At the February 7th New Milford Borough Council meeting, during the codes section of the meeting updates were sought and given regarding various matters.

Ms. Gulick asked what had been heard regarding the Young property, located behind the new senior housing facility. Calls had been received from residents regarding this. Mr. Young had been sent a letter of violation. It was suggested that council see where this stood, if the period had expired.

Mr. Ainey had received calls regarding the zoning hearing board's decision on the Lawrence property. The variance had been denied, meaning that the property was in violation. A representative of the zoning hearing board spoke up, saying that they had 30 days to appeal the decision in response to the letter. She also confirmed that it was not up to the zoning board to enforce the decision. Council planned to investigate to see if an appeal had been filed.

At the first hearing of visitors, someone asked what was going on regarding the gas company situation. It was asked if there was one gas company, or more than one. Council clarified that it wasn't a gas company, but rather a utility company in question. There was only one, Leatherstocking. The visitor said she had been under the impression that there wouldn't be surcharges, given the pipeline's location in the town. Mr. White explained that there would still be the same taxes, but the rate could be reduced because it was so close.

Ms. Gulick pointed out an example of a letter which had been given to Main Street residents, which was a survey to assess interest. She said that if there was not enough interest in New Milford, they wouldn't even come to provide the service. There was some further discussion of costs. The visitor asked, if there wasn't enough interest, if another company would come through, and offer maybe a better deal. Mr. Ainey explained that they could not, as the PUC had granted the ability to serve New Milford to that company.

The visitor then asked about the speed limit. This led to a brief discussion of crosswalks. Montrose had them, with signs demarcating them. The visitor spoke of high rates of speed through town. She planned to around and get signatures on a petition, stating that she would not give up on it. Mr. White said that he didn't think anybody on council was against lowering the speed limit if it was what the township wanted. The state would have to do a feasibility study, Ms. Gulick explained, as Main Street was a state road. It was confirmed that a state representative had been contacted. Another visitor spoke of other municipalities which had the speed limit lowered. Mr. Ainey pointed out that any speed limit was only as good as the enforcement. The visitor pointed out that as some people did obey the law, it would slow at least those people down. Mr. Ainey said that he knew there was a reduction in speeding with the enforcement. He said that he knew for a fact now that people stepped on the brakes when they hit the junkyard. Ms. Gulick asked where they would want to consider putting crosswalks in. Ms. Cosmello explained that they had to go diagonal, corner to corner. She offered to call on the subject the next day, as she had a contact number. Mr. Ainey said that he wanted to hear from the solicitor regarding what their obligations would be if they put them in. Mr. White asked the visitor whether she wanted the speed limit lowered due to noise, or safety. She said that it was everything. Council agreed to look into it, and to begin exploring the possibility of a study. Mr. Ainey pointed out that they had not authorized any expense, and it was agreed that they would pursue a study if it was free.

Ms. Gulick asked if there was any chance to get a stop sign to make them more visible. Mr. White stated that the newer signs were brighter with more reflectability.

Ms. Lempke asked for a brief executive meeting at the end of the council meeting for a zoning issue, for legal purposes. She also reported that there was a water issue that smelled of sewage near her home. The ground was spongy. Mrs. Hine said that the matter was not being ignored, the property owners had been informed that it had to be fixed. Mr. Ainey said that this brought up the matter of who was responsible for sewers.

Notification had been received regarding the CDBG entitlement funds. Mr. Ainey suggested that they send that to their economic development committee to see if there was something they wanted to apply for. He explained that CDBG had to benefit a majority of low income people.

During the mayor's report, Mr. Taylor explained that the state was getting ready to do the bridge on Montrose Street. The repair had been planned for the previous year, and they hadn't had the money. The plan was then to do it for 2014. He wanted a way to get up there, in case of emergency as the bridge would be out for a year or two. The Army Corps of Engineer had temporary bridges, which he suggested could be put across the creek from Cobb Street for emergency use only. Mr. White pointed out that the creek wasn't the problem, but the railroad crossing could be an impediment. Mr. Taylor said that the Army Corps of Engineers, if it were deemed necessary, would give them the bridge, though the borough would have to pay to transport and erect it. He said that a grant could maybe be applied for, and felt they should look into it now.

