An Open House on Saturday, February 6, 2016, provided the community to preview the Montrose Health Center and WIC facility located in Tannery Place, 498 South Main Street, Montrose.  The facility is under NEPA Community Health Care, which has two other locations in Susquehanna and Hallstead.

NEPA Community Health Care provides medical and behavioral health care to the whole family, regardless of the ability to pay.  They offer a wide range of services which can be found on their website www.nepachc.org.

Tannery Place, home of the Montrose Health Center and WIC

Joe and Lori Hunt, who are benefactors of the facility, requested the NEPA Community Health Care Board of Directors consider dedicating the Montrose facility to Matthew W. Stahl.  Matthew was only eight years old when he went to check on his 4H animals during Hurricane Sandy, and was fatally struck by a tree.

The waiting room is dedicated to Madison Bermudez, the granddaughter of  Mary Wetherall, RN, and CEO of NEPA Community Health Care.

The facility has a triage room, five exam rooms (one exam specific for pediatrics), a nurse’s station, behavioral health room, procedure room, and WIC offices with a lab room.  The facility is tastefully decorated, and is equipped with high-end medical equipment and supplies.

Dr. Alan Arthur, MD, Nurse Practitioner Emily Way and Dr. Kenneth Latimore, Behavioral Health, are the medical providers at this facility.

The Montrose Health Center will accept most health insurances, private payments, Medicare and Medical Assistance.

Franklin Avenue in Susquehanna has had a perennial roadway problem, a dip and drainage issue that seriously detracts from the surface’s integrity. That problem will soon be addressed, with the aim being a long-term solution. Before the end of February, the so-called “slide project” on Route 92 between Vine and High Streets will begin under the aegis of Popple Construction, the winning bid contractor. Popple will be utilizing Erie Avenue, near the Home Center, to convey material up to Franklin Avenue for the construction project. Portable lights at both ends of the construction zone will signal traffic flow through one lane while the project is in progress. Motorists on Franklin should not expect quick completion of this project. Popple has a December 2016 deadline for completion, though the company projects a finish as early as September.

The Franklin Avenue Project was just one of the many subjects covered during the course of Susquehanna Depot’s two-hour twenty-minute long monthly meeting on Wednesday, February 10, 2016. Borough Council President Joe Varsik presided over the marathon meeting. Those present included Council members Sue Crawford, John Hendrickson, Barbara Larsen, Dana Rockwell, Roy Williams, and Deb Zayas. Also in attendance were Mayor Nancy Hurley, Police Chief Bob Sweet, and Secretary/Treasurer Margaret Biegert.

Beside the aforementioned project, Council discussed a plethora of other public works projects. PAWC is planning to replace a water main on Turnpike Street from Laurel Street to Pleasant Avenue. Additionally, DPW Chairman Roy Williams presented a lengthy list of the department’s responsibilities through the four seasons, as well a report of the accomplishments for the month of January. His line-by-line discussion of these duties and accomplishments culminated in a plea for increasing the number of paid work hours for DPW by 12 hours per week for the months of April through November. Mr. Williams explained that he, Mr. & Mrs. Hendrickson, and several other civic-minded volunteers were performing many unpaid hours of service at present. The borough, Mr. Williams noted, is one of only two in the entire Commonwealth that maintains bridge sidewalks. The Borough’s Finance Committee will consider how to handle that request for 12 additional paid hours per month. 

Correspondence to the borough consisted of a letter from the SCDA about their Annual Easter Egg Hunt, as well as planning for Hometown Days. The Easter Egg Hunt will be held on the Susquehanna Community School District campus at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 19. Susquehanna Hometown Days are proposed to be held July 21 through 23, with a parade on July 22 at 6:30 p.m. Borough Council approved permission to use the borough’s property, as well as to shut down one lane on Erie Blvd. during Hometown Days set-up and during its days of operation. Borough Council likewise agreed to schedule police patrols with the event’s operation in mind.

Representatives of True View Security Solutions, Binghamton, presented borough council with a proposal for installation of four security cameras in the borough. What underlie their need are two ongoing problems, speeding on Main Street during early-morning hours, and illegal dumping on Front Street and Erie Avenue. Council is considering their options and finances before making a final decision.

