During the February 20th meeting of the Elk Lake School Board, several people were in attendance. Many were apparently there for an event which occurred early in the meeting. Dr. Bush spoke up, saying that they were going to move to a very proud moment. Dr. Cuomo was going to present a diploma to Mr. Leon Everett Williams, who had waited a long time for that moment. Dr. Cuomo spoke prior to conferring the diploma, stating that they had an opportunity to acknowledge Mr. Williams for his military service to the country. He explained that in 1942 Mr. Williams would have graduated high school, but instead he left school and entered into the military. He served in World War 2, and never had an opportunity to go back and finish school. Dr. Coumo then continued, saying it was their privilege and honor to provide him with a high school diploma. As he handed the diploma to Mr. Williams, applause resounded in the library, with many standing in Mr. Williams' honor.

Both Mr. Place and his sister in law thanked the board for their recent support. Mr. Place also expressed thanks to the community and the school, saying they had a real family.

A visitor stood and said she was very thankful to have Mr. Jayne as an athletic trainer. She called him very patient and supportive of them all, and spoke of what he had done for her children.

It was announced that the Elk Lake boys had won the basketball game. The next game was to be scheduled for the following Saturday, though details would follow.

Mr. Les Bear, of Robert W. Baird, stood to speak to the board about General Obligation Bonds. He said that they had been talking about the agreement for a long time, and his company was responsible for how the school would pay for it, in the form of a $5,060,000 general obligation bond. The school would make payments in May and November, with the first payment due in November. He reviewed the terms with the board. They had applied for a rating for the district, and the district had retained an a+ rating, which he called excellent. The district was putting $702,120 of money toward the project. Mr. Bear called it a tremendous project for the district, slated to realize a $2.9 million in total net savings. He said the company did a lot of these, and he didn't know as he had ever seen a savings so high. Another man then came forward with the actual resolutions. Mr. Tewksbury said that the best part of it was that when they had started there was a payoff date of 20 years, and with the current resolution it was down to 16 or so. The motion was made and carried.

Mr. Nick Sracic then spoke before the board, saying that it was simply a financially good maneuver. He said that the district had a lot of hot and cold (area) issues, and the changes proposed would not only provide for a more even temperature but also an increased indoor air experience. He called it an outstanding project in many ways. The project included conversion of the whole campus to natural gas, combining the boiler plant, and increasing ventilation. Essentially the district would be cutting what they paid the utility companies in half.

Dr. Bush broke down the district's contribution. Of it, $210,558 would be contributed by the SCCTC and $491,562 from Elk Lake.

Mr. Tewksbury and Mr. Sracic explained that funds had been built in in, case of an escalation in the price of energy rates. Mr. Sracic also explained that the district might actually experience more savings than were guaranteed. Johnson Controls didn't like to write checks, and generally guaranteed roughly 90% of expected savings.

The board them motioned to approve the performance contract with Johnson Controls. Mr. Sracic thanked them, saying they were great to work with. Dr. Bush spoke positively of all the people who had put in a lot of work during the process, including Kim Guiton.

There was a negotiated transportation service agreement with Leatherstocking, which Dr. Bush reviewed briefly. The agreement set a commencement date of December 31st; if Leatherstocking was not ready on that date they would pay the district $15,000. If the district failed to use the gas, it would pay the company $1,000. Mr. Tewkesbury asked where the station would be; it was responded that the contract at that time listed the Church compression station. This agreement, too, was approved.

The meeting then proceeded with regular business, moving on to the principal’s reports. Mr. Mallery thanked the maintenance staff, saying that it had been quite a winter.

Mrs. Staats spoke about the fifth annual transitions open house. They had altered the way this was run.

The calendar was discussed. Due to inclement weather, the district had taken President's Day as a makeup day and was asking board permission to also take Easter Monday. This would represent three days taken from Easter break, though Good Friday was still scheduled as a vacation day. Dr. Bush said that Dr. Cuomo had done a great job calling snow days. The last day of school was scheduled for June 13th at that time.