He also said that the housing project was coming along well.

There was a FEMA PEMA grant to return Peck Hill to pre-disaster conditions. The work was scheduled to begin in early spring. This would involve cleaning out the ditches some.

The ordinance committee had met and submitted an ordinance to create a recreation board as was allowed by the new borough code. This would appoint a 7 member board, and would actually be a part of the borough government. Mr. Ainey suggested that it would protect them as much or more than the borough. He asked that council send this ordinance on to the solicitor. A visitor asked if this would then dissolve any current parks committees in place from past years. Mr. Ainey said that the parks committee was never a part of the borough. It was a group of people getting together, doing some wonderful things, and using small amounts of money to take care of the pool, etc. Now that they were dealing with large amounts of money, it was felt wise to create a borough government body. The meetings had to be public, and held at the council building. They would be the borough's representative, like the parks committee always had been. Ms. Cosmello said that she felt it would be more structured. Ms. Wages said that it was all about responsibility, and culpability, and things which would mean council didn't have to speak with their solicitor. Ms. Gulick opined that there had been some wonderful members on the parks committee, and they were hoping that some of them would want to be part of this official committee. She felt that New Milford had the best parks in the county.

Ms. Cosmello had spoken with Gary Baker, and the borough needed to get an idea of what they wanted so that a meeting could be held. There had been a desire to have an official check presentation for the Constitution grant, by the pool at 10 am on February 21st.

Ms. Hine had contacted the Community Foundation. The idea had come from Mrs. Drake, and Mrs. Cosmello had spoken with a representative of the foundation. She felt that the Community Foundation should handle the money for the pool project. It would be put in a savings account, not a foundation account. The Community Foundation had offered to advertise in their magazine and on their website. They would not charge the borough a fee, as they believed it was a good project. Money donated would go directly to the Foundation. It was hoped that the money already committed would be able to procure the lift, for without it the pool would not open. Ms. Cosmello would be the sole liaison with the Foundation. Council motioned this and approved it.

Requests had been received from Leatherstocking. Several council members had spoken to a representative of that company regarding the surveys left on the houses on Main Street. It was felt that perhaps council could help hand these out, as they had a relationship with borough residents. Mr. Ainey again broached the subject of the borough sponsoring an open house. He suggested setting a meeting night and including a flier about the meeting in the survey bags.

The Earned Income tax meeting was mentioned. A public meeting was held with Berkheimer, and only four people were in attendance.

There was a need for a Pool Manager. The current Pool Manager, Vicky Drake, had decided to resign from the Parks Association and the Pool Manager Position.

Council was going to ask the fire company if they had any information on the siren, whether there was volume control, etc. There had been talk of having different sirens for different types of activities. Magnets could then be made to be given to residents so they knew what it was.

Mr. Ainey said that he had searched around for wagon wheels, and they were expensive. Mr. Taylor stated that if they got new wheels, they would last a long time. There was some talk then about the best way to procure wheels.

Sue Abbot had been the representative to the county tax collection committee, and she had resigned her position. The first alternate had also resigned. There was a need then to appoint a new representative. Ms. Wages was appointed.

On January 31st a letter had been received from Vicky Drake thanking council for the opportunity for being the tax collector, and resigning from the position. Mr. Ainey motioned to accept the resignation with regret, and that council send her a letter thanking her for her service.

Someone needed to be appointed to fill her term. There had been three letters of intent submitted, from Amy Conrad, Karen Gudykunst and Joan Burman. The appointment was not something which council could wait on, as sending out the bills was time sensitive. The position would run until the next election. Mrs. Cosmello made a motion to appoint Karen Gudykunst. The motion carried unanimously. Council thanked Ms. Conrad and Ms. Burman for their interest. Ms. Wages quipped that there were other volunteer positions they could fill. Mr. Ainey then made a motion that they accept the resignation of Ms. Gudykunst as an auditor. At that point an auditor needed to be located. The other two auditors, it was stated, were also not planning to run again, so that there would be three new auditor positions vacant at the next election.

The County Commissioners opened their February 13th meeting to a standing room only audience. It was short work to approve the minutes of the previous meeting and they directly moved on to approve the expenses of the last 2 weeks. Net payroll would require $394,339.65 from the county coffers. $160,385.76 covered general expenses. Contributions to the retirement fund would require $35,432, with another $94,185.25 going to withholding taxes and federal taxes.

