Lanesboro legislators “stormed” thru their last meeting of the year, clocking in at just less than 20 minutes to bless their budget for 2015 and wrap up sundry and varied issues. With over 12 hours of freezing rain, rain, and sleet having already fallen, and with heavy snow forecasted, council members and mayor proceeded steadily with diligence.

President Dan Boughton presided over the Tuesday, December 9th meeting. Those present were council members Ed Arzouian, Regina Dilello, Jason Fissel, Dan Glidden, Tom Nitterour, and Dale Rockwell, along with Mayor Chris Maby and Secretary/Treasurer Gail Hanrahan.

The 2015 borough budget passed--unanimously and without debate--near meeting’s end. Revenues and expenditures balanced overall at a little more than $225,000. That’s down almost $20,000 from the budget prepared a year ago for 2014. The difference? Refuse pick-up was contracted out as of April 1, 2014 so the borough no longer takes in fees or expends funds for that as a municipal service.

So what does Lanesboro plan to do with the $225,000 in income? Some $94,000 comes in from sewer fees for the 131 residences and Susquehanna Community schools which are provided service. Roughly an equal amount is expended throughout the year to maintain the system, pay for administrative expenses, and keep up loan payments.

That leaves just under $131,000 in a balance of income and expenses. The five major sources of income for the borough are these Real Estate (current) taxes - $91,500; Real Estate (delinquent) taxes - $8,500; in lieu of taxes (Turnpike Terrace) - $3,144; Police Income (2015 school patrol) - $16,695; and Police Fines - $7,500. Those five income streams comprise over 97% of the borough’s income outside of sewer fees.

Where are funds expended? Over 42% ($55,229) can be directly attributed to police services or police support services, including school patrol. The remaining 57% of the nearly $131,000 goes to maintaining the streets, paying for utilities, covering administrative costs and insurance premiums, repaying loans, maintaining boro parks and properties, paying for legal services, and ensuring a dozen miscellaneous responsibilities receive necessary funding. For anyone interested the 2015 Lanesboro Budget can be accessed online at the boro’s website, www.lanesboropa.com.

What else happened at the meeting? Let’s begin with what didn’t happen. No one from the public requested time to speak or asked for placement of any topic on the meeting’s agenda. Police Chief Jim Smith was not at the meeting and could not be contacted by cell phone during the course of the meeting; hence, no Police Report for the month of November was available. There was no news on the long impending/imminent sale of the borough’s sewer system. There was no news to report concerning the borough’s website. There was no news to speak of in the Parks & Recreation Report. And finally, there was no news regarding the borough’s proposed Municipal Liens Ordinance (tabled to next month’s meeting).

In the few minutes remaining agenda items were dispatched with alacrity in concise fashion. Attorney Myron DeWitt offered, by way of correspondence, his services to the borough as its Solicitor for 2015 at a charge of $135.00 per hour--a discount of 32.5% from his usual fee. Council voted unanimously to accept his offer.

In the Streets Report, Councilman Rockwell expressed satisfaction with the drain work at and around the junction of Jefferson Street with Main Street. President Boughton expressed his dissatisfaction with two drains on Main Street, wherein the engineering was insufficient to drain pools of standing water. Mayor Maby noted that the two drains at the intersection of Turnpike and Main still require work. Work on Convent Street will also have to be completed in the spring since fair-weather work days were too often an autumn rarity.

An odd assortment of issues relating to the Community Center was voiced. It was noted that there was already one rental for December and another scheduled for January. Secondly, the borough is continuing to seek the legal occupancy number for the Community Center. Procurement of more tables and chairs for the center will be dependent on that figure. Finally, Councilwoman Dilello presented a framed picture of the Lanesboro Police Department (circa mid-1980’s) to the borough council. The picture had come to her by way of Officer Canini. Mr. Canini considered the borough might wish to display it. Mayor Maby elatedly received the photo on behalf of the borough with purpose of like mind to Mr. Canini’s.

With the storm outside intensifying Council briskly adjourned from the meeting and scurried to the warmth and safety of home and hearth. The next meeting of Lanesboro Borough Council is scheduled for Tuesday, January 15, 2015.

