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HEADLINES: The August 15 meeting of Great Bend Township’s board of supervisors – minus George Haskins who was ill – was held in the township’s neat and tidy garage, with the board and a few visitors surrounded by big and impressive road equipment. Out front, the foundation of the new township building has been laid, and it looks to be a nice and roomy space. It will also have handicap-accessible bathrooms. It was reported at this meeting that, in addition to a $20,000 grant awarded the township for the restrooms, it will get almost another $13,000 because another township declined its awarded grant. One bid – from Joe Kovitch, who is also the contractor on the building – was received for $35,000 and the township will go with it. The board also approved a payment schedule to Kovitch for the $92,000 township building project, retaining 5 per cent until after satisfactory completion of it. The meeting opened with secretary Sheila Guinan reading correspondence from township and school district tax collector Margo Merritt, who was also at the meeting. The letter was about the Blue Ridge school district’s decision earlier this year to reduce the compensation it pays her and other district tax collectors by 80 per cent. Merritt’s wrote that she plans to continue collecting township taxes but not school taxes, and requested the township’s written approval to do so. After the correspondence was read, Merritt noted that the reduction in pay meant an income of $1,100 a year for the work. She added that, collectively, the district pays about $25,000 annually to these elected officials to collect its school taxes, and believes that it could do it at less cost if it hired a part-time person. Merritt is not the only district tax collector to request the same from district municipalities. And while the board sympathized with her and other collectors’ quandary, it wasn’t ready to approve non-collection of school taxes without the municipality’s legal counsel reviewing the matter first. In road business, the lower slide on Graham Hollow Road is completed, and when supervisor Walt Galloway noted that the board could now take this project off its meeting agendas going forward, he received a round of applause. Board chair Bob Squier added that he spoke with the owner of a quarry that’s recently started up on Graham Hollow. (A few meetings ago, the owner agreed to post a $5,000 bond for any damage the stone trucks might cause.) The owner, after speaking with his local banker, asked Squier if the board would approve instead his obtaining a line of credit for $5,000 and assigning it to the township to fix the road should it ever need it. The board did. Nick Mase’s roadmaster report also included installing two new pipes on Locust Hill Road, fixing some ditches, and some repairs to the Volvo truck, the grader and backhoe. Repaving Old Route 11 is still scheduled to start before the end of this month. Both Squier and Galloway reported on the multi-municipal planning meeting held on August 10 in the New Milford Township building, and it seems that about all that most people there talked about was where they came from and how they moved to New Milford township to get away from zoning. The thrust of a multi-municipal effort is to develop a comprehensive plan that lays out how participants in it would like to see their communities and the area evolve for both commerce and residents. Such a plan takes about two years, joint community efforts receive the lion’s share of funding to conduct it, and it doesn’t necessarily lead to zoning, which is a distinct decision to be made by any municipality after much public input. The townships of Great Bend and Harford and the boroughs of Hallstead, New Milford and Great Bend are in favor of joining together to obtain funding for a comprehensive plan and other projects, similar to the Northern Tier Coalition of other municipalities in the county that has already received significant funds. However, New Milford Township is not in favor of a group effort, and that is the wrench in the works. That township is pretty well smack in the middle of the others, and a joint effort must be made up of contiguous municipalities. Without New Milford Township, there’s no contiguity. Without a comprehensive plan and as it stands now, there’s nothing to prevent someone from opening an adult bookstore next to a shopping plaza, or to add another junkyard to the many that already grace county roads. Squier reported that the county’s Bob Templeton noted at the meeting that most other municipalities are coming together to shape their futures. Those that don’t will be dumped on – and this could be quite literally. The agenda noted that Patrick MacConnell submitted an application for a township road occupancy permit. At his own cost, MacConnell will be connecting up to the municipal sewage system and this involves digging up a road. Galloway noted that residents who do this have to have a surety bond guaranteeing restoration of the road, as well as a two-year bond guaranteeing maintenance for two years. Galloway recommended that the surety bond for restoration be waived, but not the maintenance bond. The board agreed to issue a permit to MacConnell, contingent on the two-year bond as well as an estimated finish date for his work. In other permitting, the board okayed a minor subdivision for George H. Stover III/Bradley Alan Hepler. Other items included correspondence from the program coordinator for the Northeast Pennsylvania Lead Hazard Control Program. The purpose of the program is to assist housing rehabilitation programs in the county address lead hazards in homes and prevent lead-paint poisoning by providing grants to owners who participate in the program. Guinan noted that any home built before 1965 probably has lead in it. The next scheduled meeting of the Great Bend Township board of supervisors is scheduled for September 6 at 7 p.m. in the township garage. Corrections: In the article reporting on the board’s August 1 meeting, please note that a printer’s gremlin got into copy that reported that Taylor is not a licensed garbage hauler in the county. The sentence should have stated that Taylor is now licensed in the county. And for those wondering where Cobble Hill Road is in the township, it’s not: the name of the road that was worked on is Cowell Hill Road.
