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HEADLINES: Commissioners Mum On Supervisors Last week the Susquehanna County Commissioners added a couple of full-time guards to the security staff at the county prison but failed to act on the need for round-the-clock shift commanders. Commissioner Jeff Loomis, who is chairman of the prison board, did emphasize the need for security guards to be on duty around the clock. But he offered no response when Jim Jennings of Brooklyn Township pointed out that Susquehanna County has the only jail in the state without shift supervisors on duty 24/7. By unanimous votes, the commissioners elevated Sean Smith and William Tompkins from part-time to full-time status. Both of them will be paid $11.57 an hour, the same rate they were paid as part-timers. However, they are now eligible for the county’s benefit package. The commissioners filled one of the part-time vacancies with the hiring of Michael Murphy at the hourly rate of $11.57. The employee changes were recommended by Warden Bill Brennan. In other employee matters, the commissioners voted 2-1 to hire Laura Watts of Bridgewater Twp. to the open full-time position of voter registrar. She will be paid $10.85 an hour plus benefits after her six-months probation period. She was recommended by Art Donato, 911 coordinator. Roberta Kelly opposed the appointment in support of her initial choice, Gary Wilder. At the May 24 meeting, Mr. Kelly nominated Wilder for the position but her motion died for the lack of a second. Fred Baker asked the commissioners why they selected Mrs. Watts over Wilder, who is a military veteran. He was told Mrs. Watts is a better typist than Mr. Wilder. In other personnel matters, the commissioners- -accepted the resignation of Bobbi Benedict as second deputy prothonotary, then rehired her as first deputy clerk of courts at the rate of $11.48 per hour plus benefits. Her change was recommended by Susan Eddleston, Prothonotary/Clerk of Courts. -ratified the hiring of Susan Stoud to the position of second deputy clerk of courts at an hourly rate of $9.70. She was also recommended by Mrs. Eddleston. -accepted the resignation of Susan Wilson as a full-time 911 dispatcher and replaced her with Nancy Tator who starts at $8.40 an hour and will work a 40-hour week. She was recommended by Art Donato, 911 coordinator. -hired Rachel Whitney to the full-time position of occupational clerk in the assessment office. She will be paid $8.20 an hour. -ratified the termination of Larry Delong, who was hired on April 26 as a corrections officer at the county jail but failed to report to work. The commissioners agreed to advertise the sale of a tractor-lawnmower with snow blower attachment and a green bailer. Both items will be sold to the highest bidders. At the request of the Northeast Behavioral Health Care Consortium (NBHCC), the commissioners signed a letter of credit up to $1.8 million which will only be borrowed against if the NBHCC runs into a financial problem. Susquehanna County is enrolled in the consortium along with Lackawanna, Luzerne and Wyoming counties. Susan Adamec and Charmarie Bisel, both of Children and Youth Services, were recognized for having earned Masters Degrees at Marywood University. Both ladies graduated with honors on May 14.
With the 2005-2006 school year just ended, the Blue Ridge School Board is quickly ramping up for 2006-2007. At their meeting on June 12, members voted to hire several teachers, substitutes, custodians and aides, agreed on a compensation package for four administrators, and then passed a record budget to pay for it all. Deborah Ucci was present to accept the Board's welcome as a learning-support aide for next year, and Tina Sieben will work as a Middle School aide for a student. Kyle Wheeler, John Gaughan, and Kathleen Wilbur became custodians as of June 12. The Board took on three special education teachers for next year: Casey Pavelski, Erin Woosman and Michelle Stiles. Ms. Woosman and Ms. Stiles both attended the meeting to be welcomed aboard. Two of the three positions are replacements. Due to increased numbers of students identified for special attention, the third position is an addition to the staff. Lucrecia Jesse was hired as a Spanish teacher in the High School. Suzanne Piorkowski will become the new Elementary School Librarian. And Kristen Small replaces Ms. Snitzer as the music and choral teacher in the Elementary School. The District will add Ashely Goff to the summer school staff, for remedial reading for the Middle School. In addition, Jennifer Yannone and Jacqueline Robinson will work up to a full 40 hours as librarians for the Middle and High Schools over the summer. Administrators, not being subject to the local teachers' union contract, receive "compensation plans" that define their salaries and benefits. Four-year plans for the Business Manager and his Assistant, the School Psychologist and the Assistant to the director of Information Systems were adopted without much discussion. According to Board President Alan Hall, the position of Assistant Business Manager, while not new, has not had a formal compensation plan before. In most respects, the administrators' benefits packages are similar to those for the teachers with regard to health insurance and the like. All but the Business Manager may receive increases up to 3% per year. Business Manager Loren Small will get a raise of $1,800 per year, plus as much as $1,200 per year in performance increases based on Board approval. The budget that the district will use to pay for all this was also formally approved at this meeting. Blue Ridge is the only school district in Susquehanna County, and one of a minority statewide, that decided to throw in its lot with the Act 71 program that would hope to fund schools in part through gambling proceeds and reduce property taxes somewhat. That gamble required the district to develop and publish a budget much earlier than previously. But formal approval always waits until nearly the end of the fiscal year. The Board approved a budget totaling $15,799,457 for the fiscal year beginning July 1. The budget, though a record for Blue Ridge, still required no increase in any of the many taxes collected for the schools. There was no further discussion of the budget. In other business, the Board accepted a bid from Kurtz Brothers for general supplies for the next school year in the amount of $26,714.49. They also renewed a contract with Tri-County Human Services Center to provide outreach services for "at risk students." And they renewed an arrangement with the Pennsylvania Joint Purchasing Program that allows the district to make some types of purchases without going through the bidding process. Mr. Hall reported that a court petition by three tax collectors to enjoin the District from collecting taxes itself was denied by a judge. The three tax collectors have sued the District for reducing the amount they are paid by some 80% with the intention of processing tax bills itself. A group of parents addressed the board at the end of the meeting declaring an "injustice" to some students as a result of what are considered "inequities" in the district's disciplinary policy. One of the parents also asked the board to request the resignation of Lynn Parker, the Dean of Students. No specifics were given. The parents said they were told to come to the board with their complaints by Representative Sandra Major. But Mr. Hall told them that the board hires administrators to "take care of these problems." He said the proper procedure is to take the issue first to the school principal, then to the superintendent. If the problem is still not resolved, the matter can then be brought to the board. Whatever problems remain, the administrators declared an end to an "extremely good school year." Middle School Principal Matthew Nebzydoski told the board of his "pleasure to serve as principal" through his first year at Blue Ridge. All expressed satisfaction with end-of-year activities, and thanks to all who made them possible. The next meeting of the Blue Ridge School Board will be on Monday, June 26, a workshop that will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the cafeteria in the Elementary School.
