Constitution Pipeline Company received federal permission to cut trees Friday afternoon on properties in Susquehanna County, including those obtained by eminent domain condemnation and through a commercial maple syrup operation.

A partial Notice to Proceed with non-mechanized tree cutting was issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Friday afternoon for the Pennsylvania portion of the Constitution Pipeline. Tree cutting is imminent and can begin any time during daylight hours from now through March 31, the deadline set by FERC.

The Constitution Pipeline is a project of Williams Pipeline Companies and Cabot Oil & Gas to be used to transport shale gas obtained through the controversial process of hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking”. The right of way would be at least 100-ft wide, with additional intermittent 50ft wide workspaces and access roads.

One New Milford family, led by Catherine Holleran and her daughter, Megan Holleran, have opposed eminent domain condemnation of an access road, an additional workspace, and more than 1,670 linear feet of their own property, which is used for maple syrup production by their family business, North Harford Maple. Megan Holleran said, “This is our land and family business. The pipeline has been years in permitting and we just staged our equipment to set up for this year’s syrup production. If they cut the trees now, they would destroy our equipment and that’s criminal. That’s property destruction. We asked them to speak with our attorney before cutting and that hasn’t happened yet. I’m ready to stop them by standing in the right of way if they try.”

In February 2015, federal judge Malachy Mannion in Scranton ordered that the Holleran property and several others in Susquehanna County be condemned using eminent domain for the private use of Constitution Pipeline Company. No construction activities proceeded after that, as state and federal agencies extended their reviews of archaeology, impacts on endangered species, and wetlands.

In a cease and desist letter served on the company by the Holleran family on Friday, Catherine Holleran wrote, “We assert our Fourth Amendment rights, enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, that we must receive compensation before eminent domain condemnation. As compensation hearings have yet to be held, we find any action to develop our property to be unconstitutional. We hope that your client will proceed with good faith negotiations with our counsel prior to any tree cutting, especially given their affinity for the name ‘Constitution Pipeline’.”

The crowd of 5 observers at the Blue Ridge School Board workshop may have been there to sample the soup that has almost become a tradition at workshop sessions.  This time it was a delicious beef barley concoction, especially welcomed by those who hadn’t yet been home to supper.

Blue Ridge workshops are intended to preview the business agenda that will follow a week hence.  Board President Chris Lewis listed a number of routine personnel actions to come.  The Board will also consider an affiliation agreement with the University of Phoenix.  The main event, however, will be a presentation by Michael Dougherty on his audit of the district’s books covering the fiscal year that ended last June.  The Board will also consider once again eliminating the per-capita tax of $5, often thought of as simply a “nuisance” tax that yields little revenue.

Workshops are also an opportunity to hear from the Board’s various committees.  Fred Lewis, chair of Athletics and Activities, presented paperwork that clears the way to bring on Tom Phillips of Great Bend as a softball coach.  Edward Arnold’s Facilities & Grounds Committee will meet at 6:00pm, before the next Board meeting on Monday, February 1.  And Jessica Wright’s Transportation Committee will meet on February 8 at 4:15pm.

President Lewis reported that Board members had a negotiating session on a teachers’ contract before the workshop.  Another is scheduled for February 2.  The teachers have been working under a contract that expired some 18 months ago.  When he assumed leadership of the Board in December, Mr. Lewis vowed to come to a resolution with the teachers.

Business meetings of the Blue Ridge School Board usually feature recognition of outstanding seniors and staff, like the next one on Monday, February 1.  All meetings begin at 7:00pm.  But they don’t all offer soup.

For rural areas of Pennsylvania, critical access hospitals are just what the name suggests, a health care lifeline in smaller communities.  Two of the thirteen federally-designated hospitals serve patients in Sen. Lisa Baker’s district – Barnes Kasson Hospital and Endless Mountains Health Systems, both in Susquehanna County.

Unfortunately, state funding for these vital institutions was recently vetoed by Governor Tom Wolf.  Senator Baker and community leaders are deeply concerned because the loss of funding hurts services and could put these hospitals at risk.  At least one of the facilities has already been forced to implement cuts in staffing.  The situation is dire enough that a resolution cannot await another attempt at a settlement on the state budget.

Baker has introduced a separate bill to restore $5.676 million in state funding, which is run through the state Department of Human Services.  “There should be no dispute over the justification for this funding or the value it has in improving health and saving lives.  Putting this money back in the budget is a thoroughly responsible move, from a health care quality and access standpoint and from a financial one,” she pointed out.  She intends to push for quick Senate action.

