Susquehanna Depot Borough Council focused its attention on planning for 2016’s budgetary issues during its Veterans Day, November 11 meeting. Chairing the 7:00 to 8:18 p.m. meeting was Council President Joe Varsik. Also present were Council members Sue Crawford, Barbara Larsen, Kaylin Lindquist, Roy Williams, and Debbie Zayas, along with Secretary/Treasurer Margaret Biegert. Councilman John Hendrickson and Mayor Nancy Hurley were absent.

Susquehanna Depot’s budgetary considerations included passage of motions for all of the following: (1) Capital Reserve line item changes, (2) Proposed 2016 General Fund Budget, and (3) Proposed 2016 Capital Reserve Savings Budget. Budgetary details that passed unanimously included a motion to contribute an additional $30,000 to the Brinker Capital Police Pension Fund in 2015, and a motion to establish a Police Pension Fund Money Market Account (MMA) with remaining Capital Reserve line item of $65,000. The effect of those last two motions was to address past long-term under-funding of the borough’s police pension plan. They are designed to resolve under-funding from years long past totaling some $95,000. The immediate infusion of $30,000 will reduce the “distress level.” The $65,000 MMA will wipe out wipe out the remainder of past under-funding.

Susquehanna Depot’s proposed 2016 budget will be advertised for availability of inspection and public comment in the near future. Final passage is anticipated in December 2015 after final review of public comment.

Other agenda items covered during the November meeting included reports for DPW, Police, and Codes. No Mayor’s or Emergency Management Reports were presented due to the absence of the principals.

The DPW Report was presented by borough employee Kevin McKee. Mr. McKee noted that a worrisome dead tree, first discussed at October’s meeting, was no longer an issue. The homeowner responsible had taken expeditious action to fell the tree. Mr. McKee also noted, in response to council questions, that DPW personnel were ready to put up Christmas lights and decorations as early as next week. Other borough’s, it was noted, already had Christmas decorations in place for the holiday season.

Councilwoman Crawford commented on the gross amount of litter she observed every day during her walks through the borough. In so doing, she exhorted the public to refrain from littering. President Varsik recalled the success of the borough’s participation in the spring-tide Great American Clean-up. Likely, more clean-ups will be scheduled for problem areas in the borough. Erie Avenue and Front Street were two places singled out for future clean-up attention.

Councilwoman Crawford also commended DPW for its “awesome service” in curbside leaf pick-up throughout the borough. She expressed thanks for the tremendous job DPW had done. Leaf pick-up is expected to wrap up in the near future. Borough residents are also commended for making advantageous use of the DPW by calling in to arrange leaf pick-up as needed.

The borough’s Police Report for the month of October listed 46 incident responses, 23 of which were motor-vehicle related, and 23 for other types of incidents. Among the 23 non-vehicle related incidents were: burglary alarm (1), criminal mischief (3), domestic dispute (3), drugs/narcotics (1), fraud (1), littering (1), suspicious person (2), theft (3), vandalism (1), and welfare check (1).

Roy Williams presented the Codes Report. He reported that he will be appearing before Magisterial District Judge Jodi Cordner on Friday the 13th, as well as the following Friday to press cases against violators of the borough’s Rental Ordinance. Six cases are to be heard on the 13th, and “quite a few the following Friday.”

Old Business covered before adjournment included discussion of repair of a railing damaged alongside the Methodist Church over a year ago. Borough Secretary Biegert had collected all the reports concerning the vehicular accident and submitted a claim to the borough’s insurance carrier. Insurance will cover the repairs; however, the carrier requires the borough to complete repairs first, and then submit actual expenses for reimbursement. Council approved following the aforesaid procedure.

Other old business handled during the course of the meeting included council discussion and approval of upgraded security for the borough building. Council unanimously approved moving ahead with the upgraded security system at a cost of $1,995. Monies were transferred from three other funds—on a temporary basis—for immediate funding of the project during the current fiscal year.

During public comment Susquehanna resident John Sholtiss followed up on an issue he had raised last month: the problem of the sewer riser at the end of Veterans Memorial Bridge. The drop from the road’s surface is some five to six inches; who is responsible for fixing the problem on a state road? Councilman Williams responded at this meeting by explaining the lack of progress made in getting the responsible party to take action. However, Mr. Williams has obtained the phone numbers of hierarchies within PennDOT and state government to continue to press the issue to resolution.

At 7:48 p.m. Council went into executive session to discuss a police personnel issue. Secretary Biegert reliably reports that no official action was taken after that session and Council adjourned November’s meeting at 8:18 p.m.

Offering a historic budget of just over one million dollars was almost an afterthought at the meeting of the Harford Township Supervisors on November 10th.  They had, after all, worked it over in two special meetings in October.

