Claverack Rural Electric Cooperative members elected one new director and returned two incumbents to the cooperative board of directors at the utility’s 2015 annual meeting, held Thursday, July 23, at the Elk Lake School District campus in Dimock.
Claverack Rural Electric Cooperative President and CEO Bobbi Kilmer, far right, congratulates members elected to the co-op board of directors at the utility’s annual meeting July 23. Pictured are, from left, directors Michael J. Coleman of Montrose, Gary L. Hennip of Rome and James E. Luce of Laceyville.
Gary L. Hennip of Rome, Pa., was elected to a three-year term representing Zone 4 on the cooperative board.
Hennip, who had served as county extension director with Penn State Cooperative Extension Service in Bradford County until his recent retirement, defeated incumbent director Thomas J. Elliott of Rome Township in a two-way race for the board seat.
Incumbent directors Michael J. Coleman of Montrose and James E. Luce of Laceyville were unanimously re-elected to represent Zones 5 and 6, respectively.
Claverack seats three of its nine board positions annually. Directors are elected to three-year terms.
More than 350 members and guests attended the meeting, during which they heard election results and business reports from cooperative President and Chief Executive Officer Bobbi Kilmer and board Chairman Steven T. Sliwinski of Troy.
Featured speaker Mike Stevens of WNEP-TV, Channel 16, offered a humorous glimpse of his journeys “On the Pennsylvania Road,” sharing stories of some of the interesting people he has interviewed and events he has covered as a long-time roving reporter for the Scranton-based television station.
During a reorganizational meeting immediately following the annual meeting, Luce was elected board chairman, Coleman was elected vice chairman, Sliwinski was elected board secretary/treasurer, and Danise C. Fairchild of Wyalusing was elected vice secretary/treasurer.
Unlike investor-owned utilities, Claverack is a non-profit organization, owned by its consumer-members. A democratic organization by nature, the cooperative conducts an annual meeting each July to update consumer-members on the progress made during the year.
Annual meetings also provide consumer-members with the opportunity to offer input and voice concerns before the board of directors and management staff.
Claverack Rural Electric Cooperative, with headquarters in Wysox, provides electricity to more than 16,000 members in Bradford, Susquehanna, Wyoming, Tioga, Lycoming, Sullivan, Lackawanna and Luzerne counties.
BENCH WARRANTS
The Susquehanna County DOMESTIC RELATIONS Section has outstanding BENCH WARRANT’S for the following individuals as of 10:30 a.m. on July 31, 2015: Duane M. Aldrich, Craig J. Anderson, Todd A. Andrews, Asa M. Atherholt IV, Edward Bentler, Michael J. Burger, Brian N. Carter, Tina M. Clark, Cynthia Dean, James Donahue III, Duane C. Faulkner, David J. Fischer, Justin T. Giberson, Angelica Groover, Jeremy W. Hall, Jeremy Halstead, Karl Knapp, Christopher M. Kuiper, Todd J. Layton, Charlie J. Legere, Lawrence M. McGuire, Timothy Murray, Matthew J. Peters, Bruce C. Runion, Desiree L. Shifler, Tessa E. Thomas, Kurtis Tracy, John H. Walter, Steven G. Warner, Matthew C. Whitney, Kyle D. Wilbur, Jamie L. Williams, Sr., Anthony Youncia. Please contact the Domestic Relations Section at 570-278-4600 ext. 4050 with any information on the location of these individuals.
DEEDS
S&S Realty LLC, Robert M. Sedor Jr. & Marjorie A. Sedor to Marjorie A. Sedor, in Bridgewater Twp., for $1.00.
Mary A. Weaver (by atty), John, Jean, Robert & Linda Baglino, to Christopher D. & Sharon M. Gorick, in Great Bend Twp., for $175,000.00.
Richard M. & Cheryl E. Harvey Jr. to Richard M. Harvey Jr., in Auburn Twp., for $1.00.
Margaret I. Furman to Wyatt Furman, in Auburn Twp., for $1.00.
Carmine, Lawrence T., Thomas J., Joanne to John Franklin Burt, in Bridgewater Twp., for $1.00.
Timothy & Stephanie Thomas to Matthew Thomas, in Harford Twp., for $1.00.
