Great Bend Borough held their monthly meeting for September 2014 on the 4th. All Council were in attendance with the exception of Bret Jennings. Police Chief Jon Record and Solicitor Frank O’Connor were in attendance as well. There was only one member of the public in attendance asking for time on the agenda, Ms. Betty Button.

Pictured enjoying the new merry-go-round at Lee Weigand Park in Great Bend Borough are: Braelyn Palmer, Khloe Palmer, Caila George, Caiden George, Jocelyn Cole, Alexander Steele, Baleigh Knopick, Ariana Spry, Ashlynn Spry.

Ms. Button stated her concern about access to the Kime Apartments, where she must go to tend to her son who resides there. She stated that there are no handicapped visitor parking spots, and parking in the lot is only available to residents with cars. Citing this, she has received a parking ticket for parking in a no-parking zone in front of the building, in the only spot she could find near the building. The Council then advised Ms. Button to contact Kime Apartments directly regarding the issue, as it is a private facility. Council Member Mike Crook offered parking in front of his home for Ms. Button, however it would still be a far walk to the entrance in the front of the building. With winter coming in a few short months, a proper place to park located near the building is necessary.

Next, the Borough moved on to their Roads/Park Report. The Council stated that the new merry-go-round was in place. Secretary Sheila Guinan stated that children were lined up excited to try the brand new, entertainment.

There was discussion on conducting pipe/culvert cleaning done within the Borough. They discussed various prices and the possibility of splitting the costs with a neighboring community.

Police Chief Jon Record then took to giving the monthly police report. Besides routine traffic stops, there were nine incidents. There were also six traffic citations and thirteen traffic warnings given. There were three arrests made, including one for drug possession and drug paraphernalia at a traffic stop. Another was for an indecent assault at Kime Apartments, and also one regarding a fight near Franklin Street.

In a review of the month’s happenings, Chief Record also stated that National Night Out had been a huge success. He also noted that the Great Bend Borough Police Department participated in a missing person search. The Police Department also attended and participated in the funeral services for their former Officer Thomas Golka, who passed away on the 4th of August 2014.

Chief Record wanted to make residents aware that the National Take Back Initiative would be held on the 27th of September 2014, from 10-2. Participating locations include the Susquehanna County Sheriff’s Office, Forest City Police, Great Bend Borough Police Department, and the Pennsylvania State Police Department. Residents can take their unused or expired medications, no questions asked. Needles are not accepted.

Great Bend Borough received a letter from Great Bend Hose Company No. 1, regarding their fire prevention program they hold at Blue Ridge School. Council Member Mike VanGorden stated that the program costs about $1,300 yearly. Having said that, Great Bend Borough made a motion to donate to the program.

Having signed no lease previously, Council Member Jerry MacConnell urged the importance of getting in contact with Southwestern Energy as they are “getting closer and closer to town.” Having said this, the Borough is hoping to make contact with either a representative or a member of management in the future.

There was also discussion, led by Solicitor Francis O’Connor, held on the Kime Apartments, being that they are in lieu of taxes.

It’s been quiet lately regarding the halfway-house project that Trehab presented. Council Member Jerry MacConnell noted that he had five to six pages of signatures for the petition, even though the Commissioners turned down the proposed project. This does not mean, however, that it is completely out of the question. For now though, it seems the project is “dead in the water.”

The next Great Bend Borough meeting will be held on October 2nd, 2014 at 7 o’clock p.m.

At the September 5th meeting of the New Milford Borough Council, Council members and the mayor discussed budget matters, the park, snow, and a number of other topics.   

During the communications section, Ms. Hine asked if they wanted to sign up for direct deposit regarding their monthly royalty checks. 

During the mayor’s report, Mr. Smith asked if the codes enforcement officer could look into a property for him, then asked about the park with the weeds in it.  Mr. Ainey noted that the owner was New Milford borough.  Mr. Smith said it was disgusting what they let the park turn into.  The council, he said, made others take care of their properties, while they did not.  Mr. Carey said they would try to get a work day scheduled.  The mayor said he knew they weren’t allowed to use pesticides because of the kids, but he wondered if they could schedule a work day and he suggested that there had to be a natural alternative for weed killing. 

Ms. Cosmello pointed out that the eagle scouts were looking for projects, and a lot of kids needed volunteer hours.  The mayor said that there were a lot of projects they could think about - a life guard chair built, a pagoda scraped, a swing set painted.  It was suggested that they could send letters to the school and the boy scout troop.  It was also suggested that the DA could be contacted regarding prisoners or ex-offenders who needed hours for probation, etc. 

The concert in the park was coming up at the Blue Ridge park, Mayor Smith said, and he suggested that it be mowed a couple days in advance of the event so it looked pretty. 

Ms. Hine had talked to the railroad about the height restriction on Johnson Street.  A phone line had been knocked down by a tractor trailer, so a resident asked if lines had to be at a certain height.  She was to look into this.  There was some discussion about the matter. 

Council had gotten another price on a snow blower, which was less expensive.  Mr. Ainey had a question about this.  He had stopped at a booth which had information on a zero turn mower.  He said that there were attachments for such a machine with snow blowers, a street broom, etc.  He suggested they think about buying a snow blower for a tractor they already had to the shop once.  Mr. White responded that he thought a zero turn mower might be too wide for sidewalks, and insufficient for much sweeping.  Mr. White and Mr. Ainey then discussed this further.  Ms. Gulick suggested that the zero turn mowers were pretty big, but they could keep the tractor for certain areas.  It was also suggested it could be backup. 