Mayor Hurley presented the Police Report for the month of January. It showed a total of 28 police responses, 10 of which were motor vehicle related: mv accident (2), mv theft (1), rolling (1), suspicious mv (1), and traffic stops (5). Non-motor vehicle related responses included one each in the following categories: fall, death, burglary alarm, assist in service, criminal mischief, debris in road, domestic dispute, fraud, public service, suspicious person, theft, and welfare check.  There were five responses to harassment reports. Mayor Hurley also had words of praise for Susquehanna County’s new District Attorney, Bob Klein, who is strongly focused on the drug problem in the county and working with local officials on the matter.

During the course of the evening, Council approved the following:

• A motion to adopt Resolution #021016 concerning set procedures about how professional services are chosen for pension plans in compliance with Act 44 of 2009 and the Auditor General’s recommendations;
• A motion to adopt Resolution #021016-A, thereby authorizing Susquehanna Housing & Redevelopment to submit a CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) for blight mitigation within the borough;
• A motion to buy a model year 2014 V-6 Police vehicle for total price (not including lettering) of $26,475. 

Borough Council went into Executive Session at 7:38 p.m. and returned to Regular Order some 40 minutes later, at which time it took action on two matters. First, Council agreed to join PSAB/TEAM program membership at an annual cost of $300. Second, Council approved a motion to promote Police Officer Denis Murray to Sergeant upon the recommendation of Chief Sweet and Mayor Hurley. Council adjourned its marathon meeting at 8:23 p.m.

Susquehanna Depot Borough Council’s next regular monthly meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on the second Wednesday in March.

Deep winter in the forested mountains and hillsides can bring to mind the idea of a large area of quiet land where you can hear even a gentle wind blow through the treetops. Many people imagine that nothing goes on in the winter woods but this is not entirely true. For foresters, forest landowners, lumbermen, wildlife habitat managers, hunting club land owners and loggers deep winter is a time to work in the woods doing Forest Stand Improvement (FSI).

FSI work, completed efficiently and effectively will help meet a variety of the forest landowner’s goals and objectives. FSI work will allow them to cultivate a well-managed forest which can be improved and may be harvested on several occasions in their lifetimes. FSI is a good forestry management tool.

Crop Tree Management is a simple technique for applying FSI. Foresters, forest landowners, lumbermen, wildlife habitat managers, hunting club land owners and loggers can use forest stand improvement/crop tree management meet the landowner’s forestry objectives. Working together the outdoor forestry workers and the landowners can determine which species and what quality criteria will be used to select “crop trees.”

Crop tree selection criteria can favor trees for timber value, forest health, water quality, visual quality, wildlife habitat and more. When a crop tree is located, any surrounding trees that compete with the crop tree for sunlight are marked to be cut. Sunlight is the most limiting resource for forest trees and this forestry management technique assures that crop trees get full sun, become dominant trees in the stand, grow rapidly, and produce abundant seed crops. Crop tree management is a qualitative, visual, and intuitive technique that can be grasped by non-foresters, requires minimal data gathering, and produces excellent results. It is a mixture of science and art.

More information on forestry management can be obtained by contacting a local forester and/or wildlife habitat manager.

DCNR Bureau of Forestry Service Foresters serve every county in the Pennsylvania. Service Forester Ryan Brown of DCNR serves Susquehanna and Wyoming Counties. He can be reached by calling 570-945-7133 or 570-945-7249 or by email at rybrown@pa.gov.

Private groups such as the Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA), Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS), Pheasants Forever (PF) and Forest Land Owner Associations have individual members who may be able to help with wildlife habitat management/forestry management ideas and contacts.

If there was one overarching theme at Oakland’s February Monthly Meeting, it was that council and the residents of Oakland value continuity. There’s not much change coming to Oakland, but when it does come, it will come gradually and by consensus.

Present for the 7 p.m., Thursday, February 12 meeting were President Brian Rhone, Councilmen Doug Arthur, Gary Boughton, and Eric Page. Also present were Mayor Ron Beavan and Secretary/Treasurer Flo Brush.  Councilmen Dave Trevarthan, Jack Agler, and Nelson Towner were absent. Borough officials extended their prayers and thoughts to Nelson Towner and his family members on the recent passing of Nelson’s loving wife of many years.

Borough Council’s fundamental traditionalism and collegiality were reflected as every item on the evening’s agenda was handled methodically and professionally in relatively short order. Councilmen approved the last meeting’s minutes, accepted the Treassurer’s Report, reviewed time sheets, and noted the five properties within the borough that required continued monitoring for Code violations. Councilman Boughton noted that there was no news in the Parks Report, and handed off the baton to Councilman Page for the Building Committee Report.

