Susquehanna Depot was a hopping place as multitudes lined up to see the Hometown Days Parade on Friday, July 17th. As the Legion Riders led the parade into downtown Susquehanna, Joe Schneider, Ron Dubas, and Margaret Biegert were seated and ready to judge the participants in the parade.

Pictured (l-r) are: Margaret Biegert, Darlene Slocum, Ron Dubas and Joe Schneider.

The Dairy Princess Float, which was awarded the Judge’s Trophy

The Red Hat Ladies Group

Chief Leslie Schell and President Charles Glidden

Birchardville, Montrose, Union Dale, Windsor, Thompson, Hallstead, Forest Lake, Clifford, Deposit, Great Bend, and Harford were represented with their EMS and fire trucks. Barnes Kasson Hospital joined in with their EMS vehicle. Allen Hall, MaryAnn Warren, Elizabeth Betsy Arnold, and Mayor Hurley joined the Susquehanna County Dairy Princess, Troop 50219, and the Montrose Motor Rockets. And the band played on, the Penn Dixie Band that is, followed by the Lenoxville Community Band as their sweet tunes carried through the air. Former Fire Chiefs, the Red Hat Ladies, Friends of Susquehanna County, and the Army didn’t miss the opportunity to join in the festivities as well.

The parade ended on a high note as the Susquehanna. Depot Fire Department honored two men, who provided many years of service to the department, by dedicating the new fire truck to Chief Leslie Schell and President Charles Glidden.

Darlene Slocum, the parade organizer handed out trophies to the following winners in their category: 1st Place Float- The Rockets Fast Pitch; 2nd Place Float- Lion’s Club; Antique Car- 1935 Plymouth; Band- Penn Dixie; Service Organization- Troop 50219. Honorary Mention trophies went to Stan Lindow, Dairy Princess, Friends of Susquehanna. County, Legion Riders, and Sparky on the old fire truck. The fire departments were judges for the following: Longest Distance Award - Forest Lake; Oldest Engine Award- Great Bend; Best Appearing Engine- Hallstead Ladder; Best Appearing Ambulance- Harford; and Windsor for their Brush Truck. The Judges Trophy was awarded to the Dairy Princess Float.

At their July business session on the 20th, the Blue Ridge School Board rounded out the renovation of the district’s administration by hiring a new Middle/High School Principal, Peter Supko of Clarks Green. The new principal fills the slot recently held by Matthew Nebzydoski, who was given the new title of “Principal of Curriculum & Instruction” in June. With Danelle Decker appointed principal in the Elementary School when Matthew Button acceded to the Superintendent’s job after Robert McTiernan took a the post of executive director of the Instructional Unit, a wholly new administration is now in place in preparation for a “goal-setting” session a week hence and the new school year beginning in September. The only remaining open position in the administration is that of Assistant Principal, vacated recently by Joe Conigliaro. There was no mention whether the opening will be filled.

New Middle/High School Principal Peter Supko with wife, Ann Marie and new daughter, Milena

Before the full board meeting, Michael Detwiler’s Policy Committee met to consider a review of the policy on bullying and cyberbulling. Among other things, the current policy names the long-passé MySpace as an example of a web site that has been used for bullying behavior on the Internet, but does not mention, for example, Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest, Vine, or any of the other more trendy social-media sites used by young people in the fast-moving world of on-line communication. Many of the elements of the district’s policy manual must be reviewed every few years, and several of the policies, including this one, require periodic training of staff and development of related programs for students.

After calling the board to order, President Laurie Brown-Bonner took her colleagues off to a “very brief” executive session that extended some 20 minutes, to discuss contract issues. Negotiation sessions with the teachers on a new contract – the old one expired more than a year ago – have been more frequent recently, although little information of substance has been forthcoming from either side.

