Susquehanna Community School District will unveil its 2016-17 school budget at its next meeting--on Wednesday, May 12, 2016. The watchword for that budget will be conservatism. It isn’t simply the School Board’s frugality with tax dollars that drives conservation of tax revenues. Board members and administration are necessarily uneasy and uncertain about the amount of state aid that may ultimately reach the district. District Superintendent Bronson Stone and Business Manager Gary Kiernan are still awaiting the bottom line 2015-16 budget aid figure--one that should have been agreed upon by June 30 of last year! It is anticipated that at some point during May 2016 the State Department of Education will notify the District of last year’s mystery figure.

 The possibility that the State Legislature and Governor will agree upon a new budget and fiscal code bill (defining the state’s formula for how aid will be distributed) before June 30, 2016 appears remote. Nevertheless, SCSD School Board, toiling under such murky fiscal conditions, made a number of decisions that will affect out-year spending.  Among the decisions approved were these:

- Raises for the final two years of the current Management Team Agreement: (1) 3% for benefited employees in school years 2016/17 and 2017/18; and (2) 4% for non-benefited employees for 2016/17 and 2017/18.

- Raises for the final two years of the current Non-Instructional Agreement: (1) 3% for benefited employees in school years 2016/17 and 2017/18; and (2) 4% for non-benefited employees in school years 2016/17 and 2017/18.

- Award of bid to C & D Waterproofing of Bloomsburg, PA, as the lowest responsible bidder for restoration of elementary school roof project, at a total estimated cost of $747,210. (The work is expected to be performed between June 15 and August 15.)

 Other known expenses being factored into the 2016/17 school budget include the cost of bleacher covers ($9,800), clock programming, professional development, continued contract with Lanesboro borough (on-campus security), an increase in the PSERS rate to 30%, and a 6.29% increase in healthcare costs. An expected 3.5% tax increase will be sought to at least partially offset these expenses. And one bright spot for the district is the drop in heating oil prices for next year. The district uses approximately 70,000 gallons of heating oil each winter. Oil was priced at $2.09 this last winter; for next year it has dropped to $1.50--a saving of over $40,000 to the district.

In other matters the board approved two school policies related to attendance. For Vo-Tech, “Once a student receives five (5) unexcused absences after the 10 (ten) initial absences, the student will return to SCHS for the remainder of the academic year.”  As pertains to academic credit and absences for ALL students, “Pre-approved vacations, up to five (5) days a year maximum, and other absences pre-approved by the Susquehanna Community Jr./Sr. High School Principal do not apply towards the 15 absence limit. Once a student has exceeded the 15 absence limit, the student must craft a plan detailing how he/she will make up five (5) hours of time for each absence in order to receive academic credit for the coursework being undertaken during the period of absences. The plan to make up the missed academic time must be approved by the high school principal.”

The second approved by the board, “Naloxone (#823),” is a PSBA-crafted policy for all 686 high schools in Pennsylvania. Approval of the policy is a prerequisite for the district’s application for two doses of Narcan from the state. The two doses are to be on hand for use in reversing the effects of drug overdose, something now all too frequent in Pennsylvania.

In the absence of High School Principal Carmella Bullick (attending another school-related function), Superintendent Stone had the pleasure of announcing the Claire Williams O’Neil Scholarship Co-Winners: Alyssa Hubal and Rachael Serafilipi. Mr. Stone also recognized Rachael Serafilipi in the Senior Spotlight of the Month. Miss Serafilipi was on hand to address the board and speak about her educational experience at SCHS. She noted that Susquehanna, as an institution, had provided her with her best education--by far! And although she had tried sports--and found they were not her forte--she had particularly enjoyed the Art Club and Envirothon. She noted that after graduation she was looking forward to matriculation at Paul Smith’s College in upstate New York. Miss Serafilipi anticipates a career in Wetlands Restoration after graduation from Paul Smith‘s.

Superintendent Stone also announced the selection of Jordon Rafferty for the Natural Gas Technology Scholarship administered by the Claire Williams O’Neil Foundation. Bluestone Gathering, a subsidiary of DTE Energy, provides the funding for this scholarship of up to $10,000 ($5,000 per year for two years) for the awardee to attend Lackawanna College School of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

Making her swan song at this meeting was Union President Kathleen Hinkley. She noted with pleasure her 14 years at the helm and that this would be her final address to the board (though board members encouraged her to continue attending and speaking as a member of the public). Mrs. Hinkley went on to recognize five union members who had retired since August, including one teacher--Sharon Soden--who is retiring at the end of this school year. In accepting Mrs. Soden’s Intent to Retire, School Board President Steven Stanford noted, “She will be missed.” Superintendent Stone called her a “truly outstanding educator.”

