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HEADLINES: Montrose Discusses Submissions, Permits People looking to submit applications to the Montrose Borough Planning Commission will need to follow a new application procedure. The Planning Commission sought, and received, approval for minor application changes, citing less strain on the Borough Secretary and greater efficiency in processing requests as reasons for this. A revised application cover sheet will explain the changes to applicants. The current procedure requires a one-page application form and the submission of drawings of the proposed project. This is given to the Borough secretary, who then copies and distributes it to Planning Commission members. The new system has three new requirements: 1.) a cover letter describing the project, listing the names of any landowners involved, and providing any other pertinent information not given by the standard application, 2.) a telephone number where the applicant can be reached (to be included in the aforementioned cover letter), and 3.) the applicant must send copies of the entire submission to each of the Planning Commission Members by regular US mail. The entire submission must be received no later than two weeks prior to the regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting for that month (the third Monday of any given month). Approval was also given to advertise the addition of a sub-paragraph which will allow parking enforcement officers to write citations. This will save the Borough secretary from having to attend court for this purpose. The fixing of a drainage ditch by Montrose Motors has been held off while waiting for contractor response. Only one responded, and the Street Department received permission to use it for the repairs, which are FEMA funded. The Council will be looking into rewiring the Borough building. Apparently, when it was a Coke bottling plant, it was equipped and re-equipped with bottling machinery. The wiring is now a bit of a mess, and needs to be redone. In more pleasant news, Ken DiPhillips of the Borough Street Department announced that as of the day of the meeting he had worked for the Borough 17 years. He received applause upon this announcement, and is greatly appreciated by the Borough. Three men came to the meeting to discuss what will and will not require a permit under the Uniform Construction Code (UCC). They said that a Building Code Official (BCO) is not authorized to go door to door looking for violations of the code, rather they will get involved with illegal activity when a person comes to them. If the violator(s) decide to just abandon the work entirely rather than seek a permit, that is their prerogative and no further action will be taken. So what requires a permit? The answer is different under the UCC for residential and commercial properties. (Requirements given here are given as a general rule; there are a slew of exceptions in the UCC.) People seeking a permit will always be told to go to the Borough and their zoning officer before receiving one, as Borough standards may be different than UCC standards and that fact is to be acknowledged and respected. Under the UCC, within the residential sphere, alterations and repairs are exempt from permits if the structure of the building does not change. For example, if a homeowner wants to replace a window in his house, no permit is required. If he wants to change the structure and put in a larger window, however, a permit is necessary. “Minor framing changes” is given as a catch-all term for enforcer discretion. No permit is needed for roofing or siding changes, or for a detached building on the residence under 1,000 sq. ft. Neither is a permit required for service upgrades, such as a new furnace. Anything which extends the footprint of the residence in any way (an addition), however, would need to be first taken to the Borough, then to COG, etc. Within the commercial sphere a permit is generally needed for everything; there are not many exceptions. Accessibility is a big issue with commercial buildings; if a building is in violation it must be brought up to code unless granted an extension. A BCO does not have the authority to grant a waiver. Interested parties must get a form off the Internet and mail it to the Accessibility Department of Labor and Industry (L&I). If they are aware of construction being done without a permit, the violator(s) will be directed to stop work within 24 hours and report to the Borough to begin the permit process. If the violator(s) persist in working without a permit a Stop Work Order will be filed and the magistrate involved. If a use group is the involved party, COG will get involved. The question was raised as to whether buildings where a person lives in one half and rents the other, etc., were residential or commercial. The UCC does not address this, however in this matter the I.R.C. is generally gone by – one to three units is considered residential, if there are more than three it is commercial.
