The April 8th Montrose School board meeting work session began with a presentation by Mr. Host regarding a solar pavilion. He provided the board with signed, sealed drawings. Because it was a pavilion and a public building the district had to find a spot to put it which was handicapped accessible. The students had requested to do a hands on project with the knowledge they had accrued in their solar energy project. There had been support from the community. John Puzo had done the drawings, and a Carlo Schneller had signed and sealed them. Eric Lewis had donated his services and agreed to do the electrical connections. He had Jamie Holbert working with him.

Mr. Host noted the site which had been picked. It was to be adjacent to the practice football field. The pavilion had been designed to fit the solar modules they wished to put on it. With roof overhangs it would be 14’ by 20’. He envisioned a lot of uses for it. It would be a rooftop unit. It also allowed for dual purpose of the space. He envisioned it being used for a place where teams could sit and cool down. The clubs could have picnics at that location.

Mr. Ognosky confirmed that Mr. Host was looking for permission to build the pavilion. It could be used for future classroom education as well. The modules and inverters were already procured.

The students wished to make a contribution, and wanted to raise money. He also had drafted a letter addressing the businesses in the community. He felt that the district could build the pavilion for about $3,000, and then would have to pay for the conduit, the conducting wire, and a ground wire. There was a plan to incorporate some lessons planned around safety with hand tools and personal protection.

Mr. Host said that he felt he was only asking the board for $3,000, feeling that the students and the community could raise the rest. Mr. Ognosky asked what the difference might be, and he responded that this was up in the air as the electrician was still working, etc. His goal was to have this done by June 1st. Mr. Ognosky didn’t think that he could have it done by then if he relied on the community. He asked the board if they desired him to look around in the budget for $4,500, and the board assented. Mrs. Staats commented on the value of hands on education. It was suggested that if the students did raise money they could always reimburse the students.

The administrators’ reports were next on the agenda. Four had been submitted electronically. Mr. Adams wished to state that the Lathrop Street elementary students had raised over $1700 for Jump Rope for Heart. Mr. McComb spoke of the Morning Show crew at Choconut Valley, the clips were available for viewing via the website. Currently there were 38 students registered at that school for kindergarten. Mrs. Link was said to be resigning and was spoken of highly.

Ms. Lusk stated that she and Mr. Ognosky were working through the budget. She postulated that with the custodial bids, the district would be able to save about $12,000.

Kelly-jo Riker, the new special education director, also reviewed various activities both past and future. This included working toward her permanent Pennsylvania Special Education Administrator certificate; she came in with New York certification.

Mr. Tallarico spoke of the spring play. The Harlem Wizards were to come to the district as a fundraiser, as part of a student’s senior project. Another senior project was in, that being the procurement of funding for a brand new baseball scoreboard. It would also help with field hockey.

Courtney Kimmel was named a Scranton Times Scholastic Superstar. This was very competitive, Mr. Tallarico said, calling it a really big honor and stating that the district had had one for the last three years. Mr. Tallarico wished to publicly thank Reverend Link. He called him a wonderful man, and said that they would miss him.

Mr. Tallarico then spoke about the course selection guide changes, prompted by Mr. Ognosky. There weren’t a lot of changes, he said, a lot of it was wording. The largest change was probably in the Math department. They had deleted Integrated Math 1,2, and 3, and changed it to various versions of Algebra. The kids were technically not even going to sign up for a Math, Mr. Ognosky explained. All of those kids taking Algebra 1 were to take the Algebra Keystone exam in May. If they passed this, they would continue on to Algebra 2. If they failed both modules, they would be placed in Algebra 1b, which was to be a remedial course for Keystones. The incoming eighth graders would have their PSSA scores, etc. analyzed, and would either be in Algebra 1 or Algebra 1a. Algebra 1a would be a slower version, spread out over a longer period of time. There would be geometry sections, for the Algebra students who excelled. They would be allowed to double in Algebra 2 and Geometry, as they did at that time.

A visitor asked what would happen if a student passed one module and failed one module. Mr. Ognosky said that they would be able to identify which module they struggled in, and students failing a particular module would be placed in a Algebra 1b course which would focus on that area.

At that time a little over 55% of students had scored proficient or advanced in Algebra, and around 75% in Literature.

It was said that it was difficult to add more electives, due to restrictions in budget and staffing. To work with this, there was to be a fabric, textile, and paper component incorporated into the ceramic and jewelry course. It was hoped that this would play to an interest in the fashion industry.

There was also a plan not to have any Home Economics courses. Mr. Ognosky needed to receive permission from the state to go forward with this, and the district would have to demonstrate that they could meet those standards elsewhere.

Mr. Ognosky reviewed the budget, stating that currently there was a difference of $522,000 between revenues and expenditures. It was speculated that this might move to under 500,000 with some work which Ms. Lusk had done. This was better than it had been recently. Mr. Ognosky said however, that things would have to go right in Harrisburg for this to be reality.

A posting had been put together for a vacancy for the Director of facilities and transportation. Mr. Ognosky asked the board for their input on this.

During the regular meeting, there were three resignations for the purpose of retirement approved- Leslie Reidy, a third grade instructor at Lathrop Street Elementary School, Cynthia Goodman, a third grade educator at Choconut Valley Elementary School, and Polly Pritchard, a French educator at the Junior-Senior High School. A motion was also made to approve a leave of absence for Deborah Link through the end of the year, and to accept with regret her resignation from her position at that time.

A motion was made and seconded to approve the 2013-2014 school calendar. Mr. Ognosky explained that there were two changes, one that the last day of school would be the 20th of December prior to Christmas vacation, and the other having school on Veteran’s Day to accommodate for the school assemblies.

The second of what will be at least 3 meetings this month of the Harford Township Supervisors was devoted to the sewer system, and turned out to be an in-depth course in how it all operates, taught by the man who designed and built it, assisted by the man who has maintained it since 1993.

David Klepadlo, founder of the eponymous Klepadlo & Associates of Clarks Summit, and Joe Sheposh, manager and operator of the Harford Sewer plant and responsible for keeping the system running, took seats at the table on April 11th to answer questions and work out some of the details of the next stages in the life of the 20-year-old “sanitary sewage collection system” that serves Harford village, Tingley Lake and some immediately surrounding areas.