Commissioner MaryAnn Warren was named as the authorized official to assign roles within the scope of DOT-grants. This would enable her to have more oversight within the actions of Treehab in regard to transportation programs. Treehab also received an additional $35,000 to assist with utility and rental assistance services.

Recycling and disposal reared its head in several portions of the meeting. A resolution was passed to dispose of obsolete, unused and broken equipment. Later nearly $4,000 was approved for the bid by Creative Information System to supply new software for the county recycling center. Later still we saw the commissioners approving a motion to research the feasibility of privatizing the recycling center. The aging infrastructure of the plant has drained more money each year, as has the fact that other plants are drawing materials from the site. Even using inmate labor the plant is failing to be profitable and as such privatization may alleviate expenses the county incurs which would allow funds to be redirected to other uses.

Training schedules were approved as well as staffing concerns handled in quick order. The director of the tax claims bureau (Catherine Benedict) requested that they exonerate the county tax collectors from the outstanding $605,032.92 still due. This would allow her department to directly start to peruse these accounts. With the continual need to update and expand 911 services, the commissioners also ordered a consolidation study. The amount approved was $26,000 to MCM Consulting.

Public comment was again fixated on the gas industry, with some comments on the hazard mitigation plan. Sadly it often seems to be the case that the commissioners are unable to cause changes due to the limited scope of their power. Commissioner Giangrieco had some interest while viewing a map available from Bradford County which showed all well site activity in the county. Plans to investigate producing a similar map may be on the horizon for Susquehanna County. Also concerns were raised over the number of elected officials in the state who are moving to oil company positions.

The Salary board meeting was brief with only 1 actual point of concern on the agenda. Due to an inability to reach an understanding all positions in the Susquehanna County conservation district are terminated as of June 28th. These positions are overseen by the state, and thus difficulties arose in permitting the staff to enjoy the coverages offered to county employees. Members of the group did attend the meeting and voiced how they held no animosity towards the commissioners who had always worked with them in good faith.

As usual, the printed agenda for the meeting of the Harford Township Supervisors on February 12th was sparse. But, again as usual, chair Garry Foltz augmented it at the end with a collection of inquiries and other items, not the least of which was the growing list of delinquencies in the sewer system accounts.

The township holds no fewer than 10 liens on properties significantly behind in payment of sewer fees, with delinquent amounts totaling almost $10,000. About half of that is accounted for by only 2 properties. The Supervisors closely scrutinized the list of system subscribers and decided (without a motion) to collect by “executing” the liens; that is, to threaten collection by sheriff’s sale, a.k.a., foreclosure. The collections procedure involves a series of monthly notices following a missed payment deadline, after which the township’s attorney is asked to file a lien at the courthouse. This is thought to be the first time that the township has attempted to follow through by sending properties to sheriff’s sale.

Mr. Foltz is also curious as to the whereabouts of 32 sewer pumps that were recently sent to Greenfield for repairs at a cost of some $7,000. Some of them undoubtedly were declared unfit for duty and discarded. But with a request for the purchase of 4 new ones, Mr. Foltz wants to know what happened to all the repaired ones. Surely they couldn’t all have been used so quickly. Is there a log that keeps track of these things?

A bridge on Lower Podunk Road is down to a 4-ton limit and badly needs repair or replacement. Mr. Foltz said that grant money may be available for such a thing, so he suggested that his colleagues consider hiring a grant writer for the purpose. The last time the township replaced a bridge – on Pennay Hill Road over Butler Creek – it cost over $400,000 (reimbursed by state and federal emergency management as a result of flooding). 60-80% of that in a grant would go a long way to making a new Podunk bridge possible.

Mr. Foltz also announced that the township received a 6-month extension on a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to fix up a number of spots in township roads damaged by storms called Irene and Lee a year and a half ago. He urged the township’s crew to build a plan and schedule to make it happen before the new deadline of September 8, 2013.

With natural gas exploration ramping up, the Supervisors granted a one-year waiver to Cabot Oil for drilling at a pad on Upper Podunk Road. They also recently granted driveway and road-crossing permits to Williams for another pipeline.