Susquehanna County will hold its first public meeting on Wednesday, April 11, 7:00 p.m. to launch the process for developing and adopting a plan to reduce the impacts of natural hazards in the county. The meeting will be held at the Harford Fire Hall. Seven years ago, Congress passed the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, which required all tribal, state, and local governments to develop and implement plans that would reduce or eliminate the impacts of all natural hazards that threaten their communities. In an effort to motivate tribes, states, and local governments to comply with the law, Congress linked the mandated plans with the availability of Hazard Mitigation Grant Programs funds (HMGP). Currently, none of the municipalities or the county have developed and adopted a hazard mitigation plan. Susquehanna County, acting on behalf of and in collaboration with the municipalities in the county, will take the lead in developing the plan. However, it is critical that townships and boroughs participate in and shape the planning process and eventually adopt the plan. Once the plan has been drafted, it will be forwarded to the Pennsylvania Energy Management Agency (PEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for review and approval. Upon approval and adoption of the plan, Susquehanna County and the municipalities that participate in the planning process will be eligible for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds – funds for projects that reduce or eliminate the impacts of disasters. Though the planning process is completely voluntary, any municipality that elects not to participate in the process or adopt the plan will not be eligible for mitigation grants. The mitigation funds can be used for “buy-outs”, the acquisition of flood-damaged and flood destroyed property. The hazard mitigation planning process offers Susquehanna County and the townships and boroughs within the county the opportunity to assess community development against the lens of natural hazards. Over the last four decades, Susquehanna County has endured 22 major floods, and the losses are no longer sustainable. Unmitigated natural hazards threaten the social and economic well being of every resident and business within the county and must be addressed through a thoughtful and inclusive planning process. For more information about the planning meeting or the planning process, contact Mark Wood, Susquehanna County Emergency Management Coordinator at 278-4600 ext. 257 or visit the County web site at www.susqco.com.
Driver Guilty Of Homicide It took a Susquehanna County Jury about 45 minutes last Thursday to return a guilty verdict against a 19-year-old Union Dale man who had been charged with homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence. Susquehanna County President Judge Kenneth W. Seamans revoked the bail of Jesse L. Walton and remanded him to the Susquehanna County Jail where he will remain until April 19 when he will be sentenced. Besides the homicide by vehicle charge, the jury also found Walton guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance, driving at an unsafe speed, and careless driving. In an affidavit of probable cause, State Trooper John McArthur said on September 3, 2005, he responded to the scene of a motor vehicle accident on township road 387 in Clifford Township. He said a 1995 Neon had left the road, struck a large rock, rolled over into some trees, and landed on its roof. He said Victoria Webster, a front seat passenger, was killed in the crash. Walton and another passenger were transported to Mercy Hospital in Scranton for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash. Trooper Michael Pastore said that, when he interviewed Walton at the hospital, he detected an alcoholic beverage and requested a blood test. The reading was .129% within two hours after the crash. Trooper William Hartshorn did a reconstruction of the scene and determined that Walton was driving at an estimated speed of 48-49 miles per hour. Further testimony revealed that the dirt road has a posted speed of 25 mph and Walton was driving as excessive speed while intoxicated resulting in the crash. The jury was comprised of eight women and four men.
