At the October 7th meeting of the Montrose borough council, it was announced at the beginning that there would an executive session to discuss personnel and the community center. After the executive session, which occurred late in the meeting, no announcement regarding the center was made, but there was a personnel decision. Prior to this point several items of business were completed, however.

During Mr. DiPhillips report, he related that there were a couple trees near where the police parked which he thought ought to come down. He had received one quote, $1800, to take down four of the trees. He was waiting for another quote.

New Milford borough desired to purchase rock salt from Montrose again. The year previous they had obtained one load. This was motioned and approved. The salt was sold to the other municipality at cost.

The leaf vac had been busted out that day, Mr. DiPhillips related. Mr. Lamont quipped that leaves were piled up at the drains, due to the rain. The collection process was in process. Mr. DiPhillips said that he would like to be done before Thanksgiving, as that was when the weather turned sour.

Ms. Skinner showed those present a sign, which she said she was going to give to Mr. DiPhillips. The sign encouraged people to call 811 before digging. She wished to bring to his attention that he could get a really large sign to put on the building, and 811 would pay for it so long as a picture of the hung sign was taken. With the advent of the pipelines, she felt this was an important consideration. She said that she would order the larger sign if council was agreeable to it. The zoning officer asked her to give him a call when she got the sign, as such signs could only take up so much area. She said that she would get the dimensions. Mr. Reimel quipped that they didn’t want to be in violation of their own ordinance.

During Chief Smith’s police report, Mr. Lamont related a request he had received shortly after a recent fire call (that turned out the be a controlled burn). It had been requested that perhaps two officers would respond to such calls, so that one could hang back and direct traffic around the fire truck.

Mr. Lamont then asked about the status of Forest Lake; it was responded that the situation should be the same the next year as it had been the current year, since they had a two year agreement.

During the mayor’s report, Mr. Wilson asked if anybody knew the new estimated time of completion for the road project. It was responded that this was expected to be eighteen months later than it was originally supposed to be completed. It was supposed to be a two year project and now it was a three and a half year project.

Frederick Rowling Sr. and Jr. were present, desiring to speak about a peddler’s permit. They ran an air conditioning and heating company (Lennox dealers) out of the south side of Binghamton. They were aware that natural gas was being brought into Montrose, the dad related, and their intent was to put together a doorknob hanger with information inside. This would provide information regarding a rebate program, information on their company, and incentives. They would only be leaving the information on doorknobs, he explained, they would not be knocking on doors uninvited. Mr. Lamont asked if they were chamber rated in Binghamton; it was answered that they were not. The business with Lennox had begun in October, 2012. Mr. Dowling Sr. had been in the business 48 years, he explained, stating that he was really doing this venture in order to let his son take it over in a few years. Mr. Dowling Sr. said that they had tremendous experience; he personally had experience ranging from industrial to residential.

Mr. Lamont stated that they had submitted all of the appropriate information. He said that he was sure that this would not be the only company which would be requesting such permits as natural gas came into play. Ms. Skinner said, with respect to the phases of the pipeline, that this may instigate conversation among neighbors. She felt that was one of the ways to get the phase moving, to get Leatherstocking to come to a neighborhood.

Mr. Dowling Sr. agreed with that. He said that Lennox was a little bit of a higher end piece of equipment, and that the customers that they sold to had a preference for a higher piece of equipment. His company wasn’t coming in and underselling anyone or anything, he asserted. All they were looking to do was to offer a quality product; if a customer chose to take it or not was their decision. Their service included doing an analysis of a home.

The zoning officer explained that on the peddler’s permit they had a thirty day wait period, if it was approved. Mr. Schuster said that it was no different than opening his mailbox and having church paraphernalia in it. Mr. Lamont said that he was in support of the natural gas. His concern was if ANC or someone drove through and thought it was allowed, the Dowling’s would be the only people with a permit. He said that they were the ones doing it right. Ms. Skinner reiterated her opinion that it would boost knowledge and community conversation.

Mr. Dowling said that they realized that they couldn’t put anything in a mailbox, so they certainly wouldn’t do that. He stated that he understood their concerns. Mr. Lamont reiterated that the Dowling’s were doing it right, he was more worried about the enforcement of those not doing it appropriately.

The zoning officer asked if there was a way they could go to the post office and have the information delivered that way. It was also proposed that perhaps the local press would offer the same service. Mr. Lamont suggested tabling the subject until the next meeting.

The hours for Trick or Treating were set for October 31st from 5:30 to 8:00, with curfew at nine.

It was motioned that the annual $500 be contributed to the Susquehanna County library. Mr. Reimel shortly thereafter noted that it was budgeted for $1,000, and amended his motion toward that effect.

The volunteer fire relief association check was received in the amount of $9,495.10, and he said that it was basically a wash as they received it and gave it to the fire company.

The contribution to the fire company was motioned on, it was budgeted at $35,000 and approved as such.

The Lions Club was interested in considering funding work on the park pavilion roof. It was decided that this assistance would be graciously accepted.

After the executive session, it was announced that Erin Jenner resigned as Montrose borough secretary. She wrote a letter stating that she appreciated her time there, and would assist in any way possible with the transition. Mr. Lamont said that he wished her the best, and entertained a motion to accept her resignation with extreme regret.

