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HEADLINES:
Police Progress In Bend Borough The Great Bend Borough Council is serious about creating a police department for the little town. Council has been meeting twice a month all summer in order to focus the effort. They want to have the department functioning even before its new office in the borough garage is ready. They have an “Officer in Charge,” Jon Record, who will help choose 2 more part-time patrolmen. Candidates will be interviewed at the next special police meeting on August 15. At the general meeting on August 4 Council proposed a new ordinance that the police may be able to help to enforce. Borough Solicitor Frank O’Connor developed an ordinance that would require rental and commercial property owners to provide off-street parking. Mr. O’Connor himself has been battling with the owner of an apartment house that shares Williams Street with his own building over parking on the one-way street. Under the new ordinance, owners of commercial properties will have to provide at least 3 off-street parking spaces for customers of each business, and “multi-family” residences will be required to offer 1 off-street space for each unit. Fines between $25 and $100 per day can be imposed for failure to comply. Mr. O’Connor said he thinks the ordinance could also be made to apply to situations like a recent one in Hallstead where what had been a single-family house was rented by a company involved in the gas-development business as a sort of dormitory for its workers. In that case, a single entity - the company - rented the property, but several unrelated people were living there. The public will have 30 days to review and comment on the new ordinance. Could the police also help to enforce borough ordinances regulating the maintenance of private property? A resident appeared before council on behalf of his father to read a complaint about a neighbor on Elizabeth Street who accumulates large amounts of trash. The offender has been cited repeatedly by the borough in the past, and even fined, with no lasting effect. This time Council asked Mr. O’Connor to send a letter demanding cleanup, and to pursue legal action if necessary and appropriate. In the meantime Council is still looking for someone willing to act as the borough’s Codes Enforcement Officer, to handle situations like this. Council is still looking for bids to paint the interior of the Borough Building - which is also the Blue Ridge Senior Center. Council members were surprised that the job has been estimated at $4,000. With a couple of members absent, the meeting was relatively brief for this Council, barely 40 minutes. They will meet again on the police department on Monday, August 15. General meetings are on the first Thursday of each month. All meetings begin at 7:00 p.m. at the Borough Building at Elizabeth and Franklin Streets. Forest City Seeks DEP Approval When the Forest City Borough Council met on August 1 for its business meeting, a motion was passed to transfer all public fire hydrants in the borough to the care and ownership of PA American Water. In his report to council, borough solicitor Paul E. Smith provided information on a Main Street loitering ordinance he was asked at the previous meeting to research. Smith explained that while unruly individuals can be cited for other ordinance violations, in court, loitering ordinances traditionally are thrown out as unconstitutional for “infringing on people’s rights.” In an effort to advance the sewer project, Smith announced, KBA Engineering will send an official response to the Department of Environmental Protection. Additionally, Smith stated that he will mail a proposal for the testing of existing laterals within the borough, pointing out to council and the public that DEP initially ordered the entire replacement of laterals. Smith cautioned that DEP could deny the compromise. Although the testing will occur at the homeowner’s expense, Smith stated that the method he has recommended - video cameraing - will prove less intrusive and less expensive that other testing methods, while still providing reliable results. During public comment, a resident asked how many laterals must be tested. Council president Robert Trusky estimated the number at 500 or 600. Smith was asked what would be done about residents who do not pay the testing fee; Smith stated that the situation probably will be similar to that of Scott Township, where water shut-offs were enforced. Smith explained that each lateral will be tested as it is connected to the new sewer system, making testing at that point efficient. He added that “It doesn’t make sense to do a $10 million sewer project and have people’s lines still running someplace where they’re not supposed to run.” However, the resident commented that considering the economic situation of many borough residents, “I’m sitting here thinking ‘disaster.’” Concerning repairs to the borough building, council passed a motion to accept a $3,750 bid from Champion Roofing for fixing leaks in the roof. Council also voted to enter a one-year service contract with Northeast Elevator at a rate of $150 per quarter, with the goal of saving funds and avoiding inspection failures. After some discussion, council approved the purchase of a 2011 F550 XL 4x4 dump truck with a snow plow package and an under tailgate spreader for $48,600 after the trade-in of the borough’s old F550. A trade-in value has not yet been quoted for two other borough vehicles. At the suggestion of Barbara Mihelc, council passed a motion to release to a borough family over $17,000 in insurance money that had been placed in an escrow account, per a borough ordinance, when the family’s home was damaged by a blaze next door. The release is under the condition that the contractor complies with the inspection schedule issued by the borough. Mihelc stated that the family already has paid $60,000 in repairs to its fire-damaged home: “Quite obviously, they’re not walking away [and leaving the borough with the cost of demolition].” Nick Cost asserted that “four-wheelers are out of control in this town.” He also spoke out against yard sale signs on poles, to which Trusky responded that it is illegal to post signs on telephone or power poles. Such signs can be removed. Cost also requested the replacement of Main Street garbage cans, stating that litter has become a problem on Main Street sidewalks. Cost will search for cans with a design that makes the dumping of household garbage difficult. Due to the Labor Day holiday, the next borough meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 6 at 7 p.m. Courthouse Report DEEDS Diocese of Scranton to Kenneth, Jr. and Loretta Fisher, in Susquehanna for $8,000.00. Dorothy Lomma to Raymond Dixon, in Liberty Township for $10,500.00. Travis and Melissa R. O’Brien (AKA) Melissa R. Curtis to Travis O’Brien, in Forest City for one dollar. Anthony and Linda K. Sorgi to Sorgi Business Group LP, in Liberty Township for one dollar. Brian E., Barbara J., Eugene Todd and Janet Richter; Kathy A. and Thomas Osler; Lori J. and Dale G. Webster to Richter Family Farm LLP, in Franklin Township for one dollar. Dolores Hannigan to Garrett and Mona Anne Hannigan, in Lenox Township for one dollar. Harvey B. and Janet Hollenbeck to H & J Hollenbeck LP, in Franklin Township for one dollar. John A. and Joan A. Eymer to Todd J. Barnes, in New Milford Borough for $150,075.00. Heinz W. Hauser to Heinz W. Hauser, in Oakland Township for one dollar. Thomas E. Toll and Cheryl Butman to Thomas E. Toll and Cheryl Butman, in New Milford Township for one dollar. Donald Scott and Janette M. Tiffany to Donald Scott and Janette M. Tiffany, in Springville Township for one dollar. Peter O. and Nancy Blair to Michael, Phillip and Charles Mazza, in Clifford Township for $150,000.00. Lois R. Jones and Roy Lynn Pooler to Lois R. Jones, Roy Lynn and David Lee Pooler, in Silver Lake Township for one dollar. David W. and Susan A. Oney to Donna M. and Gary R. Horn, in Liberty Township for $140,000.00. Carolyn D. and William T. Davis to Robert M. and Karen L. Owens, in Jessup Township for $51,500.00. Pauline Baron to Joyce Belcher and Theresa Knowlton, in Clifford Township for one dollar. David H. Clemens to Karen C. Dennis, in Great Bend and New Milford Townships for one dollar. David H. Clemens to Paula R. Clemens, Karen C. Dennis and Sara C. Smith, in Great Bend and New Milford Townships for one dollar. Herman C. Ebhardt to Kevin S. Jacobs and Rachel Ann Wojtkowski, in Hallstead Borough for $60,000.00. Christopher J. and Kathleen E. (AKA) Kathleen Potchak to Sandra Babuka, in Jackson Township for $195,000.00. Rupert J. and Linda C. White to Jeffery L. and Jenifer T. Reynolds, in Herrick Township for $208,950.00. Richard M Franczak to Judson and Carmel Spencer, in Great Bend Township for $80,000.00. George C. Stone to George C. Stone, in Bridgewater Township for one dollar. Walter D. Fisk, Jr. (by sheriff) to Wells Fargo Bank, in Oakland Township for $3,114.36. Nancy F. and Larry Decker to Nancy F. Decker, Cynthia Weston and Linda Fransworth-Weinblatt, in Great Bend Township for one dollar. Mary Lou Eimers to Corey D. and Susan Gesford, in Clifford Township for $160,000.00. Jerome M. and Margaret F. Thomson to Peter J. Yager, Jr., in Hallstead Borough for $125,080.00. Susan J. Winans to Christopher A. and Amanda Good, in Montrose, for $3.00. Thomas J. Kerr (by sheriff) to Federal National Mortgage Association, in Liberty Township for $7,045.13. MARRIAGES Jason C. Travis and Melanie Jo Batson, both of Union Dale. Michael James Molenko and Tonya Lynn Wood, both of Brooklyn. David S. Smith of Berwick and Rhonda J. Smith of Wapwallopen. Michael Gordon Gagneau and Dawn M. Williams, both of Hallstead. James S. Ayotte and Ashley