At the November 20th meeting of the New Milford borough council, Ms. Gulick doubled as borough secretary for the evening. There was some discussion regarding procedure for the new codes enforcement officer's reporting. Not all council members had received e-mails, though part of this could have been accidental oversight, it was stated. Ms. Gulick noted that the policy had always been a complaint came to them or at a public meeting, but that there was a lot of stuff that the codes officer was working on, and she didn't know where some of the complaints came from. There were a lot of hours worked and a lot of miles driven being billed.

There was discussion then about the solicitor, and a matter which had been discussed at length at the meeting previous regarding renovations to a deck which resulted in a stop work order. It was said that the solicitor was in favor of the International Property Maintenance Code. Mr. Carey was going to contact the solicitor.

The property owners involved in this were present, and asked if they could at least finish the work to their house. The stop work order applied to the whole house. However, they wanted to do the work before the bad weather hit. It was said that they needed to be able to protect their investment. Mr. Ainey said that at the prior meeting they thought it had been solved that they would be able to go on with the business. They had been told that the salon was separate from what the issue was. Ms. Gulick thought the stop order was just for the deck. Others had as well. Mr. Carey said he'd call the solicitor early the next morning, and council agreed this was alright with them. Council was looking for a resolution as to how someone could replace an existing structure.

Ms. Gulick brought up the mileage issue, which she had mentioned before. She said that they had never paid mileage before. A policy said that they did not reimburse employees for the commute to or from the workplace. She said that given the number of miles, he was either reimbursing commute or driving around the town a lot. She thought the mileage was really high; she didn't understand why there were so many miles when the borough was so small. It was replied that they had discussed mileage when he was hired, and it was broken down. She said they had never paid this much for codes. One council member quipped wondering if there should be decimal points before the mileage to one of the properties within the borough. It was thought that they were paying for the commute. It was decided this ought to be discussed with him. Ms. Gulick was opposed to paying the mileage until it was worked out. Others agreed.

A complaint had been received that there was an odor in the ditches near Suburban Propane's property. They had contacted DEP and found that there was a problem. They were going to sell that property, but in order to sell the property the company needed clearance from DEP. They had taken the tanks out of ground. DEP was managing this, the borough only received notification. They had received notification, for instance, that their remediation plan was denied.

Correspondence was received regarding a site characterization report submitted in relation to a Lindsey Oil bulk oil tank. The report was disapproved as not enough soil samples were taken for the size of the site.

Mr. Carey had been asked to ask COG about the financial cost of gas conversion. At their meeting COG had voted that they would not do it as they thought the way the lease was written it was the borough's responsibility. Mr. Ainey said that he was not in favor of absorbing the entire cost of the furnace conversion, though he was willing to share it. He said he didn't think New Milford taxpayers should subsidize other municipalities saving money. Ms. Gulick said that the furnace wasn't something they were going to take with them. The borough owned it; it was their furnace. She thought it was a good investment for them and would make the property more valuable to rent. Mr. White said the current furnace worked perfectly fine. Mr. Ainey said he thought they ought to bring it over to the council space. The debate over this continued.

Mr. Ainey said there was a good chance gas wouldn't be coming to New Milford. He said this would be a decision the town had to make. Mr. White said they could meet their criteria and it still might not happen.

Mr. White said that he had spoken to PennDot regarding people running across the bridge on Main Street. He was going to take it to the higher ups to see if there were any more safety measures they could take. Ms. Gulick said that PennDot never said anything to them about closing Wall Street.

A citizen had suggested that there were problems on Church Street with people not stopping at stop signs and not following the speed limits. He had asked about having security cameras to monitor this. The mayor had called the police about the cameras. He had been told they were looking into it and would get back to him.

There was some discussion regarding feral cats. Mr. Ainey had found two ordinances about feral cats from other municipalities. The big question however would be who would enforce it. The mayor asked who took care of the beaver problem. Ms. Gulick responded that the municipality had to contact the game commission regarding the beavers. A visitor suggested they could contact the Humane Society. Mr. Ainey referred to the one sample ordinance, which read that the police could seize an animal and detain it for 48 hours, until the owner picked it up. If an animal was unclaimed, it would be transferred to a shelter then. It was noted however, that there wasn't such a shelter local- True Friends was full and was not taking cats at the time. A visitor asked if they could make it an ordinance that landlords of rental properties had to ensure that animals on the property were spayed or neutered.