The borough maintenance man said that there was no room in the garage.  Mr. Ainey asked how much property was attached, and wondered if there was room for an extension.  He also suggested that they could put something behind the borough building.  Someone pointed out that if a lean-to was erected, it needed to be considered that the insurance would change if they put something with gas in it against a building - that’s why there was consideration for erecting a building a bit away.  Mr. Ainey suggested they have a plan of action before October. 

Ms. James asked how the truck was looking for the winter.  Mr. White said that it would need some work to pass inspection.  They were also looking toward getting new tires, though they would pass inspection.  Mr. White was to meet with someone to discuss the cost of conversion.  Ms. Cosmello said that they had been putting a lot of work into the truck.  Mr. White said they wanted to use it another year or two but then it was going.  It was asked if it would be worth getting a new truck at that time, over continuing to fix the old one.  A new truck might be between $76 and $82,000 it was noted.  However, a pamphlet had been received stating that they could go to some dealerships and get a stock, bare bones truck for $49,000, which would come with the cinder spreader, the plow, and the strobe lights.  They had also looked at a stainless steel body, which they wouldn’t have to worry about rusting.  The current truck would rust out before it would run out.  Mr. Ainey suggested that the impact money wouldn’t last forever.  In the end they decided to buy the snow blower, upon a motion from Ms. Gulick. 

Mr. Ainey spoke up, noting that one potential tenant had said that they wanted a waiting room.  During the day the open borough meeting space could be a waiting room, he suggested.  Mr. White opined that at that time they hadn’t had a lot of interest in the rental space, so they ought to look at ideas. 

During the recreation board section, it was estimated that they might need $22,000 for pool repairs.  Ralph Palmeroy had offered to do a concert at the Blue Ridge park to benefit the pool. There were four bands to be included.  The date was September 14th.  Mr. Ainey asked if they had a very explicit no alcohol sign at the park.  It was responded that they did.

 Mr. Ainey asked if, insurance wise, it should be a borough sponsored event, as he felt it was indicated it should be.  Ms. Hine read from a insurance company e-mail, which recommended that the recreation board sponsor the event.  Waiver forms were discussed as well.  Mr. Ainey suggested making a motion to authorize the recreation board to sponsor the event.  This was made and passed.  The concert in the park was scheduled for 1 to 6:30 pm, with a suggested minimum $5 donation at the “door”.  There was to be minimal concession. 

It had been suggested that the pool cover be prioritized, so an estimate was obtained of around $6,700.  That would involve half down and the balance upon completion.  The recreation board had approved it, and it was coming out of their funds.  Mr. Ainey then motioned to authorize the board for the work. 

Mr. White said that a few years ago they had gone behind the old skating rink to help clean it up.  He noted that Pete Conigliaro was hoping to go back down with a brush hog to help keep it trimmed back, as he had the year before. 

Ms. Gulick related that the borough had met and gone over the budget, and they increased the repairs and maintenance an additional $8,000 to cover the snow blower and work on the building. The revenue was up;  even the delinquent taxes were up $4,300.  Mr. Ainey said that they didn’t have to cut anything because of the additional revenue over the anticipated annual revenue.  They had not touched the money they set aside.  They increased budget items, including heat in the borough building.  Zoning and snow removal labor were also increased. Mr. Ainey motioned to authorize the transfers, as recommended by the finance committee. 

Mr. Ainey broached the subject of copying.  The borough had a policy of charging $1 a copy. Mr. Ainey opined that a dollar was too much for this.  Ms. Cosmello asked who asked for the copies - she didn’t think it was too much to charge for Leatherstocking.  She asked how many people came in for copies, and it was responded that not too many did.  Mr. Ainey suggested making it $.50 a copy. 

There was talk about charging Leatherstocking for the copies made.  Ms. Gulick thought this was fair.  Mr. Ainey was leery of this, having concerns about driving them away.  At the end of the discussion, however, a motion was made to send Leatherstocking a bill of $1,234 to reimburse the balance of expenses incurred.

BENCH WARRANTS

The Susquehanna County DOMESTIC RELATIONS Section has outstanding BENCH WARRANT’S for the following individuals as of 10:30 a.m. on September 5, 2014: Brent V. Birtch, Anthony M. Choplosky, Tina M. Clark, Christopher J. Clark, Christopher D. Cole, Eric J. Darde, David J. Fischer, Morgan A. Garcia, Jeremy W. Hall, Nathan Hollister, Todd J. Layton, Charlie J. Legere, Derrick Lezinsky, Robert J. McCrone, Matthew S. Miller, Ronald N. Mitchell, Jordan L. Payne, Wallace J. Penny Jr, Matthew J. Peters, Vincent J. Petriello, Veronica D. Phelps, Eric A. Pike, Roy G. Rink, Anthony L. Smith, Frederick Swingle, III, Tessa E. Thomas, Kurtis Tracy, John H. Walter, Steven G. Warner, Jamie L. Williams Sr., Richard D. Williams Sr., Please contact the Domestic Relations Section at 570-278-4600 ext. 170 with any information on the location of these individuals.