Welch Fires No-Hitter In State Title Game Shippensburg – Brittany Welch's pitching motion broke down ever so slightly, ever so briefly, in the fourth and fifth innings of Friday morning's Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Class A state softball championship game. The Iroquois Braves may not have realized it at the time, but they were seeing their only chance to get to the Blue Ridge senior pitcher. Welch was awesome early, then toughened up again after a late adjustment while finishing her career with a no-hitter to lift the Lady Raiders to their second state title in three years with a 1-0 victory. "This is a real good feeling, especially for my senior year," Welch said. "It's a great way to close it out." Welch closed out the Braves, by retiring the last nine batters, four on strikeouts. She ended the game by getting Natalie Orloff on three straight pitches. She was even stronger at the start of the effort, which resulted in 11 strikeouts and two walks. Welch retired the first eight batters, six on strikeouts, four of them looking as she had the Iroquois hitters utterly confused on the first trip through the batting order. "I didn't even realize it was a no-hitter," Welch said. "I've been working on my pitches trying to prepare myself for this game. "I guess it worked." Welch was also a big part of the offense. Leadoff hitter Erin Keene and Welch accounted for four of Blue Ridge's five hits by each going 2-for-2 with a walk. Although she did not get a run batted in on the play, it was a first-inning hit by Welch which produced the game's only run. Keene opened the game with a walk. Kate Donovan reached when she grounded into a force-out which erased Keene with the second out of the inning. Donovan's speed and coach Bob Pavelski's aggressive decision-making from the third-base coaching box made the most of the only time Blue Ridge got a runner as far as third base in the first five innings. Welch lined a hard single into left field where Ashlie Totten had trouble coming up with the ball. When Totten kicked the ball into foul territory with Donovan on her way from second to third base, Pavelski started waving his arms frantically for her to keep on running. Donovan never hesitated and made it home with what proved to be the game's only run. "Once you turn the corner from third, you can't see what's going on," Donovan said. "It's scary not knowing what's going on behind me." In a match-up between two unbeaten teams that had combined to give up just four runs in six state tournament games, getting the first run was clearly significant. "I just thought, 'Thank God we got a run now,'" Donovan said. "I was hoping we could get a few more, but it turns out that we didn't." Welch and a typically solid defensive effort by Blue Ridge made sure that it did not matter. Only three Iroquois runners reached base and only three balls left the infield, all of which were handled by right fielder Alison Mayes. Iroquois got its first base runner with two out in the third on Blue Ridge's only error. The booted groundball was a clear scoring call, avoiding any controversy in what held up as a no-hitter. Welch made it to one out in the fourth by throwing 32 of her first 41 pitches for strikes. The Braves did some work when Welch struggled a little with her control. Heather Burnside fouled off four pitches with two strikes, including three with a full count, to eventually get a one-out walk in the fourth. Orloff fouled off two pitches with a full count to work out her walk to start the fifth inning. During a stretch of five batters, Welch threw 18 strikes and 11 balls, the type of control most pitchers would love to have, but not near what she has displayed throughout the postseason. Facing a 3-1 count to Kayla Troup, Welch came in with a strike that resulted in a sacrifice bunt to start her game-ending streak. Welch was clearly back. She threw 21 of her last 27 pitches for strikes. She finished with 71 strikes and 26 balls in the no-hitter. The perfect sixth and seventh innings finished a perfect season for the Lady Raiders. "These girls deserve all the credit," coach Pavelski said. "I just go along for the ride." Under Pavelski's guidance that ride has ended with a roundtrip to Shippensburg for the state final in three of the last five seasons. Two of the return trips have included a state championship trophy along as extra cargo. STATE CHAMPIONSHIP NOTES Welch was perfect at the plate in two state championship games, reaching base all six times. Donovan had one of the biggest hits of the two state championship runs with a 10th-inning, game-winner against defending state champion South Williamsport in the 2004 state semifinal. She had two hits in the 2004 state final and three extra-base hits in the first three innings of this season's state semifinal. Kas Ralston's hit sent Welch, who had reached on a walk, to third base with one out in the sixth. Dayna Keene had Blue Ridge's only sacrifice. Danielle Chase, who had 13 shutouts, four no-hitters, two perfect games, 261 strikeouts and an 0.52 earned run average this season, tried to pitch the final for Iroquois with a stress fracture in her right forearm. Chase actually had more trouble on fielding plays that called for an overhand throw to first base. After two such plays, including one where she missed a chance to retire Welch on an infield single, Chase left at the end of the third inning. Chase gave up three hits and a walk while getting one strikeout, the 629th of her career. Freshman Lindsay Phillips took over and held Blue Ridge scoreless on two hits over the final three innings. Iroquois is now 3-3 in state finals. The Braves, from District 10 (the Erie area), won in 1982, 1983 and 1991. They lost in 1981 and 1984. The Braves started five seniors and had seven on their roster. Welch and Mayes were the only senior starters for Blue Ridge. Jill Majeski is the team's only other senior. Shortstop Jocelyn Dearborn, catcher Donovan, second baseman Ralston and center fielder Caryn Zurn, all juniors, started in the final. Dearborn was the team's leading hitter during the six previous playoff games that led to the state championship game berth. The team’s only two sophomores, first baseman Erin Keene and left fielder Ashley Luce, both started. Third baseman Erin Keene and designated hitter Carissa Stonier were the freshmen starters in the state final. Alissa Richardson came off the bench as a courtesy runner. Becca Hinkley started at times during the playoffs. Ashley Mattocks and Emily Knott were the other freshmen on the team. Blue Ridge outscored its four state tournament opponents, 21-1. The only run allowed came during a downpour at Drifton in the state quarterfinals shortly before the game was suspended. Lakeland, another unbeaten Lackawanna League and District 2 member, also reached the state final before losing, 2-1, to Harbor Creek in the Class AA game. In high school baseball, Delaware Valley became the first District 2 team to win a Class AAAA state championship in any sport when it defeated Manheim Township, 7-1. Jesse Johnson threw a four-hitter with seven strikeouts and had two hits in the win. WEEK IN REVIEW Blue Ridge reached the title game with ease when five straight players ripped run-scoring hits in the first inning of an 11-0, five-inning romp over Northern Cambria June 12 at Elm Park in Williamsport. Donovan tripled down the left-field line to score Erin Keene. Welch then tripled to left-centerfield to score Donovan. Dearborn doubled to right field, then Ralston and Zurn followed with hits to left. The Lady Raiders were not done. Dayna Keene singled with one out in the second. Donovan doubled and Welch followed with a two-run single. Zurn singled and moved up on a Mayes sacrifice in the third. The Keene sisters produced back-to-back RBI singles before Donovan's run-scoring triple made the lead 10-0. Welch singled and scored on a Dearborn hit in the fifth. Welch threw a three-hitter with five strikeouts. In professional hockey, the Hershey Bears captured the American Hockey League's Calder Cup title with a 5-1 win over the Milwaukee Admirals. Hershey won the best-of-seven championship series, 4-2. This marks the third straight season that the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins were eliminated by the eventual champion. Frederic Cassivi made 25 saves in the clinching win. He was named the Most Valuable Player of the playoffs after matching a league record with 16 postseason wins, four of which came on shutouts. TOM ROBINSON writes a weekly local sports column for the Susquehanna County Transcript. He can be reached online at RobbyTR@aol.com.