In the final motion before heading into Executive Session, Susquehanna Depot Borough Council unanimously approved asking its Solicitor, Michael Briechle, to look into the borough’s current ward system and recommend what changes should be made. It may have seemed an odd discussion to many in the audience, but the borough’s anomalous system begs serious examination. Attorney Briechle will no doubt have an eyebrow-raising look at applicable sections of the Commonwealth‘s “The Borough Code.”

More on political and administrative subdivisions will be discussed later. Let’s start at the beginning. Borough Council Vice President Debbie Zayas called Suski’s December meeting to order at 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 11th. That in itself was an anomaly since Boro Council normally meets on the second Wednesday of each month. This meeting was kicked over to Thursday because of heavy snowfall all day Wednesday.

Present for the meeting were council members Sue Crawford, John Hendrickson, Barbara Larsen, and Roy Williams, along with Mayor Nancy Hurley and Secretary/Treasurer Margaret Biegert. Council members Joe Varsik and Kaylin Lindquist were absent.

The meeting started auspiciously enough. Council breezed through routine matters and motions with only brief discussions and quick votes. Within those first 12 minutes council agreed to a budget for the borough’s 2015 fiscal year. The budget balances Susquehanna’s revenues and expenditures at $422,460 with the bulk of income deriving from Real Estate taxes ($288,000) and Delinquent Real Estate taxes ($48,600).

On the other side of the budget ledger, major expenditures are planned for Police services/support services (nearly $97,000), Department of Public Works ($83,400), Administrative overhead ($46,250), Fire-related public safety ($40,100), Street lighting ($23,000), and Insurance ($38,200). The full budget with line-item breakdown is available to the public at the borough office.

That was the easy part of the meeting. During the next 17 minutes public comment was cause for varying degrees of tension--among not only council members, but also members of the public. First up was Mr. Plonka, proprietor of Starrucca House. It would be an understatement to say that Mr. Plonka and borough government have not seen eye to eye over the last three years. Mr. Plonka detailed three major disagreements with the borough, each having a property rights issue at its core. Of premier concern to Mr. Plonka was Starrucca House; he asserted that the building was “grand-fathered” and so not under the borough’s jurisdiction, hence exempt from going through the inspection process. He posited that from that premise, the borough’s condemnation order against the property should be lifted and certain monies he had paid to the borough should be refunded to him.

VP Zayas referred the matter to Councilman Williams for reply. Not unpredictably Mr. Williams had a very different view of the matter. To advance resolution of the dispute Mr. Williams agreed to meet with Mr. Plonka the following day at a time agreed.

The second public speaker was John Sholtis. Mr. Sholtis observed that the traffic signal for those crossing the bridge from Oakland was of “long duration.” Council responded that the matter will be looked at in the spring. Council’s understanding of the matter is that a sensor in the road is broken and local attempts to resolve the matter have been unsuccessful.

Also speaking during the public comment period was a grandmother whose residence is on West Hill. She voiced her strong concern about children being forced to walk in the streets because snow on sidewalks, both on Fourth Avenue as well as other streets on West Hill, hadn’t been cleared since Wednesday’s heavy snowfall. Council acknowledged the problem and expressed their interest in improving residents’ attentiveness to their community responsibilities.

Committee Reports followed. First up, Mayor Hurley delivered the Police Report: 33 responses by Susquehanna’s Finest during the month of November, including everything from traffic stops (7) to choking (1) and vandalism (1). Other of the more concerning incidents included criminal mischief (1), criminal trespass (1), disorderly conduct (1), fraud (2), domestic dispute (2), harassment (2), missing person (1), larceny/theft (1), and public drunkenness.

Councilman Hendrickson followed with the Emergency Management report. His report began with these words, “With the holiday season upon us it is important to remember roads get slick, traffic increases; there is distraction--and you guessed it--all the ingredients for an accident. Give yourself and your loved ones the gift of the life; arrive alive.” Mr. Hendrickson’s report went on to detail his recent assists or oversight of incidents involving (1) a fuel spill, (2) a tree resting on Penelec power lines, and (3) two recent motor vehicle accidents--occurring contemporaneously. These incidents brought to light serious deficiencies in the borough’s supplies for emergency situations, and Mr. Hendrickson provided council with a list of supplies which should be procured.

Council, in its response, asked Mr. Williams to go over the list with Mr. Hendrickson, prioritize emergency supplies needed, and report to council at the January meeting so that council might agree on an orderly procedure for procurement, and so as not to “break the bank.” Council members agreed that it would take “some time” to get fully stocked in preparation for emergencies that might be prudently anticipated.

