The first of two workshops devoted to creating a budget for 2015 occupied the Harford Township Supervisors for a couple of hours on October 23rd.  This one focused on expenses.  Another session scheduled for the following Tuesday will look more closely at revenue, and how to reconcile expected available income with the spending plan.

The Harford Township budget has always been divided into 3 sections: one for the sewer system alone; one based on state subsidies for road maintenance; and the township budget itself, supported largely by property taxes.  This time the Supervisors want to add another section dedicated to funds received through the so-called “impact fees” collected by the state under Act 13 of 2012 from energy companies some of which is distributed to local municipalities.  Last year Harford Township received a check for over $320,000 from impact fee revenue.  The township heretofore has used the impact-fee money simply to subsidize other accounts, for example, to purchase equipment or extra stone.  Act 13’s restrictions on the use of the funds are fairly loose and ambiguous, and Supervisor and Township Secretary Sue Furney says that the state has indicated no intention to audit the use of the funds.  Harford’s Supervisors, however, are trying to keep track of the money separately with the understanding that it could be less or more every year, or even cut off entirely.

The Supervisors started off by recognizing representatives of the Harford-Lenox Baseball Association.  The association has always benefited from contributions of money and labor by the township at the ballfield in the village.  At the last regular township meeting, the Association asked the Supervisors to consider another donation during their budget deliberations to support the creation of a second field for softball at the site; they have already received a grant of $15,000 from a natural gas services company.

Supervisor Conrad Owens announced that the Supervisors would like to match that with a donation of $15,000 from royalties accumulated from natural gas production related to the site, which is leased to Cabot Oil & Gas.  He called the baseball field and the players who use it a “community effort,” and the township’s contributions an “investment for future generations.”  It wasn’t clear how much neighboring Lenox Township might contribute, but, after all, the field is on land owned by Harford Township.  He emphasized that the donation would come from accumulated royalties, not from tax revenue.  On the other hand, he asked the Association to try to find a way to keep home runs from breaking the windows on his barn.  And, “Once I give you this grant, I don’t want to see you again for a while,” he said, with a smile.  When he suggested that this proposal could elicit some concern from the taxpaying public in the township, the Association’s representatives volunteered to show up at subsequent budget meetings to offer moral support.

The Supervisors didn’t find many areas of the budget to change for next year, except in a few cases where amounts are to be boosted considerably.  Expenditures for legal services in 2014 so far are almost $10,000 higher than budgeted, so they doubled the amount for next year to an even $10,000.  Insurance premiums will surely increase as well.  Fuel for heating the office and the garage are also expected to rise, even considering a recent slide in energy prices.  In fact, Ms. Furney suggested that the Supervisors consider installing a tank for bulk fuel instead of relying on purchases from a local gas station.  She also reported that the state is projecting an increase in liquid fuel subsidy to Harford of about $8,000 for next year.

Costs for engineering services are expected to be substantially higher in 2015, corresponding to anticipated expenditures of over $100,000 for 2 or 3 projects that will be contracted out.  Roadmaster Jim Phelps estimated the cost of a project on Deer Trail Road alone at about $93,000.  These projects, sponsored under the “Dirt & Gravel” grant program of the State Conservation Service and administered through local conservation districts, will be partially reimbursable.  However the township’s share of the Deer Trail project is expected to be about $29,000.  (Mr. Phelps said that applications for the grants must be submitted before the end of November.)

There was some discussion about spreading the costs of some of these items between the township budget (supported by taxes), the “state” budget (supported by state subsidies), and the “impact-fee” budget.  For example, some $32,000 allocated for dust control in the state budget could be supplemented by another $18,000 from impact fees.  The same for stone and pipe for road maintenance, as well as for the cost of transporting road materials.  The cost of stone per ton picked up at the seller’s plant (FOB) is somewhat less than it would be were the vendor to bring it to the township.  This year the township purchased the trucking services of Gary Blewett for this purpose at what are said to be substantial savings – as much as $1.00 per ton.

Since the Supervisors don’t anticipate any major equipment purchases next year, those expenses can be cut over the current year, which saw some payments for equipment also from impact-fee revenue.

The Roadmaster also claimed to have a plan to improve a section of Stephens Road for only $17,000 that hopes to satisfy residents along that stretch who have complained for years that they purchased homes on a paved road which has since been turned to dirt – and dust.