Courthouse Report DEEDS Marian McAndrew to Christopher T. Tracy, RR1, New Milford, Cathleen A. Tracy, in Clifford Township for $54,000. Paul W. Griffing, Alberta M. Griffing to Paul W. Griffing, RR6, Montrose, Alberta Griffing, in Bridgewater Township for one dollar. Michael R. Hebert (by POA), Linda M. Hebert to Barbara Newberry, Hedgesville, WV, Donald Newberry, in Herrick Township for $500. John R. Schake, Robert J. Law to Scott W. DeWalt, Easton, PA, Margaret M. Lynn, in Harmony Township for $200,000. Claire E. Ricker to Claire E. Ricker (family trust), Meshoppen, in Auburn Township for one dollar. Deutsche Bank National Trust Company (by POA) to Paul J. McAndrew, RR1, Union Dale, Kristin L. McAndrew in Forest City for $39,000. Ann Marie Lee to Michael Payne, Susquehanna, Jennifer Payne, in Oakland Borough for $64,500. Gregory G. Maxey, Marguerite N. Maxey to Gregory G. Maxey, RR1, Friendsville, in Friendsville Borough for one dollar. Robert A. Fields, Rosann Fields to Robert A. Fields, Forest City, Rosann Fields, in Forest City for one dollar. Robert A. Fields, Rosann Fields to Robert A. Fields, Forest City, Rosann Fields, in Forest City for one dollar. Everon Electrical Contractors Inc. to Robert Ufberg, Waverly, Elaine Ufberg, in Herrick Township for $100,000. Judith LaPenta to Michelle M. Woody, Forest City, Joseph Woody, in Forest City for one dollar. Julie Capwell (estate) aka Julie B. Capwell (estate) to George C. Capwell (trust), Brackney, and Thaddeus J. Capwell, in Forest Lake Township for one dollar. Julie Capwell aka Julie B. Capwell to George C. Capwell (by trustee), Brackney, and Thaddeus J. Capwell, in Forest Lakes Township for one dollar. James F. Stone, Mary A. Stone to Martin S. Masar, Jr., RR3, Montrose, in Bridgewater Township for $85,000. Vera E. Everitt (trust) to Vera E. Everitt, RR2, Montrose, in Forest Lake Township for one dollar. James G. Decker, Jr., Theresa A. Decker to Theresa A. Decker, RR3, Susquehanna, in Lanesboro Borough for one dollar. Republic Postal Group LLC to Paul A. Bucco, Radnor, in Susquehanna for $390,000. Virginia M. Cole (estate) aka Virginia Cassidy Cole (estate) to Larry Cassidy, RR1, Thompson, William Cassidy, Bonnie Swanson, in Ararat Township for one dollar. Charles J. Aliano, Marcia Aliano to Legg Brown Stone House Partnership, Montrose, in Montrose for $150,000. Donald J. Brhel (by sheriff) to Kelton E. Reynolds, Lorraine M. Reynolds, Montrose, in Bridgewater Township for $15,000. Darren R. Gentilquore to Robyn Rifenburgh, New Milford, in New Milford Township for $100. Brian Malamud, Mariani Mastri Malamud to Mariana Mastri, Nicholson, in Lenox Township for one dollar. Stephen G. Pennay, Robyn W. Pennay to Frank B. Ridgeway, Kingsley, Phyllis A. Ridgeway, in Lenox Township for $$90,000. Richard V. Weida, Jill A. Weida to Jack L. Smith, Jr., Patricia E. Smith, Easton, in Lenox Township for $60,000. David S. Carey (estate) to Millington H. Delia, Binghamton, NY, in Silver Lake Township for $350,000. Frances Kovacic to Frances Kovacic, Union Dale, in Herrick Township for one dollar. David L. Phillippe, Jennifer L. Phillippe to Jennifer L. Philippe, Springville, in Dimock Township for one dollar. Thomas G. Krupinski, Marion O'Malley to Lori A. Baker, Montrose, in Montrose for $110,000. James T. Cook, Wendy A. Cook aka Wendy A. Stowell to Wendy A. Stowell, Forest City, in Clifford Township for one dollar. Anne Randall Berge, Ralph Berge to Ellen S. Berge, Binghamton, NY, Christine Berge-Hutchinson, Heidi Geraghty, in Silver Lake Township for one dollar. Gervase H. Rullo II to Andrew P. Hornung, Hackettstown, NJ, Carrie A. Hornung, in Auburn Township for $175,000. Eva M. Foley, Dorothy E. Symonds, William E. Rogers, Carolyn I. Rogers to Adrienne Hand, Butler, NJ, Elena Pugh, Glen Puch in Hallstead Borough for $65,000. Shirley W. Fisher (estate) to Stephen M. West, RR2, Hallstead, in New Milford Township for one dollar. Ted A. Wells to Stephen Schlasta, Jr., RR2, Union Dale, in Harford Township for one dollar. David Jones to William F. Addesso, North Cape May, NJ, Maureen A. Addesso, in Ararat Township for $55,000. Joseph Frye, Jayne Frye to Patricia Shelanskey, Great Bend, Thomas Shelanskey, in Great Bend Township for $102,000. Dorothy May Weaver (estate) to Frank W. Weaver, Glenmoore, Doris A. Everett, in Harford Township for one dollar. Albert H. Stickney, Doris Stickney to Stephen R. Ayres, Vestal, NY, in Choconut Township for $56,000. Robert E. Aiken, Patricia O. Aiken to Donna M. Reagan, RR6, Montrose, in Bridgewater Township for $90,000. Donald Overfield, Sandra Overfield to Ray M. Ellinger, RR4, Montrose, Kathleen L. Ellinger, in Rush Township for $42,000. MARRIAGES Chadwick Edwin Sullivan, Factoryville and Emogene M. Nowalk, Hop Bottom. Michael A. Rosa, Lyndhurst, NJ, and Nichole A. MacConnell, Great Bend. David M. Gasbarra, Endicott, NY, and Geradine F. Tassey, Apalchin, NY. Rufus Henry Reynolds, Clinton, MD and Barbara J. Cowperthwait, RR2, Susquehanna. Daniel Jacob Ferencik, Brackney and Bridget M. Blackman, Montrose. Michael Davis Jones, Damascus, VA and Rachel L. Erb, Syracuse, NY. Roger Alan Newhart, Rushville and Sheena M. Truesdail, Rushville. Kevin Leslie Rought, Kingsley and Tammy Sue Corker, Kingsley. DIVORCES Sherry L. Russell, Mehoopany vs. Joseph P. Russell, Springville. Stephen M. West, Hallstead and Laura M. West, Johnson City. Clifford Residents Want More Police The Clifford Township Board of Supervisors is proud of its municipal real estate tax rate and well it should be. The supervisors have kept the rate at 1.25 mills for a number of years and it is ranked among the lowest in the state. But is the township providing the taxpayers with the services required in this fast-growing community? Until recently, there have been very few complaints and the way township residents quickly jump in and help whenever a municipal project pops up, there seems to be more pride than problems in the township. However, there is one municipal service that appears to be behind the times and many township residents would like to see it improved. The township has a one-man police department and he is a part-timer. There is an effort being made to expand the department but, again, on a part-time basis. Township residents want more police protection and they are willing to pay for it. At last week’s township meeting, a number of residents urged the supervisors to hire more cops. Most of them cited more annoying problems than crimes but those are the kind of problems that people don’t want. Things like speeding motor vehicles, unlicensed ATV’s, barking dogs and vandalism have prompted a number of residents to suggest that the township upgrade the police department. “Times have changed,” one resident