Eliot Ross chaired the August Council of Governments meeting that began with a presentation by Art Donato, the county’s 911 coordinator, about county readdressing. Donato and staff are trying to visit every municipality to make them aware of the commitment by the county, the U.S. postal service, and the federal government to readdressing and what the county is doing about it, as well as to urge them to adopt a readdressing ordinance. He reported that about 30 out of 40 municipalities are on board, with commitments from other townships. Currently, the county is picking up the cost of the transition for municipalities who have bought into readdressing or will do so soon. Cost for those who wait and decide later would be up to the municipality and the postal service, said Donato. Currently, a firm hired by the county is mapping the county for readdressing. As of COG’s August 15 meeting, Donato reported that in a little less than four weeks, the firm has GPS-mapped about 25 per cent of the county roads, starting in Auburn Township and working north and east. Once the mapping is finished, data will be sent to the postal service for its review. Packets will then be personally delivered to each residence with a new address number (and road/street name, if required). Donato noted that numbers have been assigned to stone quarries, and even buildings at the Harford Fairgrounds. He was asked how seasonal residents would get their packets if they were not here at the time the packet hand-delivery is expected. Good question, and Donato will get an answer. A COG representative asked by a municipality’s decision to adopt readdressing couldn’t be done by the less costly resolution rather than an ordinance. Donato will look into that, too. As to how many numbers would be on a mailbox, Donato answered it would depend on the length of the road, measured from where it begins and ends within the county (and not outside of it). The longer the road, the higher the number, said Donato, although he expected that most numbers would be no higher than three digits long. He welcomed members to drop by the communications center in Montrose and to call him with any questions or to set up a meeting with their municipal representatives. Members decided to revert to mailing out COG agendas, this time with prior month’s minutes attached, about a week before its regular monthly meetings. This will cost about $22 month. The practice of sending out agendas was suspended in the past. In addition, the group voted to no longer mail out the agenda and attachments (treasurers’ reports and other reports) to non-meeting goers that are prepared and ready for each member to pick up before the start of the COG meeting. COG is 29 members strong, and rarely do all members show up but for a stalwart core group. These bulkier mailings can cost up to 80 cents each. Going forward, meeting packets will be mailed to those member municipalities who were not at this meeting, along with a note that in the future, the packets will not be mailed, but are available for pickup in COG offices unless requested otherwise. As a way to establish a capital building fund, members also voted to revise COG membership dues and how they are established. Since the group was formed 15 years ago, dues have stayed the same at $100 a year. The executive committee decided to look to PSATS, which bases its dues on a member municipality’s population. COG member Chuck Mead got the information and laid out the numbers. In the future, dues will be $40 for each population increment of 500 – for instance, a municipality with a population of 630 would have dues of $80; the dues for one with a population of 1300 would be $120. Under this method, the dues for some municipalities will be less than $100. Other, larger ones, such as Bridgewater Township, will see their dues rise to $200. The group also formally appointed a building committee comprising Harvey Rosenkrans, Chuck Mead, Mike Greene, Ted Plevinsky, Rudy Mattes, Charlie Fahringer, and chaired by Dave Darrow. SEWAGE ENFORCEMENT At its July meeting, the executive committee reported that a second hearing on Hawkins Homes violation resulted in a penalty of $2,500, assessed costs of $2,058 and a weekly penalty of $750 until the violation is resolved. Secretary Karen Trynoski reported that, as of August 12, Hawkins had the right to appeal this second hearing, but that no word was to whether it would do this has come from COG solicitor Jason Legg. Committee president Harvey Rosenkrans announced that Marty Broad of New Milford Township has been hired to help with both sewage (perc tests) and with codes, as well as various administrative responsibilities. CODES ENFORCEMENT President Ted Plevinsky asked secretary Karen Trynoski to review with members a quandary about permits for recreational cabins. She reported that state law requires the deed must read that a recreational cabin can never be used as a full-time residency, however, there are no guidelines as to how to enforce this once a permit is issued. She requested that members who have adopted the recreational cabin ordinance for which COG issues a permit on their behalf to ensure that this information regarding non-full-time-residency be included. If such a cabin is sold, it must be done so that the new owners are fully aware that it can’t be a full-time residence. Without a copy of the deed as it’s transferred, Trynoski reported that COG would have no way of knowing if the recreational use was still in effect, or if it was being used as a full-time residence which would require it to meet building codes. She asked members to think about devising a system where they can keep a record of recreational cabin permits issued on their behalf, and, as they received information about deed transfers, check that list against their cabin list. Trynoski reported that paperwork for permits COG issues for these cabins is sent to the municipality, to the County, and to the permit-requester, with a copy for COG files. She also passed along information received from BIU’s John Hudak, the group’s third-party inspection company. Hudak presented in front of the state House Labor Relations Committee in response to complaints from a group of builders and developers – principally in the Poconos – to excessive fees and delays with the advent of the UCC. Hudak reported that the Committee let him know that it wasn’t anticipating any further changes to the UCC until things get settled. How long the settling will take is anyone’s guess. But Hudak also commented that committee members appeared to be surprised that an inspector takes full responsibility for all construction elements assigned to him or her by the code, and, thus, were pretty stunned that the law allowed grandfathering for a few years those not trained or certified to perform the new, required inspections. The next regular meeting of COG is scheduled for September 20 at 7 p.m. in COG offices in the New Milford Borough Building on Main Street.
