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HEADLINES: Oakland Boro Council met on October 13; all members were present with the exception of Leon Dubanowitz and Chad Crawford. Also present were Mayor Wendy Dudley, Secretary Flo Brush, Emergency Management Coordinator Paul Dudley, Police Chief Bob VanFleet and several residents. Mr. Dudley gave council copies of the boro’s present emergency management plan for their review, and asked that any changes (information, phone numbers, etc.) be given to him so that the plan could be updated. The state requires that the plan, which is in keeping with the county’s recommendations, be updated every two years and must include a list of resources and personnel that would be at the boro’s disposal in the event of an emergency. A motion carried to adopt a resolution stating that the boro is in compliance with county and state guidelines and regulations. Since the boro has accepted the county’s readdressing program, there are some potential conflicts to be ironed out, such as streets in Oakland and Susquehanna Boro with the same name, but different numerical addresses. The Post Office must approve the final maps (road names), and a letter from the county Emergency Management stated that the Post Office does not allow for two separate roads within the same zip code to have the same name. Mr. Beavan and Mrs. Dudley will meet with county Emergency Management as well as representatives from Susquehanna to discuss the possible conflict. Drainage work recently completed on State Street was discussed. There was apparently some misinterpretation about the curbing that was to have been installed. PENNDOT prefers the curbing that was put in, as it will not interfere with winter plowing. The question was, should council proceed with having the existing curbing changed, which would inevitably involve additional costs to the boro, or leave it as is. It was agreed to leave it as is. Several representatives from the boro attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Rte. 92 Scenic Byway held on October 6. Mr. Beavan noted that municipalities who had elected to participate in the designation would be eligible for grant funding for beautification projects, and would also benefit from increased tourism, which would, in turn, benefit local businesses. Council is still accepting suggestions for a suitable memorial for the late mayor, Art Towner. Mr. Beavan and Mr. Crawford are working on the 2006 budget. Council had received an invitation to an informational meeting in Susquehanna on October 17, to discuss emergency operation planning. Mr. Dudley planned to attend. There has been some interest, Mr. Beavan said, from two separate parties who would like to lease the hydroelectric plant at the dam on the Susquehanna River. Although nothing concrete has been decided, Mr. Beavan hoped that there would be some word following a River Bounty meeting scheduled for October 18. Reactivating the plant would benefit not only Oakland, but Susquehanna and Barnes-Kasson Hospital as well, as revenues from the plant are distributed to all three. The big discussion of the evening was, what to do about police services? Mr. VanFleet would like to retire as of December 1, or by December 15 at the latest. No letters of interest had been received from any prospective candidates. There have been tentative discussions with Susquehanna Boro about contracting with their department, but nothing is definite, and nothing has been approved by the Susquehanna council. Mr. VanFleet normally works four or five hours per week responding to calls, plus patrol time and court time. Could the boro sponsor a candidate for training, of which a large portion could be reimbursed (although hourly wages would need to be paid for the training time)? If the boro did sponsor someone for the training, there would be a contract in place, stipulating that the candidate would work for the boro for a specified period of time. Or, should council begin negotiations with Susquehanna to see what could be arranged? Although it was stressed that there was no definite offer, the figure of $25 per hour had been mentioned; Oakland would be charged considerably less than Great Bend ($45) for Susquehanna’s services due to its close proximity to that boro. Mayor Dudley stated that while she did not want to see the boro go without protection, she also did not think that they should rush into anything. If the boro were (temporarily) without its own coverage, the State Police could be relied on for some coverage and, in dire need, Susquehanna’s police would not turn their backs on Oakland. Another question was, could Oakland afford to contract out for services? Mr. Beavan pointed out that, while Oakland’s budget would not allow for an enormous allocation for police coverage, the boro’s expenses in some areas would be eliminated, such as liability insurance and the costs to maintain a car. But, there remained “unknowns,” such as how many hours would be consumed by frivolous calls? After discussion, it was agreed to advertise for a part-time officer again, in a more noticeable way, and in some additional venues. In the meantime, Mrs. Dudley has been researching ways to obtain grant funding and any other information that might benefit the boro. Floyd Mead, who had worked for the boro through the Experience Works program, asked council if there had been any decision made on hours he worked for which he had not been paid. Mr. Beavan said that council had not expected to be billed for additional hours, an amount of almost $300. Mr. Mead replied that he had been assured that he would be paid for his time. Mr. Beavan said that council is looking at the budget to see what could be done, and would try to see that Mr. Mead was taken care of. Mr. VanFleet gave his monthly report, which included issuing of five citations, recovery of a stolen bike, a number of dog complaints, especially at night, and a rash of unlocked cars being rifled and money stolen. He urged residents not to leave their cars unlocked, especially at night. Mr. Agler agreed to check a complaint about an area where the road is considerably higher than the berm, to see what could be done. Mr. VanFleet commended Mr. Crawford and his father, for a fence they had put up along the walkway at the boro park; they had done a beautiful job, he said. As Susquehanna Boro’s trick or treat time has been set for Sunday, October 30, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., council agreed that Oakland’s would be at the same time. A letter from a State Street resident was discussed; the letter asked that the speed limit on that road be reduced from its current 35 mph. Council’s consensus was that 35 is not too fast and should not be changed, but it was agreed to get further information from PENNDOT, to see what had to be done to get a traffic study, and whether the boro would be responsible for the cost. Mr. Beavan and Mrs. Dudley planned to meet with Bobbi Jo Turner (county Housing and Redevelopment Authority) and resident Jane Mazikewich on October 17, to discuss a grant application for sidewalk replacement on State St. and Westfall Ave. Mrs. Mazikewich had submitted a grant for last year’s round of funding, which had been denied. The meeting would determine a smaller scope for another application; it was thought that a smaller scope would stand a better chance of being approved. And, if it is approved, the boro could reapply for additional funding for the remaining area in subsequent rounds. The next meeting will be on Thursday, November 10, 7:00 p.m. in the boro building.