For the DPW Report Councilman Williams provided an overview of winter preps completed and noted that he had identified “tree issues” (tree branches lower than 13’6” clearance over roadways). After that Councilman Williams noted in his Codes Report that council would need to discuss the Blight/Vacant (Buildings) Ordinances with Solicitor Briechle.

In New Business, council took up--then tabled each in turn--three different issues. The first concerned furnace replacement for the borough building/library. Council had solicited bids for the furnace replacement. Three bids were had been received; were opened; and were read aloud. However, Solicitor Briechle pointed out a legal technicality that required investigation before any decision could be made on bid acceptance. Further action was tabled pending legal investigation of how to proceed.

The second issue involved drug testing of borough employees. Council likely would have acted on this issue, but for Councilwoman Larsen suggesting what may turn out to be a better solution. Drug testing will continue, but Councilwoman Larsen’s idea will be explored to determine if it can be done with previously unanticipated cost savings and in a more efficient manner by a local provider.

The third item of New Business involved the Fire Company’s need for refurbishing the Emergency Siren: a new box, contactors, and relay will cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $1,000 to $1,500. An estimate needs to be nailed down, and once it is, council proposes a course differing from past procedure. For these past years Susquehanna has solely shouldered the costs relating to the Fire Company; this time Council proposes to ask neighboring boroughs and townships to share in the costs. January’s meeting should provide more clarity.

Turning finally to Old Business, council agreed that a written agreement was needed with Oakland Township to define reciprocal responsibilities with regard to plowing and salting of roads. There are definitely adjacent areas where Susquehanna Depot can assist Oakland Township, but to prevent any misunderstanding a legal document must be composed. Look for action in January.

Also under old business council agreed to contracts with two firms to deal with “tree issues.” Tree trimming will be handled by K’s Tree Service, LLC, of Uniondale at a cost of $2,450, on condition that service is rendered within 90 days. Tree replacement (by the bridge) will be handled by J & J Landscaping at a cost of $550 per tree.

It was at this point council signaled readiness to adjourn to Executive Session. But Solicitor Briechle decided to “clear the decks” by seeking clarification of what issues were to be handled in that session. Personnel issues, property condemnation issues, a property demolition issue, and a streetlight issue prospectively involving litigation were defined as the issues to be taken up in Executive Session. When the borough’s ward system was brought up, Solicitor Briechle nixed taking it into Executive Session, as he defined it as an issue open to public discourse.

So what ARE the implications of Susquehanna Depot’s ward system? First the background: Susquehanna County has 13 boroughs and 27 townships. Of the 13 boroughs, only three--Montrose, Susquehanna Depot, and Forest City (until just recently)--have (or had) ward systems. Of those three boroughs, Susquehanna Depot was the only one in which council members were nominated and elected by borough voters at-large, instead of by the ward in which they resided and purportedly represented.

It appears current practice may contravene Section 806 of the “Borough Code,” as amended June 25, 2001, P.L. 651, No. 56. That section reads, in part: “It shall be lawful for the electors of the borough to elect: (2) In boroughs divided into wards, at least one, and not more than two members of council in each ward, except in boroughs where prior to passage of this act three members of council were elected in each ward. In such boroughs, the number of members of council is fixed at three in each ward until such number is reduced in the manner provided by this act. Members of council shall be residents of the ward from which they are elected, and chosen by the electors of the ward. . .”

In practical reality, if the above citation holds as applicable Susquehanna Depot would need to take legal steps to (a) abolish the ward system so that council members could continue to be elected at-large by borough voters; or (b) institute a ward system actually compliant with the law so that voters in each of the two wards voted to elect council members who resided in their respective ward and represented residents of that ward.

The reason for some measure of concern is the fact that 2015 is a year for Municipal Elections. Primary Election Day is scheduled for May 19, 2015. That may seem like a long time away, but there’s an unchangeable prerequisite connected to it: circulation and filing of nomination petitions commence exactly 13 weeks prior--on February 17. If corrective actions are necessary and are to be taken with the 2015 Municipal Election plainly in view, those actions will have to be taken decisively and without delay.

