Susquehanna Depot Mayor Nancy Hurly swore in newly-elected borough council members Dana Rockwell, Barbara Larsen, Joseph Varsik, Roy Williams, and Deborah Zayas, along with Constable Damian Scales, at the borough’s 2016 Reorganization meeting, held at 6 p.m. on Monday, January 4.

Pictured (l-r) are: Roy Williams, Barbara Larsen, Vice President Deborah Zayas, Sue Crawford, Mayor Nancy Hurly, Dana Rockwell, John Hendrickson, President Joseph Varsik. The Susquehanna Borough Council met on January 4, 2016 to welcome newly elected officials and appoint officers.   Council is looking forward to working on many community renewal projects in the up- coming year including river front park development, neighborhood renewal plans and assisting the SCDA with expanding community events.  Photo Courtesy of Margaret Beigert, Secretary, Susquehanna Borough.

Following swearing-in ceremonies council reorganized itself through election of officers as follows: President - Joe Varsik, Vice-President - Deb Zayas, and President Pro Tempore - Roy Williams. Each was elected without opposition.

Council’s meeting schedule for 2016 was the follow-on agenda item. Council members approved the second Wednesday of each month, excepting January, as the regular meeting date for official borough meeting. January’s official Regular meeting immediately followed the January 4 Reorganization meeting per previous legal advertisement.

One new wrinkle in the new (2016) meeting schedule was the rollback of meeting time from 7 p.m. to 6 p.m. Council members and Mayor Hurley agreed that the earlier meeting time was feasible, more convenient, and might induce greater attendance by borough residents.

Council committee assignments, per President Varsik’s recommendations, were unanimously approved as follows:

- Finance Committee: Councilwomen Zayas & Larsen, with Sec/Treasurer Margaret Biegert.

- DPW Committee: Committeemen Williams and Hendrickson.

- Park Committee: Council members Crawford and Rockwell.

With reorganization completed, Council proceeded directly into its Regular monthly meeting for January. Council zipped along, approving the evening’s agenda and the bill list, as well as both the Minutes for December’s meeting and the Treasurer’s Report with only minor amendments. In conjunction with the Treasurer’s Report, Sec/Treasurer Biegert provided Council with the outline of a comprehensive blight removal grant proposal--one which would require a $71,000 match (commitment) from the borough. Grant competition is, she explained, very competitive and grant approval is by no means assured. However, the grant proposal would in all likelihood be submission-ready for other program funding sources once the state’s budget is approved (if original grant application is rejected).

Per DPW Report request, Council approved several accessory purchases for the borough’s vehicles: floor liners for two vehicles, and plow blades for the Western plow. DPW’s request for a new truck radio was tabled.

Mayor Hurley presented the Mayor’s Report. She took the opportunity to thank the Police for the laudable job they did during 2015. No Police Report for the month of December 2015 was available for presentation at this meeting.

EMA Coordinator Hendrickson had a notably briefer than usual report. He observed, “It’s cold out!” Mr. Hendrickson also reported completion of Suspicious Activity Reporting training.

Councilman Williams presented the Codes Report. His report consisted of three key points. First, borough government is “deeply committed to ridding the community of blight.” By comparison, he noted, few--if any--municipalities in the county are enforcing property codes and removing blight as aggressively as Susquehanna Depot. He elaborated on the lengthy enforcement process, but optimistically underscored the close working relationship with the borough’s attorney and Magisterial District Judge Jodi Cordner.

Secondly, Councilman Williams stated that there needed to be a “revisiting of 9-1-1 addressing.” He reminded that structures must have their numbering visible from the street; that numbers must be at least three inches in height with contrasting background; and that for structures obstructed from street view a post containing street numbering must be visible from the street. Addressing requirements will be strictly enforced, he averred.