Carl Tross, Rebecca Hinkley, Brooke Hinkley (nbm) Brooke Ferro, Bradley Ferro, Danelle Oneil (nbm) Danelle Decker, Shane Decker, Kelsey Oneil, Taryn Tross & Kevin Carl Tross (by guardian) to Carl Tross, in Great Bend Twp., for $1.00.
Carl Tross to Kevin Tross, in Great Bend Twp., for $1.00.
Leo T. Curley (estate) to John Guiton (aka) John Guiton Sr., in Rush Twp.. & Middleton Twp., for $1.00.
John Guiton (aka) John J. Guiton Sr. to Travis J. & Clint J. Long, in Rush & Middleton Twp., for $1.00.
Paula F. & James M. Adams, Julie M. Grove & Paul W. Adams to Paula F. & James M. Adams, Julie M. Grove & Paul W. Adams, in Harford Twp., for $1.00.
David B. & Lois Dowler (trust by trustee), C&D Jed Inc. to Patterson Revocable Living Trust, in Jackson Twp., for $49,000.00.
Zechary Grant, Allison M. Faralli (nbm) Allison M. Grant to Michael Grant, in Little Meadows Borough, for $1.00.
Kenneth O. Shaffer & Ann E. Tego to Lee D. & Erika K. Canfield, in New Milford Twp., for $144,000.00.
Jean M. Mitchell (by sheriff) to US Bank National, in Uniondale Borough, for $1,494.79.
Jason F. Fuller & Nicole S. Tedesco (by sheriff) to Federal National Mortgage Association, in Herrick Twp & Uniondale Borough, for $60,000.00.
Lisa Dean (by sheriff) to Wells Fargo Bank, in Montrose, for $1,714.43.
Jennifer L. & Alvin C. Casslebury to Kip A. & Fawn I. Travis, in Liberty Twp., for $70,000.00.
Thomas P. & Peggy A. Depiano to Thomas P. & Peggy A. Depiano, in Brooklyn Twp., for $1.00.
Paul & Tina Barker to James & Janet McGuire, in Herrick Twp., for $190,000.00.
Kevin D. & Kimberly A. Bean to Kevin D. & Kimberly A. Bean, in Dimock Twp., for $1.00.
James J. & Jennifer E. Foster to Devon R. Wheaton, in Montrose, for $120,000.00.
Antinnes Landmark Properties LLC to Daniel J. & Linda D. Anthony, in Brooklyn Twp., for $29,000.00.
Brent Reed to Brent Edward Reed & Cassie M. Simpson, in Lenox Twp., for $168,000.00.
Kenneth F. Wescott (aka) Kenneth F. Westcott & Lena M. Wescott (aka) Lena M. Westcott, to Jason & Kevin Wescott, in Great Bend Twp., for $1.00.
Kenneth F. & Lena M. Westcott to Richard Wescott, in Great Bend Twp., for $1.00.
David T. Marinchick (by poa) to Ronald Fanelli, in Uniondale Borough, for $20,000.00.
Jessse Ray Wayman to Mary Ann Wayman, in Thompson Twp., for $1.00.
David Fitch to Crystal View Partners LLC, in Clifford Twp., for $205,000.00.
Richard M., Michelle Y., Robert M. & Amy J. Klim to Robert M. & Amy J. Klim, in Brooklyn Twp., for $1.00.
Gerald J. & Anna E. Nugent to Nugent Family Trust, in Harmony Twp., for $1.00.
Stanley E. & Sonia E. Grublauskas to B&D Brothers LLC, in New Milford Twp., for $200,000.00.
ETFF Corporation (by trustee fka) Pennfield Corporation (by trustee) to Shepherd Royalty LLC, in Bridgewater Twp., for $53,250.00.
Nancy G. Wood to Julie R. Garrison, in Montrose, for $141,000.00.
Gregory Congdon (aka) Greg Congdon & Kimberly Congdon (aka) Kimberly A. Congdon to John J. Ward, in Clifford Twp., for $25,000.00.
Dawn & Rickey French to Lewis L. & Brandea R. Sparks, in Oakland Borough, for $5,000.00.
David Lee & Kim M. Thompson to David Lee & Kim M. Thompson, in Frankline Twp., for $1.00.
Gary T. & Joan Wilcox to Karen E. Rebello, in Choconut Twp., for $90,000.00.