It's now been nine months or so since residents of Harford Township voiced their approval of a proposal to remove restrictions from the deed to the Odd Fellows property in the village so that the Supervisors could decide on their own what to do with it. That must violate a speed limit of some sort, because the fine seems to be the(more than) $10,000 the Supervisors have spent on lawyers since November to get it straightened out, with no end in sight. At the meeting on August 13, Supervisor Terry VanGorden, who is also on the board of the local fire company, said he had talked with Russell Shurtleff, attorney for the fire company, about getting the paperwork done. He said the fire company board and Mr. Shurtleff expect to meet soon. The township's solicitor is awaiting a response from counsel for the fire company before proceeding further. Speed limits on the major township roads were established recently when the road crew installed signs restricting speed to 35 mph. According to Supervisor Rick Pisasik, the township can post speed limits down to 35 without undergoing an expensive traffic study. One mother, however, would like a further reduction in her neighborhood. Nickie Schermerhorn lives on Blanding Lake Road, where she says the new 35 mph limit doesn't seem to be doing much good, even with the four "Watch Children" signs also posted in the same area. Recognizing that enforcement is up to the state police, she appealed to the Supervisors to reduce the speed limit in her area to at least 25 mph. Roadmaster George Sansky said that a loophole in the regulations seems to permit municipalities to set limits that low without a traffic study in some cases. Ms. Schermerhorn said that cars have been run off the road into her front yard by speeders, which provoked her to contact the state police. She said troopers have been traveling the road more frequently, occasionally as often as four times a day. The Supervisors ordered township crews to replace the signs with the lower limits. Ms. Schermerhorn was grateful for the quick response. Chris Tracy appeared at the meeting to support his application for a subdivision along Tingley Lake Road, where two driveways would cross the sewage system main line. The Supervisors have asked for specific safeguards to be installed, to specifications provided by the sewage system engineers. Mr. Tracy was hoping that his application could be sent along to Montrose while he wrangles with contractors to get the work done. Supervisor Sue Furney told him that the Supervisors have already given the go-ahead to forward the paperwork to the county – as soon as the work has been completed according to specifications. The Supervisors accepted a recommendation by Home Services (Garry Foltz) to power wash and refinish the ramp and porch at the township building for a cost not to exceed $400. Home Services has done at lot of work at the township office and garage, and installed the deck and ramp originally some two years ago. Mr. Sansky reported that one mile of Stephens Road on the Kingsley end was recently covered with about six inches of millage from the renovation of Interstate 81. The surface is to be oiled in the coming week. A small amount of the material, provided gratis by the state Department of Transportation, was also put down on Tannery Street and at Oakley Crossing. Mr. Sansky said that the result looks very impressive, and he hopes that it will withstand the heavy traffic that section of Stephens Road generally gets. Mr. Sansky pointed out the paradox that everyone appreciates better roads to drive on, while at the same time a better surface seems to encourage some people to drive too fast. He appealed to drivers to show respect for others using the roads. The Supervisors will change their meeting schedule for September and October to accommodate Mr. Pisasik's classes. They will meet only once in September, on Saturday the 17th, at 10:00 a.m. In October, the Saturday meeting that would have been on the 8th has been rescheduled to the 1st, also at 10:00 a.m.
TRAFFIC ACCIDENT At about 4:30 on the afternoon of August 18, Brian Phillips, 19, Susquehanna, was driving a 1988 Ford Ranger south on Township Road 678 in New Milford Township when the vehicle went over an exposed sluice pipe, causing Phillips to lose control of the vehicle. It then went across the road, hit an embankment, went back across the road and up another embankment, causing it to roll over onto its roof. ATV CRASH A helmet-wearing, 16-year-old juvenile driving a 2004 Kawasaki Prairie ATV received minor injuries when he failed to negotiate a left curve on Harhwack Road in Brooklyn Township on the afternoon of August 16. The ATV went off the road, hit several small trees and sustained minor damage. BURGLARY An unknown person(s) entered the home of Stacie M. Haberle, Jessup Township, sometime between 7 p.m. on August 15 and 7:30 p.m. on the following evening and took a 35-gallon fish tank valued at $200. DUI Shortly after 4 a.m. on the morning of July 1, John Zalusky, 60, Binghamton, was stopped on Interstate 81 near New Milford Township for traveling south in the northbound lanes. He was arrested for suspicion of DUI and related traffic offenses. THEFT Sometime between 10:30 and 11:30 on the morning of August 8, an unknown person(s) went into a shed owned by Dale S. Millsner, Hop Bottom, on State Road 2020 near Lenox Equipment and took several hand tools.