But history, or historic preservation in one form or another, was a major theme of the meeting.

Of course, the Supervisors have nothing to say in the matter – except as citizens – but the U.S. Postal Service will hold a hearing at the Harford fire hall on Wednesday evening, November 18 at 7:00 pm to discuss the Harford post office, or lack thereof.  The mysterious departure of Bronson Pinchot and his money left the status of the little cubbyhole of a post office in limbo, and the holders of boxes in a state of uncertainty.  Residents who chose to keep their box numbers now have to trek to Kingsley to get their mail. 

The Postal Service is now said to be looking for a place to put a mobile-home-type office in the village.  Supervisor Doug Phelps ruminated on the possibility of sitting it on the property of the township office.  He said there should be enough room, even as the Supervisors consider expanding the township office in order to bring the election polls back from the firehouse.

The meeting is also expected to cover service to Gibson, where the P.O. was closed some time ago.  Brooklyn’s post office has also been closed.  That makes Kingsley a kind of hub for 4 townships.

And that’s where Jenny Leigh Payne is working to restore the old Aqua Inn as a reincarnated Jenny Leigh’s Café.  The restaurant that used to be up on U.S. 11 – still known far and wide as Thomas’s despite the sign on the building – burned about a year ago.  Ms. Payne would like to have the old Inn designated some sort of historic site that would allow her to retain some of the character of the building without too many alterations to suit building code inspectors.  She pledged that she would not skimp on safety, but emphasized the value of “community” in what she is doing to keep a landmark in service.  In addition to the restaurant, Ms. Payne would like to be able to rent 6 rooms on the second floor.

Ms. Payne had asked the township to help with a historic designation.  After lengthy consideration, the township’s solicitor advised the Supervisors not to take an active role, at least in the form of a resolution.  Instead, however, they will try to arrange a meeting between code inspectors, attorneys, and others with an interest in the project to see if something can be worked out.

In other business, the Supervisors reviewed some documents presented by Joe Williams, a landsman representing Cabot Oil & Gas, to extend the gas exploration lease on the property at the sewer plant.  Cabot wants to include the property in a unit associated with a nearby well site, but the original 5-year lease ran out earlier this year.  The company is offering $500 per acre as an incentive bonus to extend the lease on the small parcel for one year; the rest of the lease will remain as is, including the 21% royalty share before post-production expenses.  Mr. Williams said that the relatively low amount reflects the current low price of natural gas in the energy market.  He said that the wells on the Decker pad had been drilled but won’t be “fracked” for production until next year.

When the Supervisors examined the documents they found several minor errors – misspelled names, wrong addresses, etc.  So they voted to accept the required resolution pending correction of the documents.

The township has permission from New Milford Township to place a sign at the top of Oliver Road near the truck stop at the Interstate that may read something like “NOT A GPS ROUTE – GO BACK!”

The narrow gravel road which leads into Harford Township is not suitable for truck traffic.  Yet trucks have frequently had to be pulled out of the valley when they venture that way presumably following blindly a route drawn by a GPS device.  The Supervisors want a big sign, in bright Day-Glo colors, to try to prevent that sort of traffic and the late-night calls to the police and the fire company that should be unnecessary.

Oh yes, the afterthought.  The Supervisors approved a preliminary budget totaling just about $1,009,350, with no increase in tax rates or sewer fees.  In 4 parts, the budget projects cash on hand by the end of 2016 to come to just over $800,000.  This budget assumes a major contribution from “impact fees” levied by the state against oil and gas exploration.  The public are invited to examine the budget for a month.  It is expected to receive formal adoption at the next meeting of the Harford Township Supervisors on Tuesday, December 8, 2016.  Meetings begin at 7:00pm at the township office on Route 547.

Oakland Borough Council wasn’t looking to gin up more business at its regular monthly meeting on Thursday, November 12th, but letters from constituents nevertheless pushed discussions out to nearly 90 minutes. Constituent letters focused on two nuisances, burning and barking, in the borough. Council addressed both in turn, though certainly not to the satisfaction of at least one of the letter-writers.

President Brian Rhone presided over the meeting. Those present included Councilmen Jack Agler, Doug Arthur, Gary Boughton, Eric Page, and Nelson Towner, along with Mayor Ron Beavan and Secretary/Treasurer Flo Brush. Councilman Dave Trevarthan was absent.

The first letter read by Secretary Brush concerned burning in the borough. The letter’s writer (“Anonymous”) provided a laundry list of reasons why it was unwise to burn in the borough. In many respects, the letter was very logical and well-argued. But the writer also used what some perceived as a threatening tone and promised further action if his (or her) demand for a “responsible” (total) burn ban wasn’t met.

