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HEADLINES: Subject: Sentencing County Woman Gets "Jail Break" A Susquehanna County woman was sentenced to five jail terms of three to 18 months each when she appeared before President Judge Kenneth W. Seamans last Thursday on a variety of charges. Fortunately for 26-year-old Jessica Decker of Montrose, Judge Seamans ruled that four of the jail terms will run concurrent with the initial sentence he handed down. She will also receive credit for time she served in the county lockup since her arrest. The first charge against Ms. Decker was theft by deception in Oakland Township on April 14, 2006. The judge fined her $200 and also ordered her to receive drug and alcohol counseling and to make restitution to the victim in the case. Ms. Decker received the additional jail terms and fines totaling another $1,050 for theft by deception in Lanesboro on May 20, 20006; theft by deception again in Lanesboro on December 11, 2006; criminal trespass in Susquehanna on December 13, 2006; and, theft by unlawful taking in Susquehanna, also on December 13, 2006. Other sentences meted out by Judge Seamans include: David Gene Wood, 67, of Hallstead, one year probation, $200 fine and court costs for receiving stolen property in Franklin Township on September 17, 2006. Kyle Williams, 20, of Montrose, one year probation for theft by unlawful taking in Susquehanna on October 17, 2006. He was also fined $250 and was ordered to receive a drug and alcohol evaluation. Ryan Dominic Fulkerson, 20, of Montrose, nine to 23 1/2 months in the county jail, with credit for time served, $600 fine, 75 hours of community service for burglary in Clifford Township on December 1, 2006. He also received a concurrent jail term of 3 months to 23 1/2 months for criminal trespass in Lenox Township on December 1, 2006. Allen Russell Canfield, 46 of Carbondale, seven months to 23 1/2 months in the county jail, $350 fine, for recklessly endangering another person in Clifford Township on September 29, 2006. He was also sentenced to serve one month to 23 1/2 months in the county jail for simple assault in Clifford, also on September 29, 2006 plus a second fine of $350. Martin George Bickford, 34, of Thompson, 30 days to one year in the county jail and a $500 fine for disorderly conduct in Bridgewater Township on November 30, 2006. He must also do 25 hours of community service. Davie Bradley Smith, 45, of Tunkhannock, 90 days to two years minus one day in the county jail, plus a fine of $1,500 for drunken driving in Great Bend on May 27, 2006. He was also ordered to pay $300 Act 198 fee and must do 25 hours of community service. Patrick James Rafferty of Carbondale was placed on probation for one year and fined $250 for simple assault in Ararat Township on November 22, 2006. Robert Cowan, 54, of Montrose, 11 1/2 months to 23 1/2 months in the county jail, $300 fine and $250 DNA testing fee for aggravated harassment by a prisoner in Montrose on April 5, 2006. Kevin M. Roon, 41, of Friendsville, 11 1/2 months to 24 months minus a day in the county jail, $350 fine, 25 hours of community service, for burglary in Apolacon Township on October 24. 2006. He was also sentenced to serve 9 months to 23 1/2 months in the county jail, to run concurrent with the first sentence for criminal trespass in Apolacon, also on October 24, 2006; and, two months to 12 months in the county jail, also to run concurrent with the first sentence, for theft by unlawful taking in Apolacon Township on October 24, 2006.
