The January 2013 reorganization meeting of the New Milford Township began promptly at 6:00 pm. Jim Hunter was reappointed as chair, and Don Shibley as the vice chair. Franklin Gulick was appointed to be Chairman of the Vacancy Committee, Jack Conroy as the Road Master, Mike Briechle as the township solicitor, Ken Bondurant as the Emergency Management Officer, and Tom Button as the Sewage Enforcement Officer. Jay Lynch was appointed the SEO alternate, and Fox engineering as the township’s engineer. Julene Graham’s term as the Secretary/Treasurer, Open Records Officer, and Right to Know Officer were renewed. Both Julene Graham and Jack Conroy were termed Municipal Chief Administrative Officer (Pension Officer). Jack Conroy was also made the Delegate to Convention. Pennstar was to remain the bank of deposit.

Other matters of business were also covered. The day and time of the monthly meeting was again set to be the third Wednesday at 7:30 pm. The auditor positions were to be filled by Joy Maskaly, Laurie Moore, and Cindy Allen. The employee benefits were to be kept the same as the year previous, as was the pension.

It was announced that the township was doing something new this year- offering health insurance to its employees (effective February 1st). The township was to pay 60% and the employees were to pay 40%. Jack Conroy abstained from the vote, as an employee. The reorganization meeting adjourned at 6:07 pm.

The regular monthly meeting then began. The minutes were approved.

Mr. Hunter said that Mr. Bondurant had been working very diligently with the flood plain ordinance. This was required by FEMA and PEMA. If it were not done by April first, if disasters occurred, the township could lose their federal assistance. This was for all municipalities. Thus the draft flood plain ordinance was to be advertised for a public hearing to occur on February 20th at 7 pm, for consideration. The regular meeting would follow at 7:30 pm.

The township needed to put out to bid for gas, diesel fuel, and fuel oil.

The township was also to be putting out road material for bid. Mr. Bondurant asked a question, wondering if they would have to alter the budget for the medical line item. This was briefly considered. Ms. Graham said that she didn’t know if it was was to be a payroll liability. Mr. Bondurant suggested that they might want to have a line item, like they did for pension. Ms. Graham suggested that they could amend it in February if so desired.

The meeting closed at 6:14. It reopened at 6:15. Mr. Hunter reopened it to reply to a question from the month prior. It had been asked if they were going to raise taxes. He had said that they might lower them. He announced that in fact they were going to lower real estate taxes by a quarter of a mill. The meeting was then re-adjourned at 6:16. The meeting was reopened a third time at 6:17, to take care of the employees’ raises. All of the men except for one were to receive 20 cent raises; he was to receive 50 cents. The meeting was adjourned again at 6:18.

Board President Steven Stanford gaveled SCSD’s first 2013 meeting to order at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, January 16, with board members Jason Chamberlain, Amanda Cook, Evelyn Cottrell, Holly Kubus, Martha Stanford, and Clay Weaver present. Also in attendance were Superintendent Bronson Stone, Elementary Principal Bob Keyes, Business Manager Gary Kiernan, Special Ed Coordinator Joni Miller, and Facilities Manager Donnie Norris. Rotating in as Union Representative for this month’s School Board meeting was Kathleen Hinkley. School Directors Lori Canfield and Carol Jackson were absent.

Security of the students and district employees was the over-riding concern of the evening in light of last month’s mass murder at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Superintendent Stone noted that state or local police had had a presence on campus and touched based with the administration during the course of every school day since the aforementioned incident. Additionally, physical security procedures, to include the locking of all classroom doors, had been put into effect. Parents of students have already been notified by letter of those security measures which can be made public.

During the board’s deliberation and information session the previous evening, Superintendent Stone presented a plethora of physical security measures for the board’s consideration. Pros and cons of wide-ranging upgrades/measures, including cost factors, were placed before the board for future consideration. The aim of the increased security is what he termed “the 3 ‘D’s” - Detect, Deter, and Delay intruders. To that end, physical plant improvements, increased employee security awareness and training, and frequent drills will key achievement of optimal preparedness, which will hopefully never be needed.

In line with that preparedness, Superintendent Stone noted that he would be spending four eight-hour days working with a technical expert in the field to create the district’s new “All Hazards Plan” to replace the district’s now obsolete crisis response plan. The new All Hazards Plan, due to be completed by April 13, will be a comprehensive guide incorporating the most advanced strategic philosophy for handling emergent challenges to campus safety/security. Superintendent Stone indicated that security-related information which can be made public will be released later this year; but necessarily a significant portion of the All Hazards Plan will remain non-releasable in the interest of maintaining maximum security. To that end, specific security procedures and technical security details will not appear in this column. However, parents are encouraged by Superintendent Stone to contact him if they have concerns about any safety/security issue.

The Board approved hiring for a number of coaching/managing positions for the 20113-2014 and 2014-2015 seasons. Those hired were Roxann Lloyd - Football Cheerleading Coach; Jeff Hall - Cross Country Head Coach; Susan Day - Cross Country Assistant Coach; Jeff Baldwin - Girls Volleyball Head Coach; Sarah Holmes - Girls Volleyball Assistant Coach; and Susan Crawford - Girls Volleyball Game Manager, Substitute Game Manager.

Approved as Substitutes for the 2012-2013 school year were Heather Orner - Emergency Certified-Substitute Teacher; Kristin Potter-Social Studies, Special Ed and Mid-Level Math 7-9-Substitute Teacher; Lyndsey Pompey - Social Studies 7-12-Substitute Teacher; and Megan Schmitt - Substitute Aide.

Approved as Volunteers were Susan Day (for Track during spring 2013 season); Moses Perry and David Beaudette (for Football during fall 2013 season); and David Glidden and Karyn Armitage (for Ski Club during winter 2013).

