The Blue Ridge school campus will be getting a spiffy new, high-tech sign to advertise itself.  At the Board meeting on September 5th, members heard a brief presentation from representatives of the Widmer Sign Company of Scranton illustrating the kind of video display they could provide.  The Board, at the direction of President Chris Lewis, quickly agreed to spend more than $15,000 for the electronic billboard that will soon appear on School Roa

Rendering of the proposed digital sign

Just under that total is the price for the digital sign itself, a programmable display made up of foot-square panels.  The package includes training in programming the sign, and a 5-year warranty on the parts that the gentlemen said could withstand any weather, and winds up to 120 miles per hour.  The programming is actually hosted in the “cloud,” that mystical land at the end of the digital rainbow, and will be driven by the district’s own wifi network.

The Board debated a couple of locations along School Road, and decided to purchase an additional fixed headliner that will sit atop the digital display.  The sign will be supported by an appropriately local bluestone frame or foundation.  Superintendent Matthew Button said that he would solicit a quote for the entire project from Widmer so that the Board can then decide if local contractors might do some of the work at lower cost.

The sign will be able to display photographs, messages, and other information to the passing public.  Board member Edward Arnold said that the electronic sign in Hallstead for Rob’s Supermarket was perfectly capable of advertising specials on pork chops, and has not been the target of vandals, a concern of some about the location on quiet School Road.  A camera will probably be installed to watch over the sign.

The Board also heard from another participant at the STEM program for middle school students at Villanova University this summer.  STEM, an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, is an effort on the part of many schools to interest students in scientific and technological careers.  Danielle Tierney is hooked.  She read a wonderfully descriptive account of her experience at the multi-day event focused on the theme of a “Mission to Mars.”  The program emphasized robotics, but Ms. Tierney’s group looked at the mental health aspects of such a long trip to a very foreign land.  Participants even got to meet an astronaut.  As enthusiastic as she was about the program itself, she was less impressed with the dormitory accommodations and food.  Ms. Tierney said that she looks to a future in forensic science.

Scientist of the future Danielle Tierney

The formal agenda for the business meeting was brief and routine.  The Board approved 2 agreements with TREHAB, the local social services agency, for a “Student Assistance Program” and a Drug & Alcohol Prevention program.  It also approved something called “Game Management Guidelines,” a slightly more rigorous approach to handling athletic events.  Timers/scorers will now receive $45 per event, and ticket takers will get $30.  Ticket prices are published: students get in free, doddering oldsters and kids under 18 will pay $1; everyone else will pay $2.

The Board was actually more interested in a report from member and Transportation Committee chair Rebecca Wright on the now annual training offered to the bus drivers.  This year the focus was on safety, with participation by State Police troopers, the school nurse, and others.  Elementary School Principal Danelle Decker outlined some of the new procedures for “referrals,” when a driver encounters a behavioral problem and refers the response to the school.  All seemed pleased with the new approach that offers a more timely and effective response.  Board member Dean Lewis, a bus contractor himself, said that his drivers highly appreciated the annual event; he said that another school district offers such training every month.

New procedures are also in the works for processing the video storage cards from the cameras in the buses.  The cameras record both video and audio so that issues can be more readily investigated.  The new equipment and procedures will allow a quicker turnaround for the memory chips.

Mr. Button closed out the meeting with his draft of the districts “goals” for the coming year, which the Board accepted almost without comment or debate.  At the top of the list is always student achievement.  Just below that Mr. Button placed public relations, and communications of all kinds, with parents, with the community, among the staff.  He said that social media has a place, but problematic issues should be taken directly to the schools.  He hopes to place more emphasis on “cyber” schooling, to try to attract more students to Blue Ridge who might otherwise drift into the world of the so-called “cyber charter” schools that are such a drain on district resources.  He said that, with the appointment of new Athletic Director & Trainer Scott Summers, the district is developing a new model for managing athletics.

Mr. Arnold remarked that the new School Resource Officer (SRO), Greg Deck, is already making an impression.  Student employees at the store where Mr. Arnold works clearly noticed that Mr. Deck wears a real gun and a real badge, both in plain sight.

President Lewis reported that the Board met in executive session before the public meeting.  Among other things, he said they met with representatives of the Susquehanna County Recreation Center, the organization that is trying to develop a community center and hoping to acquire some land at the Blue Ridge campus to establish their dream. Mr. Lewis did not care to elaborate on the discussions, which must have concerned both land and money.

