 of 2003 that is known as the Public Safety Emergency Telephone Act of 1990. The legislation placed a statewide surcharge of one dollar per month on all wireless telephones in use in Pennsylvania. The money is collected and administered by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and is used to compensate 9-1-1 centers and wireless carriers for their costs associated with complying with federal regulations. This year, 9-1-1 service in Susquehanna County is expected to cost about $600,000 including more than one-half million dollars for salaries and benefits.

Last year the 9-1-1 center in Susquehanna County processed 11,817 emergency 9-1-1 calls. Of these calls, 1,507 were wireless emergency calls. The county 9-1-1 center is currently comprised of one coordinator, eight Level I Communicators, three part-time communicators, one clerk-receptionist, one training officer, one quality assurance and one system manager for a total of 16 employees.

The county 9-1-1 budget for this year amounts to $560,508 for salaries, wages and benefits, and about $4,300 for equipment.

In another matter, the commissioners passed proclamations declaring the month of April as Environmental Awareness Month and designating March 31 as Helen Phillips CASUAL Day for Colon Cancer Awareness.

Meghan Trichilo, community outreach coordinator with the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, said colon and rectal cancers are the most frequent diagnosed cancers in Northeast Pennsylvania.

Motions approved by the commissioners:

Promoted Mary Noldy from field appraiser trainee Range 11 to field appraiser range 13 retroactive to February 28 when Ms. Noldy received her state certification as a real estate appraiser. The Salary Board set her new hourly rate at $12.06.

Promoted Linda Blaisure from part-time cook in the county jail to open full-time correction officer effective March 31. The Salary Board set her new pay rate at $11.72 an hour.

Promoted Matthew Orner from part-time correction officer to full-time. The Salary Board set his pay rate at $11.34 an hour.

Hired Elwin Henry to the part-time position of correction officer effective March 31. Mr. Henry recently retired as a full-time correction officer. The Salary Board made no change in his pay rate of $15.72 an hour.

Hired Daniel Smith of Montrose as a full-time caseworker in Children & Youth Services at an hourly pay rate of $13.73 in accordance with the union contract.

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Judge Seamans Sentences Ten

A 25-year-old New Milford woman will serve some time in the Susquehanna County Jail after she appeared before Susquehanna County President Judge Kenneth W. Seamans on a number of charges.

Judge Seamans sentenced Miranda Lee Decker to serve two and one-half months to 24 months in the county lockup for theft by unlawful taking in Harford Township on September 15, 2004.

Judge Seamans further sentenced Ms. Decker to an additional two and one-half months to 24 months for theft by deception in Great Bend Township on September 6, 2004. This sentence will run concurrent with the first sentence. And finally, she drew an additional six months in the county jail for theft by deception, also in Great Bend Township on September 6, 2004.

Ms. Decker was fined a total of $400, ordered to make restitution, and will continue drug and alcohol treatment.

Jason Robert Birtch, 18, of New Milford was sentenced to six months state probation, fined $300 plus the cost of prosecution, and must attend an alcohol safe driving school program for drunk driving in Hallstead on July 11, 2004.

Jeffrey G. Hazen, 22, of Forest City was placed on state probation for one year and fined $300 for accidents involving damage to attended vehicle or property in Clifford Township on October 2, 2004.

Lawrence W. Rumola, 26, of Afton, NY, was given a suspended jail term and was placed on probation for five years for burglary in Harmony Township on August 7, 2003. He was also fined $750.

Ramases Pharoah Ramacus, 29, of South Montrose was sentenced to two months to 12 months in the county jail for possession of drug paraphernalia in Harford Township on July 29, 2003. He also received three months to 12 months to run concurrent with the first sentence for possession of a small amount of controlled substance on July 29, 2003 and he was fined a total of $350 plus related costs.

Jeffrey A. Norton, 38, of Susquehanna, was sentenced to a suspended jail term and placed on state probation for 12 months for simple assault in Susquehanna Borough on January 20, 2004. He was also fined $200, must undergo drug and alcohol evaluation and cannot consume alcoholic beverages.

