Dr. Jessica Aquilina began the Forest City School Board meeting on January 11, 2016 by informing all in attendance that January is School Director Recognition Month.  The School Board Directors are recognized for their commitment to education, which is a non-paid challenging job.  They volunteer their time and effort, which is recognized in segments; the first is eight years of service.  After the first eight years, they are recognized every four years thereafter for their time and talent. 

Dr. Aquilina recognized Mr. William Heller and presented him with a certificate for eight years of service.  Ms. Mary Emmett was recognized and presented a certificate for twelve years of service.  As Dr. Aquilina presented a plaque to Dr. Henry Nebzydoski she thanked him for his outstanding service, dedication, and leadership for the past thirty-two years.

Dr. Nebzydoski responded by saying he doesn’t consider it a job, especially when there is a good person in charge, which there is.  He said he loves kids and that is the main reason for his dedication.  His children, and now his grandchildren go to the school and he loves to be involved.

Evan Piatak was recognized this month as the “Super Sixth Grader”.  Evan is an honor roll student who resides in Browndale.

An award for Outstanding Senior was presented by Principal Peter Jordan to Larissa Grigaitis.  Larissa is the treasurer of Student Council, Vice President of the National Honor Society, and President of C.H.O.P.S.  She is also an active member of the Yearbook Committee, Spirit Committee, Ski Club, and F.B.L.A. 

David Pollak was presented an award for Outstanding Senior by Principal Jordan.  David is an active member of the National Honor Society, and the captain of the soccer team this year. He was selected for the Lackawanna League’s Senior All-Star game in November at the University of Scranton.

Mr. Ed Mangold from KCBA conducted a presentation, which included updates for the school’s Renovation Project.  Mr. Mangold stated the Design Development Documents were thirty percent completed for the entire project, which is estimated at a cost of eleven million dollars.  He said his company provides the initial estimation of cost, but once the project is accepted they send it out to an independent contractor for pricing estimation.  The contractor they chose in this area for the project is W.H. Lane Incorporated, who conducts construction management.

Mr. Mangold stated the geotechnical report came back good with no additional issues than what are currently at the school.  The report stated there are no bedrock or ground water problems, which is good news.

The project is currently $44,000.00 higher than what was projected in their schematics, but is still within the eleven million dollar range.  Mr. Mangold stated the plumbing, mechanical, and electric aspects of the project came in lower than projected, but other items came in higher.  He said KCBA estimates cost per square foot based upon historic data, but W.H. Lane is more detailed, and one of the products that came out higher was the masonry wall.  The further along they get with the details, the closer they can determine an actual cost.  At this time the cost is approximately eight million, eight hundred and forty-two thousand dollars on construction alone.  The School Board will have to decide before long on the type of soft cost items such as furniture and equipment, which is an estimated additional four hundred and forty-eight thousand dollars on top of the construction cost.

Mr. Mangold handed out to the Directors a detailed pricing sheet, which they will be reviewing.

During the Superintendents report, Dr. Aquilina stated they received a grant for four thousand three hundred dollars from the Gianna Foundation.  The specific use for this grant is in the arts.  They will be purchasing a sound system, and microphones for the students to use in their performances.

The Forest City School District has joined the Greater Forest City Business Network and Matthew Tigue has been chosen as a student who will join Dr. Aquilina and Mr. Zack in their meetings.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education has completed their inspection of the Food Service Department, and Dr. Aquilina is pleased to announce it was a good inspection.  The inspectors were very impressed with the documentation, and the service provided by the Department.  She wishes to congratulate Ms. Martines and her staff.

The next School Board meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 1st at 7:30 p.m.

The thirteenth day of 2016 bodes ill warning to those Lanesboro property owners who have long-standing debts for sewer service. Lanesboro borough council decided at its Wednesday, January 13th regular meeting that it will tolerate scofflaws no further. While not disclosing the full extent of the problem, council made known that some residents are thousands of dollars in arrears on sewer payments. Among the delinquent accountholders are property owners who no longer maintain Pennsylvania American Water Company accounts, or who no longer have operational accounts but have leaking systems.

To begin the legal process, Lanesboro will be sending out certified letters to delinquent accountholders, giving them 30 days to bring their accounts current.  If full payment is not received by the borough by the 30-day deadline, the borough will institute legal proceedings before Magisterial District Judge Jodi Cordner. Once judgments are obtained Sheriff’s sales shall proceed in the cases of those refusing to pay up. The bottom line is that borough government is determined to see that sewer deadbeats are held to account, lest their irresponsibility prosper at the expense of the financially responsible.

Lanesboro’s Regular Monthly Meeting was preceded by its 2016 Reorganization Meeting. The five-minute reorganization saw the election of Dan Boughton as Council President, Dale Rockwell as Vice-President, and David Glidden as President Pro Tempore. Others present for the meeting were Councilman Tom Nitterour, Mayor Chris Maby, and Secretary/Treasurer Gail Hanrahan. Mayor Maby administered the oath of office to Dan Boughton and Dale Rockwell, who were newly-elected to four-year terms on council. Councilman Jason Fissel was absent from the meeting. Two seats, one four-year, and one two-year, are currently vacant.

