A great number of residents attended the Susquehanna Depot’s Council meeting on September 14th requesting police, both local and state, to respond to their calls.  One of the residents, John Benedict said he phoned 911 when he heard gunfire; he had to wait forty minutes for the State Police to arrive.  Local Police were not available for the call; they were out of the area on another incident.

Mr. Benedict said when he moved into his home on Franklin Ave., it was a quiet neighborhood and kid friendly. Now there are issues with the drug dealers invading the neighborhood.  He thanked Codes Enforcement Officer Roy Williams for condemning the one drug house, but he is concerned because people are coming back to the area and threatening residents.  He said he rarely sees police presence in his area, and he would appreciate it if there could be more visible presence.

There was an incident Mr. Benedict reported when a drug dealer threatened his neighbor’s life. The neighbor phoned Gibson State Police, and never received a response. He said he was threatened and police didn’t respond, he questioned if they waiting for someone to be killed?

Mr. Benedict said there are other issues; 4 wheelers riding 60-70 mph up and down the road, which he stated is unacceptable.  He said neighbors are all watching out for each other, but it’s not going to eliminate the problem if there isn’t any police support.

Council President Varsik said he would call the District Attorney to speak with him about the situation, and the Gibson Barracks.  He said it’s unfortunate not having 24x7 police coverage, and also not having an officer respond because he’s on another call.   He will also discuss the situation with the Mayor, since she was unable to attend this meeting.

Dan Vinsko, who resides on High Street, said it’s not only a problem on Franklin Ave., there was a dangerous situation on Willow Street also.

Residents stated Officer Cramer has been very helpful and shows up when they call for assistance, and they’re very grateful to him. 

Council offered their sincere thanks to Officer Cramer for all the assistance he gives to the people in need.  Officer Cramer in turn applauded the residents in attendance and said he wouldn’t be able to help if it wasn’t for them informing him of situations.

Councilperson Deborah Zayas said it was commendable for people to come out and voice their concerns.  She would like them to know there is a council meeting each month where they can find out what is happening in town.

Andrew Elliot, who resides on Erie Avenue said he has spoken to two supervisors from PennDOT who are working on his road.  He said he used to be able to see the woods behind his house, but now the view is all blocked with rocks.  He said there is a giant wall of rocks in the back, and in the front of his house.  The rocks from the work have been kicking up a lot of dust; he has COPD, and the dust aggravates his condition.  His children and grandchildren can’t play outside because the dust is providing an unhealthy air quality.  He asked the PennDOT Supervisors to hose down the rocks with water to cut down on some of the dust, but they replied Pennsylvania American water company will not allow them to use the hydrant for that purpose.

President Varsik said he would try to obtain a timeline of their progress and completion to pass along to him.

Two bids were received to replace the wall made out of railroad ties on East Avenue, which is falling apart.  The first bid opened was from Warren Stone Excavating, who provided two types of stone.  The first is master block for a price of twenty-eight thousand six hundred dollars, and the second Redi-Rock block at a price of forty thousand six hundred dollars.

The second bid was from Ken Rauch Excavating out of Montrose at a price of sixty-four thousand five hundred forty-six dollars.

Council asked Councilman Williams to explain the difference between master block and Redi-Rock.  After he explained the difference, he said that he felt for this particular job the master block would work just as well.

Both companies bid on excavation, block, drains and guiderails.  Council accepted by a unanimous decision to accept the low bid from Warren Stone Excavating at a price of twenty-eight thousand six hundred dollars.

Councilperson Sue Crawford announced Homecoming weekend would be celebrated on Friday, October 14th, and Saturday, October 15th.  The parade will be held the morning of October 15th and on Friday, October 14th they will have the bon fire and dance for the Susquehanna Community School District.

Councilperson Deborah Zayas said she had a request from the DPW to keep a current, part time worker with the same hours throughout the fall with a salary increase.  The DPW workers need additional help with the park project.  Council unanimously agreed to grant their request.

Councilman Williams said he spoke to the owners of Drinker Creek Beverage and they plan on rebuilding.  He said it would take approximately seven to ten days to clean up after the fire and they are requesting additional Police patrol due to people trying to salvage metal.

Council discussed the Haynes Building with Councilman Williams providing a report on the condition of the structure.  He stated the back portion of the building is the most serious issue but the entire structure needs to be demolished.  The only way to do it would be by hand due to the close proximity to other buildings.  There isn’t any way equipment could be used.  They would also need to keep the sidewalk open, and two to three parking spots would be taken away during the demolition.  Councilman Williams said he would be obtaining bids, but the one proposed bid price he received came at an estimated cost of forty-seven thousand five hundred dollars.