The participants first looked over the enabling documents that created the system. Supervisor Garry Foltz needed reassurance that the original resolution and ordinance are still relevant and effective 20 years hence. His first question: who is the “Superintendent” mentioned in one of the documents? “You don’t have one,” said Mr. Klepadlo, explaining that the wording was adapted from standard boilerplate for similar projects. Indeed, the documents speak of “rent for schools,” and the only school in the area covered by the sewer system had been closed for many years by that time. In Harford the Township Supervisors double as the sewer authority.

Mr. Foltz also wanted to ensure that the fees assessed to the various property and business owners is fair, both to the fee payers as well as to the sewer authority and the township. Mr. Klepadlo said that one of the documents, titled “Proposed Draft of Sewer Use Charges for Harford Township” and listing charges for each type of property, was based on state guidelines. Mr. Foltz said that a small garage, for example, that only has a single bathroom for the use of its employees and customers may be overcharged at the 2 1/2 EDUs listed. On the other hand, the Harford Agricultural Society, which owns the fairgrounds, is assessed 11 EDUs. Since 1993 the use of the fairgrounds has expanded to include truck pulls, a fiber festival in September, the Cabot summer picnic, and other events beyond the 1-week fair in August that was envisioned when the sewer system was constructed. Mr. Foltz said he would like to see some attendance figures for the Fair and the other events to assess whether the number of EDUs assessed is still appropriate and “fair.” (For their part, Fair representatives noted the installation of “low volume flush toilets among other things” that should have cut the overall volume put into the sewer system since it was initially implemented.) Mr. Klepadlo seemed prepared to discuss the issue of the fairgrounds in detail, but the meeting never quite got around to it.

Mr. Foltz was also concerned about the ability of the system to handle storm water and other clean water added to the system by sump pumps and other facilities. The founding documents explicitly prohibit discharge of “stormwater and all other unpolluted drainage” into the system. Mr. Sheposh said that the increased flow is noticeable at the plant after a rainfall of more than about an inch. Is it a problem?

First of all, the system’s operators know it happens but don’t have the authority to inspect every property, every basement, to determine if basement sumps are being pumped into the sewer. On the other hand, Mr. Klepadlo said that “the treatment plant handles it hydraulically, and Mr. Sheposh makes adjustments to the plant’s “organic loading capacity.”

A more serious problem arises when foreign objects and materials get into the pumps. Plastic bags, diapers, even silver forks have been found in the pump basins. Anything like that can damage a pump, and pumps are expensive. A replacement pump costs about $2,000 and according to Mr. Klepadlo they are the biggest issue facing the sewer system. Mr. Foltz wants to be sure that in cases like this, the property owners are billed for the repairs. In at least 2 cases in the past, property owners have indeed paid for such repairs, and Mr. Sheposh said that incidences like this have declined.

Mr. Klepadlo said that the Hydromatic centrifugal pumps originally installed in the system wouldn’t have been his choice for quality, but were selected by lowest-bid, as required by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which funded the project. The basins where they live were specially outfitted for those pumps. Now, however, 20-years on, those pumps are no longer manufactured, and parts are hard to come by.

More recently, a model 2000 pump from E-One has been used to replace failing equipment that can’t be repaired. There have been gasket problems with those pumps, which are also no longer being manufactured, but as many as 20 of them may still be in use in the Harford system. The manufacturer has pledged to fix the defect in 10 of them that are still under warranty.

Mr. Klepadlo is particularly keen on the newest Extreme models from E-One, purchased through SiteSpecific Design. He says the Extreme pumps are reliable, and the manufacturer is responsive. These newest pumps use a “positive displacement” mechanism that is very different from the older equipment, and they are difficult to retrofit into the basins installed for the original Hydromatic pumps. Control panels are also very different.

In fact, a particularly knotty problem at the PennCan truck stop may make it difficult to install the newest pumps there. As a commercial establishment with a restaurant, the basin at the truck stop is bigger and contains 2 pumps, a “duplex” arrangement that provides a backup as required by law and regulation. One of the pair of Hydromatic pumps has failed.

The original idea was to replace the pumps with all-new pumps and basin to match as was done last year across the way at the Liberty truck stop. But it seems the PennCan’s owner some time ago installed a fence around the pump basin and poured a lot of concrete that would make the job difficult and expensive. Mr. Klepadlo had to wait while Mr. Foltz worried aloud about the cost and implications, but he had what he thought might be a good solution. It seems he knows someone in Nicholson who has 12 of the original Hydromatic pumps available and is willing to sell 2 of them for her own cost of replacing them with Extreme pumps. At $2,000 each, they would be no more expensive than buying 2 new Extreme pumps for the truck stop, and would not require replacing the basin or control panel. He was told to go ahead.

Mr. Klepadlo then asked if anyone knew of voltage fluctuations in the township. Ms. Furney said power at the township building flickered “at least once a month,” and caused the battery backup for her computer to switch on. It seems that the newest Extreme pumps use switching contacts that are particularly sensitive to voltage fluctuations. So at least some of the pump failures may be the fault of the electricity supplier.

Electricity bills for the sewer plant itself have been an issue since the plant was refurbished last winter, including new, larger blower motors. Mr. Klepadlo said he had examined and tweaked the installation and was confident that the next bills based on meter readings in May should be “somewhat” lower.

Mr. Klepadlo said that the cost of sludge removal is also expected to rise. He said that the facility in Wilkes-Barre that used to take the sludge is no longer available, so the dense residue from the treatment process at the plant will have to be trucked farther, to Honesdale. Harford generally contracts for sludge removal once a year, at a recent cost of about $9,000.

In the meantime, the check valves on 5 of the pump basins need to be replaced. They are 4-5 feet down, so an excavator and operator add to the cost to fit an item that itself costs only about $10, but is necessary to prevent backflow from the basin. Mr. Foltz wants to try to schedule the work to minimize the time to do all 5 basins and thus minimize the total cost.

With the sewer budget already “under water,” the Supervisors have been raising the fee to system subscribers, and Mr. Foltz wanted to be sure that the sewer authority has the power to continue to increase the rates to bolster the system’s finances. Assuring him that it does, Mr. Klepadlo commended the Supervisors for undertaking the recent upgrades at the plant, which cost the system $150,000 in borrowed money. He said the oldest system in the county, at Quaker Lake and now 40 years old, could be facing $1 million in maintenance and upgrades to remain in compliance.

Mr. Klepadlo had with him a set of as-built plans of the sewer system that he is using to inventory its components. It shows each pump location and the type of pump installed. Mr. Foltz said that he would like to review the drawings to assess the exposure of the system to future pump failures. He would like to analyze the failure records of the different pumps at the various locations to determine if some properties are more prone to problems, whether because of the pumps themselves, or because of the types of materials the pumps are fed to chew on.