told the supervisors. “There is more crime and there are more four-wheelers on the roads today. We need to give Don some help.” Don is Officer Don Carroll who, for the most part, has been covering this sprawling community by himself. Carroll has been busy. His police report shows 22 criminal incidents among the 38 incidents he investigated in May. He also found the time to issue 9 traffic citations including five for stop sign violations and he issued five warnings for speeding. “We are in the process of working on some more part-time help,” John Regan, chair of the Board of Supervisors, said. Regan also expressed concern over health care costs. He said the township is spending $25,000 to $30,000 on health insurance, including the coverage for Police Chief Tom Munley who is on injury leave. “I will pay more taxes for more cops,” one man told the supervisors. He also suggested a referendum on the ballot to give township residents an opportunity to decide the issue. Recent talks about neighboring townships getting together and developing a regional police department prompted one woman to collect 160 signatures on a petition urging the township to maintain its own police department. Regan said the township is entertaining an opportunity to combine townships and look at options that would be of financial benefit to the township. He said any township business to be discussed will be done at a public meeting in the township building. “As far as abolishing the Clifford Police Department, it will never happen,” Regan said. “As far as losing control of our police, it will never happen.” In another important matter, the township’s plan to sewer the Dundaff-Crystal Lake areas appears to be in doubt. “We are not totally sure what the status (of the project) is,” Regan said. He pointed out that the initial project was estimated at $1.2 million but the low bid came in at $2.3 million. “We are not 100 percent sure what will happen,” Regan concluded. “I am not satisfied that the cost is so far over budget.”
Lanesboro Council Meeting Minutes Following are the Lanesboro Council meeting minutes for June, 2006, as submitted. Roll Call: Dan Boughton, Myles Limbert, Bob Mireider, Bill Roberts, Stan Rockwell, Colleen Wilkes. Also present: Gail Hanrahan. Absent: Mayor Chris Maby, Regina Dilello. Motion carried to accept minutes of previous meeting. Visitors: Will Potter – visiting. Dennis Martel to follow-up on letter to the editor – Susquehanna Transcript – as nothing is being done as promised by Rails to Trails regarding his property. Boughton advised he would check into the matter. Correspondence and resolutions: Letter from Eileen Braungard regarding billing fees on property of Gladys Braungard. Barnes-Kasson Hospital ALS resolution – motion carried to approve. Police agreement with Oakland – motion carried to approve. Police Ordinance for Oakland patrols – motion carried to approve. Police for patrols: Record, Gow, Bastek, Ordinance to run 6/9/06 – 6/9/07. COG membership ordinance – motion carried to approve. Police Report: 13 incidents, 5 warrants served, 5 summary arrests, 4 traffic citations, 3 misdemeanor arrests. Code Enforcement Report: Lewis not present. Submitted report of 1 complaint, 2 building permits, 2 general inspections, 1 condemnation, 1 violation. Mayor’s Report: garbage truck repairs complete, $11,376.54. Police car windshield broken and repaired, ongoing investigation. Mayor donated weed eater and lawnmower for use by DPW mowing crew. Maby discussed protocol of moving cannon from its current location to Community Park with Joe Bucci, where it would reside under a 5’ x 8’ flag donated by Maby’s employer. A flagpole may be donated in the near future by a Scout parent’s employer. No word yet if moving the cannon is allowed or what protocol is. PAWC bill for Community Center the last two months has been almost twelve times the average. Maby investigated to see if there was a break; the meter was moving only at the time the water was running in the sink or if a toilet was flushed. Gail contacted PAWC about this. They will replace the meter (completed 6/2/06) and send it out to be checked. If faulty, no charge will be incurred by Lanesboro. If not broken, a $55 charge is anticipated. Miscellaneous correspondence or meetings with Susquehanna Community School District, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, Pre-K students who visited Community Park as part of their year-end field trip, Myron DeWitt, Don Sherwood, Tom Schill (Northern Tier Regional Planning & Development Commission), French’s Auto, Hometown Cleaners, Police, Oakland Mayor Wendy Dudley, Arlen Specter, Rick Santorum, Sandy Major, PENNDOT, and Susquehanna Community Development Association. Budget: reviewed. Community Center Report: rentals – 9 residents, 3 non-residents. Boughton requested permission to purchase one additional outdoor light, and electrician to install and repair light at front of building. Unfinished business: quotes on sidewalk repairs in front of post office on hold for July meeting. Zoning/comprehensive plan – 1971 ordinance needs to be enforced or repealed. Sample variance letter request of support supplied by Maby. Applicant would simply need to fill in name and business and submit to council for review/approval. Advertised and approved. Maby checked with Oakland and Susquehanna – there is interest in a second meeting to learn more about zoning and comprehensive plans. The best day for the majority is Saturday. Maby will organize a meeting if council is in agreement to proceed. Agreed to proceed with meeting. New business: July 4 meeting needs to be changed. July meeting will be moved to Wednesday, July 5. Maby has set up a meeting with Tom Schill from the Northern Tier Regional Planning and Development Commission on Thursday, June 8. The topic of discussion will be fiscal management and infrastructure repairs. All council is urged to attend this work session. An overview of the meeting will be provided to Lanesboro residents at the July council meeting. Borough building: Delta Engineers has been secured to do an inspection of the building. The maximum cost is $600 for the inspection and accompanying report. Maby will provide copies of the report to everyone at the meeting on Thursday, June 8. Maby will evaluate options with the engineers and would like approval to investigate potential funding sources for repairs or replacement (if necessary) and present to council at July meeting. Building permit fees – Lanesboro is losing money on building permits, caused by pricing that is not sufficient to cover code enforcement and other overhead time. Shane is required by Pennsylvania to make inspections of the building, with the number of inspections based on the