Jamie Williams, 21, of Forest City, was given a suspended jail term and placed on probation for 18 months for forgery in Forest City on March 27, 2004. He was also placed on state probation for one year for possession of drug paraphernalia in Forest City on April 23, 2004, was fined $200, and assessed $250 in DNA charges.

John Christopher Creps, 21, of South Montrose was sentenced to six months to 23 1/2 months in the county jail and fined $500 for burglary in South Gibson on August 9 and 10, 2004. He was also fined $250 and must do 25 hours of community service for criminal mischief on August 1, 2004 in Forest City.

Leo F. Mazepa, 26, of Thompson was sentenced to four months to 23 months in the county jail and fined $500 for criminal mischief/criminal attempt in Thompson Township on August 29, 2004. He was assessed $250 for a DNA testing fee.

Lowell Z. Carpenter, 45, of Montrose, was sentenced to five days to six months in the county jail for drunk driving in Choconut Township on November 25, 2004. He was also fined $500.

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Gibson Barracks Report

TRAFFIC ACCIDENT

Just before noon on March 24, a 2004 Saturn VUE driven by Carol Bushong, 56, Susquehanna, went across a slushy spot on State Road 1015 in Harmony Township, causing Bushong to lose control of it. The Saturn went across the opposite lane, rolled twice down an embankment and hit a tree. Bushong was wearing a seatbelt and was transported to Barnes Kasson Hospital by the Susquehanna Ambulance for treatment of moderate injuries. Her passenger, also seat-belted, was not injured.

TRAFFIC ACCIDENT

This accident happened when Eric C. Kohlhepp, 29, Harford, was driving his 2000 Chevy Lumina north on Interstate 81 near Lenox Township, and lost control of it. The car slid to the left side of the highway. Nathan Pierce, 21, Apalachin, NY, was behind Kohlhepp, driving a 1999 Dodge Ram pickup. Pierce applied his brakes when he saw Kohlhepp losing control, but was unable to control his pickup. The Dodge also slid to the left and struck the rear of Kohlhepp’s Chevy. Both drivers and their passengers were wearing seatbelts, and no one was injured in this March 23 accident.

ONE-VEHICLE CRASH

Linda Bucksbee, 24, New Milford, was driving west on state road 848 near New Milford Cemetery shortly before 6:00 on the morning of March 12. She failed to keep her 1987 Plymouth Horizon on the road, went off the road and behind a guardrail and struck a tree. She was not wearing a seatbelt, and received minor injuries.

RETAIL THEFT

An unknown person pumped 12.6 gallons of gas into his white Lexus SUV at the Lenox Shell Station shortly before 7:30 on the morning of March 12, and left without paying for the gas. The person is described as a black male in his 30s, wearing “Star Wars” glasses.*

RETAIL THEFT

An older white man in his 60s or 70s drove his white vehicle up to the pumps at the Pump N Pantry in Great Bend Township at 9:00 on the morning of March 12. He pumped $21 of fuel into his car and drove away without paying. The car resembled a Dodge Neon and was last seen driving on State Route 171 south toward Susquehanna.*

SIMPLE ASSAULT

James Alden Sr., 44, and Penny Alden, 39, both of Brooklyn Township, are husband and wife. Alden came home intoxicated on the afternoon of March 19 and assaulted his wife. He was arraigned before a district magistrate and jailed in the county prison on $2,500 bail. The case is continuing, pending preliminary hearing.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF

Sometime between the night of March 18 and 2:30 the next morning, an unknown person(s) broke the outside mirrors from a 1995 Chevy Tracker owned by Angela Episale, Montrose, while it was parked on Lake Avenue.

