The Harford Township Supervisors gathered on the evening of the 22nd for their second of 3 meetings for October, and the first of a pair devoted to preparing a budget for 2016. It was billed as a general meeting so that they could review a resolution designating the Aqua Inn in Kingsley as a historical place. But that didn’t happen, so the Supervisors concentrated on a line-by-line examination of the 2015 budget and expenditures so far.
The Supervisors tentatively decided to boost several line items over 2015 estimates, for example adding $5,000 for legal expenses, $10,000 for workmen’s compensation insurance, and $10,000 for health insurance. Others they left as is for the time being, even though they probably won’t need some larger one-time expenditures in the new year; for example, in 2015 the township donated $15,000 to the Little League Association to help build a new field.
And those are only in the “township” budget, one of four sections of the overall budget and the one that affects all taxpayers in the township. The “state” budget, paid out of liquid fuel and “turnback” funds provided by the state, was left unchanged for now. The state’s liquid fuels subsidy is expected to rise by about $23,000 next year, although with the budget impasse in Harrisburg, who really knows? The township also receives $52,760 per year (roughly $4,000 per mile) in perpetuity for roads accepted by the township from the state (Stevens Road, Tingley Street, etc.).
The sewer system appears to be in the black so far this year. The system’s engineers, David Klepadlo and Associates, want another $200 per month to operate the plant and oversee maintenance. The Supervisors, acting as the Harford Township Sewer System, put off deciding on an increase in sewage fees until the terms of a new loan to upgrade the plant are clarified. Klepadlo is also recommending the purchase of at least one new pump and basin to be held in reserve for failures that may be expected somewhere in the nearly 30-year-old system. (By the way, the Supervisors are recommending that Rock Estabrook be contracted for all excavating work related to the sewer system.)
The Supervisors are expecting nearly $50,000 less revenue from the earned income tax with the falloff in gas exploration activity and employment in the township. Natural gas royalty income is also expected to fall somewhat.
The Supervisors will also probably do away with the $5 per-capita tax; Supervisor Sue Furney said she thought the per-capita tax was unfair to those who pay it because the township doesn’t have an assessor to identify new eligible residents. The per-capita tax only brings in about $4,000 per year.
A couple of years ago the Supervisors added a new section to the budget to account for funds received from Act 13 of 2012, the so-called “impact” fees paid by gas and oil drillers. The township has used these large sums to purchase new equipment, and to undertake the renovation of major sections of some roads. They expect the latter to fall off next year, but otherwise left that part of the budget as is; they don’t expect to make any large equipment purchases in 2016.
With the legal wrangling over Tyler Lake Road expected to come to some sort of conclusion soon, the Supervisors hope to cut legal expenses for 2016, and to finish up work in that area of the township. The Supervisors did not provide details about any possible settlement.
The Harford Township Supervisors will get together once more this month, on Thursday, October 29th, at 6:00pm, to nail down a budget they can offer to the taxpayers in November for final, formal adoption in December. All meetings take place in the township office on Route 547.
Susquehanna Community School District Superintendent Bronson Stone answered the question he is most often asked in relation to the state budget deadlock playing out in Harrisburg, “How long can the District hold out without state education funding?” His answer, “We won’t close!” His elaboration was as follows. The District can spend down current reserves until the first week of April 2016, based on current expense projections. After that, we will stay open with loans. The District has a very good credit rating, based on our past record, and we can stay open, theoretically, as long as someone is willing to loan us money. The District is currently utilizing reserves of approximately $500,000 per month—monies usually provided by the state—to keep the doors open.
That said, Superintendent Stone and School Directors would heartily support a final state budget agreement as soon as possible, though no end appears in sight. School Board Members present for the Wednesday, October 22, meeting were President Steven Stanford, Jason Chamberlain, Amanda Cook, Evelyn Cottrell, Carol Jackson, and Martha Stanford. Directors Holly Kubus and Clay Weaver were absent. Supporting cast for the evening’s event included H.S. Principal Carmella Bullick, Business Manager Gary Kiernan, Special Education Director Joni Miller, Facilities Manager Kevin Price, and Union Representative Kathleen Hinkley.
