Barely more than 5 years since the great flood of June 2006, and little more than a week after hurricane Irene blew through, Susquehanna County has endured - is still enduring - another catastrophic flood, the remains of tropical storm Lee. More than 2 days of steady drenching rain left some residents with no way to get home, others with no home to go to, and businesses with the decision about whether to rebuild yet again.
The Hallstead Plaza shopping area was once more under water…
The Blue Ridge Motel in New Milford was an island in Meylert Creek…
And the iconic Green Gables next door was a water park, with workers trying to keep the venerable landmark from succumbing once more…
At the other end of New Milford, Bobby Webber, 41 years on Main Street, surveyed the surging current of Moss Creek…
Jerry Neary, Proprietor of Endless Mountains Ice Cream in Hallstead said he was unlikely to re-open for the slow winter soup trade, even if his chili is the best around…
Mr. Neary was holing up for the time being at the Blue Ridge School campus, closed for classes at the beginning of a new school year, but operated as a shelter by the Red Cross…
Donald Diehl (pictured) of the Scranton chapter, and Fred Spatt of Olyphant said that the Elementary School cafeteria was housing 48 people as of Thursday morning. Montrose chapter volunteers monitored the shelter the night before and were expected back for the Thursday-Friday night shift. With this storm covering a much broader area than the one in 2006, the Red Cross is stretched thin, and sharing resources.
Hallstead and Great Bend Boroughs were cut off by the flooding. The back way into Hallstead along Old Route 11 was washed by Beaver Creek…
Beaver Creek is right next to the intersection with Franklin Hill Road, which became another river sloshing about a house across the road…
Great Bend Borough has been trying to get PennDOT and the federal highway administration to put up a gate at the visitor center on the Interstate ever since the flood of 2006. When the little town in the bend of the great river is inundated, the visitor center may be the only way out. So far this is all they’ve come up with…
There was a little irony in the flooding along Salt Lick Creek in New Milford Township (Rain for Rent water trailers)…
And there was a bit of pathos as well, along Summit Street in New Milford.
DEEDS
Harold R. and Carol A. Smith to Juanita G. Smith, in Bridgewater Township for one dollar.
James W. Manley and Betsey A. Crass to Russell P. and Cheryl L. Swetter, in Herrick Township for $59,000.00.
Nancy A. and John Staffaroni to John and Judith Rekus, in Clifford Township for $27,000.00.
Elizabeth Ann Hall to Sean D. Veety, in Auburn Township for $181,500.00.
Jacob J. and Laura A. Allenbaugh (NBM) Laura A. Pistoia to Laura A. and Jacob J. Allenbaugh, in Hop Bottom Borough for one dollar.
Frank and Vivian Gomberg to Paul and Kristy Gomberg, in Auburn Township for $100,000.00.
Sherwood M., Anne N., Stewart E. and Doris D. Walls to Andrew T. and Maria A. Corea, in Silver Lake Township for $285,000.00.
Geoffrey (AKA) Geoffrey L., Jr. Moore (estate) to Antinnes Landmark Properties LLC, in Brooklyn Township for $120,000.00.
Hycin P. and Toni Ann Thatcher to Angelo and Jacqueline J. Scarfalloto, in Bridgewater Township for $200,000.00.
Robert D. and Gloria J. Anderson to Bruce D. and Cynthia H. Mikels, in Silver Lake Township for $600,000.00.
Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (by trustee) and US Bank to Damon J. and Melanie R. Sisler, in Susquehanna for $1,700.00.
Laurel Allen to Richard E. Curtis, in Forest City for $1,000.00.
Michele and Jason Daniel Crisman (AKA) Jason D. Hurlburt to Michele Crisman, in Auburn Township for one dollar.
Michele Crisman to Robert L. and Mary J. Bonavita, in Auburn Township for $17,000.00.
United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to Thomas W. and Lori A. Norton, in Silver Lake Township for $35,000.00.
Elizabeth A. Vanwormer (trust by trustee) to Betsy Kent and Amy Nicholson, in Silver Lake Township for one dollar.
Joseph, Jr. and Katie Lynn Wynne to Paul Peter Burik, in Lenox Township for $167,000.00.
Nancy F. Decker, Cynthia and Thomas Weston, Linda Farnsworth-Weinblatt (AKA) Linda E. Farnsworth and Howard Weinblatt to Nancy F. Decker, Cynthia Weston and Linda E. Farnsworth, in Great Bend Township for one dollar.