Courthouse Report DEEDS Tammy Sutton (by sheriff) to Fannie Mae, Dallas, TX, in Lanesboro Borough for $2,594. Kirk Wornum to Virginia L. O’Hara, Saylorsburg, in New Milford Township for $145,000. Robert J. Keene, Sandra K. Deene to Virginia L. O’Hara, Saylorsburg, in New Milford Township for $5,000. Francis H. Parks Jr., Catherine W. Parks to Michael Delio, Center Moriches, NY, Lois A. Delio, in Franklin Township for $120,555. Jean Scott (aka) Jean S. Scott to Jean Scott RR1, Hop Bottom (aka) Jean S. Scott, and Gerald D. Scott, in Lathrop Township for one dollar. Daniel P. Carlucci, Virginia D. Carlucci to Daniel P. Carlucci, Montrose, Virginia D. Carlucci, Vincent P. Carlucci, in Lathrop Township for one dollar. Jeffrey E. Wright, Wendy T. Wright to Robert Mowry, Binghamton, NY, in Friendsville Borough for $20,000. James J. O’Donnell, Victoria O’Donnell to Lisa C. Thomas, Archbald in Lenox Township for $164,900. Judy A. Holmes to Alayne Kipar, RR5, Montrose, Eugene Snow, in Forest Lake Township for one dollar. Gerald E. Gorski, Kathleen S. Gorski to Harold Walker, Easton, Wendy Rounsaville, in Franklin Township for $55,000. Walter V. Foote to Kathleen Burmeister, Leroy, TX, in Thompson Borough for one dollar. Neil N. Price, Norman R. Hammer Sr., Norman R. Hammer Jr. to Norman R. Hammer Sr., Jackson, Norman R. Hammer Jr., in Jackson Township for $1,500. William J. Goff, Evelyn C. Goff to William J. Goff, RR3, Montrose, Evelyn C. Goff, in Franklin Township for one dollar. Ruth E. Morris to Ivan Guzman, North Massapequa, NY, Mary Ann Guzman, in Susquehanna, $11,868. Gwyn T. Knight, Kathrine Knight, Francis J . Knight (estate), Carolyn Goodrich, Luke Goodrich, Theodore H. Knight (by attorney) to Steven R. Remesic, Virginia Beach, VA, in Auburn Township for $213,620. Carrie A. Campbell to Louis A. Kaufell Jr., New Hope, Catherine Kaufell, in New Milford Township for one dollar. Charles C. Poggioli to Charles C. Poggioli, Monsey, NY, in Oakland Township for one dollar. Slobodanka Velikic to Option One Mortgage Corp, Irvine, CA, in Lenox Township for $1,109. Susquehanna County Tax Claim Bureau, Timothy J. Casterline (by tax claim), Donna L. Casterline (by tax claim) to Eastern Overhawk LLC, Amityville, NY, in Thompson Township for $1,312. Susquehanna County Tax Claim Bureau, Arthur Bryant (by tax claim) to Eastern Overhawk, Amityville, NY, in New Milford Borough for $5,000. Susquehanna County Tax Claim Bureau, June Lee Arneil (by tax claim) to John Osolnick, RR2, Friendsville, Gloria Osolnick, in Middletown Township for $819. Susquehanna County Tax Claim Bureau, Chris Hibbard (by tax claim), Sarah Hibbard ( by tax claim) to Eastern Overhawk, Amityville, NY, in Jessup Township for $4,906. Susquehanna County Tax Claim Bureau, William W. Conrad (tax claim bureau) to Albert Chuck, RR1, Kingsley, RR1, in Harford Township, for $2,400. Susquehanna County Tax Claim Bureau, Lewis Titus (by tax claim), Alice L. Titus (by tax claim) to Donna M. Fekette, New Milford, Thomas J. Lopataofsky, in Gibson Township for $66,500. Susquehanna County Tax Claim Bureau, James J. Jones (by tax claim) to Eastern Overhawk, LLC, Amityville, NY, in Gibson Township for $66,500. Susquehanna County Tax Claim Bureau, Lawrence Braungard (by tax claim) Barbara Scarborough (by tax claim bureau) to Eastern Overhawk, LLC, in Forest Lake Township for $12,727. Susquehanna County Tax Claim Bureau, Manley Fowler (by tax claim), Carol Fowler (by tax claim) to Eastern Overhawk LLC, Amityville, in Bridgewater Township for $3,000. Edward V. Griffin, Michelle Griffen to John M. Huck, Wernersville, Anne M. Huck, in Oakland Township for $85,000. Chad Yakoski, Stacey Yakoski to John L. Hower, Croydon, Karen Hower, in Dimock Township for $37,500. Rag Apple Inc. to Linda L. Stone, Friendsville, in Jessup Township for $98,500. Raymond R. Lasher to Peter L. Neff, Marlboro, NY, in Brooklyn Township for $180,000. MARRIAGES Corey Allen Inman, Tunkhannock and Holowko Svitlana, Vestal, NY. Mark Lynn Jennings and Barbara Ann Wheeler, both of South Gibson. Harry James Bowles, Hallstead and Jennifer Rose Jones, Montrose. Joshua Bruce O’Dell and Mindy L. Harrison, both of Montrose. Wayne E. Leyman II and Jaime L. Saddlemire, both of Endicott, NY. Donald L. Lalone and Patricia K. Koagel, both of Syracuse, NY.