The Supervisors will continue the April marathon on Tuesday, the 16th, this time to open bids for road materials, and “general business.”

In a 50-minute meeting on Thursday, April 11th, Oakland Borough Council determinedly dispatched the routine matters of borough business. At the meeting was President Ron Beavan, as well as all council members: Dave Trevarthan, Jack Agler, Eric Page, Brian Rhone, Dave Dibble, and Gary Boughton. Also present were Mayor Randy Glover and Secretary/Treasurer Flo Brush.

President Beavan called the evening’s meeting to order at 7:05, and after routine formalities and approval of the March minutes, council moved to discussion of the Treasurer’s Report. Treasurer Brush reported several corrections she had made to the report just prior to the meeting. Councilman Trevarthan questioned her regarding the $500 charge by S & M Lawn Care. In clarification Treasurer Brush explained that the $500 expense was a one-time - not monthly - charge. Detailed explanation further clarified that Shane Lewis and crew had spent two full days belatedly harvesting last fall’s bumper crop of leaves at the borough’s park. Autumn’s detritus was evidently revealed when Old Man Winter blew out of town just lately. To enable prep for commencement of mowing operations Mr. Lewis and his merry men extracted six truckloads of wet leaves. That explanation, satisfactory to one and all, prompted council to unanimously approve the Treasurer’s Report.

Next up President Beavan provided a concise Codes Report. Two properties in the borough remain under constant monitoring - and likely will remain so for the foreseeable future; two more have had recent inspections for code violations; and a fifth property, reportedly vacant and unsecured, requires council’s immediate attention. To that end, council voted unanimously to look into the matter and follow up with appropriate action, as necessary, to minimize hazards to the public.

Concerning the Parks Report, Councilman Trevarthan noted that an audit had been done; it simply remained to be typed and submitted. Later in the meeting Mayor Glover requested Parks Committee members Trevarthan and Boughton to consider bringing in more dirt for the park, as well as putting down weed killer on base paths.

The Mayor’s Report was comprised of a letter of resignation (from one of the borough’s police officers), and the Police Report for the Month of March. Council voted unanimously to accept the officer’s resignation effective March 15, the date of the letter. The March Police Report showed 18 traffic stops, two parking violations, and one domestic dispute in the borough.

No old business was on the agenda, so President Beavan moved to the meeting’s public comment period. The one and only non-council borough attendee commented that River Bounty’s license exemption had been pulled by FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission). That comment moved council to a discussion of River Bounty’s status, and the ultimate decision, by unanimous vote, to write to Attorney Myron DeWitt to request his guidance in how best to proceed.

In the matter of new business President Beavan read a communication from Shane Lewis offering his services for landscaping, mowing, and a miscellany of ancillary outdoor services for the next year. Council discussed the matter, then moved to agree to maintain last year’s lawn care agreement at the same rate of remuneration.

In her Secretary’s Report, Flo Brush provided councilmen with the additional streets report they had requested. She also noted the list of nearly a dozen different courses open to councilmen at the present time, as well as the PSAB Annual Conference and Exhibition May 5-8 at Hershey Lodge. Finally she requested council’s guidance on disposition of the borough’s old (unreliable) printer and computer since they had been replaced by new modern equipment. Council opined her discretion provided sufficient guidance as to the choice of donation or destruction.

Council then went into a short executive session before adjourning for the evening. No formal action was taken on whatever matter concentrated council’s focus for five minutes, and adjournment came at 7:55 p.m.

Oakland Borough Council will resume spring discourse and decision making at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 9, at the Community Center in Lanesboro.

At 9:00 AM April 10th, Commissioner Hall called the meeting to order and the Pledge of allegiance was the first order of business. Commissioners Hall and Giangrieco then go right down to business to move through the planned agenda. It was noted the Commissioner Warren was unable to attend the meeting that day, and the agenda was amended to reflect this. After approval of the meeting minutes from the March 27th meeting, Commissioner Hall wanted to recognize Denise Sellers from the Domestic Relations department for her 10 years of service.

The agenda included the ratification of a number of items in relation to the day to day operations of the County. These included $91,018.60 for General Expenses on 3/26/13, Net Payroll Expenses totaling $170,228.01 on 4/8/13, Employee Retirement Contributions totaling $15,183.17, State Withholding taxes of $7,690.99 on 4/10/13, $64,951.01 for Federal Payroll taxes on 4/11/13, and several items on the Cash Disbursement Journal dated 4/3 and 4/5 respectively for General expenses in the amount of $176,697.88, $60,608.14 for Children & Youth Services Expenses, and $1,194,96 for Jury Expenses. Following the ratification of these disbursements, the commissioners approve two seminar requests that totaled $109.00.

The next items involved the Purchase of Service Agreements between Susquehanna County Services for Children and Youth. From Concern, Fleetwood the following programs will be purchased on a per diem basis: CRR Certificate $24.00, Foster Care Certificate Unit ID BB $89.64, Unit ID AA $81.41 and from Community Solutions in Windsor, CT for the following program In Home Service Agreement for $60.71.

A motion was made to reappoint two members back to the Susquehanna County Economic Development Board for a 3 year term beginning on January 1, 2013. The Commissioners then swiftly moving to a Tax Claim Bureau issue exonerating the County from collecting tax on a parcel in Oakland Township as the trailer has been removed. The total amount exonerated is $352.57. The final item on the agenda was a motion to approve the purchase of 12 desktop computers using ACT 13 funds for a total cost of $14,493.12.

Public comment consisted of questions regarding what is being done regarding areas negatively impacted by fracking, a request for funds to be used for a monitor of the decibel level for the a new compressor station, and a request for Rules of Conduct to be posted for those attending County Commissioner meetings.

After a half hour of business, the meeting was adjourned.

There were five council members present at the April 4th New Milford borough meeting. During the codes discussion, Ms. Gulick asked about the burned out house. The Codes Enforcement Officer had gone and inspected it, and the building was boarded up. Mr. Ainey said that there was a new law which was passed regarding cleaning up blighted properties, which gave boroughs more authority for taking them. The mayor said that he didn’t think the borough had the money to tear down what was there. Ms. James asked what constituted blighted. Mr. White felt that it was any building which was abandoned and unattended, citing city property as examples. Mr. White said that they had brought this up before; how long a property could be left. Mr. Ainey was to look into this for the following meeting.

