“The problem is already starting, and it’s only going to get worse as the weather gets warmer,” said Oakland’s Mayor Glover. It can be nipped in the bud now if people practice the correct technique and make it a habit. The comments were made as addendum to the Mayor’s Report just prior to adjournment. And what the Mayor was getting at were truly acts of negligence and inconsideration which offend the senses and sensibilities of those living in Oakland and using its streets.

But before consideration of the inconsiderations, cast and context for the evening require setting. On Thursday, April 12, at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Randy Glover, Borough Secretary Flo Brush, and Councilmen Brian Rhone, Dave Dibble, Gary Boughton, Tom Kubus, and Dave Trevarthan, were duly assembled and ready for meeting at Lanesboro Community Center. Only problem was, they were assembled outside the center, rather than inside. Their key holder, Oakland Borough President Ron Beavan, was unable to attend due to a family emergency. As if dispatched by an angel, Todd Glover, Lanesboro’s Borough Council President was driving on Main Street; Mayor Randy Glover approached and made a “key” request. The long and the short of it was that borough council opened their meeting inside at 7:07 p.m. Jack Agler joined the borough attendees previously mentioned within two minutes of start time.

Borough Council Vice President Brian Rhone took the helm for the meeting’s 40 minutes of decisions and discussions. The evening’s business was for the most part routine, just unusually so. Council quickly moved through approval of the Minutes for the March 8 meeting; accepted the Treasurer’s Report; reviewed Time Sheets and arrived at the Codes Report in four minutes flat.

Vice President Rhone delivered the Codes Report. His report provided several status updates. Code compliance is moving along satisfactorily in the case of a property-owner previously cited as being in violation. In a second case litigation is scheduled for June 20. In a third case, a property owner was notified of requirements to be fulfilled to make a camper legal. Investigation of the fourth case determined a business in Oakland is not a legally-registered corporation and the case will move forward based on that determination. Finally, a proposed change to the Property Maintenance Code with regard to swimming pools and fences was tabled until next month’s meeting in deference to Council President Beavan, who being absent, could not share his analysis of the change’s implications.

The Parks Report brought up three matters of council interest. The first concerned clean-up of the park. No date had yet been set for the spring clean-up. However, Mayor Glover stated that he would be in touch with all the parties involved, including Scout leaders, to set the date soon. Once set, everything will come together very quickly with the Boy Scouts playing an integral role.

The second park matter involved inspection of the park. Labor & Industry had notified borough secretary, Flo Brush, that the park would be inspected. In the third matter, there was a question raised about insurance of Little League dugouts at the park. Council ultimately decided not to make any changes and the status quo of the last ten years was maintained. Oakland boro does not own the dugouts, but does own the park, and their liability insurance is sufficient to cover that for which they are responsible; property insurance to cover repair or replacement of the dugouts is not in their interest since they do not maintain and own them.

In the Mayor’s Report, Mayor Glover reported that it would cost approximately $700 to pay for painting and lettering of a borough police car. Mayor Glover will look into less expensive alternatives, as this is not a pressing matter. He also delivered the Police Report, which documented 33 incidents: 17 traffic stops; three miscellaneous cases; two cases of larceny/theft; and one each of suspicious vehicle, harassment, mental problems, burglary, disorderly conduct, trees down, domestic dispute, public drunkenness, motor vehicle theft, assault, and other assault. The differentiation between “assault” and “other assault” wasn’t clear, but the assault case occurred as a bar fight at Hill Top Bar with Oakland Police playing a back-up role to Susquehanna PD. In the Motor Vehicle Theft case, the complainant stated, “Female friend borrowed car on Friday night and has not yet returned it … have no idea where she is.”

Council went into executive session at 7:30 and returned to regular session at 7:35 p.m. Whatever matter they discussed warranted no official action at this time.

In her Secretary‘s Report, Flo Brush informed council of the need for a major software update needed to keep the borough’s books. Council readily consented to the expenditure of just under $300. The line item expense was already planned for in the budget, but at a lower (annually anticipated) amount. Secretary Brush was doing her due diligence in bringing the increased expense to the council’s attention since it was a quadrennial, rather than annual update expense. She also reported that the Auditor’s Report of the 2010 Liquid Fuels Audit was completed and available for inspection. Also available for any councilmen interested were informational packets on the PSAB Annual Conference from April 29 to May 2, and the Energy Roundtable Conference in Harrisburg on May 8.