Last month Garry Foltz voted nay on the bill list, saying that he objected to a payment into the pension plan for Sue Furney. It was the first time the issue had come up, and at the Harford Township Supervisors’ meeting on October 9th, Mr. Foltz again voted nay on the bill list. He said he would continue to vote against paying the bills as long as it included a pension contribution for Ms. Furney, who has long been the Township Secretary, and since 2004, an elected Supervisor as well. Since Ms. Furney and Doug Phelps voted in favor, the bills will be paid anyway.

Mr. Foltz’s objections seem to rest on 2 considerations: that Ms. Furney as a Supervisor should not have been allowed to approve her own benefits package as an employee; and that as a part-time employee she should not be eligible for township-financed benefits in the first place. To support his position, Mr. Foltz apparently made an exhaustive review of the minutes of meetings of both the Supervisors and of the township’s auditors. Under the state Second-Class Township Code, in a municipality such as Harford, the auditors have the final say on pay and benefits, in particular for employees who also serve as elected Supervisors. In September Mr. Foltz claimed that the auditors had recommended against a pension package for Ms. Furney. In fact, Harford’s auditors have never objected to the arrangement.

Ms. Furney’s claim to the pension package is also based on 2 considerations: that she was included in the older pension program before 2004; and that the auditors – as well as the township’s solicitor in a letter earlier this year addressed to Mr. Foltz as chair of the Board of Supervisors – have voiced no objection to her participation.

Mr. Foltz also contends that at one time the Supervisors discussed a pension plan for Ms. Furney, and for Jim Ketterer, who was also a Supervisor and at least part-time Roadmaster. He claims that the “intent” was to establish such a plan only so long as it was part of a state-funded program under Act 205 of 1984. Nothing came of that idea.

The new pension program adopted in early 2004 is a “simple IRA” plan designed specifically for small operations like Harford Township. Harford employees can contribute up to 3% of their pay to the plan, which the township matches. In fact, at the time the plan was established, the Supervisors boosted its employees’ pay by 3% in order to encourage their participation. In February 2004, when the measure came to a vote, Supervisor Terry VanGorden was absent; Ms. Furney and Board chair Rick Pisasik voted in favor.

Asked for his position, Supervisor Phelps said that he voted to pay the bills (and thus for Ms. Furney’s pension plan) based on the opinions of the township’s auditors and solicitor.

During the debate Mr. Foltz said at one point that he had consulted with “2 local authorities” on the matter, who advised him that Ms. Furney’s pension package was improper and that he should not approve the bill list as long as it includes a payment for that purpose. When asked who these “authorities” might be, Mr. Foltz declined to elaborate.

Moving on, Mr. Phelps reported that most of the work to remediate flood damage under a program funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is nearly complete. For 3 areas he had bids by BarHite Excavating for which he sought approval, hoping to get the work done before winter. He said that FEMA recommended the Township hire out the work instead of trying to do it all with its own crew in order to complete it before the latest deadline next Spring, a deadline that has already been extended at least twice.

The Supervisors approved two projects – one FEMA project on Jeffers Road, the other a bridge abutment repair on Pennay Hill Road. A larger effort will be required on Oliver Road, one which will need to be bid since the cost is expected to total over $30,000. There was some debate about the necessity of bidding a FEMA project, so Ms. Furney and Mr. Phelps will look into that before proceeding.

The bridge repair on Pennay Hill Road will be at the township’s expense, but is necessary to keep a concrete retaining wall/abutment from collapsing, as it is threatening to do. BarHite Excavating has bid to do the work for $8,650. The Supervisors tentatively agreed to pay for this one out of the “impact fee” funds the township has been squirreling away.

In any case, Mr. Foltz wants to ensure that the agreements with the contractor spell out just what is to be done in each case.

That sort of thing came up in a discussion of a water diversion project on Tyler Lake Road initiated by a resident of the area concerned about muddy runoff entering the lake. A couple who live on Tyler Lake Road attended the meeting to ask about the project. The project plan, they said, looked very good. However, a pipe that was specified in the plan was never installed. They claim that deficiency may have caused the pooling of water at the end of their driveway since most of the work was completed.

Mr. Foltz said that a Soil Conservation Service representative had discussed the pipe with Jim Phelps, the Township Roadmaster, and decided that the pipe was not needed. Mr. Foltz said that original plans are sometimes changed on the ground. The Supervisors pledged to look further into the matter.

The Supervisors reported that all of the paperwork has been completed to straighten out the legal arrangements regarding the Harford Water Association’s reservoir above the village. The township now owns an additional 1.38 acres that Mr. Foltz wants to lease to a gas company, anticipating royalties perhaps from a pooling unit connected with the Adams well site. He said that, as far as he has been able to determine, no pooling units have yet been established for that site.

Budget planning has begun. The Supervisors met for a budget workshop on September 25, devising figures for the sewer plan and the state-funded road portions of the budget. Another session is scheduled for October 22 at 6:30pm to hammer out the township part, which involves direct local taxation. The full budget must be available for public perusal for a month before formal passage before the new year.