 “The veto of this money was driven by politics, not fiscal necessity.  This relatively small item is by no means a budget-breaker, and restoring it does not put the budget out of balance.  This is money that enjoys strong legislative support because of how important it is to keeping these vital health care services in place.  The veto was an ill-advised and harmful move we must reverse,” Baker concluded.

The 13 facilities and their locations are: Barnes Kasson Hospital, Susquehanna; Brookville Hospital, Brookville; Bucktail Medical Center, Renovo; Charles Cole Memorial Hospital, Coudersport; Corry Memorial Hospital, Corry; Endless Mountain Health System, Montrose; Fulton County Medical Center, McConnellsburg; Jersey Shore Hospital, Jersey Shore; Meyersdale Medical Center, Meyersdale; Mid Valley Hospital, Peckville; Muncy Valley Hospital, Muncy; Troy Community Hospital, Troy; and Tyrone Hospital, Tyrone.

Rep. Sandra Major (R-Susquehanna/Wayne) has announced her monthly satellite office and veterans assistance hours for the month of February.

On Thursday, Feb. 11, at the Preston Township Building on Crosstown Highway (Route 370) in Lakewood the satellite office will be open from 10 a.m. to noon and include the following services:

• Driver’s license and vehicle registration applications and renewals.
• Assistance with PennDOT paperwork (lost cards, changes, corrections, special registration plates, vanity plates and temporary placards for persons with disabilities).
• PACE and PACENET applications for seniors.
• Property Tax/Rent Rebate applications.
• State tax forms.
• Student aid applications.
• Free state maps, state park information and PA Vacation Guides.
• Referrals to agencies to resolve state-related matters.
• “Senior citizens are reminded to stop by the district offices, and take advantage of the satellite office hours, if they need assistance with filling out or filing their 2015 Property Tax/Rent Rebate applications,” said Major. “There is no cost for this assistance and the deadline to apply is June 30.”

In addition to the state services her offices provide, Major has also teamed up with the American Legion to provide assistance to veterans seeking information on VA benefits and services.  This service is available in her Honesdale district office on the second Monday of each month. The next scheduled appointment day is Monday, Feb. 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The office is located at 32 Commercial St., Suite 300, in Honesdale. Anyone interested in speaking with the department service officer should call the office at (570) 253-5533 to schedule an appointment.

Some of the services available to veterans and their dependents during these special hours include assistance with compensation, pension, death benefits, education and health care, as well as any issues pertaining to veterans benefits. An individual requesting service does not need to be a member of the American Legion.

Major’s full-time office in Montrose, is located at 16501 S.R. 706, Suite 2. The phone number is (570) 278-3374 or toll free at 1-800-418-5048. She can also be contacted via her website at RepMajor.com, email at SMajor@pahousegop.com or on Facebook at Facebook.com/RepMajor.

Bench Warrants

The Susquehanna County Domestic Relations Section has outstanding BENCH WARRANT’S for the following individuals as of 10:15 a.m. on January 29, 2016

Jack Akers, Duane M. Aldrich, Ryan A. Aukema, Tonya S. Birchard, Edwin Blaisure, Adam Bohn, Daniel M. Brown, Allan A. Bucksbee, Michael J. Burger, Brian N. Carter, James Donahue III, Christopher M. Dudock, David J. Fischer, Morgan A. Garcia, Jonathan L. Hollister, Lyle J. Hugaboom, Christopher M. Kuiper, Todd J. Layton, Charlie J. Legere, Joshua A. Manning, Jason C. Marshall, Joshua S. Mattison, Peggy J. Mills, Timothy Murray, Vincent J. Petriello, Desiree L. Shifler, Jason L. Shores, Michael A. Sipple, Marcus E. Spickerman, Christopher D. Taylor, Jarred Tennant, 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

John L. & Dawn A. Kupst to Appalachian Basin Minerals LP, Pennmarc Resources II LP, Wildes Mineral Interest LLC & McCrow Energy Partners II LLC, in New Milford Borough, for $1.00.

Richard M. & Prudence M. Plusch to Montrose Bible Conference Association, in Montrose & Bridgewater Township, for $10,000.

Anne M. Plusch (Estate AKA) Anne M. MacFarland  Plusch (Estate) to Montrose Bible Conference Association, for $175,000.00.

Pro Environmental LLC to Applied Inspection Inc., in Lathrop Township, for $50,000.00.

William E. Williams Jr. & Gayle M. Williams to Williams Family Irrevocable Trust, in New Milford Township, for $10.00.