During council’s regular meeting, from 7:35 to 8:12 p.m., those two vacant council seats came in for discussion. The vacancies had been advertised in this paper, but no borough residents had submitted resumes or indicated any interest in filling the offices. That said, Mayor Maby had circulated a petition among borough residents, requesting that the Court of Common Pleas reduce the borough’s council size from seven to five. The borough’s Solicitor, Myron DeWitt, will represent the borough in those court proceedings, likely to take place in March 2016.

Mayor Maby presented the borough’s Police Report for the month of December. It showed that Lanesboro Police worked 126 hours, as well as 125 hours on school patrol. Traffic stops totaled 16, with six citations and 10 warnings issued for the following reasons: speeding (5), inspection violations (2), careless driving (1), registration violations (2), and equipment violations (6). A criminal trespass case from December 26 remains open; an arrest warrant was served, resulting in incarceration; and charges were filed in three cases: (1) criminal mischief, (2) tobacco on school grounds, and (3) underage tobacco use.

Before wrapping up the meeting, council discussed the need for Community Center installation of smoke alarms (4) and a carbon monoxide alarm (in the furnace room). Councilman Rockwell volunteered to perform the installation. 

February’s meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month.

911 Hang-up: On 12/04/15 Silver Lake Township Police responded to a 911 hang-up call from a building on Church Road. Prior to arrival of police at the scene it was discovered that the phone company was making repairs to service in the area. Upon arrival at the scene it was found to be because of the phone line repairs. Chief Timothy Burgh was the responding officer.   

Animal Complaint: On 12/08/15 Silver Lake Township Police were dispatched for a report of cows in the roadway. The caller stated that several cows were in the roadway at the intersection of Britton and Lyons Road. Upon arrival by police the cows were already back into their fields. Chief Timothy Burgh was the responding officer.   

Criminal Trespass: On 12/08/15 Silver Lake Township Police took a report of criminal trespass on property located on State Route 167. The property owner stated that her neighbor was trespassing on her property and doing damage to her property. Upon arrival by police the neighbor was contacted and the incident was resolved. Chief Timothy Burgh was the responding officer. Case is still active.

Littering: On 12/10/15 Silver Lake Township Police were dispatched for a report of littering on McCormick Road. Someone had dumped several tires on a property on that road. The tires were removed from the scene and this case is still active. Chief Timothy Burgh was the responding officer.

Criminal Mischief: On 12/11/15 Silver Lake Township Police responded to a report of criminal mischief that had occurred at the Silver Lake Township Fire Station. Upon arrival by police Fire Company Officials notified Silver Lake Township Police that while reviewing their security video, 2 individuals on ATVS were recorded doing damage to the property the night before. The scene was processed by Chief Burgh and the video tape was taken and put into evidence. This case is still active. Chief Timothy Burgh was the responding officer.

Miscellaneous Investigation: On 12/28/15 Silver Lake Township Police were dispatched for a report of kids playing on a bridge near deep water. The area was checked by police with nothing found at the time. Chief Timothy Burgh was the responding officer.

Burglary/Theft: On 12/29/15 Silver Lake Township Police were dispatched for a report of a burglary that had occurred. The victim stated that a person had gone into their home and taken several items from the home. The victim stated that the suspect had also taken an item out of their barn. The scene was processed by Chief Timothy Burgh and an arrest is pending for this case. This case is still active. Chief Timothy Burgh is the arresting officer.

Alarm/Security: On 12/31/15 Silver Lake Township Police responded to a business located in downtown Brackney for an alarm that was going off. Upon arrival by police it was found to be a false alarm. Chief Timothy Burgh was the responding officer.

Silver Lake Township Police responded with The Silver Lake Fire Company or Silver Lake Ambulance a couple of times during the month of December.

Any information or questions for Silver Lake Township Police please call 570-278-6818 and leave a message or email us at silverlaketwppd@epix.net, all information will be held strictly confidential. You can look at the Silver Lake Township Website at www.silverlaketwp.org, to see all Silver Lake Townships' news, profiles, and resources, including the police reports. For all emergencies calls or if you need an immediate police response, dial 911.

BENCH WARRANTS

The Susquehanna County DOMESTIC RELATIONS Section has outstanding BENCH WARRANT’S for the following individuals as of 10:30 a.m. on January 15, 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, James Donahue III, Christopher M. Dudock, David J. Fischer, Morgan A. Garcia, Jonathan L. Hollister, Christopher M. Kuiper, Todd J. Layton, Charlie J. Legere, 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, 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.

DEEDS

Charles A. & Frances L. Damm to Charles A., Frances L. & Gina F. Damm, in Montrose, for $1.00.