In the end, the Supervisors do not expect to impose any increase in property tax rates (millage) for 2015.  The same cannot be said for sewer fees, which they seemed to agree to boost by $2.00 per quarter, to $125.

The sewer budget can be expected to remain much the same for the new year, with only modest increases in a few areas.  Even costs associated with the major blockage on Tingley Lake Road and subsequent repairs and pump replacements did not bust the 2014 budget.  However, the sewer system still does not completely pay for itself.  There was a brief debate comparing the merits of small annual increases over holding the line for a few years with a larger increase to follow.

Before the next budget workshop 5 days hence Ms. Furney and her assistant will produce a clean set of expense schedules, along with revenue projections, so that the Supervisors can determine where the money is to come from for all they want to do in 2015.  The budget will then be formally proposed at the regular November meeting on the 11th, followed by formal adoption at the December meeting, on the 9th.  All meetings begin at 7:00pm at the township office on Route 547.

A preliminary hearing concerning accused murderer Jonathan Kopacz, of Thompson, was scheduled for Monday, October 27 before Magisterial District Judge Jodi Cordner in New Milford, has been continued to Monday, December 15.  The purpose of the (eventual) preliminary hearing, according to District Attorney Jason Legg, is for “the Commonwealth . . . to show enough evidence to get the case to trial--to the Court of Common Pleas [the Courthouse in Montrose].”  The continuance was requested by defense council for Mr. Kopacz--who will remain incarcerated at the Susquehanna County Jail until that December 15 hearing.

D. A. Legg indicated that spring 2015 would be a very quick trial date and it is not unreasonable to expect a longer timeline before the case comes to trial.  The most serious charge against the accused is the criminal homicide of Kelly A. Conklin of Susquehanna in the early morning hours of October 17. This case is NOT viewed as a capital case. The applicable Pennsylvania statute requires specific aggravating factors for that classification, but none of those factors is present in this case. 

District Attorney Legg also anticipates he himself will be prosecuting the case in the Court of Common Pleas.  The Attorney General’s office only gets involved in cases such as this when there is a conflict of interest or a lack of resources, neither of which condition is applicable here.

In a further development of the case Pennsylvania State Police have been collecting letters received by a number of business owners in Susquehanna.  The letters, postmarked by USPS on October 17, were purportedly authored by Mr. Kopacz and bear directly on the case against him as evidence of guilt.  

Bench Warrants

The Susquehanna County DOMESTIC RELATIONS Section has outstanding BENCH WARRANT’S for the following individuals as of 11:30 a.m. on October 24, 2014: Kristina M. Baker, Brett F. Barnes, Brent V. Birtch, Edwin Blaisure, Jennifer Blassingame, David A. Calla, Anthony M. Choplosky, Tina M. Clark, Christopher J. Clark, Anthony Cokely, David J. Fischer, Justin T. Giberson, Randy Gregory, Jeremy W. Hall, Jeremy Halstead, Lyle J. Hugaboom, Todd J. Layton, Charlie J. Legere, Derrick Lezinsky, Thomas M. Mellor, Vincent J. Petriello, Veronica D. Phelps, Desiree L. Shifler, Courtney M. Sterling, Joseph W. Sutton, Frederick Swingle, III, Tessa E. Thomas, Kurtis Tracy, Steven G. Warner, Jamie L. Williams Sr. Please contact the Domestic Relations Section at 570-278-4600 ext. 170 with any information on the location of these individuals. 

Hit and Run: On October 24th at 7:19 pm Thomas Crescente of Binghamton was backing out of a parking space at Smokin Joe’s Parking Lot in Choconut, and a 1999 GMC Sierra was parked directly behind him. As Crescente was backing out, his vehicle struck the Sierra’s front end. After impact, he fled the scene north on Sr 267. The Sierra remained in its parking spot. The offending vehicle was located in New York by the Vestal Police Department.

Burglary: Between October 12th and 22nd, one or more unknown person(s) forced entry into the residence of a Essex, NJ woman in Lathrop township. The person(s) entered through the front door. Upon gaining entry, the perpetrator(s) rummaged through various closets and drawers. No items were believed to have been taken. Anyone with information is asked to please contact the police.

Crash: On October 12th at 11:05 pm Rachel Ross of Nicholson was traveling east on SR 374 when her vehicle exited the south shoulder, reentered the roadway, and then exited back onto the shoulder, where it hit an embankment and rolled onto its roof. The vehicle came to a rest on its roof in the east bound lane of SR 374 facing south. Ross was transported to GCMC via Clifford EMS to be examined, but later reported she was not injured in the crash. A seat belt was in use. The vehicle was towed from the scene by Plummer’s Towing.