Shawna Alleman (By Sheriff) to Bank of American, in Thompson Borough, for $1,044.01.

Crystal Ondrako (By Sheriff) & Raymond S. Ondrako (By Sheriff) to US Bank & Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, in Forest City, for $2,416.09.

Donald E. Holdridge to Melvin Manzer, in Gibson Township, for $250,000.00.

Marilyn Swavola to Scareworx Inc., in Great Bend Township, for $325,000.00.

Mathew Gardoski (By Sheriff) to Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. & Morgan Stanley ABS Capital I Inc. Trust, in Lathrop Township, for $985.17.

Ferdinand M. Weiss (Estate) to Thomas W. & Catherine E. Brundage, to Franklin Township, for $208,500.00.

Peter D. VanHoesen to Springbok Energy Partners LLC, in Rush Township, for $60,000.00.

Roger C. & Rosemary Baldwin to Peter M. & Frances E. Puch, in Herrick Township, for $175,000.00.

Robert J. Scherer & Elizabeth B. Scherer (AKA) Elizabeth B. Vanness to Elizabeth B. Vanness, in Ararat Township, for $1.00.

Kevin Guilfoyle to Kevin Guilfoyle, Branda Witt & Kathleen Ann Guilfoyle, in Jackson Township, for $1.00.

Boyd H. Strickland (Estate) to David A. & Kathleen Thorne, in Springville Township, for $10.00.

Timothy Gardner to Viper Energy Partners LLC, in Lenox Township, Gibson Township & Harford Township, for $10.00.

Sandra Gardner to Viper Energy Partners LLC, in Lenox Township, Gibson Township & Harford Township, for $10.00.

Cory Gardner to Vikper Energy Partners LLC, in Lenox Township, Gibson Township & Harford Township, for $10.00.

Barry Wiseman & Erika J. Nyberg to Robert J. & Amy Beideman, in Thompson Township, for $128,000.00.

Jimmy A. Garner & Kay M. Garner to Kay M. Garner, in Bridgewater Township & Montrose, for $1.00.

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.

Access Device Fraud:  On January 26th unknown perpetrator(s) utilized the credit account of a Bridgewater Township man to make an online purchase.  The incident was under investigation as of the time of report.

Burglary:  Between January 8th and 29th, unknown perpetrator(s) forced entry into the residence through a sliding glass door.  Upon gaining entry, perpetrator(s) removed two TV's from the residence and fled in an unknown direction.  This incident is currently under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to please contact the police.

Theft:  On January 18th, it is alleged that a 12 year old male student removed a Nintendo DS from the backpack of another 12 year old male while at the Mountain View School District. This incident was under investigation as of the time of report.

Theft from Motor Vehicle:  On December 31st, at 4:07 am, an unlocked Bridgewater Township vehicle was entered, and a set of keys removed from within.

Theft-Motor Vehicle:  Between the 19th and 27of the January, a 2001 Mack Truck with a pug mill mounted on the chassis was stole a Suit-Kote Corp. location on State Route 11 in Great Bend Township.  The truck is green in color and the company name, Suit-Kote Corp., is displayed on the doors.  The truck is registered out of New York and had a New York registration number of 34521MC, and a VIN number of 1M2B212C51M004857.  The vehicle is entered in NCIC.  Anyone with information is asked to please call the police.

DUI:  On December 12th at 4:39 pm a 23 year old Meshoppen woman was taken into custody following officer contact at a crash scene.

Burglary-Theft:  Between January 2nd and 28th, the storage shed of a Nicholson man was burglarized, and approximately $3500 worth of lawn care equipment and other miscellaneous items were stolen from within.  The lawn care equipment consisted of chain saws, a leaf blower, a wheel barrow, etc.  Other miscellaneous items consisted of hand tools, a portable heater, and hunting related items, such as a cross bow, range finder, hunting blind, etc.  Anyone with information is asked to please contact the police.

Disorderly Conduct:  On January 26th at 1 pm troopers responded to a Hallstead Borough location for a report of a vehicle performing donuts and burning its tires in the roadway.   A 50 year old New Milford man was cited for Disorderly Conduct through District Court 34-3-02.

Crash:  On January 23rd at 2 am Gumble of Binghamton was traveling east on Montrose Street in New Milford Township when he observed a vehicle approaching in the oncoming direction and tried to avoid it.  His vehicle exited the roadway and impacted a tree on the west side of the roadway.  No injuries were reported and the crash was not reported in a timely manner.  Vogel's Towing removed the vehicle.