Nicole Patrice & Eric Van Gotthelf to Nicole Patrice & Eric Van Gotthelf, in Liberty Twp., for $1.00.
Samuel J. & Nancy J. Fike to Samuel J. & Nancy J. Fike, in Silver Lake Twp., for $1.00.
Kim Forys (nbm) Kim Legg & Todd Legg to Lawrence R. & Alicia Tompkins, in Franklin Twp., for $143,000.00.
Arthur A. Vantassel (estate aka) Arthur A. Vantassell (Estate), Allen A. Vantassel, Connie Lynn Rubio (aka) Bonnie L. Rubio (aka) Bonnie Lou Cokely to Wanda L. Barry, in Forest Lake Twp., for $9,500.00.
Norris W. & Laurie A. Cobb to Milk House Enterprises LLC, in Brooklyn Twp., for $179,900.00.
Sheryl H. Deboff (trust by trustee) to Joseph R. Dafcik, in Springville Twp., for $225,000.00.
Scott P. & Deborah A. Baldwin to Melinda J. Baldwin, in Harford Twp., for $60,000.00.
Brady Fancher &n Jacquelyn K Fancher (aka) Jacquelyn Fancher to Donald D. & Sharon A. Marshman, in Great Bend Twp., for $5,000.00.
Deborah Venuti (aka) Deborah M. Venuti to Joseph A. Venuti, in New Milford Twp., for $1.00.
Louise H. Shepard (estate) to Karen April Holgate & Kimberly Holgate, in Montrose, for $1.00.
Mark L. & Jo Anne Chambers to Moegeno LLC, in Harford Twp., for $44,400.00.
Gordon W. King to Kristina Chestnut, in Hop Bottom Borough, for $1.00.
Frank Louis Seminara to David & Susan L. Eddleston, in Franklin Twp., for $143,500.00.
William R. & Suzanne J. Schwalm to Angela S. Joines, in Gibson Twp., for $180,000.00.
Elaine B. Allen (by atty) to Brenda L. Allen, in Rush Twp., for $1.00.
Brenda L. Allen to Allen Family At Twin Creeks Trust, in Rush Twp., for $1.00.
Serafina Franceski (estate aka) Sarafina Franceski (estate) to Grandmas Farm LLC, in Clifford Twp., for $1.00.
Russell E. Darrow to Red Arrow Family Trust, in Silver Lake Twp., for $1.00.
Edward J. Kraft Sr. & Marie Kraft to Edward Kozlowski, in Lenox Twp., for $31,500.00.
Glyn Martin, Nancy J. Keene-Martin (aka) Nancy J. Keene Martin to Edward Kozlowski, in Lenox Twp., for $14,000.00.
Allen S. & Brandy Gregory to TUG Family Limed Partnership, in Auburn Twp., for $37,000.00.
Steven J. & Joyce A. Libal to Donald P. & Marianne T. Boone, in Apolacon Twp. For $800,000.00.
Central New York District of the Weslyan Church to Timothy E. Mayes, in Liberty Twp., for $3,000.00.
Albert & Charlotte M. Ellis to Lois & Larry Kipp, in Bridgewater Twp., for $19,000.00.
Lawrence K. White (by tax claim bureau) & Susquehanna County Tax Claim Bureau to Leann Burmester, in Forest City, for $500.00.
Brian & Lisa Demchak (by tax claim bureau) & Susquehanna County Tax Claim Bureau to Leann Burmester, in Forest City, for $1,050.00.
Bryan A. & Arlene Muholland (by tax claim bureau) & Susquehanna County Tax Claim Bureau to Leann Burmester, in Forest City, for $800.00.
Robert J. & Carol A. Eyet to Laura McGeeha, in Auburn Twp., for $113,00.00.
Debra A. Spalik (by Sheriff) to Wilmington Savings Fund Society (dba) Christiana Trust, in Susquehanna, for $1,516.22.
Blue Ridge School Board members Harold Empett, Christina Whitney, Christina Cosmello, Michael Detwiler, Patrick MacConnell and President Laurie Brown-Bonner met with Superintendent Matthew Button and Business Manager Brian Dolan on the evening of July 28th to try to define some goals for the district for the coming year. Refreshments were provided.