Joan and David D. Florance, Judith A. Welch and Patricia L. Standish to Joan and David D. Florance, Judith A. Welch and Patricia L. and Raymond Standish, in New Milford Township for one dollar.
Donald K. and Marybeth DeWitt to Marybeth DeWitt, in Oakland Township for one dollar.
MARRIAGES
Anthony J. Stelacio and Donna Stamile-Porch, both of Rio Grande, NJ.
James Heaman and Deborah Suefitch, both of New Milford.
Jason Scott Campbell of Athens and Maureen Elizabeth Kane of Montrose.
Peter R. Conigliaro and Jolene Otasevic, both of Hallstead.
Robert Lloyd Kerr and Angela M. Schwartztrauber, both of Hop Bottom.
William R. Allen and Lisa Marie Martin, both of Montrose.
Roy Delvin Terry and Rebecca Ranae Holmes-Scheminski, both of Ada, OK.
BENCH WARRANTS
The Susquehanna County Domestic Relations Section has outstanding bench warrants for the following individuals as of 10:08 a.m. on September 9, 2011.
Duane M. Aldrich, Craig J. Anderson, BillieJean Beemer, Tonya S. Birchard, Brent V. Birtch, Christopher Brenner, Daniel M. Brown, Douglas Buckman, Howard A. Burns, III, Bradley C. Button, Jason J. Carroll, Heather R. DeBoer, John F. Feeley, David J. Fischer, Dustin A. Godfrey, Christopher J. Kingsbury, Cortney Knight, Eric C. Kohlhepp, Erik E. Krisovitch, Lee Labor, Charlie J. Legere, Carlos L. Leiser, Michael Maryasz, Donald Palmer, Vincent J. Petriello, Jeremy Presson, Shane M. Repsher, Perry Rohan, Roy E. Rosenbaum, David J. Shiner, Eric J. Snell, Kurtis L. Vogler, Steven G. Warner, James M. Warner, Jamie L. Williams, Sr., Steven G. Wormuth, Patrick L. Yachymiak.
Please contact the Domestic Relations Section at 570-278-4600 ext. 170 with any information on the location of these individuals.
CRASH
On September 4 at 2:20 p.m. Theodore Bakbakrito of West Hampstead, NY was attempting a u-turn on State Highway 171 in Great Bend Township when he was struck by a vehicle driven by a juvenile male from Hallstead. All involved were utilizing seat belts; only the juvenile male and his passenger sustained minor injury.
CRASH
On September 7 at 6:20 p.m. Ivy Orapallo of Susquehanna was traveling westbound on SR 706 when, encountering running water on the roadway caused by sudden rainfall, she lost control of her vehicle which exited the right side of the roadway and struck a dirt embankment. The vehicle then came back to the left and struck the flooded ditch, causing disabling damage to the left front wheel. A seat belt was in use; only minor injury was sustained.
BURGLARY
Will Talbert of Auburn Township reported that two shotguns which had been in his residence were missing. There was a suspect and the investigation was continuing as of the time of report. The incident occurred between August 6 and September 6.
BURGLARY
Sometime between the 1st and 6th of September entry was gained to the residence of a 76 year old gentleman in Rush Township. Cash in excess of $500 was removed from the house. During commission the robbery was not detected. There were no suspects as of the time of report.
CRIMINAL MISCHIEF
On September 5 between 10:30 and 11:00 p.m. a large rock was thrown at a 1998 International bus owned by Robert Curley of Montrose. The incident occurred in Dimock; anyone with information is asked to please contact the police.
BURGLARY
On September 7 at 4 a.m. forcible entry was made into the Dandy Mart Convenience Store in Rush Township, by means of the breaking of a northeastern side glass window. Once inside, two cartons of Marlboro brand cigarettes, five cartons of Newport brand cigarettes, and a large bag of Criss Cross brand mint smoking tobacco were removed from within, all without authorization or consent. One participant was identified as wearing a gray hooded style sweatshirt with writing on the chest area; an over the head mask displaying a white skull upon the face; black pants; tan colored gloves; and sneakers. Anyone with any information is asked to contact PSP Gibson and reference the incident. The investigation was ongoing as of the time of report.
CRASH
On September 7 Marcos Zavala of New Bern, NC was traveling southbound on SR 167 in Silver Lake Township when he fell asleep while negotiating a left hand curve, exited the roadway off the west berm and struck a tree, coming to a rest at that location. A seat belt was in use; the driver was not injured.