Administrative workers in the Forest City Regional School System received pay raises averaging 2.95 percent according to action taken by the Board of Education last week. The increases were awarded to 10 employees and do not include Dr. Robert Vadella, superintendent of schools. The total amount of additional money to be paid the administrative staff during the 2005-06 school year is $11,303. The increments, percentages, and differentials are as follows: Anthony Rusnak, high school principal, from $81,506 to $82,321, plus one percent; Kenneth Swartz, elementary principal, from $74,403 to $76,635, plus three percent; Ann Driscoll, special education supervisor, $64,000 to $65,280, plus two percent; Karen Forsette, business manager, $57,339 to $59,059, plus three percent; and, Joanne Barron, CEO secretary, $33,061 to $34,053, plus three percent. Also, John Reeder, maintenance supervisor, $33,345 to $34,678, plus four percent; Phil Murch, maintenance supervisor, $24,832 to $25,577, plus three percent; Patricia Chesnick, transportation director, $22,290 to $23,181, plus four percent; Barbara Richards, cafeteria manager, $19,725 to $20,218, plus 2.5 percent; and, Donna Fortuner, administrative assistant, $20,000 to $20,800, plus four percent. At last week’s meeting, the board approved one administrative change when it named Mary Martines of Vandling to replace Mrs. Richards as cafeteria manager retroactive to September 19. Mrs. Richards resigned to accept a position elsewhere. In other money matters, the board accepted terms of a settlement conference involving the Waymart Wind Farm tax assessment appeals for 2004 and 2005. The move will get Forest City Regional some money from a settlement payment of $176,041 that the wind farm will pay in county, township and school taxes. The board approved daily rates for the following bus/van contractors for the 2005-2006 school year: Dwight Bonham, $379; Joseph Dovin, $208; James McCusker, $207; Mary Ann McCusker, $254; Kreutz Busing Inc., $364; Kreutz Busing Inc., $157; Kreutz Busing Inc., $192; Kreutz Busing Inc., $84; O‚Neill Busing, $222; O‚Neill Busing, $253; JD Transportation, $180; JD Transportation, $82; JD Transportation, $99; JD Transportation, $59; Ronald Peck, $169; Ronald Peck, $163. The board passed a motion increasing the mileage rate to the standard federal rate of 48.5 cents per mile effective September 1. Other motions approved by the board completed the following business: Approved Laura Retana as a regular van driver for J.D. Transportation and Vladimere Kellachow as a substitute van driver for Kreutz Busing. Extended the personal services contract with Patrick Flynn to serve as dean of students for a period not to exceed 95 days. Approved the request for the sixth grade class to travel to the Camp Watonka Environmental Education Center for two days and one night in May at no additional cost to the school district. Approved the appointment of Susan Harvatine to the part-time custodial/maintenance position at an hourly rate of $8.84 as per the union contract. Approved the appointment of Lisa Bender as a part-time instructional aide at an hourly rate of $7.26. Appointed Linda Mendelsohn as school store advisor for the 2005-2006 school year at a stipend within Group 2 of the negotiated union contract. Named Catherine Fedak to a secretarial position at an hourly rate of $9.23 effective October 19. Approved the appointment of Debbie Pierzga to a secretarial position at an hourly rate of $9.23. Approved the use of the elementary cafeteria for Cub Scout Pack 92 weekly meetings that will be held from Sept. 21, 2005 through May 30, 2006, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Approved the use of one classroom in the high school for GED classes sponsored by the Susquehanna County Library Program. Classes will be held on Monday evenings from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. through December 5. Approved the use of the elementary cafeteria for Girl Scout troops 530, 298, 270, and 645 for weekly meetings on Friday afternoons from 4 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. for the 2005-2006 school year. Approved a request from the Forest City Nursing Home and Personal Care Center to use the school facilities as a short-term staging area in the event of an emergency at the center.
Who’s in charge of the Susquehanna County Jail when Warden Bill Brennan and Deputy Warden Nick Conigliaro are not there? Jim Jennings of Brooklyn Township posed the question to the county commissioners at their meeting last Wednesday. The answers appeared to add more confusion to the issue. Commissioner Jeff Loomis, who is chair of the Jail Board, said the employees police themselves when the top brass is not at the jail. Loomis said the union contract will not permit anything else. “We have a legal (union) contract,” Mr. Loomis said, “and there is nothing in that contract that will allow us to hire shift commanders.” Mr. Jennings’ suggestion that there could be a separate union for management appeared to fall on deaf ears. Meanwhile, Roberta Kelly, chair of the Board of County Commissioners, said when Mr. Brennan and Mr. Conigliaro are away from the jail at the same time, they both carry cell phones and can be reached at any time. Mr. Jennings said the county should consider giving rank to some guards that might be capable of being shift commanders. Mr. Loomis suggested that Mr. Jennings bring any question regarding the jail to a Jail Board meeting. In another matter, the commissioners approved a motion accepting terms of an agreement reached between the county and the Teamsters Union that represented Eric Knifer. Mr. Knifer was discharged in 2003 when some pornography was found in his computer at the county courthouse. However, a follow-up investigation absolved Mr. Knifer of any wrongdoing. Terms of the agreement will not be revealed until all parties have signed it, but some sources put the settlement figure in the neighborhood of $110,000. “We have no further comment on this,” Mrs. Kelly said. “We hope to put the matter behind us.” Actually, Mr. Knifer was fired by a previous administration and the Kelly Administration inherited the problem and have finally resolved it. Under questioning regarding their individual feelings about the restoration of the Monument on the Green, Mr. Loomis said he is not “totally satisfied with the way work on the project is proceeding. “At the time I spoke to the owner of the company doing the work, I was satisfied,” Mr. Loomis said. “But now it seems to be dragging.” Mr. Loomis also expressed disappointment that he could not get the other commissioners to accept three veterans that he nominated to serve on the Restoration Committee. Commissioner MaryAnn Warren echoed remarks previously made by Mrs. Kelly. Both commissioners saw no use for expanding the Restoration Committee. “I think we are moving forward,” Mrs. Warren said. “Things are getting done and the committee is now working on the dedication booklet.” The commissioners accepted the resignation of Patrick Daly, who has been serving as Judge Kenneth Seamans’ judicial law clerk for the past four years. Mr. Daly reportedly will join a private law firm in the county. Other action taken at the brief meeting included – – passing a resolution that extends the Scenic Byway along Route 92 in Lenox Township to the Wyoming County line. – hiring Mark Hunsinger of Kingsley to a part-time position as a corrective officer at the county jail. The salary board subsequently set his hourly rate at $11.34 in accordance with the union contract. – hiring Susan Wilson of Montrose as a fulltime 911 dispatcher trainee at a starting rate of $8.50 an hour, again in accordance with the union contract.