E. Lafountain, both of Little Meadows. Kevin T. Woodruff and Heidi Ann English, both of Montrose. Jonathan R. Gardner and Dominique M. Winn, both of New Milford. Josh Allen Rider and Denyil Carol Fenton, both of Hallstead. John Eric Snyder and Aubrey Lynn Turner. Louis J. Grisafi, Jr. and Gerri L. Beniewicz, both of New Milford. Eric M. Groudin and Amanda R. Borush, both of Binghamton. James George Decker, Jr. and Anna Marie Jones, both of Susquehanna. Stefan A. Koppert of Canada and Hedi E. Ring of Brackney. Jaime E. Fredette and Dorothy Marie Rohan, both of Montrose. William Lee Horn and Tamara Jean Carter, both of Dimock. BENCH WARRANTS The Susquehanna County Domestic Relations Section has outstanding bench warrants for the following individuals as of 10:15 a.m. on August 5, 2011. Craig J. Anderson, Edward R. Ashman, BillieJean Beemer, Tonya S. Birchard, Douglas Buckman, Howard A. Burns, III, Bradley C. Button, Douglas Carey, Jason J. Carroll, Christopher J. Clark, Randall L. Cox, Heather R. DeBoer, John F. Feeley, David J. Fischer, John S. Frisbie, Jr., David Haines, Jr., Shannon J. Hollister, Christopher J. Kingsbury, Eric C. Kohlhepp, Erik E. Krisovitch, Lee Labor, Charlie J. Legere, Carlos L. Leiser, Derrick J. Lezinsky, Michael Maryasz, Joseph C. Mikloiche, Donald Palmer, Jeremy Presson, Shane M. Repsher, Perry Rohan, Roy E. Rosenbaum, David J. Shiner, Eric J. Snell, Gary Tripp, Steven G. Warner, James M. Warner, Thomas A. Whipple, Jr., Steven G. Wormuth. Please contact the Domestic Relations Section at 570-278-4600 ext. 170 with any information on the location of these individuals. New Milford Bridge Explained Near the beginning of the August 4 New Milford Borough meeting, an item on the treasurer's report became a topic of discussion. The item in question was a charge from Delta, which company took core samples of decking to ascertain depth. It was explained that every two years a company inspects the bridges, and had expressed concern over the depth of the decking. The company had estimated the decking at eight inches, which estimated the static weight to be such that the beams were not rated sufficiently. They mandated the closing of the bridge. The borough then asked Delta Engineering to come and perform the core sample test. The decking was found to be just over 5 inches, which brought the static load down to such a level that the beams would hold the bridge and additional requisite three tons. Council had made a decision to restrict the bridge to two tons regardless. Another bill questioned was for the pouring of the floor at the Blue Ridge park. There were already two cracks at mortar joints. The question was raised as to whether the borough ought to pay for this, and it was decided that the payment should be held to see how the flooring was fixed. The Susquehanna County Economic Development board sent a note regarding its annual breakfast meeting. Anyone who wished to attend was to let the secretary know. A woman wrote a letter thanking the borough for offering swimming lessons at the local pool. She called the instructors friendly and knowledgeable, and wished to let council know how wonderful they were. Although not a borough resident, she let council know how much she appreciated having a pool to swim in on the hot days. A letter had been received from DEP regarding the Lyncott Landfill. It stated that the agency was monitoring the gas and oil companies, that they had issued the permits but planned to ensure that they followed regulations. There was a statement that any person aggrieved by this action could appeal the completed decision. Someone wrote the borough requesting that a monument honoring a local resident, be erected in the park. The letter requested that it be read aloud, and called him a pillar of the community, praising his work in the borough. The person who wrote the letter was doing so from South Carolina, having moved there years ago. The mayor disputed the letter writer's claims that monuments were being removed from the park, and that the housing project had been stopped. In fact, the proposed renovation of the old plastic factory had received funding from PHFA, per its low-income tax credit program. It was suggested that as the resident lived in the township, the letter be forwarded there. The gazebo had been painted, it was reported. The floor still needed to be fixed, and the mechanics of this next step were discussed. The question was raised as to whether or not the borough needed to stick with the aforementioned company to inspect its bridges. It was confirmed that this company was contracted with by the state, but suggested that Delta could be contracted with to inspect the other bridges. Only two were inspected regularly, due to being at least 20 feet. It was decided that the secretary would further research this. A list had been provided to the maintenance man regarding potholes. It