THEFT

Sometime during the past month, an unknown person(s) went into the old Hallstead School on Franklin Street, owned by Alan Stafford, Damascus, Pa., and stole a life-sized animated lion.*

TRAFFIC CRASH

Gary L. Lupole, 54, Friendsville, was driving south on State Road 858 in Apolacon Township when he went off the road and struck a drainage culvert. He said he swerved to miss a deer in the roadway, causing him to lose control of his 2001 Chevy 2500 in this accident that occurred shortly after midnight on March 18. Lupole was wearing a seatbelt and was not injured.

TRAFFIC COLLISION

Jose Daniel Rodriguez-Pereira, 26, Springville, lose control of a 1991 Toyota 4-Runner, went off the road, and overturned off Hunter Road in Dimock Township. Rodriguez-Pereira was not injured, a passenger received minor injuries, and the 4-Runner received major damage in this accident that happened a 1:45 on the morning of February 27.

* Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the State Police at 465-3154 or 800-506-0372.

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Courthouse Report

Brian L. Sudbrink and Monica R. Subbrink to Ronald D. Sahm, Shad R. Sahm, and Chris M. Sahm, in Harmony Township for $100,000.

Donald R. Strope and Susan A. Strope to Jon M. Strope and Patricia B. Strope, in Silver Lake Township for one dollar.

Janice E. Lake (aka) Janice D. Lake (estate) to Michael Aldrich, in Susquehanna for $54,600.

William K. Shade and Ruby Lee Shade to Brian H. Wallace and Tammy S. Wallace, in Thompson Borough for $91,670.

Teresa A. Bookin (est) to Ronald Bookin, in Lathrop Township for one dollar.

Lois Felici to Christopher Skal and Dominica Felici-Skal, in Jackson Township for one dollar (corrective deed).

Gertrude Schack to Alfred H. Schack Jr. and Bambi L. Schack, in Lathrop Township for one dollar.

James Franceski and Dorothy Franceski to Robert W. Franceski and Loretta Franceski, in Forest City for one dollar.

Leo R. Wells to Sandra L. Sanderson, in Herrick Township for one dollar.

Thomas Richard Ackley (aka) Thomas R. Ackley and Kathy Ann Ackley, to Robert R. Coe, in Susquehanna for $29,000.

William Brennan and Tamara Brennan to William Brennan, in Jessup Township for one dollar.

Bruce Ross (by POA), Nancy Ross, Raymond Swingle (by POA), Lulu Swingle (by POA), Jerilee Turner (by POA), James T. O’Brien (by POA), Kathleen D. O’Brien (by POA), Barbara Campbell (by POA), Clarence Fleming (by POA), Anne B. Fleming (by POA), Judd Roberts (by POA) and Marilyn Roberts (by POA) to Robert A. Celli and Judith a. Celli, in Herrick Township for $42,000.

Eva Mae C. Olin-Seely (nbm) Eva Mae C. Olin to Habitat for Humanity of Susquehanna County for one dollar.

Betta J. Michalak (aka estate), Tammie Werkman, Keith Werkman, Joseph Michalak, Michelle Michalak, and Betty J. Michalak (estate) to Tammie Werkman for one dollar.

Richard L. Hitchcock and Tressa E. Hitchcock to Richard L. Hitchcock, in Forest Lake Township for one dollar.

Stephen R. Whitmore Jr. and Kathleen Whitmore to Stephen R. Whitmore Jr. and Kathleen Whitmore, in Silver Lake Township for one dollar.

Stephen R. Whitmore Jr. and Kathleen Whitmore to Stephen R. Whitmore Jr., Heather S. Whitmore and Kendra R. Whitmore, in Silver Lake Township for one dollar.

Jeffrey Joseph Cerra and Nancy R. Cerra to Joseph Maldonado, in Forest City for $49,000.

Phillip Hodges and Donna Hodges to Joseph Maldonado, in Forest City for $45,000.

Jeffrey J. Bushong and Stacy L. Bushong to Glenn Costanzo, in Susquehanna for $99,900.

Susan M. Samson (nbm) Susan M. Mullen and Fred L. Mullen, to April Uhlig, in Hallstead Borough for $70,000.

William Brennan to William Brennan and Trudy Botts, in Jessup Township for one dollar.