As they do every year, the Supervisors also rejected the offer of terrorism coverage from the township’s insurance broker.

And then they donated another $500 to the Harford/Lenox Baseball association, as they also do every year. The recent auction of old-style road signs brought in another $730 for the Little League club, with more to come.

The Supervisors accepted a list of 31 exonerations from the per-capita tax in the township. The exoneration list is created each year by the local tax collector and includes accounts that may be uncollectible for various reasons including mistakes in the records, people who are indigent, people who have died or moved, and such like.

Mr. Foltz also asked his colleagues to consider hiring another part-time worker. During a recent weekend ice storm it became difficult to find anyone on the staff or among known fill-ins willing or able to operate the equipment.

And finally, Mr. Foltz reminded his audience that primary elections are coming up on May 21. Petitions may be circulated and filed from February 19 until March 12. Petitons and nomination filings begin March 13. In Harford the positions up for grabs include Mr. Foltz’s own seat as Supervisor, tax collector, and election inspector.

The Supervisors will meet in special session on February 13 to go over a flood-plain ordinance in detail. The new ordinance must be submitted to the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) within 10 days or so. The ordinance is required to support applications for flood insurance by property owners.

The next regular meeting of the Harford Township Supervisors is scheduled for Tuesday, March 12, 2013 beginning at 7:00 pm at the Township Building on Route 547.

Burglary: Sometime during the night or early morning hours of February 11th/12th, two .22 caliber rifles and various tools were removed from within a barn in Springville, Township.

Crash: On February 12th at 4:22 pm April Kelly-Johnson of Clifford Township was traveling west on Pennay Hill Road In Harford Township when she lost control of her vehicle traversing an icy section. The vehicle exited the roadway and overturned. Kelly-Johnson was utilizing a seat belt; she sustained minor injury.

Crash: On February 9th at 12:25 am John Marconi, Jr of Friendsville was traveling southbound on Sr 0858 in Apolacon Township when he lost control of his vehicle, which traveled across the roadway, the driver side wheels exiting from the east shoulder. The vehicle then continued approximately 140' along the shoulder before striking and shearing off a utility pole. It then continued approximately another 5' and struck a tree, coming to a rest at the point of impact with the tree facing a southerly direction. After the crash Marconi fled the scene prior to police arrival.

Crash: Between the 10th and 11th of February, a man from the Nicholson area reported, the window of his 2006 Ford 500 was smashed and the vehicle ransacked, while parked in Bingham's parking lot. Anyone with information is asked to please call the police.

Crash: On February 8th at 6 pm Stephen Shafer III of Mehsoppen, Pa was traveling west on State Route 3004 in Auburn township when, for unknown reasons, his vehicle exited the roadway and struck a ditch. It then proceeded to roll over onto its roof, where it came to a final rests. Disabling damage was observed to the entire roof and front bumper area. Shafer was utilizing a seat belt; he sustained minor injury.

Crash: On February 9th at 7:19 pm James Mitchell of Windsor was traveling south on sr 92 in Oakland Township when his vehicle traveled off the west shoulder. He over corrected, and the vehicle slid across both lanes and impacted a tree off the east shoulder. Mitchell was utilizing a seat belt; he was not injured.

Hit and Run: On February 9th at 7:11 pm David Teed of Brackney was traveling north on Sr 11 in Harford Township at the same time that an unknown driver was traveling south. The latter crossed the yellow line and struck Teed's vehicle in the front quarter panel, scraping across the driver's side. The offending vehicle then fled south, in an unknown direction. It is believed to be a larger pickup truck, with a plow possibly on the front. Anyone with information is asked to please contact the police.

Hit and Run: On February 8th at 5:37 pm an unknown driver was traveling north on Sr 171 in Great Bend township when he or she lost control on a snow-covered highway and failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway. The vehicle traveled off the highway and struck a road sign on the shoulder of the highway. It continued to travel through a resident's yard; the driver then fled the scene traveling north on that road. The vehicle was described as a red Jeep Cherokee, box style.

Theft: PSP Gibson is investigating the theft of Burton and Ride snowboards and related clothing from a Hallstead Borough residence. Anyone with information is asked to please contact the police.