ASSAULT A 15-year-old female was assaulted along the railroad bed on State Road 1015 in Harmony Township on the morning of October 5. The suspect is described as a dark-skinned male, possibly of Hispanic descent, approximately 5’ 10” tall, dark wavy hair and in his late 30’s. He was wearing a brown jacket, dark blue jeans and brown work boots, and driving a red dump truck with a black box.* BURGLARY John Cummings, New Milford Township, reported a burglary at his residence sometime between 5 p.m. and 9:15 on October 6. Two rifles and a pistol were taken.* AGGRAVATED ASSAULT On October 9, Dennis Robinson, Susquehanna, assaulted two local police officers, Jon Record and Tom Golka, while they were attempting to make an arrest for institutional vandalism of the police station building in Susquehanna. Robinson was charged and arraigned before a district magistrate and remanded to the county prison in lieu of bail. COLLISION, DUI Jeffrey Liddick, 38, no address reported, sustained minor injuries when he lost control of his 1989 Chevy Corsica on State Route 706 in Rush Township on the evening of October 7. His car hit an embankment, overturned and came to rest on its roof in the opposite lane. Liddick was placed under arrest for DUI. The Corsica was badly damaged. THEFT Sometime between 8:30 and 9:20 on the evening of September 29, an unknown person(s) stole the front and rear registration plates from a 1992 GMC Suburban owned by Patrick Morris, Binghamton, while it was parked at Jack-a-Harts in New Milford. The stolen NY registration number is DHH 8979. BURGLARY An unknown person(s) unlawfully entered a barn belonging to Harold and Jennifer Lewis, Dimock Township, sometime between the evening of October 5 and late the following morning and stole four chain saws and other miscellaneous items with a total value of $2,875. SIMPLE ASSAULT A domestic incident occurred at the residence of Shelly Travis, 33, Hallstead, at 1:15 on the morning of October 7. Edward Johnson, 39, Hallstead, was arrested for simple assault and harassment charges for assaulting Travis, his girlfriend. He was arraigned before a district magistrate, bail was set at $10,000, and he was sent to the county jail. THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE Amy Holmes, Thompson, reported the theft of her 1997 Chevy pick-up at 8 on the morning of September 14 from the driveway of her home. The vehicle was subsequently recovered in Carbondale.* TRAFFIC ACCIDENT INVOLVING PENNDOT UNIT This accident happened on State Route 11 in New Milford Township as George Housen, 42, Montrose, driving a 2005 Komatsu front-end loader in a construction/maintenance zone, was backing up. He didn’t see a 2001 Ford Focus, driven by Gerard F. Frey, 46, Factoryville, behind him and Housen hit the Ford. Both the Komatsu and the Ford were able to leave the scene under their own power, and neither driver – both of whom were wearing seatbelts – were injured. This incident occurred on the afternoon of October 6. FOUND DRUG Society was the victim when a prescription bottle containing a small amount of a suspected controlled substance was found to be in the possession of a 17 -year-old juvenile in New Milford on the afternoon of October 3. RETAIL THEFT Late in the afternoon of September 21, two males entered the Video King in Mountain View Plaza in Great Bend Township and removed two DVDs after disabling the security locking devices that hold them in their case. One male distracted the cashier as the other committed the theft. This was discovered the following day after the owner reviewed surveillance video. The two DVDs were “Sahara” and “The Ring, Two.” Both males are white. One is described as approximately 30-40 years old, balding with shoulder-length dirty-blonde hair, approximately 5’7” – 5’10” tall, wearing a blue “Giants” tee-shirt, no facial hair, and approximately 165-180 pounds. The second male is described as 30-40 years old, receding hairline with short brown hair, 5’8” – 5’11” tall, approximately 180-200 pounds, and wearing a navy blue tee-shirt and denim shorts.* CRASH A 2002 Ford Explorer driven by Robert Edward, Sr., 64, was making a left turn onto State Route 92 from the exit ramp of Interstate 81 in Lenox Township on the afternoon of October 3 as a 1995 Pontiac Grand Am driven by Richard Norton, 20, was traveling south on Route 92. Edward traveled into the Pontiac’s path of travel, causing both the Explorer and Pontiac to impact. Neither driver nor passengers in either vehicle were injured, and all were wearing seatbelts. Both vehicles were moderately damaged. THEFT BY DECEPTION In this crime, an unknown person went into the EXXON off the New Milford exit of Interstate 81 and paid for items with a fake $20 bill before fleeing the scene in an unknown direction. The incident happened late on the night of October 1.* BURGLARY The home of William Detweiler and Deborah Fava, New Milford, was burglarized on September 20.* BURGLARY, THEFT On September 12, someone went through some of the camp quarters at Camp Chen-a-Wanda in Ararat Township, stealing a queen-size mattress set, dehumidifier, a small dresser and an unknown amount of bedding that was packed in laundry bags. And investigation is continuing.* HARASSMENT An unknown person(s) smashed the mailbox belonging to Maria Mary Gordon, Harmony Township, on October 3. It is also believed that the same person later telephoned Gordon and threatened the same. CRIMINAL MISCHIEF Shortly after 11 on the night of September 18, an unknown male smashed a padlock off the parking lot gate of Spectacular Fireworks in New Milford Township and fled the scene in a tractor-trailer heading south on Interstate 81. An investigation is continuing. CRIMINAL MISCHIEF An unknown person(s) spray-painted Fisher stove signs belonging to Stephen Wikoski, Springville, sometime between October 1 and 2. An investigation is continuing. ROBBERY On October 2 at 12:44 a.m., a white male in his early 30’s entered the Pump and Pantry in Great Bend Township, walked over to the cashier and handed her a note stating that he had a gun. The suspect demanded the money in the cash register and fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of money. He is alleged to have left in a gray Chevy Lumina, heading towards the town of Susquehanna.* *Anyone with information about the incident are requested to call the State Police at (570) 465-3154.