Mr. Place asked if they could consider, should there be a late start on a Wednesday, changing the schedule to eliminate the early dismissal, and put in a full day. Dr. Bush replied that this had been discussed since it made perfect sense, but the administration was concerned about it being a large issue for parents.

Dr. Bush asked for approval for the district's supporting the Susquehanna County Athletic and Conference facility. The group working toward that project was requesting a $500 fee to move forward. The facility was to be multipurpose. Mr. Curley asked if the district was allowed to do so, feeling it might be a stretch. It was responded that the district could contribute to libraries, etc. Mr. Curley said he wasn't in love with the idea, another board member stated that he tended to agree.

Mrs. Teel said that she and Mrs. McGee had been approached by students about organizing a fan bus to follow the boys through playoffs. Mr. Place asked who would be responsible. Mr. Mallery said that he had a few concerns. For one, if the school opened up the option for one sport, would they have to open it up to everyone? Also, wouldn't chaperones on the bus want some sort of a stipend?

Mrs. Teel said that she thought this was why it would be run through the varsity club and not the school.

Mr. Mallery said that administratively he wasn't against this, he thought it just needed to be looked at carefully. Mrs. Teel felt that if other schools could do it maybe they could.

Mr. Curley thought it was a good idea to try once, but they were not obligated to keep doing it. Mr. Bender suggested that once something was given it was hard to take back. Mrs. Staats advised that they be careful that only students use it, and not graduates. Mr. Mallery pointed out that the district couldn't have parents or anyone without clearances around the students. The matter was held for future discussion.

The SCCTC meeting began right after the Elk Lake meeting adjourned, and lasted approximately fifteen minutes.

A letter of resignation was received from one of the workers in the LPN program. A visitor asked if this would effect the student to instructor ratio; it was responded that the ratios were still within bounds.

Dr. Davis gave her director's report. She gave the board a picture of the fire truck donated by the Rush Fire Company. (It was clarified at one point that the students would learn on this, but not drive it.) The second class of LPN students had begun. The first was scheduled to complete in the summer, and the third to begin shortly thereafter. Students were working on the fourth house project.

The adult tuition was to remain the same, with one exception. Tuition for the LPN class was to be increased.

A visitor asked if the board was going to go back to having only one meeting night rather than two. Dr. Bush responded that he wasn't recommending it.

Hallstead Borough’s monthly Council meeting began promptly at 7 o’clock pm. The Borough began with some concerns from members of the Council.

The Council wanted to notify residents that State Troopers have alerted the Borough that there have been a number of car break-ins in the area. Having said that, they urged residents to lock their car doors and also pay attention so as to prevent more break-ins.

Later on, a member of the Council raised the question of whether or not to contract police officers for the area, in light of preventing crime. This idea was quickly struck down as it has not worked out in the past due to costs and effectiveness of having a policeman on patrol for only a small portion of the time. With that idea nixed, the Borough council pondered what had happened to the Crime Watch that was previously instated in the area. Noting that it had been a while since a formal Crime Watch had been in place, Council members suggested that if anyone was interested in starting a Crime Watch that they would be encouraged to do so, and if not, to at least take note of unfamiliar people who seem suspicious.

Jim Canfield, who works on maintenance issues for the Borough, wanted to ask residents, particularly around 4th Street and Brewster Street to please clean up the area after you plow or shovel. There have been issues with people plowing snow across or into roadways when clearing their driveways, and also shoveling snow onto the road way after the roads have already been cleared. Furthermore, Mayor Esposito noted that the Borough has been receiving many compliments on the work of Jim Canfield.

There also will be repairs made to the downstairs bathroom of the Borough building, where sink and drain pipes have been freezing. Jim Canfield stated that he could make these repairs himself, by insulating around the area. The Council stated that there was money available to complete this project, as it is a necessary one.

