Just in case anyone thought Susquehanna Borough’s major infrastructure projects were over, that fantasy was demolished at boro council’s Wednesday, January 14 meeting. Residents and users of Franklin Avenue will be in the crosshairs of major construction scheduled to start in April 2016, with a completion date of August 17, 2016. At least that’s the plan as laid out at the meeting--much more to be discussed momentarily.
Present at the meeting were Vice-President Debbie Zayas, council members John Hendrickson, Barbara Larsen, Kaylin Lindquist, and Roy Williams, along with Mayor Nancy Hurley and Secretary/Treasurer Margaret Biegert. President Joe Varsik and Councilwoman Sue Crawford were absent. About a dozen townsfolk were in attendance, along with a PennDot representative and Lehman Engineers Bob Bryant and Ryan Granville.
The engineers and PennDot rep were on-hand to explain the Franklin Avenue project to borough council and advise the public of their right to make public comment concerning the proposed work. The purpose of the $1.95 million job is to shore up the some 70-foot bank along Route 92 (Franklin Avenue) overlooking Drinker Creek in the area between Vine and High Streets. That area will require major embankment stabilization and reengineering of drainage in consideration of roadway slide and erosion proclivities. Conceptual plans on the drawing boards were explained during a very professional presentation.
Questions from audience and council members evoked clarity on several points. The successful bidder for the project will have to obtain all permits and easements; two temporary traffic control signals will be utilized along Franklin Avenue during the project period; the project is occurring only on the Drinker Creek side of Franklin Avenue; and the State (PennDot) is primarily responsible for funding the entire project, though the borough could incur some ancillary, but likely negligible, costs in conjunction with the project. PennDot and Lehman reps stressed that the street’s current profile will be restored at project completion, i.e., the street will be no wider than it was originally.
Immediately following the project presentation, council moved to the Public Comment portion of the meeting. VP Zayas prefaced her opening of public comment by reading the borough’s rules for meeting comment. With rules refreshed, Mrs. Zayas recognized Caroline Plonka to speak. Mrs. Plonka’s comments initially focused on the ongoing problems she and her husband had had--and were continuing to encounter--regarding restoration of Starrucca House. But with her voice rising as she continued, Mrs. Plonka received warning from VP Zayas. As Mrs. Plonka’s focus shifted to remarks about mayor and council members, individually and collectively, Mrs. Zayas banged the gavel and requested both Mrs. and Mr. Andreas Plonka to be quiet. When compliance was not forthcoming, Officer Sweet enforced compliance and made removal of the couple from the meeting.
Nearly 10 minutes later, with order restored and borough officials having regained composure, the meeting resumed. After completing review of the Treasurer’s Report and the passage of motions regarding several routine items, Mayor Hurley presented the Police Report for the month of December. The Police Report showed 7 traffic-related incidents/stops, and one each of the following description: convulsions/seizures, sick person, animal, assist in service, threatening assault, burglary, offenses against children, disorderly conduct, structure fire alarm, and structure fire. There were two each of the following description: domestic dispute, harassment, and miscellaneous.
Continuing with the Mayor’s Report, Mrs. Hurley read a proposed letter of support requested by Scott Goodwin regarding repair and reconstruction of the dam (River Bounty’s), the raising of the river’s water level, and restoration of electric generation. Council unanimously approved providing the afore-read letter to Mr. Goodwin and wished all concerned with the project good will.
Also on Mayor Hurley’s plate was mention of 9-1-1 calls. She noted that there had been recent incidents with negative outcomes when members of the public dialed the local phone number for the police office, rather than 9-1-1, when a true emergency existed. She urged the public to always call 9-1-1 when an emergency exists. Whenever any urgent situation exists, the public should not rely on calling the local office since officers are likely to be patrolling--not manning the phone in the office. By dialing 9-1-1 officers can be quickly contacted and dispatched to wherever they are needed.
Moving on to Emergency Management, EM Coordinator John Hendrickson presented a thorough summary of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the courses borough officials needed for compliance with the federally administered program. As an adjunct to that he explained the basis of the “See Something, Say Something” slogan, namely that any citizen observing unusual behavior of a suspicious nature should report it to authorities. Finally, Mr. Hendrickson proposed council’s selection and consent for Councilwoman Lindquist to serve as EM Public Affairs Officer. Per that recommendation Council voted unanimous approval.