Addendum to the Mayor’s Report consumed the remainder of meeting time. Mayor Glover recalled that he had failed to bring up an important issue in his earlier report: animal waste. The senses and sensibilities offended are those of residents by pet-owners who neglect their duties to clean up their dogs’ droppings. Mayor Glover noted that it’s already becoming a problem on Veterans Memorial Bridge. The simple solution is for residents to carry their pooper-scooper and a bag with them whenever walking their dogs. The Mayor noted the horrific smell in the heat of summer, as well as the fact that it was not only unsanitary and unsightly, but illegal. Oakland borough imposes fines on violators of the ordinance requiring pet owners to clean up after their pets. Mayor Glover’s appeal is for residents to be considerate; clean up after your pet; it’s to every resident’s benefit, and it’s the law.

Borough Council adjourned at 7:47 p.m. Their next meeting is scheduled for the second Thursday of May, at 7:00 p.m. in the Lanesboro Community Center.

At an unexpected moment County Commissioners tooted the county’s horn by announcing Susquehanna County had been reported to have a distinction to which none of the other counties of the Commonwealth could lay claim. Before that climactic moment Commissioners Alan Hall, Michael Giangrieco, and Mary Ann Warren toiled for nearly six minutes of motions and agenda items at the Wednesday, April 11 meeting in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room.

Kicking off the meeting at 9 a.m. sharp, Chairman Hall asked for a motion to approve the minutes from the March 28 meeting. Commissioner Giangrieco complied; Commissioner Warren seconded; and a meeting attendee interjected objection before the normally robotic approval could be made. County resident Bruce Paskoff noted that there had been no pad and pen made available at either the meeting of March 28 or this day’s meeting. As such, meeting attendees were unable to sign-in to give official testimony at the meeting. Mr. Paskoff requested to know what had become of the previously instituted procedure, and if it was to be reinstated. He noted that the Sunshine Law required governmental bodies to be consistent in their application of the law, “so either we’re going to have it or we’re not.” Commissioner Giangrieco retorted, “Well, that’s what you keep saying, but I don’t necessarily agree with it. I don’t know; we talked about it. I don’t think we need one.” Mr. Paskoff asked commissioners to vote on it. Commissioners were in unanimous agreement - in declining to take any such vote. The minutes were approved without further ado, and commissioners moved on.

Commissioners recognized three county employees for their years of service. Sara Snee, of Children and Youth - 5 years; and Joan Burman, Assessment Office - 10 years, came forward to receive their certificates. Mildred Fetterman, Montrose District Judge’s Office - 10 years, not present, was also recognized.

In a flurry of rapid-fire non-controversial items commissioners approved motions for: Cash Disbursements and EFTPS payments; seminar requests for four county employees; and exoneration of the Tax Claim Bureau from collecting delinquent taxes, per request of Tax Claim Director Catherine Benedict, on a parcel in Liberty Township, for the amount of $1,520.16.

Commissioners were also unanimous in their adoption of Resolutions 2012-06, 2012-07, and 2012-08. Resolution 2012-06 authorized “the filing of an application for financial fiscal year 2012 Pennsylvania Community Development Block Grant Entitlement Program Funds, and authorized the administration of the program through the Susquehanna County Redevelopment Authority.” Resolution 2012-07 is a Fair Housing Resolution prohibiting discrimination and providing avenues for redress. Resolution 2012-08 is the county’s Minority Business Enterprise Plan and Statement of Goals.

Arriving at the “Public Comment” point of the meeting, no public comment was forthcoming. As if to fill the unexpected void, Chairman Hall took advantage of the time windfall to explain that the county’s current contract with an engineering firm was due to expire later this year and a new contract would be up for bid. The state will make 80% reimbursement, so long as all the detailed requirements are fulfilled. Chairman Hall noted that the contract would be awarded based on quality metrics rather than the usual low-price bid.