DEEDS George R. Bell (estate) aka George Bell (estate) to Shane T. Lewis Sr. and Margaret T. Lewis, 515 Washington St., Susquehanna, in Jackson Township for $85,000. Josephine Storey, Fred Storey to Frances S. Stretch, Norman J. Stretch, RR 1, Laceyville, in Auburn County and an out of county municipality for $7,600. Valerie A. Hausworth (aka) Valerie A. Housworth to Kenneth D. and Jackie L. Hoffman, RR 1, Thompson, in Jackson Township for $176,900. Betty A. Hicks to Kevin and Paula Coleman, RR 1, Rushville, in Rush Township for one dollar. Jacob L. Smith and Francis M. Smith to Jacob L. Smith and Francis M. Smith, Sun City, AZ., in Middletown Township for one dollar. George Houser (estate) to Timothy Barnett, RR 1, Laceyville, in Auburn Township for one dollar. William Degothseir, Mary Degothseir to Linda Marie Reilly, Clifton Heights, PA, in Thompson Township for $35,000. Betty A. Hicks to Boudrias and Millette Consulting Group Inc., Quebec, Canada, in Rush Township for $13,200. Matthew F. Figura, Nancy B.C. Figura to Matthew M. Payette, Susquehanna, in Oakland Borough for $71,000. George F. Rockwell, Nina M. Rockwell to Larry Viteritto, RR 2, New Milford, in Springville Township for $55,000. Robert A. Dydynski, Mary S. Dydynski to Donny Schneider, Melinda S. Schneider, RR 5, Montrose, in Forest Lake Township for $136,000. Scott VanGorden to Scott T. VanGorden, Rhonda J. VanGorden, RR 1, Susquehanna, in Jackson Township for one dollar. Adam C. Sobel, Allison J. Sobel to Clarence Parke, Susan Parke, West Chester, PA, in Herrick Township for one dollar. James and Kathleen Chadwick to Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Dunmore, in Herrick Township for one dollar. Douglas Hall to Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Dunmore, in Herrick Township for one dollar. Edward Mikolon to Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Dunmore, in Herrick Township for one dollar. Francis Lockburner (estate) to Linda Ayers, RR 3, Meshoppen, in Auburn Township for one dollar. Barbara L. Squier, Donald C. Robbins to Barbara L. Squier, RR 2, Nicholson, James Squire, in Lathrop Township for $10. Burton Decker, Roseann Decker to Bernard J. Sinkiewicz, Toni Sinkiewicz, Kintnersville, for $170,000. Richard F. Naylor, Gloria Naylor to Richard F. Naylor Jr., RR 1, Hallstead, Michelle A. Naylor, in Liberty Township for one dollar. Gloria J. Meagley (nbm) Gloria J. Carpenter, Ronald T. Carpenter to Anthony and Patricia Werther, Broad Channel, NY, in Susquehanna Borough and Oakland Township for $170,000. Arthur E. Barndt, Betty Jane Barndt to Richard M. Yacko, Patricia Ann Yacko, Monroe, CT, in Gibson Township for $299,900. Michael and Carmella Oleksza to Jesus Maldonado, Bronx, NY, in Hallstead Borough for $15,000. Catherine Staros to Rachael O’Dell, Thompson, in Thompson Borough for $65,000. Andrea L. Brasche and David M. Brasche (both by US Marshal) to David Taylor, 7 Griffis St., Montrose, in Forest Lake Township for $46,500. Community Bank & Trust Co. to Charles R. Biesecker and Cassandra L. Biesecker, RR 3, New Milford, in New Milford Township for $75,000. William A. Planutis, William Planutis III to William H. and Patricia Kelley, Franks Road, Springville, in Bridgewater Township for $30,000. Mary Ann Conrad (nka) Mary Ann Fletcher to Mary Ann Fletcher, RR 2, New Milford, in New Milford Township for one dollar. Charles R. Margelewicz Jr. , Tracy Margelewicz to Richard Davis, Claymont, DE, in Bridgewater Township for one dollar. Anna M. Hall to Michael D. Vaughn, Asbury, NJ, in New Milford Township for $375,000. Robin M. Wallace, James H. Aldrich, Gail L. Aldrich, to James H. and Gail L. Aldrich, RR 1, Hallstead, in Liberty Township for one dollar. Donald A. and Laurie L. Roberts to Joseph Steuer, Brooklyn, NY and Erin Fitzgerald, in Liberty Township for $200,000. Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas (fka) Bankers Trust Company (by atty) to Karen Vandegriek, 23 Lincoln Ave., Montrose, in Montrose for $46,900. Vincent Rubino, Julie L. Rubino to Arnold N. and Barbara A. Showers, RR 1, Friendsville, in Choconut Township for $20,000. Michael A. Hardisky, Beverly A. Hardisky to Michael A. Hardisky, RR 2, Nicholson, in Lathrop Township for one dollar. Theodore and Frances E. Hrynczyszyn to Robert A. Gremmel, Philadelphia, in Jackson Township for $149,900. Tim Porter to Jason Ross, RD 1, Nicholson, in Lanesboro for $6,000. Duane Brunges to Eric and Holly Strohl, RR 4, Montrose, in Bridgewater Township for $79,500. Joan B. Chilson to Ronald Williams, Melody Williams, RR 1, Hallstead, in Liberty Township for $10,000. Alanson Bowen Dayton, Janet L. Dayton to Alanson Bowen Dayton (trust), Shadey Valley, TN, in Forest Lake Township for $10. John R. Pirnik to John R. Pirnik, Deborah Pirnik, 411 Prospect St., Susquehanna, in Springville Township for one dollar. Kenneth B. Strickland (estate) to Randy M. Ward, Elizabeth Ward, RR 1, Springville, in Springville Township for $417,000. Double U. Properties Management to Felice Borgonsoli, Waymart, in Ararat Township for one dollar (corrective deed). Felice Borgonsoli to Felice Borgonsoli, Waymart, in Ararat Township for one dollar. Felice Borgonsoli to Double U. Properties Management, RR 1, Waymart, in Ararat Township for one dollar. Mario Fitzgerald, Dorothy A. Fitzgerald to Mario Fitzgerald, RR 2, Thompson, in Thompson Township for one dollar. Robert T. Meeks, Virginia A. Meeks to William L. Inscho, Sterling, VA, in Ararat Township for $46,000. Joy J. Sibal, , Kenneth A. Sibal to Kevin J . Canfield, Rusty K. Canfield, RR 1, South Gibson, in Franklin and New Milford townships for one dollar. Joseph M. Danko, Karen Danko to Michael Sledzinski, Ann Sledzinski, RR 1, Lake Ariel, in Bridgewater Township for $180,000. Howard E. and Barbara P. Doolittle to Manzek Land Co. Inc., RR 5, Montrose, in Auburn Township for $400,000. Steve Skinner to Bremer Hof Owners Inc., Union Dale, in Herrick Township for $100. MARRIAGES William Henry McDonald and Sharon LaRonn Scaggs, both of Susquehanna Borough. Nathaniel Stephen Williams and Amanda Robin Rockwell, both of Lanesboro. DIVORCES Natalia V. Janey, no address, vs. Bradley A. Janey, Union Dale.