Disorderly Conduct:  On November 30th at 11:30 am a Montrose senior citizen was cited for Disorderly Conduct following an incident that occurred at the offices of the Susquehanna County Transportation Authority.

Crash:  On January 26th Lindsay Lawrenson of Susquehanna was traveling south on Brushville Road when, after coming out of a curve in the road, she lost control of the unit, which lef the roadway in the northbound lane and rolled.  It then came to a rest on the driver's side of the vehicle in a nearby resident's yard.  French's towing removed the vehicle, and the driver was taken to the hospital for treatment of a suspected minor injury (a seat belt was in use).

Crash:  On January 19th at 11:20 pm Gregory Tropiak of Carbondale was traveling east along Dunn Pond Road in Ararat Township when his vehicle slid off to the right shoulder of the road and into a ditch due to the snow covered surface of the road.  The driver accelerated in an attempt to get enough momentum to pull back onto the road.  The vehicle struck an embankment and rolled over.  The driver was not injured in the crash;  a seat belt was in use.  The vehicle was removed from the scene by French's Towing.

Criminal Mischief:  On January 24th at 3 am a criminal mischief incident occurred in Gibson Township in which unknown perpetrator(s) set a Uniondale woman's mailbox on fire.  Anyone with information is asked to please contact the state police at Gibson.

Criminal Mischief:  Derek Stocker of Brackney is accused of intentionally damaging tangible property owned by a Friendsville man.  The accused damaged the driver's side door of the victim's 1995 Chevy Camaro, and was cited for violation of PA CC/3304 Criminal Mischief.

Harassment:  On January 20th at 12:06 am a Scranton woman was struck several times by Barrett Slater of Liberty Township.  Charges were filed against the accused.

Criminal Mischief:  On January 20th at 8:14 pm James Hanjaras of Montrose is accused of driving his pickup truck through the Bridewater Township front yard of a Montrose woman, causing ruts in the victim's yard.  The accused then fled the scene in his vehicle.  A non-traffic citation for criminal mischief was filed through District Court 34-3-01.

Hit and Run:  On January 12th at 1 pm an unknown person was traveling east bound on Sr 171 in Great Bend Township.  The vehicle went off the right side of the roadway for unknown reasons and struck a wood garage, causing damage to the garage.  The driver then fled the scene undetected.

Missing Person:  Pennsylvania State Police were investigating a report of a missing person who was last seen on January 13th.  He may be traveling in an early 1990's model dark colored Honda Accord bearing PA Registration PD8670V.  Anyone with information is asked to please contact the police at the number listed below.

Theft by Unlawful Taking or Disposition:  Between the 15th and 16th of January, a 2013 PJ Trailer, black in color, was taken from a SR 492 location in New Milford Township.  The trailer belonged to Consolidated Resource LLC.

Theft by Unlawful Taking or Disposition:  Between December 19th and January 14th, unknown perpetrator(s) arrived at the cabin of a Brooklyn, Ny woman, located in Dimock Township, and removed a 100 pound propane tank, and broke two plastic lawn chairs.

Criminal Mischief:  Between January 19th and 20th the mail box of an elderly Auburn Township man was damaged.  Anyone with information is asked to please contact the police.

Crash:  On January 19th at 10:47 pm Shawn Walter of Vestal was negotiating a curve on Chenango Street in Bridgewater Township when he lost control of the vehicle, struck a guide rail, and bounced off or crossed over to the other side of the roadway.  The vehicle then exited the roadway and traveled up the embankment located off the south travel lane.  It then came to a rest on its passenger side.  The driver was transported to EMHS with minor injuries;  a seat belt was in use.  JD Towing responded to the scene.

Theft:  Between January 9th and 19th, a Lackawanna County man entered a laundromat in Montrose, PA to use it as a place to stay warm and get some sleep.  The man was seen on the video surveillance removing an access panel to a false wall and using the area behind the wall to sleep.  Anyone with information is asked to please contact the police.

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

The story in the January 27th printed edition of the Transcript on “The End of the Saga in Harford,” about the grand “Senator’s House” in the village, should have said that the property was recently purchased not just by Chris Tracy, but by Up 4 Sale Property, LLC, a partnership led by Mr. Tracy.  It should also have noted that the cupola in the garden is to be sold separately.  In addition, the caption on the photograph should have said that the decorations were the work of Carol (not Cathy) and Tom Holleran.  The version of the story on the Transcript’s website (http://www.susquehannatranscript.com) is correct.