The next scheduled Supervisors’ meeting will be on Tuesday, November 12, 2013, beginning at 7:00pm. All meetings take place at the township office on Route 547.

Improvements, some tangible and others in the early planning stages, highlighted Oakland Borough’s Council meeting at the Lanesboro Community Center on Thursday, October 10th. President Ron Beavan gaveled the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Present for the meet were councilmen Jack Agler, Eric Page, Brian Rhone, and Dave Trevarthan. Also present were Secretary/Treasurer Flo Brush and Officer Bob Sweet. Councilmen Dave Dibble and Gary Boughton were absent.

A harbinger of the evening’s improvements theme occurred when council approved the previous month’s minutes, but only with amendments for minor typographical errors detected by Councilman Rhone. Improvements achieved, unanimous approval followed.

President Beavan kept the drive for improvements going with his presentation of the Codes Report. He updated council on the status of three properties in the borough. Weekly inspections are ongoing at the first property so as to keep the resident’s propensity for “untidiness” in check. The second property, President Beavan noted, will be going up for tax sale on October 22nd. And the third property, which was cited for a code violation in mid-September, will be re-inspected next week. If corrective action will have been accomplished the case can be closed; if not, appropriate legal action will commence.

With both members of the Parks Committee absent, council present were not certain of how far planned security upgrades at the borough’s park had advanced. However, various upgrades are already in place to deter and detect miscreants who have been targeting park facilities for vandalism. Deterrence, detection, apprehension, and reformation of the borough’s vandals are worthy goals and a laudable improvement in residents’ quality of life - if realized.

Mayor Glover presented the Mayor’s Report. In it he noted that the borough’s new police car is on the road - but has only one ignition key. Council unanimously agreed to authorize two additional keys at a cost of $70. He further reported that the car’s police markings had cost $395, which he had authorized. Council commended his initiative.

Mayor Glover next requested council’s counsel as to disposition of the old police car. Extended discussion concluded with council agreeing to seek the best possible price from a scrap dealer. Disposal of the rusted hulk forthwith is authorized.

The Mayor’s Police Report listed some 29 incidents in the borough during the month of September. Thirteen involved routine traffic stops; four were for disorderly conduct; and two were cases of harassment. The other 10 cases were hodge-podge police classified as follows: vandalism, terroristic threat, larceny/theft, offenses against children, suspicious person, suspicious vehicle, assist-in-service (Susquehanna Depot), chest pain, and “animal” (report of resident shooting cats and throwing them over the bank).

Also up for clarity in the Mayor’s Report was the issue of police presence for council meetings. Council, after much discussion, ultimately settled upon a policy that a borough police officer will be present for council meetings “per council request or necessity.”

Under the agenda item of “Old Business” President Beavan discussed council’s dream improvement - a new borough building. Mr. Beavan sketched out his idea of the basics a new borough building should offer: offices for police and the secretary/treasurer, two handicap-accessible restrooms, and a space for meetings, all contained in a structure of approximately 30 x 30 feet (with a four foot crawl-space underneath). He noted that while others might wish for a larger structure, this is what the borough could afford and will quite likely be sufficient to meet its needs. To study the issue further he requested council establish a committee. Councilman Page volunteered to serve as Head of the Borough Building Committee, and council voted to empower him to pick who he needs to help him, regardless of whether such persons are members of the borough council. While council is not uncomfortable meeting in Lanesboro’s Community Center, their natural inclination is that having a borough building of their own is an aspirational improvement worthy of vigorous pursuit.

Finally, Secretary/Treasurer Brush brought up two last items for council consideration. She noted a bid from the borough’s regular auditor to conduct the annual audit at a cost of $1,200. Council agreed the price was reasonable, in line with previous audits, and voted unanimously to accept the bid.

Secondly, Ms. Brush inquired as to the time for which Halloween trick-or-treating would be authorized this year. Council reviewed their history of Halloween trick-or-treating since 2006, and agreed that this year, as in the previous seven years, trick-or-treating would again be authorized from 6 to 8 p.m. on the 31st day of October. This designation for Thursday, October 31, is coordinated with Susquehanna Depot as the only authorized time for trick-or-treating in both boroughs.

With Halloween scheduling settled, at 7:59 p.m. President Beavan announced that council needed to go into executive session; that no formal vote would be taken after the executive session; and that council would be adjourning immediately upon its return to regular order.

Oakland Borough council will meet at the Lanesboro Community Center on the second Thursday in November to resume adventures in community improvement.

The Blue Ridge school colors are red and white, period.  That was the consensus among School Board members at their meeting on October 7th.  Those are the colors that should be used for athletic uniforms, and no other.

Athletics Director Jill Hoffman brought up the issue again toward the end of the meeting.  “What is the Board’s pleasure on uniforms?” she asked.  Activities Committee chair Christina Cosmella showed samples of uniforms that had been proposed.  They had some black in the design, which Board member Christina Whitney said were merely “accents.”  But Board president Laurie Brown-Bonner retorted, “I see that black – it doesn’t even look like Blue Ridge to me.”