During his briefing of elementary school matters to the board, Principal Keyes explained implementation of a new system for parents who pick up their children at the end of the school day. The newly devised system, to be implemented in April, will allow for the smooth transit of vehicles through the school’s drive on the Turnpike Street side, with parents remaining in their car even as a school employee expeditiously delivers their child to them. The system is designed with redundant checks to prevent errors and to ensure all of the 20 to 25 students being picked-up can be on their way home between 3:10 and 3:25 p.m. Parents who do not normally pick up their child on a regularly scheduled basis will be requested to contact the district office by 2:30 p.m. on pick-up days so that appropriate arrangements can be made. Superintendent Stone illustrated the entire process on a white board to provide clarification for those present, and he noted that another school district had already instituted such a system with extraordinary success.

Mr. Kiernan briefly discussed the results of the audit recently completed by Brian Kelly & Associates. During the previous evening’s information and deliberation session, three members of the firm presented an extended, detailed discussion of the district’s finances, as found in a 53-page report made available to those in attendance. What SCSD taxpayers should take away from the 2012 audit is that the district’s budget is tightly managed in accordance with applicable law and Generally Accepted Accounting Standards (GAAS), and that the school district is in a strong financial position relative to other Pennsylvania districts. Statistics of significance include the following:

- SCSD’s bonds have a favorable AAA rating from Standard and Poor’s Rating Group.

- SCSD’s general obligation debt was $2.58 million as of June 30, 2012, with that amount representing a mere 8.7% of its legal limit of $29.5 million.

- The Commonwealth provides 68% of the district’s operating revenue.

- Revenues for 2012 were $12,889,135; expenditures $12,940,660.

- General Fund revenue from the Commonwealth increased by 9.3% in 2012.

- General Fund revenue from the Federal Government DECREASED by 70.9% in 2012.

The audit further highlighted several matters which should be of concern to all district taxpayers. Medical expenses for district employees are rising at an 11% clip. Furthermore, the audit noted, “The District faces huge financial challenges in the near future. The employer portion of future employee pension payments will increase by more than 300%. Without a massive overhaul of the pension system, the district will see its contributions increase from approximately $265k to over $2 million in three short years. The outlook for the State’s ability to invest in public education over the next few years is also a major concern. . . . The outlook is that the State will have to go back to 2008-2009 funding levels for public schools. If this happens, every public school within the Commonwealth will face huge budget shortfalls in revenue.”

Also in discussing finances, Superintendent Stone noted (during the deliberation and information session of the previous evening) that the local tax collection rate had fallen to 89.4%. While Ararat Township and Starrucca borough had rates of collection over 92%, the boroughs of Susquehanna Depot, Oakland, Lanesboro, and Thompson were all below the mean, with Oakland borough at the bottom, managing a tax collection rate of just 79%. Those unpaid taxes add up to a significant amount of uncollected revenue. For 2012, tax bills for 446 parcels were returned to the county for non-payment of taxes. Also noted in conjunction with these statistics was the observation that non-homestead/non-farmstead property owners have a significantly higher rate of tax delinquency.

The culmination of the discussion of local tax revenues was the question of whether by permitting all property owners - as opposed to the limiting classes of homesteads, farmsteads, and small businesses - to participate in the three-payment plan, tax compliance and revenues might be increased. Three local tax collectors were present to give their views, and the pros and cons of the issue were discussed at length. While no decision appears forthcoming, the board may consider it for an official decision later in the school year. A decision will be necessary by the end of this school year so that technical changes, if necessary, can be made at the county level.

SCSD board meetings are marked by their congeniality and joviality. The board’s January meeting was equally so, despite the pall of Sandy Hook and its portent of impending changes. So it was a pleasure that two events added animation to the evening. Ellen Holdredge and Robert McNamara, representing the Pennsylvania Association of State Retirees, presented sixth-grade elementary teacher Miss Henshaw, with a certificate for a prize to be given to the student in her class who wins this year’s reading award. Miss Henshaw explained briefly the reading competition she had instituted, with students encouraged to read at least 15 minutes each evening, and have as a goal 2,000 minutes of out-of-school reading time for the school year. The students in Miss Henshaw’s class do not know what prize they are competing for, so in the interest of maintaining the secret, the prize shall not be revealed (It’s a nice one!) until the winning student is identified.

The second event of joy was celebration of January as School Director Recognition Month. Superintendent Stone presented a certificate to each board member and gave thanks for their tireless and unremunerated service. Once the board adjourned from their duties at 7:37 p.m., School Director Recognition Month was duly celebrated - with cake - marble cake from Robb’s. Gary Kiernan threw his tie over his left shoulder and did the honors, cutting piece after piece. Bob Keyes jumped in, in gentlemanly fashion, and delivered serving after delicious serving. And so ended an evening bittersweet.

SCSD’s next official board meeting is set for Wednesday, February 20. On the evening before that meeting, the board’s deliberation and information session will be held, at which time Mayor Chris Maby is expected to provide information on options for Lanesboro Police to beef up security on the school campus.

The Elk Lake meeting was first when the school board of both the ELSD and SCCTC convened on January 17th. 

At the beginning of the meeting, there was a presentation by Paul Murphy, a CPA and partner in Murphy Dougherty and Company.  The firm audited 13 of the school districts in the area.  It had issued a clean opinion for both Elk Lake and the SCCTC.  This meant, in part, that the firm was willing to sign their name to the accuracy of the financial data included in it.  It was the highest level one could receive in an audited report.  He then reviewed a few of the details of the budget. 

Elk Lake had budgeted revenue at 17.4 million and received 17.3 million, being off by $163, 273.  Delinquent taxes were off budget by $329,000, and gas royalties by $216,000. State sources were above what was budgeted.  On the expenditures side, Elk Lake had anticipated to spend the 17.4 budgeted;  17.6 million was spent, with a difference of $187,397. This was partially explained by some extra money needed to be transferred to the cafeteria fund, which  was short by $65,000.  Also, vocational education was budgeted at just over 1 million,  and spend around $229,436 over budget.  The increase was mainly representative of tuition costs from Elk Lake students going to the career center.  The ending fund balance, then, was just over 3.8 million.  Of this, 3.2 million had been earmarked for future retirement increases.  Last year the district had spent $795,349.00 for retirement,  though a little more than half of that had been reimbursed by the state.  He spoke of what the looming increases could mean to the district. 