Crash: On September 26th Keili Fullington of South Abington Township was traveling west on West Nicholson Road and failed to negotiate a right hand curve, then hit a utility pole and overturned, coming to rest on its roof. Neither the driver nor a passenger was injured in the crash. Both were utilizing a seat belt. The vehicle was towed form the scene by JD Towing.

Hit and Run: On September 30th Lindsay Wozniak of Massapequa Park, Ny was waiting to pull out of the Exxon parking lot onto SR 547 in Harford Township when she was truck by a vehicle driven by an unknown driver, as it pulled out next to her. The unknown semi-truck then left the scene without providing any information to Wozniak. Wozniak’s vehicle was towed form the scene by Kozlowski’s Towing. None of the three occupants of her vehicle were injured; all were utilizing seat belts.

Theft: On October 22nd between 2:30 and 3:00 pm a theft occurred in which one or more unknown person(s) arrived at the waiting room of the Endless Mountains Health Systems in Bridgewater Township, stole prescription drugs from the unattended duffle bag of a Brackney man, and fled the scene. Anyone with information is asked to please contact the police.

Theft: Between September 21st and October 21st the Mary Lynn’s Café business sign, hanging from a post above the sidewalk in front of the restaurant along Route 29 in Springville, was removed.

Disorderly Conduct: On October 1st at 1 am Pennsylvania State Police responded to the Pump N Pantry on SR 11 in New Milford Borough for a report of a fight in the parking lot. After investigation four males were charged with 1 count of Disorderly Conduct in D.C. 34-3-02.

Burglary: On October 22nd forced entry was gained into the residence of a Lathrop Township man, by means of the front door. Upon gaining entry, perpetrator(s) removed cash and fled the residence. Anyone with information is asked to please contact the police.

Theft: On October 20th a Lathrop Township man reported that a mig welder and ring were removed from his property. Anyone with information is asked to please contact the police.

DUI: On September 25th at 12:21 am a woman of Blakely was traveling south on SR 11 and failed to negotiate a left hand curve. The vehicle traveled off the east shoulder of the roadway and struck a utility pole. It sustained major damage and was towed from the scene by Kozlowski Towing. The driver was transported to Geisinger CMC in Scranton for an injury to her right ankle. She later submitted to a legal blood draw after she admitted to consuming alcohol before the crash.

Theft: On October 19th at 8 pm a Montrose man had his PS3 stolen from his bedroom in Liberty Township.

Burglary: On October 16th Charles Motzer perpetrator(s) opened a lower level garage pedestrian door on a location on SR 171, damaging the door jamb. The perpetrator(s) then removed a television from the first floor, a television, Wii game console, accessories and games, a DS XL game system and games, blue ray movies, and DVD movies from a second floor living room, and a television from a bedroom. A jewelry box containing princess cut diamond earrings, a railroad watch, and miscellaneous jewelry, along with green pillow cases and an iPad were taken from the master bedroom. The perpetrator(s) left the residence by the front door, and also took possession of a gas can, presumably putting the gasoline in their vehicle and leaving the can in the shrubs of the driveway. The suspect, Charles Motzer of Binghamton, was picked up in Vestal on a warrant for a burglary in Silver Lake Township. When apprehended, Motzer was in possession of property from the Rutter residence. The investigation was continuing as of the time of report; charges were pending.

Crash: On October 18th at 4:21 pm Jalee Steen of Apalachin, Ny and Michael Hendrickson of Friendsville were both traveling east on Main Street in Friendsville Borough. Steen was directly behind Hendrickson, as the latter slowed in the roadway and was attempting to turn left into a driveway. Steen drove into the westbound lane of Main Street and struck Hendrickson’s driver’s side front end with her vehicle’s passenger side. After impact, Steen’s vehicle continued to travel in an eastern direction, off the travel lanes and onto the south shoulder, and sustained a secondary collision when it struck several mailboxes. It then traveled east in high grass off the south shoulder before coming to a rest partially on the south shoulder and partially in the east bound lane of Main Street. No injuries were reported at the scene; all involved were utilizing seat belts.

Burglary: Between October 5th and 8th, a Little Meadows residence was entered and two handguns stolen from within. Anyone with information is asked to please contact the police.