Criminal Mischief: PSP Gibson is investigating a criminal mischief incident in which a white male, upon exiting the premises of the Great Bend Pump and Pantry, kicked the glass door and shattered it. Anyone with information is asked to please contact the police.

Burglary: On January 29th between 9 am and 5 pm a Clifford Township home was entered by means of a pried open basement door. Several items of jewelry and a laptop were stolen from within. Anyone with information is asked to please contact the police.

Criminal Trespass: On January 31st between 2:13 and 3:15 am the lock was cut from the rear fenced in area of Timberline Lawn and RV, and the area entered for approximately 1 hour. No obvious items were taken from the scene. ATV's at Andre and Son Power Sports were also tampered with, either prior to or after the Timberline incident. Anyone with any information is asked to please contact the police.

Crash: On February 5th at 10:42 pm Sara Garavuso of Clifford Township was traveling north bound on Tr 460 in that municipality when her vehicle exited the snow covered roadway to the east of the travel lanes, impacted several trees, and came to a rest off the roadway in contact with a tree. She was not inured during this collision; a seat belt was in use.

Possession of a Small Amount of Marijuana/Possession of Drug Paraphernalia: On February 2nd at 4:50 pm a traffic stop for speeding was initiated on a black Hyundai Sonata bearing NY registration on I 81 in Great Bend Township. Contact was made with the operator (Grivvin Bell of Syracuse) and indicators of criminal activity were afoot. Consent to search was asked and granted verbally and in writing. The search yielded a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Both accused (the driver and passenger Mclean Fleming of Syracuse) were taken back to PSP Gibson where they were processed and released. Charges filed on both at District Court 34-3-02.

Hit and Run: On February 2nd at 6:09 pm Bret Metcalf of Susquehanna, Pa was traveling east on Sr 706 in New Milford Township at the same time as an unknown driver was traveling west. The latter sideswiped Metcalf's vehicle, and continued going west. Metcalf and a passenger were utilizing seat belts; no injuries were sustained.

Disorderly Conduct: On February 1st at 12:50 pm a disorderly conduct incident occurred at Blue Ridge High School, involving a 16 year old male student.

Disorderly Conduct: On February 1st at 7:15 a trooper had been at a Lawsville Center residence for a verbal domestic between a 40 year old man and his step-son. The incident had been over the step son smoking and falling asleep in bed, almost causing a fire. The man left the initial scene prior to the troopers arrival, and his girlfriend stated that he sometimes went to the County Seat bar in Montrose. The trooper went to Montrose and checked that area, but could not find the man. At that time he was informed that he had returned to the residence and had thrown his step son outside, and was drunk and yelling and screaming in the house. He repeatedly refused a lawful order to stop his actions and deescalate the situation, and was subsequently arrested for Disorderly Conduct, resisting arrest, and public drunkenness.

Hit and Run: On February 1st at 1:27 am David Hannigan of the Philadelphia, Pa area was traveling westbound on TR552, Plank Road, in Harford Township when he completed negotiating a right hand curve and was beginning to negotiate a left hand curve in the roadway. Hannigan lost control of the vehicle and exited the westbound travel lane, crossing the eastbound lane and exiting the roadway up an embankment. The vehicle then began a rolling maneuver toward the passenger's side, and came to a rest on TR552 upon the driver's side. Hannigan fled the scene prior to police response to the scene.

Criminal Mischief: Sometime during the night or early morning of January 31st/February 1st the mailbox belonging to a Harford Township man was smashed.

If you have information regarding any of these incidents please contact PSP Gibson at (570) 465-3154.

ANIMAL COMPLAINT: On 01/03/2013, SLTPD responded to a call from the C.C. For 3 deer which had fallen through the ice on Quaker Lake. One deer was rescued and survived while two were beyond rescue and did not survive. SLTPD reported the incident to the Pa Game Commission.

ASSAULT/ SIMPLE: On 01/05/2013, SLTPD responded to a call for an assault possibly in progress in Silver Lake Township. Upon SLTPD arrival the actors had fled to N.Y. State. After an investigation, the defendants were charged with Assault, Disorderly Conduct and Harassment; with court action now pending. One was charged with Disorderly Conduct and Harassment while the other was charged with Simple Assault, Disorderly Conduct and Harassment.