At 8:20 p.m. council went into Executive Session. Council’s next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 14, 2015. It appears the new year will be a busy one for a borough that will likely streamline governance by ward or at-large, besides focusing on the usual issues of upkeep and maintenance.

The Susquehanna County Commissioners announce the Courthouse will be closed on Thursday and Friday, December 25 and 26, 2014 in observance of the Christmas Holiday. All court related offices will be available.

BENCH WARRANTS

The Susquehanna County DOMESTIC RELATIONS Section has outstanding BENCH WARRANT’S for the following individuals as of 11:10am on December 12, 2014: Jeremy E. Anderson, Sr, Kristina M. Baker, Brett F. Barnes, Brent V. Birtch, Edwin Blaisure, Jennifer Blassingame, Michael J. Burger, Anthony M. Choplosky, Tina M. Clark, Christopher J. Clark, Anthony Cokely, Brian M. Decker, Marc K. Deesch, David J. Fischer, Justin T. Giberson, Charles Groover, Timothy M. Holmes, Lyle J. Hugaboom, Dustin L. Johnson, Jean M. Larson, Leo A. Lasuer, Todd J. Layton, Joshua S. Lee, Charlie J. Legere, Casey M. Lehman, Derrick Lezinsky, Lawrence M. McGuire, Joshua K. Mess, Otto R. Miller III, Brian C. Mirra, Joshua Perry, Vincent J. Petriello, Veronica D. Phelps, Aaron P. Rockwell, Marita J. Sellitto, Tina M. Smith, 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.

Crash: On December 11th at 3:40 am John Murphy of Nanticoke was traveling southbound on Wickizer Road in Brooklyn Township when it went off the east side of the roadway and struck a tree with the front end of the vehicle. It came to rest against the tree facing south. The unit sustained disabling damage and was towed from the scene. The operator was not injured in the crash; a seat belt was in use.

Crash: On November 12th at 5:14 pm Gabrielle Rosenkrans of Montrose was traveling north on Sr 167 in Silver Lake Township when, after exiting a right hand curve, she began to ascend a hill in the roadway and her vehicle lost traction and began to spin out. It spun counterclockwise across the roadway and struck the embankment on the left side of the roadway. After striking the embankment, it overturned onto the passenger side and came to rest in the southbound lane facing a westerly direction. Police were assisted at the scene by Montrose Minutemen and United Fire Company fire police. The driver was not injured; a seat belt was in use.

Crash: On December 12th at 4:17 pm Kathleen Clark of Hallstead was traveling south on SR 29. As the vehicle began to ascend an uphill grade in Liberty Township, the vehicle went across the opposing lane of traffic and came back across the lanes to the west side of the roadway and into a ditch. It then rolled onto its right side and came to rest on its passenger side facing south. Police were assisted by Snake Creek volunteer fire company. The driver was not injured; a seat belt was in use.

Crash: On December 12th at 5:42 pm Andrew Coolbaugh of Montrose was traveling south of Sr 3001. As the vehicle was negotiating a left descending curve in the roadway, it lost traction and began to spin counterclockwise in the curve. It then came across the northbound lane and left the left side of the roadway. It impacted a ditch and continued off the left side of the roadway, impacting a utility pole. It then came to a rest facing a southerly direction after rolling onto the passenger side in the ditch. The operator was removed from the vehicle by mechanical means. He sustained minor injury; seat belt use was listed as non0e used/not applicable. The police were assisted at the scene by United Fire Company and fire police.

Crash: On December 12th at 5:10 pm Nan Mansfield of Pittston was traveling north on Sr 0171 in Ararat Township when her vehicle traveled off of the roadway and struck a road sign and then a utility pole, causing it to roll onto its side. The driver sustained injury of unknown severity; a seat belt was in use.

Theft: On December 8th at 8:00 pm Jeremiah Sebjan is accused of taking two Copeland ac units form the Elk Lake filling station property. Sebjan was later pulled over for traffic violations, when the ac units were discovered. The report was continuing as of the time of report.

Harassment: On December 10th at 2:40 pm a known 24 year old female and a known 29 year old female engaged in a physical altercation during the course of a verbal argument in Auburn Township. Summary charges of harassment were filed in District Court 34-3-01.

Theft: Troy equipment reported on December 10th to state police that numerous pieces of equipment had been taken over a period of time. The investigation was called ongoing as of the time of report. The suspect was listed as “known male”, but no name was given.