In the last waning moment of the meeting, with attendees anticipating imminent adjournment, Commissioner Giangrieco suddenly piped up with comment on an article he had read in the “Pennsylvania County News,” a magazine put out by the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP). According to Commissioner Giangrieco, the article he cited lauded Susquehanna County as the only county of Pennsylvania’s 67 to “balance its budget in 2011 while simultaneously cutting taxes.” (In comments after the meeting, Chairman Hall added that Susquehanna County owns and maintains 35 bridges and three dams. With only 11% of its bridges considered to be “structurally deficient,” Susquehanna County has the lowest percentage of deficient bridges in all of Pennsylvania. And for those wondering about roads, he noted that most roads belong to the townships, boroughs, and state, with the county owning but two roads - one of which is Chenango Street - in the whole county.)

With adjournment at 9:06 a.m. commissioners turned to other concerns and the public returned to lives aside from their interest in county governance and oversight. The next meeting of County Commissioners is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Wednesday, April 25.

At the Clifford Township Supervisors’ monthly business meeting, held April 10, bids were opened for spring road work, which will include ditch cleaning, shaping of unpaved roads and trucking of materials. Of the two bids submitted, a bid from Barhite Excavating was the first opened, with a total of $45,500. The second submission, which was from Brozonis Excavating, offered a bid of $44,320. Bids will be reviewed by the supervisors and township secretary René Reynolds.

It was announced that, in addition to being recycling day, April 21 will also be spring clean-up day for Clifford Township. Residents may check the township website, www.cliffordtownship.com, for information concerning fees and acceptable items. In cooperation with the Great American Clean-Up, residents who wish to collect trash along their road are encouraged to do so on or by April 20. Gloves, bags and vests needed for clean-up may be obtained at Clifford Auto. Township officials will collect bags of trash if notified of their location along the roadside.

In a different matter of resident participation, supervisor Barry Searle commented on the recent comprehensive plan meeting, stating, “Out of 2,000 residents, we only had about fifty show up.” He added, “I appreciate the fifty who did come” and went on to say that the comprehensive plan is expected to “guide the future of the township for the next fifteen, twenty, thirty years.”

Next, an Elk View Drive resident asserted that “nothing has been done” concerning the “minefield” of potholes in the subdivision. He stated that last month, road master James Locker had promised to address the matter. The resident then asked the supervisors “if anything wants to be done,” adding, “Peoples’ patience [is] wearing thin.”

Locker was unable to attend the business meeting. However, Searle stated that he had contacted Locker twice concerning the road matter. “I’m pretty upset about this thing,” Searle added. “I was promised [the road condition] would be fixed.”

Chairman Dennis Knowlton suggested that the supervisors meet with Locker to find out if there is a reason the work has not been done.

Concerning a matter first introduced to the township last fall, Sandy Wilmot of the Clifford Historical Society reminded the supervisors that the Scenic Byways Committee is requesting a one hundred dollar donation from the township for signage and publicity. Wilmot explained that Clifford is part of the Viaduct Byway, which stretches from the Nicholson Viaduct to the Starrucca Viaduct. She added that the historical society will contribute fifty dollars if the township contributes the other half, an arrangement to which the supervisors then agreed. Wilmot stated that a program like the Scenic Byways “brings people to the area” and would be “fifty dollars well spent.”

It was announced that two Mountain View students are “set to go” in terms of managing the township recycling program as their graduation project. Their service, which will last for one year, will begin in June. Adults interested in supervising and assisting the students with recycling days are encouraged to volunteer. Also concerning recycling, it was noted that Franceski Waste had provided a quote of three hundred fifty dollars per month to remove recyclables.

Reynolds read from a road work report submitted by Locker, who hoped that road work could begin the next week, stating that some corrections to roads would not be possible until the road project begins. Reynolds mentioned that she had sent Locker information concerning concrete fill for potholes on Elk View Drive.

Reynolds then commented that the township lighting project is “in progress,” with some rooms already completed.

In what probably became the dominant issue of the evening, a resident announced an apparent property line violation, in which her neighbor constructed a house that extended five feet into the yard of the former. According to the Clifford Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, Clifford Township requires that a house be set back thirty feet from its property line.

Currently, the matter is in court. In an effort to avoid possibly having to sell her neighbor thirty-five feet of property, the resident requested that the township provide a document waiving the set-back requirement and enabling her only to need to sell the five feet of property onto which the house extends.

According to solicitor Joe McGraw, Sections 405 and 406 of the Municipal Planning Code require an advertised public hearing, with a court stenographer present, in order to consider a waiver: a waiver could not be provided that night.

The resident then stated that when she built her house and installed her septic system, she had been closely inspected. “Where was the approval for [the neighbor]?” she asked.