Highlighting the 7:00 to 7:28 p.m. meeting were two items of particular interest. The Board unanimously approved “the two-year Electricity Contract (January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2017) between SCSD and Direct Energy Marketing, the district’s current supplier.” As noted by Superintendent Stone at the Board’s Work Session on the previous evening, the rate offered in the contract is lower than the current rate and represents a projected savings of approximately $4,000 over the term of the new contract. The District managed to get the most attractive rate through a proposal process provided by Keytex Energy.
An issue of more tangible interest to high school students and their parents is that of the Board’s disposition of the “Water Bottle Issue.” Superintendent Stone recommended, and the Board approved a “High School Water Bottle Protocol.” Attention should be directed to that last word, “protocol.” What was approved is a protocol that permits high school students to purchase water bottles from the school’s cafeteria, and for students to be able to access them throughout the school day, but with teachers having ultimate discretion on how the water bottles are accessed in classrooms. Notably, water bottles will not be accessible around computers or in shop classes. The approximate cost per water bottle will be 25 cents. Superintendent Stone emphasized that this is a protocol—not a policy—and is subject to further revision if abuses are detected.
Facilities issues coming in for discussion included the high school’s bell tower and retaining wall, and the elementary school’s roof. The bell tower work is completed, with the school’s bell now installed under the football field scoreboard. Retaining wall work is ongoing, currently behind schedule. The elementary school roof has reached the age of 26, is long out-of-warranty, and in need of restoration. The roof is still weather-resistant; however restorative work should be considered in the near-term future. If restorative work is not done, the district will ultimately be saddled with roof replacement costs.
During the Board’s work session on Tuesday, Superintendent Stone presented an overview of the 2015 PSSA scores. His summary, “The district exceeded the state average in science, but was below the state average in English/language, arts and mathematics. The new mathematics curriculum implemented this year in grades K-5 and planned professional development on text-dependent analysis should result in improved scores for next year.”
Also discussed in the work session was the possibility of converting coaches at the junior high level from co-coach to “head coach” and “assistant coach.” The head coach/assistant coach model already exists in junior high basketball, so this action would merely replicate that structure into other sports programs. The hierarchical model would have implications for coaching pay, with the “head coach” receiving 125% of the current co-coach salary. December’s school board meeting will be the venue for this proposed change.
With no meeting scheduled for the month of November, December 2 will be the date of the next regular meeting (with work session preceding on December 1). December 2 will also be the date of the swearing in newly-elected/reelected board members and the board’s annual Reorganization Meeting. With those considerations in mind, the Board granted permission to the Superintendent to tentatively hire (pending Board approval) for any vacancies that may occur between October 22 and December 1, 2015. The Board also granted permission to the Business Office to pay bills that may occur between Oct 22 and December 1, 2015.
With business a wrap, the Board entertained Director Martha Stanford’s motion to adjourn at 7:28 p.m., and Business Manager Kiernan sprang to his feet to deal out plates, napkins, and pumpkin cupcakes with frosting. The tasty autumn treats were not to be overshadowed by jello-cake heartily distributed to all comers by Superintendent Stone.
December’s Board Meeting will sport a new line-up of Directors as some are not seeking reelection and some races are contested. Best wishes to those who have, or may have, completed their service on Susky’s School Board. December calls to those seeking to fill your shoes.
Susquehanna Community School District Board Directors took the following personnel actions during their regular meeting on Wednesday, October 21, 2015.
Approved medical leave for Sarah Krause, beginning January 4, 2016, and ending February 29, 2016.