William Bates Enanoria and Martha Diane Enanoria to William Bates Enanoria, in Lenox Township for one dollar.

Edward M. Cox Jr. to Edward M. Cox Jr. and Dora Cox, in Liberty Township for one dollar.

Darren Boysha, Sandy McCarthy (nka) Sandy Boysha to Darren Boysha and Sandy Boysha, in Harford Township for one dollar.

LaSalle Bank (fka by atty) LaSalle National Bank (by attorney) to Summit One Properties, in Hallstead Borough for $10,000.

Summit One Properties to Seth D. Silow and Laurie D. Silow, in Hallstead Borough for $28,000.

David A. Gervasi and Donna Gervasi to Sarah Sniegos, in Friendsville Borough and Apolocan Township for $65,650.

Alexander Koshinski (estate), Susan Buck (aka) Susan M. Gaylord, and Dale A. Gaylord to Lawrence M. Grasso (trust) for $50,000.

Philllip E. James and Jean Lorraine James to Manuel Diaz Jr. and Betsy Jo Diaz, in New Milford Borough for $115,000.

Ronald L. Warrick (by marshal) and Ida M. Warrick (by marshal) to Robert Fassler, in Choconut Township for $31,000.

Deborah E. Patton to William J. Gremmel and Maria E. Gremmel, in Jackson Township for $56,175.

Deborah E. Patton to Stephen Dubernas and Brian Dubernas, in Jackson Township for $60,875.

Deborah E. Patton to Gremmel Living Trust, in Jackson Township for $30,870.

Edward Robinson to Bernard Tomcykoski and Marlene Tomcykoski, in Gibson Township for $3,000.

Gregory Strawn and Ann Strawn to Robert Fassler and Shirley D. Sheridan, in Hallstead Borough for $122,500.

Robert Thomas Dooley and Anne M. Dooley, both of Susquehanna.

John Paul Frystak and Ellen Fuhrey, both of RR 2, Montrose.

Lianna Zoe Bustamanate of Hallstead vs. Ricardo Bustamanate of San Jose, CA.

Sigrid J. P. Reddon vs. Edward W. Reddon, both of Susquehanna.

Kim Spolar of Endwell, NY vs. Michael Spolar of RR 3, Montrose.

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Harford Chases Petition

The meeting of the Harford Township Supervisors on March 22 was brief, routine, and orderly. As most Harford meetings do, this one began with an update on the Odd Fellows saga. According to Supervisor and Township Secretary Sue Furney, the township's attorneys are still collecting documents, and signatures from the Fire Company and available Odd Fellows, to support a petition to the court to have restrictive covenants removed from the deed. There was no word when such a petition might be forthcoming, or what successive stages in the process it might be.

The two supervisors (Terry VanGorden does not attend the Tuesday sessions) also agreed to pay Home Services (Garry Foltz) $2,570 to refurbish the east wall of the township building, part of an on-going project to renovate the entire facility.

Roadmaster George Sansky proposed that the township enter into a service contract with Caterpillar dealer Cleveland Brothers to help maintain the township's six-month- old backhoe. Supervisors and Roadmaster have accepted that the backhoe will be replaced every three or four years, and Mr. Sansky said that trade-in value would be enhanced by having a dealer perform regular maintenance. The machine now has 300 hours on it. Servicing will be scheduled every 250 hours, for an average cost of $766 each time, or approximately $1,500 per year. Mr. Sansky said that, while he could do the maintenance himself, "the machine is so complicated" that he thought it best to have a Caterpillar mechanic do it at regular intervals. The supervisors agreed, and accepted the contract.

The next meeting of the Harford Township Supervisors would ordinarily be on Saturday, April 9. However, Rick Pisasik said that he wouldn't be able to make a meeting on that date. So he and Ms. Furney agreed to move the next meeting to Saturday, April 16, beginning at 10:00 a.m., at the township building.

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Susky Discusses Condemnation

President Ron Whitehead presided at the March 22 meeting of the Susquehanna Boro Council, with all members present.