Ms. Lempke reported that the zoning board had met the 26th of March and had chosen a lawyer, attorney Paul Litwin. She reviewed what he charged. There was some discussion then regarding how this pay structure was set up. Mr. Ainey said that he had looked at the budget, and the borough had budgeted more than enough for the zoning hearing board to cover those rates. It was confirmed that the zoning hearing board was comfortable with him, and that he knew the rules and regulations very well.

Ms. Lempke then broached the topic of the fee for a hearing. Currently it was set at $400 plus allowable expenses, the zoning hearing board was suggesting that council look at raising this. The cost for a recent variance hearing had totaled $253.54 of borough expense (minus a lawyer fee and the appellant’s half of the stenographer). It was stated however that other hearings may have gone longer. It was suggested that costs be tracked. Mr. Ainey opined that it wasn’t intended to be a money maker, and council shouldn’t raise fees to more than it was costing.

There had been correspondence regarding a 25 mile bike ride. The club was looking for an acknowledgment letter. Mr. Ainey wondered what it mattered, as it was a state road. It was responded that all they were looking for was an awareness of the event. A motion was made to this effect, that they respond stating that they had received the letter.

The audit had been completed. The two remaining auditors had let them know that they were not seeking reelection. With the loss of the third when she was appointed to the tax collector position, this left the borough with a need to fill three auditor positions.

A letter had been received from Sean Carey, who was interested in the pool manager position. The letter was to be turned over to the parks committee.

An e-mail had been received from attorney Briechle regarding what to do with the SCHCD. Mr. Ainey made a motion to advise the borough’s attorney to follow the lead of the attorney representing them in the Commonwealth Court. The issue at hand was that Mr. Bradley had filed another appeal with the state Supreme Court.

A certified letter had been sent regarding the shrubs on Main Street. No return card had been received. There was some concern regarding the danger of an accident in that location due to the reduced visibility.

The speed limit study had been completed by PennDot as requested by the borough. Their recommendation was that the majority of the crashes were not speed related, and they did not recommend changing the speed limit. The state had sampled 200 vehicles, and 85% of the vehicles were going an average of 38 miles per hour within the 35 mile per hour zone. It also stated that no sample motorists were found to be traveling at or above 45 miles per hour. It was a state road, Ms. Gulick opined, and they had done their study, and that was that.

Mr. White had found, with the help of Mr. Jim Jones, a person who had the exact wheels which would fit the cannons. The steel hubs could be reused, and this person would redo the wheels exactly to what would go on that cannon. The price of this would be about $615 a wheel, with some additional fees for rivets, etc. if desired. To ship the wheels would cost about $190; alternately Mr. White had said that he might be able to pick them up depending on the time frame. This man said that there were only about 8 people in the United States who would do those wheels the way they ought to be done. The time frame would be roughly 10 to 12 weeks. Mr. Ainey suggested that this would be an impact fee eligible expense. Ms. Gulick said that she would guarantee that people would want the cannons in the park. She called them a very important part of New Milford. Mr. White wished to say that if anybody wanted to make a donation for the wheels it would be a great thing. Mr. Ainey made the motion that council authorize the expenditure of $2500 for cannon wheels. The motion passed unanimously. It was stated that the council wished to thank Mr. Jones for the time he put into the project.

Someone had asked regarding the pile of debris at the park which was the old Triplet’s structure. This had been demolished. County Commisioner Hall had contacted the borough, stating that if someone was injured down there the borough would be liable. Mr. Carey had spoken with a representative of the Triplets, and requested that it be removed within a week.

The pool project was discussed. Mr. Carey had met with someone, and his thought was to pursue obtaining the necessary items only at this point. Some of the concerns included structural concerns with the membrane liner if it wasn’t completed all at once. Currently the pool did not leak; it was a needed item but not a necessary item. Ms. Guilck asked what the cost of the lift was. Mr. Carey had contacted the PA Department of Health Public Bathing, and Labor and Industry. The Department of Health had told him that the only citing which the borough had to address in order to open, as of the last inspection, were depth markers. Mr. Carey had asked about the lift, and it was responded that was governed by the Americans with Disability Act, the Department of Health did not govern that at all. So Mr. Carey had put a call into the ADA, but it was thought that perhaps the Department of Health would let them open even without it. There was also discussion regarding whether two sets of steps were necessitated, or one would suffice. It was also suggested that perhaps non-concrete steps would suffice, that the borough could buy the plastic steps, though they had to be weighted down with sand. Mr. Ainey wasn’t sure that the ADA would require the concrete steps, as for a pool that size only one accessible entrance was required and the lift could qualify.

Mr. Carey said that when he got the original plans he was under the understanding that the PA Department of Health had completed an inspection and those steps were what were required for it to open. He had spoken with a gentleman there, and this was not so. It was suggested that perhaps things could be fixed for much less money than originally thought. Ms. Gulick felt that they had to move on the lift, as they wanted to make sure that someone in a wheelchair could use the pools. The borough had over $30,000 accrued for the project. Mr. Ainey made a motion that the lift be installed and that they explore the topic of steps.

Commissioner Hall had brought to Ms. Gulick news of Act 13 monies which the governor had set aside to provide monies for flood prevention plans. She said that one of the biggest projects which really needed to be done was Johnson Street, and wondered if maybe the storm water drainage committee could look into that.

The subject of a free energy analysis and audit by Northern Tier Planning was discussed. The borough had realized a savings from the year prior, with the bill reduced by half in October. Part of the was a reduction in heat. Various recommendations were made.

Ms. Gulick reported that the new FEMA maps had arrived. There were four different maps for New Milford borough. The maps had taken effect the day before the meeting. The old maps were no longer in effect. When a visitor asked if the public could access the map, it was responded that they were too large to make a paper copy but that the website was very good.

The Susquehanna County DOMESTIC RELATIONS Section has outstanding BENCH WARRANT’S for the following individuals as of 11:25 AM on April 12, 2013: Elbert G. Allen, Sharon Baker, Beau Baker, Jason J. Carroll, William J. Casey, Thomas D. Earley, David J. Fischer, MaryJo Gana, Keith R. Hurd, James Karhnak, Kay L. Knolles, Whade A. Koch, Ann M. Lawrence, Todd J. Layton, Charlie J. Legere, Robert Lewis, Heather L. Nystrand, Sunshine X. Quick, Anthony Reed, Bruce A. Schurr, Neil D. Shaffer, David J. Shiner, Eric J. Snell, Stephen Sorensen, Justin S. Thompson, Earl H. Thompson, Jr, Steven G. Warner, Dina C. Wilson, Please contact the Domestic Relations Section at 570-278-4600 ext. 170 with any information on the location of these individuals.