The career center had budgeted revenue at 2.9 million,  and received 3.3 million, leaving revenue of $401,480 to the positive.  It had expected to spend all but 50,000 of  that 2.9 million;  it over spent by $21,032.  Because of the increased revenue however,  the fund balance grew by $430,448.  The same retirement program was held at the career center as at the public school side, so the trends were similar though the numbers were smaller due to a smaller number of staff. 

Dr. Bush thanked Mr. Murphy for attending. 

Dr. Bush next broached the subject of school safety, in the wake of the recent tragedies in Connecticut and California.  He said that he had met with the staff, and a moment of silence for the Connecticut victims had been held.  He said that the principals and administrators had met with staff.  They had looked at how to tighten things up, and what steps could be considered down the road to make the facilities safer.  He characterized this by saying that he thought that the elementary, high school, and vo-tech staff had given several suggestions of hands on ways to increase safety now. 

One of the more prominent topics that had been going around, he continued, was the need for schools to have armed security guards.  There were a couple of different options.  He had put a phone call in to Western Wayne, which had a school resource officer filled by the state police.  They paid roughly $90,000 for this service.  Dr. Bush had also put a call in the to DA, and had scheduled a meeting with the Montrose borough police.  Other districts were going through contracting with local police.  Due to not having a municipal police, the district’s police were the state police.  In order to go with local police then they would have to go through Dimock township. 

There were differences between school resource officers and a police presence.  The school resource officers required certain paperwork, and had regulations about what they could do.   

He said it also raised the philosophical question of whether or not they wanted armed guards in the school.     

Another thing schools were doing was arming school personnel.  There was a provision for this in Pennsylvania. One district had used retired state police members as another option. 

An entity was scheduled to come in to conduct a threat assessment by a private investigative firm.  This was required as part of a mandated Hazard plan.  They had been waiting for this for two years, due to the demand for the service. 

The school had also looked at other ways to secure the district.  Various ideas were reviewed, included the idea of metal detectors.  There would be some cost;  the situation was to be looked at more thoroughly. 

Mr. Emmerich asked what they were doing regarding drills.  Dr. Bush explained that there were lockdown drills held, along with fire and weather emergency drills.  School bus evacuation drills were also held twice a year.  In addition there were other evacuation drills, including one which had been held off site. 

Mr. Curley asked what had been the staff in-service resources for identifying problems.  Dr. bush said that there had been drills for staff in the past, including an intruder drill by the state police.   Mr. Tewksbury asked if the district had the personnel who could spot students at risk.    Dr. Bush said that there were services, including guidance counselors and the student support team.  Any faculty member could refer a student to the student assistance team. 

It was a complicated situation, but the district would continue to look at it.  The Hazards Plan was a state requirement, and it was fairly comprehensive. 

Mr. Place said that for years he had sat in on monthly safety meetings.  To make a school totally secure, however, it would have to be a new facility from the ground up, and even then it might not be secure.  Vigilance was important and the matter wasn’t just being discussed at the board level. 

The second item Dr. Bush wanted to discuss was the Williams pipeline.  He had spoken  with the district solicitor, who advised that the district not discuss it in public as it was an ongoing negotiation.  He shared with the board that the solicitor did feel it was close to being concluded fairly quickly. He also shared that the board was more than willing to complete it as soon as possible.  Dr. Bush spoke of how the board had agreed with coming forward for special meetings. 

Next, he explained that there were two phases of completing the construction project.  Figures for equipment were continuing to be compiled for the board.  In terms of the contractors, he reviewed a few topics. Overall, the district was still on track with its budgeted amounts, it was confirmed. 

Dr. Bush wished to propose a plan to the board.  They had been kind of pressed at that point to come once a month to hear from the public and take care of business.  He was proposing that the board split the Elk Lake meeting and the SCCTC meeting, and hold them on two different nights.  He had suggested the first Thursday of the month for one of the meetings.  It was proposed that this begin in March. 

There had been some discussion regarding if it was possible for the district to be hooked up with the gas service.  Dr. Bush had been able to have some encouraging conversations and had spoken with Leatherstocking about the matter.  The company was looking at connecting Montrose in 2013. The representative hadn’t thought there would be any problem with the application to expand.  He felt the fact that the district had its own wells would bode well for it.  It was suggested that the district could perhaps be hooked up in the next school year, which would potentially represent a huge savings. 

Mrs. Teel desired to put together a new technology committee.  This might involve the ability for students to take technology home.  She spoke of this, saying that she personally felt that Elk Lake was being left behind.  At some schools the students had a device in their hands that they took from room to room and were able to take home.  She wished to look into forming a technology committee, and she noted the program by Apple where schools could lease rather than purchase the devices.  She said it was becoming the way of the world.  Mrs. McGee suggested getting a cross section of students as well. 

The meeting then moved on to the principal’s reports.  In Dr. Cuomo’s report, he requested that the board approve the spring play entitled “Dressed to Kill”,  which was a comedy about the fashion industry. 

Mr. Mallery wished to congratulate the men’s and women’s basketball team for performance at a Christmas tournament, which the district had hosted.  Also, Mr. Warnero had celebrated his 100th win. 

Mr. Pirone stated that the elementary school was gearing up for the PSSA writing field test. The school was also continuing the trend of having parents and grandparents come in to lunch. 

The transition agency open house was to be held, Mrs. Staats reported.  The agency representatives were to be at the school in the morning.  The career center was to provide lunch for the agencies. 

The compensation plans for the tax collectors were reviewed.  The tax collectors to run this year needed to know what they would be paid, so as to make the decision whether or not to run.  The proposed plan involved setting a tiered system for one payment rather than a set flat fee, based on the size of the district.  The actual compensation per real estate and per capita were to remain the same.  Mr. Emmerich asked how much more this would cost the district;  it was responded that it would increase costs by $5,250 but would compensate them more fairly. 

