Scholastic Art Awards have been around since 1923, it is the largest and longest running program of its kind, and several of the Forest City Regional School District students were recipients of an award. Caitlyn Bonham’s artwork earned a Gold Key at Regional Scholastic merited judging on a national level; she received a Silver Medal nationally. Other students who were recognized for their artwork awards were Katelyn Hentschel, Nicholas Kowalick, Hope Reams, Kendra Bendyk, Kathryn Novajosky and Claire Urbas. School Board members and Superintendent Jessica Aquilina congratulated the students during the School Board meeting held on April 10th.
Elementary Principal Mr. Brian Kelly presented to the School Board Gabrielle Rydzik as the April Super Sixth Grader. He stated Gabby has been on the Distinguished Honor Roll every semester since the fourth grade, has an average attendance of ninety-three percent, and is an outstanding student. Mr. Kelly said Gabby would be participating in the Reading Competition at Western Wayne with her teammates. Her main goal is to become a surgeon, and to help others.
High School Principal Dr. Michael Elia presented Kendra Bendyk as the April Student of the Month. He said Kendra is a high achieving student, hardworking, dedicated, compassionate who has a smile that can light up a room. Kendra has been on the honor roll for all four years in high school, and a member of the National Honor Society since 10th grade. She is a peer tutor for struggling academic students, a member of the Prom committee, yearbook committee, Toys for Tots and school Steamtown Marathon Committee. Kendra will be attending Bloomsburg University in the fall and is planning to pursue a degree in Medical Imaging. Her goal is to work with children in need and work in a children’s hospital after college.
The next recipient of the April Student of the Month is Jarred Coscia who is outgoing, determined and committed stated Dr. Elia. Jarred is on the honor roll this year and is also the President of Chops and the Ski club. Dr. Elia said Jarred’s hard work, compassion, and love for all people and country has led him to the decision to enlist in the United States Army after graduation. His goal is to attend ranger school, and then qualify to work in the Special Forces.
During the time of the meeting when the public is invited to comment on issues involving the school district, its programs, or procedures a member of the audience highly complemented the schools last production, which was Shrek the Musical. He stated he has been attending every production the school students have put on for many years, and he enjoyed this one immensely. He also commended the Superintendent, and the School Board for allocating money to purchase a new sound system; he said it made a huge difference.
Motion was made and approved for Matthew Ferrel to be the Junior High Softball Volunteer Assistant, and Luke Pisarcik as a substitute timekeeper. Also approved were two substitute transportation drivers for the 2016-2017 school year; Kenneth Cahoon and Susan Cahoon.
Superintendent Aquilina stated, due to the renovation project Summer School for High School students in need of credit recovery will be held at Wayne Highlands School District. The cost is two hundred and twenty dollars per course, plus an additional one hundred and fifty dollars per student for round trip transportation.
Several students competed in the NEIU Computer Fair and Competition; the first place teams will compete in the state competition in Carlisle in May. For Web Page Design, 6th graders Kimberly Graham, Haylee Herrmann and Kamryn Lonzinski achieved 1st place. In Programing: 1st Place goes to 6th grader Bryce Armstrong; 3rd Place is 7th grader Tanner Christina. In Graphic Design: 7th grader Ryan Notari achieved 1st place. In Computer Fair Logo: 6th grader Riley Bossick achieved 1st place. Superintendent Aquilina thanked Mr. Earle and congratulated all the students.
Don Nguyen was chosen as one of two recipients to receive one thousand dollars from the William Gasbarro Scholarship offered by the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association. Superintendent Aquilina stated Don placed first chair in the 3rd trumpet section in the PMEA Region IV Band at Central Columbia High School. This placement qualified him for another audition with the chance of moving on to the All State Festival. He placed 2nd of 5 in that second audition and qualified for the All State Festival. Superintendent Aquilina stated Don will play in the first trumpet section of the All State Wind Ensemble, in April, in Erie Pennsylvania. Congratulations to Don for his musical achievement.
A resident of the Borough who attended the Susquehanna Depot Borough Council meeting on April 12th reported a rental property on West Main Street where the residents are using drugs and throwing used hypodermic needles in the yard, which is also a school bus stop. She stated, to her knowledge the tenants were evicted from the apartment, but they purchased blackout curtains and there is definitely someone living in the apartment. She went on to say the tenants have been throwing trash in her yard, and she has to pick it up each time before she mows the grass. She said the Codes Enforcement Officer and the police are very aware of what is going on at the property, and they have been trying to help. She thought of writing on the Susquehanna Drug Activity Report Form, but members of the audience spoke up and said don’t bother, it's useless. She asked Council if there is anything they could do to help.
Council President Joe Varsik asked the resident to give her contact information to Mayor Hurley and they would be calling her after they have a meeting with Officer Creamer and the Codes Enforcement Officer. President Varsik stated if the people removed the posted sign on the door, that would be a criminal offence, and living there would be trespassing. He assured her they would look into the problem.