Great Bend Borough Considers Ordinances It was a day early this month, presumably because of religious holidays, but the Great Bend Borough Council got down to cases on April 4, considering a list of proposed ordinances, among other things. One of the ordinances was offered last month by attorney Frank O'Connor, who had drafted it at the request of the Fire Company. The firemen want authority to charge fees to cover expenses when responding to emergencies of some types, particularly on the Interstate. Council had some reservations about the original draft, and asked Mr. O'Connor and the Fire Company to make some changes, particularly to exempt residential properties in the Fire Company's service area. The Fire Company is supported in part by taxes, and Council was concerned that language in the draft ordinance would have allowed charges to be assessed to local taxpayers. A representative of the Fire Company appeared at the meeting along with Mr. O'Connor to present a modified ordinance that removed a number of objectionable sections, and to specifically exempt residential properties from the charges; it also, however, leaves open the possibility of assessing the fees against commercial properties in some cases. The fees would be $400 for "light rescue" cases, or $600 plus cost of materials for "heavy rescue" situations. The firemen are concerned that their reserves are being depleted by the increasing cost of equipment and expendable materials used in such operations. Council will advertise the new ordinance, which should go into effect in a month or so. The Borough will also advertise a new ordinance that would levy a tax on new utilities that pass through the town. This one is in response to the threat posed by the New York Regional Interconnect project that proposes to transmit electrical power from neighboring upstate New York to the New York City suburbs. With the difficulty the project has had getting clearance from communities in New York State through which the high-power lines would pass, there was some talk that it might be re-routed through northeastern Pennsylvania. Thus, the ordinance that would impose a tax of 1% on the retail value of utility commodities passing over, under, around or through the Borough. Another provision would give the Borough some oversight privilege in reviewing plans for such projects. Council is also considering an ordinance that would require landlords to report to the Borough information regarding their tenants. A number of communities around the state are trying to get some control over who lives where, for taxing and emergency purposes, among other reasons. An ordinance from Berwick, Pennsylvania was offered as a model. Mr. O'Connor, the Borough's solicitor, will be working on this one, too. As he will be on yet another ordinance that would attempt to regulate new businesses in the borough. This one came out of an executive session held toward the end of the evening's meeting. Council member Ron Cranage reported a recent conversation with a developer from out of town who is considering purchasing a commercial property with the intention of creating another massage parlor, similar to the Ultimate Massage business in Hallstead. It was apparently this threat that gave rise to the proposed new ordinance. Another purpose of the executive session was to discuss replacing Alan Grannis, the town's only maintenance employee, who has submitted his resignation. The touching resignation letter from Mr. Grannis remarked on the fond memories he has of his time in Great Bend, and the friendly people he worked with and for in the little town. Recent health problems forced him to retire, and Council accepted his resignation with sincere regret. Until they can find a replacement for Mr. Grannis – they'll be looking for a part-time employee for maintaining the parks, plowing snow, and looking after the borough's garage and equipment – Council hired one of its own, Mr. Cranage, to work for the borough on an "emergency" basis. Mr. Cranage is also the borough's Code Enforcement officer, and he expressed significant frustration getting satisfaction from the District Justice, Peter Janicelli. Borough ordinances generally carry fines of $25-$75 for various infractions, primarily accumulations of trash and unsightly property upkeep. Mr. Cranage said that Mr. Janicelli seems disposed to assess only minimum fines, and that rarely. He wondered what the purpose was of spending the time to make photographs and do the paperwork, when the Justice probably wouldn't enforce the ordinances anyway. Council has asked Mr. Janicelli to appear at a Council meeting to discuss his "philosophy," and there is reason to believe he might actually come to the meeting on the first Thursday in May. Council also considered a report by state auditors of the Great Bend Area Joint Police Pension Plan for the one remaining veteran of the long-defunct local police department. Borough Secretary Sheila Guinan said that the regular audits would continue to complain about one aspect of the pension fund until something is done about it. It seems that Chief Charles Martell had an agreement with the police authority (a consortium of four municipalities) that provided him some defined pension benefits. He later attempted to have some of the provisions of that agreement modified, taking his case to the courts. The auditors complain that, even though Mr. Martell lost each of his arguments in court, he was receiving benefits that seem to acknowledge some of what he had requested. He was therefore receiving "improper benefits." Ms. Guinan told Council that they need to come up with some documentation describing why the benefits were paid as they were. Nobody seemed to know where such documentation might be located. Council voted to donate $100 to Blue Ridge Recreation, Inc., to support the annual "Summer Adventures" program for area children. In response to some inquiries about water problems on Franklin Street since it was repaved about a year ago, the borough asked the water company for their position. The paving was done by the water company after the water line under the street was repaired. One resident claimed that the surface of the street had been raised four inches or more, leaving him with standing water in his yard. The water company claims that they laid only one-and-a- half inches of new paving on Franklin Street, and installed asphalt curbing at the request of the borough. They therefore disowned any further responsibility. Sandra Kazinetz appeared before Council to request a letter of support on behalf of the local Watershed Association. She said that her organization has found funding for about $50,000 for a study of DuBois Creek. A study of Salt Lick Creek would be much larger and more expensive, and she is canvassing local municipalities for letters of commitment that will support the association's grant applications. Council accepted a draft of such a letter and promised its support. Council President Bea Alesky was becoming exasperated by the seemingly unending discussions over street maintenance. Mr. Cranage has been urging his colleagues to do something to improve the conditions on Spring Street, and says that he will not give up until something is done. Council member Joe Collins said that to repair about 1/3 of Spring Street is estimated to cost approximately $15,000, not including any sluices that might have to be repaired, too. To a question as to whether the sewer authority might help with the cost of maintaining the road, since trucks servicing the sewer plant are some of the heaviest traffic in that area, Laura Conarton, a member of the sewer authority's board of directors answered with a definite "No." She said the sewer authority is operating on a "shoestring" as it is. To head off further debate that often leads nowhere, Ms. Alesky appointed a committee of council members to deliberate on the matter, and report to Council with specific recommendations. The Great Bend Borough Council usually meets on the first Thursday of each month, beginning at 7:00 p.m., in the Borough building at Elizabeth and Franklin Streets. You'll be able to find the building more easily if the Borough and the Blue Ridge Senior Center – which uses the building daily – can agree on a new sign that the Senior Center proposes to place on the property.