Only 4 Board members showed up for the first serious budget session at Blue Ridge on April 8th (Christina Cosmello, Harold Empett, Jennifer Merrell-Mess and Laurie Brown-Bonner). Business Manager Loren Small opened his presentation with the bad news: there’s a $1.45 million shortfall between expected revenues and projected expenses. It’s only a preliminary draft, with about 2 months to fine-tune a spending plan for the 2013-2014 fiscal year beginning in July.

The Board can’t do much to increase income. They’ve already locked themselves into a maximum property tax rate increase of 1.1013 mills (for a total of 46.99 mills), boosting local revenue by about $192,000. Basic state funding is expected to rise by only about $68,000, and other state sources are not expected to change at all. With “sequestration,” federal funding could actually fall by about $50,000, but then the feds have never been a major part of the Blue Ridge budget.

Most of the 3-hour session was devoted to a department-by-department, and nearly line-by-line, examination of the expense budget, which may top $18 million for the first time.

The biggest part of the expense budget, of course, is salaries and benefits. The district will begin negotiations with the teachers on a new contract next year, and their pension fund looms over every school budget statewide as districts struggle to make up for gaps as a result of the general financial situation over the past several years. The Blue Ridge contribution to the PSERS fund next year could be as high as 16.9% of the district’s $7 million payroll.

The other major difficulty facing all school districts is the competition with charter schools, especially the so-called “cyber-charter” schools. The state covers only about half of the tuition costs for students who take classes over the Internet – 32 of them this year at Blue Ridge – which Mr. Small estimates will cost the district about $380,000 next year. Vocational and technical tuition for perhaps 20 students could cost another $350,000.

On the bright side, the district expects to spend about $330,000 less on insurance next year. Superintendent Robert McTiernan said the staff is relatively young and healthy, so the self-funded health plan run by the district should be able to meet its target of a $1 million reserve by the end of the next fiscal year. On the other hand, changes coming up as a result of the federal “Health Care for America” plan (otherwise known as Obamacare) will be too complicated for Blue Ridge to handle alone, so a health insurance consultant will have to be hired to direct the effort.

Of all of the district’s departments, only the Middle School offered a decrease in expenditures, by about $4,000. Mr. McTiernan said that Middle/High School Principal Matthew Nebzydoski has been sharing a lot of resources between his two departments, which may account for the difference, because the High School budget shows an increase of over $20,000, mostly for a software system that would be used to help seniors on the verge of dropping out to find a way to graduation; according to Mr. McTiernan, Blue Ridge’s 72% graduation rate is among the lowest in the state.

Even the School Board itself is projected to spend $10,000 more next year.

Many of the changes in the budget result from shifting money around, taking money from general maintenance, for example, and allocating it to the individual departments instead. On the other hand, Mr. Small’s own department budget may jump from $53,000 to $178,000. He said that he has been trying to centralize a number of expense functions that had been distributed to the departments in the past.

Most of the departments define 2 special accounts. A large contingency fund ($500,000 overall) is under direct control of the Board, which has to approve any expenditure therefrom. Many departments also have a “miscellaneous” or “other” category which is not subject to such direct oversight. Curiously, the Superintendent’s own budget has a contingency fund, but no miscellaneous, while the Business Manager’s budget has an “other” category but no contingency line.

Perhaps because it was first in the line of fire, the athletics budget came in for close scrutiny. With a request for an increase of over $140,000, Board President Laurie Brown-Bonner suggested a cut of about $75,000. Mr. McTiernan said they might be able to squeeze $50,000 out, but …

The general maintenance budget could rise by over $100,000, too. The 2-year cycle for sealing the parking lots comes due next year. More significantly, however, is the possible replacement of the district’s aging telephone system, which Mr. McTiernan said is “obsolete” and falling apart.

Special education is always a large part of the public school budget. In part due to shifts within the overall budget, the department could spend over $1 million next year, not including salaries and benefits. Special education designated $100,000 for its contingency fund. Mr. McTiernan called a brief executive session on a personnel issue during the discussion of the special education budget.

Transportation isn’t expected to cost much more next year. With a cut in contracting costs as a result of the planned “single-bell” busing system, the additional money for cameras on the buses mandated by the Board, and a contingency fund of some $150,000, the overall transportation budget may actually drop marginally.

The heavy hitter this time is the technology budget, with a requested increase of over $300,000. Mr. McTiernan said that the $75,000 to upgrade the district’s fiber connection to the outside world, and $176,000 for a switch upgrade could be designated as contingency funding and subject to direct Board approval. Some of the upgrades would be necessary to support, for example, a new telephone system and new security cameras and camera servers.

Most of the other items were smaller, “chump change” as characterized by Mr. McTiernan. Yet they can add up. For example, the library has asked for 6 Apple iPad devices, which would cost about $24,000. The item was listed as a “pilot” project. Mr. Empett wondered what would happen when the “pilot” project became mainstream and the Board was asked to buy 743 of the things.

The good news awaited at the very end, when Mr. Small listed the pots of money that could be dipped into “to bridge the gap.” He expects the fund balance projected for the end of the current fiscal year to be higher than expected. Some could come from a possible lower contribution to the retirement fund. Another $350,000 might be allocated from the debt service fund. Then there is the half million dollars designated as “contingency.” As a last resort, the general fund could raid the cafeteria fund; they always have a surplus as a result of Linda Cole-Koloski’s close management.

The attending Board members all breathed a sigh of relief as they saw the budget shortfall wither away. There may be more budget debate as the season progresses. For now though, the Board seems to figure that the worst has passed.

The next public meeting of the Blue Ridge School Board is scheduled for Monday, April 29, 2013, beginning at 7:30pm. There will be a special hearing that same evening, beginning at t 6:30pm in the auditorium to discuss the new “single-bell/single-tier” busing program. It will all happen 2 days after the First Annual Blue Ridge Golf Tournament, on Saturday, April 27. Come one, come all.

Last month Garry Foltz determined that the Harford Township Supervisors needed another meeting to finish up their business, so they recessed and picked up again a week later. Now it seems that 2 meetings in a month still are not enough, and the Supervisors concluded their 2-hour session on April 9th with another recess (Mr. Foltz called it a continuation) – technically allowing them to resume without advertising another meeting – to take up where they left off again two days later, and then again the following Tuesday.