type of construction. For example, a permit secured last month cost less than one hour of Shane’s salary, but requires multiple visits to make sure things are being constructed correctly. Suggestion by Maby is to charge 1% of the fair market construction cost, plus $20/inspection x the number of inspections required by Pennsylvania. For example, someone building a $10,000 garage will pay $100 for the permit plus $20 for each visit Shane has to make for inspections. A $125,000 house would pay a $1,250 permit, plus inspections. Motion carried to change permit fees as presented. Local real estate transfer tax – currently set at 0.5%. Suggestion by Maby to consider increasing, as it is a one time fee that generates revenue and is only incurred by those involved in the sale of property and not all the taxpayers. Tabled to July meting to discuss with solicitor. Maby would like to use portion of Community Park Phase II donations to purchase mulch. Spreading would be by donation of an individual with a skid steer. Phase II donations have approximately $2,000 in account, mulch will cost one-half to two-thirds of that. The remainder can be saved for future improvements. Motion carried to proceed with purchasing mulch. Give Jeannine Keefer permission to speak directly with Lanesboro businesses regarding advertising on our website, for a small nominal yearly fee. Motion carried to proceed as discussed. The Viaduct Inn is planning a farmer’s market on Sunday mornings. Lanesboro has a peddler’s permit ordinance - $100 per occasion. Ordinance needs to be repealed or the Viaduct Inn will need a permit to hold the farmers market. Maby suggested that ordinance be kept, but allow VI to purchase a permit (one for each week they are open) that would cover all of the sellers. Motion carried to retain ordinance. Stinky Boys and friends cleaned all of the state roads in and around Lanesboro, with PENNDOT picking up the garbage. Suggestion to place ad in the newspaper thanking them for their efforts. Motion carried to approve. 400KV transmission line – discussed at length. Motion carried to adjourn.
By what Director Celeste Ridler declared a close vote, the Montrose Area School District Board of Directors appointed Jessup resident Diane Gieski as Jim Blanchek’s replacement. If the name seems familiar, it is. Gieski replaced Board member Shawn Brown last August, and served on the board until newly elected members Joe Reynolds and Kevin Sives started in January. New MASD Board member Diane Gieski. Gieski, a registered nurse who works at Tyler Memorial Hospital in Tunkhannock, has two children in the district. Gieski interviewed alongside Julie Humphry, also of Jessup, who has one child in the middle school. A third applicant pulled out before the June 12 meeting, citing work conflicts. In other business, the Board will hold a special meeting at 7 p.m. June 26 at Choconut Valley Elementary School to pass the district’s 2006-07 $23.5 million budget. According to Superintendent Michael Ognosky, school taxes won’t be raised. The most significant budget cuts? The Board eliminated two-and-a-half teacher positions, all at the high school – full-time social studies and business education, and half-time French. Other business: School lunch prices were increased 10 cents, to $1.50, for students and 25 cents, to $2.75, for adults. Board President Ken Gould believed the price hadn’t been raised for four years. Felix Hinds, Montrose, was awarded propane gas bid, $1.569 per gallon, fixed price. SPE, Towanda, was awarded a tractor bid of $15,375 with trade-in. Contour Construction, Binghamton, was awarded the bid for tennis court resurfacing for $63,100; and paving projects at the three schools for $93,400. The Board approved late run contractors for the 2006-07 school year, with costs not to exceed $52,000: Clifford and Dawn Taylor, Lawsville route; James and Jane Conboy, Birchardville route; and Leon and Judy Allen, Little Meadows route. The Board accepted with regret the resignation of bus contractor Harvey Rosenkrans. Ronald E. Carlton Jr. will take over his route. The Board accepted with regret the resignations of Dennis Newhard, head soccer coach, and Ryan Ehrie, junior high school boys’ basketball coach. The Board appointed the following as coaches: Kevin Kloss, head cross country coach, $2,650; Kim Forys, assistant cross country coach, $1,900; James Shelp, assistant cross country coach, $1,400; Daniel Lukasavage, head boys soccer coach, $2,992; and Sarah Ross Brander, assistant junior high field hockey coach, $1,375. The Board gave final approval of changes to these policies: policy number (p.n.) 201, admission of students; p.n. 112 guidance counseling; p.n. 127, assessment of education program; p.n. 130 homework; p.n. 137.1 extracurricular participation by home education students; p.n. 140.1 extracurricular participation by charter/cyber charter students; p.n. 218 student discipline; p.n. 220 student expression/distribution and posting of materials; p.n. 221 dress and grooming; p.n. 233 suspension and expulsion; p.n. 235 students rights/surveys; and p.n. 609 investment of district funds. Tonya Hance was appointed as personal care aide for summer’s extended school year. She earn $8.40 an hour for a maximum of 80 hours paid from IDEA funds. Josiah Smoker, Nick Rodgers, Chris Snow and Philip Lopez were appointed as part-time summer custodians. They’ll earn $5.15 an hour and work 7-1/2 hours per day for 7 weeks. Josh Warner, Allyse DeSanto and Michelle Wolf were appointed as part-time summer student technology workers. They’ll earn $5.15 an hour and work 7-1/2 hours per day for 7 weeks. Natalie Hawley was appointed Lathrop Street Elementary School summer librarian. She’ll earn $24 an hour, not to exceed 24 hours. Heather Jurchak and Michaela Steele were appointed as additional teachers for the summer school program for reading and mathematics at Lathrop Street Elementary School. They’ll earn $24 an hour, not to exceed 24 hours. ESL teacher Cheryl Arnold, Wilson Reading Program teacher Charlene Kempa and Registered Nurse Tammy Golden Miller were appointed to the summer extended school year program. They’ll earn $24 an hour, paid for through IDEA funds, not to exceed 80 hours. Laurie Andre, Kim Forys and Jeffrey Norris were tenured. The Board appointed the following as full-time, contracted teachers: Alicia Newman, Choconut Valley second grade teacher, $41,189; Kim Fruehan, Choconut Valley fourth grade teacher, $39,512; Sarah Ross Brander, Junior-Senior High School social studies, $41,189; Laura Griffith, Junior-Senior High School Business Education, $46,470; Antonino Bennici, Lathrop Street Music teacher, $60,883; and Katy Rosenkrans, Choconut Valley Physical Education teacher, $39,512.