was confirmed that some had been filled. There was some discussion regarding a street sealing schedule. Money had been set aside. Church Street had received a lot of complaints when it was first paved, but council members felt that once it was packed down it had become a very nice surface. The brake retarder ordinance had been sent to the borough's lawyer. The planning commission was also working on the consolidated plan. Additionally, commission members felt strongly that the fire escrow ordinance was a good idea, and should be looked into more closely. The chimney on the borough building was reportedly leaning. It was decided that someone would be asked to look into it to assess the situation. A ditch was supposed to be put in place at the Blue Ridge park. Ms. Gulick felt that this was the borough's concern because they had packed the parking lot down enough that the water no longer was absorbed. It was decided that the maintenance department would be asked to build a berm to block water flow from neighboring yards, as had been planned in the past. It was also suggested that some shrubs or other foliage be planted to absorb the water. Mr. Carey said that the police had made a thorough check of the park and the pool and complimented them on this. He said that this had helped, and that damage had been reduced. It was stated that if the state police were ever unable to respond, the local police would. (This statement was in response to a visitor's query regarding four wheelers in the borough.) The bids for the paving project at the Blue Ridge park were opened. ProSeal was the only bid received, at a price of $28,000 total. This compared to the minimum of $58,000 which was budgeted for the paving. This would pave a six foot wide walking track. It was stated that some other costs were coming in higher than projected, such that the excess funds could be reassigned. The motion was made and accepted to award the bid. It was stated that the gas companies were sniffing around again. Southwest's current payment offer was $4,000 an acre and 18% royalty. The borough had approximately 16 acres, and was motioning to put out to bid for a gas lease. In the past when such bids had been put out no one had responded. It was brought to Ms. Gulick' attention, she said, that a resident had a rather large pool, and she suggested that the code enforcement officer be sent to investigate it. A pool deeper than 36 inches required a permit, and the borough secretary stated that such a permit had been acquired. There was some question about whether such a pool needed to also have a fence around it. It was clarified that for above ground pools of a certain height the walls of the pool would act as the fence, and only the entrance would need to be fenced or gated. Montrose Hires Code Enforcement Officer The August 1 Montrose Borough meeting saw decision on some matters and discussion on others. Topics covered included the hiring of a Code Enforcement Officer, the opening of bids, parking meters, and a sewer system process update. Mr. Granahan had been at the Restoration Committee meeting, he reported. They had received a grant in 2006 to paint facades. Unfortunately, paperwork hadn't been kept as DCED desired, and the agency now wanted proof that the people who received this check actually used to it to paint a facade. The committee had gone back to Craige's store and obtained some documentation, but it was not the proof the state desired. The still missing receipts totaled approximately $30,000 worth of funds. As the agency involved was DCED, the situation could effect the borough's ability to receive liquid fuels money. What was needed was for someone with an accounting background to go through, Mr. Granahan said, and essentially act as a collections agent to obtain the receipts. It was confirmed that regardless the situation would not hold up the liquid fuels money for this year, but it was uncertain what other repercussions could follow. It was decided that the matter would be further discussed at the following month's meeting, and that a representative of the Restoration Committee would be invited to attend the meeting. Calls had been received regarding Rt. 167, and the sound of the trucks in the middle of the night. The noise on Grow Avenue was also mentioned. Mr. Granahan asked if, as had been done with another road, the borough might be able to apply to PennDOT, to restrict them. It was responded that on certain grades they would not permit a restriction, which is why it hadn't been done in the past. The meters on Lake Avenue were mentioned, as had been previously discussed. They had not put them in yet, but the question was raised regarding whether or not a resolution needed to be amended. A motion was made to advertise the ordinance to put the meters in on the west side of Lake Avenue, and to finish putting them up to the no parking area on the east