Councilman Page took a couple of minutes to share his committee’s progress on planning for the new borough building. The committee had had a meeting in January; preliminary drawings are available for review at the borough office; the point is approaching where the borough may wish to look into financing for the project and put it out to bid. The proposed building measures approximately 35 feet by 60 feet.

Mayor Beavan presented the Police Report for the month of January. It showed Oakland Borough PD responded to some ten incidents, broken down as follows: assist in service (2), criminal trespass (1), harassment by communication (1), traffic stop (4), and miscellaneous investigations (2).

Following Mayor Beavan’s report Council dispatched Old Business, that being only one item. New Milford Borough is hosting a meeting regarding the natural gas industry and its impact on boroughs at 7 p.m. on February 17. Borough Council is interested in what might come out of that meeting and its designated representative is Councilman Agler. 

All of the above business was transacted in the first 13 minutes of the meeting. At that time Council turned its attention to New Business. New Business and the “Around-the-table” segment of meeting consumed the next 27 minutes, at which time Council went into Executive Session. Business items disposed of included:

• Reappointment of Oakland Borough resident Roger Holleran to another five-year term as a member of Tri-boro Sewer Authority;
• Renewal of the borough’s insurance liability and property coverage in six different categories, totaling $12,114, renewal to commence on April 12, 2016;
• Approval of S & M Lawn Care’s quote of $1,500 (same as last year) to maintain the borough park’s landscaping/mowing for this year (excludes Spring & Fall clean-ups);
• Tabling of S & M Lawn Care’s quote of $800 (less than last year) for brush clearing and landscape maintenance along State Street.
• Approval for Councilman Page to look into the revived idea of a “Welcome to Oakland” sign at Veterans Memorial Bridge.
• At 7:40 p.m. Regular Order shifted to Executive Session. Council assured that no official action was planned upon its return to Regular Order. 

Next month’s meeting is scheduled for the second Thursday of March, 7 p.m., at Lanesboro’s Community Center.

Matt Tripoli, Sr. Manager Development from IMG Midstream, attended the Thompson Township meeting on Wednesday, February 3rd to introduce his company and provide information on the planned power generation facility.

IMG Midstream has been in business for four years developing natural gas power generation, which they operate on a small scale.  The company uses locally produced gas to generate electricity for the region, benefiting the local population.

Mr. Tripoli said the process to set up a facility usually takes two years for the studies and permits to be obtained.  They have been working with Penelec, and the DEP and expect to complete the process before the end of 2016.  Mr. Tripoli stated the facility they plan to build will be heavily regulated by the DEP and an air permit is currently under review.

The construction will take eight to ten months, and during that time the traffic will be heavy.  The building will be one hundred feet by seventy feet with three stacks, on approximately four and a half acres of property located near the intersection of Potter Hill and Bear Swamp Road.  Mr. Tripoli said once the facility is completed, it will be remotely powered and only one to two people will be visiting the site on a routine basis.

Supervisor Alex Komar asked if all the electric that is generated will go directly to Penelec.  Mr. Tripoli confirmed that this would be the case.

Linda Lee questioned the benefits and or drawbacks for the people living on Potter Hill Road.  Mr. Tripoli responded stating the benefits would be employing two to three people from the area for a twenty-year time frame, increasing the local tax base, supporting the reliability for Penelec customers, and create a higher value property with natural gas before it leaves the area.  He stated the drawback would be the construction traffic and the air emissions.  Mr. Tripoli said the air emissions are heavily regulated by the DEP; they conduct an annual performance test.

JoEllen Greene said she is very concerned about the current condition of Potter Hill Road.  She said it isn’t in good shape now and with the additional traffic all the residents are concerned that the road will be hazardous for traveling.  The residents do not want to be driving on a road that is caving in and full of pot holes, and was wondering if PennDOT was going to repair the road to get it ready for the heavy truck traffic.  Mr. Tripoli stated he didn’t know what their plans are.

Mr. Tripoli said the County has a strict noise ordinance for a no-negative impact for the residents of Susquehanna County. 