Next up on the agenda, Councilman Williams discussed DPW and Codes portions of the agenda. Snow, or more precisely residents’ reactions to snow, was involved in both agenda topics. Under DPW, Mr. Williams noted that when streets are plowed, the ends of residents’ driveways necessarily require shoveling for snow clearance. Several residents appear unusually irritated by this fact of life and have reacted by throwing snow shovels at plow trucks. Future incidents of this nature will be treated as police matters. Under Codes, Mr. Williams reminded residents that once snow stops falling they have 24 hours to clear sidewalks in front of their property. Failure to act will result in a $25 fine for first offense and $50 fine for second offense. In a non-snow matter under Codes, council approved by consensus “Renter’s Letters” to be sent out annually. Borough ordinance requires annual inspection of all rental property.
Under Old Business, VP Zayas announced the winners of last month’s Christmas Decorating Contest. Among businesses, the winners from first to third place were as follows: Screen It, French’s Auto, and T.J.’s Auto. In the Residential category winners were Dennis Troup, Mike & Kelly Iveson, and Steve & Theresa Felter.
Also under Old Business Council gave approval to two motions. The first was to permit VP Zayas to sign a contract with Harrington Drug Testing Service for the drug-testing of borough employees. The second approved the bid of Arctic Bear of Endwell, NY, to perform all furnace installation and related installation/removal services for the borough building. Arctic Bear was the low bidder of the three bids received, with theirs coming in at $17,590.
Before going into Executive Session at 8:12 p.m. Council reappointed Chris Herbert to the board of Tri-Boro Municipal Authority and approved enrollment fees of $500 for Mr. Williams to attend two work-related conferences, one in February and one in March.
Borough Council, according to Secretary Margaret Biegert, emerged from Executive Session at 8:48 p.m. and the meeting adjourned without Council taking any official action on the personnel issue which was discussed. Council’s next monthly meeting is scheduled for the second Tuesday in February.
At the Montrose School Board work session on January 12th, once opening exercises were dispensed of the meeting progressed into reports. The first was an audit report by Mr. Paul Murphy, Jr., and the latter a presentation of professional learning communities by Dr. Jason Andrews.
Mr. Murphy reviewed the audit findings with the board. The district had been short $379,809 on the revenue side, but had a $450,000 positive savings due to lower expenses than projected. Thus overall the district was down $144,000 on the fund balance, but this was less than they had budgeted to be down. This left them at about an 8% fund balance ratio.
He spoke briefly about why revenues were down. He said that they had been a little short on delinquent taxes, but that this could have been offset by real estate taxes being up. The largest reason for decreased revenues lay with state sources - the subsidies were short over $296,000. Federal sources were also down $75,000.
He related that pension expenses had been $1,834,000, representing a pension expense which had tripled over three years. The district was reimbursed for these expenses at somewhere over 50 percent.
Dr. Andrews was introduced by Mrs. Boyce, very positively. He was the superintendent of Windsor School District. He brought a PowerPoint presentation on Professional Learning Communities, an educational practice which he said had transformed his district.
He questioned, in his presentation, whether districts expected the same things from the adults at the schools, as they expected of the children. The improvement of students, he continued, depended on the improvement of educators. He called the PLC system a collective, ongoing process that was cyclical and involved people working on collaborative teams to get better results.
Dr. Andrews reviewed the process and how the teams worked. They incorporated 3 big ideas, including: ensuring that students learn, a culture of collaboration, and a focus on results. It was a group approach to what ought to be instructed in the classroom, measurement, and response. The staff met regularly and were mutually accountable to each other. Each bulding would develop an implementation plan.
Mr. Scheer asked if Dr. Andrew’s district had problems with staff adoption. Dr. Andrews spoke on this a little, and said the payoff for staff was in the shared workload. He also pointed out that at the end of the day they were employers, with the idea that staff would do as instructed.