Charles A. Damm (AKA) Charles Damm, Frances L. Damm (AKA) Frances Damm & Gina F. Damm to Charles A. Damm, Frances L. Damm  & Gina F. Damm, in Dimock Twp. & Springville Twp., for $1.00.

Charles & Frances Damm to Charles A., Frances L. & Gina F. Damm, in Dimock Twp., for $1.00.

Charles A. & Frances L. Damm to Charles A. Damm, Franes L. Damm & Claudine A. Damm-Pasquali (AKA) Claudine A. Damm, Pasquali, in Springville Twp., for $1.00.

Elizabeth Ann Marean (NBM), Elizabeth A. Marean-Frankl (AKA) Elizabeth A. Marean, Frankl & Kurt U. Frankl to Robert L. Synder II & Joylyn G. Snyder, in Sliver Lake Twp., for $345,000.00.

Oil Gas Mineral & Frank Cacioppo to William Cacioop, Roberta Cacioop & Donna Valva, in Brooklyn Twp., for $1.00. Frank Cacioppo to William Cacioppo, in Brooklyn Twp., for $1.00. Henry F. Hartmann to Matthew & Darci Cottrell, in Jackson Twp., for $9,000.00.

Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB (DBA) - Christiana Trust to Collette Schuler, in Hop Bottom Borough, for $45,000.00. Marilyn L. Tompkins to Gina Baker & Robert W. Lambert, in Lanesboro Borough for, $71,000.00.

Rony & Wayne Smith to Harold Frank Titman & Joan Marie Titman, in Jackson Township for, $125,000.00.

Rush Methodist Episcopel Church (AKA) Ruch United Methodist Church (NBM) Fairdale Community United Methodist Church to Del & Nel Charitable Foundation, in Rush Township for, $50,000.00.

Josephine H. Dean to Robert Calvin & Nanette Ruth Dean, in Montrose for, $1.00.

Patrick J. & Anita Burke to Gallatin Natural Resources LLC, in Auburn Township for $10.00.

Carolyn Jennings to Carolyn & Donna K. Jennings, in Gibson Township, for $1.00.

Robert & Diane Strait to Gallatin Natural Resources LLC, in Dimock Township, for $10.00.

Heidi Pavelski (AKA) Heidi Stephens & Steven R. Pavelski to John M. & Beth A. Komar, in Lenox Township, for $45,000.00.

Robert L. & Jeanne Curtis to Roger & Terry Ford, in Little Meadows Borough, for $21,000.00.

Gas & Mineral Rights & Joseph Zawisky LLC to Joseph Zawisky, in Oakland Township & Jackson Township, for $1.00.

Patricia L.  DeLousia (Estate) to James Cafferty III & Lori Ann Cafferty-Ogilvie (AKA) Lori Ann Cafferty Ogilvie, in Silver Lake Township, for $175,000.00.

April Oliveira, Ronald Oliveira, Cheryl D. Rennie, Vince Rennie, Anthony Kvergas Jr. & Anthony Kvergas (Estate) in Choconut Township, for $5,000.00.

Oil Gas Mineral & Hydrocarbon & Shawn Brown to Precision Capital LP & Endeavor Acquisitions LLC, in Bridgewater Township for $10.00.

Robert Joseph Ewerth Jr. to RJ Ewerth Jr. Family Limited Partnership, in Oakland Township, for $1.00.

Evelyn L. Dierolf, Robert S. Dierolf, Laura Dierolf (Estate AKA), Laura Lillian Dierolf (Estate), William Carl Dierolf, Jr. (Estate) to Robert S. & & Evelyn L. Dierolf, in Lenox Township, for $1.00.

Gerald F. & Patricia A. Verboys to Seven G. Verboys, in Clifford Township, for $1.00.

Dorothy M. Arthur (Estate) to Amy M. & Jeffrey M. Decker, in Harmony Township, for $178,650.00.

Thaddeus A. Yarrish Jr. & Gina Yarrish to Montana Ranch Hands LLC, in Gibson Township & Hardford Township, for $1.00.

Thaddeus A. Yarrish Jr. & Gina Yarrish to Thaddeus A. Yarrish Jr & Gina Yarrish, in Gibson Township, for $1.00.

Thaddeus A. Yarrish Jr & Gina Yarrish to TGY LLC, in Gibson Township, for $1.00.

William Beckwith (AKA) William E. Beckwith & Robin Beckwith, in Herrick Township, for $100.00.

Frank Rains (AKA) Frank E. Rains (AKA) Frank Ezra Fains & Judy Rains (AKA) Judy K. Rains (AKA) Judy Kay Rains to Bremer Hof Owners Inc., in Herrick Township, for $100.00.

Ronald & Michaelene Vakay to Ronald & Michaelene Vakay, in Bridgewater Township, for $1.00.

Donald P. & Stacey N. Zaleski to Cathy E. Hawley, in Choconut Township, for $87,500.00.

Dale G. & Margaret W. Empet to Dale G. & Margaret W. Empet, in Harford Township & Lenox Township, for $1.00.