The New Milford Borough council met on December 1, with topics discussed ranging from codes, to refrigerators, and budgets to Santa. It was the last voting meeting for two council members, as the reorganization meeting was scheduled for early January, in accordance with the law.

There was discussion of sheds and buildings which might be in violation of code. It was stated that the assessment office had looked into the situation on Peck Hill. The assessment office had called COG, and learned that there were no permits for some of the recent work. COG had stated that the only way they could do anything was if the borough ordered them to cease work and sent the codes enforcement officer to investigate. It would then be on the property owner to produce the permits. It was suggested that council have the CEO look into the matter.

The mayor said that the buildings were not the only problem - at the top of the borough's street there were three huge rocks, and he wasn't certain the road could be plowed. It would be very difficult to turn around. Also, he continued, up on Montrose Street, the hill was dug out and water was running down the driveway and out on the street. The mayor said that the property owner did have a few permits for sheds, but it was thought that there might be fewer permits than sheds. Mr. White said that would be up to COG to determine. The mayor opined that the property owner was improving things, but that perhaps he was going about it the wrong way. Ms. Scarborough suggested that they ask him for a permit for each building, and order him to cease work if he did not have them.

During the mayor's report, it was stated that a tree had been removed from the park. A grate for Depot Street was discussed. The grate had been stolen, as had some municipal authority manhole covers. The mayor suggested welding it down. Council agreed.

There was some discussion regarding the creek near Johnson Street, in which it was stated the water level was so high that it was causing trouble on the road. It was full of rocks, and there was a swamp because of it. Water was bubbling out of the drain, and rising from potholes. This led to talk of that creek further up as well, on Church Street. It was suggested that the state and railroad be contacted to help clean out their portion of the creek, to forestall flooding in the spring. A visitor said that the borough had a permit to clean out their section, and that the efforts needed to be concerted. It was reiterated however that the borough did not own the creeks, that the property lines from residents actually extended to halfway through the creek on either side. Mrs. Gulick stated that she understood caring for a creek was financially hard however. A visitor asked about the FEMA hazard mitigation, and it was responded that FEMA had not yet performed a site visit.

Ms. Scarborough broached the topic of parking on Main Street, especially with winter coming. Near the Market for instance, it was said, it could be difficult to see when cars parked on the road. This is why parking had been forbidden there in the first place. Parking is restricted from the corner of the Market to the street. Some people in town were also parking on the sidewalks. A visitor stated that there was an ordinance forbidding this, though it only applied to areas where there was a designated sidewalk. It was confirmed that there was a sidewalk by the store.

Ms. Gulick spoke up, wishing to remind people that everyone was in charge of the police. While she did the scheduling and was a liaison, she was not in charge of them and did not know everything. It was said that if residents had issues with the police, they needed to let the council know. There had been a lot of positive feedback regarding the police, but when complaints arose, she said, people often assumed she was responsible. Sometimes council did not know something was going on unless they were told.

No one had yet come forward to perform back up snow plowing. It was suggested that the borough needed a list of people, as one visitor said that he would be one of several backups but would not be the only one. It was suggested that the personnel committee might also want to look at the rate of pay.

An ordinance was required to fix the tax rate for 2012, as it was being raised 2 mils. The ordinance was motioned and approved. The fire loss insurance ordinance was similarly motioned and accepted.

The January reorganization meeting was supposed to be scheduled on the first Monday of the year, however that was a holiday. The meeting was scheduled, then, to be held on Tuesday the third. A motion to advertise this date was made and seconded. The regular meeting was to follow.

Terri Gulick stated that the Santa in the park event was a huge success. There were probably in excess of 120 children, based upon the number of goodie bags which were dispersed. The girls who assisted were recognized. Mrs. Zick then thanked the ladies who organized it, and the Men's Club. Eleanor Lempke was thanked for buying all the candy for the event.

This was Jane Zick and Sue Abbott's last official meeting. Mrs. Gulick recognized Jane for the number of years she had served on council, and for her work on it. Mrs. Zick said that she enjoyed it all. Mrs. Abbot was also recognized.

Finally, a report was given on the spillway cleanup. The first Saturday there had been close to 20 people clearing it out by hand. Several volunteers were acknowledged. By the most recent work day they had reached the “island,” and the borough was working on the permits to remove this. A variety of debris had been found and removed, including tires, a telephone, and even a refrigerator with a padlock on it, though no one had yet opened that.

