Early on during the New Milford Borough Council’s meeting, President Rick Ainey introduced Alyse Kerr, CEO & President/Clinician from Integrative Counseling Services, PC.  Ms. Kerr attended the meeting to introduce herself, her company and to ask Borough Council if they would consider adding additional properties to the current Commercial District of the Borough. 

Ms. Kerr stated she was born and raised in New Milford, attended Grad School at the University of Scranton and like many others had to leave the area for work. She would like to see professionals being able to work close to home, not out of the area for a job.

Currently, Integrative Counseling Services provides services to twenty-seven counties in Northeast Pennsylvania. They currently have members from New Milford, Hallstead and Great Bend driving to the Scranton facility. Ms. Kerr said it would be beneficial to serve them locally, and others who may not have the means to travel. She stated Susquehanna County is under serviced in the mental health care field.

Additional benefits to New Milford would be the process of hiring local people for jobs the new facility would create. Ms. Kerr said they are planning to have an office of five therapists to start, in a twenty five hundred square foot facility. She stated they provide therapy for intellectual disabilities, some rare that include Trauma, Neurofeedback, and Art.

The chosen location to build their facility is 52 Summit Street. A contract is in place to purchase this property contingent upon Council granting her request to square off the Commercial District to include 52 Summit Street and property on each side, which would be a change of zoning from R-1 (residential) to C-1 (commercial)

President Ainey explained the process to change the zoning. He said they would need a motion to advertise the proposed change, post the property, advertise two times in the paper, arrange for a public hearing and change the zoning map.  Councilwoman Donna Cosmello motioned to grant the request increasing C-1 zoning by three properties. Councilwoman Teri Gulick second the motion, which was unanimously approved. President Ainey proposed they schedule the hearing for June 15th and start the process.

Ms. Kerr said once it is officially approved and changed, she would like to aggressively start the process of creating a new office facility. The plans are to demolish the current property and put up the new facility with an opening date of August 1, 2017. Council thanked Ms. Kerr for looking at New Milford Borough to add an additional facility in Susquehanna County.

In other business matters, Councilwoman Cosmello stated a permit was received from BC Construction for work to be conducted at St. Marks Church, reported by the Codes Enforcement Officer (CEO). She stated the CEO was also addressing two properties that are a concern to the Borough residents.

Mayor Scott Smith reported he and Chuck Welch would be putting up the American flags very soon, weather permitting.

Council received a letter stating the Girl Scouts would like to purchase a swing for children with special needs, which Council unanimously approved.

Chuck Welch reported sweeping streets on the south side of town was completed and he is working with the rain for minimal effect with the dust.  He said he would be continuing the work the following day.

Council members provided an update to the gazebo project. Members of Council reported sanding was almost completed and painting will be starting soon. They were happy to report the gazebo project will be completed well before Memorial Day.

Councilman Ken Carey reported he spoke to the baseball coaches to keep the children off the bank.  He informed them the Borough has a large financial investment in the bank and he didn’t want to see it ruined by the children playing on it. Councilman Carey said its wonderful people are using the park, but they also need to have respect for the property.

Bridgewater Church is sending volunteers to help the New Milford Borough with projects. Councilman Carey reported they are going to start on May 20th by mulching at the park. He stated other projects will be painting the Church Street and Johnson Street bridges, and small groups will take on additional projects in the community from May 29th through June 3rd.

President Ainey informed everyone there would be a meeting with the engineer who would be constructing the plans for the new sidewalk, curb, and drains in town on May 18th at two o’clock.  He stated in order to apply for a grant to fund the project, they needed engineer drawings to submit with the request.

Councilwoman Kerin Welch volunteered to help out with the cat situation that is still a concern throughout town.  The area she will be concentrating on is Summit Street since there are multiple cats at that location, and in order for the proposed business site to move forward the cats need to be taken care of.

Council unanimously approved Ordinance 207, Winter Parking Ordinance, which has guidelines for residents during snow, ice and hail storms.  It is prohibited to throw snow, ice and/or hail onto the Borough Streets.  Fines will range from two hundred to one thousand dollars.  Residents are urged to become familiar with the Ordinance before the winter season.

Councilwoman Gulick stated she was approached by Officer Record to hold the First Night Out in the New Milford Borough.  August 1st from five to seven o’clock in the evening would be the date and time of the event.  Council unanimously approved having First Night Out in the Borough.