Following is the March, 2007 Susquehanna Borough Police Report, as submitted by Sergeant Laura Watson. 8 Theft/Burglary; 1 Dog Bite; 4 Criminal Mischief; 4 Assault/Related; 2 Domestic; 1 Disorderly/Assistance; 2 Motor Vehicle Crashes. Sergeant Watson reports that new badges were ordered for the police officers; a new switchbox has been ordered for the police vehicle; the bulletproof vest application has been completed, which will reimburse the boro for 50% of the costs of new bulletproof vests; all officers’ update classes will be completed in May. The Vascar has been installed in the new police car and on April 21 Sgt. Watson will be hosting a Vascar training class; any interested police officer can contact the Susquehanna Police Department at 853–3147. In addition, Sgt. Watson is currently working on a police grant to obtain additional new equipment for the police department.
Flood Mitigation Funds Available The presidential disaster declaration issued to Susquehanna County for flooding last November has created another opportunity for flood mitigation projects in the county. Following each disaster declaration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) activates the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), and a new pot of money is generated for projects that will reduce or eliminate the impacts of future disasters. While FEMA sponsors and funds the HMGP, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) is responsible for administering and implementing the program. The HMGP can fund the acquisition and demolition of property (“buy-outs), elevate flood-prone homes, and flood-proof businesses. To be eligible or funds, all projects must be cost-effective and beneficial to the environment. PEMA has established the acquisition and demolition of flood-damaged and destroyed homes as the first priority for HMGP funds. Susquehanna County will mirror PEMA’s priorities in developing a project application and will also consider flood-proofing commercial properties. Any home that was substantially damaged (damaged 50 percent or more of its pre-flood, fair market value) or destroyed in either the November, 2006 flood or the June, 2006 flood may be eligible for a grant. Individual homeowners and businesses are not directly eligible for funds – townships or boroughs must serve as the project sponsor. Any homeowner whose property sustained substantial damage or was destroyed in either the November or June flood, or any business that has been repetitively flooded and is interested in participating the in the grant program must complete the Voluntary Participation Agreement form and the Hazardous Materials form found on the county’s website, www.susqco.com. Click on the Emergency Management link for more information about the HMGP and all forms necessary to participate in the program. All forms must be completed and turned into your municipal elected officials by April 20, 2007. The municipal elected officials will , in turn, submit all completed forms to Mark Wood, Susquehanna County Emergency Management Coordinator, by no later than April 23. Please contact Mark Wood at 278-4600, ext 257 with any questions.
DA’s Office Establishes Law Enforcement Fund Jason Legg, the Susquehanna County District Attorney, has established the Law Enforcement Fund with The Community Foundation of Susquehanna & Wyoming Counties. The fund will help support the new countywide Drug and Alcohol Task Force, and also the new K-9 Unit, both of which have been implemented with proceeds from insurance fraud settlements. This new fund will provide permanent annual grants for increased local law enforcement without raising local taxes. Currently a Blue Ridge School District fifth grade class is conducting a fundraising campaign to provide a bullet-proof vest for Susquehanna County’s new K-9 dog, Cash. Furthermore, individuals and corporations can make tax-deductible donations to the Law Enforcement Fund at any time, which will provide for faster growth of the fund and consequently more financial assistance to the county’s law enforcement officers. District Attorney Legg states, “ There is a constant, and indeed growing, element of drug abuse and trafficking that not everyone is aware of. These two initiatives will help police departments keep our communities safe, and the Law Enforcement Fund will directly help offset the cost of the projects.” Peter Quigg, Director of Development for The Community Foundation, points out, “The Community Foundation is very proud to be a part of Mr. Legg’s efforts to protect the citizens of Susquehanna County. We are aware that, like personal safety, rates of taxation are also a concern to everyone, and we are pleased that we can have a direct effect upon enhancing crime protection while at the same time helping to see this program is funded without raising local taxes.” Contributions to the Law Enforcement Fund may be sent to The Community Foundation at 36 Lake Avenue in Montrose 18801. Visit the Foundation’s web site at www.community-foundation.org for information about this and other funds.