A member of the audience, Judith Herschel said there is a treatment center located at 1224 Main Street for people who wanted help to get clean. She said it is a program run through Trehab, in conjunction with Barnes Kasson Hospital. Ms. Herschel said they will soon be relocating to the Barnes Kasson Hospital campus, but they will still have the facility on Main Street for a while. They are working with Mayor Hurley to conduct educational forums similar to the one held at the high school a few months back, and also develop new programs since there is a large drug problem in the area.
John, another member of the audience reported a hazardous sidewalk, which has a two-inch rise and broken up bluestone. He would like Council to be aware of the situation. President Varsik said he would have the Codes Enforcement Officer investigate the condition of the sidewalk.
Another resident reported people piling up garbage in their yard on Franklin Avenue. He said this same resident has their dogs running loose. He’s called the dog warden multiple times, but apparently the warden doesn’t want to do anything about it since the situation is still the same. He would appreciate anything Council would be able to do to alleviate the situation.
There seems to be an issue with water runoff on Prospect Street flowing into people’s property and causing flooding reported a resident. He thinks there should be a curb to guide the water flow. President Varsik stated he would have someone look into it for him.
A request was received from American Legion Post 86 to conduct the Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 29th. The parade will start at 11:00 a.m. followed by a service at the Memorial Wall. Council unanimously granted the request.
Dumpsters will be available for old tires, metal and plastic trash behind the Borough Building, located at 83 Erie Boulevard on Saturday, April 29th from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Monday, May 1st through Friday, May 5th from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for residents to bring their items. No household trash, leaves, sticks etc. will be permitted.
Mayor Hurley stated during her report she had the pleasure of attending a meeting with the local Cub Scouts. She said they were adorable, bright and caring young gentlemen. Mayor Hurley said they talked about what they would like to see for their town and they had lots of suggestions. They said they would like to see a public garden so people would be able to have fresh vegetables to eat, an archeological dig since there is so much history in Susquehanna, a museum, movie theater, and litter clean up. One young man said he wished an entrepreneur would purchase the vacant properties on Main Street and make something good out of them.
Mary Baker will be celebrating her one-hundredth birthday on April 16th and a party was held at St. John’s hall this past Sunday. Mayor Hurley said it was a great time with people coming to celebrate with Ms. Baker.
Wanda Rockwell made the news with her painted rocks, and Mayor Hurley said it was wonderful she started the painted rock craze in Susquehanna. She said it’s an emotion of excitement and love and she’s so happy they’re sharing it.
Council motioned to accept the lowest bid from Sean’s Auto Reconditioning to have the Police vehicle repaired. It was unanimously approved.
Councilman John Hendrickson said the Borough incurred a debt of eleven thousand, nine hundred nine dollars and one cent for the forty-eight hour window during snowstorm Stella. He said, unfortunately the state did not meet their threshold so they sent notification there will be no reimbursement. Councilman Hendrickson said government officials were going to try and have a Presidential Disaster proclaimed to see if reimbursement could still be an option. He said it took a lot of labor, equipment, material and contractors to move the amount of snow that came down in a very short period of time. Council and Mayor Hurley thanked the DPW crew for their hard work clearing the roads during and after the storm.
Councilman Hendrickson was busy obtaining pricing for products needed for the Police Department such as a Gun Shot Trauma Kit, First Aid Kit, disposable blankets, oxygen tanks, mace, M26C Taser, and an AED Defibrillator. President Varsik thanked Councilman Hendrickson and stated Council would meet with Officer Creamer and the Mayor to see what their immediate needs were.
President Varsik introduced Judith Herschel and stated Ms. Herschel will be the center point of contact for the park grant project, representing the Borough. Ms. Herschel said she is getting familiar with the project, and the timeline for cutting down the trees is right on tract. She said she’s very excited about the project and she’s glad to be a part of it.
Starrucca Borough Council's April 3rd meeting easily stretched to double its more routine length. And it was for good reason. The board, unable to come together at any time with a quorum during the month of March, had twice as much business on its plate for the evening. This night's two-and-a-half-hour meeting was attended by every council member-President Kirk Rhone, Donald Haynes, Jr., Charles Levchak, Lou Gurske, Darl Haynes, Art Kopp, and Jason Heeman-as well as by Mayor Mary Ann DeBalko and Secretary/Treasurer Keith Payne.
As has been typical at recent Starrucca Borough meetings, payment of most bills was accomplished, though not without controversy. President Rhone, and Councilmen Kopp and Levchak formed the plurality needed to approve all bills, less Lavery Law's long-standing invoice for $10,774.08. Both Haynes Councilmen abstained from voting, while Councilmen Gurske and Heeman maintained their consistent opposition. Councilman Gurske's opposition carried a new wrinkle. Mr. Gurske wanted it noted, "I'm going to be voting in favor of all the bills presented-except Darl Haynes' four percent and Schaefer's four percent, Darl Haynes' contractor. I can no longer in good conscience vote yes on those two bills because of what Darl Haynes has done to this borough."