There was a Berkheimer resolution.  In the past Berkheimer had been the tax agency, but the county tax committee had switched to Centax the previous year.  Centax had gone under, and so Berkheimer was again serving the purpose.  Thus a few resolutions needed to be approved regarding this. 

The PSBA policy was reviewed. 

January was board recognition month, and Dr. Bush appreciated the effort the board put into it. He said that sometimes it was not comfortable to be sitting in the board’s shoes, and joked that their pay check didn’t reflect their dedication. 

Mr. Tewksbury said that at the past meeting, they had neglected something.  Generally when a president resigned from the position, he was acknowledged for his service. 

The second visitor section was opened.  A man spoke first, standing and desiring to present a document from DEP to the board.  The document was from Williams, and was a permit application in regards to erecting a natural gas compression station.  He said that this would be the third in close proximity to the school.  He had various concerns, one of which was air quality.  He noted that included in the application was a list of emissions which would come from the plant.  He felt these emissions would have an impact when the three were completed.  He felt that Williams was consistently lacking in providing information to the public. 

He said he realized that there was a need for them, but opined that there were different ways which these stations could be built.  He did not know why they were putting three so close to the school.  Mr. Place asked what DEP said when asked a question about notification.  DEP had been contacted, the visitor replied, and the matter could be investigated.  Mrs. Teel agreed to accept the permit application.  The visitor clarified that he was not against the industry.  However, Williams could build state of the art compression facilities.  He was concerned that the ones they were building would not be state of the art.  Mr. Place pointed out that as a school board they had no power to influence the topic. 

Dr. Bush said that he had received a letter of concern regarding the matter, and had sent it out to legislators with concerns.  The district was active with this. 

A woman then spoke up, asking if she could pass out contact addresses for legislators who might be contacted. 

The Susquehanna County Career and Technology Center meeting passed more quickly.  During Dr. Davis’ report she reviewed the Skills USA competition.  Approximately 60 students were taken, 30 had come back with medals, and 10 were to move on.  For the month of February, the school was to have a display at the courthouse.  The FBLA competition had gone very well.  A new menu was presented.  One of the students was featured in the Touch of Class New Year’s Day buffet, for featuring prime rib.  Students had been inducted into the National Technical Honor Society.  Phase 1 and 2 for the LPN program had been sent to the state.  Currently there were about 135 people who had expressed interest in the program.

Dr. Bush asked for permission to bid new vehicles.  There was one van which the school would like to replace, but overall the school was in good condition vehicle wise, it was said.  The other replacement that was being sought was to replace the school truck.  This did not have a lot of mileage on it,  but Dr. Bush described it as having been beat fairly well.  This was a pickup truck which could have a snow plow attached.  The van was to be a 14 passenger van.  At the end of this meeting Dr. Bush again thanked and commended the board. 

A visitor asked if at this point the district knew how much they had been reimbursed by the state for the expansion project.  Dr. Bush responded that to date the state had not reimbursed anybody for construction projects.  Mr. Place thought it might have been over two years now that no one had received reimbursement. 

A visitor asked if there was any way the school could get a farm license to put the snow plow on the beater truck,  as plowing could be hard on a new pickup truck.  It was stated that this might be a possibility.  The district wasn’t likely to get much as a trade in.

Mark Kotar stood before the Hallstead Borough Council at the very outset of its January meeting on the 17th with a report on the doings of the Hallstead-Great Bend Joint Sewer Authority (HGBJSA). He was pretty sure he had been reappointed to Hallstead’s seat on the sewer authority board, and Council assured him that it was in the minutes of the December meeting.

He told Council that the sewer plant renovation project is finally “pretty much wrapped up,” nearly 2 years after its originally-planned completion date and way over budget. He said that the plant is now operating well within the limits of its license, but that the authority may need to borrow yet another $750,000 to nail everything down.

Mr. Kotar, now vice chair of the sewer authority, said that its board still meets twice monthly at the plant (1st and 3rd Mondays), but hopes to cut back to once a month when the project is finally complete. He said they also hope to wrap up the issue with payments by the New Milford Municipal Authority within the next couple of months. The New Milford authority has disputed the HGBJSA’s rate increases as well as its share of the reconstruction costs.

Mr. Kotar then announced that the sewer authority will soon begin a search for a “hands-on” full-time manager. He said that an on-site manager should reduce engineering costs and be responsible for developing and maintaining a preventive maintenance program, hoping to cut costs for sludge removal, a major expense for the authority. However, the expense involved with the employment of a manager may lead to another increase in sewer rates.

Toward the end of the meeting, long after Mr. Kotar had left, Council members expressed some chagrin that sewer rates could go up yet again so soon. Rates were increased modestly just recently and have been rising steadily as the plant renovation project has proceeded. There was no information about the size of any possible increase.

Otherwise, the brief meeting heard a complaint by Council chair Michelle Giangrieco that vehicles have been using the Franklin Street park as a playground again.

And Borough Secretary Cindy Gillespie distributed keys for the 2 new doors to the Borough building as renovation continues on the second floor in preparation for the arrival of a new hair business.

The Hallstead Borough Council meets on the third Thursday of each month beginning at 7:00 pm on the 2nd floor of the Borough building at Franklin and Lackawanna Streets.

At the January 7th Montrose Borough meeting, various topics were discussed, including the new proposed Community Center, fuel oil, and speed limits. An executive session was held as well, to discuss personnel and real estate.

A letter had been received from Congressman Tom Marino asking if a staff person could could use a room at the borough building once a week. Mr. Lamont put it up to the council to decide. Ms. Skinner asked how much they would charge. Mr. Lamont said that as he read it, it appeared to be a pro bono request. It was suggested that perhaps they should respond to the letter, listing per diem rates. Ms. Skinner suggested that they research how much other legislators paid.