Lanesboro Council Meeting Minutes Following are the Lanesboro Council meeting minutes from September 6, 2005 as submitted. Present: Ray Barnes, Dan Boughton, Paul Corse, Regina Dilello, Chris Maby, Bob Mireider, Bob Page. Absent: Mayor Slater. Also Present: Secretary Gail Hanrahan, Officers Van Fleet and Canini. Visitors: Adrian Rigo, Cora Cameron, Sandy Davis, Mrs. Denny, Jesse Hilton, Jeanine Keefer, Bill Roberts, Sandy Benson, Jerry Benson. Minutes: Motion to accept minutes as presented carried. Visitors: Mrs. Rigo – very happy to see the playground constructed and in use. Wanted to compliment the volunteers who helped construct it. Jesse Hilton – also likes the park, offered his help in any additional work that may need to be done. Correspondences and Resolutions: Letter from Oakland requesting a donation to assist in development of their park and associated grant application. After discussion, consensus was that any extra money Lanesboro has should be used within the borough first. Council wishes Oakland good luck in their grant application. Code Enforcer Report: Shane was not at the meeting but provided a brief written report – 5 messages, 2 inspections, 1 verbal warning, and 1 building permit. Gelineau property – Diane Gelineau approached Maby about a lien placed on property by Lanesboro, specifically about the portion associated with this year’s garbage bill. She would like the lien released and does not want to be held accountable for the 2005 garbage bill, as they have not lived in the house since last fall. Council consensus that lien must be left intact, as garbage crew has repeatedly picked up trash this year at this site. Mrs. Gelineau also mentioned the property is being sold to a relative. Council is concerned, in that the building was condemned last fall and has yet to be removed. Corse recalls an ordinance forbidding transfer of property without written directive on what will be done with the building. Council authorized Corse to act on its behalf and discuss the matter with Solicitor Dewitt and Shane, with an update at the October meeting. Yard sale at the corner of North Main and Depot – Items are now being sold inside as well as outside. Council is unsure if tenants are compliant with the State regulations provided to them by Shane. Tabled until next meeting so that Shane can provide an update. It was noted the property owner didn’t even know of the business. Police Report: Officer VanFleet provided a report for himself and Officer Canini – 29 speeding + several others. Officer Gow has been providing an update to Mayor Slater which council was not aware of. Report included numerous citations/violations. Council appreciative of the report forwarded to Gail, hopes that this will continue. Mayor Report: Mayor Slater was unable to attend, due to recent surgery. It is expected he will resume his normal routine next month. Community Center: $95 in recycling, $350 in rentals (4 resident, 1 business). $20 used for supplies. A portion of the floor has been sanded, repainted and looks great. Motion purchase enough paint to finish the floor carried. Motion carried to authorize Boughton to contact Todd Glover for replacement windows and insulation for the ceiling. Oil budget set at $210/month, contract with Benson Brothers. Secretary/Treasurer's Report: In addition to the bills presented by Gail, Maby provided a spreadsheet containing some playground bills to be paid, in addition to a breakdown of FEMA & liquid fuels monies and donations, to be used for April flood repairs and some final touches at Community Park. The paving estimate was lower than expected, allowing for additional repairs and paving beyond what is required by the FEMA paperwork. Motion to accepts bills as presented, including those presented by Maby carried. Unfinished Business: April 2 flood funding update – Money in, repairs to be made as discussed in secretary/treasurer’s report. Curfew ordinance – Gail found an ordinance, requiring all children to be off the streets from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM. Unsure of ages involved. She will make copies and distribute for discussion at next meeting. New Business: Page suggested that signs be erected along Main St warning drivers of the playground, as he witnessed several children riding bicycles into traffic, almost getting run over in the process. Maby noted there is budgeted money for signs not yet spent. Regina suggested getting some signs for the playground as well. Maby noted Mrs. Oakley asked if a Handicap parking sign could be erected temporarily in front of her residence. Her husband recently suffered a stroke and is taken daily for therapy. After discussion, motion carried to purchase the following signs: Handicap parking; Playground ahead (2); No smoking/tobacco free area; No animals. Page asked about snow plowing bids. After discussion, ad to be placed in Transcript for hourly rate, which should include the cost of storing and providing antiskid/calcium. Regina asked about Jail Hill. Maby stated he spoke with Ray Swanson recently. PENNDOT was in contact with Ray in the last few weeks, at which time they said they expected to be working on the project at some point this fall. Maby asked for and received approval to send a letter to PENNDOT on behalf of the town, asking for an update. Maby suggested sending flowers to Mayor Slater. Council agreed. The Grand Opening of Community Park will be October 22 at 2:00. Letters will be sent to all volunteers, contractors, and those who made donations, with a newsletter going to the general public. Maby noted a 2006 budget meeting should be set up for sometime in mid-October. Date to be finalized at regular October meeting. Motion to adjourn.