Once the board reassembled, members welcomed Linda Cole-Koloski for her annual report on the food service program that she directs. The energetic Ms. Cole-Koloski oversees an operation that serves thousands of meals every year under a wide variety of programs, many of them subsidized by both the Federal and State governments with either financial support or surplus food products, or both. The summer food service that she inaugurated with the support of a U.S. Department of Agriculture program some years back, provides free breakfasts and lunches 4 days a week to anyone 18 years or younger. It has outreach services in Hallstead, Montrose, and even at a camp held at the Harford Fairgrounds. She also began the subsidized offering of free breakfast to all children in the Blue Ridge Elementary School, along with after-school snacks.

The Board’s agenda included the price schedule for meals for the upcoming new school year. A breakfast for Middle and High School students will go up by 5 cents, to $1.15; lunch will rise by 15 cents, to $2.05. Elementary School and adult lunches remain the same. For a number of years Ms. Cole-Koloski continued providing all these services without raising prices at all. Now, however, new Federal law requires “equity” in school lunch pricing. In this case, “equity” means that the price of a student’s lunch must eventually reach parity with the cost of an equivalent subsidized lunch, in theory so that everyone from the poor to the wealthy pay the same to eat. At Blue Ridge, this means that the food service program is obligated to increase prices to students, albeit gradually over several years. As she pointed out, the Board was not required to accept Ms. Cole-Koloski’s recommendations, but her work might be harder if they did not.

Asked about new Federal requirements for lunch menus and the waste generated when children refuse to eat all of the vegetables and fruit they are required to be served, Ms. Cole-Koloski said that the mandates make menu planning very complicated, and that “plate waste” is a problem. She has found ways, however to recover some uneaten items – unpeeled bananas, for example – which other children may accept.

Ms. Cole-Koloski noted the retirement of two of her staff, Doreen Shimer and Lois Davy, whose positions will need to be filled. Darleen Sanders was hired in food service on a part-time basis.

Ms. Cole-Koloski’s untiring efforts, and her management of the finances of the food service facility at Blue Ridge, have earned her and her operation praise from the district’s Board as well as commendations from the various panels that review her operation periodically. A resident of the Brackney area, Ms. Cole-Koloski is also an active member of the Silver Lake Fire Department and an EMS instructor.

Once into the business agenda, the Board adopted most of the 26 items on a single vote, excepting only the hiring of the new principal and 5 new teachers who attended to accept their appointments. Along with Mr. Supko, the Board welcomed Yana Hannah to teach art in the Elementary School; Madison Legg, who will teach 2nd grade; Lisa Carpenetti, teaching 1st grade; Rebecca Hinkley, who will move to a full-time position in Special Education; and David Corbin, who will teach biology.

Among other personnel actions, the Board approved an Athletic Director Employment Agreement with Martha Hoffman to cover the next two years. She will succeed long-time Athletic Director Jill Hoffman, who retired at the end of the last school year.

Chair of the Board’s Personnel Committee, Christina Cosmello, reported only 4 coaching positions remain to be filled. Former Board Member, former Assistant Principal, former teacher – former everything at Blue Ridge – Joseph Conigliaro, will next become coach of the golf team. If he can cook, there may be another opening for him with Ms. Cole-Koloski.

In an addendum to the agenda, the Board approved Pocono Transportation to provide bus transportation for field trips and extra-curricular events for the next school year. Board member Shane Rumage said that none of the local contractors chose to take these routes.

The only scheduled meeting of the Blue Ridge School Board for next month will be a combination workshop and business session on Monday, August 17, 2015 beginning at 7:00pm. Harold Empett announced a meeting of his Facilities & Grounds Committee for that same evening, beginning at 6:00pm. All meetings take place in the cafeteria in the Elementary School.

Approximately 50 members and guests were present for the annual Endless Mountains Business Association (EMBA) Meet & Greet Summer Mixer, held on Thursday evening July 9th.