JoEllen Greene asked if there was going to be lighting, like the gas compression stations at night.  Mr. Tripoli said the facility would be remotely powered, so there is no need for it to be lit up; they will be using motion activated lighting.  A very long driveway leads up to the facility and you will probably not see it from the road.  IMG Midstream creates a company for the specific project they are working on; this one will be Wrighter Energy LLC. 

The regular meeting continued with Supervisor Alex Komar reporting on roadwork for the month, which was filling in potholes, cindering and plowing the roads.  He reported the International is working and they attached a different plow.

JoEllen Greene provided a report from the Planning Commission.  There are two subdivisions before the committee.  The first one is Williams’ subdivision, by the old railroad viaduct.  The second one is the Potter subdivision on Churchill Lake Road.  Ms. Greene stated they would be holding their reorganizational meeting on Tuesday, February 9th.

The JHA contract tabled from last month’s meeting was reviewed, noting the suggested Township Fee Schedule for 2016 was higher cost to the residents than the 2015 Schedule.  Supervisors motioned unanimously to sign the contract and keep the 2015 Township Fee Schedule in effect.

The Supervisors held an Executive Session From 8:10 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., regarding the Auditors recommendations.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:39 p.m.

The next scheduled meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 2, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.

Lanesboro is going to get improved lighting. The only question is when. The improved lighting--LED--will brighten both the Community Center and the borough’s streets. More about Lanesboro lighting will be discussed below, as well as and in future stories.

The lighting issues came up at Lanesboro’s monthly meeting, held on Tuesday, February 9, 2016.  Present for the meeting were President Dan Boughton, Mayor Chris Maby, Secretary/Treasurer Gail Hanrahan, and Councilmen David Glidden, Tom Nitterour, and Dale Rockwell. Councilman Jason Fissel was absent, and two council seats remain vacant. More about those vacancies later also.

Police Chief Jim Smith presented the Police Report for the month of January 2016. It showed Lanesboro PD put in 159 hours (including 13 hours patrolling Thompson), as well as an additional 139 hours on the SCSD campus. Police made 25 traffic stops, issuing 11 citations and 14 warnings for the following reasons: Speeding Violations (7), Careless Driving (2), Inspection Violations (5), Registration Violations (1), Equipment Violations (7), Stop-Sign Violations (2), and Drivers License Suspended (1). Other incidents included in the Police Blotter were: Disorderly Conduct (charges filed); Motorist Assist (to unlock vehicle’s door); Transportation of Medical Patient to Barnes-Kasson Hospital; Transportation of Medical Patient to Montrose Hospital; and Assistance Rendered to Motorist with a Disabled Vehicle.

In the course of the Parks Report, Council granted approval to B-K Hospital for a requested Easter Egg Hunt at Luciana Park on Saturday, March 26. Another approval was also granted to the Junior Sabers Football and Cheerleading for meetings at the Community Center when the building is not in use, generally on Mondays.

The borough’s sewer system came up for discussion at several junctures of the meeting. First, Tri-boro Sewer Authority notified the borough by letter that it had had to make repairs to a “grinder” on Viaduct Street. This was not the first time that Tri-boro had had to make repairs at this location, and the Sewer Authority notified Lanesboro that unless the causative problem was resolved by the borough there would be expensive charges levied for future repairs. Mayor Maby volunteered to take the matter for action.

Also related to the borough’s sewer system are ongoing legal actions toward a PennDOT sub-contractor, as well as against deadbeat rate-payers. The PennDOT sub-contractor has refused to acknowledge liability for damages on Jail Hill; the borough’s Solicitor is authorized to take all necessary actions for restitution. Meanwhile, deadbeat rate-payers are nearing the point at which the County Sheriff can be empowered to sell their personal possessions to satisfy sewer debts. Councilmen and Mayor expect slackers will soon see the light.

Speaking of light again, the Community Center’s electric bill could well be reduced by replacing the current exterior incandescent lighting with LED lights. Council is seriously considering the move. The one obstacle to the transition is the cost of LED bulbs. Council tabled the motion (to purchase bulbs) this month, while looking a closer look at the budget to see where funds for the project might be found. Look for more discussion, if not action, in March.

Upgrading of street lighting is also on the borough’s agenda. DEP will soon be holding an LED seminar to discuss conversion of street lights in Pennsylvania‘s boroughs. The seminar is funded by First Energy and one representative per borough is permitted to attend. Mayor Maby will be attending for Lanesboro. Council agreed that conversion of the borough’s street lights would save some “serious money.” Although LED lights do not provide a glow as soft or natural as incandescent, they are longer lasting, are significantly more energy efficient, and provide luminescence magnitudes greater. Mayor Maby will report back to Council after the seminar.