New Milford Borough recently advertised a standard readdressing ordinance of the kind being promoted by county emergency management as well as the U.S. post office, and favored by the borough’s fire and rescue squads. All members of the borough council, plus mayor Joe Taylor, were at council’s October 13 meeting to discuss whether to adopt the ordinance. Borough secretary Amy Hine reported that just one resident dropped by the office to look at the ordinance after it was advertised, and feedback requested from borough solicitor Jason Legg was disappointing because it consisted of copies of correspondence Legg had with Montrose Borough, where he is also its solicitor. It is thought that no road or streets in the borough would need to be changed should the borough buy in. However, house numbers would change for two reasons. First, the town is currently numbered north to south, versus standard readdressing’s south to north. Second, standard readdressing assigns a number every 5.28 feet, versus the next consecutive number for the next consecutive property or home. The reasoning behind the 5.28 feet is for rapid identification of a location by emergency responders, both local and outside a municipality. Many municipalities within the county have adopted such an ordinance; a few have decided not to. Currently, the county is picking up the cost of the readdressing plan for municipalities who adopt it; those that decide to come on board later will bear the cost of making the change. For various reasons – borough taxpayer cost of doing it later on should standard readdressing become mandatory, faster emergency response – some council members were in favor of adopting the ordinance. Others were not, citing the hassle of having to make an address change with the post office, drivers’ licenses, regular correspondence and so forth – in other words, if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. Council president Scott Smith asked the 7 people in the audience what they thought of the plan, and six who spoke up were in favor of it, principally because they thought it was inevitable and adoption now meant avoiding a future taxpayer cost later on. At the end of the day, council passed the ordinance by a vote of 4 to 3, and talked of meeting with county EMA folks as well as PENNDOT to go over what the transition might entail. If anyone has driven on New Milford streets lately (except for Main Street and Route 406, which are state roads), they couldn’t help but notice that every street in town has new and smooth blacktop. The paving project is complete, and a few things need to be worked out (a few manhole covers were paved over, but won’t be for long), but the streets look terrific. In fact, but for one street where water flows across the pavement instead of into a catch basin (that, too, to be fixed), the paving took care of former problem spots where water used to gather after a rain. One of the best things about the plan is its cost. Originally estimated at around $246,000, the bill came in at about $233,000. Council voted to approve its payment, less a holdback of $2,080 for the manhole repairs, with which it anticipates no problem. A representative of the New Milford Municipal Authority attended the meeting to request Council to set a deadline by which borough residents have to abandon their former sewer systems. With about half the town currently hooked up to the new municipal sewer system, council and the mayor thought a date sometime late next summer was appropriate and will decide that later. In the meantime and because fewer contractors were available to do the hook-ups than were approved, more contractors have been certified recently to do hook-ups in the town, and hopefully this will get more people on line before the ground freezes. It was reported that some residents are waiting because they want a particular contractor or electrician to do the work. In any event, residents received their sewer bill in August whether they were hooked up or not, and an audience member asked if anyone who is not hooked up has refused to pay the bill. The authority representative didn’t know, but Hine – who also serves on the authority – reported that there are several past-due balances. What happens, councilperson Rick Ainey asked, when people don’t pay their bill? The authority representative said the authority could put a lien on their property. Ainey reported that he believed that Hallstead, Great Bend and Montrose, through an agreement with the water company, have ordinances that allow that a non-payer’s water be shut off. Taylor reported that he spoke with a member of the county Rail Authority and confirmed that a transloading station (where material is transferred and by law cannot include toxic chemicals) is planned for a