Susquehanna County Commissioner Alan Hall and Progress Authority Executive Directory Tony Ventello spoke on the topic of Economic Development along the I-81 Corridor during the event. Alan Hall opened by stating that the median age of our county goes up every year. Mostly due to the fact that our young adults are not finding the jobs they need to stay in this area and are forced to leave in order to gain employment. This, he says, is unacceptable and assured us that each of our elected Commissioners is committed to attracting industries and growing businesses that provide jobs in our area. Jobs, he said, that are good paying jobs, enough to sustain a family. The gas industry is very present at this time in our region, as we all know. They are providing jobs not only in the gas and oil trade but other supporting industries are doing well because of their influence. However, Hall is not blind to the fact that the gas industry will not be here forever and we must make provisions for when they go away.

Susquehanna County Commissioner Alan Hall and Progress Authority Executive Director Tony Ventello speak at EMBA’s Meet & Greet Summer Mixer

To that end, the commissioners have partnered with the Progress Authority in studying this area for its potential economic development. The Progress Authority was formed in 1993 in an effort to consolidate many economic and industrial development organizations, mainly in Bradford County. In 2005, Susquehanna County was added under its service area. The Progress Authority’s stated mission is to promote job retention and creation and enhanced quality of life in the targeted service areas of Bradford and Susquehanna Counties in Northeastern Pennsylvania through focused, meaningful economic development efforts.

Tony Ventello told of the ‘Susquehanna Housing Assessment’ study and the ‘Industrial Park Feasibility Study’; both of which are now completed. Not surprisingly, developable properties are limited in the townships by terrain, floodplains, and the lack of public infrastructure. In fact the study states: “Three primary factors have impacted the housing market in Susquehanna County over the past few years: (1) the global economy, (2) demographic and social changes, and (3) the emergence of the natural gas industry. Developers have been slow to respond to the increased demand for housing for two primary reasons: (1) they are hesitant to invest because of fluctuations in drilling activity and are concerned that the market may be temporary; and, (2) the lack of water and sewer infrastructure in the county limits the financial feasibility of development.”

The Industrial Park Feasibility study focuses on the prime area of the I81 corridor where it looked at the interstate as well as the strong rail lines. Many systems come into play when looking at potential sites such as transportation, sewer and water, electrical, natural gas distribution and transmission pipelines, telecommunications and data infrastructure, primary and secondary roads and rail. 

Of prime consideration for redevelopment is the Hallstead foundry site at the Great Bend interchange. This seems to be an ideal spot for an industrial park which could accommodate Marcellus Shale industry growth. Natural Gas is not only an energy source but also the raw materials component for many industries. Susquehanna County is set to attract jobs in industries such as metal manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, plastics, glass, weapons and ammunition to name a few.

The Susquehanna County Commissioners meets with the Progress Authority personnel along with the Economic Development Board, and various state and federal legislators on a monthly basis. Together they are working to identify and prioritize economic development opportunities. Their work program for Susquehanna County has included coordinating and implementing many on-going projects such as assisting in the construction of the Endless Mountains Health System’s new hospital; facilitating the Chesapeake Bay mandated upgrades at the Montrose sewer treatment plant; supporting the efforts to extend the public water to South Montrose to include the Susquehanna County Correctional Facility and Recycling Center and the former Bendix site; promoting upgrades at the Gibson Interchange of I-81 to allow future development along Rt 848 and Oliver Road; continued work with Bluestone Gathering for the Laser Pipeline; ongoing work with Leatherstocking for the development of the natural gas distribution lines; continuing efforts to occupy and utilize vacant industrial properties including the Bendix property.

Also of interest was talk of the first small scale energy generation station using the Marcellus natural gas. IMG Midstream has developed a 20 megawatt electrical generation station that utilizes local natural gas and will be able to provide power to homes and businesses in Auburn Township and is hoping to expand.

Mr Ventello also made note that The Progress Authority administers a local low-interest Revolving Loan Fund that helps to stimulate private investment in business development projects.

The evening concluded with a brief word from Jean Ruhf, Executive Director of the Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau, on the topic of the Mormon Priesthood Restoration Site in Susquehanna County. The site is currently closed as it undergoes major reconstruction. A video on the life of Joseph Smith is being produced to be shown at the museum when it opens again. With an anticipated September opening of the Rt 171 site, we can expect an influx of worshipers. This could translate into added dollars for our restaurants, hotels, and service oriented enterprises if we are ready.