* CRIMINAL MISCHIEF Unknown person(s) vandalized property at the Mountain View School in Harford Township and also turfed the lawn located around it sometime between noon on August 12 and 6 a.m. on August 15. RETAIL THEFT On August 4 at 4:20 p.m., an unknown male stole $215.35 worth of Marlboro Light cigarettes (five cartons) from the Choconut Market on State Route 267 in Choconut Township. DUI At about 3:45 on the morning of August 13, Christine Pfleckl, 24, Laceyville, was met while she was stopped in the road at State Route 29 about 2.3 miles north of Springville. An investigation revealed she was intoxicated. She was placed under arrest for DUI and subsequently placed in the county correctional facility because of an outstanding bench warrant from Lackawanna County. CRASH Valentine Mazella, 30, was driving a 1992 Ford Windstar on State Route 29 in Liberty Township at 1:30 a.m. when the van went off the road and hit a guide rail, causing the van to roll over. Mazella received minor injuries and the van was severely damaged. THEFT FROM A MOTOR VEHICLE Between the evening of August 14 and the following morning, an unknown person(s) entered an unlocked vehicle belonging to Terri Lee Tyler that was parked at her home in Auburn Township and stole personal items.* RETAIL THEFT A person pulled into the Great Bend Sunoco on Route 11 in Great Bend Township on the morning of August 13 and pumped $27.91 of gasoline into a small red coupe and drove from the scene without paying.* RETAIL THEFT A person pulled into the Great Bend Sunoco on Route 11 in Great Bend Township on the morning of August 13 and pumped $54.45 of gasoline into a large black pickup truck and drove from the scene without paying.* RETAIL THEFT A person pulled into the Great Bend Sunoco on Route 11 in Great Bend Township shortly before one on the afternoon of August 13 and pumped $36 of gasoline into an unknown make or model vehicle, and drove from the scene without paying.* THEFT Between the evenings of August 9 and 12, an unknown person(s) entered the Video King store in the Mountain View Plaza in Great Bend Township and removed seven DVDs from their cases and left with the stolen items.* THEFT State Police are investigating the theft of a 1995 Nissan pick-up truck owned by Charles Rohan Jr., Bridgewater Township, and parked at the home of his father, also of Bridgewater Township. Also in the pickup at the time was a riding lawn mower owned by Karen Van DeGriek, Montrose, and two tool boxes. The vehicle and all items were recovered at the scene of a hit and run crash on State Route 267. This incident occurred between the evening of July 11 and the following morning. CRIMINAL MISCHIEF Someone opened the mailbox of Phyllis Valentine, Hop Bottom, and threw her mail about the front yard on the evening of July 25.* CRIMINAL MISCHIEF This incident happened sometime between the evening of August 10 and 2:30 on the afternoon of the following day. Someone went into the parking area of the Springville Baptist Church in Springville Township and set off an explosive device inside of a soda can, that also apparently contained some paint. When the device exploded, it caused paint to be sprayed all around the asphalt.* THEFT BY DECEPTION Robert Vadovsky, Ararat Township, sent a male in Tennessee a $500 bank deposit on a vehicle he was going to purchase that he found on Ebay. The male cashed the check and never delivered the vehicle. This incident happened on July 25. RETAIL THEFT A person pulled into the Great Bend Exxon on Route 11 in Great Bend Township around 10:30 on the morning of August 11 and pumped $20 of gasoline into a white Ford coupe and drove from the scene without paying.* ATTEMPT TO LOCATE LOST ATV RIDER IN WOODS At around 10 p.m. on the evening of August 10, two state troopers responded to a lost ATV rider in a wooded area in Lathrop Township. Matthew McLaughlin, 27, Norwood, PA, could not be found after he left his cabin on an ATV at 6 p.m. His three friends searched until dark and then notified State Police. Hop Bottom and Nicholson Fire Departments responded with ATVs to the scene. The search located the missing ATV off the side of a trail. It had hit rocks on the trail. There was no sign on the operator. The search continued until about 2:30 a.m. when it was discontinued. Search dogs from Binghamton were notified and responded at 5:30 a.m. when the search resumed. A State Police helicopter was also notified to respond. At about 6:30 a.m., McLaughlin called his friend’s cell phone to advise that he slept in the woods all night and after first light had made his way out to a road. He still didn’t know where he was, and eventually came to a residence and reported his location. The helicopter was cancelled and McLaughlin suffered only minor injuries and was treated by Montrose Ambulance at the scene and returned with his friends to their cabin. ATV VS. COMPACT TRUCK This crash occurred shortly after 4 p.m. on August 4 as a Kawasaki Bayou operated by a minor from Springville was traveling on State Road 2003 off State Road 4003. The minor did not negotiate the curve properly, went across the southbound lane and hit a 2003 Dodge Dakota driven by Michael Buczeskie, Jr., Springville, in the left front door and side. Buczeskie and his passenger were wearing seatbelts and had no injuries; the Dakota received minor