Councilman Rick Ainey communicated to the New Milford Borough Council at their meeting on October 1 that the Grant for $30,000.00 was approved to repair Peck Hill Road. Bobbi Jo Turner, the Grants Administrator for the Susquehanna County Housing & Redevelopment Authority, notified councilman Ainey about the approval. Ms. Turner stated there will be an environmental review and once that is completed they will start advertising for bids for developing drainage and paving. Councilman Ainey stated they hope to start the project in the spring of 2016. By no means will this solve all the issues on the road but it’s a start.
The Code Enforcement Officer, Gregory Scheer was unable to attend the meeting due to a conflict, but he provided an updated report for the Council members. President Ken Carey read the report for all in attendance. Mr. Scheer provided information regarding properties on Maple Street, Park Place, 1055 Main Street, the Cosmello’s and Darrow properties. Neighbors of the Darrow’s, who were in attendance, stated they were not happy since there was still a porch full of junk, and they would like to have the Code Enforcement Officer return to the site for another look. Councilman Ainey stated he did not want Council to interfere with Mr. Scheer’s duties. He will refer Mr. Scheer to contact the complaintants directly.
One resident who was an attendee at the meeting said he would like to suggest the Borough host a meeting with residents and a police officer so they would be able to ask questions. He even had a name for such a meeting, “coffee with a cop”. The resident stated that wintertime is going to cause new issues in the Borough, such as the new bridge with the blind spot where no one can see oncoming traffic. He said during Halloween people leave their lights off when they take their children trick or treating, and it causes the street to be dark and drivers have a hard time seeing people walking in the street. Another concern of his was Sunday church services create a high volume of traffic, and it would be nice to have the police there to slow people down. President Carey asked him to clarify if he would want the State Police, or the Montrose Police to provide this service. The resident stated he would want the Montrose Police officers to speak with anyone who had questions regarding safety. Councilman Ainey said it would have to be the Police Chief to be available for questions, not just an officer. He asked Mayor Scott Smith and Councilperson Terri Gulick if they would be able to reach out to the Montrose Police Department regarding this suggestion. Councilman Ainey informed the resident that they already reached out to PennDOT regarding the bridge, and their answer was they recognized this was a problem, but they are not going to take any action to correct it.
Another resident asked if they noticed an increase in crime in the Borough. Council replied no; in fact it’s been much better with the police presence. The reason for her question is she was trimming her hedges on Monday night, left her trimmer and cord out, and realized that her trimmer was missing on Wednesday. Vice President Larry White asked if she reported it to the police, she replied no since it was a few days that passed. He suggested she report the theft so they can record it in their books.
The New Milford Municipal Authority sent a letter requesting the Borough approve the refinancing of their current loan for 3.1Million dollars, at a savings of 2.5Million dollars over the next 30 years. This would enable them to keep the sewer bill at a lower rate, which is currently $60.00 a month. The original loan was for a 40-year term. They have already paid 10 years of the loan at $186,000 per year. The new loan will be through Peoples Bank for a 30-year term. Council members felt it was a no-brainer and voted to approve the New Milford Municipal Authority to seek the new loan.
Katrina Covin-Stilts, the Leatherstocking Representative for New Milford provided an update for the new gas service. Ms. Stilts stated the DEP and the PennDOT permits were in the final stages. The construction is still on track for Sutton Road and the property for the station is in progress. She stated there is only a single property where they are having difficulty locating the owner to have them sign an easement agreement. Ms. Stilts said they still plan to start this year.
Mayor Scott Smith said the Parade of Lights would be on the 24th with a 6:00 pm start. There will be activities at the Blue Ridge Park after the parade, with attractions such as a bouncy house for children and fireworks. Kerin Welch informed Council she has purchased two bags of candy that she will donate for the Parade.
Chuck Welch who works on the Borough’s Street Department wanted to say thank you to the Montrose Street Department for making brackets for the tailgate to be able to put on the spreader.
The Borough’s dilemma with the pool cover and who is going to honor the warranty continues, stated Kerin Welch. She said Loop Lok has the cover, but they will be sending it back unless a decision on whether or not to fix it is made. Ms. Welch said they dropped the price $200 for each of the two options they offered. The first option is to just patch the cover for $340; the second option is to replace the mesh panel at a cost of $733 plus $50 for shipping. Although this has been turned over to the Borough’s attorney, Council voted to authorize the repair at a total cost of $ 783. Their attorney will review this decision before a check is mailed for the repair. Councilperson Barb James opposed the motion, all others in favor.