A visitor queried as to whether anything could be done further along Route Eleven to clean the creek. It was responded that a lot of that was state land.

The Great Bend Borough Council closed out 2011 with thanks to Joe Collins for 14 years service among its number. To mark the occasion of Mr. Collins’s last council meeting, Council President Rick Franks presented him with a cake, which he cut into generous hunks distributed by Mayor Jim Riecke to everyone in the room (yup, it was good). In his turn, Mr. Collins thanked Council for its patience and perseverance. Asked later what he would do with his first-Thursday evenings from now on, he said only, “Not this!”

Council also thanks Woody Williams for cleaning up Greenwood Park. Borough Secretary Sheila Guinan said that Mr. Williams, a recent arrival in the little town, told her that he “needed something to do,” and chose the park for his first project.

With a full month behind them, the borough’s brand-new police department has received considerable praise, and, not unexpectedly, some complaints. Mike Crook attended the meeting to report that the officers “have made a difference already,” adding that he was “happy we have them.” Mr. Franks and council member Jerry MacConnell said that, while comments had been generally positive, they had been told that the officers seemed to be targeting the town’s drinking establishments. They in turn stressed that that could not be the case. In an incident at the VFW which insisted was attended by the local police, Mr. Franks said that he witnessed it personally and that it was the state police.

When creating the police department, and in reaction to complaints in New Milford about local policing there, Council carefully stressed that its “mission is not to close down the bars,” or to disrupt any legitimate local business. This is not to say that the police are to ignore drunk drivers, but that lying in wait outside local bars is not to be expected.

The police department office in the town garage is still undergoing development. They have to find room for both the borough’s truck and the police car in the garage, which will be properly outfitted with door openers, remotes included. And Council will purchase a pair of 2x3-foot signs to identify the building - incognito no more. As it settles in, however, Council has ended the special monthly meetings devoted to the new police department. They will depend on liaison between the Office in Charge, and Mayor Riecke from now on.

Mr. MacConnell reported that PennDOT has been giving him a run-around on the promised emergency-access gate at the welcome center on the interstate. During the flooding of June 2006, the town was isolated, with the only access via a temporary gravel ramp over a curb at the rest stop. Council has since pressed PennDOT to install a gate that will permit access to the interstate from U.S. Route 11 during similar emergencies, which they were assured had finally been planned and was in the hands of the PennDOT Montrose office. That office is now backpedaling, and Mr. MacConnell said he would contact the PennDOT Dunmore office.

Council resumed last month’s debate on paving Church, Washington and Hayes streets. Mr. MacConnell is concerned that the borough may not have enough money to do the entire project, estimated by PennDOT at about $100,000, and may not be able to handle a loan of the required size. He wants to be able to scale the project more narrowly and allow flexibility in funding. Ms. Guinan said that the paperwork involved in splitting the project into potentially 3 segments would be tremendous, not to say costly, in terms of advertising for interest bids and the time it would take to prepare and issue all of the required ordinances. She recommended a single project that could be scaled down as needed later. Since no resolution seemed immediately apparent, Council decided to schedule a special meeting to discuss it, on January 9, 2012, beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Almost as an afterthought, and without further discussion, Council gave formal approval to a budget for 2012 that calls for a 1-mill increase (about 5%) in property tax rates. The increase will provide an additional $7,000, primarily to support the new part-time police department which is allocated a total of $20,000 for the year, out of a total expense budget of some $153,700.

As is his practice, Mayor Riecke found somebody else to thank for good works in the town. The local fire company put up the lights along Main Street almost without notice, but not without the gratitude of Council.

Council will be busy in January. They will begin with a reorganizational meeting on the 3rd, the regular monthly business meeting two days later, on the 5th and the special meeting on paving on the 9th. All of these meetings will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the Borough Building at Elizabeth & Franklin Streets.

CORRECTION

This reporter would like to apologize for an error in the last report. In the report of a PFA Violation from November 8, 2011, Michael Groover was wrongly listed as the perpetrator, due to a misreading of the report. Mr. Groover was not the accused in that situation.