damage. The minor was life-flighted to CMC in Scranton, then to Geisinger in Danville. Springville Fire and EMS, along with Montrose Minutemen, responded to the scene. DUI CRASH Benjamin Pisasik, 21, was driving a 1996 Ford Explorer northbound on Interstate 81 and attempted to exit it at Exit 217. He failed to use the ramp and ended up striking the exit sign located between the ramp and the travel lands of the interstate. The Explorer then traveled behind the guardrail on the left-hand side of the ramp and the right-hand wheels of the truck caught the guardrail and rode up on it. The front of the truck struck another sign and rolled over to the left, landing on the right-hand berm of the interstate on its wheel. The vehicle was then driven approximately 200 yards north along the berm before coming to a stop facing north on the berm. An interview of Pisasik indicated suspicion of operating DUI. Pisasik was placed under arrest for suspicion of DUI and transported to Montrose Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. This incident happened shortly after 11 p.m. on July 30. CRIMINAL MISCHIEF Unknown person(s) drove a silver or gray van with a maroon stripe down its side along State Road 2020 by Acre Lake. One of the occupants left the van and used a chainsaw to cut down two mailbox posts and fled the scene. A witness did observe the van and at least one of the occupants; however, any further information is appreciated. This incident occurred on the evening of July 27.* TRUCK CRASH Shortly after 4 a.m. on August 17, two tractor trailers crashed on Interstate 81 heading north, causing a HAZMAT paint spill on the northbound lanes. The DEP was on the scene, and the highway was closed and traffic rerouted until 1:30 p.m. when the Interstate was reopened. MISSING JUVENILE Jackson Kelley, Great Bend, left his house on Wednesday, August 3, stating he was going camping. On August 5 at about 9 p.m., he was still not home. His last known place seen was in the Meshoppen area.* HIT-AND-RUN PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT This incident happened at 2:30 a.m. on July 2 when Raymond Harvey, Friendsville, was leaving the Rainbow Inn in Middletown Township with an open beer container and was instructed by pedestrian Emily Rohe, Rushville, that he could not do so. Harvey left anyway with the open container and was followed out to the parking lot by Rohe. Harvey then entered his 1988 Chevrolet S-10 pickup and while the door was open, Rohe stood in this area. Harvey put the truck into reverse and moved it and in doing so, struck Rohe with the open driver’s side door, causing her to fall to the pavement and strike her head. Harvey then drove from the scene. Charges of Accident involving personal injury, careless driving, duty to file information and render aid, and immediate notice of accident to police department were filed against Harvey at the office of a district magistrate. *Anyone with information about the incident are requested to call the State Police at (570) 465-3154.
DEEDS Joseph Delduca to Joseph M. Delduca (trust), in Oakland Township for one dollar. Christine S. Wyatt to Stephanie Wyatt, Christine S. Wyatt, in Bridgewater Township for one dollar. Richard Shelton, Susan Mary Shelton to Norman Nelson, Holly Nelson, in Herrick Township for $229,000. Neal Crafts Jr., Roxanne Crafts (nka) Roxanne Custer to Neal E. Crafts Jr., in Montrose for one dollar. Neal E. Crafts Jr., Roxanne Crafts (nka) Roxanne Custer to Neal E. Crafts Jr., in Montrose for one dollar. Robert J. Plavier, Christine L. Plavier to Robert J. Plavier, in Bridgewater Township for one dollar. Wachovia Bank (fka by attorney), Norwest Bank Minnesota to John R. Kammerer, in Hallstead Borough for $32,900. George E. Baker to Charles l. Baker, Deborah E. Baker, in Dimock Township for one dollar. Robert F. Babcock (trust by trustee), Suzanne L. Babcock (trust by trustee) to Robert S. Eckers (irrevocable trust), in Jessup Township for $250,000. Cynthia Elders to John Murphy, in Union Dale Borough for $1,500. John Murphy (aka) John M. Murphy Jr. to John M. Murphy Jr., in Union Dale Borough for one dollar. Bruce R. Kane, Karen S. Kane (aka) Karen F. Kane to Bruce R. Kane, in Rush Township for one dollar. Bruce Kane, Karen Kane to Bruce R. Kane, in Rush Township for one dollar. Shannon Coppola to Philip A. Edwardo, Kristin Edwardo, in Herrick Township for $1,450. Randall J. Houser, Cheri Houser to Deron L. Vandeventer, Marci M. Vandeventer, in Silver Lake Township for $94,400. James L. Kernan to Ann Marie Muller, Christopher John Muller, James L. Muller Jr., in Auburn Township for one dollar. Henrietta Krug to David T. Tuttle, Christine Tuttle, in Franklin Township for $167,000. George Loubet, Brenda Loubet to Charles S. Verbryck, Nancy A. Verbryck, in Springville Township for $90,000. Bruce E. Heckman, Ann Cooper Heckman, Carol E. Heckman to Scott R. Heckman, Lois Ann Heckman, in Silver Lake Township for one dollar. Advanced Consulting Inc. to Christopher C. Schauer, in Auburn Township for one dollar. Mary E. Daly, John S. Daly to Mary E. Daly, John S. Daly, in New Milford Township for one dollar. Thomas W. O’Neill, Catherine O’Neill to Melba L. Cutler, in Springville Township for $76,000. Area Diversified Corporation to Royal Properties, in Clifford Township for $240,000. Charles R. Margelewicz Jr. Tracy Margelewicz to Richard