Harford Main Street Restored In June of 2000, PennDOT engineers hosted a meeting in the Harford Township building to describe a plan to replace a 12-foot span on Route 547 over Leslie Creek in the middle of Harford village. At that time the project was expected to begin the following summer with an archeological study, and take all of about 3-4 months. The old bridge had stood for 73 years. Now, in mid-April 2007, the new bridge (actually a "box culvert") is complete. The new passage is somewhat wider, a little longer, and restores the little town's Main Street for upcoming heavier summer traffic. The two sets of traffic lights that controlled traffic during construction have been removed and work is continuing to remove the temporary bypass that has carried traffic since last summer around the site. At the township supervisors' meeting on April 14, Roadmaster Terry VanGorden said that virtually all of the materials used for the temporary roadway and general construction (stone, paving, even some of the huge metal pipes) will be turned over to the township for the cost of trucking it away. Mr. VanGorden estimated the value of the materials at over $150,000. Mr. VanGorden's budget is a little squeezed these days, having had to cope with the aftereffects of last summer's flooding. The bridge over Butler Creek on Pennay Hill Road has been a continuing source of frustration. The summer flood left the bridge impassable, so the township crew built a temporary bypass, which was subsequently washed away by high water in November. The bypass was rebuilt, but then, in March of this year, ice dams backed up enough water to wash it away again, including the four large pipes that carried the water. The cost of the bypass alone has neared $20,000 already. Last month Mr. VanGorden effectively threw up his hands and declared the bypass finished until the bridge itself could be replaced. One area resident, however, decided to pitch in in his own interest to put the bypass back one more time. Dale Payne, a local contractor who uses the road regularly, employed his own heavy equipment to help the township crew recover all the pipe and rebuild the bypass yet again at his own expense and effort. The Supervisors were so grateful, that, on Mr. VanGorden's recommendation, they decided that the township would pay Mr. Payne for his fuel costs on the project. That bridge project, and another to replace a sluice under Stearns Road at the outlet of Tingley Lake, are the subject of studies currently in progress by Hawk Engineering of Binghamton. The township has borrowed $500,000 to finance both projects. The cost of a new bridge on Pennay Hill Road is expected to be fully recovered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency under the emergency status declared at the time of the June flooding. The Stearns Road project will be carried entirely by the township, unless additional funds can be found through grants, or through a "mitigation" process now under way countywide. The emergency management agencies are encouraging groups of municipalities to cooperate in developing plans for identifying and mitigating potential disaster hazards of this kind. The sluice under Stearns Road was the cause of damage to some homes when Tingley Lake backed up during the flood. At the meeting, the Supervisors approved a second payment of $2,338.52 to Hawk for work on the Stearns Road study. There is no estimate available as to when the studies might be complete, but the engineers are aware of a FEMA deadline on the Pennay Hill project. The township will probably have to file for an extension since a new bridge is not likely to be in place by the current deadline in June. In the meantime, interim Roadmaster Terry VanGorden (also one of the three elected Supervisors) has been formally appointed to the position as a township employee, retroactive to April 2. Supervisor and Township Secretary Sue Furney made the recommendation, saying, "I think he's been doing a very good job," and describing the long hours he has already put into the job as a volunteer. Harford Township has not had an official Roadmaster since the departure last year of George Sansky for an opportunity in the private sector. Considering how waterlogged the land is this time of year, it's hard to imagine the need for dust control. But need there will be in the heat of the summer, so the township will be advertising for bids for 30,000 gallons each of calcium chloride and AEP oil. They will also advertise for bids on diesel fuel, but in recent years the solicitation for fuel bids has yielded only one supplier. The next time you visit a Harford Township Supervisors' meeting, try out the new bridge in town. The Supervisors meet on the second Saturday of each month beginning at 10:00 a.m., and on the fourth Tuesday of each month beginning at 7:30 p.m. You should be able to get there faster now since Harford Township is once again completely free of traffic lights.