Mrs. Staats pointed out that the concept was in line with preparing staff to be at the distinguished level of the Danielson model of assessment. Mrs. Boyce noted a number of things that had been imposed on staff, such as testing, and this was a culture change to help them. The district’s intent would be to roll it out in the spring, she related, opining that the practice was definitely child centered.
Mrs. Boyce then announced that it was School Directors Recognition Month, and read a proclamation to that effect. She thanked the board on behalf of the students and staff, and gave them certificates and a copy of the proclamation.
During the administrators’ reports, Mr. Adams related that they were having a man come to talk about bullying. This was a collaborative effort with all of the schools. The speaker’s son had committed suicide, and bullying was thought to be a factor of it. Information about the presentation was on the website. Mrs. Staats asked if cyberbullying would be addressed, and he responded affirmatively. His school had also been going over the educator assessment system.
Mr. McComb related that the PTO had put together the gift bags the board received. He thought that the professional development done at his school tied directly into what Dr. Adams had spoken of. He spoke highly of it, and thought it was an exciting opportunity.
Mr. Powers noted that the winter Keystone exams were mostly done, and spoke about focusing on and using that data. His school had also rolled out budget timelines for educators. He also spoke of a letter he had regarding three seniors who had helped to organize a venison dinnter. The boys had gotten to choose a cause to donate the funds to.
Ms. Riker announced that she had been given permission to have a facility dog.
Ms. O’Malley related that Choconut had undergone a food services audit and the district was in compliance. She felt the staff had done great.
Ms. Smith requested that they talk about building use, saying students were having trouble getting into the school. She wanted them to look into revising it. Mrs. Boyce confirmed that it was board policy that a custodian be present. There was some discussion of this. Ms. Smith requested that it be reviewed. Mrs. Mordovancey thought that if they scheduled it through school dude it would work. They were trying to limit outside access to the school.
A visitor was present from the Montrose Community Chorale. She wished to speak on some issues. They had been using the school for years. She said that they had been rudely and abruptly treated by a janitor, and that 52 chairs which had been placed on risers had been removed and not replaced for concert day. The cafeteria had been locked on concert day, and the caterers got tables from a church to serve the food in the hall before it was opened. Mr. Wilcox apologized on behalf of the board and said that he wanted to let them know that next time it wouldn’t happen. Mrs. Smith related that she had been there, and asked the custodian to help the group and he would not do so without Mr. Tripp’s permission. Mrs. Boyce apologized as well. It was suggested that it had been kind of a happy accident of new people, and that perhaps a point person could be appointed in the future to meet with school personnel. Ms. Follert spoke of how the school was for the community as well.
The actual board meeting progressed much as expected. The audit report was accepted. A number of sports coaches and personnel positions were approved. One of these was the employment of William F. King as principal of the Junior-Senior High School at a fiscal salary of $100,000 to be prorated for the remainder of the school year.
The question had been asked at a previous meeting regarding the definition of “substantial” student contact as regarded school volunteers and clearances. It was confirmed that this really meant that any contact with students would require clearances.
BENCH WARRANTS
The Susquehanna County DOMESTIC RELATIONS Section has outstanding BENCH WARRANT’S for the following individuals as of 9:45 a.m. on January 16, 2015: Jeremy E. Anderson Sr., David P. Atherholt Jr., Shawn J. Bedford, Allen S. Bowman, Michael J. Burger, Michael Calby, Anthony M. Choplosky, Tina M. Clark, Brian M. Decker, Benjamin D. Fassett, David J. Fischer, Justin T. Giberson, Timothy M. Holmes, Lyle J. Hugaboom, Leo A. Lasuer, Todd J. Layton, Joshua S. Lee, Charlie J. Legere, Derrick Lezinsky, Daniel M. Mangin, Joshua K. Mess, Matthew P. Natitus, Vincent J. Petriello, Veronica D. Phelps, 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.
DEEDS
James H. Fahringer (AKA) James H. Fahringer & Rebecca S. Fahinger (AKA) Rebecca S. Fahringer to James H. & Rebecca S. Fahringer, in Montrose for $1.00.
Benjamin Siano (BY ATTORNEY) to Morgan Errol Murphy, in Forest City for $25,000.00.