Finally, Mr. Williams noted, “Emergency response vehicles have been experiencing difficulties [turning] at a number of the borough’s intersections.” Current regulations specify vehicles must be parked no closer than 30 feet from intersections. That figure will likely be increased to 50 feet at some point in the near future. Preliminary work is taking place to determine signage locations consistent with impending changes.

At 7:09 p.m. borough council went into Executive Session for discussion of a personnel issue. This paper is reliably informed that when council returned to regular order at 8:23 p.m. no official actions were taken with regard to any matters discussed during Executive Session.

Next borough council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on the second Wednesday in February.

On the first evening of real winter in these parts, with the temperature in the single digits, the Harford Township Supervisors assembled to organize themselves for the new year.  They also collapsed the regular January meeting into the same time slot.  And in less than an hour they decided, among other things, to spend almost $2 million to renovate the sewer system which serves the village of Harford and surrounding areas, including Tingley Lake.

The Harford Township Sewer System is now more than 20 years old and needs some serious upgrades to meet future demand and recent regulatory requirements.  David Klepadlo, the engineer who designed the system originally, and whose company operates it still, attended the meeting requesting signatures on a stack of documents that will allow him to submit an engineering plan to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  The plan will allow the USDA to assess the project for possible subsidy under the rubric of Rural Development.  It was USDA Rural Development that provided some of the funding and loan guarantees that allowed the system to be built in the first place.

The engineering alone is expected to cost some $150,000 in a complex arrangement that folds the remaining balance of the township’s original loans into the new package.  It also provides for the purchase of another 40 new grinder pumps and 20 new basins, for replacements and new installations.

Mr. Klepadlo estimated that the new loan package could be had at about 3% interest for 40 years.  He said that would come out to about $53 more per month in fees for subscribers to the system; he said that would still be one of the lowest rates for similar systems in the area.

Mr. Klepadlo said his plan would do all the preparation and design in 2016, once the USDA comes through with a commitment letter to the township.  Actual construction would then take place in 2017.

Reorganizing themselves wasn’t much of a chore for the Supervisors, and didn’t result in any major changes.  Doug Phelps still chairs the board; his brother, Jim, is still Roadmaster.  Carolyn Jennings has taken over most of the duties of township Secretary/Treasurer (bonded at $1.5 million).  Township Solicitors are still Kreder Brooks Hailstone, with A. James Hailstone attorney of record.  Deposits remain with Peoples Security Bank & Trust.  Wages will be set later by the township’s auditors and during executive session.  Holidays are the expected ones.

Doug Phelps reported that the U.S. Postal Service has given itself another 6 months to come to a final decision on replacing post offices in Harford, Brooklyn and Gibson, probably pushing any resolution into 2017.

Supervisor Conrad Owens asked his colleagues to consider the purchase of enough concrete to lay a slab in the township yard for a washpad for trucks.  He also asked a member of the Historical Society for permission to move the 9 Partners monument about 1/10th of a mile out toward the main road to allow room for maintenance and parking.

The Supervisors signed a large stack of signature cards for the bank, and another large stack of checks.  They approved an agreement with JHA Companies for code enforcement and engineering services for 2016; and another driveway permit for Williams Field Services, presumably for pipeline construction and maintenance.

And last but not least, the Supervisors agreed to move their monthly meetings one week out.  Meetings will now be held on the third Tuesday of each month, beginning at 7:00pm in the office on Route 547.  The first such meeting will thus take place on February 16th.

Citizens are asked to take down and report identifying information (license plates, names, etc.) of anyone seen damaging or removing street signs in the township.  These things are expensive.

Community-minded residents of Starrucca initiated a new tradition with the advent of Christmas 2015.  The spirit of Christmas took hold with the first annual Community Christmas Tree decorating and lighting ceremony, held on Saturday, December 19 at 10 a.m.

Residents of Starrucca at the decorating and lighting ceremony

Organizers of the event had invited borough residents to bring their own ornaments for use in decorating the Community Tree. A number of beneficent donors had already donated decorations, as well as the tree itself. A variety of refreshments were served to those participating in the event.