Hallstead Continues Park Restoration Hallstead Boro Council is proceeding with restoration of the Route 11 park that was all but destroyed by flooding in the past year. Bids for the replacement of the buildings and basketball court were received and opened at the April 19/ meeting as follows: Joseph M. Kovitch Contracting, replacement of the restroom facilities, $10,600 and replacement of the pavilion, $10,500; Contour Paving, replacement of the basketball court, $14,920. A motion carried to accept all three bids (FEMA funds will be used to pay for it). The fire department has agreed to dismantle the dilapidated buildings at the ballfield across the road and conduct a controlled burn of the debris. The flag at the riverbank memorial park will be replaced. Gary Folk, who recently moved back to the area, had filled out an employment application for a maintenance position, if one were to become available, and introduced himself to council. Council will keep his application on file. In the wake of the recent snowstorm, several council members reported receiving complaints about snow plowing, or the lack of. A complaint about garbage at a Pine Hill residence was being handled by the boro’s solicitor; the owners of two other properties will be sent 30 day notices by the boro. The owners of several properties where there have been complaints about vehicles parking on the sidewalk or too close to the intersection had been sent letters and copies of the boro’s relevant ordinance. As this has been a long-term situation, there was some discussion about just what council’s options are to do something about it. When warning signs have been posted, they have had a tendency to disappear, making enforcement of the regulations difficult. After further discussion, it was agreed to contact the boro solicitor with some questions, such as whether a landlord is legally obligated to provide parking spaces for tenants, or if the boro’s ordinances should be amended to provide towing of offending vehicles. Other complaints included an inquiry about whether it is illegal to pump basement water out into the street. There is no ordinance against it, and as one council member asked, “Where (else) are they going to pump it?” It was noted that most people who find the need to pump out their basements do ensure that it is not going into their neighbors’ yards. A “mud hole” on the sidewalk on Main St. in front of the post office has been a concern, as it presents a hazard to pedestrians. Even though it is on a state road, PennDOT will not fix it; it is the property owner’s responsibility. Some time ago, the Central Bradford Progress Authority had requested that the boro pass a resolution designating the Route 11 corridor as an Enterprise Zone; council’s feeling had been that there were very few business properties in the boro that qualified. But, a prominent member of the community asked council to reconsider, as the old foundry property could qualify. The designation would make that property and others along the corridor eligible for grant funding for economic development. After a short discussion, a motion carried to adopt the resolution needed for the designation. A motion carried to approve council’s annual $200 donation to the Blue Ridge Recreation program. The Bridging Communities committee has applied for an additional $22,000 grant for the sidewalk replacement project. The grant funds already received must be used by April of next year, so the expectation is that the project will be completed this year. Bids for paving of Dayton Ave. will be advertised. As the total for repair of Pine Hill is expected to be below the level at which bidding advertising is required, phone bids will be solicited for that project. A motion carried to approve repair of damage caused by ice to the boro building. A soffit and a fascia needed to be repaired. And, Ted Loomis agreed to attend a county Hazard Mitigation meeting to be held in Harford in May. The next meeting will be on Thursday, May 17, 7 p.m. in the boro building.