County Receives Mosquito Grant Reps. Sandra Major (R-Susquehanna/Wayne/Wyoming) and Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Sullivan/Susquehanna) announced that Susquehanna County will receive $33,427 in funding as part of Pennsylvania’s Mosquito Surveillance Program. “The funding will be used for mosquito monitoring and virus surveillance programs to determine if West Nile virus is present in the county and to assist in alerting residents about the potential threat from the West Nile virus,” Major said. In 2000, West Nile virus appeared in Pennsylvania for the first time. “While government plays a key role, everyone can help prevent the spread of West Nile virus,” Pickett said. The West Nile virus is primarily carried by the Northern House mosquito. Transmission by an infected mosquito to a human may result in West Nile encephalitis, which causes an inflammation of the brain. Those most at risk of developing severe illness from the virus include people over 50 years of age and those with compromised immune systems. Because the virus is spread by infected mosquitoes, the best defense is not giving them a place to breed. Here are some things residents can do around their homes to prevent breeding areas. Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar water-holding containers that have collected on your property. Pay special attention to discarded tires. Stagnant water in tires is where most mosquitoes breed. Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers left outdoors. Have clogged roof gutters cleaned every year, particularly if the leaves from surrounding trees have a tendency to plug up the drains. Roof gutters can produce millions of mosquitoes each season. Turn over wheelbarrows, and don’t let water stagnate in birdbaths. Both provide breeding habitats for domestic mosquitoes. Use landscaping to eliminate standing water that collects on your property. Mosquitoes may breed in any puddle that lasts for more than four days. For more information on the West Nile virus log on to the Internet and visit westnile.state.pa.us.
Forest City Hires Inspection Firm The Forest City Borough Council hired Code Inspections Inc. of Dushore to enforce the Federal Building Code adopted by the governing body a couple of years ago. Among its other duties, the company will do all borough inspections related to the provisions of the building code, including new construction, additions and alterations. Other items that will be inspected by Code Inspections include storage sheds larger than 500 square feet, plumbing and electrical work, decks, swimming pools, roofing and siding, swimming pools, installations of air conditioning units and furnaces, decks, gazebos, hot water tanks, demolitions, and issuing occupancy permits. Code Inspections will charge fees ranging from $70 to $250 depending on the project. Occupancy permits would cost $100 for the first 2,000 square feet of residential space, plus $16 for each additional 1,000 square feet. In addition, the borough would tack on a ten percent administrative fee. In a related move, council approved an amendment to the ordinance regulating residential rental units. The change sets the fee for permit applications at $60 and will apply to all applications received after April 3, 2007. In another matter, council was advised that the borough will be one of 14 municipalities in Susquehanna County to be included in the county’s Enterprise Zone. The program is designed to enhance local economic development funding and priority consideration for state funding programs. Council accepted an offer from Franceski Waste Containers to sponsor a free drop-off of large household appliances. The drop-off point will be at the borough’s Recycling Center on Route 247 where the appliances can be placed in a dumpster provided by Franceski. Refrigerators must have a tag indicating that the Freon has been removed from it. Elderly and handicapped residents who cannot bring the appliance to the drop-off center can contact Franceski Waste Containers at 785-5865 and make arrangements to have their appliance picked up, providing is it located at the curb. The fee for this service will be $20 and is only available to Forest City residents. Residents from Forest City, Vandling, Browndale, Richmondale and Elk View Estates can bring their appliances to the Recycling Center on the first Saturday of the month In a related development, Eric P. Hamby, director of the Susquehanna County Recycling Program, announced that the county will hold a tire collection program this year. The cost will be $1.50 for tires up to 16 inches or 45 pounds; $3 for large tires over 45 pounds but under 90 pounds; and, $8 each for truck tires up to 22 inches and over 90 pounds but under 120 pounds. Drop-offs will be at the Harford Township Municipal Building on May 5; Susquehanna Borough (under the bridge) on May 12; Choconut Elementary School on May 19; and, the Susquehanna County Recycling Center on June 2. Drop-off times are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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