Borough Secretary Amy Hine reported she was approached by Barb Darrow to see if it was possible to donate a bench to the Mid-Town Park in memory of Jane Zick. They would arrange a fundraiser to pay for the bench if this was something Council would be receptive to. Council agreed it was a nice gesture, and voted in favor of the request. They stated a concrete pad would need to be included with the price of the bench. Ms. Hine will research the bench and pricing.
Kyle Franchak, 21, of Kingsley, PA to 6 months probation, pay $300 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $100 Act 198 fee, pay $75 Pennsylvania Transportation Trust Fund fee, pay $10 EMS, successfully complete alcohol highway safe driving school program, complete CRN evaluation, receive a drug and alcohol evaluation, not to possess or consume alcoholic beverages, not to use controlled substances without a valid prescription, be subject to random drug and alcohol screenings for Driving Under the Influence in Clifford Township on July 22, 2015.
Marci Frances Wheeler, 36, of Hallstead, PA to 18 months probation, pay $200 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, pay restitution to the victim in this case, not to possess or consume alcoholic beverages, not to possess or utilize controlled substances without a valid prescription for Criminal Mischief in Great Bend Township on April 30, 2015.
Keith Harms, 54, of Montrose, PA to 2 days to 1 year in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility, pay $150 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $100 Act 198 fee, not to possess transport or consume alcoholic beverages, not to utilize controlled substances without a valid prescription for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia in Forest Lake Township on May 30, 2015.
Richard P Malone, 50, of Clifford Township, PA to 18 months to 36 months in a state correctional facility, pay $350 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $100 Act 198 fee, pay 450 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, not to utilize controlled substances without a valid prescription, receive drug and alcohol counseling, not to possess transport or consume alcoholic beverages for Operating a Meth Lab in Clifford Township on February 23, 2015.
Justin John Chaffee, 27, of Scranton, PA to 8 months to 2 years in a state correctional facility, pay $300 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, pay restitution to the victim in this case for Theft by Unlawful Taking in Great Bend Township on March 23, 2015.
Jonathan Adam Kopacz, 35, of Thompson, PA to life in prison without parole, pay $2,500 fine, pay restitution to the victim’s family, pay $250 DNA testing fee and submit sample, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, not to have contact with the victim’s family unless they precipitate the same on their own behalf for First Degree Murder in Susquehanna Borough on October 17, 2014.
Michael David Brainard, 48, of Jackson, PA to 6 months probation, pay $300 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $75 Pennsylvania Transportation Trust Fund fee, pay $10 EMS, pay $100 Act 198 fee, successful complete alcohol highway safe driving school program, receive drug and alcohol counseling for Driving Under the Influence in Clifford Township on November 29, 2014. Mr. Brainard also received 10 months probation to run concurrent to the above sentence, pay $150 fine, pay cost of prosecution, not to utilize controlled substances without a valid prescription, not to possess transport or consume alcoholic beverages for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia in Clifford Township on November 29, 2014.
Mindy Lee Corbin, 23, of Hallstead, PA to 30 days to 6 months home confinement, pay $750 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $100 Act 198 fee, pay $10 Ems, pay $150 Pennsylvania Transportation Trust Fund fee, successfully complete alcohol safe driving school program, continue with drug and alcohol counseling, receive CRN evaluation for Driving Under the Influence in Great Bend Township on February 24, 2015.
Dennis F McCann, 27, of Great Bend, PA to 2 months to 23 months in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility, followed by 1 year probation, pay $350 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, not to possession transport or consume alcoholic beverages, not to utilize controlled substances without a valid prescription, receive drug and alcohol treatment, not to have contact with the victim in this case, not to have contact with anyone on supervision for Criminal Trespass in Great Bend Borough on May 17, 2014.
William Richard Wayman, Jr, 36, of Susquehanna, PA to 15 days to 12 months in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility, pay $150 fine, pay cost of prosecution, not to possess firearms, receive drug and alcohol screenings, not to have contact with anyone on supervision for Criminal Mischief in Ararat Township on June 21, 2015.
Kevin Henry Welch, 32, of New Milford, PA to 9 months to 2 years minus 1 day in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility, followed by 1 year probation, pay $500 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, pay $100 Act 198 fee for Operating a Methamphetamine Lab in Great Bend Borough on January 30, 2015.