The controversy over athletic uniform designs and colors goes back many years.  Naturally the student athletes are interested in style.  Ms. Hoffman doesn’t like white because it gradually becomes dingy as the uniforms age, as they are wont to do in these times of tight budgets.  At one time the Board agreed to allow uniforms used for practice to be grey.  But for competition, the Board – regardless of its membership – has consistently demanded that uniforms adhere to the schools’ established colors, red and white.  And so they remain.

The formal meeting actually opened following an executive session that, according to Ms. Brown-Bonner was held to discuss a personnel issue.  Since a brief addendum was added to the agenda at the last moment, it would appear that the issue involved Business Manager Loren Small.  Superintendent Robert McTiernan would say nothing about Mr. Small’s absence.  But the added item appointed Penny Green as “Interim Business Manager,” and Debbie Bennett as Board Secretary, positions lately held solely by Mr. Small.

Before addressing the business agenda, the Board was pleased to hear from a couple of High School Principal Matthew Nebzydoski’s high-performance seniors.  Curtis Mills will be a businessman, following his career with Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), and the MBA he hopes to earn at college.  Samantha Frailey offered a long list of accomplishments at Blue Ridge, including president or vice president of just about everything she joined.  She will study special education and/or various forms of therapy at one of the several colleges she is considering.  An impressive pair, Mr. Nebz said, “They will make us proud.”

Senior Curtis Mills

Senior Samantha Frailey

Ms. Brown-Bonner then read out a certificate of achievement for young artists Gabe Waldowski and Gia Fiore, 5th-graders who won awards in the Interdependence Day/Hexagon Project Exhibit in Scranton.  The project is promoted as “A Small Shape with Big Ideas!  Participants are ask to use the shape of a hexagon - or multiple hexagons -  in any medium,  including digital, to respond creatively to the many themes of  Interdependence  and become part of an international movement to create a more civil, peace-minded and just community, city, state, nation and world.”  Under the tutelage of Sarrah Dibble-Camburn, the Elementary School art program has collected over $1,500 over the past 2-3 years for Susquehanna County Interfaith.

Pictured are 5th Grade artists Gabe Waldowski and Gia Fiore, with teacher Sarrah Dibble-Camburn, Board President Laurie Brown-Bonner, and Elementary School Principal Matthew Button.

Among a number of more routine personnel items on the agenda, the Board regretfully accepted the resignation of High School Language Teacher Jennie Castrogiovanni, and is currently looking for a teacher of Spanish.

The Board gave formal approval to 2 bus contracts.  The major one covers most of the scheduled regular runs.  The copy attached to the agenda was only a sample contract, but the total dollar value is expected to be over $850,000, as decided at a Board meeting in September.  The other contract, with Lewis Busing, covers transportation for athletic competitions and other activities outside of the regular busing schedule.  It provides for special payments to cover equipment held in readiness for extra trips when other buses aren’t available because they are on regular runs.  Altogether, bus transportation costs Blue Ridge just about $1 million per year, much of it reimbursable by the state.

The Board gave final approval to an agreement with Northeast Data for the installation of a new optical fiber network “backbone” for the entire campus.  The contract will cost $170,445 and will upgrade the facilities to allow the higher network speeds required to support more video, as well as a new “voice-over-IP” telephone network that is being planned.  At the last minute, Mr. McTiernan offered a few minor modifications to the printed contract.  One of the alterations requires that the work cannot be done during school hours.

Mr. McTiernan also added an item to the printed bill list: some $11,000 for 18 new computers to be used with computer-aided design classes.

A lot more information is now readily available at the on-line edition of the Raider Reader, at http://www.raiderreader.org, which can also be reached from the district’s home site at http://www.brsd.org.  Principals Nebzydoski and Matthew Button also have weblogs accessible from the district site.  Most of these sites prominently feature the district’s colors, red & white.  But technology marches on at Blue Ridge, regardless of its color.

If you would prefer to get the latest skinny in person, the next meeting of the Blue Ridge School Board is scheduled for Monday, October 28, 2013, beginning at 7:30pm in the cafeteria in the Elementary School.

Near the beginning of the October 10th Elk Lake School Board meeting, Mrs. Teel brought up the subject of the Technology Committee meetings, which had been held the previous year but had been let go during the summer. She asked the board if they could revive those meetings. As there was no opposition, this plan was pursued.

Nick Sracic and John Schmidt were in attendance from Johnson Controls. Mr. Sracic asked those present if they had questions prior to discussing the Project Development Agreement and proposed time-line.

Mrs. Teel asked clarification regarding what would occur if the district committed to the $65,000 and the gas did not come. That cost was to be rolled into the energy savings, but a large part of the program relied upon the gas availability. Mr. Sracic replied with an assurance that what had been discussed in the past had been written into the contract, that if the gas could not be obtained the company would wait until September of 2014 before the money was due. He thought that in the face of this unavailability, however, a different interim solution might be able to be pursued instead.