Davis, in Bridgewater Township for $125,000. Gerald L. Arthur, Lynne J. Arthur to William L. Arthur, in Hallstead Borough for $75,000. Joseph B. Phinney Jr., Yvonne M. Phinney to Irini Harms, in Silver Lake Township for $48,000. Loretta R. McCoy to Eric R. Brown, Trisha M. Brown, in Apolacon Township for $45,000. Bryan D. Young, Carol L. Young to Bryan D. Young, in Silver Lake Township for one dollar. Patricia Magnusson, Mark W. Magnusson, Catherine Magnusson, Guy M. Magnusson, Angela Magnusson, Drew R. Magnusson, Madeline Magnusson, Ward A. Magnusson, Judy Magnusson, John P. Magnusson, Eric J. Magnusson to Henry Zapata, Gustavo Barbosa, Newton Procopio, Flavid Barros, in Harmony Township for $425,000. Berton Canfield, Mary Jane Canfield to Merab Khiskidze, Nana Khiskidze, in New Milford Township for $145,000. Lawrence T. O’Reilly, Christine M. O’Reilly, Thomas J. O’Reilly to William J. Baker, Mark Strauch, in Apolacon Township for $59,900. Elwin J. Ellis, Gail A. Ellis to Emmett Hoover, in Dimock Township for $17,000. Fred Augustine Sr., Grace Augustine to Fred Augustine Sr., in Springville Township for one dollar. Stephen B. Carpender, Mary S. Carpender to William Robinson, Patricia Robinson, in Clifford Township for $10,000. Nature Conservancy to James C. Grimsley, Ann VanLenten, in Dimock Township for $32,000. Doris E. Mitchell to Doris E. Mitchell (trust) in Springville Township for one dollar. Carol A. Williams, Frederick J. Williams to Christopher M. Burke, Catherine Burke, in Forest City for $80,000. Society Advancement Pet Pigs Inc. to Lynnette Dee Ryman, Steve Kaminsky, in Jackson Township for $20,000. Kenneth G. Miller to Frances R. DiSalvo in Hallstead Borough for $65,000. Bruce L. Very to Ralph Very, Marlene Very, in Jessup Township for one dollar. Heath A. Brewer, Beth M. Brewer (nka) Beth Marie Werner to Heath A. Brewer, in Harford Township for $10,000. Bruce L. Very to Russell Very, in Jessup Township for $40,000. Richard S. Roberts (estate) to Gail Roberts Hinkley, in Lenox Township for zero dollars. David F. Pevec, Joyce J. Pevec to Dorothy Cleary, in Forest City for $90,000. Mary Abboud (by guardian) to Leslie Lotz, in Harmony Township for $100. Chris Tracy, Christopher T. Tracy, Cathleen A. Tracy to Clyde Very, Eleanor Very, Danny E. Verry, in Bridgewater Township for $23,500. Christiane Meunier-Abdale to Robert C. Wert, Grace E. Wert, in Montrose for $139,999. Kimberly J. Wademan (by sheriff) aka Kimberly Wademan (by sheriff), James A. Wademan (by sheriff) to James N. Wademan for $70,500. MARRIAGES Ronald Terry Carpenter and Gloria J. Meagley, both of Susquehanna. Michael Joseph Onuska Jr. and Catherine M. Carle, both of Hallstead. Shawn Patrick Cowley, Nicole Lynne Flavel, both of Northvale, NJ. James Corey Lewis and Nanette Lyn Munley, both of Greenfield Township. Stevel Allan Collett and Julia Anna Woodruff, both of Montrose. DIVORCES Marilyn J. Talboys of Bridgewater Township vs. Thomas R. Talboys of Montrose.
Hallstead Boro council’s members were all present at their August 18 meeting with the exception of Ted Loomis. Also present were secretary Cindy Gillespie, Mayor Canfield and maintenance supervisor John Gordon. John Giangrieco reported an incident, where an individual was using the foundry parking lot for riding recreational vehicles; several complaints had been made known to council. He had called the State Police and had spoken to the individual. He spoke to one of the property’s owners and suggested that the area be posted to prevent future incidents. He also inquired about the status of the cleanup and was told that the owners are waiting for (another) place to become available to take the refuse to. After discussion, it was agreed that if there is no further progress by the date of the next meeting, another “nuisance” letter will be sent to the owners. COG will be asked to do a follow-up check on a prior codes violation, and to look into two other possible violations. Mayor Canfield asked if the area around the viaduct on Pine Hill could be mowed, between the sidewalk and the road, and along the wall. Although it is the railroad’s responsibility, he felt that its unsightliness did not give a good impression when people are driving into the boro; Mr. Gordon said that he would trim it down, and also see what could be done to level one area that is keeping water from draining properly. Approval was given for Mr. Gordon to put in a sluice pipe to connect two existing drains, to address an area where water builds up during storms, and freezes in winter. Parking issues were discussed; there have been complaints about a vehicle that has been parked in the same spot for several months, and other vehicles parking too close to a stop sign at the intersection of Church and Pine, blocking sight distance. Mr. Canfield agreed to try to locate the owner of the parked vehicle, and to contact the owner of an apartment building at the Church St. intersection to find out what his policy was for tenants’ parking. In the meantime, Ms. Giangrieco will contact the State Police to find out what the boro can do about both situations. After discussion, it was agreed to continue to purchase heating oil for the boro building from Benson Brothers; council is quite satisfied with the service received and the quick response received when there was a need for it. Council tabled a request from Loretta