Secretary Judy Collins’ report included that the SCDA has been notified that council will once again sponsor a fishing derby at the Hometown Days celebration, and will also enter a float in the kickoff parade. A letter and a copy of the sidewalk ordinance has been sent to the resident who has been snow-blowing into the street after plowing. PSAB has been sent a letter on council’s behalf, in support of PSAB’s efforts to maintain the current level of funds available through the CDBG program. And, deeds for the River Bounty property should be received by the boro, the fire department and the Tri-Boro Municipal Authority in early April.

Mayor Nancy Hurley reported that a meeting has been scheduled for April 18 at 7:00 p.m. in the boro building to discuss forming a council on the arts. The local Crimewatch chapter is in need of more active members, and are planning fundraising activities during the Hometown Days celebration. And, the police department recommends that residents get in the habit of locking their vehicles at night, as there has been a rash of nighttime break-ins.

Mr. Whitehead apprised council of topics discussed at a meeting he had attended the previous day, with members of the Tri-Boro Municipal Authority board; under the lease agreement between the boro and the authority (for office space in the boro building) meetings are to be held once a year to discuss any concerns. Topics covered included a request from the authority for a copy of the building fund account statement, doors that do not close properly, pest control and floor cleaning scheduled for the spring, and storage space.

Other work discussed for this spring included getting the building’s boilers cleaned and the air conditioning ready; a motion carried to get several price quotes and go with the best one. Prices will also be obtained for having the floors cleaned and waxed; a comparison will then be made to determine if it is more cost effective to have them done by an outside concern, or to have the streets department take care of it.

Shane Lewis reported that there is an individual who is looking for an investor to open a Subway franchise in the boro; he has information if anyone is interested.

Council will look into the possibility of sharing Internet service costs with Tri-Boro to reduce costs to both entities.

A motion carried to adopt an amendment to the Fire Escrow Ordinance, which allows for an increase in the amount of insurance funds the boro can hold to ensure that fire damaged structures are renovated or removed. The dollar amount was increased to the maximum amount allowed by state law.

Mr. Lewis updated council on a condemned property on Main St.; the owner had contacted the boro’s solicitor to request extension of a court order to demolish the structure by April 8. The extension was requested to allow an engineer to prepare a report that may show that at least part of the building is salvageable. Proceedings for this particular building have been in progress for two years, Mr. Lewis said, and added that he stood by his decision to condemn it; an architect who had also inspected it was of the same opinion, that it is unsafe, and the courts agreed. Several points were brought up during the ensuing discussion. If the extension were to be granted, how much longer would it take before the site is safe, and wouldn’t the boro be held responsible if someone were to get hurt? How much more would legal proceedings cost the boro if the extension were granted and the building was still not taken care of? How many extensions have already been granted? At the conclusion of the discussion a motion carried to adhere to the court decision and to deny the request for an extension.

In response to a request from the owners of a property on Washington St., a motion carried to allow a sidewalk to be moved slightly so that a driveway can be put in. There had been a driveway some years ago and the owners would like to put it back in, but the most logical placement would require that the walk be moved.

The Parks and Rec. Committee is in the process of applying for grant funding to put in a boat ramp at the property acquired from River Bounty.

Mr. Williams was pleased to report that FEMA has approved the boro’s application for disaster relief funding for four projects in the boro, for sites that had been damaged in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan.

Correspondence reviewed included an invitation from Peoples National Bank for attendance at their annual economic update, and a response letter from PSAB (regarding expected decreases in CDBG grant funds) asking municipalities to draw up resolutions in support of keeping the program from being cut.

The meeting adjourned to an executive session, after which council reconvened briefly to carry a motion to retain their existing carrier for health insurance (for boro employees). Council had looked into changing carriers due to unexpected increases in coverage cost, and had agreed to go with a different one but further investigation proved that the current carrier’s plan is best for the boro’s needs.

The next meeting will be on Tuesday, April 12, 7:00 p.m. in the boro building.

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