Ronald L. & Patricia C. Phelps to Ronald L. & Patricia C. Phelps, In Lenox Township for $1.00.
Ernest H. Blachek (Trust By Trustee) & Faye C. Blachek, to Excalibur Royalty LLC , in Brookylin Township & Harford Township for $450,000.00.
Garry King (AKA) Barry B. & Leanne H. king to Garry B. King (TRUST), in Harford Township for $0.00.
Anthony Joseph Younica (BY SHERIFF AKK) Anthony Younica (BY SHERIFF) to Deutsche Bank National Trust Co., in Brooklyn Township for $1,332.60.
Mae Fannie (AKA) Federal National Mortgage Association to Jerald Gere, in Montrose for $21,000.00.
John T. & Juliann Lee to Glenn & Margaret Russo, in Clifford Township for $1,000.00.
Mineral & Oil Deed & Edward B. Greene III to Bethel B. Hill LLC, in Harmony Township for $1.00.
Craig A. LaVelle (BY SHERIFF) to First National Bank Of Pennsylvania (SBM) Community Bank & Trust for $11,600.58.
Mindy S. & Brandon Rombach to Delmar W. & Shirley A. Orourke, in Forest Lake Township for $1.00.
John J. & Penny Nagy to John J. & Penny Nagy, in Silver Lake Township for $1.00.
Frank M. Cunius Jr.& Suzanne B. Cunius to Brain D. & Wendy R. Inscho in Forest Lake Township for $160,000.00.
Donald & Stacy Deaven to Regina M. Mackenzie & Dennis P. Senackerib, in Herrick Township for $273,000.00.
John William & Wanda Brooks to John W. & Laura Brooks, in Springville Township for $1.00.
Irena Gutkowski (BY ATTY), Ronald Gutkowski & Eva Olszewski to Nicholas A. Vakay, in Bridgewater Township for $45,000.00.
John C. Lackey to Michael & Cheryl A. Bates, In Middletown Township for $27,000.00.
Arlene M. Rasmussen (ESTATE), John Rasmussen & Diane Thompson to David & Ping Rasmussen, in Herrick Township for $60,000.00.
High Cadence LLC to Clifford Township, in Clifford Township for $30,000.00.
Joseph W. Usher to Betty Ann Thibault, in Forest City for $88,000.00.
Christopher T. & Cathleen A. Tracy to Joseph R. Owens, in Springville Township for $1.00.
Jude Sanger to Golden GMRE LLC, in Oakland Township to $68,000.00.
Frank S. LaBonte Jr. & Jeanne E. LaBonte to Frank E. LaBonte Jr. (TRUST) & Jeanne E. LaBonte (TRUST), in Bridgewater Township & Montrose for $1.00.
Pamela Ann Deininger Rossi (AKA) Pamela A. Rossi to Pamela A. & Randy R. Rossi, in New Milford Township & Harford Township for $1.00.
David B. Dowler (TRUST BY TRUSTEE) & Lois J. Dowler (TRUST BY TRUSTEE) to Michal & Carmine Fiorillo, in Thompson Township & Thompson Borough for $60,000.00.
Rodney M. & Shannon M. Stephens to Jeory A. & Jada Dunham, in Choconut Township for $122,900.00.
Gary W. Ruegner (AKA) Gary W. Reugner & Anna L. Ruegner (AKA) Anna L. Reugner to Gary W. & Anna L. Ruegner, in Liberty Township for $1.00.
Phillip H. Jerauld to Alan W. & Peggy Jerauld, Bridgewater Township for $1.00.
Nancy Power to Pennsylvania Commonwealth of Dept. of Transportation, in Forest Lake Township for $1.00.
Homer C. Ross (ESTATE) to Homer C. Ross Family Limited Partnership, in Jackson Township for $1.00.
Homer C. Ross (ESTATE) to Homer C. Ross Family Limited Partnership, in Jackson Township for $1.00.
Homer C. Ross (ESTATE) to Homer C. Ross Family Limited Partnership, in Jackson Township for $1.00.
Homer C. Ross (ESTATE) to Homer C. Ross Family Limited Partnership, in Jackson Township for $1.00.