The next public meeting of the Blue Ridge School Board is scheduled for Monday, September 25, 2017.  All meetings take place in the cafeteria in the Elementary School, generally begin at 7:00pm, and are sometimes accompanied by a delicious creation of Food Service Director Linda Cole-Koloski.

With three Council members absent from the meeting, New Milford Borough Council moved quickly through their agenda on September 7th.  A street plan, submitted by Councilman Lawrence White mapping each street of the Borough was reviewed and discussed.  Councilman White and a representative from Vestal Asphalt examined each street in the Borough and used a numbering system from one to ten.  The numbering system indicates the roads needing the most work as one, progressing to the number ten as roads needing little or no work.  Council unanimously approved using the map as an indicator where they would concentrate their efforts in repairing the roads.

Council is changing the square feet of an accessory building from not exceeding two hundred square feet to not exceeding six hundred square feet was approved as an amendment to the current Floodplain Ordinance, based upon the recommendation of their Codes Enforcement Officer.

During the Street Department segment of the meeting, discussion was held on cleaning out ditches on Wall and Montrose Streets, purchasing two new tires for the skid-steer and sealing the Borough building parking lot.  Purchasing two new tires for the skid-steer from Allen’s Garage was unanimously approved. 

Councilwoman Teri Gulick stated she would like to purchase two or three additional printers for the pictures they take during Santa in the Park.  She said waiting for the pictures to be printed was very long, and she felt bad people had to hang around.  Secretary Amy Hein said she would obtain pricing to give to Councilwoman Gulick so they could decide how many printers they would be able to purchase.

The Parade of Lights will be held on October 28th and Council members stated the Borough would definitely participate in the parade.

Eleanor Lempke asked Council if more daffodils were planted would they commit to not mowing them down right away, to give the plants a few weeks to gather energy for the next year’s flowers.  President Rick Ainey stated he wouldn’t be able to commit, that would have to be decided by the Street Department, and Councilman White was not at the meeting.  Councilwoman Welsh stated people complain if the grass isn’t cut and the park doesn’t look like it's well manicured.  Ms. Lempke stated its just little sections by the benches where the daffodils are planted that could be left a little high.  President Ainey stated the topic could be broached to Councilman White at the next meeting.

A public hearing was held on August 31st to revisit a previous decision regarding Resolution No. 07202017, which would permit Pump and Pantry to transfer a liquor license into the Borough of New Milford.  The decision was to deny Pump and Pantry a liquor license transfer at the meeting held on July 20th.  Council President Rick Ainey stated during the August 3rd meeting Council members not present for the meeting said they would have voted to allow the transfer.  Council members were in agreement to conduct a Public Hearing allowing more voices to be heard. 

After the Pledge of Allegiance was recited, President Ainey announced Council would hold an Executive Session per the advice of their solicitor, Michael Briechle addressing pending litigation.  Council and Attorney Briechle were in session from 6:32 until 7:08.  When they returned to the meeting Councilman Lawrence White motioned to have Attorney Briechle hold the title of Hearing Master.

Attorney Briechle stated the purpose of the public hearing was to reconsider the request of the Pump and Pantry to transfer a liquor restaurant license into the Borough.  Code (7.61) for the PA Liquor Control Board requests consideration of transfer unless doing so would adversely affect the welfare, health, peace and morals of the municipality or its residents.

At that time, Attorney John Rogers representing Scott Quigg challenged the validity of the public hearing stating the hearing was only advertised once in the newspaper and over the forty-five day time limit.  Secretary Amy Hine confirmed it was only advertised once in the Susquehanna County Independent on August 9, 2017.  Attorney Rogers stated the public hearing needed to be advertised not once but twice.  He also stated the request to transfer the liquor license was given to Council on July 5th and regulations are to hold a hearing within forty-five days, which they did not.  Attorney Rogers stated this automatically deemed approval for the liquor license since Council did not follow protocol.  He also said they would be seeking damages in a civil case lawsuit.  Attorney Rogers stated they obtained eight hundred and eighty-one signatures supporting the sale of beer, and four hundred and two were Borough residents.

Attorney Briechle informed Attorney John Rogers, Attorney Joe Mashinski and Scott Quigg they could leave if they wanted, but the hearing would proceed as planned.  They chose to leave instead of listening to the concerns of the borough residents.

The public hearing continued with Attorney Briechle instructing the audience to state their case per the regulation of the Act, by approving or resisting the liquor license transfer. He also asked everyone to be respectful of everyone else’s rights.  President Ainey reviewed the Rules of Conduct for all present.