side. In January of 2012 the county tax collecting authority was to take over, as mandated by legislation. Central Tax Bureau was the entity that had been chosen as the tax collection agency. The bureau treasurer and Mr. Granahan had gone to the municipal authority to look at their records, as had been requested at the special meeting. The accounting records were found to be very neat, organized, clear, and easy to understand, and everything had been made available to them. There were two outstanding issues in regards to MMA, Mr. Granahan said, one being the collections. The borough had made some strong recommendations to them regarding this, one of which dealt with the ability for them to accept credit card transactions. One of the things they wanted to put in place was the ability for people to pay their sewer bill at the borough building. Also, at the time their billing function was separate from Quickbooks, and the two systems didn't speak. Switching their billing system over to Quickbooks was another recommendation, especially as it could handle credit cards. The borough secretary stated, however, that with the credit card information she had provided the authority's quick book system would have to be updated. The other problem which needed to be addressed was receivables, and the treasurer was looking at this more closely. The amortization schedule was another item which had been requested. The authority requested that council members attend their meeting that month, and some were planning on doing so. The next night from 6-9 p.m., the police were scheduled to help run a dunk tank for National Night Out. Two police had volunteered to be in it. The sheriff's office and the district attorney were to be there, along with various other organizations. The surface treatment bid (there was only one) was opened. The bid was from Vestal Asphalt; only one other company performs that service and when contacted they had responded that they were too busy. The bid came in at $53,746.25 overall, lower than expected. The motion was made to approve the bid pending approval from the PennDOT liquid fuels representative. The parking lot bids were also opened, for the borough parking lot. Broome Bituminous bid $29,740, and Harris paving bid $39,800 total. One bid was for feet however, and one for yards so there was a moment of quick mathematical figuring to compare the two. The larger quote included some minor prep work, but it was stated that the borough could do this itself. The lower bid was motioned and accepted. The chief administrative officer for pension plans was appointed. This was for a Pennsylvania audit. The desire had been to have someone available on Friday, and the council president was not available. A motion was made to appoint Mr. Granahan to this position, and despite his slight reticence it went through. Mr. Lamont was appointed to the streets and buildings committee, while people were being appointed. A couple of candidates had been interviewed for the zoning position. A decision had been made to offer the position to Officer James Smith, at a rate of $13, with the caveat that he not be allowed to exceed 37.5 total scheduled hours. When Smith Caterson gave the borough the bids for the building, due to the borough's not being a taxable entity they were not charged sales tax. The revenue department was saying however that it ought to have been taxable, and fees were being charged to the company. The building was being called modular housing, which was taxable without exception. This was disputed, however. There was reluctance to pursue the appeal process due to time and cost. If however the department of revenue remained adamant, Mr. Reimel expressed his opinion that perhaps since the borough was so adamant that it was not a taxable entity perhaps the borough ought to help remit the cost. The tax would be factored to be 60% of the project cost times 6% tax. Mr. Lamont originally expressed his opinion against doing this remittance, expressing his concern as to how it would be paid. Mr. Reimel maintained that there was another section which dealt specifically with a modular building not being utilized as housing, where the regular tax code would apply. Originally the contractors had wanted to tax it, but a few council members had insisted they were not a taxable entity. The solicitor spoke up fearing that perhaps this discussion was slightly premature. Also, she was concerned that capitulating at this point would establish a precedent that the borough might not want to establish. The reason it was on discussion items and not action items, it was stated, was because he had told them he would bring it up, and had now done so. It seemed to him that this matter was fairly straightforward. Mr. Schuster suggested that the borough solicitor draft a letter to the department of revenue.
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