Homer C. Ross (ESTATE) to Homer C. Ross Family Limited Partnership, in Jackson Township for $1.00.
Brion J. & Brandy C. Stone to Tyler C. & Tanya L. Kelly, in Montrose for $103,880.00.
Charles R. Werst to Sherry L. Jones, in Susquehanna for $25,500.00.
William S. Young (ESTATE), William P. Simrell, Elizabeth S. Simrell & Leslie A. Simrell to William P. & Leslie A. Simrell, in Thompson Township for $1.00.
Valeria A. Zehl to Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, in New Milford Borough for $10.00.
Dwayne B. & Donna E. Conklin to Dwayne B. & Donna E. Conklin, Jackson Township for $1.00.
Carole K. Rose, Richard Rose, Christine K. Lathrop, Kathleen K. Pacoe & Thomas A. Pascoe to Richard H. & Christine K. Lathrop, in Dimock Township for $32,900.00.
John Herman (BY SHERIFF) , Misty F. Fitch (BY SHERIFF AKA) Misty F. Finch (BY SHEIRFF) to Dunmore Properties, Inc. & PRO KO Properties, Inc., in Silver Lake Township for $86,000.00.
Peoples Security Bank & Trust Company (FKA), Peoples Neighborhood Bank (AKA), Peoples National Bank to Joseph D. Ragard, in New Milford Township for $72,500.00.
Inge E. Tenzer (BY ATTY AKA) , Inge Elisabeth Tenzer (BY ATTY) to Inge E. Tenzer in, Bridgewater Township for $1.00.
Thomas Huf (ESTATE) & Elaine C. Huf (ESTATE) to Air Harford LLC, in Harford Township, for $50,000.00.
Fox Enterprises, Inc. to Thomas K. Roe, in Ararat Township for $106,000.00.
Roy E. Cole Jr. & Faye Cole to Sharyn Powers, in Montrose for $93,00.00.
Armetta Trust (TRUST BY TRUSTEE) to Salvatore J. Armetta (TRUSTEE), in Jackson Township for $1.00.
Susan M. Sullivan to Todd W. Smith & Deborah Loomis Major, in Bridgewater Township for $125,000.00.
Lawrence F. & Gwyn G. Stone to Bremer HOF Owners, Inc., in Herrick Township for $100.00.
Seth w. Watrous (TRUST BY TRUSTEE) to Mark EBBS Corners Road Associates LP, in Franklin Township for $475,000.00.
Michael & Cindy Seman to Casey Taylor & Tatianna Lamberson in Lenox Township for $174,000.00
Jeanne Sible (AKA) Jeanne G. Sible, Judy Keeney (AKA) Judy Ann Keeney to Jackie Sible (TRUST) & Jeanne G. Sible (TRUST), in Auburn Township for $1.00.
Jeanne Sible (AKA) G. Jeanne Sible & Judy Keeney (AKA) Judy Ann Keeney to L. Thomas Keeney (TRUST) & Judy Ann Keeney (TRUST), in Auburn Township for $1.00.
Jason Legg, Todd, Legg, Sean T. Conaty & Sarah Snee to Francis P. & Sherly L. Boyle, in Silver Lake Township for $42,00.00.
Robert O. Johnson (AKA) Robert Johnson & Christine N. Johnson to Robert B. Johson, in Gibson Township for $1.00
Mark Emmons, Deborah Emmons & Joyce K. Emmons to Mark Emmos & Deborah Emmos, in New Milford Township for $0.00.
Edward B. Greene III to Bethel B. Hill LLC, in Harmony Township for $1.00.
Gail D. Ferencik, Paul Ferencik, Kathy C. Kovach, Mark Kovach, Mildred Nemcek & Roibert Nemcek, to Gail D. Ferencik, Paul Ferencik, Kathy C. kovach, Mark Kovach, Mildred Nemcek & Robert Nemcek, in Jessup Township for $1.00.
Mary & Paul Gere to Jerald E. & Janet M. Gere, in Bridgewater Township for $1.00.
Karen E. & Edward M. Cox Jr. to Roy Cole Jr. & Faye Cole, in Liberty Township for $125,000.00.