Sommersville location, and not a rail yard where rail cars can be stored for periods of time. Taylor added that the transloading station would be maintained by the Canadian Pacific railroad, which will be getting the better part of the $2.6 million grant obtained by the authority. It’s anticipated that a lot of stone will be shipped from the station. Taylor also passed along the authority’s willingness to meet with council, and council members noted they would be pleased to hear them. Sandra Kazinetz informed the group that the next meeting of the area’s watershed association was scheduled for October 19 at 7:30 p.m. in the Hallstead Borough Building, and members of the public were welcome to attend. The siren to alert borough residents to an emergency is up and has been tested. The responsibility to set it off belongs to the borough and not the county or the town fire department. Council will ask its emergency management coordinator Jim Carpenetti to develop a plan to present to council about when the siren would be activated and where residents might go in the event of an evacuation. It’s also expected that a notice will be included in residents’ water bills. Included in the next water bill will be an invitation to attend council’s November 17 work session and bring suggestions on how to put to use the Donley bequest to the town, in the town’s best interests. In buildings and equipment, council approved the purchase of a $200 leaf mulcher kit for the borough tractor-mower, and $100 for six white safety posts to join others positioned throughout the town to guide the snowplow away from hazards that might lie off the road and under snow. This made a lot of sense to council because the paving may have created new and different drop-offs on some of the roads. At least one council member is expected to attend an October 26 meeting organized by the Council of Governments to discuss a regional police department. It would also like to find out what’s going on with pension plan assets from a prior regional department in which it participated, but so far, efforts by solicitor Jason Legg to obtain a copy of the plan documents have been unsuccessful. The borough’s zoning codes officer will be asked to investigate two complaints in the borough – one about a dawn-to-dusk spotlight that disturbs a neighboring residence, and another about storage of garbage that is attracting a bear to come down to it. Council is also awaiting a copy of Suburban Energy’s DEP-required spill plan that it requested some time ago. Hine will follow up and pick it up, too. And, with the former Orange Roof building announced as district magistrate Janicelli’s new office from his current digs in New Milford, Taylor thought that council should send a letter to the county commissioners with bills attached, requesting reimbursement of the approximately $3,000 the borough spent in good faith for engineering studies on the borough building. The studies were done in response to encouragement from the county, Janicelli and the sheriff to keep the magistrate office in the borough. And even though council and the mayor thought the town’s request for reimbursement would be ignored, council voted to send one, and copy in Janicelli and the sheriff “and everyone else from the County who was in here measuring and encouraging us,” said Ainey. Taylor will personally deliver the letter. Ainey added that the borough has yet to receive a letter from anyone involved about the decision to relocate the magistrate’s office outside the borough. The next regular meeting of the New Milford borough council is scheduled for November 3 at 7 p.m. in the borough building on Main Street.
Following is the list of names drawn to serve as Petit and Traverse jurors for November, 2005 to appear in the Court of Common Pleas, Susquehanna County Courthouse, main courtroom, Montrose, PA on the seventh day of November, 9:00 a.m. Apolacon Twp.: Marianne T. DiMichelle, Joan M. Peck. Bridgewater Twp.: Effie V. Breeze, George Hill, Frank A. Kwader, Judith A. McKee, Esther Organski, Randy Rogers, Carmeleta M. Sterling, James Teel, Daniel S. Warner. Choconut Twp.: Linda S. Landis, Janine A. Neureuter. Clifford Twp.: Kimberly Congdon, Jill Papp, Karen M. Petrilak, Patricia A. Swetter, Rodney Wallace Dimock Twp.: Sandra Burnett, Arthur Doolittle, Jr., Joseph Chas. Petty. Forest City Boro 1W: Teri Lynn Trusky. Forest City Boro 2W: John J. Kowalewski, Sr. Forest Lake Twp.: Mary W. Spolar. Gibson Twp.: Daniel C. Berger, Jr., Kathleen M. Gaynor, Paula J. Manzer. Great Bend Boro: Jeanette Jacobs-Cox, Linda L. Potter. Great Bend Twp.: Harold E. Lynch, Billie Jo Opet, Gary Reid, Kenneth F. Wescott, Willard J. Yarosh. Hallstead Boro: Martin H. Brown, Cheryl Demmer, Kathryn A. Fuller, Edward M. Tierney. Harmony Twp.: Timothy L. Braun, Neil K. Cordner, Kevin A. Roe. Hop Bottom Boro: Patricia Schwoebel. Jessup Twp.: Dave W. Bonnice. Lanesboro Boro: Robert Keyes. Lenox Twp.: Jeanne M. Blodnikar, Gary L. Kilmer, Deborah A. MacNamara, Glyn Martin. Liberty Twp.: Joseph J. Banko, Donna Norton. Middletown Twp.: Marianne Jaeger. Montrose Boro 1W: David J. Dibble. New Milford Boro: Debbie J. Decker. New Milford Twp.: Simon Brown, Jeffrey Davis, Jeremy Ebhardt, Edwin Rhoads, Tina M. Vanostrand. Oakland Boro: Frederic E. Boerner. Rush Twp.: Susan O. Ball, Gary D. Bennett, Wendy Robinson. Silver Lake Twp.: Thomas P. Castner, Kara J. Everitt, Jacqueline Sanders. Springville Twp.: Juanita Salsman, Linda Stark, Summer Strait, Joyce E. Tiffany. Susquehanna Boro 2W: Joseph Andusko, Albert R. Barnes.