Mr. Button led off by distributing a draft document with his ideas, including a list of issue areas that he had identified, and in order of his own recommended priority. With one major exception, they corresponded with the Board’s own committee structure. Board members decided early on to select only the top 4 or 5 for close examination. Ms. Brown-Bonner polled the table to elicit her colleagues’ ideas; most of them agreed on the top three: Student Achievement; Budget, Finance and Transportation; and Facilities and Grounds.
“Student achievement,” of course, is the central concern of the entire district, not to mention the Board of School Directors. And so that topic dominated the discussions, with testing at the top of the agenda.
All of the board members present complained of the excessive emphasis on testing, particularly the various forms of “standardized” testing, whether the PSSA’s, the “common core” evaluations, or other sorts of testing imposed on the schools generally from the outside. Several of them noted the emphasis on “teaching to the test” in the classroom, rather than focusing on a good, rounded education. Mr. Button tended to agree with the sentiment, but nevertheless rehearsed the various statistics that derive from those tests, many of which are mandated from above, and against which he is obligated to direct his schools to perform. Ms. Brown-Bonner pointed out that under one heading, in Mr. Button’s notes “everything under there is about tests.”
Recent testing results showed marked declines in math and reading scores at Blue Ridge, while science scores seem to be trending higher. Some of this is related to the change in the test formats, with the science tests having remained unchanged from last year.
Ms. Brown-Bonner is also arguing hard to have the implementation of the proposed Keystone exams at least delayed, if not killed outright, by the legislature. Passing the Keystone exams is to become a graduation requirement, if the current controversy in Harrisburg is not resolved.
Blue Ridge is also trying to build a curriculum around the popular “STEM” disciplines: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Mr. Button said that the high school has made a start in that direction; some faculty will be taking courses to learn how better to teach, for example, computer science.
Christina Whitney and Dr. MacConnell suggested that, given that testing is so pervasive, the district might consider offering more preparation in “how to take tests.”
In the end, the student achievement “goal” would be to improve individual student performance “in some way.” It was noted that class sizes have been creeping up, with enrollment in the earlier grades increasing gradually. Yet, as Mr. Empett said, the “budget drives everything.” Smaller class sizes means more teachers, and teachers are expensive.
Which leads to the second goal, covering budget, finance and transportation. In general, there wasn’t much discussion of either the budget or finance, although some expressed a need to educate the taxpaying public about a potential need for increased taxes.
At the last business meeting the Board for the first time approved a contract with a company outside the district to provide bus transportation, in this case for field trips and extracurricular activities. None of the local bus contractors expressed interest in that business.
With declining enrollment, the move to “single-tier” scheduling, and the effort to pack the buses as much as possible to improve the state’s reimbursement rate, there isn’t as much money in the school bus transportation business as in the past. Bus contracts tend to be based on mileage, yet the district’s objective is to minimize mileage, and thus the cost.
The goals here were to try to formulate longer-range budget plans ‒ 3 to 5 years ‒ and to try to get longer-term contracts with the bus operators, rather than the yearly contracts common up to now.
Mr. Dolan is in charge of budgeting, finance, transportation ‒ and facilities and grounds, the next priority for a new goal. Major expenses are in the offing for roof and parking lot replacement; they can’t be accommodated in a single-year budget. So Mr. Dolan was asked to come up with a longer-range plan for these large projects. He suggested that it should be possible, over a 3-5 year period, to rebuild the roofing with 30-year warranty coverage; a similar plan would be developed for the parking lots and driveways.
Personnel was selected as the 4th and last of the major goals for the year now beginning. According to Mr. Button, the hiring process is already becoming more formalized and predictable. The administration is directed to improve the hiring process with a plan for its development, including the hiring of substitutes. They will also give another look at health care costs. Some expressed interest in reviewing the staff evaluation process. Mr. Button pointed out that the district has little control over the evaluation of instructional staff (teachers); some of it is covered by the state, some under the union contract.
After 2 hours of continuous discussion over sandwiches, chips, pasta salad and sodas, Ms. Brown-Bonner declared the public session closed, as she and her charges were to continue with the definition and evaluation of objectives for the administrators, in particular Mr. Button and Mr. Dolan. She pledged that their individual goals would be made public at some future time, but that their discussions would necessarily involve more delicate personnel matters.