Greg C. Matlack to WMP2 LP, in Herrick Township for $128,000.00.
Suzanne T. Brown to Martin H. Brown, in Hallstead Borough for $1.00.
Alan R. & Holly J. Jagger to David A. & Lacie M. Jagger, in Lathrop Township for $125,000.00.
Audrey Kerr (AKA) Audrey K. Kerr to Mary P. Kerr-Button (AKA), Mary P. Kerr Button, Thomas R. Kerr, Deborah L. Kerr, Robert F. Kerr, Robin M. Kerr-Nickerson (AKA) Robin M Kerr Nickerson & Jeffrey J. Kerr, in New Milford Township for $1.00.
Gerald E. Ely, Carol D. Winkleblech, Dwight H. Ely, Elaine M. Ely & Annette F. Waldie to ELY FAMILY TRUST, in Bridgewater Township for $1.00.
Kevin & Lisa Bowers to Kevin Bowers, in Auburn Township for S1.00.
Kevin & Lisa Bowers to Lisa Bowers, in Auburn Township for $1.00.
Kevin & Lisa Bowers to Kevin Bowers, in Auburn Township for $1.00.
Henry J. Carter to Robert P. Cruz, in Forest City for $90,100.00.
Carol A. Barnes to Richard A. Barnes, in Oakland Township for $1.00.
Lisa A. House to Edward C. House Sr. & Terry B. House, in Lathrop Township for $1.00.
James F. & Darla A. Snyder to Donald & Kathleen Bessler, in New Milford Township for $165,000.00.
Catherine Pepson to Robert P. Pepson, in Clifford Township for $1.00.
Jason Tucker Hill (AKA) Jason Tucker-Hill & Linda Hill to Stone Financing LLC, in Forest City for $119,000.00.
Julie Oboyle & Gregory Scott Sparrow to Julie & Gregory Scott Sparrow, in Silver Lake Township for $1.00.
Dale J. & Cheri L. Stone to Dale J. & Cheri L. Stone, in Auburn Township for $1.00.
Connie Wilson, Rosemary Talley (AKA) Rosemary DellAquila to Mark Silfee & Jean Shinn, in Gibson Township for $45,000.00.
Roland B. Loomis (ESTATE AKA) Roland B. Loomis (ESTATE) to DTJR Loomis Properties LLC, in Bridgewater Township for $1.00.
Thomas A. & Mary A. Albertson to Thomas A Albertson (TRUST) & Mary A. Albertson (TRUST), in New Milford Township for $1.00.
Margaret S. Graf to Susan B. & Joseph A. Pipitone, in New Milford Township for $1.00.
Margaret S. Graf to Richard N. & Ann Marie Graf, in New Milford Township for $1.00.
Margaret S. Graf to Diane M. Grimes, in New Milford Township for $1.00.
Louis & Theresa H. Pressman to Louis Pressman (TRUST) & Theresa H. Pressman (TRUST), in Liberty Township for $1.00.
Eric J. Place to Alfred & Erick J. Place, in Auburn Township for $1.00.
Francis Graytock to Louis Zefran & Nicholas Luchonok, in Forest City for $35,000.00.
Donna M. Fortuner, Bradley J. McAlla, Lynnette B. McAlla (ESTATE AKA) Lynnette McAlla (ESTATE), in Clifford Township for $100,000.00.
Joseph L. & Jean McAlla to Donna M. Forutner, in Clifford Township for $1.00.
Patricia A. Ohara to Timothy P. & Brandi M. McMyne, in Gibson Township for $154,500.00.
John F., Sarah J. & Norma Ashcraft to John. F. & Sarah J. Ashcraft, in Little Meadows Borough & Apolacon Township for $1.00.
Wayne Bank (SUCC IN INT) & North Penn Bank to Clifford Township, in Clifford Township for $25,000.00.
Frank & Linda M. Kamarauskas to Kelly Sue Childress in Rush Township for $1.00.
Pamela A. Pavlisak to John F. Pavlisak, in Hallstead Borough for $1.00.