Approved hiring, of the following personnel: Jim Tarbox - P/T Maintenance Worker (25 hrs/wk); Kyle Cook - Varsity Softball Coach; Ariel Kravetsky - Jr. Varsity Softball Coach; Karyn Grausgruber - Grade 5 & 6 Girls Basketball Coach; Ray Testa - Jr. High Girls Basketball Clock & Varsity Boys Basketball Clock; Andrew Bennett - Ticket Taker; Shirley Koziol - Emergency Ticket Taker; Debra Williams - Cross Country Scorer; Michael Keyes, Jr. - Jr. High Boys Basketball Head Coach; Teresa Covert - Jr. High Boys Basketball Assistant Coach; Deidre Hobart - H.S. Instructional Aide; Tara Ruckle - Elementary Instructional Aide.
Approved hiring, pending all appropriate clearances, Rachel Arrieta - Homebound Instructor.
Approved, pending all appropriate clearances, the following Volunteer: Casey Fortune-Squire - Jr. High Boys Basketball.
Approved the following volunteers to continue volunteering for the 2015/2016 school year: David Bell - JV/Varsity Boys Basketball, and Michelle Kiernan - Grades 5 & 6 Girls Basketball.
Approved the following substitutes: Robin Burdick, Substitute Teacher; Kim Marco - After-School Tutoring Substitute; and Charles Morris - Substitute Driver.
Approved the following substitutes to continue substituting for the 2015/2016 school year: Amy Decker, Michael Ervin, Ariel Kravetsky, and Jeanette Cunningham - Substitute Teacher; Angela Hadden - Substitute Aide; Shannon Oropallo - Substitute Food Service Worker; Erika Swanson - Substitute Food Service Worker, Aide & Personal Care Aide; and Glen Mills - Substitute Driver.
Accepted Robin Burdick’s resignation from High School Aide position, effective October 23, 2015.
NOTE TO READERS: The phrase “pending all appropriate clearances” is directly linked to state law, effective January 1, 2015, requiring a heightened level of investigative background checks for all volunteers, district employees, and contractors. “Appropriate clearances” are required upon commencement of volunteer/contractual association with the school district. It is not only government related background checks which are required, but also a check conducted by the school district with past employers of all candidates.
Act 15 of 2015 changed the requirements for clearances for employees and volunteers. Volunteers are considered volunteers if they have both supervision of students and routine interaction. Given that definition, single event field trip chaperones are no longer considered volunteers. Also Act 15 of 2015 requires employees and volunteers to have new clearances every five years instead of every three years.
The following are to appear in the Court of Common Pleas, Susquehanna County Courthouse, Montrose, PA on the 2nd day of November, 2015, at 9:00 a.m.
Apolacon Twp.: Terrence Farr.
Ararat Twp.: Betti Cobb.
Auburn Twp.: Cherie Bonavita, Chris Cole.
Bridgewater Twp.: Chris Caterson, Linda Gardner, Ann Lewis, Frederick Mills, Carol Potter.
Choconut Twp.: John Dovin, Robert Farthing, Paul Kannenberg.
Clifford Twp.: Cherie Demanicor, Martin Nahlen.
Forest Lake Twp.: Penny Hawley, Brett Wambold.
Franklin Twp.: Debra Jordan.
Gibson Twp.: Jerome Romeika.
Hallstead Borough: April Brown.
Harford Twp.: Keith Baker, Rowena Shager, Craig Stout, Rex Tiffany.
Harmony Twp.: Randy Decker.
Herrick Twp.: David Hopkins, B. Elliot Ross.
Jackson Twp.: David Benedict.
Lanesboro Borough: Crystal Weibel.
Liberty Twp.: Brandi Perry.
Montrose Borough 2nd Ward: Rebecca Kadlicik.
New Milford Twp.: Gregory Cicon, Troy Henke, Shirley Hepler, Cordelia Herbert.
Oakland Borough: Jodi Benson, Karen Grausgruber, Michael Morone.
Silver Lake Twp.: Arnold Bennett, Diane Hawley Wurth, Erin McPherson, Margaret Miller, Christina Smith, Francis Young.