THEFT

A Harford woman reported that pills were taken form her residence on November 30, between 2:30 and 3:00 p.m. She stated that a neighbor was at her residence and the pills were missing upon her departure. The victim did not wish to press charges.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF

Sometime during the night of November 30 the mailbox of Charles Burns of Harford was smashed with an unknown blunt object. Anyone with information is asked to please call the police.

DISORDERLY CONDUCT

On November 30 at 10:55 a.m. William Phillips of Liverpool, NY drove past two marked units in his vehicle and parked in the parking lot of the PA Welcome Center in Great Bend. The cars were present due to an MCSAP detail at the Welcome Center. Phillips got out of his vehicle and began to urinate in the parking lot. He was charged with Disorderly Conduct and charges were filed at court 34-3-02.

THEFT

An Apple i-Pod, belonging to a juvenile female from Hop Bottom, was removed from a table in the cafeteria of Mt. View High School on November 30 between 11:30 a.m. and noon.

THEFT FROM A MOTOR VEHICLE

Tanner Murphy of Lenox reported that his wallet and prescription medication were taken from his vehicle sometime during the night of November 29, while it was located in Lenox Township. Anyone with information is asked to call the police.

CRASH

On November 29 at 6 p.m. Tyron Lawson of Brooklyn, NY was traveling North on I81 when he lost control of his vehicle on the wet roadway. The vehicle rotated 180 degrees clockwise, traveled off the east berm of I81, and rolled onto its roof. It came to a rest on the roof, facing south, in a ditch. Neither Lawson nor a passenger were injured; both were utilizing seat belts.

HIT AND RUN

On November 24 a Chrysler Concord was legally parked in a handicapped parking space in front of the Price Chopper parking lot. A second unknown vehicle struck the right rear corner of the Concord and fled the scene.

CRASH

On November 28 Gary Kalafor of Harford was traveling south on SR547 when he failed to negotiate a left curve in the roadway for no apparent reason. The vehicle traveled off the west portion of the roadway into a ditch, striking a culvert with the undercarriage of the vehicle. Several citations were to be filed on the operator for driving while his license was suspended, safe speed, and roadways laned for traffic.

COLLISION-TRAFFIC-FATAL

On November 27 at 4:02 a.m. Alec Katchur of the Dunmore area was traveling northbound on Fair Hill Road in Harford when his vehicle exited the roadway to the west of the travel lanes, then reentered it and crossed the roadway. The truck began a clockwise rotation and again exited the roadway upon the eastern side of the travel lanes. As it exited the roadway it began a rolling maneuver toward the driver's side of the vehicle, and made impact with a tree on the driver's side and top. Katchur and a female passenger, Christina Voorheis of the Clifford area, suffered multiple traumatic injuries during the collision and expired at the scene. A third passenger, Curtis Herbert of New Milford, was extracted by mechanical means and transported via LifeNet 78 Air Ambulance to CNMC Scranton Hospital for treatment of injuries obtained during this collision. Herbert was the only one utilizing a seat belt.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF

On November 27 the tires of Gerri Beach of Hallstead were slashed while the vehicle was parked in the parking lot behind the Tuttle-Yeisley Funeral Home in Hallstead Borough.

SCATTERING RUBBISH

On November 25 at 7:45 a.m. Frank Holtsmaster of Thompson is accused of depositing two bags of household garbage at the Endless Mountains Car Wash in Great Bend prior to using the car wash, and leaving them there. Charges were filed at District Court 34-3-02.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF

Two dents were kicked in the tan Kia Sportage belonging to Kyle Snow of Montrose, on November 26 between 1 and 2 a.m. The vehicle was in the parking lot of PJ's Bar in Bridgewater Township at the time.

BURGLARY

On November 26, between 3 and 5 p.m., the home of Michael Bodie was entered while he was away. Prescription medication was stolen.

CRASH

On November 25 at 5:10 a.m. Robert Kelly of Susquehanna was traveling northbound on SR 171 in Great Bend Township at a time when the roadway was wet from runoff, with ice patches forming. Kelly lost control of his vehicle, which exited onto the right shoulder, began a counterclockwise rotation, impacted an embankment, and reentered the road, crossing both lanes and coming to rest in the southbound lane. Kelly was utilizing a seat belt; he was not inured.

BURGLARY

PSP Gibson is investigating a burglary in which Curtis Rudock of Hallstead is accused of entering the residence of Tanya Ross of New Milford. Rudock was arraigned before District Court 34-3-03.