In all, some 57 adults and children participated in the ceremony. To their delight Santa Clause also made an appearance.  Arriving at 10:30 a.m. by way of a four-wheeler (Rudolph and company were resting up for the big event on December 24-25) Old Saint Nick distributed gift bags (including candy) to the delight of many a wide-eyed child. Warmest wishes are extended to all who organized and participated in the festivities.  And may the spirit of peace on earth and goodwill to men extend to every day the whole year through.

On Monday, January 4, 2016 Thompson Township Supervisors Alex Komar, Susan Jenkins, and Rick Wadman held their 2016 Reorganizational Meeting at 5:00 p.m.  Alex Komar motioned that all positions from 2015 be held the same, Susan Jenkins 2nd the motion, approved unanimously.  Alex Komar will continue as Road Forman Supervisor; Susan Jenkins will continue as Vice Chairman, and Rick Wadman will continue serving as Chairman of the Thompson Township Supervisors.

It was approved for Clyde Gorton to receive a one-dollar increase in salary, and a one-week vacation.  Supervisor Komar said Clyde saves the Township a significant amount of money with his welding work.  Supervisor’s Jenkins and Wadman agreed that Mr. Gorton was an asset to the Township.

Appointing a Solicitor will be tabled until the next meeting.  The Supervisors are exploring their options on whether they will retain their current Solicitor, or go with someone else for 2016.

Other business determined during the meeting included Ken Goldsmith being appointed as Chairman of the Vacancy Board.  Supervisors will renew the Treasurer’s Bond for coverage of $250,000.  Approved was the 2016 Fee Schedule under Resolution 1601.  Peoples Security Bank and Trust will remain the Township’s banking institution.

The 2016 meeting schedule will remain the first Wednesday of the month, 7:00 p.m. at the Township building.  If the first Wednesday is a holiday, the meeting will then be held the following week.

The Township Secretary will conduct business hours every Monday and Wednesday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

It was determined that Supervisors will be representatives of the Township at the PSAT meeting in Hershey April 17-20th.

Alex Komar reported Bear Swamp bridge is now open, and PennDOt has completed work.  The plow trucks are ready for the snow; one truck had an issue and has been repaired.

The Supervisors decided to table until their next meeting a contract received from JHA and Associates.

The Township has appointed two new auditors, Lillian Senko to serve a six-year term, and Ardy Callender to serve a four-year term.  The new auditors will join Barbara Komar to conduct the 2016 and any future Township audits.

Membership with PSAT was renewed at a price of $295.00 for the year, and the Planning section of PSAT at a cost of $125.00 was not renewed.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 3, at 7:00 p.m.

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.

Burglary:  Between December 19th and January 1st the front door of a Lenox Township residence was forced open.  Small items were taken from within.  Anyone with information is requested to contact the police. 

Crash:  On January 1st at 4:04 pm Daniel Preston of Apalachin, Ny was traveling southbound on Sr 29 in Franklin Township when his vehicle exited off the west side of the roadway and struck an embankment with the front end.  The embankment then spun the unit clockwise approximately 90 degrees, and the vehicle rolled over onto its roof, coming to rest in the southbound lane facing west.  The driver was not injured in the crash;  a seat belt was in use. The vehicle sustained disabling damage, and was towed from the scene. 

Crash:  On January 1st at 4:53 pm Felix Alexander of Camden Wyoming, De was traveling southbound on I81 in New Milford Township when his vehicle exited off the east side of the roadway, traveling through the center median, across the two northbound lanes, and into the guard rail on the east side of the northbound lanes.  It came to a rest on top of the guard rail. The vehicle sustained disabling damage and was towed from the scene.  The driver was not injured;  a seat belt was in use. 