Mr. Granahan asked why they couldn’t put stop signs on Lake Avenue. He had received comments regarding the speed on that road. It was responded that this was a PennDot road. Requests to PennDot for signs on various roads in the past had not come to fruition.

Mr. DiPhillips gave his report. There was tree debris from Sandy up at Prospect and Chenango Streets. He asked the borough if they would like the street department to clean this up. Also, a tree had come down on High Street. Someone had said that they would cut it for firewood, but if they didn’t Mr. DiPhillips queried as to whether or not council wanted them to do that as well. Council agreed that the trees be removed.

Sign prices were reviewed. Pedestrian signs were estimated to cost $140 a sign. If council pursued this course, the signs were to read “Caution, yield to pedestrians in roadway”. It was pointed out that this wasn’t legal, as in the state of Pennsylvania pedestrians had to yield to traffic except in crosswalks. There had been requests for reduced speed limits. Ms. Skinner asked Dale what they could legally say on the signs. It was responded that they could say anything except “yield to pedestrians” as cards did not have too. It was suggested that perhaps the signs could read “caution pedestrians in roadway”.

Mr. Reimel asked if they could make ordinances lowering speed limits in certain areas of the borough. It was thought that they could, but suggested that there had to be a reason to do so. It was suggested that perhaps people were not going as fast as it seemed. Mr. Reimel suggested that perhaps the borough should enforce the laws it had rather than make new ones.

One of the police suggested a “Slow” sign. Mr. Lamont asked what council’s pleasure was. A visitor suggested a “Children at Play” sign. It was suggested that council could keep working on it, and it was tabled for the time.

Temporary stop signs on both ends of Gary Lane had been discussed. There was a yield at the bottom of Gary Lane already, but it was stated that people went through it. A motion was made to this effect. Everyone who ran one sign would be told about them. The motion carried.

Mr. Reimel stated that the liner was in the ice skating rink. There was ice in it then, though it was not going to be skateable for a bit.

A violation was affirmed by the zoning hearing board. The property owner had an appealing period, for thirty days. If he chose to appeal it then the decision was stayed. Enforcement could begin on the 17th, unless he filed an appeal. This was in response to a question regarding the fact that the water at the site was still being used. There was also to be a hearing on a variance. It had been decided that the variance could not be passed. However, Mr. Reimel asked if the hearing still had to be held, and it was responded that it did, whether the motion would pass or not. It was suggested “plus expenses” could be added to the charges, to defray the cost of a stenographer, etc.

Mr. Granahan brought up the subject of the Montrose Municipal Authority. He said that Bridgewater Township’s portion of the cost of the MMA was part of the council’s decision to go along with the borough’s part of the upgrade expense. He suggested that they ask the solicitor to talk with the MMA’s solicitor. It looked like they were starting to lay the groundwork to deny their financial participation in the upgrade. Solicitor O’Malley was to speak with the MMA solicitor to see if they could get a better explanation of the situation.

The rules of the chamber were reaffirmed. They were revised from the court proceeding, it was explained.

The borough had the keys to the Community Center. Mr. Lamont suggested that someone be temporarily made responsible for the building. It was thought that perhaps another meeting could be held on the 14th, thus this meeting would be recessed. Mr. Lamont did not expect any decisions to be made, but then the council could be covered by the Sunshine Law. It would cover the plans and purposes of the new Community Center. Until that time however, they made Mr. DiPhillips responsible for the plowing, and one of the shift officers responsible for opening the door, walking through, and ensuring that the heat was on at least once a day. This was motioned and approved. Mr. Lamont also asked them to give him the authority to discuss the matter with the firemen, as there was some concern that they might take their parking lot for public parking. All of this was approved. The special meeting was scheduled for 7 pm.

The mid month meeting was to be January 21st. There was also to be a zoning hearing board meeting on the 22nd.

After an executive session, the meeting reconvened. A motion was made for a rate change for the parking enforcement officer. His rate was changed from 9.53 to 10.25 per hour. A motion was then made to increase the borough employee compensation rate by 50 cents an hour. This also passed.

Please find the list of names drawn to serve as Petit and Traverse jurors for February to appear in the Court of Common Pleas, Susquehanna County Courthouse (large courtroom), Montrose, PA, on the 4th day of February 2013, at nine o’clock a.m. (9:00 a.m.)

Apolacon Twp.: Craig Hewes
Auburn Twp.: Ashley Brown, Robert Maiolini
Bridgewater Twp.: Lisa Crayton, Stephen Groover, Michael Halesky, Patricia Jenkins, Philip H. Jerauld, Karl Kail, Henry Wood
Brooklyn Twp.: Patrick Durland, Chris Hadnagy
Choconut Twp.: Sarah Shannon
Clifford Twp.: Mary Clark, Ralph Grecco, Doris Pappas
Dimock Twp.: Robert Hess, Robert Hunter, Patricia Ketcham, David VanHorn
Forest Lake Twp.: Ronald Carlton
Franklin Twp.: Arthur Bolles, Allen Luce, Allan Porter, James Richards
Gibson Twp.: Stella Bomersheim, James Canfield, Barbara DeWolfe, Louis Joseph Grisafi, Constance Panasevich, Mark Sartell, Marcia Weber
Great Bend Borough: Philip Frantz
Great Bend Twp.: David Calla, David Clemens, John Gordon
Hallstead Borough: Charles Fuller, Jesse Naylor
Harford Twp.: Chris Heide, Robert Keene, Christine Latwinski, Donna Warren
Jackson Twp.: Brian Bright Pamela Hegedus, Michelle Snyder
Jessup Twp.: Robert Oakes
Lanesboro Borough: Heather Decker, Tara Pooler
Lathrop Twp.: Donna Brenneman, Ronald Carpenetti
Lenox Twp.: Joseph Gates, Jeffrey Smith, James Tiffany
Liberty Twp.: Julie Brand
Little Meadows Borough: Paul Peterson
Middletown Twp.: Kenneth R. Davis
Montrose Borough 1st Ward: Brenda Sinkovich, Gwen Zimmerman
Montrose Borough 2nd Ward: Jessie Holbert
Oakland Borough: Ronald Beavan, Thomas Gallagher, Ryan Stalker
Oakland Twp.: David Forker
Rush Twp.: Richard Gary, Dean Mitchell
Silver Lake Twp.: Randall S. Cole
Susquehanna Borough 1st Ward: Brian Payne, Frederick Pittack
Thompson Twp.: Daniel Butts.