Hit and Run: On October 17th at 6 am one vehicle backed into another in a parking stall at the Flying J Truck Stop in New Milford Township. When this occurred it bent the bicycle rack, causing the handle bar of the bicycle to break the rear window of the second vehicle. The offending vehicle let without providing information to the victim. The driver is unknown as the victim was asleep in the vehicle at the time. No EMS was summoned. No injuries were reported. No vehicle or driver information was listed in the report.

Burglary: On October 16th at 10:15 pm an unknown white male, described as 6’3” tall, husky to large build, with a mustache, blue bandana, blue t-shirt, and whitish shorts, forcibly made entry into an enclosed porch attached to a Great Bend Borough residence. The male victim chased the actor from the house and property. He was believed to be alone and operating a red coupe with a fast back style hatch. Anyone with information is asked to please contact this station.

Theft: Eric Johnson of Montrose was arrested for violation of PaCC/3921 Theft by Unlawful Taking. He is accused of stealing the laptop computer of Douglas Andrews Jr. from Shana and Frank’s Pub in Bridgewater Township.

Crash: On October 14th at 6:23 am Robert Vanostrad of Montrose was traveling south along SR 267 at a higher rate of speed than was prudent. The vehicle exited a curve in the road and traveled off the right side of the road. It then struck the embankment. It then struck the embankment a second time and overturned onto its roof, sliding on its roof back onto the road until coming to a rest in the northbound lane of travel. The operator had a complaint of pain in his back, however he opted to go see his own doctor. A seat belt was in use.

Crash: On September 26th at 11:05 pm an unnamed driver was pulling into his driveway. He had a dog in the cab with him. The dog jumped onto the floor of the truck and caused him to accelerate through the neighbors yard and crash into the neighbors house.

Burglary: On October 15th entry was gained into a Choconut Township location by means of a forced in rear door. The perpetrator(s) had first attempted to gain entry into another rear door, but were unsuccessful. Once inside the residence, a handgun, three shotguns, checks, cash, a computer, Xbox games, and a cell phone were stolen from within.

Missing Endangered Person: The police were investigating the disappearance of Charles Burns of Harford on October 14th at 11:30 am. There were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the investigation, however it was believed he suffered form a medical condition. He was last seen wearing a dark blue Carhartt jacket, dark blue Dickies shirt, and pants. He always wore a beige ball cap that read Greatest Grandpa. He had on grey velcro sneakers. He was believed to be operating a grey 4 door Chevrolet Silverado with a tool box and thought to be heading to Mountain View School District to pick up his grandson. He was believed to be alone at the time. He was located by NY State Police near Cooperstown, Ny. Arrangements were being made to return him to his family as of the time of report.

Retail Theft: On October 12th at 1:30 pm a male subject appeared at the Dollar General in Great Bend Township and attempted to steal two shopping bags of merchandise. The subject was confronted by the store manager, at which time he placed the merchandise on the ground and then fled on foot. The description of the subject was as follows: a black male wearing a camo sweatshirt, gray sweatpants, work boots, black hair, and a goatee, approximately 5’9” tall, and of medium build. The merchandise was valued at $125.19. Anyone with information is asked to please contact the police.

Anyone having information on any of these incidents is asked to please contact the police at 570-465-3514.

Eric Justin Darde, 28, of Tunkhannock, PA to 90 days to 15 months in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility, pay $1,500 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $100 Act 198 fee, pay $100 CAT Surcharge, pay $10 EMS, complete safe driving school program, not to possess, transport or consume alcoholic beverages, receive drug and alcohol counseling for Driving Under the Influence in Montrose Borough on September 20, 2013.

Robert Mark Burnett, 35, of Montrose, PA to pay a $200 fine, pay cost of prosecution and pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee for Receiving Stolen Property in New Milford Borough on July 8, 2012.

Dylan Michael Brewer, 20, of Montrose, PA to 4 months to 18 months in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility to run concurrent, pay $350 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, not to have contact with codefendants, 50 hours community service, no contact with anyone on supervision, not to possess firearms for Institutional Vandalism in Bridgewater Township on July 20, 2014.

Gilberto Serna, 47, of Ray, CO to4 months to 12 months incarceration, pay $150 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, not to have contact with the victim in this case for Harassment in Bridgewater Township on January 29, 2013.  Mr. Serna also received 12 months to 24 months in a state correctional facility to run concurrent to the above sentence, pay restitution to the victim, pay $300 fine, pay cost of prosecution, not to have contact with the victim in this case for Simple Assault in Bridgewater Township on January 29, 2013.  Finally, Mr. Serna received 24 months probation to run consecutive to the above sentences, pay $350 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, not to have contact with the victim in this case for Indecent Exposure in Bridgewater Township on January 29, 2013.