Mt. View Board Debates Summer Assignment Many parents approve of their children’s delving into the classics for class credit – between the beginning and end of school. But the message from some parents to the Mountain View School Board on June 12 was clear – leave my kid’s summer alone. The senior class of 2007 – those specifically taking academic English – was assigned to read and write essays on three books over the summer, a time when many of them work part-time jobs or help on the family farm, or both. The 180-day school year is over, and excluding summertime responsibilities, some parents said, the students should have time off or risk burn-out. However, Superintendent Arthur Chambers said after the school received complaints about the time frame in which assignments were to be turned in – one essay a month over the three-month summer break – the English teacher agreed to more flexible terms, allowing students to turn in essays at their convenience over the summer. The teacher provided an e-mail address and a home phone number for students to use should they have questions, concerns or problems. Chambers defended the practice of summer reading. Most advanced English classes senior year require summer reading, he said, and although the English class at Mountain View isn’t an Advanced Placement course, it’s the district’s equivalent. Board member Kevin Griffiths argued that summer reading falls under curriculum, which the Board never approved. He said the summer reading and writing assignments count for one-third of the first marking period’s grade; the students haven’t been prepared to write essays, he said. But Chambers countered the curriculum had been Board approved in 2000, and the execution of curriculum was up to teachers and administrators, not the Board. Some audience members complained their children were forced to take academic English, but administrators said parents have final class scheduling approval and can seek a change to general English if that’s their wish. Board member Lucrecia Jesse backed the summer reading and writing requirement, saying students just need to learn to deal with it. In other business, the Board held the first reading and discussion of the school’s attendance policy. The policy aims to better define legal and illegal absences and procedures for handling long-term absences as well as truants. Most of the policy is based on state guidelines. As it was a first reading, significant changes may be made to the document before its final approval several meetings from the June 12 regular meeting.
Business Owners Want Apology, Retraction The owners of the Campground at East Lake are seeking an apology from New Milford Township supervisors and retraction for statements made by them to a local newspaper. Campground owner Virginia Young presented two letters to township supervisors June 14. One letter requested an apology from the supervisors because of comments made May 12 by the township attorney, who claimed the Youngs were in contempt of a court order by keeping their campground open to the public.The letter states the Township withdrew the contempt charge “without prejudice” on May 19. Between the meeting and withdrawing of the contempt charge, one local newspaper ran an article in its May 17 edition with the headline “Supervisors believe campground owners violating court order.” “We … believe we have suffered public defamation as a result of the supervisors premature charges of contempt and the subsequent newspaper coverage and are requesting a public apology as well as a retraction of statements made to the press,” the letter states. The other letter, also dated June 14, requests the supervisors provide “the services of an alternate sewage enforcement officer to administer their ongoing efforts to comply with the Court’s decree to complete sewage planning permitting in accordance with the PA Code regulations.” A motion was presented to the Court on June 13, and a copy was given to the supervisors. The supervisors said they would refer the letters to their attorney. In other business, the supervisors have accepted or are accepting bids for equipment as part of the $350,000 low interest government loan from Pennstar Bank. The township will acquire a grader, backhoe, roller and all-wheel drive truck as well as use the money for municipal building upgrades and repairs. The supervisors also agreed to give $100 to the regional watershed program. The township also donates labor, equipment and its municipal building for the group’s monthly meetings. The supervisors said NEP plans to erect two cell towers within the township, one on Cecil Rose’s road and the other on Watson Hill. Typically, phone companies lease property from landowners on which to build cell towers. The only money New Milford Township will get is from building and land use permits. No time frame for the construction was given. New Milford Township supervisors meet at 7:30 p.m., the second Wednesday of each month.
Silver Lake Twp. Police Report Following is the May, 2006 Silver Lake Township Police Report, as submitted. THEFT On May 4, Kevin O’Malley of Brackney, PA, reported theft of cash from his residence on Quaker Lake. Mr. O’Malley indicated that the money was taken while he was away on vacation. This incident is still under investigation. FRAUD On May 4, James Case of Brackney reported that he had several fraudulent purchases made on his VISA credit card valued at over $1,200.00. A report was made and the PSP Internet Crime Unit out of Dunmore, PA were notified. MISC. INVESTIGATION On May 5, Holly Trecoske of Montrose reported a suspicious vehicle cruising slowly in her rural area on several occasions while her children were at play in the area. This vehicle was identified and located by Silver Lake Police. VEHICLE PURSUIT On May 26, Silver Lake Twp. Police attempted to stop a vehicle for speeding near Laurel Lake. The vehicle was stopped in Choconut at the intersection of SR267 and SR4002. Josh DeLong of Brackney was charged with speeding and operating a vehicle without a valid license. Other charges are pending. VEHICLE THEFT On May 27, Justine Elston of Montrose reported her vehicle stolen from a residence in Silver Lake Township. Subsequently her vehicle was reported damaged in a crash. The vehicle was returned and damages paid by the parties involved. Any information or questions for the Silver Lake Township Police, please call 278-6818 or 663-2760, or e-mail at silverlaketwppd@epix.net or silverlakepd@hotmail.com. All information will be held strictly confidential.