For long range planning, the Borough announced it would start blacktopping roads and making repairs beginning in March. By the Borough’s next meeting, Council members will have made a list of priority roads and sections that need to be re-done. As well as a list from Jim Canfield of catches basins that need to be either replaced or repaired.

The Council also stated that Jim Canfield and Theodore Loomis will begin to gather prices for a new industrial lawnmower that can handle the heavy use it would endure. The Borough currently has two lawnmowers, but they are expected to get rid of one and make repairs to the newer one of the two.

Hallstead Borough Council’s next meeting is scheduled for the third Thursday of the month, March 20th, 2014 at 7 o’clock.

The February 19th meeting of the New Milford Township was held in the wake of a public hearing regarding the 81 interchange at Gibson.  The large crowd present for that meeting however, dissipated, leaving the regular small attendance for the normal monthly meeting. 

Mr. Shibley explained that the month prior there had been a reorganization meeting but not a lot of other business.  Therefore there was really no old business.  Various items of new business were briefly reviewed. 

The supervisors had received notification that DEP had reviewed and approved the Sewage Plan for the Tompkins subdivision, it was related. 

Another subdivision for the Lynch family at Page's Lake was also brought up.  Having no objections, it was decided that the supervisors would send their usual sewage letter.  There was a little discussion regarding where it would be located. 

Southwest had submitted permit applications to DEP to drill wells 2H through 5 H on the Scarlet Oak Pad RU 38 on Stump Pond Road.  They also applied to drill the Platus Pad RU 11 wells 1 H through 3H, on Highlands road.  Additionally, the company applied to drill well 4H on the Koziol Pad RU 26 on Rice Road, and to drill wells 1 H through 6 H on the Bienko pads. Finally, they applied for a gas well drilling permit for the Baldwin Diaz Pad on Peck Hill. 

Mr.  Bondurant said that the affected homeowners were notified of such actions as well.   He and another visitor discussed some of the details of this, stating that if a homeowner was notified and the water was tested it pretty much meant that they would be affected by a well. 

Susquehanna Gathering, it was stated, submitted a permit to DEP for a GPA/GP5 Air Quality Plan with regards to natural gas production.  

DTE energy submitted an Erosion and Sediment Control Ground Permit (ESCGP-2) permit to DEP for the Salt Lick Pipeline.  This would be for 12” pipe and 16” pipe from existing well pad 59 to well pad 41 Bienko.  It was said that Pad 59 was actually in Jackson, though the driveway went through the township.  This was why the township secretary didn't have more information on it.  Mr. Bondurant commented on how well the supervisors knew the wells. 

There was an application for an ESCGP-2 permit regarding Constitution Pipeline from NW 1 to Constitution Pipeline and Northwest Range CDP 1 Compressor Station.  It was explained that there were two CDP 1s in the same area and this permit applied to the one that was owned by Southwest. 

In December they had put out advertising for bids for propane fuel for the trucks, material for the roads, and liquid calcium.  The first bids opened were for fuel.  Lindsey Oil was the first bid.  Mr. Conroy made the motion to accept the bid on the office fuel and the fuel for the truck.  The price of the propane wasn't on that bid, however, so he didn't motion to accept it.  This was seconded and approved. 

A propane bid was opened from from McCain Propane, for $1.99 per gallon for the fiscal year.  It was said that it was really cheap.  This too was motioned and accepted. 

Material bids were opened next, from  Damascus 535, Lopke, Eastern Industries, and Pennsy Supply.  The township had 68 miles of dirt road.  Damascus 535 was the cheapest and was accepted as the primary,  all other bids were accepted as secondary.  It was explained that the supervisors did this because it was so hard to get material.   

The calcium bids were opened next, from Vestal Asphalt and Suit-Kote.  The supervisors accepted both, with Suit-Kote as primary.   