The next session will be devoted to sewer issues. The engineer who designed, built and now manages the nearly 20-year-old system, attended to summarize his more recent work.

David Klepadlo said that the upgrades to the sewer plant on Burns Road were 100% complete. Well, not exactly. The Supervisors borrowed enough money to add an ultra-violet (UV) filtration feature, but Mr. Klepadlo didn’t want to go ahead with that part of the project until he was sure the money would be available (some $50,000). The Supervisors gave him a check for the remaining payment on the first part of the work and authorized him to proceed with the UV filter. He said that the UV equipment is custom made in Canada and would take some time to get installed.

There has been some concern about the number and types of pumps available for the sewer system. The original models often cannot be repaired for lack of spare parts. Malfunctioning pumps are sent to a shop in Greenfield Township where some are repaired, some junked. Currently Harford has 2 spare pumps at the plant, and another 2 in Greenfield awaiting repair.

Some of the newer models were defective at the outset, and the manufacturer, Environment One of upstate New York, has offered to fix them at no cost to the Township. Some of them have leaky gaskets for which a solution is still being sought. Mr. Foltz noted that each time a pump fails it costs the Township about $2,000. It seems that new pumps are purchased not from the manufacturer, but through an outfit called Site Specific Design in the Philadelphia area. Mr. Foltz himself tried to find a cheaper supplier of comparable pumps, without success. Mr. Klepadlo said that the E-One pumps are “competitive” and would not recommend changing sources. “E-One is the most reliable” for service and parts, he said. He was given the go-ahead to purchase 5 new pumps.

They need the new ones because the inventory Mr. Klepadlo just completed found 5 high-priority situations (mostly leaky gaskets), and 4 of lesser importance requiring new pumps. The most important location that needs a new pump is at the Penn-Can truck stop on the Interstate. Mr. Klepadlo said that they should have a new, larger pump similar to the one installed last year at the neighboring Liberty Truck stop. The Supervisors will need to meet with the Penn-Can’s owners to figure out how to pay for the all-new basin and pump installation. (In lieu of outright payment, the Liberty Truck stop was assessed a higher number of EDUs, meaning a higher monthly payment.) Mr. Klepadlo said the Penn-Can installation will be more difficult because of the pump’s location, and because the truck stop had installed a concrete pad inhibiting access to the pump basin.

The Supervisors want to meet again with Mr. Klepadlo and his inventory to determine the distribution of EDUs. One Equivalent Dwelling Unit is supposed to serve one family residence. Some properties may have been converted to multi-family use since the system was first laid out. The Supervisors (who double as the Harford Sewer Authority) want to ensure that the allocation of EDUs is fair and equitable.

In other business, the Supervisors signed documents for Jamie Shave, a landman in the service of Cabot Oil & Gas, covering the 10-acre parcel at the ballfield for which Cabot has a lease with the Township. Ms. Shave had them complete some forms called “Lease Ratification,” (verifying that they do indeed have a lease with Cabot), and an “Affidavit of Possession” (claiming rightful ownership of the property). The Supervisors are also looking for a lease on a 1.38 acre parcel to be used by the Harford Water Authority, once the deed is cleared. Mr. Foltz wants a lease matching the original deal, at $5,750 per acre and 21.5% royalty, but a Cabot representative said the going rate now is $3,750 with 18.75% royalty.

Cabot has also notified the Township that it has a permit to draw 3,575,000 gallons per day “from approved sources,” for use at the Pritchard wellpad off Wilcox road.

In other business, the Supervisors received a letter from their auditors, Connie Breese, Robert DeLuca and Jean Bonham that “commended [Supervisor and Township Secretary Sue Furney] on her diligence.” The auditors had “no new recommendations.”

Last month the Township received two letters from the Superintendent of the Mountain View School District. One of them requested that the township post a sign celebrating the victory of the Mountain View High School boys’ soccer team in the state finals. Now the district has decided to post a two-sided sign on its own property, but would like help installing the sign posts. The other letter, proposing that constituent municipalities contribute $12,500 per year to fund a School Resource Officer (SRO, a kind of security policeman), was received with some … ahem … curiosity by the Supervisors, so now they hear they are to receive another letter on the subject shortly.

The Supervisors approved a request from the Montrose fire department to allow Harford fire police to serve at 2 parades in the county seat on Memorial Day (May 27) and Independence Day (July 4).

The Township received a letter from a resident complaining of noise from a Lopke stone quarry in violation of the Township’s Industrial Noise Ordinance. Mr. Foltz said he had been in contact with the company after visiting the site twice late at night. He said he heard no sound at all until after about 10pm or 11pm. The company apologized and told him the nuisance would cease, but it apparently has not. They will be sent a letter and a copy of the Noise Ordinance in an effort to curtail the problem.

A resident of the Tyler Lake area has offered to pursue a grant from the Conservation District to fix a problem with runoff from the Township road into the lake and a nearby swamp. The Supervisors agreed to let the matter go forward, as long as it doesn’t cost the Township any money. The Conservation District paid for similar work on Richardson Road recently.

The Township received an appeal from the B/S/S/A Area Agency on Aging for financial support in the face of a $500,000 cut in state funding. Ms. Furney said that many organizations in similar straits are seeking to tap the “impact fee” money flowing to the municipalities from the natural gas business.

The Supervisors have scheduled the annual “cleanup” for the week of June 3, with the same conditions as last year: $50 per load, extra for tires. More details will be forthcoming as the date nears, but Mr. Foltz would like to bring on more temporary help for the job.

In the meantime, the Supervisors will scan a file of prior applications in an attempt to fill an open full-time position occasioned by the resignation of Eric Allen.

Mr. Foltz also announced that the Supervisors would hold an executive session on a legal matter. Asked for details, he said that the issue concerned the suit by a property owner at Tingley Lake, specifically, how to schedule depositions.

In addition to the special meeting on the sewer system, the Supervisors have scheduled another session the following Tuesday at 7:00pm to open bids for road materials, and for “general business.”

Stay tuned.

Alarm/Security: On 03/09/13 Silver Lake Township police responded to Barney Road in Silver Lake Township for a Burglar Alarm. Prior to the arrival of the police the alarm was cancelled by the home owner. Sergeant Mike Hornak was the responding officer.

Domestic Dispute: On 03/13/13 Silver Lake Township Police responded to a report of a domestic dispute in progress located on State Route 167. Upon arrival parties were arguing and agreed mutually to part ways.This case is still under investigation. Sergeant Mike Hornak was the responding officer.