Required for insurance purposes, “minor changes” were made to the Clifford Township Policy Manual, which will “tighten up rules for use of the tazer” so that it will not be used on the elderly or the pregnant. Pistols and ammunitions also saw modifications, due to law changes.

Also concerning policies, Searle requested the drafting of a “policy letter,” to highlight guidelines and expectations for all appointed positions, requiring of township officials: “fair and equitable treatment, timely response to the board, meeting attendance.” After discussion, it was stated, “We’ll have it next month.”

On April 25, at 7p.m., a working meeting with Tom Shepstone will be held to review the existing land use plan.

Wilmot announced that six volunteers that day had painted the museum room and the voting room in the township building. It was also requested of the supervisors that the historical society provide additional work within the building for the lease of another room to hold artifacts.

A resident suggested that the township consider long-term use of the building, since leasing an additional room would “cut down on space that we might need in the future.”

Supervisor Chris Marcho commented, “I think… that’s exactly what the building should be used for.”

“We can figure something out that will satisfy both parties,” McGraw reasoned. It was suggested that a short, five-year lease might be acceptable for the second museum room.

Harford Township is officially responsible for about 62 miles of roads. All but about a mile of that is dirt and gravel. And every year about this time dust begins to rise from the roads to annoy Harford’s generally patient residents. With the recent dry spell, complaints are coming in, and the township’s Supervisors are looking for the best way to deal with the dust.

At their April meeting on the 10th, the Supervisors opened bids for road materials, including bids to supply liquid calcium chloride and AEP oil for dust control. AEP oil, an asphalt emulsion considered environmentally benign, has been the preferred treatment for the past several years. But the cost keeps rising, and Supervisor Garry Foltz fears that the increasing numbers of heavy trucks using the roads will simply peel up the oil. So he asked Roadmaster Eric Allen to try spreading the calcium solution in front of the houses throughout the township before working the roads. Mr. Allen said he would apply plain water to the calcium patches later to try to “rejuvenate” the work of the calcium, which tends to absorb water, binding dust to the road surface.

SuitKote won the bidding to supply both AEP oil and calcium chloride, the AEP for $1.80 per gallon, the calcium for $1.20 per gallon. The vendor applies the product as directed by the township.

Mirabito Energy Products, as the only bidder, would not provide a firm price for bio-diesel fuel. Their current price to the township would be $3.8258 per gallon, delivered. The township has 2 vehicles that use gasoline, but very little of it, so it will be purchased as needed, probably from one of the truckstops on the interstate.

Harford likes to mix black cinders with stone for winter traction. Romanski Trucking of Reeders, PA got the nod to provide certified “clean black cinders” at a low-bid price of $16.95 per cubic yard. Both bidders attached “fuel-price escalation” clauses to their bids, which will increase the cost if fuel prices continue to rise dramatically.

The stone used with the cinders is referred to as #67 and sometimes known as “anti-skid.” At ½ to 1 inch, it is very similar in size the 1B classification (one-half inch). Eastern Industries won the bidding to supply most of the stone for the coming year, including the #67: $12.65 per ton delivered for the #67, $12.85 per ton delivered for 1B, $9.48 per ton for 2RC (2 inches), and $12.65 per ton for 2B (1½ inches). Damascus Quarry Stone Products of Montrose will supply R4 stone (3 inches) at $11.95 per ton delivered. F. S. Lopke, based in the Southern Tier of New York, has been making a splash in Susquehanna County recently. Their bid was consistently lower for all of the stone products, but their yards are not all Pennsylvania state certified yet. Delivered from their certified Forest Lake plant, the stone would all be much more expensive. The township must use only stone from state certified suppliers in order to use the state-provided funds.

In his road report, the main user of all of this material, Mr. Allen, said that 7 driveway permits had already been issued, mostly to companies associated with natural gas operations (drillers and pipelines), and that he had something like 15 more in the pipeline. Mr. Foltz cautioned him to make sure that road crossings and driveway permits are not mixed up. To help ensure efficient processing of all this paperwork, the Supervisors passed a measure authorizing Mr. Allen to approve and sign driveway permit applications - with at least one Supervisor - since he does most of the inspections anyway. The forms now require the signatures of at least 2 Supervisors, and 2 Supervisors will still need to sign off on final acceptance of a driveway installation (what Mr. Foltz refers to as an “occupancy permit”).