Parker, a property owner on Valley View Ave. Mrs. Parker requested that the boro deed over an “alleyway” that her family has maintained for the last 40 years, and uses for access to their property. Council had some questions. Is it a fire lane? (It is not.) Shouldn’t the owners of the two adjacent properties have their land surveyed, to determine just where the property lines are? If it is determined that the boro does own the alley, then what? Should it be deeded to one or the other, or divided equally? It was agreed that more information is needed before any action is taken. Council reluctantly approved a resolution for the Hallstead-Great Bend Joint Sewer Authority, allowing usage fees to be increased to $475 per year. Ms. Giangrieco explained that the increased revenues will be used to finance an upgrading of the system, which hasn’t been done in a number of years. Correspondence reviewed included a letter from the county recycling center; Taylor Garbage Services has entered into an agreement with the county and is now a licensed hauler in Susquehanna County. A memo from COG to member municipalities advised that the state Department of Labor and Industry requires that all general electrical requirements for the “installation of portable wiring and equipment for carnivals, circuses, fairs and similar functions, including wiring in or on all structures” require inspections, and that permits should be issued for such functions. Unless the property owner/organization possesses a valid permit with the required inspections being performed through COG, it is unlawful to install or use any portable wiring and equipment. Also discussed was a letter from a Dayton Ave. resident, referring to a July 27 article in the County Transcript that said that cleanup at the foundry property was “ongoing.” The letter writer stated that the only recent cleanup to be seen at the foundry property was two days in July, and none since. Mr. Giangrieco commented, “We all have to look at it every day (too). At least it (the building) is down.” Mr. Franks added, “No one is more disgruntled about it than the people at this table.” Reporter’s note: in reviewing the report in question, at the July meeting it had been said that workers were seen at the property, which indicated to this reporter that some progress was being made. It is entirely possible that the two days mentioned in the letter were the same days that council members noted work being done. If, in fact, there were only two days when workers were at the property, a more appropriate choice of wording would have been “intermittent,” rather than “ongoing.” The final item discussed was purchase of new monkey bars for the Route 11 park, which will be purchased through the annual donation made to the boro by the Tim Fancher memorial race. The next meeting will be on Thursday, September 15, 7:00 p.m. in the boro building.
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Don Sherwood announced that a total of $2,595,315 in federal funding has been awarded to fire companies in the 10th Congressional District under the first round of awards in the 2005 Assistance to Firefighters program. “The support provided by this program helps our local first responders obtain new equipment, update their training and provide public education and fire prevention initiatives,” said Sherwood. “I congratulate the fire companies receiving grants in the first round, and I look forward to more good news as the next rounds are announced.” Susquehanna County fire companies and grant awards are as follows: Hop Bottom Hose Company, Vehicle Acquisition, $225,530, Hop Bottom; Great Bend Hose Co. #1, Vehicle Acquisition, $233,035, Great Bend.
Following is the list of names drawn to serve as Petit and Traverse jurors for September, to appear in the Court of Common Pleas, Courthouse, main courtroom, on the sixth day of September, nine a.m. Apolacon Twp.: Marianne T. DiMichelle. Ararat Twp.: Kevin L. Beach, Ben Hobart, James Penn, Shirley Warring. Auburn Twp.: Donald C. Caro, Jr., William Corter, Homer D. Hooker, Allen Jayne, Roger Pickering. Bridgewater Twp.: Gail Stone. Brooklyn Twp.: Joseph Attwell, Sharon Bishop. Clifford Twp.: Dominick J. Sperdini. Dimock Twp.: Ronald Ray Carter, Jr., Edgar T. Warriner. Forest City Boro 2W: Florence J. Kowalewski, John J. Kowalewski, Sr. Forest Lake Twp.: Jan H. Tator. Franklin Twp.: Laura J. Coy, Janet E. Decker. Gibson Twp.: Marjorie A. Cunningham, Carol J. Kostek. Great Bend Twp.: Jeffrey G. Cundey, Janet M. Dayton, Florence N. Glezen, Emmette T. Harper, Beverly F. Tierney. Hallstead Boro: Glenn Aldrich, Christina Card. Harford Twp.: Max Jones, Ivie Marie Simons. Harmony Twp.: Heather Anthony, Timothy L. Braun. Lanesboro Boro: Robert Keyes, James A. Rockwell. Lathrop Twp.: Robert Berube, Richard N. Evans, Jean Scott. Lenox Twp.: Allan MacDonald. Liberty Twp.: Olive P. Gurn, Craig T. Roe, Seth Silow, Kenneth Robert Zahora, Jr. Little Meadows Boro: John Ashcraft, George Wagner, Scott Williams. Montrose Boro 1W: Earle Andre Wootton. Montrose boro 2W: Richard T. Craige. New Milford Boro: Duane Snell. New Milford Twp.: Bernard Cudo, Evelyn S. Lawrence, Charlotte K. Sherwood, Jaime N. Thurston. Oakland Boro: Christopher A. Haskins. Rush Twp.: Susan O. Ball. Silver Lake Twp.: Joanne M. Bundy, Jolyne M. Kinney. Springville Twp.: Mae L. Oakley, Donald Puterbaugh, Sheree R. Smales.