BURGLARY
On September 6 at 12:29 p.m. someone entered a warehouse in Great Bend Township located on SR 171 and removed an undetermined amount of copper wiring from the building. The investigation was continuing as of the time of report; anyone with information is asked to please contact PSP Gibson.
BURGLARY
On September 6 at 4 a.m. forcible entry was made into the Lenox Pharmacy in that township, by means of a broken eastern side window. Once inside, prescription medication was removed from within, without authorization or consent. Anyone with information is asked to please contact PSP Gibson and reference the incident. The investigation was ongoing as of the time of report.
THEFT
On September 4 scrap metal was removed from the private property belonging to Jeremy Ebhardt of Susquehanna, without information. Anyone with information regarding this crime is asked to call the Gibson police.
THEFT
Between the 25th of August and the 5th of September copper tubing leading into the residence of Kelly Gonbita of Equinunk, PA was cut. The incident occurred in Herrick Township; anyone with information is asked to please contact the Gibson police.
BURGLARY
On September 5 at 12:30 a.m. troopers responded to the Hazlett residence to the report of a domestic disturbance. As a result of the investigation Shane Hazlett of Montrose was removed from the residence and ordered not to return. While at a friend's house he began using Facebook to harass and threaten family members. Then, he obtained a ride to a relative's residence, and once there began threatening to kill his family and friends. The family locked themselves in the house, terrified by his threats and actions. The accused then got a fire extinguisher and threw it through the front door window, reaching in, unlocking the door, and going inside. During his subsequent tirade he punched out the tooth of one relative, kicked another, and choked a third He then began to threaten everybody again until a couple of family members pushed him out the open door. He threatened to kill himself and walked to a barn on the property. He began damaging property within the barn. He then attempted to ride an injured horse, but got bucked off. The owner of the home and other family members again confronted him to keep him from hurting the horse and to order him off of the property. Out of fear of his previous threats and actions, one armed herself with a .22 caliber pistol and ordered him off the property. He reused to leave the property and also refused to let go of the horse's lead, standing on the ground with the horse by his size. When he noticed the firearm, Hazlett started screaming at the woman and charged her while pulling the horse with him. She fired the weapon, striking him in the chest and stopping his charge. She and her son (both of whom are emt's) immediately called 911 and started emergency care on Hazlett. He was transported to Wilson Memorial hospital in Johnson City where he was treated and released. Upon his release Johnson City police department took him into custody for charges filed in Pennsylvania. He was charged with burglary, criminal trespass, terroristic threats, simple assault, recklessly endangering another, harassment, and stalking.
HARASSMENT
On September 3 at 8:50 a.m. Paul Smith of Carbondale is accused of contacting a local woman via telephone and telling her he was going to kill her and her whole family. He was charged with harassment and charges were filed at court 34-3-02.
SIMPLE ASSAULT
On September 2 at 12:45 p.m. Katrina Merrit is accused of assaulting an unnamed female victim in the parking lot of the Clifford Hotel in that township. The victim was transported via ambulance to Marian Community Hospital in Carbondale for treatment. The extent of her injuries is unknown at this time. The investigation was continuing as of the time of report.
CRIMINAL MISCHIEF
Between the 4th and 5th of September a large rock was thrown at the 2011 Chevy Silverado pick up truck belonging to Kenneth Walsh of Montrose. The passenger side rear window was damaged. Anyone with information is asked to please contact the Gibson police.
HARASSMENT
On September 5 at 1 p.m. a 76 year old woman grabbed the arm of a 70 year old woman at the Price Chopper in Bridgewater Township. No injury was sustained.
THEFT BY UNLAWFUL TAKING
Between the 14th of August and 4th of September Leonard Mermelstein of Brooklyn, NY reported to police that two 53' trailers and two steel cargo containers were stolen from his property in Oakland Township. Mermelstein is the owner of Patterson poly products. The trailers were last seen being hauled away by a heavy duty wrecker orange or cream in color sometime within the last ten days. Anyone with any information is asked to please contact the Gibson police.
CRIMINAL MISCHIEF
On September 5 at 3:30 a.m. Lawrence Hardic of the Montrose area discovered that damage had been done to his 2010 Chevrolet Camarao while it was parked in rush township. He said that the damage was perpetrated by the throwing of a rock onto the said vehicle. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Gibson police and reference the incident. The investigation was ongoing as of the time of report.
CRASH
On September 4 at 4:18 p.m. Tomas Garza III of Rio Grande City, TX was traveling east on Ebbs Corner Road in Franklin Township when he took his eyes off the road to look at his GPS and exited the road into a ditch. The driver then gassed the vehicle, shooting him across both lanes into a tree. A seat belt was in use at the time of collision; no injury was sustained. The driver was to be cited as a result of the investigation, as of the time of report.
PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS
On September 3 at 10:10 p.m. Gibson police received a report that a man was standing in the middle of US Highway 11, near the Burger King yelling at cars passing by. Upon arrival, the accused was found nearby and determined to be intoxicated. A non-traffic citation was filed against the accused, Todd Wormuth of Great Bend, charging him with one summary count of public drunkenness.
BURGLARY
On August 24 between 10 and 11 p.m. the residence of James Morris was entered by means of a door pried open with an unknown instrument. Once inside several firearms were removed. These included: New England Firearms, .223 caliber, break action single shot rifle, with synthetic stock and bsa 4-16 scope; Remington 7mm, mag, bolt action, wood stock and vx-3 Leupold 3-9 scope; Savage .222 bolt action rifle with wood stock and 3-9 Bushnell sportview scope; Mossberg 500, 12 gauge shotgun with synthetic stock, and Wingmaster 870 12 gauge shotgun, left handed, with wood stock.. Anyone with information is asked to please contact the Gibson police.
HARASSMENT
On September 2 at 6:30 p.m. Kim Merritt of Susquehanna was picked up by a woman of Great Bend in her 2000 Dodge Durango. While driving on State Route 29, the accused allegedly slapped the victim. The victim pulled the car over and started to walk when the accused threw her to the ground. That's when police were called and responded. The accused left prior to police arrival. The victim had damage to the front windshield from the accused. Based upon the information received, charges of harassment and criminal mischief were filed against the accused at district court 34-3-01.
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE
On September 1 at 6:20 p.m. William Allen, Jr. of Meshoppen was traveling south on SR 29 in Springville Township, at the same time as Thomas McMillen of Johnstown was pulling out from SR 2004. Allen had brake failure and was unable to slow down, striking the rear of McMillen's power unit with the front left portion of his truck. Both units were stopped in the roadway upon police arrival. Allen was not utilizing a seat belt; he was not injured. A passenger and the other driver were both utilizing seat belts; no injuries were sustained.
CRASH
On September 1 a Hallstead man was traveling south on SR 167 in Silver Lake Township when he lost control of his vehicle for an unknown reason, striking a large tree on the east side berm with the left front side of the jeep. The grand Cherokee then flipped onto its roof, coming to an uncontrolled stop upside down, facing southeast in the northbound travel lane. It was in this position upon police arrival. The use of safety equipment was unknown; major injury was sustained.
COLLISION-HR
On September 2 at 1:26 a.m. an unknown driver was traveling southbound on SR 2063 in Harford Township in a 2004 jeep grand Cherokee, PA registration #HFM9118. The driver lost control of the vehicle as it was traveling south. It exited the roadway and overturned. The driver fled the scene prior to police arrival. The investigation was ongoing as of the time of report.
ASSAULT-HARASSMENT
On September 1 at 11:05 p.m. the police were summoned to the flying J travel plaza in New Milford for what was reported as an assault occurring thereat. Upon arrival and subsequent investigation it was discovered that Ivan Rosario of the New York City area and Yu Lin of the Brooklyn area were both traveling on a bus trip from New York City. Rosario threw a cellular phone, striking Lin in the left eye. This required Lin to be transported via New Milford ambulance to CMC Scranton hospital for medical treatment. The investigation was ongoing as of the time of report. Charges for violation of pacc were to be pending.
TERRORISTIC THREATS
On August 22 at 6:10 p.m. a 12 year old juvenile male allegedly threatened two 13 year old juvenile females with a pocket knife. The incident occurred in Great Bend; anyone with any information is asked to please contact PSP Gibson at (570) 465-3154.
HARASSMENT
On September 1 at 9:00 p.m. Katrina Merrit of Clifford allegedly grabbed the arm of a woman from Clifford in an attempt to get the victim's cellular phone. Charges were filed on the defendant at district court 34-3-03.
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE
On September 1 at 5:07 p.m. Timothy Byfield of Benton, IL was traveling west on SR 848 when, while attempting to make a left turn onto SR 2081, he took the turn too fast, and the tractor and trailer flipped on its west side. The incident occurred in New Milford Township. The vehicle came to rest on SR 2081 blocking the southbound lane of travel. Speed and load securement were factors in this crash. Byfield was cited for driving vehicle at an unsafe speed, overturned vehicles, roadways laned for traffic, and load securement.