At 7:27 p.m. baked sweet breads were served, courtesy of students in the school’s Life Skills Course, at adjournment. Board members present for the meeting were President Steven Stanford, Lori Canfield, Amanda Cook, Evelyn Cottrell, Ashley Depew, Carol Jackson, Jamie Koziol, and Martha Stanford.

The United States Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, wanted to celebrate Earth Day by distributing money for environment-related projects through his department’s Rural Development office.  Earth Day is actually Friday, April 22, but Mr. Vilsack sent a group of his local people to Harford a couple days early to announce the award of a $1.9 million loan to the township to renovate its 23-year-old sewer system.  The 40-year low-interest loan will be used to rebuild the sewage plant, and to replace many of the aging pumps in the system.

The event followed the April Supervisors’ meeting on the evening of the 19th that covered the usual variety of topics, but focused on the purchase of materials and services to be applied this year to the township’s roads.

First the Supervisors heard from the township’s auditors, Connie Breese and Robert DeLuca.  Mr. DeLuca read their formal letter of findings, which are filed with the county and the appropriate state offices.  The auditors had no specific recommendations this time, and commended Sue Furney and Carolyn Jennings for “diligence” in following up on prior-year recommendations.

When the Supervisors turned to road work, they got tangled in an extended discussion about the purchase and application of “DSA”.  DSA – Driving Surface Aggregate – is a product developed by the Penn State Dirt & Gravel Roads program that is somewhat more expensive than the common materials applied to township roads, but tends to provide a harder and more traffic-resistant surface.  The difficulty seemed to be the mix between suppliers of the material, providers of trucking services, and contractors with pavers and rollers to apply the stuff.  Prices are also an issue, since if the township contracted for everything from a single supplier, the cost would push it over the limit required for a formal bidding process; not to mention that such an approach might shut out some local contractors or limit the township’s flexibility.  The Supervisors have already accepted bids for trucking services.  There were two bidders for paving and rolling, but Supervisor Sue Furney wanted to speak to each of them for more detail before coming to a decision, so the matter was tabled for the time being.

There was only one bid to supply the DSA product itself, from New Enterprise Stone & Lime (the old State Aggregates).  The bid did not show a FOB price, and because the township thinks it can do better using its own trucking contractors, a decision on this was tabled as well.

The Supervisors did accept bids from both Vestal Asphalt and SuitKote for calcium chloride for dust control, each at about $1.00 per gallon.

They accepted the low bid from Ace Robbins for diesel and gasoline fuels.  Fuel bids are generally quoted at some differential over the so-called “rack” price, the price of the fuel at the wholesale delivery point.  So, while the bids can be compared to some extent, the delivered price will fluctuate.

The Supervisors accepted the low bid from Kiefer Trucking for cinders for winter traction at a price of $14.50 per yard.

They went on to discuss what to do about Houlihan Road.  Only about ¾ of a mile of this rough track lies in Harford Township (from U.S. 11 to the New Milford Township line), serving only 2 houses.  Supervisor Conrad Owens would like to do something about it, and Roadmaster Jim Phelps said that a bulldozer would probably be required just to open it up for further work.  He estimated it would take about 4,000 tons of fill to repair the road.  For the time being the Supervisors aren’t sure they want to spend upwards of $20,000 for ¾ of a mile of seldom-used roadway.

The Supervisors also announced that they would apply for a Dirt & Gravel grant to refurbish White Road from Plank Road to Three Lakes Road.  The state’s Dirt & Gravel program is using selected projects to demonstrate new approaches to the maintenance of such rural roads; Harford has taken advantage of such opportunities in the past, most recently on Bartholomew Road.

The Harford Supervisors are a little perturbed by the failure of neighboring Lenox Township to pay its share of workmen’s compensation insurance premiums for the fire company for 2015.  Lenox apparently is concerned about the rise in cost.  They didn’t come to a decision on the matter, but Mr. Owens said that Lenox will have to choose between ponying up on the agreement as is, contracting for their own insurance, or doing without fire coverage from Harford.

Township Secretary Carolyn Jennings was appointed the township’s representative to the Susquehanna County Tax Collection Committee.   The Committee is established under Act 32 of 2008, in particular to manage the collection of the earned income tax within a “tax collection district” (in this case, the county).