Silver Lake Twp. July Police Report DOG ANIMAL COMPLAINT On July 15 Melissa N. Spagnoletti reported that she and her children were terrified and surrounded by four dogs running loose on Quinn Road. The dogs came running out of the long driveway at the Stone residence. The dogs were retrieved and apologies presented. Silver Lake Police spoke to the owners who agreed to control the dogs. The dog warden was made aware of the incident. MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT On July 16 at approximately 1:30 a.m., Molly Nasser, of Springville, crashed her Honda Element into a ditch while trying to turn around after using her cell phone near Pops Hobby Lake Road and SR167. The vehicle suffered moderate front-end damage and fortunately Nasser and her passengers were not injured. ATV IMPOUNDED On July 16 at 10:15 p.m. Silver Lake Police assisted PSP Gibson with the impounding of an ATV after a pursuit and traffic stop on T801 McCormick Road in the Township. Two individuals were taken into custody by PSP Gibson. HARASSMENT On July 17 at approximately 12:02 a.m., SLTPD investigated an alleged Harassment on Quaker Lake at the Wahl cottage. Mr. Wahl stated that he and his brother-in-law had been drinking and had a verbal dispute, which turned into some pushing, and eventually the unidentified brother-in-law threw Mr. Wahl’s cell phone and wall phone into the lake and fled the area. ATV PURSUIT On July 23 at approximately 7:15 p.m., SLTPD pursued an ATV with lights and siren on SR167, T801 Kennedy Road, T786 Hawranick Road and onto SR406 Hawleyton Turnpike where the pursuit was quickly called off when it was determined the vehicle wasn't going to stop for the lights and siren. The vehicle is described as a red high performance machine with loud exhaust. The driver wore a black helmet. Residents and traffic were disturbed by the amount of dust stirred up and the near misses of some traffic vehicles. CRIMINAL MISCHIEF On July 29 Arrowhead Bible Camp reported that someone vandalized mailboxes by smashing the row of mailboxes affiliated with the camp located on T731 Arrowhead Lake Road. TRAFFIC STOP/ STOLEN VEHICLE/ WARRANT ARREST On July 30 at approximately 8:45 p.m., Silver Lake Police attempted to stop a speeding vehicle on SR167 which led to a pursuit onto Arrowhead Lake Road and SR4001 Brackney Hill Road, where the stop was made. The white Chevy van was identified as stolen out of Binghamton, N. Y. and belonging to Robert J. Ehrich of Binghamton. The driver was identified as Harry H. Hartman, no permanent address given, who was wanted by Susquehanna County on a Bench Warrant. Mr. Hartman was taken to the Susquehanna County Correctional Facility and is awaiting court action. Any information or questions for Silver Lake Township Police, please call 278-6818 or 663-2760, or e-mail at silverlaketwppd@epix.net.
The Susquehanna County Career and Technology Center Board called to order its monthly public meeting at 7:29 pm. Superintendent Bush made a brief introduction of Mike Faillace, teacher of metal & graphics. The meeting adjourned briefly so everyone could go out and see the one-horsepower electric cars created by the students under the tutelage of Faillace. The cars are used competitively. They reach speeds up to 33 m.p.h. and have successfully complete one hour endurance races. Faillace sees these cars as a stepping stone for the students to get involved in designing future cars that are less reliant on gasoline. Faillace hopes that gas gets above $3.00 per gallon to spur further development in alternative fuel transportation. Principal Cuomo took one go-cart for a spin around the parking lot. United Way will purchase tool kits for those that are income eligible. A teacher substitution list was approved as well as a caller. The two vehicles put out for bid were awarded. Student Rachel Southworth was awarded the 1993 Chevrolet Corsica for perfect attendance. The final payment for microscopes was approved. Tuition rates will be $3500 with an additional $600 for any licensed cosmetologist to pursue the Esthetician certification. The edits to the Student Handbook were approved and will be available in September. A dual enrollment policy was discussed which will allow students to take college courses while in high school and receive full college credits. It was not determined who will be able to teach those courses. Board member Sible inquired as to what if any plans there are for an auto body shop. The state will fund three buildings and the competition is based on a needs assessment. The board adjourned at 8:20 pm. The Elk Lake School District Board convened at 8:30 p.m. Letters of resignation were received from two staff and one medical sabbatical was also requested. PSSA numbers were released to the Board and Bush explained they are not were he wants to see them. The state will release the assessment scores to the public after they have been corrected, which will be in approximately September. Bush suggested creating and hiring a person to assist in evaluating and monitoring the scores. No exact job description was given. Bush further suggested hiring an extra teacher for Kindergarten if it needed to create a sixth classroom. Approval was given to hire a temporary person from the interview list. Mrs. Moore, Food Service Director, is seeking volunteers of parents and professionals to assist with the mandated Wellness Policy Advisory Committee. This group’s goal is to improve the health of the students by providing more nutritious meals in the school cafeteria and increasing students physical activity. This is in response to Section 204 of Public Law 108. Lunch prices were voted to stay the same. A DCNR (Dept. of Natural Resources) grant will be sought to defray the purchase of playground equipment. ELSB will pledge $10,000. Final payment for the bus radios was approved and 7 more buses will have them installed. Positions were filled for Baseball Coach, Assistant Drama Director and Field Hockey coach. Student handbooks were approved however athletic handbooks will be approved with revised physical forms. The Board scheduled the next meetings for September 12, at 8:00 p.m. and September 19 at 7:00 p.m.
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