ROBBERY-UPDATED INFORMATION
On September 1 at 12:10 p.m. John Dockens, accused of robbing the Pennstar Bank in Susquehanna, was arrested in the parking lot of the Convenient Food Mart located off of SR 374 in Lenox Township. Dockens was located inside a stolen Subaru which he was seen leaving the scene of the Pennstar bank in, on August 19. Dockens was remanded to the Susquehanna County Correctional Facility. Bail was set at $50,000. Crystal Tripp, a 25 year old female from Jermyn, was also arrested at the food mart. Trip was taken into custody and was charged with one count of receiving stolen property.
HARASSMENT
Kevin Link of Montrose was cited for violation of PA cc/2709 harassment at the Meadowview care facility in Bridgewater Township. The incident occurred on August 31 at 9:20 p.m.
BURGLARY
Between the 29th and 31st of August, between 8 and 11:30 a.m. scrap metal and prescription medication tablets were removed from the residence and scrap yard belonging to Raymond Hunsinger of Montrose. The investigation was ongoing as of the time of report. Anyone with information is asked to please contact Gibson police and reference the incident.
COLLISION
On August 31 at 5:20 p.m. John Fasset of New Milford was traveling south on SR 11 entering Great Bend Borough when he failed to negotiate a left hand curve in the road. The vehicle went off the road, striking a sign post, a stone wall, and a fence prior to coming to rest. Fassett was not wearing a seat belt and his head struck the windshield, causing a cut. He was transported to Wilson Hospital by the Great Bend/Hallstead ambulance. Great Bend volunteer fire company responded. The truck, which was totaled, was removed form the scene by Marv's garage.
TRAFFIC CRASH
On August 30 at 4 p.m. the truck of James Rushfeldt of Dresser, WI was parked in the parking lot of the Flying J next to another truck. Rushfeldt was working on the trailer when the truck that was parked next to him began to leave. Rushfeldt didn't hear the truck leaving because of other trucks running in the parking lot. He turned around, stepping into the path of the passenger side trailer portion of the other truck, which was leaving the parking space. The truck ran over his right food causing unknown injuries. Rushfeldt was transported to Endless Mountain Health Care via Harford ambulance. He did not obtain the plate of the truck but said it was a white Landstar trailer. Anyone with information is asked to please contact Gibson police.
CRIMINAL MISCHIEF
On August 16 at approximately 10:45 p.m. Eugene Marconi of Auburn Township had the window of his residence shot with a BB gun, causing damage to the screen and window. Anyone with information is asked to contact Gibson police.
THEFT OF A MOTOR VEHICLE
Sometime between August 26 and 27 an ATV belonging to Daniel Richardson of Nicholson was stolen while parked outside his Lenox Township residence. The vehicle was a 2006 honda trx-400-ex ATV, black with white flames. Anyone with information is asked to contact Gibson police.
THEFT BY UNLAWFUL TAKING
Sometime between the 27th and 29th of August, the open barn belonging to Carl Cobb of Kingship was entered. Tow chainsaws, a heavy duty plunge router, a biscuit cutter, 4.5 angle grinder, and a dovetail jib were removed. The items were valued at 1,300 dollars. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Gibson police.
THEFT BY UNLAWFUL TAKING
On August 29 at 3:30 p.m. Lisa Jones of Great Bend gave a white male $25 to go and get her groceries. The white male took the money and never returned with any groceries. The victim said the male was approximately 6 foot tall and very skinny. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Gibson police.
HARASSMENT
On August 27 at 11 a.m. a Hallstead man and woman became involved in a verbal altercation. The man is alleged to have thrown coffee onto and pushed the woman. The woman is alleged to have come at Lawrence in an aggressive manner attempting to strike and kick him. Both parties will be cited for harassment.
THEFT
On August 29 between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. several garbage bags of aluminum cans were taken from a storage area of the American legion. The manager of American legion is currently downloading video from a security camera. This investigation is continuing pending the video. Anyone with information is asked to contact PSP Gibson at (570) 465-3154.
CRASH
On August 29 at 11:40 a.m. an unnamed river in the report lost control of the vehicle due to a blow out of his vehicles left rear tire. The vehicle exited the roadway off the east berm and struck a guide rail end and then struck several small trees. It came to rest at that location damaging the property owner's lawn in the process. The operator was not injured. The vehicle was removed form the lawn by Rod's Towing to facilitate the changing of its tire.
BURGLARY
Between July 30 and August 29 the unoccupied residence of a 57 year old woman from Dimock Township was entered, and items belonging to the victim removed from within. Anyone with information is asked to call PSP Gibson and reference the incident.