DRUG POSSESSION/DRUG PARAPHERNALIA

On November 23 at 1:10 p.m. a PSP Trooper responded to an incident at Tannery Street in Great Bend Borough. The investigation lead him to ask for consent to search the vehicle, a 2000 Chevrolet S10 pickup. Consent was granted and the search yielded approximately 2.5 ounces of marijuana within it. Ruffo was charged accordingly at District Court 34-3-02.

DUI CRASH

On November 22 at 6:50 p.m. Donald Groover of New Milford was arrested for suspected DUI in Great Bend Township. Groover was involved in a crash along Old Route 11, in which he was operating a 1998 GMC Jimmy SUV.

HIT AND RUN

On November 20 at 7:40 p.m. Angela Turner of Susquehanna was northbound on SR11 in Great Bend Township as another driver was traveling southbound. The other driver attempted to turn left onto SR 171 and struck the driver side of Turner's vehicle. After impact the offending driver fled the scene southbound on I81. The offending car was identified as a green compact auto with a sloped back (hatchback or fastback). Anyone who witnessed the crash or has any information is asked to contact the police. Turner was utilizing a seat belt; she sustained no injury.

CRASH

On November 21 at 4:20 p.m. Cristen Penny of Kingsley was traveling westbound on SR 167/706 in Bridgewater Township, while Gregg Lewis of Montrose drove on the same road behind her. Penny stopped to make a left hand turn and was struck from behind by Lewis. A six year old child suffered a broken leg. There were no other injuries in the crash. All involved were utilizing proper safety equipment.

CRASH

On November 22 at 4:30 a.m., Cydney McGlawn of Philadelphia was traveling southbound on SR 0081 in Great Bend Township when she fell asleep. The left side of the vehicle traveled off the roadway, continued approximately 100', and entered a clockwise rotation. The Nissan Altima traveled across both southbound lanes approximately 200' before exiting the roadway from the west berm, proceeding to travel up an embankment and roll over. The vehicle then continued approximately 100' south along the embankment before coming to rest on the shoulder. Both the driver and a passenger were utilizing seat belts One sustained an injury of unknown severity, the other sustained minor injury.

CRASH

On November 20 at 4:30 p.m. Kyla Marcy of Montrose was traveling on route 0167 in Bridgewater Township when she failed to negotiate a left curve in the roadway, traveling into the northbound lane. Marcy over-corrected and traveled across the southbound lane off the west portion of the roadway. She was ejected as her vehicle rolled, and was flown out by Guthrie Helicopter to Robert Packard Hospital for unknown injuries. Seat belt usage was listed as None-used/Not applicable.

CRASH

On November 19 at 10:30 a.m. Roy Yanvary of Hop Bottom was traveling south on SR 0029 in Dimock Township when his vehicle traveled off the roadway and struck a utility pole, a stone wall, and a parked vehicle in that order. Both Yanvary and a passenger were utilizing proper safety equipment; only Yanvary sustained minor injury.

CRASH

On November 19 George Sporny of Renovo, PA was traveling west on SR 2024 in Dimock Township when he lost control of his vehicle while negotiating a left curve in the roadway. The Subaru Legacy left the roadway, striking a traffic control sign and then flipping over, striking trees as it flipped. The vehicle came to an uncontrolled stop on its wheels facing east, approximately 35 feet from the roadway, in the woods. Sporney was not injured; he was wearing a seat belt

HIT AND RUN

Between November 13 and November 19 at 7 a.m. an unknown vehicle struck a fence on Church Street in Hallstead. Physical evidence at the scene consisted of approximately three feet of chain link damaged. There were old tire marks on the grass and the sidewalk. No pain transfer was observed. Anyone with information is asked to contact the police.

THEFT

On November 17 at approximately 12:50 a short white female with dark complexion and black hair drove up to the New Milford Agway in a gray SUV (possibly an Isuzu Trooper) with damage to the left headlight. She had a male passenger. The female went into the store and had the clerk come outside. She distracted the clerk while the male went inside behind the counter and stole a money bag from a safe. Another store employee witnessed the male and confronted him, and he gave the money back. The male was approximately 6'6” with no bear or mustache, a dirty white t-shirt, and a red and white baseball cap. Anyone with further information is asked to contact PSP Gibson at (570) 465-3154.