Disabled Vehicle: On 03/14/13 Silver Lake Township Police responded to a report of a disabled vehicle on Lake Sophia Road in Silver Lake Township. Upon arrival the vehicle had been partially blocking the roadway.The owner of the vehicle was contacted and he stated that the vehicle was out of gas. The vehicle was later removed by the owner. Chief Timothy Burgh was the responding officer.

Medical Emergency: On 03/14/13 Silver Lake Township Police assisted Silver Lake Ambulance with a medical emergency in the township. Chief Timothy Burgh responded.

Motor Vehicle Accident Reportable: On 03/16/13 Silver Lake Township Police responded to a reportable motor vehicle accident located on State Route 167 near the intersection of McCormick and Kennedy Road. This was a one vehicle roll over accident with no injuries. Their was severe damage done to the vehicle with air bags deployed. Accident scene investigation showed the vehicle was going south on State Route 167 when the driver hit ice and lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle slid sideways and struck the embankment before rolling over.This case is still under investigation. Sergeant Mike Hornak was the responding officer.

Harassment by Communication: On 03/21/13 Silver Lake Township Police responded to a residence on Progy Road in Silver Lake Township for a report of harassment. Upon arrival it was reported that someone was calling the home owner and using obscene and vulgar language. Silver Lake Township Police resolved the situation but no arrest have been made as of yet. The case is still under investigation. Chief Timothy Burgh was the responding officer.

Assist other Agency: On 03/22/13 Silver Lake Township Police responded to assist PSP Gibson with a one car motor vehicle accident located on State Route 4007. Silver Lake Township Police were requested for traffic control and equipment for the scene to be processed by PSP Gibson. Chief Timothy Burgh and Sergeant Mike Hornak were the responding officers.

Harassment by Communication: On 03/25/13 Silver Lake Township Police responded to a report of harassment by communications located at Timberline Road in Silver Lake Township. Police were told about a custody dispute and that one of the parents were making harassing phone calls to the other parent. This case is still under investigation. Chief Timothy Burgh was the responding officer.

Harassment by Communication: On 03/26/13 Silver Lake Township Police responded to a harassment by communications call located on Quaker Lane in Silver Lake Township. Upon arrival the victim stated that a gentlemen keeps calling his residence and harassing them. The caller is know to the victim and was told not to have any more contact with the family. The caller later came to the residence and was confronted by police and transported away from the scene. Charges may be pending upon further investigation. The victim agreed not to pursue charges at the time of the incident. The actor was informed by police if he contacted the family in any way that he would be arrested with misdemeanor charges. This case is still under investigation. Chief Timothy Burgh was the responding officer.

Suspicious Vehicle: 03/27/13 Silver Lake Township Police responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle that was located on Timberline Drive in Silver Lake Township. The victim stated that the vehicle keeps parking at the end of her driveway around 230pm and 3pm. The victim stated that they have done this for 2 days in a row. Silver Lake Township Police were able to obtain the vehicle information as well as the owner of the vehicle. This case is still under investigation. Sergeant Mike Hornak was the responding officer.

Harassment: On 04/01/13 it was reported to the Silver Lake Township Police that a case of harassment had taken place on 03/29/13. The location was on Donovan Road in Silver Lake Township. The victim stated that a note was left on her porch door concerning gas well activity in the area. The person who left the note was contacted by police. This case is still under investigation. Chief Timothy Burgh was the responding officer.

Criminal Mischief: On 03/30/13 Silver Lake Township Police responded to State Route 4002 near the Silver Lake Township Fire hall for a report of Disorderly conduct and public intoxication. Upon arrival by the Silver Lake Township Police, the actors had fled the scene. Further investigation showed that the actors had committed criminal mischief to the Silver Lake Township Fire hall. Due to eyewitnesses and security video that the fire company maintains the actors were able to be identified. Chief Timothy Burgh took over the investigation. Arrest charges will be filed. Sergeant Mike Hornak and Officer Tiffany were the initial responding officers.

Silver Lake Township Police remind all ATV riders of the following laws. Your ATV can not be driven upon any roadways in the township. You are allowed to cross a roadway but not ride on the roadway ( This includes dirt roads ) You will be cited if caught driving on the roadway. Helmets must be worn at all times, ATV must be registered and insured. You are not allowed to go onto other peoples property without their permission and proof of insurance and registration. ATV riders that consume alcohol and are caught on the roadway will be arrested for D.U.I. The department wants you to have a safe and happy riding experience. If you are caught breaking these laws you will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Fines could reach up to $2000.00 for one incident.

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

Possession of a Small Amount of Marijuana/Possession of Drug Paraphernalia: On April 10th at 7:47 pm Donell Grant of New York, NY was operating a 2010 BMW 7501, black in color, which bore a New York registration. Grant was stopped for violations of the motor vehicle code. In making contact with the operator, who is the accused, indicators of criminal activity were present. Consent to search was asked and granted. The search yielded 4 small bags of high grade marijuana. The accused was processed at PSP Gibson and released as per rule 519. Charges filed at District Court 34-3-03.

Commercial Vehicle Crash: On March 4th at 2:45 am John Pollino of Berwick was stopped at a stop sign on Sr 2036 waiting for traffic to clear so he could proceed south on Sr 0092. At the same time Scott Boman was traveling north on Sr 0092, when he drove off the east berm and onto Sr 2036 and hit Pollino head on. Both drivers were utilizing seat belts; neither was injured.

Harassment: Ernest Kuhn was cited for harassment following an incident on April 10th between 1 and 1:30 am, where he engaged in physical contact against another Hallstead man.

Crash: On April 7th at 11:01 am Mark Vanwert of Langhorne, Pa was traveling south along Sr 82 in Lenox Township when he lost control of his Ford F-150 after being passed by a large commercial truck. His truck traveled from the right lane, across the left/passing lane, and into the median. Once in the median it rolled over. It then came to a rest at mile marker 207.4 on its left side, facing a northeasterly direction. It was towing a camper which had rolled onto its roof during the crash. Vanwert was utilizing a seat belt; he received minor abrasions to his left arm and leg. The wreckage was towed form the scene by Kozlowski Towing of Clifford. PSP was assisted at the scene by members of the Clifford V.F.D. and its ambulance service.