One resident submitted application forms for two driveways that already exist. It appeared that he simply wanted some official backing for his situation, so the Supervisor will devise a way to give him the paperwork at no charge, since the township won’t have to do anything to approve the actual driveways themselves.

Otherwise, Mr. Allen reported that his crew is doing “maintenance catch-ups” to get the equipment ready for the coming season. He also said that the guard rails for the stretch of Stearns Road over the new sluice at the outlet of Tingley Lake have arrived and that the road would be blocked for several hours when they are installed.

The Supervisors discussed the purchase of new grating for the sewer plant with Mr. Allen, who has been studying the issue. The old gratings, some of which were iron, some treated lumber, seem to deteriorate quickly creating an unsafe situation for anyone working at the plant. The Supervisors agreed to purchase 7 aluminum grates for about $4,000, and hope they will last a while.

In the meantime, David Klepadlo & Associates, the engineering firm that designed and manages the sewer system, submitted a letter with prices for the renovation of the sewer plant, whose total project cost is expected to reach $100,000. Mr. Foltz said that what he wanted from Klepadlo were specifications for bidding the project, and that the Klepadlo firm itself would not be permitted to actually do the work, although they would certainly oversee the project.

Mr. Foltz broached another project that could prove quite costly. A bridge on Lower Podunk road has deteriorated significantly with the flooding of recent years and is now signed with a 4-ton weight limit - as he said, a large pickup truck load of firewood would “max it out.” Replacing the bridge would cost about as much as it cost to replace the bridge over Butler Creek on Pennay Hill Road a couple years back - nearly half a million dollars, including engineering and fabrication and transportation of the bridge span itself (from Alabama!).

The township doesn’t have that kind of money, so Mr. Foltz is pursuing a grant through the federal Economic Development Administration that he found through an ad placed by the office of Senator Bob Casey. The maximum size of the grant would be $200,000, and would require matching funds from the recipient (the township).

The newest Supervisor, Doug Phelps, wants to give full-time township employees a reason to stick around, to “reward longevity,” as he put it. Having discussed it with his colleagues and given the go-ahead to draft some revisions to the time-off policy for the workers, he presented a plan at the meeting. Currently, Harford employees get 12 “personal days” off per year. He would like to change that to 10 vacation days and 2 personal days, increasing the personal-day allotment to 3 next year. In addition, thereafter, for each 3 years of employment with the township, they would receive an additional day of personal leave.

Mr. Foltz had some problems with the details of the policy draft and asked to have several points tightened up and clarified for later review and possible adoption.

The meeting actually started off on a positive footing when local auditors Connie Breese and Bob DeLuca presented their findings. Reading the brief cover letter, Mr. DeLuca commended Township Secretary/Treasurer (and Supervisor) Sue Furney for her diligence. Their only recommendation was that the township complete the transition to generating payroll checks from the computer.

The next scheduled public meeting of the Harford Township Supervisors will be on Tuesday, May 8, 2012, beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the township office on Route 547.

At the beginning of the April 9th Montrose school board meeting, Mr. Ognosky spoke about an interesting e-mail which had been received. The girl's basketball team had a very successful season, made it all the way to the state semi-final. They were defeated at the semi final game. The next day an e-mail was received from one of the officials for the game. It really spoke very highly of the players and the team, Mr. Ognosky felt, so he read it aloud. The official said that she was extremely impressed with the horde of students who had come out to support the girl's team. The students’ behavior was also commended. The official called the students fantastic, and suggested that the district should be proud of its student section.

A motion was made to adopt a resolution which, the agenda stated, requested “an end to the shift in responsibility for providing public education revenue from the state to local taxpayers and a call for eradicating the plan to bundle certain appropriations in the proposed 2012-2013 State budget”. Mr. Ognosky read the resolution aloud. It spoke out against a variety of items in the proposed budget, including: level funding basic ed funding, not restoring program cuts from the previous year, and establishing a new account which bundled unrelated appropriations. The board approved the resolution. It was to be sent to the four members of the general assembly which represented the district. Of the fifty school districts that received the largest benefit of the governor's proposed budget, Mr. Ognosky said, 47 were in urban areas. Only two had aid ratios that were greater than point five. Mr. Ognosky said that the way this was bundled, especially with the way it handled social security, it favored wealthy schools.