The next Council meeting will be Wednesday, October 12th at 6:00 pm.  Residents are urged to attend.

The District Attorney's Office is continuing its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident which caused Susquehanna County Sheriff Benedict to institute a lockdown of the Montrose Area School District.  That investigation has resulted in the identification and arrest of two individuals directly related to that incident.

Taken into custody were Matthew Brand, 45 years of age, of Montrose, PA and Adam Bohn, 29 years of age, no known address.

Brand and Bohn were both arrested by Pennsylvania State Police from the Gibson Barracks under felony warrants related to charges filed by the Susquehanna County District Attorney's Office Detectives.

Brand and Bohn were both charged with Felony counts of Terroristic Threats. The defendants were remanded to Susquehanna County Correctional Facility in lieu of$50,000.00 straight bail.

The District Attorney wants to ensure that the public understands that although the lock-down was a believed necessary caution, as a result of the timely reaction and execution of procedures from the Montrose Area School Administration and Staff in conjunction with the Susquehanna County Sheriff, safety was ensured for the students and faculty.

Like the cool winds of autumn after a blistering hot summer, so proceeded the mellow half-hour meeting of Lanesboro Borough Council at its Tuesday, September 13, 2016 meeting. President Dan Boughton called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. sharp, and by 7:32 p.m. it was adjourned.

Council members Christen Beamer, Dave Glidden, Dale Rockwell, and Tom Nitterour were present, along with Secretary/Treasurer Gail Hanrahan and Police Chief Jim Smith. An added touch to this meeting after the Pledge of Allegiance was Council's Moment of Silence in memory of the victims of 9-11-01.

Council unanimously, and without amendment, approved August Meeting Meetings, then moved to handle two items of correspondence. The first was Susquehanna Community School District's request for a support letter for its 2016 Homecoming Parade. Mayor Maby reminded that PennDOT regulations require parade organizers to obtain a permit from any borough through which a parade passes. He had already proactively prepared the necessary document anticipating council's approval of the aforesaid parade. Council did, in fact, provide unanimous support.

The second item was Susquehanna Depot Fire Department's notification that it would continue fire protection services for Lanesboro in years 2017, '18, and '19. Each year two equal semi-annual payments will be required of the borough to continue these services. For the year 2017 Lanesboro will be submitting two payments of $8,667.48. By way of comparison the 2015 figure stood at $8,231.

With no borough residents having requested time on the agenda, and no one from the audience wishing to speak, Council proceeded to the Police Report. Chief Smith took center-stage with the August Police Report. It showed 30 traffic stops resulting in 11 citations and 19 warnings. Traffic stops were made for the following reasons: speeding violations (15), careless driving violations (2), inspection violations (4), equipment violations (7), and registration violations (2).

Other serious cases handled by LPD included the following: ATV on roadway (case closed); Assist to Susq. PD (arrest warrant – closed); DUI & disorderly conduct (arrest open); Vandalism (unfounded – closed); Assist to Susq. PD (overdose/violent person – closed); Warrant arrest (closed); Assist to Susq. PD (302 patient – closed); Disorderly conduct (open); and Stolen ATV (found).

Cases closed by Lanesboro PD which resulted in no arrest included one each of the following classification: fire call, suspicious person, tree across roadway, motor vehicle accident, motorist assist, and suspicious vehicle.

Chief Smith also had an item for council's consideration—pricing for purchase and installation of an enclosed carport to house the borough's two police cruisers. A simple enclosed carport would protect the cruisers from the elements, from snow accumulation, and from vandals. A carport without windows would additionally preclude criminal elements from making simple observation as to whether police are, or are not, on duty. Lanesboro residents have reported that miscreants have developed the habit of conducting reconnaissance around the Community Center. The miscreants' purpose? To determine if both police cars are parked in their off-duty position, hence the possibility or probability of apprehension if laws are broken. Quite obviously, the predator class are taking precautions before going about “their business.”

Council voted unanimous approval to look into the pricing for a carport. Both Councilman Rockwell and Chief Smith volunteered to collect prices from various sources.

Lanesboro is in receipt of two grants, one totals $40,000 for Roberts Park; the other tops out at $88,000 for sidewalk repair/replacement work. Residents may expect the monies to be expended in the spring of 2017.

Finally, borough council has begun the budget preparation for 2017's budget. No changes were offered at this meeting for incorporation into the first draft. Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 11, 2016.