Ms. Jennings returned just that morning from the state township officials’ convention at Hershey sponsored by the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS).  She reported on some sessions that she expected to be useful in her work for Harford Township.

The Supervisors decided that the annual “cleanup” this year would take place during the first full week of June, beginning on Monday, June 6.  The price per load will be the same as last year -- $60.  Since nobody is handling electronics any more, no electronics will be accepted.  Contact the township office for details, and to register for a pickup.

The Supervisors agreed to permit the Fire Police to assist at Nicholson for their wine festival on May 14.

They ended up discussing proposals from Mr. Owens for a retaining wall and a wash pad in the equipment yard.  An additional wall will be required to enclose a containment area for the salt brine to be delivered for dust control.  And he would like a concrete pad for washing equipment.  Altogether he expected the cost to be under $2,000 for concrete, the work to be done by township employees.

On the following day, the 20th, the Feds arrived, 6 or 7 of them, the delegation headed by Thomas Williams, State Director for USDA Rural Development.  Two county Commissioners attended, along with the three township Supervisors, a representative of Congressman Tom Marino, and the sewer system’s engineer, David Klepadlo.  All crowded into the little office while tax collector Jessica Miller pored over her laptop and accepted tax payments.

Pictured (L-R) are: Barbara Lukens, USDA Loan Specialist; Del Becker, USDA Construction Analyst; Conrad Owens, Harford Township Supervisors; Elizabeth Arnold, Susquehanna County Commissioner; Alan Hall, Susquehanna County Commissioner; Doug Phelps, Chair of the Harford Township Supervisors; Sue Funey, Harford Township Supervisor; Carolyn Jennings, Harford Township Secretary; Thomas Williams, UDSA Rural Development Director for Pennsylvania; Thomas Cahill, representing the office of Congressman Tom Marino; Kimberley Loftus, USDA Area Specialist.  Obscured are David Klepadlo, Sewer System Engineer; and Susanne Gantz, USDA Water and Environmental Program Director.

Mr. Klepadlo started off with a description of the current system, built in 1993-1994, its shortcomings, and the scope of the project in prospect.  “It’s getting old,” he said.  The sewer plant on Burns Road will be effectively completely rebuilt to meet the newest standards and regulations, and will include an extended building structure, and a two-bay garage.  Since the system is still in compliance, the work is “proactive” in that the system will undergo the renovation well in advance of the imposition of new regulations; in particular, the new plant will bring the emission of nitrogen products to zero.

Application for the loan was submitted – twice – over the past couple of months.  Ms. Furney properly inquired as to when the township could expect a formal commitment letter.  Susanne Gantz, responsible for such things with the state office of USDA Rural Development, said that the letter should have gone out that very morning.  The letter is necessary for the township to begin arranging for the funds.

Mr. Klepadlo said that, among his many clients, Harford is one of his favorites, the Supervisors generally being easy to work with, and aware of the need to stay ahead of these things.  He said that construction would begin in the Spring of 2017, would take about a year, and would not involve any disruption in service.  His company is already engaged in a comprehensive inventory of the pumps in use among the hundreds on the system.

The $1.9 million provided through the USDA loan will also cover the remaining balance of some half a million dollars on the original USDA loan.  Mr. Klepadlo has estimated that sewer fees could eventually rise to about $250 per quarter to pay for the project and the ongoing operation of the system.  The current fee is $125 per quarter per “equivalent dwelling unit” (EDU).  Commercial properties are generally charged for multiple EDU’s.

Since the event was billed to cover the lunch hour, some expected something to eat.  This reporter was offered a cup of Ramen noodles heated in a microwave oven.  On the other hand, it was first appearance of a U.S. Government license plate in the township parking lot in recent memory.

The next public meeting of the Harford Township Supervisors is expected to be on Tuesday, May 17, 2016, beginning at 7:00pm at the township office on Route 547 southwest of the Interstate.

The signs of the times, they are a changing--both literally and figuratively in Susquehanna Depot. That was the conclusion obvious to all in attendance at the borough’s monthly meeting on Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Council President Joe Varsik presided at the meeting. Council members Sue Crawford, John Hendrickson, Barbara Larson, Roy Williams, and Deborah Zayas were present, along with Mayor Nancy Hurley, Secretary/Treasurer Margaret Biegert, and Solicitor Michael Briechle.

Three guest speakers were on the agenda for presentations, and each of them epitomized the signs of change in Susquehanna. First up was County District Attorney Robert Klein. D.A. Klein commended local community leaders and educators for their involvement in the fight against illicit drug use. He noted the recent event at Susquehanna Community High School on April 11 and the upcoming prescription drug take back scheduled for Saturday, April 30, at Schneider’s Market. Besides emphasizing the anonymous reporting of neighborhood drug dealing, D.A. Klein announced the initiation of saturation law enforcement.