There was further discussion about the dubious nature of gas coming to New Milford. Council had received 102 commitment letters, and needed 60 more. The deadline was in December. It was confirmed that if these letters didn't come in natural gas service in the borough would be in jeopardy. It was reiterated again that the application was not a commitment, a commitment letter would be required for a property to count toward the necessary number.

The 16th annual Santa in the Park was scheduled for November 29th from 11 to 1. There was some discussion regarding this.

Council planned not to have a second meeting in December. The next meeting would be January 1st, but due to the holiday it was scheduled to the 8th.

The budget, it was explained, represented the elimination of all general fund real estate property taxes, all special fund property taxes except one mill for the fire company, all occupational taxes, all per capita taxes. This had been announced at the first meeting of the month.

Hallstead Borough Council held their monthly meeting November 20 at 7pm at which six of the nine members were present. As the meeting got started the first order of business was brought to the attention of the council by Jeff Case, and Kyle Falkenberg both home owners, and tax payers in Hallstead. Both Case and Felkenberg voiced their serious concern for the safety of their homes and children due to a barrier the First Presbyterian Church on Pine Street placed in their parking lot.

Both Case and Felkenberg stated that there has been an ongoing issue with people speeding out of the church parking lot. While they did acknowledge that not all members of the church speed a few do, causing concerns for the children in this neighborhood who play outside. This controversy came to a head when Falkenberg asked one of the women speeding out of the parking lot to slow down because his child was playing outside, after this is when the barriers appeared creating an even bigger issue. Case stated that he was concerned for the safety of his home because these barriers would block any emergency vehicles from being able to reach his house in the case of a fire. Case and Felkenberg both agreed, these barriers look like “construction equipment” with chains and bolts sticking out. The concern is this could cause serious injuries if a child riding their bike in the neighborhood fell on them. Felkenberg stated that these barriers are also an eye sore decreasing the value of the homes in the area since this is the first thing in his view when he leaves his house. Case mentioned that they neighbors there have always had a good relationship with the church until these barriers were placed.

Another major issue these barriers are creating is with the Hallstead Post Office. I reached out to the Post Master and found out that this was just brought to her attention by the carrier, who reported that these barriers were placed in the parking lot a week ago. Due to the placement of the barriers it is impossible for the carrier to turn around. The postal service has a safety rule that stated mail carriers are not allowed to drive their delivery cars in reverse, because the cars are not equipped to see if a child were to run out behind a delivery car. The Post Master also stated that if these barriers are not moved the Postal Service will have no option other than to relocate the mailboxes in this neighborhood to the end of Pine Street. Moving these mailboxes would mean that residence would have to walk to the end of Pine Street to retrieve their mail. The Post Master has reached out to the church in order to discuss this issue with them.

The Council stated that the issue of speeding out of the church parking lot was brought to their attention during the October meeting by council member Loomis, at which time no action was taken. The Council said that they don’t believe there is anything that can be done since these barriers are on private property. The Council did agree that would look into the issue and try to contact the church to find out why these barriers have been placed there.

No other business was presented at this time, which concluded this month’s meeting, the next Borough Council meeting will be held December 23rd at 7pm.

An attempt was made to contact the First Presbyterian Church for comment but I was unable to reach anyone at this time.

It was standing room only at the Susquehanna Fire Station Friday night when the Fire Department hosted its annual fundraising Thanksgiving Turkey Raffle. The community came out in full force to support the volunteers with 240 people, both adults and children, filling every table available. Joe Shell stated the SFD has been hosting this annual event since 1982. A majority of the participants said they have been attending for ten years or more. Everyone that came out was enjoying the free homemade clam chowder, beer and soda the fire department provides every year.

Susquehanna Community residents supporting the Fire Department at their annual Turkey Raffle

The SFD purchased 70 turkeys for this event with raffle tickets being sold for 50 cents each, with five winners on each round of tickets sold. In previous years the raffle tickets had been sold for 25 cents a member of the SFD said the increase was necessary due to the increased cost of the turkeys this year. All the proceeds from the event will be used to purchase needed supplies for the fire department.