DEEDS

Anna Clara Swisstack (estate aka) Ann Swisstack (estate) to George Randall Bevan, William B., Daniel A. & Michael G. Bevan, in Choconut Twp., for $1.00.

Mark Brackney Associates LP to John & Judith Ramsay, in Choconut Twp., for $185,000.00.

Richard L. Arnold to Arnolmont Partners LP, in Dimock Twp., for $1.00.

Richard Lyon Arnold to Arnolmont Partners LP, in Dimock Twp., for $1.00.

Mary J. Barbour to Harry W. & Marjorie E. Marvin, in Great Bend Twp., for $40,000.00.

Aileen N. Kerr to Jason T. Kerr, in Bridgewater Twp., for $1.00.

Michael C., John V. & David A. Morreale to Morreale Brothers LP, in Forest Lake Twp., for $1.00.

Michael C., John V. & David A. Morreale to Morreale Brothers LP (aka) Morreale Brother LP, in Forest Lake Twp., for $1.00.

Michael C., John V. & David A. Morreale to Morreale Brothers LP, in Forest Lake Twp., for $1.00.

Carol M. Masters to Stearns Farm Family Limited Partnership, in Harford Twp. & Brooklyn Twp., for $1.00.

Carol M. Masters to Carol M. Masters (trust), in Harford Twp. & Brooklyn Twp., for $1.00.

Victor Demaio (aka) Victor A. Demaio, Lorraine Demaio (aka) Lorraine E. Demaio, in Ararat Twp., for $1.00.

Paul A. Strohl (aka) Paul A. Strohl Sr. to Phillip J. Thomas Sr. & Paula L. Strohl-Thomas (aka) Paula L. Strohl Thomas, in Bridgewater Twp., for $1.00.

Maxine & Robert C. Skinner & Dolores J. Kane to Dawn & Robert Fearnley, in Bridgewater Twp., for $1.00.

Charles T. Blaisure & Sandra L. Walker to Sandra L. Walker, in Rush Twp., for $1.00.

Maxine & Robert C. Skinner & Dolores J. Kane to James & Dixie Nowick, in Bridgewater Twp., for $1.00.

Maxine & Robert C. Skinner, Dolores J. Kane & George E. & Sherry L. Gow, to George E. & Sherry L. Gow, in Bridgewater Twp., for $1.00.

Donna Williams to Donna, Mark H. & Jeffrey D. Williams, in Brooklyn Twp., for $1.00.

Dorreen V., Nicholas & Nicholas N. Manley to Dorreen V., Nicholas & Nicholas N. Manley, in Dimock Twp., for $1.00.

Valerie A. & Carl M. Burdick Jr. to Sarah A. Manzer, in Great Bend Borough, for $79,000.00.

John Schell Jr. to Steve Fitzgerald, in Susquehanna, for $21,500.00.

Deborah Johnson & Ronald Johnson (aka) Ronald P. Johnson to David B. Wood, in Bridgewater Twp., for $210,000.00.

George A. Brown (estate) to Caroline Strait, in Dimock Twp., for $1.00.

Caroline Strait to Ronald & Jean Carter, in Dimock Twp., for $1.00.

Caroline Strait to Brian S. & Christine A. Gibbons, in Dimock Twp., for $1.00.

Nancy W. Ross to B Elliot Ross & Jessica Ross Davis, in Herrick Twp., for $1.00.

Nancy W. Ross to Hilary L. & Jay Duncan Ross, in Herrick Twp., for $1.00.

Nancy W. Ross to Nancy W. Ross, in Herrick Twp., for $1.00.

Ann E. Green, Edward Fristrom, Margaret M. Green, Thomas Dawson (aka) Thomas Dawson II, Elisabeth R. Green & Benjamin Schmidt (aka) Benjamin G. Schmidt to Greenhome Farm LLP, in Auburn Twp. & Dimock Twp., for $1.00.

Peter F. Hackett & H Louise Hackett (aka) Louise B. Hackett to Peter M. Hackett, in Franklin Twp., for $1.00.

Mary L. Merritt to Kenneth W. Merritt, in Gibson Twp. & Harford Twp., for $1.00.

Richard W. & Lori A. Mackey to Richard W. & Lori A. Mackey, in Lathrop Twp., for $1.00.

Catherine M. Burke to Andrew Anderson & Lynn Ann Racht, in Forest City, for $60,000.00.

Gary & Helena Arbosheski to Gary & Helena Arbosheski, in Forest Lake Twp., for $1.00.

Rosalie A. Kish (nbm) Rosalie A. Crawford, Donald W. Crawford & Charles E. Bliss, to Rosalie A. & Donald W. Crawford, in Franklin Twp., for $1.00.

David B. & Imelda B. Toland to Edward Buchholz, in Lenox Twp., for $39,000.00.

Delbert W. Potts to Potts Trust, in Forest Lake Twp., for $0.00.

Patricia A. Wilbur to Patricia A. Wilbur, in Liberty Twp., for $1.00.

Eugene M. Chidester (by atty) & Ida L. Chidester to Chidester Farms Inc., in Brooklyn Twp., for $1.00.

Kenneth & Mary Badenhop to Jacqueline Candalas, Trisha Langman, Melissa Badenhop Damiano, Stephanie Badenhop, Harrison & Houston Dugan, in Ararat Twp., for $1.00.