In Old Business President Boughton noted that the borough’s petition to reduce the size of borough council was not yet through the legal process. It is expected that the Court of Common Pleas will look favorably upon the borough’s petition to reduce council seats from seven to five. Council also agreed to direct the borough’s secretary to send a letter to Councilman Fissel to inquire as to intentions to remain on Council. Mr. Fissel has absented himself from every council meeting for over a year now. Council will take action, as appropriate, based upon his reply (or non-reply) to the inquiry.

At 7:32 p.m. Council adjourned the 28-minute meeting. Next meeting is scheduled for the second Tuesday in March at 7 p.m.

BENCH WARRANTS

The Susquehanna County Domestic Relations Section has outstanding Bench Warrants for the following individuals as of 11:00 a.m. on February 5, 2016

Jack Akers, Duane M. Aldrich, Ryan A. Aukema, Tonya S. Birchard, Edwin Blaisure, 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 S. Mattison, Peggy J. Mills, Timothy Murray, Desiree L. Shifler, Jason L. Shores, 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

Caroline D. Cabot, Mary Alice Pickett (Estate) Knauth. Anne Vanrensslaer to Caroline D. Cabot & Anne Vanrensselaer, in Rush Township, for $1.00.

Thomas G. & Deborah J. Bizon to  Carol Walsh, in Ararat Township, for $77,000.00.

Jean A. Swire to Alice M. Davis, in Dimock Township, for $170,000.00.

Bernadette M. Slick & Bernadette M. ( Trust By Trustee) Slick to Anthony Slick, Jerome Slick (AKA) Jerry Slick & Joseph  Slick Jr., in Forest City, for $1.00.

First National Bank of Pennsylvania (SBM), Community Bank & Trust Co. to Darek Ladden & Rachel Casella, in Lenox Township, for $117,500.00.

John W. & Delores A. Cole to Trinity Bay Energy LP, in New Milford Township, for $10.00.

Bank of New York Mellon (FKA), Bank of New York & JPMorgan Chase Bank to Christopher & Kera WoDock, in Hop Bottom Borough, for $35,000.00.

Darlene L. Bayuk, Hillary & Pierre Harriet to Ernest Benjamin III & Margo E. Benjamin, in Hallstead Borough, for $100.00.

Sammy & Joan Rudick to Gregory Rudick, in Lenox Township, for $1.00.

Diane & Craig to Jeffrey D. & Beth Ann Williams, in Brooklyn Township, for $155,000.00.

Dolores C. Meyers (Estate)  to Dustin A. & Wendy Sue Sheridan, in New Milford Township, for $170,000.00.

Francis J. Haslach  Jr. & Patricia Sira Haslach to Matthew M. & April L. Holbrook, in New Milford Township & Bridgewater Township, for $209,000.00.

Jeanne F. Karp to Janet Corbett, in Lenox Township, for $1.00.

Evelyn A. Delvalle (Estate AKA) Evelyn Adeline Delvalle (Estate) to Raymond Cebular, in Oakland Township, for $110,000.00.

Richard F. & Donna Lee Holbrook to Dean R. Holbrook & James Joseph Phillips, III, in New Milford Township, for $1.00.

Jerilynn R. Yeisley (Estate AKA) Jerilynn Hughes Yeisley (Estate) to Wendy Y. Blumenthal & David & Todd Yeisley, in Lenox Township, for $1.00.

Jerilynn R. Yeisley (Estate) to Wendy Y. Blumenthal, David & Tod Yeisley, in Lenox Township, for $1.00.

Gail M. Caban (AKA), Gail M. Baker & Joseph Caban to Tod B. Baker, in Oakland Borough, for $1.00.

James Cook & Joy  Casanares to Earl & Marie White, in Montrose, for $1.00.

Harold A Smith Jr. to Marie & Earl Arthur Butts, in Susquehanna, for $1.00.

Philip A. Curcio Jr. &  Eileen  M. Curcio (By Atty.) to Philip Curcio III, Eric Curcio, Cynthia Curcio-Morales (AKA) Cynthia Curcio Morales & Lisa Curcio, in Clifford Township, for $1.00.