He then reviewed the proposed time line with the board. He reiterated that the district made the decisions. There would be hundreds of small decisions, which could be made at the administrative level, but their goal was to boil the process down at the board level for some of the larger decisions. This was done in a series of three workshops. The first was targeted for the end of October, and would be in three parts. The educators would be invited in for a forum, have the planned design communicated to them, and perhaps a few would be selected to communicate with Johnson regarding their concerns in the classroom. There would then be a technology workshop, mainly focused on the facilities team, at which they would specifically discuss the brands that the district desired to go out to bid for. All of the major items and technology that would go into the job would be discussed. For the third piece Johnson would aim to have all of the engineering estimates done, and at this they wanted to eliminate anything which the district did not want them to get bids for. Basically, the point of this meeting would be to eliminate undesired items and go out to bid. In November they would obtain competitive quotes for everything that was discussed. In late November they would aim to sit down and share with the board the final cost of the project the bids incorporated. At this second meeting there would be decisions made about what was in or out of the job, and the scope of the project would be narrowed down. Also discussed at that meeting would be assessment and verification, with choices regarding how the savings were proven. A measure would be attached to each of the line item savings. At the final meeting in early December, everything would be reviewed again, and at that time the proposal would be ready to be put up to the board for approval. This time line was tentative and could be changed, he explained.

He also related that he had spoken with a representative of Leatherstocking, and they were amenable to working with Johnson. This might include scenarios where Johnson did the trenching, or where Leatherstocking agreed to accept a one time payment rather than the three dollar surcharge. This would be less expensive for the district. Dr. Bush asked if the Leatherstocking representative had spoken to Mr. Sracic regarding time line, and it was responded that he had not. Mr. Sracic explained though that the work was on the district’s property, and thus more controllable. He was encouraged by this.

Mr. Sracic then asked how they should select the dates and times for the meetings, as he would be bringing up a whole team from Johnson. Dr. Bush responded that the board would discuss this, and he would get back to him.

At this point Mr. Emmerich made the motion for the district to approve the proposal by Johnson Controls. Mr. Curley seconded this, and after a roll call vote (unanimous by all present, and one member present by telecommunication) it passed.

When the more routine business of the district recommenced, administrative reports were heard. Mrs. Staats explained that they had been selected by the state to be part of cohort one for their transitions program. This encompassed students with IEPs aged 14 through 21. There were new components to the law. Mrs. Staats said that she was kind of happy the district was in cohort one, as they could make the changes and move forward. She explained the transition program in slightly more detail after Mrs. Carr questioned regarding numbers.

Mr. Mallery pointed out a “Readbox” shelf near the back of the library, where the hot books were located. This was a play on the popular video rental boxes with new releases. He said that the librarian, Mrs. Morahan, was in the process of rearranging the library to be more like a book store. With this change, the library had checked out 1,347 books from the start of the year to a point in September, which was more than a 90% increase. Mrs. Morahan was in the process of color coding the books by genre. There were students assisting as well.

Mr. Mallery also thanked Mr. Place and the senior class; $1,864 was raised through a corn sale.

The school performance profile was released, he noted. Through the waiver, this was the new way of rating schools - replacing AYP. The secondary school scored 75.8; the materials were available at paschoolperformance.org. The district was trying to work on action plans.

Mr. Mallery explained that no longer did the state look at a single PSSA score, now it looked at the school as a total. The information would be used to look at targeted areas of improvement. Mr. Tewksbury asked what the criteria was, for what level the school should be at, wondering if it was possible to be at 100%. Mr. Mallery responded that it looked like 100 was attainable, but it was a lot different than in the past due to the number of categories. This included a category for the students progress, or academic growth. There was no penalty for a score, it was explained.

Dr. Cuomo continued the discussion about the performance profile in his report. He reminded those present that there was a new system of evaluating educator performance. The observation process which the district was involved in, currently, would make up about 85% of the instructors’ final evaluation score. There was a new tracking instrument for this. The performance profile was the other 15% of their score, which the state would populate into the form. The two together would factor into an educator rating of either satisfactory or unsatisfactory. Forty percent of this 15% dealt with academic indicators. Closing the achievement gap (for students who historically had an achievement gap) comprised another 10% of that 15 percent. Another 40% of the 15% was the indicators of academic growth, which stipulated that a school’s students should make up one year’s growth over a one year period. If they didn’t, there could be penalties. The last 10% of the 15% was comprised of other academic indicators, which could include graduation rates and attendance.

Based on the last year, the elementary was at 68.2%. The new system, Dr. Cuomo said, truly showed where the district needed to work on areas. Sometimes the achievement scores in one area might be counteracted if they didn’t meet the predicted growth in another area.

The percentages were to change the next year. The evaluations would be worth only 65%, and an additional 20% would be comprised of other elective data. The following year further changes would occur.

Mr. Curley asked if the administrators would say they were comfortable with how this system was constructed. Dr. Bush spoke of it in terms of the previous AYP system. That judged all schools on one test, one day. This took into account a lot of input from educators, regarding taking other factors into account. Dr. Bush thought that there were enough components that it really allowed principals to examine the results and attack challenges from a multifaceted perspective. He said that it really put the focus on academics.

Dr. Bush brought up the topic of the well-known budget stalemate in Washington. This raised the question as to whether or not the district would be affected by the shutdown, in relation to federal Title 1 funds. He didn’t think it would, as they were allocated 25% of funds in advance. He said this would carry the district forward about 3 months into the school year. He did not expect the shutdown to last three months.