EMBA is grateful to Commissioner Alan Hall, Tony Ventello and Jean Ruhf for their information and news on the Economic Development and Opportunities here in our area.

Get involved and stay informed. For further information on EMBA and our mission of connecting local businesses to encourage growth, please call Ethel Boccafogli at (570) 756-2489 or e-mail us at EndlessMountainsBA@gmail.com.

Hometown Days are over; residents are on vacation; everyone--well, at least the one resident present for July’s meeting--is happy with how things are rolling along during the dog days of summer in Susquehanna. Borough Council eased through a low-key 53-minute meeting on Wednesday, July 22, with, remarkably, no executive session to follow.

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

The borough’s annual “Hometown Days” event success was reviewed. Secretary Biegert reported that the 5K Race was the biggest ever, with a number of runners coming from out-of-area, and states as far away as Virginia. There were 98 runners last year; 138 this year, with Barnes-Kasson Hospital taking the Number 1 spot in non-profit participants--putting 22 runners into the event. On behalf of Susquehanna Depot and SCDA, President Varsik thanked the borough’s DPW, the Methodist Church, Latter-Day Saints, and numerous other organizations for all their hard work to make Hometown Days so very successful.

Mayor Hurley added her thanks to Nancy Narma, Emerson Whitehead, Kaylin Lindquist, and Pastor Leann Campbell for the key roles they played in making “A Walk in the Past with Jon C. Burdick.” a big success. The July 19 program attendance at the Susquehanna United Methodist Church topped 50, with those present being rewarded by Mr. Burdick’s time-travel adventure into Susquehanna’s golden age.

Mayor Hurley presented the Police Report for the month of June. It showed 43 event responses broken down as follows: traffic stops (12), disorderly conduct (4), domestic disputes (3), burglaries (2), motor vehicle accidents requiring police reports (2), thefts 2), and electric wires down (2). There was one each of the following: convulsions/seizures; fall; burglary alarm; animal; assault, police response only; criminal trespass; debris in road; drugs/narcotics; DUI/DWI; erratic driver; 911 hang-up call; harassment; missing person; public drunkenness; rolling; and structure fire alarm.

Mayor Hurly also asked for a moment of silence in honor of Scranton Police Officer John Wilding, and in sympathy with his family. Mrs. Hurley noted, “Officer John Wilding was hired last year to be an officer on our Susquehanna Police Department, but was offered a full-time job with Scranton Police Dept.” Officer Wilding gave his life in the line of duty while protecting residents of Scranton.

Councilman Hendrickson presented the borough’s Emergency Management Report. That report highlighted the effects of incidences of severe weather in the borough. Downed power lines on Fifth Avenue and Washington Street, and a tree on Front Street power lines caused roadway closures for hours until corrective repairs were made. Mr. Hendrickson also extended profuse thanks to all those supporting the emergency management mission.

Councilman Williams presented both the DPW and Codes Reports. During that time he opened bids for the High Street public works project. Bids varied wildly, from 17.5 to 32 thousand dollars. While the low bid was obviously accepted, exact specifications for the project must still be decided by the county. Until that process is completed, Council does not have a high level of confidence that the low-bidder will give final acceptance for job performance. And because of that Council agreed that bidders would be accepted from lowest to highest bid. In other words, if the low bidder declines the job after exact specifications are decided, the project will be offered to the next-lowest bidder rather than re-bidding the project.

Dura-patching in the borough has been completed and crack sealing of road surfaces is the next phase of work planned. As far as paving projects, Mr. Williams advised that a portion of Erie Avenue is next up for tarring and chipping.

Council also voted to approve Councilman Williams’ proposal to arrange a meeting with J.H. Associates in the expectation that the borough may retain the firm on an as-needed, case-by-case basis for services other than sewage enforcement (The borough had already sent the firm a retainer for sewage enforcement services last meeting.).

