More than 80 people were in a ferment on July 20th to have the New Milford Township Supervisors do something quickly to stop the construction of an industrial waste incinerator in their community.  Many of them loudly protested their government’s inaction at the Supervisors’ July meeting, more loudly yet that the Supervisors would try to restrict their access and restrain their voices.

Pictured (l-r) are: Solicitor, Michael Briechle; Supervisors, Jack Conroy, Don Shibley, Scott Ferenczi; Township Secretary, Julene Graham.

Following several sessions in previous months that threatened to spin out of control, this time the meeting was watched over by two armed security guards who kept the standing-room-only crowd behind a blue ribbon and away from the Supervisors’ table.  They also would not allow the meeting to begin until the number of people in the room was within the posted maximum capacity of 70.  On the other hand, they helped to open the windows on the balmy evening so that the spillover crowd could observe from the outside.

Once the meeting was called to order, the Pledge of Allegiance recited, and the minutes of prior meetings approved, the Supervisors immediately yielded to their solicitor, Michael Briechle, who read out a 17-point resolution covering the conduct of public meetings before the Township Board of Supervisors.  In brief, the resolution: Keeps observers behind the blue tape; Limits public comment to 45 minutes in total, 3 minutes per person; Permits public comment only by New Milford Township taxpayers and residents; Controls the use of video and audio recording equipment.

That did not go over well, especially since it was just as immediately put into operation.  People who wished to speak were checked against a list; one resident of New Milford Borough was blocked.  In the main, however, the discussion was orderly, despite some angry shouting.  Mr. Briechle tried to explain that the rules were intended to preserve order and to allow everyone an opportunity to speak, on whatever topic.

The topic of the day, of course, was the “industrial waste” incinerator proposed for a location at the Gibson exit on Interstate 81 at the southern edge of the township.  Virtually everyone at the meeting was vocally opposed to the project; one person even accused the Supervisors of tacitly supporting the incinerator if they wouldn’t come out in clear support of opponents’ demands.  Vituperation extended to the county level.  One new resident said that his family bought a house in the township through a real estate agent who happened to be the spouse of county Commissioner Alan Hall.  Characterizing it as a “moral issue,” he said he had not been told about the proposed incinerator before settling on the house in May, which he said puts “Alan Hall in bed with these people [the developers],” adding, “He’s totally corrupt.”  That line got the loudest applause of the evening.

One of the confusing aspects of the issue is the relative roles of the township and the county.  According to attorney Briechle, the county Planning Commission is responsible for regulating land development.  The county Commissioners could, however, pass an ordinance that might (or might not) supersede anything the township might adopt.  Yet the township’s jurisdiction is still clear, sort of.

What most wanted to hear was that the township will soon adopt an ordinance of its own that would block the incinerator.  The township, through its solicitor is trying to develop a “clean-air” ordinance that they hope will at least impede the project.  However, Mr. Briechle did mention that such an ordinance would not necessarily “block” such a development; it could only impose regulations that might make the operation of an incinerator less economically feasible.

Mr. Briechle said that he has spoken with Mike Ewall “for hours on end.”  Ewall is an attorney and founder of the Energy Justice Network, a non-profit organization whose work focuses on issues like this.  Mr. Briechle said that Ewall has done “significant work” helping to develop an ordinance for New Milford Township, but that so far he has not been able to provide some technical details that might be required, things like permissible levels of various compounds that might be emitted.

One resident urged the Supervisors to pass something – anything – to prevent the installation, saying that what Mr. Ewall has said so far “all sounds sensible to me.”  He said that lawyers like to talk, to delay, to “get their fees up.”  There was some sympathy for the Supervisors themselves: “You guys didn’t sign up for this,” said he.

According to lawyer Briechle, there are a number of issues yet to be resolved with the ordinance under consideration:

• What are the unintended consequences?  What would be the impact on residents, and especially on businesses currently operating in the township, viz., the natural gas industry, both now and for the future?
  
  
• Who would monitor compliance, and how would it be organized?
  
  
• Since it’s also a county issue – and a county-wide concern – such a measure is neither exclusively the responsibility of the county nor of the township. 

One resident wondered why the discussions seemed so rancorous.  “Why is this so contentious?” she asked.

Mr. Briechle noted that “people were taken by surprise.”  There was no early notice of the proposed development in the township.  He said that it “takes time for this stuff [an ordinance]” to be studied and developed, to gather information, to make sure to follow the law, and to consider the “financial commitement” that may be required.