RETAIL THEFT
On August 26 at 4:10 p.m. Jason Wheeler of Vermontville, NY is accused of pumping gasoline from the Great Bend Sunoco station without paying. A non-traffic citation was filed in district court 34-3-02.
THEFT
Between the 26th and 27th of August a red and black Lincoln welder valued at $3500 was stolen from a site in Rush Township where numerous pieces of equipment were stored on a well site. The items belonged to United Drilling Inc. of Plumsteadville, PA.
HARASSMENT
On August 26 at 2:50 p.m. Gerard Lockwood is accused of, while involved in a verbal altercation, stating to a female “I ought to blow a hole in you.” Gerard was to be cited for harassment as a result of this investigation.
THEFT
Between the 8th and 24th of August a 2 burner char-broil grill was stolen from the back deck of the residence of Patrick Hora of Windfield, NJ, taken from Brooklyn Twp.
THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE
On August 27 between 2 and 3 a.m. Roger Brown of Great Bend reported that his green 1998 Chevrolet s-10 pickup was stolen from the VFW parking lot in Great Bend Borough. At the time of the theft the vehicle was bearing Pennsylvania registration yya7875.
Anyone with information is asked to call PSP Gibson at (570) 465-3154.
In an ongoing effort to receive DEP permission to begin a sewer project in Forest City, borough solicitor Paul E. Smith announced at a business meeting held September 6 that he had prepared a proposed ordinance for the testing of private laterals prior to hook-up to interceptor lines. Smith called the proposal “the most cost-effective [solution] that will address [DEP’s] concern,” although the actual cost for testing laterals, which involves cameraing the lines, is uncertain at this point. Smith explained that using a camera to evaluate the condition of existing laterals represents a compromise between total lateral replacement, which DEP had ordered, and improper discharges from faulty laterals. Smith added that a “number [of laterals] have been replaced within ten years that are probably fine.” Robert Trusky, president of council, reminded residents that DEP has yet to accept the cameraing solution.
Employers and taxpayers interested in learning about the EIT tax collection changes going into effect in 2012 may attend an information seminar in the Mountain View High School Auditorium on Thursday, September 15 at 1 p.m.
On August 22, the borough received a $2,924 check from a 2009 Recycling Program Performance Grant. It was noted that this amount does not cover the entire cost of recycling, but some council members stated that it “helps” and explained that garbage bag fees also help supplement recycling expenses.
Concerning modifications to the borough building, Champion Roofing was contacted to begin roof repairs; however, council is still awaiting the receipt of a certificate of insurance and a tentative start date. On August 31 and September 1, a retro light-fitting project was completed, with a cost to the borough of $805 after a PP&L rebate and a grant from Northern Tier. The initial project cost was over $6,000. Installation of a backflow device is required at the borough building, as well, with an estimated cost of $400.
FC Awaits DEP Approval
By Stephanie Everett
In an ongoing effort to receive DEP permission to begin a sewer project in Forest City, borough solicitor Paul E. Smith announced at a business meeting held September 6 that he had prepared a proposed ordinance for the testing of private laterals prior to hook-up to interceptor lines. Smith called the proposal “the most cost-effective [solution] that will address [DEP’s] concern,” although the actual cost for testing laterals, which involves cameraing the lines, is uncertain at this point. Smith explained that using a camera to evaluate the condition of existing laterals represents a compromise between total lateral replacement, which DEP had ordered, and improper discharges from faulty laterals. Smith added that a “number [of laterals] have been replaced within ten years that are probably fine.” Robert Trusky, president of council, reminded residents that DEP has yet to accept the cameraing solution.
Employers and taxpayers interested in learning about the EIT tax collection changes going into effect in 2012 may attend an information seminar in the Mountain View High School Auditorium on Thursday, September 15 at 1 p.m.
On August 22, the borough received a $2,924 check from a 2009 Recycling Program Performance Grant. It was noted that this amount does not cover the entire cost of recycling, but some council members stated that it “helps” and explained that garbage bag fees also help supplement recycling expenses.
Concerning modifications to the borough building, Champion Roofing was contacted to begin roof repairs; however, council is still awaiting the receipt of a certificate of insurance and a tentative start date. On August 31 and September 1, a retro light-fitting project was completed, with a cost to the borough of $805 after a PP&L rebate and a grant from Northern Tier. The initial project cost was over $6,000. Installation of a backflow device is required at the borough building, as well, with an estimated cost of $400.