A visitor asked a question regarding the minutes from the previous meeting.  They read that Bluestone Gathering planned a compressor station on Creek Road, but the location should have been Sutton Road.  It was explained that there would then be three stations within the township.

At its week-delayed regular monthly meeting on Thursday, February 20th, Oakland Boro council members spent an hour and 50 minutes setting their 2014 priorities and discussing other weighty governmental matters. Their get-together included two executive sessions, one in the first hour and a second a second at meeting’s end just prior to adjournment. Notably, neither session resulted in actions by the board after the executive session discussions.

Council President Brian Rhone called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Councilmen Jack Agler, Doug Arthur, Gary Boughton, Nelson Towner, and Dave Trevarthan were in attendance, along with Mayor Ron Beavan and Secretary/Treasurer Flo Brush. Councilman Eric Page was absent.

Also in attendance for the meeting was a “Special Guest,” Master Shane Muiter of the Boy Scouts of America. Master Muiter’s presence was motivated by his goal of earning a merit badge by observing government in action and making a report of same; hence, his observation of his home borough’s official deliberations.

Official deliberations early in the meeting focused on the Codes Report. Making a guest appearance was Codes Enforcement Officer Shane Lewis to discuss various troubled properties in the borough. As many as three structures in the borough are currently being considered for condemnation proceedings and subsequent demolition. Other properties with recent or ongoing problems were also discussed. After Mr. Lewis’ presentation and council members’ discussion, the time arrived to assign CEO Lewis his highest priority objective for 2014. Overwhelmingly, council members agreed that CEO Lewis should direct his time, efforts, and limited budget toward the abatement of unsafe structures in the borough.

Next priority-setting for borough council was the re-establishment of the structure for parks property governance. Last year’s audit of the borough had brought forth a recommendation for restructuring, and two possible proposals were presented by Secretary Flo Brush as to how council should proceed. After prolonged discussion Council leaned decidedly toward Proposal “A” which recommended abolishment of the present Parks Committee and its reestablishment as the Recreation Committee, with three councilmen serving on the committee, one being its chairman. This proposal included the additional provision that all recreation fund monies be handled at the borough office with the Secretary/Treasurer assigned the duty to write checks and pay bills. Councilman Boughton agreed to serve as the new Recreation Committee Chairman and Councilmen Arthur and Towner agreed to serve on the Committee.

The borough’s next agenda item was the borough’s Police Department. Mayor Beavan presented the borough’s police report for the month of January. While a copy was not available for media distribution, Mayor Beavan’s reading of the various incidents indicated that reported crime had fallen dramatically last month. (One might infer that the extreme cold and heavy snowfalls had some correlation with the lowered crime rate.) Mayor Beavan also reported on the status of the borough’s two police cars and introduced Chief Sweet and Officer Creamer to borough council’s new members. Chief Sweet further modeled the new (unofficial) police-wear for use in the event of emergency call-out in the middle of the night when time exigencies preclude full police outfitting.

New business brought up the subject of Kingfisher/Southwest Energy’s seismic testing on borough property. Borough officials are going to do more investigation before giving the final go-ahead, but from what councilmen know now, the offer to the borough stands at $5/acre to be paid to the borough for permission to install sensors for testing at borough properties near the dam and in the park.

In a winter season matter Councilman Boughton commended those residents who have taken the time to dig out fire hydrants near their homes. The heavy snows blanket hydrants and it is vitally important that they be cleared at all times in case of emergency. The home you save may be your own if you take the time to clear the hydrant nearest your property. Councilmen do their level best to keep the hydrants cleared, but it is a big help when residents take the time to volunteer their help with this duty.

Another matter of note was the borough’s recent insurance bill for liability insurance. Because the invoice was for $1,134 more than council had budgeted, Secretary/Treasurer Brush asked council’s explicit approval for payment before she issued a check. Council agreed the bill must be paid, authorized its payment, and noted the need to incorporate the increased cost into planning for next year’s budget.