The determined opposition group has apparently hired an attorney of their own.  Mr. Briechle assured his listeners that he was more than willing to work with anyone.  To that end, he requested, and received, authorization to engage another attorney more experienced in environmental law to help out.  The Eckert Seamans law firm’s Harrisburg office will not be on retainer, but will cost about $250 per hour, with paralegal assistance billable at up to $205 per hour.

In short, as acknowledged by Mr. Briechle, there is still very little information available about the proposed project.  As he said, there was no record of even a land purchase as of that morning.  New Milford Township is trying its best to respond to citizens’ concerns within the constraints of the law.  The Supervisors indicated that they will try to find another venue for meetings that attract such large crowds.

In the meantime, the township does have other business to transact.  One person declared, as most of the crowd began to leave the meeting, “All we are about is the incinerator.”

The brief session that followed was anticlimactic to say the least – status updates on the compressor station; permit applications, including one to reopen a quarry; trimming dead tree limbs over public roads.  The discussions were more measured, some even applauding the Supervisors for the work they do under such pressure.

The New Milford Township Supervisors meet in public session beginning at 7:30pm on the third Thursday of each month.  Contact the office for more details.

The next known assemblage related to the incinerator proposal is scheduled for Tuesday, August 16, 2016 at the Blue Ridge High School beginning at 7:00pm.

At their July meeting on the 19th, the Harford Township Supervisors signed documents (48 pages of them) committing to a line of credit from Peoples Security Bank & Trust in the amount of $1,931,900, which, with interest, will come to just over $2 million over the 2-year life of the note.  The effective interest rate on the loan is 2.5%.

The money will be used to refurbish the township’s 20-year-old municipal sewer system, and will be reimbursed at least in part by the federal government under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development programs.  The paperwork establishes to the bank’s satisfaction the township’s right to borrow the money and is covered by a township ordinance. 

Closing on the loan is expected in August at which time the township must draw the first $50,000.  Thereafter, the township need draw only as much as necessary during construction, which is expected to begin in 2017.

Money for the sewer system will come from U.S.D.A. Rural Development, and from the sewer system’s ratepayers. Money for the township’s roads – the focus of most of the rest of the meeting – comes from state liquid fuel subsidies, taxpayers, and the “impact fee” assessed by the state on gas drilling activities.  The latter has allowed the township to substantially improve its road maintenance program over the past few years through purchase of better equipment, and the hiring of contractors to undertake major road reconstruction work.  This month the Treasurer’s report showed receipt of $426,323.64 in impact fee money.  The bill list showed expenditures of $88,881.20 from that account for the month.

The township received no bids on a proposal to apply oil to about a mile of Stevens Road from Grinnell Road to the intersection with U.S. Route 11.  A quote from Vestal Asphalt for something less than $4,000 was received, so the Supervisors decided to go ahead with this limited “experiment,” while continuing to solicit bids from other vendors.  The section of road in question would have to be closed until the oil has dried, so residents of the area were told that application could only be done when ambient humidity was low; Roadmaster Jim Phelps said that the work could be done at night if conditions allow.

The Roadmaster got permission to solicit bids to clean up about 15,000 feet of ditches in various locations around the township.  Contractors should have equipment with a “knuckle,” and at least 2 dump trucks.  Specific locations will be “at the discretion of the township,” but this first concentrated effort will probably target the worst areas along both Podunk Roads, Wolf Lake Road, Plank Road, Beaver Meadows and Grinnell Road.

The Supervisors signed a grant letter to Soil Conservation regarding the 50% grant to refurbish the section of White Road from Plank Road to Three Lakes Road.

They also signed an agreement with Williams Field Services regarding “betterment” of Sherwood Hill and Bartholomew Roads in connection with pipeline construction activities.  Williams is expected to provide materials for fixing the roads once construction is complete.

Roadmaster Phelps also asked for permission to line the sides of Sherwood Hill Road with heavy stone to help prevent washouts during heavy rainstorms.  He was told to get some quotes before the next meeting.  He was also asked for details on areas where he would like to place more fill on Upper Podunk and Orphan School Roads so that the Supervisors can solicit bids next month.

The Roadmaster is also awaiting a decision on the state’s offer to “turn back” a road known as State Route 2022, aka Owego Turnpike, a stretch from Shoup Road to U.S. Route 11.  Supervisor Doug Phelps said that he hadn’t had time yet to study the issue, which remains “up in the air” for the time being.

The township will spend nearly $6,000 with Chemung Supply for guard rails to be placed at dangerous locations on Upper Podunk Road.