Kenneth & Mary Badenhop to Mary Badenhop Cannata, Kenneth Badenhop Jr., Gloria Badenhop Dugan & Thomas J. Badenhop, in Ararat Twp., for $1.00.

Robin E. Fike to Robert W. & Cassie L. Holley, in Auburn Twp., for $160,315.00.

Petros M. Beys to Petralex LLC, in Lenox Twp., for $1.00.

James S. & Donna M. Walker to Walker Family Farm LP, in Jackson Twp., for $1.00.

Doris S. Klees (estate) to Dee A. & Beth L. Klees, in Lathrop Twp., for $1.00.

Doris S. Klees (estate) to Dee A. & Beth L. Klees, in Lathrop Twp., for $1.00.

Claude A. Fuller (estate) to Paul F. & Susan A. Kuntz, in Bridgewater Twp., for $71,000.00.

Zane & Zelma Spitzer III to Bremerhof Owners Inc., in Herrick Twp., for $100.00.

Charlotte N. Griggs to Jason Griggs, in Choconut Twp., Apolacon Twp. & Friendsville Borough, for $1.00.

Michael Labzentis to Joshua Merrill Owens & Megan Owens, in Jessup Twp., for $96,000.00.

Joshua Merrill Owens & Megan Owens to Paul R. & Kimberly L. Wells, in Bridgewater Twp., for $115,000.00.

Howard H. & Bonita C. Buchanan to Bonita C. & Howard H. Buchanan & Wendy Morgan, in Great Bend Twp., for $1.00.

Sean M. & Amber Bonnice to Sean M. & Amber Bonnice, in Bridgewater Twp., & Jessup Twp., for $1.00.

Laurence A. Wilson & Laurie Graham to Jeffrey J. & Christine Kelley, in Gibson Twp., for $100,000.00.

Frederick W. & Dorothy Thomas & Sean T. Granahan to Sean T. Granahan, in Montrose, for $1.00.

BENCH WARRANTS

The Susquehanna County DOMESTIC RELATIONS Section has outstanding BENCH WARRANT’S for the following individuals as of 11:10 a.m. on January 18, 2013: Elbert G. Allen, Jeremy E. Anderson, Sr, Sharon Baker, Christopher R. Brenner, Sarah A. Briggs, Daniel M. Brown, William J. Casey, Thomas D. Earley, Jonathan Fathi, David J. Fischer, John J. Jenisky, Jr, Richard E. Kalinowski, James Karhnak, Kay L. Knolles, Lee Labor, Todd J. Layton, Charlie J. Legere, Derrick J. Lezinsky, Richard A. Murphy III, Anastacia V. Poff, Anthony Reed, Perry Rohan, Bruce A. Schurr, Neil D. Shaffer, Desiree L. Shifler, David J. Shiner, Jerome W. Slick, Eric J. Snell, Stephen Sorensen, Tessa E. Thomas, Justin S. Thompson, Earl H. Thompson, Jr, Steven G. Warner, Roger Williams, Jamie L. Williams, Sr., Dina C. Wilson, Kelly Lynn Yarbrough.

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

Firearms Prohibited Weapon: On January 16th at 10:01 pm police were called to a location in Harford to a complaint of an argument. It was told to responding troopers that a Harford man had a sawed-off shotgun. The man produced the shotgun, which was shorter than the barrel length allowed by law. He was charged with prohibited weapon.

Crash: On January 16th at 8:15 pm Nelson Carter of Susquehanna was traveling southbound on Sr 92 in Gibson Township when he lost control on the slippery roadway and went onto the right shoulder. The vehicle then veered back to the left and went off of the left side of the roadway and struck a tree. It then traveled into a driveway and struck a GMC Sierra in the left wheel. Carter was wearing a seat belt; he was not injured.

Crash: On January 16th on 7:13 pm Pamela Oleniacz of Kingsley was traveling south on Sr 2055 when she lost control of her vehicle, crossing into the oncoming lane and again exiting the roadway, and striking a tree with its left rear area. The vehicle then struck another tree with its right rear area, continued down an embankment, and struck another tree with its front end. No fire or ems responded. Oleniacz was wearing a seat belt; she was utilizing a seat belt; she was not injured. JD Towing towed the vehicle from the scene.

Crash: On January 16th at 6:30 am Joshua Kahle of Franklin was traveling south on Sr 3029 when he lost control of his Ford F150, which left the roadway to its right, struck a stone wall, the guide rail, and came to a rest off the west edge of the south bound lane. No fire or EMS responded to the scene. JD Towing towed the truck from the scene. Kahle was utilizing a seat belt; he was not injured.

Crash: On January 15th at 6:05 am Allan Nye of Springville was traveling east on Sr 3004 in that area when he lost control while negotiating a left curve. The vehicle entered a counterclockwise spin and slid across the double center lines and into the westbound lane. John Driscoll of Montrose was traveling west, when Nye's vehicle entered the westbound lane. The left front corner of Driscoll's vehicle struck the right front corner of Nye's. After impact Nye's vehicle spun around in a counter clockwise direction in the westbound lane and came to rest approximately 5' west from the point of impact, facing in a southerly direction. Driscoll's vehicle traveled in a northwest direction and left the roadway from the north shoulder, coming to rest approximately 10' from the impact point, facing in a westerly direction. Both driver's were utilizing seat belts; neither was injured.

Crash: On January 13th at 7:17 am Justino Acevedo of Meshoppen was traveling North on Sr 29 in Springville when his vehicle left the roadway to the right for undetermined reasons. The vehicle then crashed into a utility pole causing the pole to break. Acevedo was utilizing a seat belt; he sustained minor injury. He was to be cited for multiple traffic violations.

Crash: On January 15th at 6:15 pm an unnamed driver failed to negotiate a right hand curve in the roadway while traveling northbound on Sr 29 in Bridgewater township. The Honda Civic crossed the southbound lane and went over a small embankment at the intersection with Ritztex Rd., striking the road sign.