Anyone having information regarding any of these incidents is asked to please contact PSP Gibson at (570) 465-3154.

DEEDS

Veronica Krall to John M. and Kenneth P. Krall and Diane V. Baird, in Thompson Township for one dollar.

BBG&M Enterprises, Inc. to Robert A. and Gretchen M. Labrie, in Susquehanna for $80,000.00.

William F., Sr. and William F., Jr. Gallagher to William F. Gallagher, Sr., in Gibson Township for one dollar.

William F., Sr. and William F., Jr. Gallagher to William F. Gallagher, Jr., in Gibson Township for one dollar.

William (AKA) William F. (AKA) William Frank (estate) and Wendy J. Emmons, Linda L. Gormley and Jill M. Baron to William R. and Angie M. Emmons, in Herrick Township for one dollar.

Bruce H. and Kathleen L. Barney to Patricia Jean and Scott Randall Gardner, in Silver Lake Township for one dollar.

Charles and Marie Helbig to Harry and Clara Grewal, in Herrick Township for $100.00.

John Alton and Penny Marie Wilber to Scott E. and Stephanie J. Carter, in Liberty Township for $85,000.00.

Peter J., Jr. and Lorita B. Casassa to Peter J., Jr. and Lorita B. Casassa, in Gibson Township for one dollar.

Margaret M. Pratt to Maplehurst Farm Family Limited Partnership, in Brooklyn Township for one dollar.

Nancy Powers to Rachelle Shaulis, in Middletown Township for one dollar.

David S. Shapiro (estate) to Patrick M. Flaherty, in Choconut Township for $385,000.00.

Paul R. Wells to Williams Field Services Co. LLC, in Brooklyn and Bridgewater townships for $1,270,500.00.

Anthony and Mary A. Blodnikar to Anthony Blodnikar, in Clifford Township for one dollar.

Anthony Blodnikar to Dorothy Cleary, in Clifford Township for $130,000.00.

Francis T. (AKA) Frank and Beverly Ann (AKA) Beverly Mancuso to George and Geri Narzinsky, in Harford Township for $175,000.00.

Daniel, Benjamin and Rachel Vauter to Eugene Cicco, in Clifford Township for $20,000.00.

Jerry Tallent to Bremer Hof Owners, Inc., in Herrick Township for $100.00.

John and Susan Marquard to Bremer Hof Owners, Inc., in Herrick Township for $100.00.

William B. and Evan A. Jones to Bremer Hof Owners, Inc., in Herrick Township for $100.00.

Ronald King to Bremer Hof Owners, Inc., in Herrick Township for $100.00.

Christopher L. and Shawn M. Price, Suzanne Coon Butler and Lorrayne E. Coon (estate) to Suzanne Coon Butler, in Thompson Township for one dollar.

Gene A., Jr. (by sheriff) and Starrlyn (by sheriff) Bidwell to HSBC Bank, in Brooklyn Township for $4,016.85.

William J. and Evelyn C. Goff to Jessie Puzo, in Bridgewater Township for one dollar.

Jennifer L. and Alvin C. Casselbury to Jennifer L. Casselbury, in Liberty Township for one dollar.

Peter W., Jr. (by atty) and Wilma M. (by atty) Kornack to Childers Family Trust LLC, in Herrick Township for $200.00.

Bank of New York (succ to) JP Morgan Chase Bank (FKA) Bank of New York Mellon to Stanley Deluca, in Lathrop Township for $17,400.00.

BENCH WARRANTS

The Susquehanna County Domestic Relations Section has outstanding bench warrants for the following individuals as of 10:05 a.m. on December 2, 2011.

Craig J. Anderson, Tonya S. Birchard, Christopher Brenner, Douglas Buckman, Bradley C. Button, Jonathan Fathi, David J. Fischer, Thomas Fisher, Jeremy J. Grick, Jennifer D. Hazlett, Charlie J. Legere, Carlos L. Leiser, Derrick J. Lezinsky, Michael Maryasz, Erica Y. Mead, Donald Palmer, Jeremy Presson, Perry Rohan, David J. Shiner, Eric J. Snell, Robert J. Twilley, Kurtis L. Vogler, Steven G. Warner, Roderic R. Williams, Jamie L. Williams, Sr.

Please contact the Domestic Relations Section at 570-278-4600 ext. 170 with any information on the location of these individuals.