Lanesboro’s regular monthly meeting for January focused on police reports and was otherwise remarkable only for its brevity. The 21-minute meeting, from 7:04 to 7:25 p.m. on Tuesday, January 13 at Lanesboro’s Community Center took only one official action aside from perfunctory approval of meeting minutes and adjournment.
Present for the meeting were Council President Dan Boughton, Council members Ed Arzouian, Regina Dilello, David Glidden, Tom Nitterour, and Dale Rockwell, along with Mayor Chris Maby, Secretary/Treasurer Gail Hanrahan, and Police Chief Jim Smith. Councilman Jason Fissel was absent.
Council had no correspondence to command its attention. And with no news the only news under agenda topics Parks & Recreation, Streets, Sewer, and Borough Website, council effectively forged ahead on cruise control.
Chief Smith presented Police Reports for the months of December 2014 and November 2014, as the Chief had been unable to present November’s report at December’s meeting. Winter weather had kept him from last month’s meeting.
December’s Police Report listed total LPD hours at 125, along with 13 hours billed to Thompson, and 110 hours of school patrol. In Lanesboro, Police made 16 traffic stops, with 7 citations and 9 warnings issued. The assorted reasons for stops included speeding violations (7), inspection violations (2), careless driving (2), passing in a No Passing Zone (1), equipment violations (3), and a Stop Sign violation (1). Additionally, Police made arrests in six cases: harassment (2), trespassing (1), disorderly conduct (1), disorderly conduct & trespassing (1), and finally a case of fleeing and eluding police. Chief Smith provided color commentary on that last case: the driver led police on a chase at 70 mph through downtown Lanesboro and in the process ran two police cars off the road. In the interest of public safety Police discontinued hot pursuit. Fortunately, Chief Smith has an eagle eye and used it to good effect, making identification of the fleeing driver. The perpetrator turned himself in to police the following day and faces felony, as well as many lesser charges.
November’s Police Report provided less excitement. It showed LPD hours totaled 139, along with 13 hours billed to Thompson, and 121 hours of school patrol. In Lanesboro, Police made 18 traffic stops, with 7 citations and 11 warnings issued. The reasons for stops included speeding (13), inspection violation (1), Stop Sign violation (1), equipment violation (2), and failure to use turn signal. Non-motor vehicle police actions included an assist to State Police for a drug overdose and disorderly conduct case, and arrests for simple assault/harassment (1), harassment (1), harassment by communication (1), theft (1), and littering/garbage violation. Also LPD investigated a case involving a suspicious vehicle.
Chief Smith also reported that road markings are hard to see (fading to invisibility). He has paint and intends to make some upgrades when the first warm (above 30 degrees), sunny day comes along. The Chief also noted that meth labs are making a comeback in this area. He and his fellow officers are keeping their eyes peeled for suspicious activity and indicators of these labs. Meth labs are inherently dangerous (explosive fumes) and prolific in producing hazardous waste. Anyone with tips on meth production in this area should feel to contact Lanesboro Police for the protection of both life and property.
Moving on to the agenda item “Community Center,” Amanda Cook reported that three rentals were scheduled in coming months, including one on January 24th. Mayor Maby reported that he had looked into the maximum occupancy issue. He didn’t have the precise figure with him, but he reported that occupancy is now calculated on a national standard based upon the building’s square footage. Additional tables and chairs will be procured, but no precise figure has yet been decided, and no timeline for their procurement was finalized.
At the 15-minute mark Old Business came up for discussion. President Boughton noted that the Municipal Lien Ordinance has been smoothed by Solicitor DeWitt and was ready for advertisement as a prerequisite for final passage at next month’s meeting. After brief discussion Councilman Nitterour motioned for the proposed ordinance’s advertisement, Councilwoman Dilello seconded, and council voted unanimous approval.
At 7:25 p.m. Council adjourned. Their next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 10th, same bat-time, same bat-channel. . . But before leaving this story, one correction is in order from last month’s report. Councilman Glidden called me over to tell me that he had been contacted by a reader of December’s story. He had been informed that Councilman “Dan” Glidden had been at the previous meeting. Oops! Mea culpa! I know his name is Dave. I extend a big thank-you to that sharp reader for putting me back on the straight and narrow in a round-about fashion.