Crash:  On January 1st at 8:30 pm Ramona Miller of Friendsville was traveling north on North Road in Forest Lake Township when her vehicle exited off of the south side of the roadway and rolled a couple of times.  It came to a rest on the south side of the roadway on its wheels facing north.  The driver was not injured;  a seat belt was in use.   The vehicle sustained disabling damage and was towed from the scene. 

State Police Vehicle Crash:  On December 31st at 5:48 pm, a driver was traveling northbound on Sr 29 north of Montrose Borough when a deer entered the roadway from the west berm into his path of travel;  a collision occurred.  The vehicle was brought to a controlled stop at that location.  The driver was not injured and the vehicle was driven from the scene.  A seat belt was in use. 

Theft from Motor Vehicle:  On December 30th, between midnight and 9:45 am a theft from motor vehicle incident occurred in Bridgewater Township.  A perpetrator entered the unlocked vehicle of a Montrose woman while it was parked in her driveway.  Cash and change was stolen from within.  Anyone with information is asked to please contact the police. 

Crash:  On December 30th at 7:22 pm a juvenile female from Montrose failed to negotiate a right curve in the road at the intersection of North Road and North Schoolhouse Road in Bridgewater Township, and exited off of the road.  The vehicle ended up striking a large tree. The driver sustained an injury of unknown severity;  a seat belt was in use. 

Act 64:  On October 16th at 9:45 am a male juvenile brought a baggie of Marijuana with him to school in Bridgewater Township.  He was arrested for the same. 

Crash:  On December 29th at 12:40 am Lindsay Darrow of Hallstead, Pa was traveling north on Pa 29 in Franklin Township, in the right lane.  While negotiating a left curve in the roadway, her vehicle lost control on the snow and ice covered roadway.  It swerved to the right to avoid striking the guardrail on the east side of the road.  When it swerved, it crossed over into the oncoming lane and sideswiped a second vehicle, driven by Daniel Flynn of Apalachin, which was traveling south in the right lane.  After the latter was swiped by the former, it went into a ditch located off of the west side of the road.  Neither driver was injured;  both were utilizing seat belts. 

Crash:  On December 29th at 8:54 am Joseph Bixby of Nicholson was traveling east on Sr 374 in Lenox Township when the rear end of the vehicle started to kick out.  The driver tried to correct the vehicle and lost control of it.  The vehicle then drove into a ditch and rolled over, before impacting a pole located off of the ditch.  It came to a rest on its room.  Clifford township EMS arrived on the scene.  The driver sustained minor injury;  he was not utilizing a seat belt.  

Crash:  On December 22nd at 3:27 pm Alexis Scheideler of New Milford was traveling south on I81 in New Milford Township when her vehicle rear ended a vehicle driven by Daniel Ricci of New Milford.  Ricci's vehicle traveled up the embankment after being struck.  Scheideler's vehicle came to a rest partly in the right lane and on the right shoulder.  Ricci's vehicle came to a rest on its roof partly on the right shoulder and in the right lane.  It was unknown of Scheideler sustained injury;  a seat belt was in use.  Ricci sustained an injury of unknown severity;  a seat belt was in use. 

Theft/Missing Firearm:  Between December 20th and 26th, a Springville man reported a possible theft/missing firearm.  The firearm was last seen on December 20th and was found to be gone on December 26th.  It was a Taurus 380 semi-automatic pistol, black in color, with a plastic bottom half and a steel side.  The pistol had the serial number of 13297D and the model number of 1-738031FS.  The investigation was ongoing as of the time of report.  Anyone with information is urged to please contact the police. 

Harassment:  On December 28th at 11:00 am some troopers responded to a harassment in Rush Township.  The victim reported that an argument occurred at the residence.  The victim related that the accused woman became angry and grabbed her by her arms prior to striking her in the back of the head.  The accused had left the scene prior to police arrival.  The accused had left the scene prior to police arrival.  She was cited for assault Harassment through District Court 34-3-01. 