After the meeting concluded, Councilwoman Cosmello, who is also the Susquehanna County Chairman of the Republican Party, announced there would be an event to be held at Lackawanna College in Scranton on May 18th at 10:00 am.  Paul Mango will be present to announce he is seeking the 2018 Republican nomination for Governor of Pennsylvania at this event.  Chairman Cosmello stated he has a connection to this area; his grandfather worked on the railroad in Susquehanna when he first arrived in the United States from Italy.

At its meeting on May 1st, The Blue Ridge School Board accepted a preliminary budget for the fiscal year beginning on July 1 that requires no increase in tax rates.  If you have a problem with this, you have a month to comment on it before the budget is formally adopted.

Depending on how you count them, the agenda for the meeting listed 37 or 38 items.  Members were in a hurry, however, because of the storm expected to arrive.  In fact, the meeting started an hour early for that very reason.

But first, Board President Chris Lewis thanked his colleagues and district administrators and staff for the hard work over the past several months to assemble a budget that is balanced and provides for the district’s needs without new taxes.

Elementary School Principal Danelle Decker then presented her 5th-grade character awards, to Cody Gunn in person, who likes math; and to McKenna Lankford, who likes science and chorus.

Outstanding 5th-grader Cody Gunn

Middle/High School Principal Peter Supko next introduced his chosen seniors for the month of April.  Isabella Cosmello is active in just about everything, including her favorite sport, basketball; she has raised $1,176 for charity, equal to the number of baskets she scored over her high school career.  She will study biology at the University of Scranton, with a future prospect of medical school.  Kevin Lewis – as tall as he is, it’s not surprising that he’s really into basketball – said he was thankful that his eligibility was restored, and he expects to play for Keystone College.

Outstanding senior for April 2017 Isabella Cosmello

Outstanding senior for April 2017 Kevin Lewis

Once the Board got into the agenda, business moved briskly, accepting almost everything in a single motion, calling out for attention only matters on which individual members had to abstain because of family ties.  Among other routine items, the Board

• Agreed to present a proposal to the Susquehanna County Recreation Center organization.  The SCRC is negotiating for a parcel of land on which to build.  The measure acknowledges that further (unspecified) steps will take place before anything is finalized.
  
  
• Accepted a revised calendar for the current school year that cuts 3 days under an emergency declaration (for the big snow storm) as approved by the state Department of Education.
  
  
• Approved a request from Child Evangelism Fellowship of Susquehanna County for “released time for religious instruction” for the next school year.  The program served 32 children during the current school year.
  
  
• Approved requests from students Isabella Cosmello, Brock Gumaer, Danielle Tierney and David Wolfe for assistance attending conferences and educational programs over the summer.  Awards are granted from a pool of about $2,000 distributed among the applicants.
  
  
• Accepted “eService” school rates from the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit for the next school year.  CSIU provides a variety of data services for Blue Ridge, primarily for payroll and accounting.
  
  
• Two disabled veterans were given property tax exemptions.
  
  
• Approved the annual agreement with the North-Eastern Intermediate Unit #19 for special education services for the next school year.
  
  
• Rebecca Jenkins was transferred from her Elementary Special Education position to teach 4th grade next year.
  
  
• Accepted bids for custodial supplies as follows:
  • Sanico for $2,712.50
  • Pennsylvania Paper & Supply for $5,638.63
  • LJC Distributors for $10,107.50
    
    
•  Accepted a bid from Diaz Forest Products for woodchips for heating at $23.86 per ton, delivered.
  
  
• Accepted a bid from Hartt Dairy for milk products.
  
  
• Accepted bids from Bimbo Bakeries, Morabito Baking and DiRienzo Brothers for bread products.
  
  
• Designated as depositories Peoples Security Bank & Trust, PNC Institutional Investments, Voya Financial and First National Bank.
  
  
• Re-elected Christina Cosmello as Board treasurer for another year at a salary of $1,500, and bonded for $15,000.
  
  
• Named Deborah Bennett to continue as Board Secretary until 2020 at a salary of $1,200 and bonded at $15,000.
  
  
• Approved the resumption of the summer food program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
  
  
• Approved updated student handbooks.
  
  
• Named the Blue Ridge Medical Center to continue as Medical Director for the next school year.
  
  
• Approved installment payments for 2017 Real Estate taxes.  The discount period is 7/1-8/31, face period is 9/1-10/31, penalty period is 11/1-12/31.
  
  
• Approved lists of sports officials, both locally uncertified and PIAA-certified.
  