Oakland Borough’s current burn ordinance restricts burning to paper, wood, and leaves, and even then an approved burn-barrel must be used while a responsible party remains in constant attendance while the fire is live. Burning of garbage, plastics, and hazardous materials is already prohibited.

After much discussion Council came to the point of a vote on how to proceed. Council voted 5-1 against proceeding to re-write the borough’s ordinance to prohibit ALL burning. Councilman Agler was the sole vote in favor of proceeding. At Mayor Beavan’s suggestion Council will look at the borough’s ordinance to see if “smoldering fires” are addressed, and if any change in the fine amounts should be considered.

The second letter bringing about extended discussion concerned “barking.” Barking dogs continue to disrupt the serenity for which some Oaklanders so deeply yearn. This letter was written by a couple who have the misfortune of living near a neighbor with a dog that barks at all hours of the day and night. At a previous council meeting the borough advised residents to call police (9-1-1) when such nuisance was in progress. The letter writers in this case explained that they had tried that, and that the county dispatcher had merely referred them to the Dog Warden, whom they had been calling for a year and a half. The Dog Warden, they noted, has taken no action against the offending dog owner during all that time. The Dispatcher also advised they call State Police. The couple’s call to State Police was met with a reaction of laughter, so the couple averred. Oakland authorities were warmly invited to join the couple for a cup of coffee at any time of the day or night so that elected officials and police could hear what they hear.

Mayor Beavan volunteered to take the letter for action. He simultaneously produced a copy of a model pet ordinance provided by PSBA (Pennsylvania State Borough Association). The model ordinance provides boilerplate language for dealing with those harboring nuisance animals, curbing violations, a structure of penalties, etc. Council, while not passing a new pet ordinance at this meeting, agreed that revision of the borough’s current ordinance is in order and official action will be on future agendas.

The Parks Report was provided by Councilman Boughton. He noted that the borough’s Halloween Party was “kind of a bust.” Only two children and four adults showed up. Both children won costume contests, in separate categories, of course. The borough extended thanks to Schneider’s for its donation of apple cider for the party.

Eric Page provided the Building Committee Report. He advised that the committee had met at 6 p.m. on this very evening with architect Tom Campbell. With satisfactory building plans now in place, the committee plans to meet approximately every two weeks to advance further planning. Besides himself, Shane Lewis and Chad Crawford compose the Building Committee.

The borough’s Police Report for the month of October showed 15 incident responses: animal-dogs (4), suspicious activity (3), traffic stop (3), and one each for the following--criminal trespass, criminal mischief, motor vehicle accident, theft, traffic stop, and vandalism.

One borough resident, Dennis Price, was in attendance at the evening’s meeting. He provided a detailed history of a code violation on an adjoining property. That violation has very adversely affected his property, including garage. Although the borough has taken official action against the code violator to require specific performance in mitigation, no actual corrective action has occurred. Mr. Price outlined the dilatory tactics by the violator (and/or the violator’s attorney) and he implored the borough to take legal action before he, himself, was required to do so. Mr. Price noted that if he has to take up the burden of legal action it may impose a liability upon the borough.  President Rhone promised to take up the matter with the borough’s Solicitor, Myron DeWitt. 

The final big issue of the evening consuming council’s interest was the borough’s budget for 2016. Council’s proposed budget envisions level revenues at $151,918, with no tax increase. Council unanimously adopted the proposed budget for advertising and public comment. Residents may review the budget and submit comment by contacting the borough office and arranging an appointment.

Oakland Borough Council’s next monthly meeting is scheduled for the second Thursday in December at the Lanesboro Community Center.

The Susquehanna County Commissioners wish to announce the Courthouse will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 26 & 27, 2015 in observance of Thanksgiving. All court related offices will be available.

The Susquehanna County DOMESTIC RELATIONS Section has outstanding BENCH WARRANT’S for the following individuals as of 10:00 a.m. on November 13, 2015: Duane M. Aldrich, Todd A. Andrews, Asa M. Atherholt IV, Tonya S. Birchard, Edwin Blaisure, Allan A. Bucksbee, Michael J. Burger, Tina M. Clark, James Donahue III, David J. Fischer, Jeffrey J. Gamble, Morgan A. Garcia, Angelica Groover, Jeremy W. Hall, Jonathan L. Hollister, Todd J. Layton, Charlie J. Legere, Lawrence M. McGuire, Joshua K. Mess, Timothy Murray, Rebecca A. Reardon, Desiree L. Shifler, Christopher Snyder, James E. Turcotte, Steven G. Warner, Matthew C. Whitney, Roger D. Williams, Please contact the Domestic Relations Section at 570-278-4600 ext. 4050 with any information on the location of these individuals.