Philip A. Curcio Jr. & Eileen M. Curcio (By Atty.) to Philip Curcio III, Eric Curcio, Cynthia Curcio-Morales (AKA), Cynthia Cuora Morales & Lisa Curcio, in Clifford Township, for $1.00.

Philip Curcio Jr. (AKA), Philip A. Curcio Jr. & Eileen M. Curcio (By Atty.) to Philip Curcio III, Eric Curcio, Cynthia Curcio-Morales (AKA), Cynthia Curcio Morales & Lisa Curcio, in Clifford Township, for $1.00.

Jacky S. Ayotte, Mildred A. Ayotte (AKA), Mildred Ayotte, James S. Ayotte (AKA), James Ayotte & Ashley E. Ayotte to James S. Ayotte & Ashley E. Ayotte, in Middletown Township, for $1.00.

Donald G. Cavanaugh to Christopher R. & Kevin F. Cavanaugh, in Jackson Township, for $1.00.

Mark & Michelle Antinnes to Fiondi Inc., in Dimock Township, for $255,000.00.

Jack R. Tindle to Gallatin Natural Resources LLC, in Lenox Township, for $10.00.

Jack R. Tindle to Golden Eagles Resources II LLC, in Lenox Township, for $10.00.

Joseph R. Weidow III (Estate AKA), Jospeh Weidow (Estate), Robin E. Weidow, Morgan E. Weidow, Ashley E. Weidow, Bruce Morris, Wayland Davis, Ray Morris & Robert Bander  to Bruce Morris & Wayland Davis, in Ararat Township, for $1.00.

Joann Titus to Carlton L & Catherine L. Kwan, in Great Bend Borough, for $50,000.00.

Carol Shilling to Allen A. & Catherine A. OsWald, in Choconut Township, for $210,000.00.

John J. & Loretta C. Looney to Looney Family Irrevocable Trust of 2015, Jackson Township, for $1.00.

Wilma Katherine Schuler to Oliver J. Gage, in Rush Township, for $120,000.00.

Gallatin Natural Resources LLC to MAP2015-OK, in Lenox Township, for $10.00.

Gallatin Natural Resources LLL to MAP2015-OK, in Dimock Township, for $10.00.

Lynne M. Bollinger (NBM), Lynne M. Bruzek & Robert Bruzek to Lynne. & Robert Bruzek, in Montrose, for $1.00.

Roberta A. Reddon (AKA) Roberta A. Kelly, Thomas J. Kelly & Jennifer Kelly to Brock Smith & Traci Lynn Ely, in Susquehanna, for $67,000.00.

Arthur Marvin (AKA) Arthur C. Marvin to Harry Marvin Sr., Arthur Marvin Jr., Linda Welsch & Gary Marvin, in Jackson Township, for $1.00.

James M. & Norma T. Ergler to Wendy A. & Michael  J. Ergler, in Choconut Township, for $1.00.

Anthony & Ingrid Balsamo to KCJ Properties LLL, in New Milford Borough, for $1.00.

Thomas W. Patton to Nancy J. Patton, in Rush Township, for $1.00.

Henry Sobolak III, Laura S. Sobolak, Stephen L. Young, Tina Young, Stacy Swarts (AKA) Stacy Startz & Andrew Sobolak, to Henry Sobolak III, Laura S. Sobolak, Stephen L. Young, Tina Young & Andrew Sobolak, in Lenox Township, for $10,000.00.

Oil Gas & Hydrocarbon & Richard S. Masters, Inc. to RSM Property LLC, in Bridgewater Township, for $4,372.39.

Oil Gas & Hydrocarbon & Richard S. Masters, Inc. to RSM Property LLC, in Harford Township, for $53,814.08.

Oil Gas & Hydrocarbon & Richard S. Masters, Inc. to RSM Property LLC, Harford Township & Brooklyn Township, for $15,639.72.

Oil Gas & Hydrocarbon & Richard S. Masters, Inc. to RSM Property LLC, in Harford Township, for $2,858.87.

Oil Gas & Hydrocarbon & Richard S. Masters, Inc. to RSM Property LLC, in Harford Township & Brooklyn Township, for $11,132.79.

Oil Gas & Hydrocarbon & Richard S. Masters, Inc. to RSM Property LLC, in Harford Township & Brooklyn Township, for $639.04.