The saturation law enforcement of which he spoke actually occurred the previous weekend on Susquehanna’s streets. Seven police units from various governmental sub-divisions were assembled by D.A. Klein to magnify police presence in the local area. The District Attorney emphasized that his office is setting its sights on making drug dealers very uncomfortable, if not non-existent, in this county.  Saturation enforcement is not a “once-in-a-blue-moon” event; it is ongoing, and back-to-back days of saturation police presence will occur to make the lives of drug dealers miserable.

Council members applauded D.A. Klein’s commitment to eradicate area drug distribution networks. Targeted police patrolling, council members noted, is a reassuring sign that the rule of law will not be surrendered to those elements who would feed off society’s basest desires.

Following D.A. Klein’s high-energy presentation, Lauren Terwilliger, co-owner of the Pocono Sign Company, sighed that she had a tough act to follow. Nevertheless, she soldiered on, presenting to borough council a proposal for an electronic sign on the Susquehanna end of Veterans Memorial Bridge. Her proposal to the borough featured a luster board mounted on 6’ x 6’ poles, with a 15” LED ticker. The sign’s design is patterned after that used by the local branch library. Permitting from Penelec and PennDOT is still required, and the cost of the proposed sign would be approximately $7,900.

Council President Varsik indicated that completion of this sign project had been on his radar screen for six years and he was greatly heartened to finally see it coming to fruition. Council unanimously approved purchase of the community board sign, upon written notice of all necessary permits and right-of-ways being granted.

The third guest speaker was Brian Hutchison of the Kilmer Insurance Group. Mr. Hutchison made a detailed presentation of the level of service he was capable of providing in tailoring insurance coverage to the borough’s needs. In a sure sign that Mr. Hutchison had made an effective presentation council voted unanimously to sign on with the Kilmer Insurance Group when the borough’s insurance comes up for renewal in August. In agreeing to the change of insurance carriers, council noted PSAB’s (Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs) positive recommendation, the competitive rates, and an EMC dividend program not offered by the borough’s current insurance carrier.

Another sign of change originated from the audience. Susquehanna resident John Sholtiss (of SCDA) requested permission of council for the placement of commemorative bricks (previously located over Drinker Creek sidewalks) to an area near Drinker Creek Park. Council asked a few questions concerning the project, and then responded by voting unanimous approval.

Mayor Hurley presented the Police Report for the month of March. It showed 46 police responses, 18 of which were traffic stops. Among the more serious of the remaining 28 responses were these: Assault (1), Burglary (2), Criminal Mischief (1), Suspicious Person (3), Harassment (4) Harassment by Communication (2), PFA--Protection From Abuse (1), and Investigations (2). Additionally, Mayor Hurley read a letter from Nancy Narma who recognized Susquehanna PD for assistance with reporting the theft of political signs.

Councilman Williams presented the DPW and Codes Reports. As concerns the Department of Public Works, Mr. Williams reported that PennDOT was to have begun the Franklin Avenue Project no later than April 18. Nevertheless, the project had not yet begun. And residents along Franklin Avenue had not yet been notified of any plans for commencement, so advised Councilwoman Larsen.

The Codes Report showed 67 notices of violation. Seventeen of those are in the process of correction and two have resulted in condemnation proceedings. Another 12 cases are currently in the process of being handled by the Magisterial District Justice Jodi Cordner. Mr. Williams also reported that a number of property owners have been less than diligent in maintaining their retaining walls along Drinker Creek. Councilman Williams is in the process of drafting a plan for remediation of the resultant problem.

In New Business, Council took the following actions:

• Reviewed, modified, and voted to advertise a street opening & excavation ordinance;
  
  
• Voted to advertise the ordinance for elimination of the ward system; and
  
  
• Voted to hire Terry Clemons, Esquire, and his law firm to amend the borough’s Zoning Ordinance.

At 8:27 p.m. council went into executive session to address legal and personnel matters. Returning to regular order at 8:50 p.m., Council adjourned without taking any official action on matters discussed in executive session.

Borough Council’s next monthly meeting is scheduled for the second Wednesday in May.

Lanesboro’s regular schedule for meeting is the second Tuesday of each month. But unforeseen circumstances tossed a curve ball to council in April. The borough’s April 12 meeting was cancelled in advance when it became apparent there was no chance a quorum could be had. The meeting was then rescheduled to Monday, April 18, 2016. Borough council finally got it all together for an abbreviated meeting from 7:28 to 7:44 p.m. that night.