Springville Twp.: Sarah Boner, Shelley Krishak, Jamie Orlandini, Mark Smith, Christopher N. Titus.
Susquehanna Borough 2nd Ward: Linda Bedford.
Thompson Borough: Paul Rooney, Paul Rooney.
Thompson Twp.: Catherine Treacy, Karen Trynoski.
BENCH WARRANTS
The Susquehanna County DOMESTIC RELATIONS Section has outstanding BENCH WARRANT’S for the following individuals as of 11:00 a.m. on October 23, 2015: Duane M. Aldrich, Todd A. Andrews, Shannon Andrews, Asa M. Atherholt IV, Edwin Blaisure, Allan A. Bucksbee, Paul J. Bucksbee, Michael J. Burger, Tina M. Clark, Cynthia Dean, James Donahue III, David J. Fischer, Jeffrey J. Gamble, Morgan A. Garcia, Angelica Groover, Jeremy W. Hall, Jonathan L. Hollister, Katie Kelley, Todd J. Layton, Charlie J. Legere, Lawrence M. McGuire, Chelsea L. Melvin, Joshua K. Mess, Timothy Murray, Matthew J. Peters, Rebecca A. Reardon, Desiree L. Shifler, Seleena B. Tanzer, James E. Turcotte, Kathleen M. Visavati, Steven G. Warner, Matthew C. Whitney, Roger D. Williams, Jamie L. Williams, Sr.,
Please contact the Domestic Relations Section at 570-278-4600 ext. 4050 with any information on the location of these individuals.
DEEDS
David Kuzia (estate aka) David Allen Kuzia (estate) to Liberty Twp., in Liberty Twp., for $50,000.00.
Margot S. Parkhurst (estate) to Margot S. Parkhurst (trust), in New Milford Twp., for $1.00.
Cindy Lee Majeski & Dale Cicon to Paul & Linda Kinderman, in Ararat Twp., for $8,000.00.
James S. Duffe to Duffes Lakeside LLC, in New Milford Twp., for $.100.
Arthur W. & Geraldine J. Bender to Scout Petroleum II LP, in Auburn Twp., for $68,900.00.
Jennifer L. Robinson (by sheriff) to First National Bank of Pennsylvania, in Harford Twp., for $3,842.20.
Victoria J. Bown to Adrian L. & Holly A. Penrith, in Oakland Borough, for $5,000.00.
Louis & Stephanie Santana to JTSPANO LLC, in Forest City, for $1.00.
Amy L. Rutherford & Benjamin L. Rutherford to Ann Marie & Gregory T. Morrison, in Silver Lake Twp., for $70,000.00.
James & Peggy A. Waldorf to Rebecka Root, in Auburn Twp., for $33,000.00.
Michael & Nicole M. Repchick to Michael Repchick, in Rush Twp., for $1.00.
Mary Allen (estate) to Dylan Barney, in Lenox Twp., for $139,000.00.
Avery Lee Wickham (estate aka) Lee A. Wickham (estate), Linda Edwards to George & Amelia Paterno, in Jackson Twp.,f or $6,509.17.
Nancy Powers to Nancy Powers, in Forest Lake Twp., for $1.00.
Nancy Powers to Nancy Powers, in Forest Lake Twp., for $1.00.
Julius J. Prezelski (aka) Julius Prezelski to Sondra D. Cronin, in Forest City, for $102,000.00.
David R. Benedict, Deborah Benedict (aka) Deborah L. Benedict to Jennie Nagy, in Jackson Twp., for $102,000.00.
Richard A. Jindra to Michael J. Keenan, in Forest Lake Twp., for $280,000.00.
Scott A. & Mary T. Frutchey to Sandra C. Callender, Jack C. Callender III, Jamie Callender, Tyler Callender, in Thompson Twp., for $62,500.00.
Gustav F. Kropa Jr. to Michael W. Oakley, in Dimock Twp., for $143,170.00.