Harassment: On January 15th at 5:30 pm an incident occurred in which Jeffrey Warner is accused of grabbing a woman by the throat and shoving her to the ground while she was at his residence. Warner was cited for harassment.

Criminal Mischief: Sometime between the 11th and 15th of January damage occurred to three vehicles parked at the Liberty Truck Center Inc. The investigation was ongoing as of the time of report.

Underage Consumption: On January 2nd at 4:24 pm Matthew Cameron and Edward Camelio, both of Mount Bethel, PA, had reportedly been drinking alcohol at the Elk Mountain Ski Resort in Herrick Township. The accused were charged with Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages via Non Traffic Citation in District Court 34-3-03.

Hit and Run: On January 14th at 6:56 am an unknown vehicle was traveling southbound on Sr 267 in Rush Township when it was driven from the roadway and impacted a utility pole. The driver was attempting to negotiate a right hand curve in the road prior to loss of control. The driver fled the scene prior to police response.

Theft: sometime during the night of January 12th, a Hallstead man reported, he had his truck stolen from Wright Street in Hallstead Borough. The vehicle is a 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 pick-up. It has a red cab with a green box. Anyone with information is asked to please call the police.

Crash: On January 13th at 7:10 pm an unnamed driver attempted to back a Freightliner Century Class off Rt. 11 in Hallstead Borough and backed into a power pole. The driver stated that he had gotten lost and was attempting to pull off of the roadway and struck the pole.

Harassment: On January 11th at 8:41 pm a Clifford woman went into the Lenoxville beer store to try and get a picture of another woman, who is on probation, drinking alcohol. Both women got into a physical confrontation and both were cited for harassment at district court 34-3-03.

Crash: On January 12th at 2:35 pm Megan Weed of Owego, Ny was traveling north on Sr 0171 in Great Bend Township when she failed to negotiate a left curve in the roadway. The vehicle traveled off of the roadway and struck a tree.

Criminal Mischief: Sometime during the night of January 9th one or more person(s) got into a Caterpillar back hoe and drove it around a field on Labzentis Rd. in Rush Township until it got stuck in a dirt pile. The person(s) then got into a Caterpillar excavator, ran over a gas pipe, and damaged another excavator that was parked next to it, with the arm. The victim is listed as the STI oil Field group from Lawton, Pa. Anyone with information is asked to please contact the polce.

Crash: On January 10th at 12:36 pm John Rivenburg Sr. of Hop Bottom was traveling south on Sr 167 in Bridgewater township when he took his eyes off the road on a curve. The vehicle exited the roadway, struck a mailbox and a guide rail, and rolled over on its roof, coming to an uncontrolled rest in a creek upside down. Rivenburg was utilizing a seat belt; he got out safely with no injury. JD Towing towed the vehicle from the scene. Montrose fire responded for traffic control.

Theft: On January 2nd between 2:30 and 3:45 pm Matthew Palka and Jacob Johnson, both of Mount Bethel, Pa were observed rummaging through patron's belongings. Palka and Johnson admitted to theft of miscellaneous property belonging to multiple victims. Palka and jOhnson were arrested and charged with theft and Underage Consumption of Alcohol. Damelio and Cameron, who were with Palka and Johnson, were charged with Underage Consumption of alcohol.

Commercial Vehicle Crash: On January 10th at 3:41 pm Andrew Dubiel of Lexington, Ky was attempting to exit Sr 81 southbound at Exit 219 in New Milford, Pa. Dubiel failed to reduce speed and hit a barrier wall, causing the vehicle to overturn. Seat belt use was listed as none used/not applicable; he sustained injury of unknown severity.

Crash: On January 10th at 6:45 am Paul Magnotta of Lackawaxen, Pa was traveling westbound on Sr 106 and negotiating a right hand curve in the roadway when he failed to properly negotiate a curve and went off the left side of the roadway, striking a snow bank and continuing over the berm. The Chevrolet 1500 then continued traveling west and struck a tree. Magnotta was utilizing a seat belt; he was not injured.

Crash: On January 6th at 6:35 pm Daniel Hitchcock of Montrose was traveling northbound on Sr 167 in Montrose, Pa when his vehicle exited the right berm of the roadway for unknown reasons. It traveled along a drainage ditch for approximately 80 feet and then rolled onto its right side int the ditch, coming to a rest. Hitchcock was utilizing a seat belt; he was not injured.

Theft: Between January 5th and July 13th Aaron Enterprises of York, Pa and Best Line Equipment of Towanda, PA reported a Miller Big Blue 400d Arc Welder stolen from a worksite at the Price-Gregory Pipeline Site, Access Road #11 off Buckley Road, in Harmony Township. The Welder was blue in color with Best Line stickers on it. Anyone with information is asked to please contact the police.

Hit and Run-Update: On January 6th at 3:44 am Joshua Shaffer of New Milford, Pa was traveling westbound on Sr 706 in Jessup Township when he drove his vehicle from the roadway, impacting a utility pole south of the travel lanes. Shaffer fled the scene prior to police response. The vehicle was towed form the scene by JD's towing. He was utilizing a seat belt; he did not sustain injury.

Crash: PSP Gibson is investigating a one vehicle roll over crash tha toccurred on Sr 2008 in Clifford Township. Erica White of that location was traveling west on Sr 2008 and failed to negotiate a left hand curve. The vehicle subsequently traveled off the right side of the roadway and impacted a tree, prior to rolling onto its roof.

Burglary: On December 29th the home of a Clifford Township woman was entered by means of an open door at the front of the residence. A jewelry box containing miscellaneous jewelry, which was located on a dresser in the victim's bedroom, was stolen. Anyone with information is asked to please contact the police.

Disorderly Conduct: Sometime during the night of January 5th fecal matter was smeared on the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier belonging to a Hallstead man. Anyone with information is asked to please contact the police.

Criminal Mischief: On January 4th at 5:22 pm an unknown person got out of a green Subaru car and knocked over the mailbox belonging to a Clifford township man.

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