The district had switched from the IU to Tier Occupational Therapy Services, PC in the past. The board that night approved a new professional services agreement. Mr. Ognosky said that when the district had switched, it had saved money. In the three years since this savings had continued.

Two policies were being considered. One required the board to act on any vacancy within thirty days. The other involved service animals, stating that if all the paperwork was in order the district did not have the wherewithal to deny the request.

The 2012-2013 school calendar was approved. Mr. Ognosky was asked to supply some highlights. The year was to begin on Wednesday August 22nd, with five staff in-service days. The students were to begin on August 29th, with a three day week. The last scheduled day was slated for Tuesday June 4th, with graduation on the eighth. The only two half days were to be the last two days of school.

When the work session convened, most of the administrators’ reports were presented in their absence. Mr. Ognosky reviewed them. Mr. Talarico offered his congratulations to the girls’ team and their coach. Also, Mr. Koloski and the scholastics team were to attend nationals in Washington DC, after winning a few more meets. The report also congratulated a representative of the state Poetry Out Loud competition. All principals spoke of the completion of the PSSA's Reading and Math assessments. Mr. Owens’ report noted that he was continuing to work on the district technology plans revisions.

Mrs. Lusk reported on a Federal Programs Annual Conference in Hershey, and stated that there had been a change in the requirements for a single audit . Certain districts would not be required to have a single audit, and Montrose fell into that category. This was to save the district a certain amount of money. The district was reviewing received bids for the general custodial supplies. The district had a plan con filing, which needed to be filed with PDE for a project submitted in 1995; it had been approved by PDE as reimbursable. All of the steps had been completed, except for the final filing, part j. Once that was filed, the district was to have a permanent reimbursable percentage on that project determined. Up to this point the district had been receiving a temporary reimbursement percentage. This could have been filed long ago. It was unknown why it hadn't been filed at that time, but Mrs. Lusk had been told that this was actually good timing on the matter.

Mr. Ognosky provided an update on the current budget project. At the April meeting the revenues and the salaries and benefits portions of the budget were reviewed. The initial projection had the district at about 1.2 million dollars short. At the April 4th meeting, he continued, a number of recommendations regarding reduction of expenditures were made. None of the reductions involved any kind of furloughs or layoffs, though a few did involve not replacing positions left vacant by retirements. The recommendations made during the course of the April meeting could account for approximately $490,000, leaving the district with negative $600,641 of expenditures over revenue on an almost 24 million dollar budget. There was a hope that the legislature might do something with revenue, and that some revenue might be generated with the Plan Con j move. Mr. Ognosky explained that the revenue for the coming year was thought to be about $200,000 less than the district had received the year prior. The three subsidies which were bundled (basic education, transportation, and the social security reimbursement) were the biggest sources of income from the state, and represented around $72,133 less than was received the previous year. The other big reduction in income was in the collection of delinquent taxes. There were also some increases in terms of salaries and benefits. There was a $454,000 increase to PSERS for the pension over the previous two years. Two meetings were still to be held prior to the passing of the first budget in May to address the remaining deficiency.

Mr. Caterson said that he felt this year was different than last year, as the previous year the budget had been able to be balanced without dipping into savings or raising taxes. The gas money had been earmarked toward the pension increase. The district’s increase in pensions, he explained, was $105,000, when you took the state's reimbursement into account. He said that the budget was really cutting it to the bone. He didn't think that the quality of the product had been hurt yet. However, he cautioned that a tax increase should not be counted out. It would be small if it occurred, as the district was locked into .9 of a mill. It would also be the first time the district had a tax increase in six years, Mr. Gow pointed out. Mr. Ognosky spoke about the bundling of the subsidies again, explaining that if they stayed bundled the discrepancy between poor by aid districts and more wealthy districts would grow larger. The basic ed subsidy number was the same, he continued, and was four years old. As long as the social security reimbursement stayed in the bundle, the more money was paid out in salaries the more would be reimbursed in social security.

Mrs. Smith asked if, with all of the good things which the secondary students had been achieving, there was the possibility for the students to go to the elementary school to inspire the elementary students. Mr. Ognosky said that he would speak of this to the administrative team the following day.

The archery students already competed at the state competition, it was reported, and a number of students were planning to go to nationals in Loiusville, Ky.