Aggravated Assault/Fleeing and Eluding:  On December 27th at 2:23 pm an incident occurred as the accused, Christopher Vroman from Montrose, failed to pull over when a traffic stop was initiated in New Milford Township.  The accused swerved at a patrol car, fled north on I81, and proceeded to drive in a careless manner.  The accused passed numerous vehicles on the shoulder .  The pursuit reached speeds in excess of 100 MPH.  The pursuit continued on I81 north into New York, where the accused eventually crashed off Exit 3 in Binghamton.  The accused was being held in New York as of the time of report, and was to be brought back to Pennsylvania pending extradition.  Anyone with information is asked to please contact the police.   

Burglary/Theft/Theft from Motor Vehicles:  Between the 26th and 27th of December, undetermined perpetrator(s) entered multiple vehicles/homes on the 900 to 1600 block of Chenango Street in Bridgewater Township, removing cash and gift cards from the same. 

Criminal Mischief:  On December 25th a mailbox was damaged in Forest Lake Township. 

Crash:  On December 22nd at 8:13 am Harold Smith of Susquehanna was traveling north on Sr 92 in Oakland Boro when he failed to stop at the stop sign located at the intersection of Sr 92 and Sr 171.  The vehicle traveled straight through the intersection and struck a concrete barrier located on the north side of Sr 171.  Minor injury was sustained;  seat belt use was listed as none used/ not applicable.  Susquehanna Fire and EMS assisted at the scene. 

Crash:  On December 25th at 11:15 pm an unnamed person was traveling north on I 81 in Lenox Township, in the right lane.  The driver struck a bear that ran into the roadway from the west side of the road.  The vehicle sustained front driver side and driver side damage.  The bear was deceased at the scene.  At the scene the trooper interviewed the driver, who related that an animal ran out from the left into the road and into the side of his car.  The driver related that he couldn't have avoided hitting the bear. 

Theft:  On December 14th between 11 pm and 7 am a snowman and Santa Christmas statue were removed from the front yard of a Great Bend woman.  Anyone with information relating to this incident is asked to please contact the police. 

Burglary:  On December 21st at approximately 2:43 am Chad Schurr of Little Meadows forcibly entered the residence of a Little Meadows woman, by prying open a door with a screw driver.  Once inside, Schurr grabbed the woman and started to shake her, threatening her life.  Charges were filed at District Court-34-3-01.  A warrant was obtained for Schurr's arrest.  He is believed to be living near Endicott, Ny, but frequently visits Pa.  Anyone with information is asked to please contact the police. 

Simple Assault:  On December 21st at 3:38 pm David Mason Jr. threw a ceramic Santa cookie jar at a female victim, and struck her in the back.  When Mason was leaving he broke the glass on the back door. 

Harassment:  On December 20th a 55 year old man and a 31 year old man engaged in a verbal argument in Susquehanna Boro.  The accused is alleged to have pushed the victim, causing him to fall over a pile of household items.  The accused was to be cited with summary harassment in District Court 34-3-02, as of the time of report. 

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

The Susquehanna County DOMESTIC RELATIONS Section has outstanding BENCH WARRANT’S for the following individuals as of 10:15 a.m. on January 8, 2016: Jack Akers, Duane M. Aldrich, Asa M. Atherholt IV, Ryan A. Aukema, Tonya S. Birchard, Edwin Blaisure, Adam Bohn, Allan A. Bucksbee, Michael J. Burger, Larry R. Cavanaugh, James Donahue III, Christopher M. Dudock, David J. Fischer, Morgan A. Garcia, Jonathan L. Hollister, Christopher M. Kuiper, Todd J. Layton, Charlie J. Legere, Casey M. Lehman, Joshua S. Mattison, Timothy Murray, Vincent J. Petriello, Rebecca A. Reardon, Desiree L. Shifler, Jason L. Shores, Christopher Snyder, Marcus E. Spickerman, James E. Turcotte, Robert C. Walter II, Brandi R. Wayman, 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.