Silver Lake Twp. Police Report Following is the Silver Lake Twp. August/September Police Report, as submitted. HARASSMENT BY COMMUNICATION On August 1, Ann Marie Mollo of Brackney reported that she had been receiving numerous harassing phone calls from an anonymous source. THEFT On August 4, Shawn Aukena of Friendsville reported that gas was stolen from vehicles at his residence and workplace at Silver Springs Water Company on Quinn Road in the Township. ATV COMPLAINTS On August 5, multiple complaints were received concerning ATV’s running on the township roads within the township. Pursuit and a roadblock netted one dirt bike sliding into the front of the police car. All others eluded the attempted stops. MVA On August 6, Ben Stone of Montrose, totaled his 2004 Dodge Dakota pickup truck while traveling on SR4001, Brackney Hill Road. He stated he fell asleep and went off the shoulder of the road and lost control before striking and severing a utility pole. THEFT On August 6, Robert Bundy reported a theft of his grandson’s new ATV tires and wheels. The ATV was parked well off of the roadway and right next to the residence when during the night hours someone removed the wheels and tires. ATV PURSUIT On August 6 at approximately 2100 hrs, five or six ATV’s were pursued on SR167 near Murphy’s corners and traveling towards NY State. The pack of ATV’s were led by a dark colored p/u truck and traveled at high speeds. Most of the ATV’s ran with no lights. They were last seen traveling on Hawleyton Road toward the Town of Binghamton. THEFT On August 7, Joseph McGuigan of Homosassa, FL, reported that his rowboat had been stolen from his cottage on Laurel Lake. Several days later the PA Fish Commission recovered his boat at another location on the lake. THEFT On Saturday, August 20, Kurt Frey and his family were away for the day. Someone entered his residence and removed a glass jug containing over $200.00 in coins from his master bedroom area. THEFT On August 22, Thomas Wright of Nanuet, NY reported that his rear license plate from his Lincoln Town car was stolen while parked at Quaker Lake over the weekend. ATV COMPLAINTS On Saturday, September 3, numerous complaints were called in concerning a large group of ATVs running at high speeds all over the area on the Township and State roads. THEFT On September 8, James Sickles of Johnson City, NY reported that he had his set of cymbals taken from the Brackney Inn after he played there with his band August 19. The equipment taken was valued at $700.00-$800.00. MVA On September 9 at approximately 2230 hrs, Shaun MacNamee of Montrose crashed his S10 Chevy p/u into a field and knocked down livestock fence on SR4002 near Woodland Road. MacNamee left the scene and later stated that he fell asleep at the wheel. Charges are pending completion of the investigation. THEFT On September 17, Jonathan Bayer reported that, on or about September 9, someone removed tools valued at over $3,000.00 out of his garage on Laurel Lake. A list of the tools was identified and a BOLO was distributed to local law enforcement. IDENTITY THEFT On September 15, Robert Anderson of Brackney reported that someone was using his debit card on the Internet. He stated the charges were made in Mexico where he has not been. Special investigative units handle these cases. SHOTS FIRED On September 23 multiple calls were received concerning shots being fired after dark in a residential area. Several agencies ultimately responded and an investigation resulted in the actor being committed to a veteran’s hospital. CRIMINAL MISCHIEF On September 24, Joann Nagy reported that someone had cut the brake lines on a vehicle that was parked in her yard with a For Sale sign on it. The tool used to cut the line was left at the scene. THEFT On September 26, Joann Wiser of Brackney reported that someone has been stealing gasoline out of their vehicles while they are parked at their residence. Any information or questions for Silver Lake Township Police, please call 278-6818 or 663-2760. All information will be held strictly confidential.
Following is the Susquehanna Borough Police September report, as submitted. **Susquehanna Police are currently investigating “Theft by Deception” after three white adult males have gone door to door in the East side area of Susquehanna soliciting donations for the family of “Brian Hird” in early October. These males have allegedly stolen donations received. Please call Police at 853-3147 if you gave money to any one of these males for “Brian Hird” as you may be a victim. Anyone wanting to donate money should give directly to his surviving wife. DUI/FLEEING AND ELUDING/CRASH On September 2, at 10:55 p.m. Police attempted to stop a Ford truck for DUI and following another vehicle too closely on West Main St. The driver, later identified as Daniel Houck of Susquehanna fled to Brushville Road causing pursuit. Houck failed to negotiate a turn causing him to hit a telephone pole head on. Houck was apprehended after a foot pursuit. Houck is further charged with Flight to Avoid Apprehension with several traffic violations. PSP and Susquehanna Fire Police assisted. CRIMINAL MISCHIEF On September 3, Jason Penny of Susquehanna reported someone to have thrown a bottle through his apartment window on Grand St. during the night. Police have a suspect. CRIMINAL TRESPASS** On September 6 at 2:57 a.m., Police responded to an alarm at the Moose Lodge on Main St. finding an open door. While checking building, someone shut off lights and ran out. LOITERING On September 6, 20 and 25, fifteen juveniles and adults were cited for loitering at Benson Brothers after Police received authorization to enforce. TRAFFIC CRASH On September 7 at 7:55 p.m., Carl Duane Hall was traveling East in the 600 block of West Main St. in a Dodge Van when he pulled over to shoulder to let another vehicle traveling West go by. Donald Whitmore, Jr. did same with his Mazda by pulling over behind Hall. Hall then backed into Whitmore causing minor damage. No injuries. UNDERAGE DRINKING On September 9 at 11:49 p.m. Anthony Beamer (20) of Susquehanna was charged for Underage Drinking and Public Drunkenness after he’d caused a disturbance in front of EK Owens Hardware Store. CRIMINAL MISCHIEF** Someone damaged a vehicle belonging to Joe Bucci in the 400 block of Washington St. on the morning of September 15. FLEEING AND ELUDING On September 22 at 8:53 p.m., Police attempted to stop Darren Hall (20) of Bronx, NY on Main St. while driving a Ford Focus belonging to Cathy Fassett. Hall fled to Fassett’s residence on Spring Creek Road where pursuit ended. He is further charged for driving without a license. THEFT On September 26 at 7:56 p.m., a juvenile in Susquehanna took a wallet belonging to Daniel Washburn of Oakland in the Dollar General Store. Police recovered wallet and money. No charges were filed. ** Any information/tips please call Police at 853-3147 or E-Mail: SusqPol@Epix.net.
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