There were five bus contract revisions which were motioned and approved. Dr. Cuomo said that this had been a very good process, and he and Dr. Bush spoke of the GPS system which Dr. Cuomo said could be used in a very, very powerful way.

The School Bucks program was brought up. Ms. Moore had been invited to the meeting to discuss this. The principals did not want to take on the responsibility of making the phone calls regarding children delinquent on the breakfast and lunch programs, she said, so the cafeteria had. They went about it a little differently; instead of calling the high school students into the office they had called their parents. She said that they had discovered some interesting things in this way, such as parents believing that free and reduced lunch applications had been delivered when they hadn’t, or parents who had sent in money without knowing that it didn’t all make it to the cafeteria. The cafeteria had looked into the School Bucks program, then, which would allow the parents to deposit money directly into the students account (once that account was set up). There would be a $1.95 charge for each transaction, though in a single transaction the funds could be spread across multiple children. The parent could see what the student was eating, how much money they were spending, and obtain a participation report. This program would also address the problems of lost money, and money which came into the cafeteria without a coupon. It would be no cost to the district. Mr. Emmerich asked if parents who didn’t want to participate in this could still send in a check- they could. The program was voluntary. She did point out that it would also help out the parents who only had small children.

Mrs. Teel asked if a parent could only deposit money with a credit card, or if it could be from a draft from a checking account. This was to be looked into.

Mr. Emmerich asked who would be in charge of security, who would monitor and be responsible for problems with additional charges, etc. It was responded that the company would, and it was a company which the cafeteria already used and with which they were comfortable.

The money would go directly into the account. Mrs. Moore had been telling parents about the program, and they seemed excited about it.

Mr. Tewksbury wondered about the possibility of changing the Career and Technology meeting, due to a conflict. Mrs. Teel proposed moving that meeting to the first Wednesday from the first Thursday. It was decided to table the motion, and to return with dates at the next meeting.

Ron Cranage expressed concerns over the condition of the lower half of Baptist Hill Road at the October 7th Great Bend Township meeting. According to Mr. Cranage, in addition to a number of potholes on the road, the hills on the road may create a problem for vehicles who travel the road regularly. However, work began on the road the previous week and is ongoing. A concerned citizen also had complaints over the depth of the ditches being dug near the roadway on Baptist Hill Road Sheila Guinan reassured the public that the ditches would be of proper depth when the work there is completed.

A disconcerting letter was received by the township, from Mr. Kirk Hinkley Jr. The letter states that work has not been done on numerous roads throughout Great Bend Township, including Old Route 11, Penny Hill Road, Graham Hill, and Colwell Hill. However, the township states that these roads have in fact had work done to them recently.

A motion was made by Sheila Guinan to approve a subdivision plan for Howard and Merna Colwell to subdivide a portion of their land to Kirk Hinkley.

On Wednesday, October 23rd at 3:00 pm at Dreyer Hall in Montrose, the Susquehanna County Township Officials Convention will be held.

The township is still seeking a replacement for Norm on the Sewer Authority, as well as an Emergency Management Coordinator.

A quartet of Lanesboro councilman held a shorter-than-usual meeting on Tuesday, October 8th. Their focus was preparation for winter’s relentless - if unpredictable - approach and arrival in the not-too-distant future. Vice-President Dan Boughton presided over the bare quorum of council formed with the participation of Jason Fissel, David Glidden, and Dale Rockwell. President Todd Glover, council members Regina Dilello and Colleen Wilkes, as well as Mayor Chris Maby were absent. Also inexplicably missing were borough police.

With the meeting late starting (at 7:13 p.m.) council proceeded to approve minutes of their previous month’s meeting; listened to Secretary Gail Hanrahan’s cursory reading of official correspondence, namely a letter of notification that a business (stone quarry) had been approved to operate within borough limits; and moved to recognize any visitors requesting time on the agenda or seeking public input. As I, the only visitor/member of the public present, had none, council dashed on to the next agenda item, the Police Report. But with neither the Mayor nor Police present, no report was presented or made available.

Council moved on. The COG (Council of Government) Report had been previously emailed by President Glover to all council members. But without his availability to elucidate on a matter known only to council, discussion was transitory and a shift into Streets Committee matters was made posthaste. Two topics came in for discussion, and both touched on the approach of winter. First was noted the continued presence of “the pothole” at the end of Grand Street. Councilman Fissel, aware of the lateness of the season, immediately volunteered to tackle the problem ASAP. The second streets topic was the welcome announcement that the replacement snowplow and plow truck were completely ready for winter. Relief!

Segueing into Parks and Recreation Committee matters, Councilman Fissel lamented that picnic tables in the park were STILL unpainted. While expectations had been high that that paint job would have been completed by now, they were as yet unfulfilled. In response council proposed to investigate a stratagem for the project’s completion by month’s end, lest Old Man Winter block them from completing the task.