At the June 13 meeting of the Susquehanna Boro Council, there was a lengthy discussion regarding the blocked turning lane at the intersection of Main and Exchange Streets. It began with Ron Whitehead’s request to amend the evening’s agenda with inclusion of the topic. Mr. Whitehead said that since the barricade was put up, there have been consistent bottlenecks along Main St. during the hours when the traffic light is in its normal mode, but during the hours when the light is set to blink there are fewer backups. Would council consider temporarily setting the light to blink and leaving it that way until PENNDOT has completed repairs to the bridge (under Main St.)? Other options were discussed at length, such as adjusting the timing so that the light is red for Main St. traffic for a shorter period of time. Mr. Matis was concerned that too many people “fly” through the intersection while the light is on blink; leaving it at that setting would increase speeding incidents. Mr. Lewis was concerned that the boro might be creating a liability by leaving the light set on blink. But, even with Mr. Lewis and Mr. Matis voting “no,” the motion carried to approve, for a trial period of 30 days. Mr. Whitehead was concerned that the change might create a problem with pedestrians crossing Main St. After further discussion, it was agreed to look into portable signs, warning motorists to be aware of pedestrians. And, Mr. Whitehead asked Mayor Reddon if police officers could be scheduled to patrol on various days during “rush hour,” to ensure that there is no speeding. The mayor agreed that monitoring the situation would be a good idea. Mr. Whitehead added that the officers’ input would be helpful, to see if the blinking light does decrease traffic tie-ups. Mayor Reddon reported that she had been in contact with an individual at PENNDOT who would have information on how long the barriers would be in place, and when repair work on the Main St. bridge would be scheduled. Mayor Reddon said that this individual could not see what the concern was, as she was under the impression that it was two parking spaces that had been blocked off, and was surprised to learn that it is a turning lane. The individual planned to be out of the office the following week, but would contact the mayor at a later date with more information. In other business, the boro has received payment from State Police fines and penalties, in the amount of $800.05. The boro will sponsor its annual fishing derby on Saturday, June 15, 10- a.m. to noon during the Hometown Days celebration. Maximum age for entry is 12 years, and all entrants must be accompanied by an adult. Sign-up sheets will be posted at several businesses around town and at the boro office. As of July, the monthly Police Committee meetings have been rescheduled from the second Monday of the month to the second Thursday, at 7 p.m. The Parks and Rec. committee has prepared a drawing of the prospective riverfront park. It is an in-scale model, and includes a one-mile walking trail. The PA Fish & Boat Commission has notified council that the park site is not consistent with areas known to support the timber rattlesnake. The commission does not foresee the proposed boat launch project resulting in adverse impacts to the rattlesnake or any other rare or protected species under Fish & Boat Commission jurisdiction. At various times, council has discussed purchasing a tar buggy, to be used for road patching. Mr. Matis did some research, and found that a portable, 30-gallon kettle setup would be less expensive than a buggy. It could be transported in the truck bed, and would cost about $950, plus $109 for a two-gallon pour pot, brand new. Council decided it would be worth looking into, and will discuss it further at their next meeting, after checking the budget to see what funds are available. Mr. Whitehead asked if the area at the intersection of First Ave. and Washington St. could be taken care of; it is overrun with bamboo. The streets department will cut the bamboo and fill it in. A resident suggested that the streets department look into using a spray to retard growth of vegetation under the guard rails in areas the boro has to mow. The Parks and Rec. uses such a product at the Prospect St. park and has found that it works well, and is cost effective as it lessens the man-hours needed for trimming. By press time, the boro expected be in possession of its new police car. Council is still reviewing the boro’s rental ordinance to see if any updates or amendments are needed. Mr. Matis suggested that council consider adding a requirement that at least one off-street parking spot be provided for each rental unit. A bulletin received from the PSAB requested that municipalities write letters in opposition of pending legislation, reportedly drafted by Verizon, that would impact municipalities’ cable franchise agreements. Bill Kuiper reviewed the information sent, and summarized that the legislation would put the authority for those agreements into the hands of the FCC rather than municipalities. Currently, municipalities deal directly with cable service providers; the boro presently has a ten-year agreement with Adams Cable and receives substantial yearly fees through their agreement. Mr. Kelly commented that loss of the franchise revenues would have quite an impact on the boro and likely would not result in a significant decrease in what consumers pay. A motion carried to send the letter, and to act on a resolution opposing the legislation at the next meeting. Motions carried to adopt two resolutions. Number 061306 authorizes the TREHAB Center, on behalf of the borough to file a proposal for funds with the DCED in the amount of $300,000 for phase one of the Elm Street five-year plan. Resolution 061306A authorizes entering into a cooperative agreement with the TREHAB Center for administration of the Elm Street program. After the meting, Mayor Reddon asked that residents be aware that an ordinance was enacted in 1981 regarding placement of signs on boro property. Violators face fines ranging from $50 to $300. A form is available in the boro office for those who wish to put up signs. It lists the date of the event (signs must be removed within 24 hours of the event), who is putting it up, who will be responsible for taking it down, and a contact phone number. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, June 27, 7 p.m. in the boro building.
Tension At Forest City
School Board Meeting The cold war that has been simmering between some directors on the Forest City Regional Board of Education surfaced a bit at last week’s meeting but, while there was some tension in the meeting room, tempers never flared. After a motion was made and seconded to continue Sweet, Stevens, Tucker and Katz as the legal firm for the board, Director Al Dyno again urged the board to consider an attorney closer to home. Sweet, Stevens, Tucker and Katz is headquartered in New Britain, Bucks County, which is about 135 miles from Forest City. Besides the distance, Dyno said an area attorney might be less costly than SST&K. According to the motion that was pending, SST&K would be paid an hourly rate of $120 and other rates according to their “standard agreement of fees.” “This firm knows school law,” Dr. Nebzydoski said. “That is all they do.” He then called for an ayes and nays vote and could not determine the count so he asked for a roll call vote. Five of the eight members present voted against retaining SST&K. The board did not take any action or indicate whether the hunt is on for a new board solicitor. A short time later, when a motion was made to approve the $5.6 million 2006-07 budget for the Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County (Vo-Tech), Dr. Nebzydoski took issue with Dyno who is the board’s representative on the Vo-Tech board. “You came in here and said it was a modest increase,” Dr. Nebzydoski said of the Vo-Tech budget. “I did some calculating and it is almost an eight percent increase and you complained of our 5.2 percent increase. I am not going to vote against it, but I would like to know where you are coming from.” “Considering the number of vo-tech students we have here,” Dyno said, “there’s not much change at all.” “No matter how you do it,” Dr. Nebzydoski said, “it went up significantly more than our budget.” After the meeting, Dyno told The Transcript that, besides more students from Forest City attending Vo-Tech in the 2006-2007 school year, Forest City students will be attending classes at Vo-Tech morning and afternoons compared to afternoon sessions only in previous years. In another matter, the board tabled a motion that would have given School Superintendent Robert Vadella 20 days paid vacation. A total of 40 days could be accumulated and traded for crash when Dr. Vadella retires. Teachers and chaperones that accompanied more than 50 sixth grade students to an overnight science camp at Camp Watonka in Hawley, presented a colorful slide presentation of the camp and some of the activities the students enjoyed. The students participated in a number of activities including, Star Lab, GPS Studay, Orientering and Stream Study. Other presentations were done by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, the Bee Keeper and the Reptile Man. The overnight adventure was set up by Dr. James Zefran. Upon his urging, the board voted to make the trip an annual event. The board agreed to appropriate $4,000 to cover the cost of the trip. The board hired Kathleen Kaczka as the business manager effective July 5 at an annual salary of $55,000. Mrs. Kaczka resides in Lakewood, Wayne County, and attended Hancock High School. Later the board withdrew a motion that would have provided Mrs. Kaczka with an employment contract. Motions approved by the board are as follows: Naming Community Bank and Trust Company as the bank depository for the 2006-07 school year. Appointing Honesdale National Bank as the alternate depository for short-term investments purposes during the 2006-07 school year. Accepted the retirement of Stephen F. Fonash who was a teacher in Forest City for 34 years. The board acknowledged Amanda Wilczewski, as student of the month; and spelling competition winners Nicholas Lowry, Katherine O’Neill, July Bailey, and Philicia Galvin.