Criminal Mischief/harassment: Between the 6th and 8th of December, Bradley Seward of Dalton turfed the property of a Meshoppen woman. A Springville woman followed Seward, who stopped his truck, got out with an ax, and threatened the woman. Charges were filed at district court 34-3-01.

Criminal Mischief: Between November 3rd and December 3rd, one or more unknown perpetrator(s) bent the lid of a letterbox that hung on the exterior wall of the Stone Apartments in Jackson.

Theft-motor vehicle: The police are investigating a theft of a motor vehicle in Bridgewater Township. The vehicle in question was a silver Ford Focus, the vehicle was entered into NCIC as stolen. Anyone with information is asked to please contact the police.

Theft: The police are investigating a report of the theft of a chainsaw that was removed by unknown actors from a location in Springville township. Anyone with information is asked to please contact the police.

Theft from Motor Vehicle: Pennsylvania state police are investigating the report of theft of gift cards and cash from a vehicle parked on Sr 706 in Jessup township, on November 24th at 3 pm.

Theft: Items were stolen form the purse of a Springville woman while located at Shanna and Franks pub in Bridgewater township on December 5th at 10 pm.

Hit and Run: On November 26th at 4 pm an unknown vehicle was traveling north on Sr 267 at the same time as a Chevrolet Silverado was at rest on the east bound shoulder, disabled from a previous crash and on its passenger side. As the unknown vehicle was traveling north it struck the Silverado's front driver's side wheel. After impact the driver of that vehicle fled the scene. Yellow paint was transferred onto the Silverado's front driver's side tire. The incident occurred in Rush Township.

Hit and Run: On November 30th Dustin Conroe of Kingsley was traveling east on Oakley Crossing when he lost control of his vehicle at the crest of a hill attempting to negotiate a left hand curve in Brooklyn Township. At that time a Chevrolet Silverado was parked off the road near the entrance to a well pad. Conroe's vehicle exited the roadway and struck the other vehicle in the front, pushing it backwards. That vehicle then caught Daniel Perri of North Abington Township, who was standing outside of it, and carried him backward into a pallet of stone. Perri's foot was pinned between the pushed vehicle and the pallet of stone. Conroe stopped, helped get Perri out from being pinned, then reentered his vehicle and fled the scene without giving insurance information as required by law. He was located and arrested for suspicion of DUI. He was remanded to Susquehanna county jail for violating probation. Perri was treated for his injury and released.

Retail Theft: Shawn Gosline-Jones of South Montrose is accused of stealing 11 PA lottery tickets and miscellaneous snacks form Lockhart's Convenient Mart while she was employed there. The estimated value of the stolen merchandise was $340. Charges were pending for violation of PA cc/3929 retail theft.

Theft from motor vehicle: The police were investigating the theft of a Stihl 250 chainsaw from the bed of the truck of a New Milford man while it was located on Hall Road in New Milford Township between the 1st and 4th of December.

Found Property: On November 29th a chainsaw was found along the side of the roadway on Sr 167 in Brooklyn Township. Anyone with information is asked to please contact the police.

DUI Crash: The police responded on December 5th at 2:26 am to a one vehicle crash in Gibson Township. The operator, Alexander Bodt of New Milford, was determined to be under the influence of alcohol and was placed under arrest.

Simple Assault: A crime occurred while Todd Phillips of Hallstead was driving a female victim to a meeting on 29 south in Franklin Township. Phillips is accused of striking the victim three times in the face and shoulder, following an argument. After the assault, he drove the victim home and fled in an unknown direction. He was operating a silver jeep and reportedly lived out of the vehicle. An arrest warrant was obtained for Phillips. Anyone with information is asked to contact the police.

Theft: On December 2nd between 10:00 am and 1:30 pm the property of a Hop Bottom man, located near the Dimock to Nicholson Road, was entered and a Husqvarna quickie saw removed from it.

Hit and Run: On December 2nd at 2:22 pm an unknown vehicle was making a right hand turn onto T692, Christmas Valley Road, from East Lake Road in New Milford Township. The turn was too sharp for the vehicle making it, and the vehicle traveled wide and struck the fence that runs along the road. It then backed up and fled the scene.

Anyone having information regarding any of these incidents is asked to please contact PSP Gibson at 570-465-3154.