Mr. Williams also reported to Council that street signs, either missing or obsolete, would cost approximately $1,500 to replace, when costs for posts and secure placement are included. Traffic control signs are needed immediately on some main thoroughfares; Council unanimously agreed to their procurement and erection as quickly as possible. Also approved was purchase of a pole-saw to trim back brush and tree branches, as recommended by both Councilmen Hendrickson and Williams. Legally, the borough is required to provide tree-branch clearance to a level of 13’6”, but as Mr. Williams noted, “The borough is not in compliance everywhere.”

Finally, Councilman Williams reported that a number of residents are not maintaining their yards to code standards. Grass must be cut, he said, and “It does not belong in the road.” Also, grass clippings must be removed from sidewalks. Mr. Williams will be out and about to continue enforcement.

In Old Business, Council discussed two items that cannot yet be concluded. One was 107 Euclid Avenue--still in limbo as concerning its possible purchase--and the second was pursuit of a proposal to put up an LED display sign on Main Street. More developments on both these items next month, perhaps.

Council meets next on the second Wednesday in August. A quiet, happy, and healthy summer is Council’s hope until then.

EDITORS NOTE: These reports are taken directly from the Gibson State Police Barracks Blotter. Anyone having an issue with how they are worded is advised to visit the Barracks and inspect same before complaining about contents.

DUI:  On July 19th at 8:57 pm a 53 year old from New Milford was pulled over for multiple traffic violations while operating an ATV.  During the traffic stop it was determined that the operator was under the influence of alcohol and subsequently placed under arrest.  Charges were filed in District Court. 

Criminal Mischief:  on July 19th between 1:00 and 2:00 am PSP Gibson responded to a New Milford Township location for a damaged window.  An unknown perpetrator(s) caused a crack in a side window by unknown means and then fled in an unknown direction.  Anyone with information is asked to please contact the police. 

Criminal Mischief:  Between the 23rd and 24th of July, one or more perpetrator(s) labeled as “under active investigation” damaged equipment at Lopke Rock Products in Harford Township. 

DUI:  On July 22nd at 5:14 pm Kyle Franchak of Kingsley crashed into a wooden fence post at the Clifford Auto parking lot in Clifford Township.  Upon investigation it was determined that the accused was under the influence of alcohol and subsequently placed under arrest for DUI.  Charges were filed in District Court. 

Crash:  On July 21st at noon an unnamed person was traveling northbound on Sr 171 in a Chevy Impala when it struck an object in the roadway which caused minor damage to the passenger side of the unit.  The vehicle then came to a controlled rest in the nearest parking lot off the east side of the roadway.  The operator was not injured in the crash. 

Harassment:  On July 21st at 3 pm the 4 year old child of a Laceyville woman was hitting a 15 year old from New Milford.  The 15 year old told the woman that her child was hitting her, and the woman in turn struck the teen several times about her body.  Charges were pending as of the time of report. 

Crash:  On July 21st Kimberly Fisher of Susquehanna was traveling south on Sr 81 in the right lane when she lost control of her vehicle on a wet and water covered roadway during a heavy rain storm.  Her vehicle rear ended another vehicle, striking the trailer with its front end.  It rotated clockwise and struck a guide rail with its rear left side and came to a rest off the west berm of the road. 

Crash:  On July 15th at 1:50 am Michelle Randt of Kingsley was traveling southbound on Sr 106 when her vehicle exited the west side of the roadway and struck a ditch.  It came to a rest in the ditch facing south on the passenger side.  The operator sustained minor injury in the crash and the vehicle needed to be towed from the scene. 

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia:  On July 20th at 4:40 am, while police were conducting an investigation, an individual was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia.  Charges were to be filed at DC 34-3-01. 

Harassment:  On July 16th a man from Shubata, MS and a woman from Port Matilda, PA got into a physical altercation.  Both parties were cited in District Court 34-3-03. 

Harassment:  On July 15th a 45 year old male from Friendsville subjected a Maine, Ny to physical contact.  The perpetrator was charged in District Court 34-03-01. 

Anyone having information regarding any of these incidents is asked to please contact the police at (570) 465-3154.