TRESSPASSING: On 01/07/2013, a Silver Lake Township resident reported intentional damage that was done to her property as a result of individuals wanting to run snowmobiles on her property. The people were contacted and the problem is resolved for now.

MVA (REPORTABLE): On 01/07/2013, SLTPD was called by C.C. For a motor vehicle accident on Donovan Road in Silver Lake Township. Upon arrival the vehicle was not found in the area. No evidence of an accident was found.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF: On 01/07/2013, the SL Sewage Authority reported criminal mischief and damage to the local sewage system. This incident is still under investigation.

ANIMAL COMPLAINT: On 01/10/2013, Silver Lake Township residents reported that two stray dogs had gone into their horse barn and intentionally killed their pony. Investigation at the scene verified same. This incident is still under investigation. The dogs are described as both being in the 65-70 lb range, terrier looking faces with pit bull type bodies. One is yellowish in color and the other is white with a brown eye patch and brown spots. Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the dogs or their owners is asked to contact Silver Lake Police.

PFA VIOLATION: On 01/17/2013 at 1530hrs, SLTPD went to a residence on Brackney Hill Road for a PFA violation. After investigating at the residence, the PFA was withdrawn and the situation was handled through the courts.

DISABLED VEHICLE: On 01/22/2013, SLTPD responded to a tractor trailer stuck on SR167 south in Silver Lake Township. Upon arrival the vehicle was gone but evidence was present that the vehicle had been stuck off the side of the roadway.

MVA (REPORTABLE): On 01/23/2013, SLTPD responded to a one car roll over on SR 4002 Silver Lake Township. Severe icy road conditions existed causing the accident. The vehicle was heavily damaged and towed. The female driver and the only occupant were transported to EMHS in Montrose for treatment of minor injuries.

ASSIST OTHER AGENCY: On 01/25/2013, SLTPD assisted PSP Motor Carrier on SR 167 for oversize load violations. Complaints had been received on 01/24/2013 about oversize loads blocking the roadway during school bus travel.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF: On 01/26/2013, another incident of sewer line vandalism was reported in Silver Lake Township. These incidents are still under investigation.

MVA (REPORTABLE): On 01/28/2013, SLTPD responded to a one vehicle crash at Murphy‚s Corner in Silver Lake Township. The vehicle crashed as a result of the black ice and slush on the roadway at the time. The SUV was in 4 wheel drive and traveling downhill at a very slow speed when it slid on the ice and the driver lost control. The vehicle was severely damaged and towed from the scene, but the driver was not injured.

SLTPD responded to multiple Medical Assists in SL Township in January 2013.

REMINDER: SLTPD reminds all snowmobile and ATV users that they are not allowed to be on the roadways. They also need insurance and registration certificates for the vehicles. You also need property owner‚s permission to go anyone’s property.

Any information or questions for Silver Lake Township Police, please call 570-278-6818 or e-mail at silverlaketwppd@epix.net. All information will be held strictly confidential. You can look at the Silver Lake Township Website at silverlaketwp.org, to see all of Silver Lake Townships‚ news, profiles and resources, including the police reports.

The Susquehanna County DOMESTIC RELATIONS Section has outstanding BENCH WARRANT’S for the following individuals as of 10:10 a.m. on February 15, 2013: Elbert G. Allen, Jeremy E. Anderson, Sr, Sharon Baker, Christopher R. Brenner, William J. Casey, Marc K. Deesch, Thomas D. Earley, David J. Fischer, John J. Jenisky, Jr, Richard E. Kalinowski, Teddie P. Kelley, Jr, Kay L. Knolles, Lee Labor, Todd J. Layton, Charlie J. Legere, Robert Lewis, Michael A. Linden, Richard A. Murphy III, Robert A. Muzzy, Heather L. Nystrand, Anastacia V. Poff, Anthony Reed, Perry Rohan, Bruce A. Schurr, Neil D. Shaffer, David J. Shiner, Jerome W. Slick, Eric J. Snell, Stephen Sorensen, Justin S. Thompson, Earl H. Thompson, Jr, Ronald J. Traver, Steven G. Warner, Roger Williams, Jamie L. Williams, Sr., Kelly L. Yarbrough. Please contact the Domestic Relations Section at 570-278-4600 ext. 170 with any information on the location of these individuals.