Hallstead Boro Hears “Latchkey” Proposal There were two visitors at the June 15 meeting of the Hallstead Boro Council. Ralph Reynolds, representing the newly formed Community Fellowship Association is looking for local support to start a latchkey program, to give kids something to do during after-school hours until their parents return home from work. The idea was formed in response to reports of unwanted activities at parks in Great Bend and Hallstead Boros, such as bullying, fighting, and pot and alcohol use. The group feels that if a safe alternative is provided, kids will direct their energies to better things, such as sports or games and more socially accepted behavior. Just making the kids leave the parks would not be a solution, as they would just take their bad behavior somewhere else. The group has also approached the Blue Ridge School District and Great Bend Boro, as the consensus is that the problem is not limited to the youth of Great Bend Borough. At this point, they do not have a site for the program, but are actively seeking one, hopefully with facilities where meals could be served to those kids that need supper provided. Council promised to keep the group’s efforts in mind. Mr. Reynolds also brought information about “P C Ministry”, a family effort that reconditions computers and gives them to those in need, whether it be students or elderly folks who want to be able to keep in touch with family members and can’t afford to purchase a computer. Mr. Reynolds asked that council direct anyone who fits that criteria to him. In response to a letter received from council, Eileen Ressiguie was present to discuss the situation at her property. Items that needed to be removed are in the process of being removed, but with work constrictions only so much could be done at one time. Council agreed that as long as progress was being made, that was acceptable. Mrs. Ressiguie was also responding to a complaint about blocking sight distance with parked cars. She has lived at that property for 19 years, and vehicles have always been parked where they are; space was cleared out in front of her house to accommodate additional vehicles. Council said that they had only acted on a complaint received from a resident who uses the road adjacent to her property, and had complained that parked vehicles block the sight distance at that intersection. And, Mrs. Ressiguie emphasized that complaints she had heard about rats coming from her property are not true. There have been some in the area, and a neighbor has been shooting them, but they are not coming from her property. Maintenance supervisor Jim Brink has been working on the “wish list” of equipment that council suggested he compile. Some items could be put on hold for the time being, but, he said, the boro’s riding mower should be replaced as soon as possible. It is an ’89 model and has been repaired any number of times. He spoke with a local dealer who is willing to offer the boro a municipal discount plus a trade-in on the old mower. After discussion a motion carried to authorize James Gillespie to contact another local dealer for comparison models/prices, and to purchase a new one with a specified price cap. Mr. Brink also brought up three dead trees at the Route 11 park. Council could hire someone to take them down and remove them, or he would be willing to take them down and cut them up on his own time. He would require use of the boro’s backhoe, and he would like to keep the wood from the trees. Council agreed that he could do so. Council discussed what to do about complaints about a property where an accumulation of garbage is being kept under a porch and attracting skunks. President Michelle Giangrieco had contacted the magistrate’s office, who suggested that the prothonotary’s office be contacted for information on how to proceed. The prothonotary’s office suggested that the boro solicitor make a private complaint, by sending a letter to the county judge. If a complaint is made to the county court, Joey Franks asked, wouldn’t witnesses (neighbors) be needed to testify about the conditions in the area? After discussion, it was agreed to contact the solicitor for information to see what is involved in making a complaint, and what the boro’s options are. Council received a letter from Rockwell-Simmons, which owns a car dealership adjacent to the Route 11 ballfield property, which the boro owns. Rockwell-Simmons researched the deed on the park property, and discovered that it had not been left to the boro with the stipulations that it be used for children, or that it may not be sold. Rockwell-Simmons would like to purchase the property, and feels that it would be in the boro’s best interest to sell. During a very brief discussion, council noted that it does not receive tax revenues from the site, it is frequently used for kids’ activities, the boro currently has lease agreements with the Blue Ridge School District and the Blue Ridge Little League, and no one wanted to see it sold. A unanimous motion carried to keep the ballfield in the boro’s possession. Mayor Canfield reported that he had spoken with an individual who had been parking a trailer on the sidewalk at the intersection of Pine and Church Streets. Ms. Giangrieco reported that she had contacted DEP to find out the outcome of a meeting they had scheduled with the owners of the foundry property on May 25, but as of this date had no response. Reportedly, DEP had been at the foundry site the previous Tuesday. The fire company is in the process of leasing a small plot of land for a cell tower, at the back corner of their property alongside the railroad tracks. Due to a mix-up, Hallstead was not included in an ordinance that was advertised to reaffirm the boro’s membership in COG. Council will have to take action on their own ordinance at their July meeting. ProSeal has offered to seal the cracks at the basketball courts, at no cost to the boro. Their offer was gratefully accepted. Ms. Giangrieco reported that the local watershed association is pursuing a small grant, through the county, to address some of the smaller local areas that need addressing. The creek in Hallstead near the Route 11 park would be quite costly to address, and there are sites further up the creek that would need to be addressed first. So, three smaller projects that would be relatively inexpensive to fix are being pursued; an area near the Green Gables, another near Old Mill Village, and another on Route 492. Council agreed that the boro building would be made available for watershed association meetings if needed. Lastly, after discussion, council agreed to approach the fire department regarding a small plot of land that the boro leases from them, where a shed is located. The department will be asked if they would be willing to deed the property to the boro. The next meeting will be on Thursday, July 20, 7 p.m. in the boro building.
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