LSF (Master Participation Trust to Enrique Salinas & Mario Sanchez, in Thompson Twp., for $54,500.00.
Matthew Shaduck to Springbok Energy Partners LLC & Silver Spur Resources LLC, in Rush Twp., for $175,000.00.
Carl Stahl (aka) Carl L. Stahl to Christpher R. & Laurie Stahl, in Herrick Twp., for $1.00.
Mark S. & Leonor Maston to Donna M. Carpenter & John L. Perry, in Hallstead Borough, for $120,000.00.
Arlene D. & Leslie W. Rought to Williams Field Services Company LLC, in Harford Twp., for $50,000.00.
Brian D. & Ruth Howell to Nicholas Cona, in Dimock Twp., for $135,000.00.
Kira Demianovich (aka) Kira A. Holeva & Mark A. Holeva to Kira A. Demianovich, in Clifford Twp., for $1.00.
Ronald Gutkowski, Irena Gutkowski (by atty) & Eva Gutkowski to Ronald & Michalene Vakay, in Bridgewater Twp., for $196,250.00.
Gloria F. McCollum to Daniel A. McCollum, in Bridgewater Twp., for $1.00.
Barbara Jean Slakoper, John & Gertrude Lenio to Barbara Jean & Philip M. Slakoper, in Forest City, for $1.00.
Norris W. & Laurie A. Cobb to James L. & Judy E. Yachymiak, in Brooklyn Twp., for $9,000.00.
Richard S. & Valerie L. Demi to Ethan R. Demi, in Harford Twp., for $1.00.
Michael Briechle & Michele L. Pavelski to Walter S. & Kristen J. Yetter, in Lenox Twp. for $243,000.00.
Donald Spencer to Lisa Spencer, in Lenox Twp., for $1.00.
Mark & Michelle Antinnes to Fondi Inc., in Dimock Twp., for $255,000.00.
Ervin D. & Lorriane Belcher to Palma Gun Club Inc., in Gibson Twp., for $100,000.00.
Willam John Cooksley III (estate) to Kara J. Cooksley (by custodian), in Forest Lake Twp., for $1.00.
Katherine H. & Peter H. Bouman to Nathaniel F. & Katherine S. Bouman, in Liberty Twp., for $1.00.
Edward & Emily J. Tunilo (trust by trustee) to Martin A. & Mary Ann Cuff, in Bridgewater Twp., for $1.00.
Brian L. & Emily A. Schnarr to Matthew Peckins, Nadine Krisa-Peckins (aka) Nadine Krisa Peckins, in Gibson Twp., for $63,900.00.
Matthew R. & Kristin B. Bossard (nbm) Kristin B. Updyke to Dylan & Haylee Traver, in Forest Lake Twp., for $158,000.00.
Gerard M. Carley & Virginia Mignone to JJ Heather Corlew, in Ararat Twp., for $99,500.00.
Dorene M. Murphey to Chalres D. & Michael C. Murphy, in Oakland Twp., for $3.00.
Delaware and Hudson Railway Company Inc. (fka) D&H Corporation (dba), Canadian Pacific, Northern Coal and Iron Company, Wilkes Barre Connecting Railroad Company to Norfolk Southern Railway Company, in Lenox Twp., Brooklyn Twp., Great Bend Twp., Hallstead Borough, Harford Twp., Hop Bottom Borough, Lathrop Twp., New Milford Borough, New Milford Twp., for $15,675,932.00.
Timothy D. & Marlene Richardson to Randolph E. & Mary Beth Tingley, for $135,000.00.
Gregory & Heather Page to Springbok Energery Partners LLC, Silver Spur Resources LLC, in Harford Twp., for $25,000.00.
Charles Strickland (aka) Charles F. Strickland Jr., Sara Lee Strickland to William G. Franssen Jr., Rosemary Golis (nbm) Rosemary Franssen, in Dimock Twp., for $138,300.00.