Council President Dan Boughton presided, and Councilmen Dave Glidden, Tom Nitterour, and Dale Rockwell were present. Councilman Jason Fissel was absent. The two remaining seats, both approved by the Court of Common Pleas for elimination over the next two municipal election cycles, continued vacant. Mayor Maby was actually present at the Community Center before the meeting’s start.  But the Mayor, being civically involved in many activities, had to leave before meeting’s start to attend a concurrently scheduled meeting. Secretary/Treasurer Gail Hanrahan was not present.

Lanesboro’s meeting agenda was light and the depth of discussion even lighter. Council unanimously approved March’s meeting minutes. No borough residents were present to request time on the agenda or to provide public input. Since Council had received no correspondence there was none to answer, and no resolutions were scheduled for this meeting’s agenda.

Chief Smith normally presents the borough’s police report for the previous month, but this night no police report was available. Council noted that Chief Smith was (at the very time of the meeting) on duty and had apprehended a suspected perpetrator moments earlier. The Chief, as such, was otherwise indisposed--transporting his prisoner for immediate arraignment. March’s Police Report will presumably be presented with April’s at May’s meeting should crime sufficiently pause.

President Boughton reported that all the swings on the playground (behind the Community Center) had newly installed chain link. Residents may now swing with abandon; rusty chains have been banished from the borough.

There were no matters to report upon in the following agenda items: Community Center, Website, and Old Business. Council also had no updated information available for the Streets Report or the Sewer Report.

The only topic of mention during New Business was announcement of Primary Election Day on Tuesday, April 26.  Council will take care to prepare the Community Center (polling place) the day before. Voting will be available from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on April 26th.

Lanesboro Borough Council is next scheduled to meet on the second Tuesday of May.

The Susquehanna County DOMESTIC RELATIONS Section has outstanding BENCH WARRANT’S for the following individuals as of 10:15 a.m. on April 22, 2016.

Charlotte D. Atherholt, Elmer Beebe Jr., Tonya S. Birchard, Edwin Blaisure, Michael J. Burger, Joshua Burns, Joseph J. Carpenter, Brian N. Carter, Jeremy T. DeGraw, David J. Fischer, Morgan A. Garcia, Ryan H. Groover, Jonathan L. Hollister, Lyle J. Hugaboom, Christopher M. Kuiper, Todd J. Layton, Charlie J. Legere, Casey M. Lehman, John J. Liepinis III, Michael A. Linden, Robert J. McCrone, Peggy J. Mills, Timothy Murray, Cindy Pellew, Desiree L. Shifler, Jason L. Shores, Marcus E. Spickerman, Mickey J. Stackhouse, Robert C. Walter II, Roger D. Williams,

Please contact the Domestic Relations Section at 570-278-4600 ext. 4050 with any information on the location of these individuals. 

Susquehanna Community School District Board Directors took the following personnel actions during their regular meeting on Wednesday, April 20, 2016.

Approved accepting the “Intent to Retire” at the end of the 2015-16 school year from Sharon Soden - Elementary Teacher.

Approved hiring of the following: Kim Legg - Archery Advisor for 2016-17, Travis Pregnar - Assistant Track & Field Coach for 2016 season only, and Richard Emmons - Track Helper - 2016-17.

Approved the resignation of Will Szili as Junior High Boys Basketball Coach.

Approved, pending all appropriate clearances, the following volunteers as Chaperones: Tara Kelly, Katherine Cordner, Margo Pulling, Ciro Magliulo, Mary Downton, Christina Spoor, Brett Spoor, Traci Fissel, Melissa Lankford, Pat Testa, Kristin Potter, Jamie Chilewski, Kimberly Tuttle, Shannon Price, Shannon Rockwell, and Raymond Testa, Jr.

Approved, pending all appropriate clearances, the following as camp counselors: Daniel Biegert, Devin Breese, Ivy Christensen, Abigail Day, Kayla Day, Amber Dubanowitz, Mike Ervin, Tim Latz, Brandon Soden, Justin Stanford, Sean Stanley, Emily Staros, Johanna Dutton, Samuel Tripp, Theresa Whitehead, and Sarah Serafilipi.

 NOTE TO READERS: The phrase “pending all appropriate clearances” is directly linked to state law, effective January 1, 2015, requiring a heightened level of investigative background checks for all volunteers, district employees, and contractors.