At 8:30 p.m. council went into executive session. Twenty minutes later they returned to regular order and moved immediately for adjournment.

Next council meeting is scheduled for the second Thursday in March at 7 p.m. in Lanesboro’s Community Center.

Susquehanna Community School District School Board received the district’s annual report card (audit) from Brian Kelly, CPA, at the Tuesday, February 18 work session, and voted to formally accept those draft results on the following evening at the regular monthly meeting. Board members present at the Wednesday, February 19 half-hour meeting were President Steven Stanford and board members Lori Canfield, Jason Chamberlain, Amanda Cook, Evelyn Cottrell, Holly Kubus, and Martha Stanford. Members absent were Vice-President Clay Weaver and Carol Jackson.

The draft results of the final audit report from CPA Kelly for the year ending June 30, 2013 include within the 55-page report single audit reports, financial statements, independent auditors’ reports, and additional information. All of this information is available at the district’s administrative office for public review. The bottom line is that the district is not only in compliance with the law, but its balance sheet shows a positive balance of nearly $6.94 million. While most of those funds are committed to future pension obligations, sufficient funds are available such that the board may consider retiring its outstanding bond nearly five years early. That move could put the district in an even stronger financial position by eliminating interest payments of some $144,000 during the years 2015 through 2019.

In other good news culled from the audit FY-2013 revenues exceeded expenditures, and after interfund transfers out resulted in a net increase in fund balance by $607,672. And while food service operations continue to operate at a net loss because over 60% of students are enrolled in subsidized meal programs (which do not reimburse the district at the level of actual costs incurred), the loss was minimized to a manageable level. It has to be noted that in the upside-down world of government’s bureaucratic programs the school district actually loses more money with each additional meal subsidized by the government.

The aforementioned good news from the 2013 audit notwithstanding, Superintendent Stone stressed that no pension reforms are on the horizon. Under the governor’s proposed budget delivered on February 4th, school districts will see 0% increase in BES (Basic Education Subsidy) funding for next school year. Simultaneously, the governor has proposed “new funding” for a one-year period to create “new and innovative” programs in early childhood education. Governor Corbett’s proposal does not allow this “new funding” to be channeled for current expenses, nor does it include any commitment for long-term out-year funding.

Superintendent Stone noted that the administration’s perspective is “that new money should be put into the BES to allow districts to pay PSERS (pension) payments, health care costs and salaries.” A very small increase ($5,012), he noted, was included for the SPECIAL education subsidy in the governor’s budget. Mr. Stone made clear that the administration has made its concerns known to both Representative Major and Senator Baker, and he urged all district taxpayers to likewise make known to their legislators their concerns with what appears to be a proposed budget which could be appreciably improved.

The district, still aware of the budgetary apocalypse looming in pensions and healthcare costs, continues to take proactive steps to maximize savings. Included in those steps is an ongoing reduction in positions as staff attrition occurs. Superintendent Stone made the stunning announcement that with Elementary Principal Bob Keyes’ retirement at the end of the school year, there will not be a replacement named to take over that key position. Instead, Superintendent Stone, on a one-year trial basis will assume all the duties and responsibilities of elementary principal, in addition to all his current duties as Superintendent.

Furthermore, with the retirement of three members of the food service staff, the school will be losing “about 100 years of food [service] there,” Mr. Stone noted. Only two new employees will be hired to replace the three retiring, and the new food service employees will be part-time (to avoid the health care costs attached to Obamacare).

A further step in cost savings, as mentioned earlier in this article, will likely be considered after September 1, 2014. Should the district decide to pay off its debt early (by March 1, 2015) instead of the original payoff date of September 1, 2019, the district could realize a savings of some $144,350 in interest payments. This action has a high probability as the current administration is thoroughly committed to putting the district in the strongest possible financial condition to withstand the financial headwinds sighted on the horizon.