As concerned the Sewer/Refuse Report, Vice-President Boughton took no pleasure in reporting that the long-running water leak on Viaduct remained unresolved. In hopes of achieving resolution he proposed a couple of out-of-the-box ideas. It will be interesting to see at next council’s meeting if either of them will have panned out. Icing on Viaduct Street could be a problem this winter if creative ideas prove less than practical.

Also discussed were delinquent water accounts, including the probability of one or more cases of theft of services. Council made clear they were prepared to put police hot on the trail and prosecute desperadoes where warranted. Water shut-offs appear to be a near certainty in the future of some borough residents.

The International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC), long reviled by wary borough residents, was mentioned only insofar as the setting of a date to initiate discussion and consideration was tabled until next month. The wisdom of pushing this political hot-potato past November’s municipal election was obvious. IPMC opponents would be wise to keep up their guard lest an unaccountable lame-duck council effect passage before the new council reorganizes in January 2014.

The matter of the borough’s grant application for the repaving of three streets - Side Avenue, Barnes Avenue, and Convent Street - is a work in progress. A call to the mayor confirmed the grant’s imminent submission, and the probable expectation that once Old Man Winter blows out of town next spring the borough MAY have funds in hand to repave the aforementioned streets.

Finally, before adjourning at 7:50 p.m. council agreed that it would be “a good thing” to get together on a weekend in the near future to go through the borough’s obsolete and obsolescent furniture, bric-a-brac, and miscellany for the purpose of collective decision-making regarding retention or disposal of the aforementioned.

Council next meets on the second Tuesday in November, a week after which at least one council member will be a lame duck. By then our Indian summer may well be a lame duck (or dead duck) too. And with the sun sinking lower on Lanesboro’s horizon each day, winter preps likely will not have started any too soon.

Crash: On September 26th at 11:10 pm Frieda Diehl of Kingsley was traveling on Sr 2055 in Brooklyn, Twp. when her vehicle crossed the roadway into the path of a vehicle driven by Tanya Cameron of Kingsley, striking it head on. Diehl's vehicle continued through the guardrail and rolled over. Both drivers were utilizing seat belts.

Aggravated Assault/Terroristic Threats: The state police at Gibson are investigating an assault of a corrections officer at the Susquehanna County Correctional Facility that occurred on October 8 at 8:45 pm. Inmate Mark Whittemore, who became agitated during a period when he was supposed to be taking medication, grabbed on to the portable radio cord that a CO was wearing. Whittemore attempted to pull the man towards him by the cable and told him that he was going to strangle him. Once freed, Whittemore told the CO that when he gets the chance he is going to strangle him. Charges were to be filed on Whittemore in the near future.

Theft by Deception: A Harford woman was scammed as part of an online loan application process.

Theft: Between October 5th and 8th a Laceyville man discovered that money was taken without his authorization. The investigation was ongoing as of the time of report.

Criminal Mischief: Between October 7th and 8th one or more unknown person(s) shot a building at the Wood Frame Homes location in New Milford Township with a paint ball gun, breaking a window. Anyone with additional information is asked to please contact the police.

Theft of an ATV: One or more unknown person(s) entered the locked garage belonging to a Susquehanna man by prying open the door and removed the victim's Polaris Sportsman 400 from his property. Anyone with information is asked to please contact the police.

Hit and Run: On October 7th at 6:35 pm a Chevrolet Cavalier was parked behind the Country Lounge in Great Bend borough when a Dodge Ram pulled in, hitting the other vehicle in the rear with its front end. The driver of the Ram then fled the scene, going south on Sr 11. Anyone with information is asked to please contact the police.

Harassment: On October 7th at approximately 5:53 pm two Thompson men had a verbal argument with each other, which turned physical. Charges were filed on both at District Court 34-3-02.

Rape and Sexual Assault Crimes: Three women aged 23, 21, and 18 reported to PSP that Joseph Benson of Meshoppen sexually assaulted them from the ages of 9 through the current time. The three victims are all relatives of his paramour, a 57 year old woman from Meshoppen. The couple raised all three victims as if they were their own children. All three victims reported the abuse to the woman, who never helped them or reported the abuse, and in fact made the children lie if asked about the abuse. Benson was charged with multiple crimes including Rape and other associated crimes. The woman was charged with felony charges of Endangering the Welfare of Children and Liability for Conduct of Another; Complicity.

Hit and Run: On October 5th at 6:54 pm Osvaldo Kintero of Meshoppen was traveling southbound on Sr 267 in Rush Township at approximately 50 mph when he entered into a left hand curve. His vehicle lost control in the curve and struck the guard rail on the east side of the roadway with its front driver side, rode along the guard rail for approximately 50 feet, shot across the roadway, and struck the guard rail on the west side of the roadway with its passenger side and then crossed the roadway again and struck the guard rail on the east side for a second time. After striking the guard rail three times it rolled to an uncontrolled rest in the northbound lane facing south. Kintero fled the scene prior to the arrival of any first responders; seat belt use and injury were unknown. The vehicle sustained disabling damage and was towed form the scene.

Harassment: On October 3rd at 11:50 am John Ainey is accused of grabbing a male victim, an employee, around his neck and shoving him as he was leaving John's Saw Mill in New Milford township. Charges were filed at District Court 34-3-02.