On a stormy evening consumed in a blur of budget jargon, motions, and minutia, both Susquehanna Depot borough council and Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) took time to formally recognize one of Susquehanna’s citizens for his commendable action at a moment most needed.

For the record, borough council came together for their regularly-scheduled monthly meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 10. Present were Council President Roberta Reddon, Vice-President Roy Williams, and council members Paul Barnes, Sue Crawford, Joe Varsik, and Debbie Zayas; also Mayor William Perry Jr., and borough Secretary Diann Robbins. Councilman Allen Wolf was absent.

Council Vice-President Williams presented a plaque of recognition on behalf of the borough to Danny Crawford. The plaque served as commendation to Mr. Crawford for the key role he played in assisting law enforcement officers. The robbery of Reddon’s Drug Store was mentioned as the source event which called forth Mr. Crawford’s praiseworthy actions and led to the swift apprehension of the robbery suspect.

Presentation of the award to Mr. Crawford evoked an outpouring of emotion as council and crowd rose in standing ovation. Among those in the crowd was PSP Cpl. Jeff Burman, who came forward and made the second presentation to our hero. Cpl. Burman presented to Mr. Crawford, not only an “Exemplary Citizenship Award,” but also a PA State Police official patch. It was, noted Cpl. Burman, “not something that could be purchased at a gift shop, but the genuine article previously worn by a State Trooper in the line of duty.” Again crowd and council rose in standing ovation for Mr. Crawford.

The evening’s other offerings were tame by comparison. Still, newly-minted mayor Bill Perry Jr. shared an interesting tidbit in his Mayor’s Report. He noted that Roberson Museum & Science Center, located on Front Street in Binghamton, currently had on display a miniature model of Susquehanna Depot in its heyday (the 1950’s). The meticulously detailed reproduction required over 2500 hours of volunteer labor to produce. Mayor Perry had represented the borough at the exhibit’s grand opening on March 31.

In other business, council approved the appointment of Thomas Kelly to the borough’s Zoning Board. Also approved was a pay increase to $11.50 per hour for police officer Bill Moran, coincident with his removal from probationary status. Council also voted to award Scro Construction with the contract to rebuild, at the Sports Complex, a baseball dugout which was severely damaged by the recent high winds.

In the matter of Street Projects, paving and milling operations were approved for Oak Street and for Broad Avenue (form East Main Street to Myrtle Avenue). Also approved was a drainage project for Pine Street, with consideration for milling if negotiations should lead to a pricing agreement.

What followed after that was unanimous agreement on 29 of 30 proposed changes: additions, deletions, combined line-items of Susquehanna Depot’s 2012 budget. Council President Roberta Reddon explained that the changes were needed to bring the budget into balance and to account for a number of necessary items which had been previously overlooked during the planning process in 2011. Mayor Perry had objection to immediate agreement on one of the 30 changes and council kicked it over to executive session for discussion.

And discuss it they did! Council completed the early session of their work at the 7:30 p.m. mark. Having already planned to go into executive session to discuss personnel matters, council decided to discuss budgetary items related to personnel issues in executive session while awaiting arrival of the borough’s solicitor, Attorney Michael Briechle.

Two hours later, borough council adjourned their executive session and resumed their regular meeting. They announced several personnel actions related to hirings for park concession stands during the summer. Also passed were four motions concerning budgetary items (related to personnel issues). Those motions represented shifts of nearly $15,000 in funds within the budget.

At 9:40 p.m. council finally seemed to just run out of gas. A hero had been hailed with enthusiasm and exhilaration early in the night. Late-night adjourners, grumpy and groggy, heroically vanquished their budget foe; hailed meeting’s end; and exited for home.

Susquehanna Depot’s “late-night adjourners” will reassemble for their next regularly scheduled borough meeting on Tuesday, May 8, at 7:00 p.m.

DEEDS

Constance R. Pasquarelli, Constance R. Hughes (fka), Charles Clifford Girard, Cliff Girard Music, and Lynn M. Girard to John Sholtiss, in Great Bend Twp., for $1.00.

William A. Schottman Jr. to Michael L. and Tina J. Hester, in Silver Lake Twp., for $81,000.00.

Dawn Albrecht, Howard Albrecht (aka) Howard P. Albrecht to Clay T. and Lorraine L. Martin, in Oakland Boro., for $15,000.00.

Sheila J. and Donald Kane to Ryan P. Kane, in Great Bend Twp., for $1.00.