Courthouse Report DEEDS Shirley M. Walsh, David H. Walsh, Lois Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, Roy Kennedy, Earl L. Keenan (estate), Doris Kennedy to Kenneth P. Kelly, Pleasant Mount, Lisa A. Kelly, in Union Dale Borough for $100. Shirley M. Walsh, Davis H. Walsh, Lois Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, Roy Kennedy, Earl L. Keenan (estate), Doris Kennedy to Union Dale Borough for $100. Magdalen Braden, Henry N. Blanco White to Magdalen Braden, Kingsley, in Harford Township for one dollar. David R. Carpenter, Janice B. Carpenter to George A. Napolitano, Susquehanna, Rebecca Napolitano, in Susquehanna for $5,000. Charles H. Snyder, Michelle L. Snyder to Richard H. Flanders, Susquehanna, Frieda M. Flanders, in Susquehanna for $46,300. Shane T. Lewis, Margaret A. Lewis to George W. King II, Susquehanna, Colleen King, in Susquehanna for $134,500. Thomas Mele, Victoria Mele to Gary Bazin, RR2, Friendsville, Sherrie J. Bazin, in Middletown Township for $389,000. Rag Apple LLC to Brian J. Nichols, Colleen J. Nichols, Dale A. Garnett, Randee M. Garnett, in New Milford Township for $70,000. Bank of New York (by attorney) to Earl Butts, RR3, Susquehanna, Marie Butts, in Montrose for $75,000. Donald W. Brink to Bernice M. Brink, Great Bend, in Great Bend Borough for $16,000. Daniel Vinsko to Christopher J. Boyle, Susquehanna, in Susquehanna for $72,215. Bernardine H. Gibson, Delores Marie Hydock to Danielle M. Kresock, Forest City, in Forest City for $110,000. Patrick MacConnell, Amy MacConnel to Patrick MacConnell, Great Bend, Amy McConnell, Nichole A. Rosa, in Great Bend Township for one dollar. Lois E. Pritchard (estate), Lillian Ramich to Dale J. Ramich, Elmira, NY, in Thompson Borough for one dollar. Eastern Industries Inc. to CMA Land Co. LLC, RR2, Kingsley, Chad Hollenbeck, in Bridgewater Township for $95,000. William Bleam, June L. Bleam to Fiondi Inc., RR5, Montrose, in Middletown Township for one dollar. Robert A. Borove, Kathleen Sue Borove to Amy Borove, RR1, Kingsley, in Lenox Township for one dollar. Arthur C. Marvin Jr., Donna M. Marvin (aka) Donna M. Confer to Arthur C. Marvin, RR2, Hallstead, in Hallstead Borough for one dollar. Gary L. Lupole, Darlene M. Lupole to Darlene Lupole, RR1, Friendsville, in Forest Lake Township for one dollar. Gerald J. Mensel to John W. Laskowski, Olyphant, Marie Laskowski, Vincent M. Laskowski, in Lenox Township for $104,900. Patrick M. Carrube (by trustee) , Richard M. Carrube (by trustee), Patrick M. Carrube, Richard M. Carrube to Todd Gillette, RR1, Carbondale, in Clifford Township for $110,000. TAX LIENS The Internal Revenue Service has filed federal income tax liens against the following individuals: Michael G. Potts, RR2, Montrose. Amount owed, $5,866. William A. Mikolon, RR4, Montrose. Amount owed, $7,994. William F. Farber, Jr., Harford. Amount owed, $17,969. Steven D. Sutton, Springville. Amount owed $5,607
Following is the list of names drawn to serve as Petit and Traverse jurors for May, to appear in the Court of Common Pleas, Susquehanna County Courthouse, Montrose, on the seventh day of May, 9:00 a.m. Apolacon Twp.: Ronald G. Kemmerer. Ararat Twp.: Carl Casablanca, Larry Cassidy. Auburn Twp.: Susan L. Polage, Randy Scott Robinson. Bridgewater Twp.: April Fowler, L. Densmore Jacobs, Patsy Jenner, Julie Lewis, Marian S. Miskell. Brooklyn Twp.: Cynthia Catalfamo. Choconut Twp.: Joseph H. Fenning, Arnold N. Showers. Clifford Twp.: Joe Bennett, Frank Esgro, Colleen M. Griffiths, David M. Krizauskas, Wanda McColgan, Esther C. Semken, Mary Shattin, Terry Short, Thomas Yadlosky. Dimock Twp.: Karin E. Dorman, John C. Mills, Sally J. Moore. Forest Lake Twp.: James Grassman, Bonnie S. Lowry. Friendsville Boro: Julie Gittoes, Nancy A. Jellick, Shelly Matthews. Great Bend Twp.: Gail Graves, Delores D. Kane, Ruth I. Lynch, Keith A. Mudge, Jennifer Seaman, Jason Wescott. Hallstead Boro: Lorraine M. Rose. Harford Twp.: Trenton Smith. Herrick Twp.: John J. Clement. Hop Bottom Twp.: Donna Potter. Jackson Twp.: David Lewis. Jessup Twp.: Ed Townsend. Lanesboro Boro: Matthew G. Schell. Lathrop Twp.: Tammy I. Ayers, Carol M. Bailey, Donald G. Norton. Lenox Twp.: Paul R. Bixby, Thomas Diehl, Mary A. Olver, June D. Walters. Liberty Twp.: Robert R. Fagan, Jerry Matthews. Montrose Boro 1W: Robert W. Beck. Montrose Boro 2W: Robert F. Clark. New Milford Boro: John A. Brigham. New Milford Twp.: Annie Chaffee, David Cicon, Beverly J. Fiske, Miles Krause, Sabrina Rudock, Ida L. Rupakus, Diane M. Valentine, Kevin R. Weber. Oakland Boro: Maria D. Heffner, Diane L. Medlar. Rush Twp.: Eugene L. Mitchell. Silver Lake Twp.: Gerald E. Derham, Donalisle Eldred, Kimberly F. Kirchmeier, Christina Schomp. Springville Twp.: Gloria J. Baker, Aimee M. Oswald, John Warnero. Susquehanna Boro 2W: Rebecca Marie Lewis. Thompson Twp.: Sandra Codd, Elizabeth Seelenbran.
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