Overall this is a great community event which supports the fire department and allows area residents an entertaining, inexpensive evening out, with the chance to win a Thanksgiving turkey as a bonus.

At the November 19 meeting of the New Milford Township Supervisors, those present again convened in the garage. The township building remained under construction.

A number of notifications were received, and other business was also conducted. The 2015 budget was adopted. A subdivision off Brushville Road for Sharron Warren was mentioned. Council had no objections and decided to send the standard letter. The township was putting a variety of materials out for bid, including propane, diesel fuel, gas, and liquid calcium, and road materials. Bids were planned to be opened on the 17th. An operation and maintenance agreement for a greenhouse evaporation bed system at the Lackawanna College site was discussed. They were redoing the escrow agreement, it was explained, in which the college put the money up front into an escrow account. If they went out of business or something, these funds would be used to cover the maintenance of the facility left in the township. This was something which was done with various entities having similar situations.

Southwest had applied for consumptive water use on Diaz Pad. EC Bluestone Quarry (operated by EC Stone LLC) was granted an Individual NPDES non-coal mining permit, it was related. Angeline gathering had submitted an air quality plan and General Permit 5 application to DEP for review and approval for a compressor station (Northwest Range CD1). It was related that this was an existing compressor station near East Lake - every so often companies had to reapply. Susquehanna Gathering applied for Erosion and Sediment Control General Permits for a well connect 71 pipeline project. The pipeline was to run 1,152 linear feet and disturb 3.3 acres of undeveloped land near Howell Road.

It was noted in the agenda that the office would be closed on Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28th due to Thanksgiving. It was also scheduled to be closed on Thursday, December 4th.

BENCH WARRANTS

The Susquehanna County DOMESTIC RELATIONS Section has outstanding BENCH WARRANT’S for the following individuals as of 10:00 a.m. on November 21, 2014: Jeremy E. Anderson, Sr, Kristina M. Baker, Brett F. Barnes, Brent V. Birtch, Edwin Blaisure, Jennifer Blassingame, Allan A. Bucksbee, David A. Calla, Anthony M. Choplosky, Tina M. Clark, Christopher J. Clark, Brian M. Decker, David J. Fischer, Justin T. Giberson, Charles Groover, Jeremy W. Hall, Timothy M. Holmes, Lyle J. Hugaboom, Todd J. Layton, Charlie J. Legere, Casey M. Lehman, Derrick Lezinsky, Christine M. Mroz, Joshua Perry, Vincent J. Petriello, Veronica D. Phelps, Marita J. Sellitto, Desiree L. Shifler, Joseph W. Sutton, Frederick Swingle, III, Tessa E. Thomas, Kurtis Tracy, Steven G. Warner, Matthew C. Whitney, Jamie L. Williams Sr., Anthony Younica, Please contact the Domestic Relations Section at 570-278-4600 ext. 170 with any information on the location of these individuals.

Chris A Brown, 33, of Montrose, PA to 12 months probation to run concurrent to Wyoming County sentence, pay $100 Act 198 fee, pay $150 fine, pay cost of prosecution, continue with drug and alcohol counseling, not to have contact with anyone on supervision for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia on June 20, 2013 in Springville Township.  Mr. Brown also received 4 months to 18 months in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility to run concurrent to Wyoming County sentence and sentence above, pay restitution to the Susquehanna County Task Force, perform 25 hours community service, not to have contact with anyone on supervision, pay $250 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, pay $100 Act 198 fee for Manufacture, Delivery or Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Manufacture or Deliver in Auburn Township on February 15, 2013.

Douglas William Gumaer, 42, of Nicholson, PA to 30 days to 6 months in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility, pay $750 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $100 CAT Surcharge, pay $100 Act 198 fee, pay $10 EMS, receive drug and alcohol treatment, attend safe driving school program for Driving Under the Influence in Lenox Township on November 9, 2013.