  
• Approved an overnight trip for the Envirothon Team in June sponsored by the Susquehanna County Conservation District to Kutztown, PA and Grasonville, MD
  
  
• Transferred another $7,000 among accounts for the water well repair project.

The budget that the Board approved for public review didn’t change from what they came up with a week before.  Total expenditures are projected at just over $18 million.  A shortfall of over $350,000 will be made up from accumulated fund balances and changes in pension fund and health insurance allocations.  A significant amount remains reserved for capital improvements and repairs; each item of capital expenditure is separately appropriated by the Board as the projects are approved.

A long list of updates to the Board’s policy manual were given a first reading for 30-day review.  Most of the changes are simple wording modifications recommended by the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA).  Others include:

• A new policy covering the relationship between Blue Ridge and the Intermediate Unit (NEIU #19).
  
  
• Clarifications in the policy covering required immunizations and dispensing of medications.
  
  
• A new policy covering the use of asthma inhalers.
  
  
• Clarification regarding notice of student promotion and retention to parents and guardians.
  
  
• A new policy covering the handling of student records.
  
  
• Amendments to the discipline policy covering referrals to law enforcement.
  
  
• Clarification of the policies covering weapons and “terroristic threats” involving students.
  
  
• Multiple revisions of the policy on wellness in the schools.

In administrator reports, Ms. Decker said that on May 24th two artists from Blue Ridge will be honored at the IU.  Matthew Nebzydoski, Principal of Curriculum and Instruction, announced that 5 will attend a 2-day “active shooter” training at no cost to the district; at least one participant will be trained to teach the material at Blue Ridge.  Mr. Nebz also said that 3 will present at a literacy conference sponsored by the state Department of Education.  And Paige MacConnell, daughter of Blue Ridge School Board member Dr. Patrick MacConnell, has been named the IU’s Scholar of the Year.

The next public meeting of the Blue Ridge School Board is scheduled as a workshop on Monday, June 5, 2017, beginning at 7:00pm.  Meetings take place in the cafeteria of the Elementary School.  If you’re not happy that your property taxes aren’t going up, you should plan to attend.

HARRISBURG – A $3 million grant was awarded to Central New York Railroad for the rehabilitation of the Starrucca Viaduct and the concrete arch bridge over Routes 171 and 1009, located in Lanesboro Borough, Susquehanna County. The grant was allocated through the State Transportation Commission’s Rail Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP) and was one of nine projects approved by the commission.

The Starrucca Viaduct is oldest stone-arch railroad bridge still in use in Pennsylvania, and one of the oldest in the United States. It is currently used by the Central New York Railroad which operates 123 miles of railroad between Binghamton, NY and Port Jervis, NY.

The deck of the Starrucca Viaduct will receive a complete restoration, including a new surface with waterproofing.  The abutment, piers and arches of the bridge will receive repairs to the masonry.  The concrete highway bridge will be repaired with high strength concrete with an epoxy bond.

“The Starrucca Viaduct leaves an indelible, treasured mark on our landscape and is critical to Pennsylvania’s economy,” said Fritz. “I’d like to thank former Rep. Sandra Major and Sen. Lisa Baker for their hard work and for seeing this project through. I look forward to the positive impact this repair will have on Lanesboro and the larger community.”

Completed in 1848 at a cost of $335,000, the viaduct was one of the most expensive railroad bridges ever built. It was once regarded as the greatest landmark along the Erie Railroad’s New York to Chicago route.

“Lanesboro is very excited to see that steps are being taken to preserve and protect an important and active part of our area’s history,” said Chris Maby, mayor of Lanesboro Borough. “This grant comes at an opportune time for the railroad, as Lanesboro is just getting underway with a separate sidewalk improvement project funded primarily through the Transportation Alternatives Program, and the Northeast Rail Trail organization has a third project underway to make improvements along the rail trail which traverses under the railroad.  When the three projects are completed, visitors to the area will now have the opportunity to walk and photograph the ageless Starrucca Viaduct from a variety of locations.”

“The Central New York Railroad would like to thank PennDOT, Sen. Baker, Rep. Major and Rep. Fritz for their contribution to restoring this historic structure, enhancing the safe operation of both bridges, and supporting projects that invest in infrastructure for the benefit of future economic development opportunity,” said Melanie Boyer, spokesperson for the Central New York Railroad.

This year, $40 million was allocated for the Rail Transportation Assistance Program through the State Transportation Commission.