Ryan James Cokely, 28, of Montrose, PA to 30 days to 12 months in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility, pay restitution to the victim, receive drug and alcohol counseling, pay $150 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, not to have contact with the victim in this case, not to have contact with anyone on supervision for Theft by Deception in Choconut Township on March 23, 2013.  Mr. Cokely also received 45 days to 12 months in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility, pay $100 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay restitution to the victim in this case for Theft by Deception in Great Bend Township on January 26, 2014.  Mr. Cokely also received 45 days to 15 months in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility to run concurrent to the above sentences, pay $150 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay restitution to the victim, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, not to have contact with the victim in this case, not to have contact with anyone on supervision for Theft by Deception in Montrose Borough on December 3, 2013.  Finally, Mr. Cokely received 45 days to 15 months in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility to run concurrent to the above sentences, pay restitution to the victim, pay $150 fine, pay cost of prosecution, not to have contact with the victim in this case, not to have contact with anyone on supervision for Theft by Deception in Rush Township on November 12, 2013.

At the October 20th meeting of the Elk Lake and Susquehanna County Career and Technology Center’s school boards, the Elk Lake meeting was held first. Dr. Cuomo introduced, early on in the meeting, new faculty and staff members, those who had been unable to make it to the last meeting. This included Katie Upright (Special Education Learning Support and Vo-Tech), Carly Dibble (Main Office Secretary and Secretary to Mr. Warnero), and Robert Galiardi (Secondary Physical Education).

The meeting then progressed to the administrators’ reports. Mrs. Staaats spoke about a new activity they were doing in transition services. This involved newsletters to parents.

She hoped this would be a good way to reach out to parents to provide them with information.

Mr. Weisgold thanked the Elk Lake, Meshoppen, and Springville Fire Departments for their fire prevention efforts at the school. Every child had been given a smoke detector. He also spoke about the SWEBS initiative, the school’s positive behavior incentive system. The students got to pick an activity as part of this, and the 5th grade had chosen to play kickball with him. The art instructor had written a grant for the Community Foundation, which was to be used for paint in order to paint SWEBS related murals at the school. On October 9th the PTO held a Healthy Eating Night to talk to parents, in which information on packing lunch for kids was given. November 6th was scheduled to be a night in which students could meet local authors. The K Kids were soliciting funds for a good cause, for cancer awareness. If a certain amount of money was raised, certain staff members and even Mr. Weisgold himself had agreed to shave their heads. Checks and donations could be made to the South Auburn Relay for Life, it was said. Mr. Tewkesbury asked if, when the school spoke about healthy food, they had talked about the benefits of good old fashioned milk. Mr. Weisgold responded to the affirmative.

Mr. Mallery then reviewed the happenings at the secondary school. He said that they were working with Trehab on the canned food drive again, as well as participating in the sculpture competition. The Student Council had started fist bump Fridays to promote unity. The school was also starting a Rachel’s Locker program. As part of this, if a student was seen doing a good deed, their peers could put their name in a designated locker and the nominated student would have a chance to win a prize. He mentioned a Coaches Versus Cancer Dance a Thon, surrounding which a staff member might end up changing their hair coloring. The play was planned for November 7-8th, and titled Princess What’s Her Name. The school was planning to host county band and cross country districts.

Several board members, Mrs. Teel said, were going to the PSBA conference. The NSBA conference had begun registration as well.

Mr. Tewkesbury asked about the Veterans Day activiites. Dr. Cuomo spoke about how it had been done the previous year at the elementary.

Various items of business were dealt with during the rest of the not very long meeting. Two bond payments were approved, one to the SCCTC and the other being the first interest payment for Johnson Controls. Caitlyn Good was appointed to an assistant varsity track coach position. A capital reserve payment was approved for the natural gas emergency generator. It was stated that this generator would be able to run pumps in the boiler room to heat the building in case of an emergency.

The SCCTC meeting was very short. Additions to the sub list were approved. A Paraprofessional one-on-one aide in the career center was approved. This position was to be billed to Susquehanna Community School District, as it was for one of their students. These were the only two definitive items on the agenda.