Supervisor Sue Furney reported that only 1 person had applied for the new road crew job requested by the Roadmaster.  The township will try advertising again, perhaps in other publications.

Dale Ferger told the Supervisors that approximately 145 people attended the meeting at the Harford firehall on the incinerator proposed for a location at the Gibson exit in New Milford Township.  Of those, 116 signed in and were presumed to be opposed to the project.  Doug Phelps said that Harford Supervisors are in contact with their counterparts in New Milford on the issue.

The township has received correspondence from the U.S. Postal Service that seems to reprise their commitment to locating a new post office in Harford.  But they need a location or a building, and offers of property needed to be made by July 18 (the day before this meeting).  The consensus seems to be that the Postal Service isn’t really serious about restoring “postal service” to Harford except by rural delivery through New Milford.

A sales representative with kin in Harford offered his company’s products and services related to camera equipment.  Doug Phelps asked him to provide pricing.

And finally, the Supervisors adjourned the public meeting to an executive session with their attorney, Jamie Hailstone, to continue preparing for a trial scheduled for September on the dispute over drainage on Tyler Lake Road.  The solicitor’s billings this month came to $4,553, most of it related to this litigation, with more to come.  The trial was requested by the township when negotiations on a settlement appeared to be going nowhere.

The next public meeting of the Harford Township Supervisors is scheduled for August 16, 2016 beginning at 7:00pm at the township office on Route 547.

Mary Ann McCusker has been a student transportation bus driver for thirty-nine years, serving the Forest City Regional School District (FCRSD) and was recognized for her service at the July 18th School Board meeting.  Superintendent Aquilina, Board President Mary Emmett and Mrs. Chesnick presented to Ms. McCusker a bouquet of flowers and thanked her for her dedication and outstanding service.  Superintendent and Board members stated she would be missed and they wished her health, happiness, rest and peace in her retirement.  Ms. McCusker stated it was a very emotional time for her and she thanked everyone for their well wishes.

In regular business the FCRSD contracted with JW Transit to transport student athletes and coaches to extracurricular activities for the 2016-2017 school year.

FCRSD and Wayne Memorial Hospital (WMH) partnership for the “In School Walking Program” and other educational programs was approved for the 2016-2017 school year.  The community has benefited from this program, which has been in place for nine years.

The Meadows Psychiatric Center agreement was approved for the 2016-2017 school year.

Board members approved a one-year agreement with Follett for library software at a cost of two thousand, seven hundred thirty-two dollars, and forty-four cents.  A three-year agreement with Smoothwall at a cost of fourteen thousand, thirty dollars was approved.  A three-year agreement with Layer 3 Technologies, Inc. for Sophos Endpoint Protection was approved with a cost of eight thousand, one hundred dollars.

Having Kathleen Seifried be the substitute board secretary in the absence of Mrs. Lewandowski, was unanimously approved.

Susan Bollinger was approved as a K-8 Special Education Teacher with a starting salary of forty seven thousand, seven hundred seventy-eight dollars.  Her continued employment is contingent upon completion of the Special Education Intern Certification Program.

Sarah Feeney was approved as a K-8 Special Education Teacher with a starting salary of forty seven thousand, four hundred seventy-one dollars.

The Board approved the Act 93 Administrative Agreement that is effective July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2019.

Kathleen Seifried, Business Manager’s salary was approved at eighty seven thousand, one hundred ninety-nine dollars and eighty cents with all the rights and benefits included in the Act 93 Administrative agreement.

Superintendent Jessica Aquilina, in her Superintendent’s Report thanked Mrs. McCusker and M. Durko Busing for providing outstanding service for the past 39 years. 

The student performance data that was printed in the Scranton Times earlier in July was old data from the 2014-2015 school year.  Superintendent Aquilina said Mrs. Dennebaum has been working with the teachers to increase the alignment of the curricula with the PA Core Standards.  The 2015-2016 results will be shared this Fall.

A bike rack was created in collaboration between the Forest City Regional School District, the Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County and Quality Perforated. It will be unveiled at the Forest City Trail Head of the Rails-To-Trails.  Superintendent Aquilina stated this was a true collaboration.  Maggie Liggus and Macy Phillips designed the bike rack; Jacob Reeder and Alex Bean were welding students who helped with the fabrication; and Matthew Lee painted the bike rack.  Quality Perforated donated all of the material for this project.  The unveiling will follow the Coal Cracker Race that will take place in August.  Lucas Nevins is facilitating the Race and registration information can be found on the Forest City website.

The next School Board meeting will be held on Monday, August 1st at 7:30 pm.  There will be no work session for the Board in August.