The school board also voted to approve “hosted VOIP products and service agreements with Infradpt LLC for the school years 2014/15 through 2016/17. Translated, that means the school will have a new state-of-the-art phone system to bring it into the 21st century. The new phone system will replace an obsolescent system dating from 1996. Mr. Stone stressed the redundancies built into the system, including the continuance of seven landlines through Frontier Communications and the installation of a new T-1 line in addition to the VOIP’s dedicated T-1 line. While the district is responsible for initial installation costs, it will be reimbursed at a rate of 80% for its monthly communications expenses.

In response to queries by Kingfisher Exploration Services, Inc., the school board voted to permit the conduct of 3D seismic and geophysical testing on the school campus. The administration will coordinate with the company to ensure testing takes place outside of hours when school is in session and presents no danger to students, staff, and property.

Other actions taken by the school board included:

Approval of six new PSBA school policies, including two to conform to recent case law.

Approval of Jostens’s Yearbook Renewal Agreement for 2015 at a cost of $3,450.

Approval of a $500 donation to the Susquehanna County Athletic and Conference Facility Fund for the purpose of supporting a feasibility study.

Approval of the revised 2013/14 SCSD calendar, which accounts for a planned two-hour delay on April 25th for Suicide Prevention Training, as well as recent snow days.

Approval for creation of two new positions: Supervisor of Instruction & Assessment and Title I Coordinator, and the position descriptions associated with them.

At 7:31 the board adjourned and Gary Kiernan let the good times rip with generous servings of rich chocolaty brownies. Serving of the next gastronomic delight after a regular school board meeting will be Wednesday, March 19.

Susquehanna Community School District Board Directors took the following personnel actions during their regular meeting on Wednesday, February 19, 2014.

Approved Shirley Koziel as substitute aide for the 2013-2014 school year.

Approved hiring/transferring: Jessica Welch - H.S. Special Education Substitute for the end of the year; Lawrence Tompkins - Track Announcer for the 2014 season; Rich Emmons - Varsity Baseball Scorer for the 2014 season; and Gary Day for Track Helper for the 2014 season.

Approved hiring Terri MacDonald as the Job Coach Aide, effective from February until the end of the year.

Approved the following volunteers David Beaudette and Mose Perry - Football; Ryan Gilleran - Weight Room for the 2013-2014 school year.

Approved a leave of absence for Danielle Dibble, from March 1, 2014 until May 17, 2014.

Accepted intent to retire at the end of the 2013/2014 from the following Food Service Staff Members: Laura Braun, Catherine Corse, and Maria Maby.

Accepted High School English Teacher Pamela Weiss’ intent to retire at the end of 2013-2014 school year.

Accepted Mary Solomon’s resignation as H.S. Nurse (one-day/week position) at the end of the 2013-2014 school year.

The Susquehanna County DOMESTIC RELATIONS Section has outstanding BENCH WARRANT’S for the following individuals as of 11:15 a.m. on February 21, 2014: Duane M. Aldrich, Craig J. Anderson, Cody A. Cook, Marc K. Deesch, Benjamin D. Fassett, David J. Fischer, James Gerard, Jon W. Hanson, Timothy M. Holmes, Kay L. Knolles, Todd J. Layton, Charlie J. Legere, Casey M. Lehman, Derrick Lezinsky, Shawn N. Marcho, Robert J. McCrone, Joseph C. Mikloiche, Ronald N. Mitchell, Mary Perschau, Matthew J. Peters, Chad A. Ralston, Jeffrey A. Ransom, Scott A. Russell, Bruce A. Schurr, Andrew Sepanek, Kristina Showalter, Todd J. Slater, Eric J. Snell, Paul E. Steinbiss, Nathan C. Strohl, Frederick Swingle, III, Justin S. Thompson, Barry Wallace, Steven G. Warner, Richard C. Whitney, Richard D. Williams. Please contact the Domestic Relations Section at 570-278-4600 ext. 170 with any information on the location of these individuals.