Renee A Valentine, 25, of Montrose, PA to 18 months probation to run consecutive to any current supervision, receive a drug and alcohol evaluation, pay $250 DNA testing fee and submit sample, pay $250 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, not to possess transport or consume alcoholic beverages, not to utilize controlled substances without a valid prescription for Criminal Trespass in Franklin Township on December 14, 2014.
Ernest Leroy Voorheis, Jr, 18, of Kingsley, PA to 1 months to 15 months in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility, pay $200 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, receive mental health evaluation and treatment, receive drug and alcohol treatment, not to have contact with the victim in this case, not to have contact with anyone on supervision for Theft by Unlawful Taking in Gibson Township on September 15, 2014.
Curt I Newhart, 30 of Hop Bottom, PA to 5 months to 23 months in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility, pay $300 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, not to have contact with anyone on supervision for Simple Assault in Brooklyn Township on January 12, 2015. Mr. Newhart also received 7 months to 23 months in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility to run concurrent to the above sentence, followed by 2 years probation, receive a drug and alcohol evaluation, pay $250 DNA testing fee and submit sample, pay $100 Act 198 fee, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, not to utilize controlled substances without a valid prescription, no to possess weapons, not to have contact with anyone on supervision, pay $500 fine, pay cost of prosecution for Criminal Conspiracy/Possession of Red Phosphorous, etc. with Intent to Manufacture Controlled Substances in Springville Township on February 13, 2015.
David E Mason, 31, of Susquehanna, PA to 15 months probation to run concurrent with any current sentence, pay $2,500 restitution to the victim, pay $250 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, not to have contact with anyone on supervision, not to utilize controlled substances without a valid prescription, not to possess transport or consume alcoholic beverages for Theft by Deception in Susquehanna Borough on November 20, 2014.
Lamonita Ray Searfoss, 25, of Lanesboro, PA to 4 ½ months to 23 ½ months in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility, pay $350 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, not to possess weapons, not to possess transport or consume alcoholic beverages, not to utilize controlled substances without a valid prescription, receive anger management, not to have contact with the victim in this case for Simple Assault in Lanesboro Borough on September 15, 2014.
Alan E Blaisure, 24, of Laceyville, PA to 12 months probation, pay $350 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, not to have contact with the victim in this case for Simple Assault in Rush Township on November 14, 2014.
Daniel A Freebes, 32, of Browndale, PA to 15 days to 12 months in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility, may be served on weekends, pay $350 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, pay restitution to the victim, not to have contact with the victim in this case for Simple Assault in Forest City Borough on February 21, 2015.
Julie Ann Decker, 33, of Susquehanna, PA to 6 months to 18 months in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility, pay $100 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, pay restitution to the victim, receive a drug and alcohol evaluation, not to utilize controlled substances without a valid prescription, not to have contact with anyone on supervision for Theft by Deception in Susquehanna Borough on April 15, 2014. Ms. Decker also received 6 months to 18 months in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility to run concurrent to the above sentence, receive a drug and alcohol evaluation, not to utilize controlled substances without a valid prescription, not to have contact with anyone on supervision, pay restitution to the victim, pay $250 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee for Theft by Deception in Susquehanna borough on April 20, 2014. Ms. Decker also received 2 months to 18 months in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility, to run concurrent to the above sentences, pay restitution to the victim, receive a drug and alcohol evaluation, not to utilize controlled substances without a valid prescription, pay $100 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee for Theft by Deception in Liberty Township on May 15, 2014. Lastly, Ms. Decker received 6 months to 18 months in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility, to run concurrent to the above sentences, receive a drug and alcohol evaluation, pay restitution to the victim, pay $200 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, not to utilize controlled substances without a valid prescription for Theft by Deception in Susquehanna Borough on May 21, 2014.
Terry Strohl, 43, of Montrose, PA to 1 year probation, pay $300 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee for Unsworn Falsification to Authorities in Forest Lake Township on May 20, 2015.
Alexander Stankiewicz, 27, of Montrose, PA to 6 months probation, pay $300 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $75 PA Transportation Trust Fund fee, pay $10 EMS, pay $100 Act 198 fee, successfully complete alcohol highway safe driving school program, receive a drug and alcohol evaluation for Driving Under the Influence in Bridgewater Township on April 19, 2015.
The following were accepted into the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition Program:
Harold J Smith
Nikki Ann Kamarauskas
Vera Scroggins
Adam Koziel
Richard J Bednarczyk, Jr
Eliza Desiree Brand
Donald E Holdridge
Kurt Palmer Macdowell
Manuel Simon Guaman-Castro
Dayle Ramsey McGuire