What Councilman Gurske was referring to was the four percent interest payment in the Haynes v. Starrucca Federal Civil Rights Agreement and Settlement negotiated at mediation on May 25, 2016, receiving final approval by the borough council on September 19, 2016, and as amended on February 6, 2017, That Settlement provided for interest payments of four percent over five years, amounting to $2,600 annually to Darl Haynes. The borough has not yet made payment to Darl Haynes and the contractor, Schaefer Enterprise of Deposit, the winning bidder for road work on the length of roadway from 117 Kellogg Road to the Scott Township line.
The borough figures it needs an infusion of some $118,000 to meet its obligations under the Haynes Civil Rights Settlement. As to how to obtain those funds-for what is known as "unfunded debt"-the borough has been at an impasse on how to proceed over the last six months. That changed at this meeting.
A very timely email from the borough's Solicitor has authoritatively shed light on how the borough might legally proceed, "... I [Beardsley] think that it would be best to obtain a Court Order making the terms of the Agreement an Order of the Court.. . It would make things go much smoother when we go to the Court of Common Pleas. . ." In order to carry out that advice, President Rhone made two motions: (1) "to authorize Attorney Beardsley to go before the Federal Judge to get terms and conditions of the Settlement Agreement between Starrucca Borough and Haynes voted upon the 6th of February 2017 by council and Order of the Court at the time of settlement, then present the final Settlement to the Wayne County Court of Common Pleas, seeking permission to secure a borough loan for unfunded debt;" and (2) "to authorize Mayor Mary Ann DeBalko to follow up with Attorney Beardsley on the terms and conditions in the final settlement, and also follow up with Attorney Beardsley seeking permission from Wayne County to obtain a loan for unfunded debt." Both motionspassed by a margin of 3-2-2, with Councilmen Rhone, Kopp, and Levchak approving; Councilmen Gurske and Heeman dissenting; and both Haynes Councilmen abstaining.
Other contentious matters were discussed. N.E.P. Sno-Trails, Inc., had, at a previous meeting, been denied access to Community Hall property due to liability issues. That letter had also notified the club that they were to dismantle a snow-mobile bridge placed on borough property, by March 31. They had not. Councilman Heeman, a member of N.E.P. Sno-Trails, volunteered to remove it. Councilman Gurske followed with a motion to permit time to remove the bridge to be extended until June 30, 2017. Both Darl and Donald Haynes, Jr., voted no, but the motion was approved with "ayes" from the remaining five.
Another bone of contention arose from the Blizzard of March 14-17, 2017. By agreement with Thompson Township, Starrucca Borough was billed $572 for winter plowing. However, the unprecedented strain placed on that township's resources motivated its Board of Supervisors to request voluntary additional payment. Council was deeply divided over the issue and initially voted against any voluntary payment. Ultimately, however, council decided to direct a letter to Thompson for more information so that council could make a fully informed decision.
The high point of the evening was the presentation of the 2016 Financial Audit by the borough's auditors. Among the highlights were the borough's major sources of revenues and amounts-$35,353 total, with 54% coming from taxes, mostly on property. Another 40% of the borough's revenues came from liquid fuels, $23,783. Starrucca Borough's taxable property valuation is set at $17,606,100.
The top four 2016 expenses, excluding grant expenditures were for the following:
- Summer road construction - $20,250;
- Bucks bridge loan payoff - $12,136;
- Attorney fees - $10,834; and
- Insurance - $5,120.
Starrucca's 2016 starting and ending balances in the General Account were $22,600 and $11,103, respectively. For the Liquid Fuels account those balances were $4,897 and $4,713, respectively. The Auditors' Annual Report is a public document, and available to the general public by Right-to-Know Request. The in-depth report provides details by month, as well as by specific line item expense.
Other items discussed late into the meeting including the following:
- Signs for the borough's ball field (to increase the borough's revenue through private advertisers);
- Saber Pride & Polish Day service projects within the borough on May 5, 2017;
- The borough's dirt/gravel grant and CDBG Grant;
- Lawn care for the borough's property;
Former Councilman Jack Downton spoke during the public participation period of the meeting. Mr. Downton had sundry comments and questions. As usual, they evoked sharp responses from at least two council members. Secretary Payne addressed Mr. Downton's RtK Requests for copies of meeting minutes from the borough's official permanent record book. The end result was that Sec. Payne could not provide copies from two borough council meetings in January 2006, as well as individual meetings held in March 2006, April 2007, and May 2007. Mr. Downton observed that President Rhone and Councilman Don Haynes were both on council during the time frame of those meetings. President Rhone in return fire observed that Mr. Downton had subsequently served on council for eight years, from 2008 to 2016. Readers may infer what they will from those statements, both truthful.
Starrucca Borough's next monthly meeting is scheduled for the first Monday in May.