Daniel James Riley, 21, of Kirkwood, NY to 3 months to 15 months in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility, pay $350 fine, pay cost of prosecution, perform 50 hours community service, not to possess transport or consume alcoholic beverages, receive a sexual offenders evaluation, not to have contact with persons under the age of 18, not to have contact with the victim in this case, not to possess firearms for Corruption of a Minor in Forest Lake Township on January 25, 2014.

Tyler John Freeman, 20, of Montrose, PA to 5 years to 10 years in a state correctional facility followed by 5 years probation, pay $250 DNA testing fee and submit sample, not to possess transport or consume alcoholic beverages for Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse in Oakland Township on June 1, 2013.

Benjamin Paul Conrad, 31, of Uniondale, PA to 12 months probation, pay $250 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Ac fee, take all prescribed medications, not to possess transport or consume alcoholic beverages or controlled substance for Simple Assault in Herrick Township on December 31, 2013.  Mr. Conrad also received 12 months probation to run concurrent to the above sentence, continue to take all prescribed medication, continue with mental health counseling, not to possess firearms while on supervision, pay $100 Act 198 fee, pay $100 fine, pay cost of prosecution for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia in Herrick Township on January 3, 2014.

Joseph Aloysious Benson, 65, of Montrose, PA to 30 months to 15 years in a state correctional facility, pay $250 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, pay $250 DNA testing fee and submit sample, abide by Megan’s Law requirements, not to have contact with minors for Aggravated Indecent Assault in Auburn Township on June 1, 2003.  Mr. Benson also received10 months to 5 years in a state correctional facility to run consecutive to the above sentence for Aggravated Indecent Assault in Auburn Township on June 1, 2003.  Finally, Mr. Benson received 10 months to 5 years in a state correctional facility to run consecutive to the above sentences for Aggravated Indecent Assault in Auburn Township on June 1, 2003.

Shane Roy Kelley, 43, of Montrose, PA to 90 days to 12 months in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility, pay $1,500 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $300 Penndot fee, pay $100 Act 198 fee, pay $10 EMS, abide by Pennsylvania Ignition Interlock Law Program, continue with drug and alcohol treatment, complete safe driving school program for Driving Under the Influence in Auburn Township on June 21, 2014.

Robert Curtis Sellitto, 29, of Montrose, PA to 30 days to 6 months in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility, pay $750 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $100 Act 198 fee, pay $10 EMS, pay $100 CAT Surcharge, complete safe driving school program, receive a drug and alcohol evaluation and treatment for Driving Under Influence in New Milford Township on October 27, 2013.

Diana Sena, 43, of Montrose, PA to 5 days to 6 months in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility, pay $300 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $100 Act 198 fee, pay $100 CAT Surcharge, pay $10 EMS, receive a drug and alcohol evaluation, complete safe driving school program, abide by Pennsylvania Ignition Interlock Law requirements for Driving Under the Influence in Silver Lake Township on October 8, 2013.

Zach Philip Larue, 22, of Kingsley, PA to 2 years to 5 years in a state correctional facility followed by 2 years probation, pay $750 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $250 DNA testing fee and submit sample for Homicide by Vehicle in Lenox Township on September 2, 2013.  Mr. Larue also received 7 years probation to run consecutive to the above sentence, perform 150 hours community service, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, not to have contact with the victim and victim’s family for Aggravated Assault by Vehicle in Lenox Township on September 2, 2013.

Frank Aloysius Brannon, Jr, 31, of Montrose, PA to 2 ½ years to 16 years in a state correctional facility, pay $1,000 fine, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, pay restitution to the victims for Criminal Conspiracy/Burglary throughout Susquehanna County.

Joshua Daniel Calby, 32, of Montrose, PA to 5 years to 10 years in a state correctional facility, pay $1,000 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $250 DNA testing fee and submit sample for Criminal Conspiracy/Burglary throughout Susquehanna County.

Albert Gibbs, 30 of Scranton, PA to 18 months probation, pay $250 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, pay restitution to the victims for Theft by Unlawful Taking in Forest City Borough on April 24, 2013.

In our issue of November 19, we inadvertently published the wrong location for “Santa’s Breakfast with area children”.

Santa will be at St. John’s Parish Hall Saturday, December 6 at 8:30 a.m. Bring your cameras.