Joyce, a resident of Main Street stated she was against the transfer since there are enough establishments selling liquor in the Borough.  She stated children of the community go into Pump and Pantry alone, with no adult supervision and she fears there will not be any supervision or monitoring of people who sit there and drink.

Weldon, a resident of Broad Street stated he is against the transfer since there is no benefit to the community.  He stated he has already suffered damages to his property from the patrons of the Parkview Hotel.  The brick pillar and the gate in front of his house was damaged, someone drove into his garage, and his shrubbery was run over and dragged through his property.  Weldon stated the most concerning issue was the Pump and Pantry is located at a very dangerous intersection.

Vicki stated she heard Pump and Pantry purchased six liquor licenses, and they could transfer them to other locations that are not located in a residential area.  She said Council, denying their request would not create a hardship since they have many other locations throughout the county that are not in residential areas.

Joyce said she didn’t oppose them selling six packs of beer; she just doesn’t want patrons sitting there and drinking.

Julie, owner of Queen of Hearts on Main Street stated Pump and Panty already owns an establishment in the area.  If they were approved, legally they can serve on the premises, and limit it to two drinks per person, but they couldn’t regulate if the person walked in an hour later and ordered another sandwich and had another two drinks.  Julie said they could also stop serving at midnight instead of two a.m.  She’s concerned employees would not be experienced enough to know when someone has had too much to drink, and served them additional beverages. Another issue is there are a lot of people under the age of eighteen working there, and they would no longer be (legally) allowed to do so.  She said transferring the license will only take away from all the other businesses, the community isn’t gaining anything.  Julie said it (Pump and Pantry) has the possibility of expanding and turning into another Arlo’s.

Sean Carey relayed full disclosure, as his father Ken Carey sits on Council, and he was previously a member of Council.  He is against the license transfer because he knows the dangers drinking can lead to.  He advocated at his college campus the dangers of underage and binge drinking.  Having a place in town that cannot, in his opinion monitor the drinks will create an unhealthy environment.  Mr. Carey commented, what are we going to say to the family that looses a family member because of situations that may come out of allowing this in the community.

Marris asked what would stop people from picking up a six-pack and going to the park, drinking, getting drunk and rowdy.

Karen stated it speaks to the morals of the youth of the community.  She has three teenagers who patronize the Pump and Panty and she is very concerned with the image perceived of a young person, since she doesn’t know if the beer will be in the forefront of the store.  She is concerned with the amount of drugs in this county, and it usually starts with drinking.

The consensus of the attendees at the hearing was the dangers of patrons drinking and driving out into an already dangerous intersection, being served alcohol when they’ve already had too much to drink, the safety of children patronizing the establishment, and the location of the Pump and Pantry in a residential area, outweighed any benefits to the community.

The public comment session ended and President Ainey stated they had at least thirty letters from residents regarding the transfer to be referenced.  Council and Attorney Briechle went into Executive Session at 7:55 and returned at 8:10.

President Ainey stated they would now vote on Resolution No. 07202017 and each Council member will vote and be permitted to explain their vote.

Councilwoman Karin Welch voted no.  She doesn’t feel they need another establishment selling alcohol.  The local youth hang out at the Pump and Pantry, and it’s the only place they have to meet.  Councilwoman Welch stated the Big Brother-Big Sisters hold their meetings there.

Councilman Lawrence White voted no.  He said children hang out at the Pump and Panty and it would create a bad situation with a liquor license and serving until two a.m.  He said they don’t currently have the amount of problems as in the past, but having an establishment selling beer will bring more people into the area.

Councilman Ken Carey voted no.  He said he is very concerned with the moral welfare of the children. He said they already lost local young people in the area. Councilman Carey stated he works in Endicott and when he goes out to a local coffee shop he observes people obtaining “road pop”, having a drink and driving away with young children in the backseat.  He said he wants to prevent that from happening in his community.

Councilwoman Donna Cosmello voted no.  She said living close to the Pump and Pantry, seeing all the children who patronize the business, she wants safety first.  She said the football team goes there for pizza, and she wants to do what’s best for New Milford Borough.

Councilwoman Kathy Wage voted no.

Council President Rick Ainey voted no.  He stated he wasn’t against the transfer in the beginning, since he didn’t want New Milford Borough to be noted for the type of place that doesn’t allow business to come in or expand.  But listening to all their constituents voicing their concerns his position is to do what the people want who vote them in.  He said residents supporting the license were also permitted to attend the hearing, but no one was in attendance that supported the liquor license transfer.