Supervisor Alex Komar spoke about a 2004 Freightliner 4x4 Truck with snow plow that Thompson Township has decided to purchase during the May 3rd Supervisor’s meeting.  He said Washington Township in Wyoming County is selling the truck, which has approximately ninety thousand miles. Supervisor Komar said it's in good shape and they can use another heavy-duty vehicle.

Supervisor Rick Wademan announced that two representatives from a local bank were in attendance to provide information on their services. Eileen Lynch introduced herself as the Branch Manager of Clifford and Forest City. She then introduced Rita Leet as her Assistant Branch Manager. Ms. Lynch said First National offers good rates for Townships; they have free checking, and also Fee Free Programs. Most Townships are offered loans with three percent as the highest rate; they also offer a check scanner with online banking. The Supervisor’s thanked them for coming, and said they would contact her for specific loan rates on items they would be purchasing.

The road crew has been out filling potholes and cutting brush alongside the roads, reported Supervisor Komar. He stated weather permitting they would start fixing, cleaning out, and digging ditches the following Monday.

The requested report for Stella was completed and turned into Susquehanna County Emergency Management; unfortunately no one will receive any reimbursement from the state, reported Supervisor Susan Jenkins. She stated she attended the Educational Forum at the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors the previous weekend. Supervisor Jenkins said emphasis was placed upon computer protection; the importance of backing up electronic records and malware protection. She said partnering up with neighboring communities for emergency management was urged. Supervisor Jenkins stated they are partners with the local fire department, who in turn are partners with multiple fire departments in the area.

Secretary Kim Wallace reported they received notice from the Susquehanna County Tax Assessment Office stating the real estate value for Thompson Township was fourteen million, two hundred sixty-two thousand, six hundred fifty dollars.

The next Supervisor’s meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 7th and residents are welcome to attend.

On May 1, 2017, the Montrose Borough Council adopted a resolution calling for the preservation of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds in the federal 2017-18 budget. These funds provide critical services in counties and communities across PA. The funds have been administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for more than 43 years.   CDBG funds vital projects in communities across PA. Funds can be used for housing rehabilitation, code enforcement, acquisition or demolition of property, public facility improvements, infrastructure development, economic development, and social services in low and moderate income areas.

In Montrose Borough, CDBG funds have been used to pay for housing redevelopment. 

“Without these critical funds available, counties and communities will be forced to cut other programs and services to pay for projects,” said Sean Granahan, Council President.

 Montrose Borough will forward the resolution to its U.S. Congressmen and U.S. Senators. A copy will also be provided to the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs, who is actively opposing the elimination of the program.

The resolution ...

Montrose Borough Resolution # 2017-03

Opposing Elimination of the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG)

WHEREAS, the proposed Federal Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Budget calls for the elimination of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, which funds a myriad of social service, economic development, and housing programs in this community; and

WHEREAS, in this borough and many boroughs across the Commonwealth, forty-two years of Community Development Block Grant funding has developed a strong network of relationships between this borough, residents and the many non-profit agencies that provide services and help make possible our commitment to our neighborhoods; and

WHEREAS, this borough in partnership with our statewide advocate, the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs, recognizes that the Community Development Block Grant Program is an important linkage of federal, state, and local government, business, non-profit and community efforts, and that the services funded by the CDBG Program, administered by the local government and often delivered by local non-profit organizations, relies heavily on the dedication of and goodwill of our combined efforts; and

WHEREAS, this borough community recognizes all the participants whose hard work and devotion to the neighborhood and their low- and moderate-income residents help insure the quality and effectiveness of the Community Development Block Grant Program; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the Borough of Montrose opposes the proposed elimination of the Community Development Block Grant Program; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this community, along with the service providers and others whose names are appended to this resolution, hereby petition the U.S. Congress and Administration to recognize the outstanding work being done locally and nationally by the Community Development Block Grant Program, and of its vital importance to the community and to the people who live in its lower income neighborhoods, to strongly oppose any proposal to eliminate or reduce funding to the Community Development Block Grant Program; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be conveyed to the appropriate elected and appointed officials of the federal government, the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs, and that this borough's name and the names of its non-profit service providers, be added to the roll of those committed to the preservation and full funding of the Community Development Block Grant Program and maintenance of its essential features over the course of this, and the next session of Congress.

Therefore, Council enters this Resolution this 1st day of May, 2017.

By: Sean T. Granahan, President, Montrose Borough Council

John R. Wilson, Mayor

Attest: Lillian Senko, Secretary, Montrose Borough