Crash: On April 8th at 1:55 pm Laci Salsman of Montrose was traveling north on Sr 29 in Bridgewater township when, while traveling north on that road, her vehicle crossed the center of the roadway and impacted a series of guardrails on the western side of the roadway. After imp acting the western side guardrail, the vehicle crossed the entire roadway and impacted guardrails on the eastern side of the roadway, as it came to a final rest on the intersection of Sr 29 and Sr 2053. Salsman was utilizing a seat belt; she was not injured.

Assault: On April 5th between 10 pm and 11:55 pm Alejandro Leon-Martinez of Great Bend was taken into custody at a location in that township after assaulting a woman and juvenile male during an incident. He was arraigned on assault charges before Judge Jodi Cordner, District Court 34-3-02 on April 8th. Bail was set at $100,000 and he was returned to the Susquehanna County Jail.

Burglary: Between March 30th and 31st at 6 pm unknown perpetrator(s) arrived at the home of an elderly Susquehanna man, entered the house through an exterior door, took a rifle, a $100 bill, and a cell phone, threw the cell phone along Sr 92 in the mud, and fled the scene. Anyone with information is asked to contact the police please.

DUI: On April 7th at 8:10 pm Matthew Simki of Big Rapids, MI was traveling west on Sr 91 in Oakland Borough when his Ford F250 exited the roadway and struck a utility pole with its right front corner. The truck then struck a small tree and overturned, striking the steel guide rail on the opposite side of the road, before coming to an uncontrolled stop facing northeast. The driver departed the scene in an suv prior to police arrival. After the fire department cleaned up the scene and opened the roadway an SUV bearing Michigan registration was observed heading back into Susquehanna Depot. The owner/operator of the crashed vehicle was observed in the passenger seat and arrested for DUI.

Harassment: On April 7th between 4:45 and 5 pm Damon Borne of Lawton and Michele Connors of Scranton engaged in physical contact at the Pump and Pantry, and then all parties got into their respective vehicles and traveled south on Sr 11, where another physical incident occurred between Courtney Connors of Olyphant, Jesse Naylor of Hallstead, and Stacy Gulley of Susquehanna. All five participants were cited for harassment and charts were filed at District Court 34-3-02.

Harassment: On April 7th at 11 pm a Susquehanna man reported being struck in the face by John Turner Jr., also of Susquehanna, at a location in that borough. Turner fled the scene after striking the victim. A non-traffic citation was filed against the accused with District Court 34-3-02 for Harassment.

Criminal Mischief: On March 7th between midnight and 4 am one or more perpetrator(s) went to a Gibson Township location and smashed a woman’s mailbox with a rock. The perpetrator was injured; it appears the rock bounced off the mailbox and struck the actor causing bleeding. Anyone with information is asked to contact PSP/Gibson at (570) 465-3154.

Burglary: On April 4th between 10 am and 3:55 am one or more burglar(s) entered a Brooklyn Township residence through a rear door. The burglar(s) kicked a hole in the wall and smashed the glass on a gun cabinet, taking possession of/removing the following items: browning A-bolt rifle, 2 lady’s rings, a Mig Welder, and a Stihl Chain saw. A trailer parked on the property was also broken into, and the following dirt bikes stolen: 2013 KTM 250SX (orange), and an orange 2012 KTM 125.

Criminal Mischief: The front door of the Fehlinger Construction Group in Hop Bottom borough was damaged sometime between the 4th and 5th of April.

Crash: On April 3rd at 10:31 pm Alexis Gerhardt of Thompson was traveling east along Sr 492 in New Milford Township when her vehicle traveled off the road to the right as the result of a reported brake failure and struck the mailbox located at 914 Sr 492. The vehicle continued in an easterly direction and then traveled through a garage building at 930 Sr 492. After traveling through the garage, the vehicle then came to a rest against a tree facing a northeasterly direction. Gerhardt received moderate injuries to her hands from the crash. She was utilizing seat belt; she was transported by New Milford Ambulance to CMC for treatment of injuries.

Commercial Vehicle Crash: On April 4th at 3:14 pm Curtis Arpey of Liverpool, NY was traveling south on Interstate 81 when his vehicle ran out of gas and pulled onto the right berm at MM 221.1. While he was waiting for AAA, Jason Miller of Sayre, Pa was traveling south and went over the white fog line, striking Arpey’s vehicle in the rear left quarter panel. Miller continued south until he reached the Flying J’s travel plaza due to the fact that it was the first safe place to stop. He then contacted police. Neither person was injured; at least Miller was utilizing a seat belt (Arpey’s use is listed as unknown).

Crash: On April 30th at 8:55 am Jaelen Felton of Dover, NJ was traveling south on Interstate 81 in Great Bend Township when, while negotiating a right curve in the roadway, her vehicle exited the left side of the roadway. It swerved back to the right across both lanes and struck an embankment and guide rail. The Hyundai SF then continued off the roadway and down a culvert, overturning and coming to a rest facing a north direction, on fire. Felton was out of the vehicle and taken to Wilson Memorial Hospital in Johnson City, NY. She sustained major injury. Police were assisted at the scene by Hallstead Volunteer Fire Company and Columbia Hose Company.

Criminal Mischief: PSP Gibson is investigating an incident in which unknown person(s) shot the cabin of a Fairdale man (in Jessup Township) three times with small caliber rounds. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to please contact the police.

Crash: On April 2nd at 12:15 am You Lin Qin of New York, NY was traveling southbound on I 81 in Great Bend Township when he lost control of his vehicle, which exited the roadway off the east berm and entered the median. The vehicle struck some shrubs then rolled over, coming to rest on its right side in the median. The driver was transported via Great Bend Ambulance to Barnes Kasson Hospital in Susquehanna, Pa for treatment. It was towed from the scene by Marv’s Towing. Safety equipment was listed as unknown; Lin Qin sustained injury of unknown severity.

Theft: The cell phone belonging to a 13 year old girl was stolen from her purse, located in a gym locker at the Montrose High School on April 3rd between 10 and 11 am.

Theft: Between the 15th and 16th of March, $500 cash was stolen from a business on Sr 706 in Bridgewater Township.

Crash: On March 29th at 8 pm Terry Palmer of Tunkhannock, Pa was traveling south on Sr 29 when he swerved to miss a deer in the roadway, traveled off the west side of the roadway and struck a utility pole with its front end. Unit 1, a Ram 1500 van, came to a final rest facing southwest off the west berm of the roadway.

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

In the March 27, 2013 issue of the County Transcript we inadvertently stated that Donald Roe was the father of Jamie Roe. We should have stated Ronald Roe is the father of Jamie Roe. We apologize for any inconvenience.