Criminal Mischief: One or more unknown person(s) slashed tires on the parked vehicle of a Kingsley man.

Theft by Unlawful Taking: On September 23rd an unnamed theif took possession of medication from the residence of a Hallstead woman.

Burglary: Between the 26th and 27th of September a burglary occurred in Rush Township in which the trailer of Susquehanna Valley Construction was entered by forcible means, when the padlock on the trailer door was broken. Once inside, they stole some items from within the trailer. Anyone with information is asked to please contact the police.

Hit and Run: On September 27th at 5:55 pm a vehicle was traveling west on Jackson Valley Road when it failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway, at which time the Nissan Altima exited the roadway and struck a pile of logs on the side of the road. The driver fled the scene.

Burglary: PSP is investigating a report of a burglary at a Harford Township location in which doors and windows were damaged and a tool box was stolen. Anyone with information is asked to please contact the police.

DUI-Arrest: On September 19th at 9:35 pm Giles Shaffer of Waymart was found stopped at a location on I81 in New Milford Township. Through investigation it was determined he was under the influence of alcohol. Charges were to be filed in District Court 34-3-02.

Marijuana Manufacture/Grow: This incident occurred as marijuana plants were discovered growing in a wooded area behind Raymond Toman's residence in Hallstead. Further investigation resulted in approximately 6 ½ pounds of marijuana and drug paraphernalia being seized form Toman's residence. The paraphernalia included lights used for indoor marijuana growing. Toman was placed in custody and charged with Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Toman was arraigned before Magisterial District Justice Jodi Cordner on September 29th. Toman was incarcerated in the Susquehanna County Correctional facility on $50,000 bail.

Arson Fire: The police are investigating a fire that occurred on Rt. 267 south of Creamery Road in Forest Lake township around 7:22 pm on September 27th. One or more person(s) entered the basement of the residence and set tires on fire. The fire then spread to the first floor. Anyone with information is asked to please contact the PSP Fire Marshal Unit at (570) 963-3156.

Criminal Mischief: The police are investigating a criminal mischief incident in which one or more unknown actor(s) vandalized Judith Molenko's daughter's 100th career goal sign, located at the Mountain View High School Soccer Field. Anyone with information is asked to contact PSP Gibson at (570) 465-3154.

Criminal Mischief: The police are investigating a criminal mischief incident in which one or more unknown person(s) spray painted an obscenity on the door of a Center Moriches, Ny man's garage in Thompson township. Anyone with information is asked to please contact the police.

Commonwealth Vehicle: On September 27th at 8:29 am Leonard Evans of Hop Bottom was turning right from Sr 3006 onto Sr 29 in Springville township when it lost control, exited off the west side of the roadway, and struck a utility pole snapping the pole in half. The pole then struck a metal pole next to it and that pole collapsed into the nearby business causing damage to the building. The AP915Roller then backed to a controlled rest away from the pole. The vehicle sustained very minor damage to the front end. The driver was not injured.

Theft by Unlawful Taking: Between September 26th and September 27th a theft occurred at the Chudleigh well bad in Springville township in which one or more unknown perpetrator(s) entered the well pad and stole 4 master switch keys to construction equipment that was on site on the pad. They also did damage to the air intake cap on one of the machines on the pad. Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to contact the police.

Criminal Mischief: In the commission of this crime one or more unknown person(s) arrived at the scene and took apart and threw the mailbox and milk can belonging to a New Milford woman across the roadway, damaging the mailbox. Anyone with information is asked to contact this station.

Crash: On October 11th at 6:27 am Ryan Falkenberg of New Milford was traveling north on Wickizer Road in Brooklyn Township when his vehicle exited the right side of the roadway. Falkenberg over corrected and began to skid sideways through the curve and on coming lanes, then impacted an embankment on the left side of the roadway. The Chevrolet C1500 spun counter clockwise and came to rest facing an easterly direction. The operator did not wear his seat belt and speed played a factor into the crash. The driver was to be cited for roadways laned for traffic, expired inspection sticker, not wearing his seat belt, and operating a motor vehicle at a safe speed, in District Court 34-3-03. Police were assisted at the scene by Hop Bottom Volunteer Fire Company. Falkenberg sustained minor injury.

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

The Susquehanna County DOMESTIC RELATIONS Section has outstanding BENCH WARRANT’S for the following individuals as of 10:25 a.m. on October 11, 2013: Beverly A. Carvin, William J. Casey, Anthony M. Choplosky, Thomas D. Earley, David J. Fischer, John S. Frisbie, Jr, Jon W. Hanson, Douglas R. Heath, Kay L. Knolles, Todd J. Layton, Charlie J. Legere, Ronald N. Mitchell, George M. Moran, III, Jeffrey A. Ransom, Anthony Reed, Jose A. Rodriguez, Scott A. Russell, Bruce A. Schurr, David J. Shiner, Eric J. Snell, Nathan C. Strohl, Frederick Swingle III, Timothy T. Towers, II, Robert J. Twilley, Steven G. Warner. Please contact the Domestic Relations Section at 570-278-4600 ext. 170 with any information on the location of these individuals.