The Public Hearing closed with a vote of 6-0 in favor of denying Pump and Pantry transfer of a restaurant liquor license to the New Milford Borough.

You haven’t missed much.  It’s been more than 4 years since we’ve reported on Great Bend Borough, and not much has changed in the little town in the crook of the Susquehanna River.  There were one or two new faces on the Borough Council at their meeting on September 7th … but the pension for former police chief Charlie Martell is still on the agenda.

Years ago Great Bend Borough and its neighboring municipalities created a joint police department that was based in Great Bend.  That one dissolved some years later, leaving only Chief Martell eligible for a pension.  For more years he disputed the terms of the pension program.  Mr. Martell died a couple of years ago, an event reported to the state’s public pension oversight regulators.  For some time the pension plan made good money; there is now something over $30,000 in the account and the state wants it back.

The Borough had 2 years to respond and Council has to decide what to do.  The money has been segregated from other funds all this time, and Borough Secretary Sheila Guinan told members that the pension account had been audited every 2 years, so there is plenty of documentation about it.  No one debates that the money belongs to the state, yet Borough Solicitor Frank O’Connor thinks the Borough could be vulnerable to challenge by the state in other areas should Council simply send them a check.  Long-time Council President Rick Franks demanded that the matter come to some final resolution.  A rancorous discussion ensued, with Council finally voting 4 to 3 to send the money back, accompanied by a letter explaining the details.

The Borough now has a part-time police force of its own, headed by county Sheriff’s deputy, Jon Record.  Mr. Record reported a quiet month in town, with his 5 officers concentrating on training and firearms qualification.  They spent considerable time on the National Night Out program, but in the meantime issued one traffic citation and investigated 4 other incidents.  They spent just under $700 for ammunition, and office and other supplies.

Council is considering a system of security cameras to cover the police department office and Borough garage.  The digital system would retain up to a month of video, and perhaps corresponding audio, although there are some legal ramifications related to audio recording.  Mr. Record said that Great Bend police so far do not carry body cameras, nor are the 2 cars equipped with dashboard cameras.

Long-time Borough Mayor Jim Riecke asked Mr. Record to give some additional attention to speeding along Main Street, at least as long as the backups continue through construction zones on the nearby interstate highway and drivers choose U.S. 11 as an alternate route to New York State.

The Borough is trying to find a contractor to pave the intersections of several town streets with U.S. Route 11, so far with no luck.  Borough maintenance employee Cliff Mackenzie and supervisor and Borough Councilman Mike VanGorden said that none of the contractors contacted have all of the capabilities to do the work.  They hope to have some arrangement in place before next spring.

There was some debate over an offer by a local code enforcement specialist (not named) to update the Borough’s code enforcement ordinances for $32 per hour for 20-30 hours of work.  The Borough doesn’t have its own code enforcement officer, but Mr. Franks wants something done about it to minimize the constant arguments.  “I’m tired of code enforcement … nothing gets done.”  For example, the Kneifer property in the Borough that was on the agenda more than 4 years ago, remains on the agenda even now.  At one point Ben Franks, one of the few new Council members, piped up with a comment, to which Mr. Franks said, “Shut up!” and in an aside, “I can say that because he’s my son.”  Council decided to go ahead and engage the analyst for the one-time job.

Mr. VanGorden recommended that Council consider selling the Borough’s worn-out backhoe, now simply taking up space in the garage.  “It won’t dig,” said he.  Council agreed.  Bids will be solicited.

“Gas Company” is one new item on the agenda.  There was nothing to say about it, but Council has wondered why the natural gas boom in the area has had so little impact on Great Bend.  Mr. Franks said that the wells “spider” all about under the ground, but the companies don’t find it economically feasible to survey and lease all of the small lots.  According to Ms. Guinan the Borough receives a small amount from the state allocations of “impact fee” funds each year.

“Water from Rt. 81” also remains on the agenda from long ago.  There has been a persistent concern about drainage into the town from the interstate.  As usual there was nothing to report on it, so it continues on the agenda.

The Borough continues negotiations with the Little League about maintenance in VFW Park.  There was some confusion about who is responsible for the restrooms and for mowing the grass.  Council is awaiting a proposed agreement from the Little League.  At least for now, Mr. Mackenzie is directed to stay outside the fence.