James A. Matson, Janice A. Matson, Nancy L. Russell (estate), Darryle L. Russell, Charles B. Matson (estate), Esther M. Matson to James A. Matson, Darryle L. Russell and Esther M. Matson, in Apolacon Twp., for $1.00.

Joan Estella Smith (estate aka) Joan E. Smith (estate to David Sauro and Kevin Upright, in Thompson Boro., for $15,500.00.

Michael W. Bierley to Theresa Bierley, in Brooklyn Twp., for $1.00.

Nancy L. Culnane (aka) Nancy Lee Culnane, William F. Culnane, Carl James Lee, Susan A. Lee, and William Robert Lee to Nancy L. and William F. Culnane, in Susquehanna, for $1.00.

Joseph D. Rifle and Lisa R. Canfield to Joseph D. Rifle, in Jackson Twp., for $1.00.

Jamie R. and Yvonne E. Orlandini to Mark A. and Brandy Golden, in Dimock Twp., for $170,000.00

Pamela A. Fahs and Jane H. Austin (estate aka) Jane Handrick Austin (estate) to Christopher S. and Sandra Alter Ballard and Patricia A. Dellacorino, in Silver Lake Twp., for $290,000.00

Bremer Hof Owners Inc. to Joanne M. and Norman E. Payne Jr., in Herrick Twp., for $100.00.

JM Renovations LLC to Center Street Rentals LLC, in Lenox Twp., for $1.00.

Joan S. Benson (aka) Joan Benson to Ellen Holdredge, in Jackson Twp., for $1.00.

Joan S. Benson (aka) Joan Benson to Scott R. Benson, in Jackson Twp., for $1.00.

William H. and Rosemary A. Isopi to William H., Rosemary A., William A., and Jeannie Isopi, in Auburn Twp., for $1.00.

Larry D. Medlar Sr. and Sandra L. Medlar to Christy J. Eger, in Oakland Boro., for $56,000.00.

Michael H., Marie, Stephen M., Andrew W., and Paul J. Orzechowski to Michael H., Marie, Stephen M., Andrew W., and Paul J. Orzechowski, in Forest Lake Twp., for $1.00.

Jomar 2008 LLC to Andrew S. and Lisa M. Mollo, in Rush Twp., for $29,000.00.

Ruth A. Cramer (nbm) Ruth A. Donnelly and Matthew J. Donnelly to Ruth A. and Matthew J. Donnelly, in New Milford Boro., for $1.00.

Alexander William Scott Jr. and Danielle Scott to John R. and Rosemary A. Koshinski, in Harford Twp., for $1.00.

David C. and Harriet L. Bolles to Bolles Family Trust, in Great Bend Twp., for $1.00.

Mary Laun Brighoff to Brighoff Family Trust, in Bridgewater Twp., for $1.00.

Edward A. and Joan S. Waznik to Lisa Andrejko, Karen Neff, and Kira Carr, in New Milford Twp., for $1.00.

Marcie A. Henderson (nka) Marcie A. Blair to Marcie A. Blair, in Springville Twp., for $1.00.

Steve J. McGuire and Alice L. Simmons to David Eddleston, in Great Bend Twp., for $25,000.00.

Siegfried H. and Valinda R. Zehe to Siegfried H. and Valinda R. Zehe, in Choconut Twp., for $1.00.

Alan C. Bloomer to Robert P. and Michelle A. Minier, in Thompson Boro., for $73,000.00.

BENCH WARRANTS

The Susquehanna County DOMESTIC RELATIONS Section has outstanding BENCH WARRANT’S for the following individuals as of 10:28 a.m. on April 13, 2012.

Michael Robert Brown, Jonathan Fathi, David J. Fischer, Kay L. Knolles, Lee Labor, Todd J. Layton, Charlie J. Legere, Derrick J. Lezinsky, Michael Maryasz, Matthew S. Miller, Connie M. Mitchell, Ronald N. Mitchell, Perry Rohan, Bruce A. Schurr, Christie L. Sheptock, Desiree Shifler-Ferraro, David J. Shiner, Eric J. Snell, Jermaine J. Stanfield, Sr., Justin S. Thompson, Robert J. Twilley, Ryan Warnagiris, Steven G. Warner, Jesse J. Yachymiak, Kelly L. Yarbrough,

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