Oil Gas & Hydrocarbon & Richard S. Masters, Inc. to RSM Property LLC, in Harford Township, for $302.70.

Oil Gas & Hydrocarbon & Richard S. Masters, Inc. to RSM Property LLC, in Harford Township, for $4,160.50.

Oil Gas & Hydrocarbon & Richard S. Masters, Inc. to RSM Property LLC, in Harford Township, for $386.79.

Oil Gas & Hydrocarbon & Richard S. Masters, Inc. to RSM Property LLC, in Harford Township, for $302.70.

Oil Gas & Hydrocarbon to Richard S. Masters, Inc. to RSM Property LLC, in Harford Township, for $4,237.86.

Oil Gas & Hydrocarbon to Richard S. Masters, Inc. to RSM Property LLC, in Harford Township, for $874.48.

Oil Gas & Hydrocarbon to Richard S. Masters, Inc. to RSM Property LLC, in Harford Township & Brooklyn Township, for $1,278.08.

John Joseph King (Estate AKA), John J. King (AKA), John King (Estate) to Robin Digregorio, in Thompson Township, for $110,000.00.

Robert E. Buck, Lillian S. Buck, Kirk O. Rhone & Alice K. Rhone to First Pennsylvania Resource LLL, in Thompson Township, for $315,276.00.

Daniel E. Denny, Sr. (Estate) to Jerri L. Shibley, in Hallstead Borough, for $125,000.00.

Gallatin Natural Resources LLC to MAP2015-OK, in Auburn Township & Rush Township, for $10.00.

William R. Kane &  Dolores D. Kane to Sean M. Briggs, in Great Bend Township, for $125,000.00.

Alice E. Williams to Alice L. Coult, in Ararat Township, for $1.00.

Jefferson Park Development Company LLC to American Mineral Group LLC, in Harford Township, for $10.00.

Gallatin Natural Resources LLC to MAP2015-OK, in Auburn Township, for $10.00.

Gallatin Natural Resources LLC to MAP2015-OK, in Gibson Township, Harford Township & Lenox Township, for $10.00.

Michele A. Morningstar to Michele A. Morningstar, in Apolacon Township, for $1.00.

Michele Morningstar (AKA) Michele A. Morningstar to Michele A. Morningstar, in Apolacon Township, for $1.00.

Michele A. Morningstar to Michele A. Morningstar, in Apolacon Township, for $1.00.

Nicole E. Keklak to Cleon & Rosemary Lloyd, in Herrick Township, for $1.00.

William Collingwood III (Trust By Trustee), William Collingwood III (Estate) to Mary & Colleen Musa, in Forest Lake Township, for $1.00.

Barbara Backes Bennett to Norbert McGettigan, in Clifford Township, for $19,900.00.

HARRISBURG – Rep. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Sullivan/Susquehanna) today announced that forms for the state’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate program for 2015 are now available at her district offices in Towanda and Sayre.

Eligible participants can receive a rebate of up to $650 based on their rent or property taxes paid in 2015. The program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians who are 65 years or older, widows and widowers 50 years or older, and those 18 years or older with disabilities. 

Eligibility income limits for homeowners are set at the following levels, excluding 50 percent of Social Security, Supplemental Security Income and Railroad Retirement Tier 1 benefits:

$0 to $8,000, maximum $650 rebate (homeowners and renters).

$8,001 to $15,000, maximum $500 rebate (homeowners and renters).

$15,001 to $18,000, maximum $300 rebate (homeowners only).

$18,001 to $35,000, maximum $250 rebate (homeowners only).

Pickett reminds residents that they need not pay a private entity for assistance in filing the forms. Copies of the forms, as well as assistance with filing them, are available at her office at no cost. Anyone seeking assistance from the Sayre office should call ahead to make an appointment at (570) 888-9011. Those stopping by the Towanda office for help do not need to call ahead.

Applicants should be prepared to provide all the necessary income, property tax or rental information required to process claims quickly and accurately. Applications are due by June 30.

For additional information or assistance, contact Pickett’s office at (570) 265-3124 or (570) 888-9011 or visit her website at www.RepPickett.com.

The Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is one of many initiatives supported by the Pennsylvania Lottery, which dedicates its proceeds to support programs for older Pennsylvanians. Since the program began in 1971, approximately $6 billion has been paid to qualified applicants.