Mr. VanGorden asked Council to consider doing something about a truck that routinely parks on the side of Washington Street, impeding traffic … not to mention snow plowing.  Attorney O’Conner will draft a parking ordinance that Mr. Record’s officers can enforce.

And, as if from long ago, a dispute between the New Milford Municipal Authority and the Hallstead-Great Bend Joint Sewer Authority (HGBJSA), whose plant is in the Borough, comes forth once more now that residents at Page Lake are renewing their effort to be connected to the sewer system.  The concern is that the New Milford authority is not paying what some consider the share of the “joint” sewer budget that they agreed to when they signed on to the sewer system so many years ago.

And so it goes, in the little town that was forgotten for a while.  Council meets in public session on the first Thursday of each month at the Borough building on Franklin Street beginning at 7:00pm.  If you get there early, you can help set up the tables.

A wet summer has lead to many road projects being postponed, stated Supervisor Alex Komar at the Supervisors meeting held on September 6th.  In addition to the postponements, one of the Borough trucks damaged a sluice pipe on Lamb Road.  The pipe, measuring four feet wide by forty feet long had to be replaced.  Supervisor Komar said guiderails need to be installed in certain sections of Lamb Road, but with a quoted price of five thousand, four hundred six dollars and twenty-five cents from Chemung Supply, Supervisors came to an agreement to put if off until next year and try to obtain a grant to pay for it.

Joellen Greene was in attendance to provide a report from the Planning Commission regarding the Land Development Project IMG Midstream applied for on Potter Hill Road.  Ms. Greene stated they would be meeting with company representatives on Tuesday, the 12th at 7:00 p.m. to review the rest of the application.  She reported the Highway Occupancy Permit and the Sewage Permit were both approved, but IMG is awaiting the permit from the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).  Ms. Green said full approval from the Thompson Township Planning Commission is dependent upon approval of all other permits from various agencies.  IMG Midstream will use local gas to make electricity to be sold to the grid and fed back to local utilities.

Thompson Township Tax Collector stated the bank she uses for tax collection purposes is requesting a resolution stating Thompson Township Tax Collector can use the Township’s tax-exempt number for banking purposes.  The resolution was unanimously adopted and will be given to the banking facility.

Supervisors discussed old business from the last meeting regarding loan rates from two different banking organizations.  One company was offering two point three five, and the other bank offered two point four five.  The bank with the higher rate is the township's current banking facility, and one Supervisor stated there wasn’t a significant difference in the rate.  The banking agency with the lower rate also offered a higher rate of point seven five percent verses point one five for savings accounts, but Secretary Kim Wallace stated she looked online at the banking website and the offered percentage rate was not listed.  Since the banking manager is not making any effort to come in and meet with the Supervisors they are having a hard time making any type of decision.  Supervisors discussed this for a few minutes and Supervisor Rick Wademan tabled it again until the next meeting.

During the Zoning and Codes portion of the meeting, it was reported the township received one application for a driveway permit from IMG Midstream, and no applications for JHA Companies during the month of August.

Supervisors received, from Pennsylvania State Association for Township Supervisors (PSATS) an election ballot for the election of trustees.  After a few moments of discussion between the Supervisors it was unanimously decided to vote for Tim Horton, who has held the office for a number of years.

During open discussion one of the residents asked if any of the Supervisors received any more information regarding the Rails to Trails switchback project in the Township.  Supervisors stated they haven’t received any more information from Rails to Trails, but Supervisor Komar stated he was at the site that very day and said there was one section, by the bridge, which will require drainage.

A resident who attended the August meeting and brought to the Supervisor’s attention a sluice pipe that was reportedly moved a number of years ago requested an update.  Supervisor Komar stated he did go to the site, but at this time they cannot do anything about the pipe and referred it to their lawyer.  He stated the lawyer wasn’t sure what, if anything, they would be able to do and he would look into it for them after he was given all the details on the issue.  Supervisor Wademan explained to the resident they didn’t know the circumstances on why the pipe was moved, or who authorized the pipe to be moved since it was before their time in office.  The resident stated his property is flooded because the pipe should be on the other side of the road, and it should never have been moved.  He would like the Supervisors to move it.  Supervisor Wademan stated they would not be able to plan any type of remedy until they heard back from the Solicitor on the proper procedure.  Supervisor Komar stated he would get in touch with the Solicitor to see if he was able to complete his research on the issue. 

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 4th at 7:00 p.m.