Having welcomed its newest member, Dan Very, representing Lathrop Township, last month, the Mountain View School Board got down to business at its first meeting of 2018 starting off with service awards. Some 32 faculty and staff were presented with pins recognizing 5 years to 30 years of service to the schools.
Some of the 32 faculty and staff recognized for service to Mountain View Schools by Superintendent Karen Voigt and Board President Michael Barhite (not all awardees were present)
Those recognized are:
5 years: Annettia Carpenetti, Sandra Davis, Timothy Phillips, Jamie Bottger, Barbara Maxon, Deborah Pompey, Dawn Neri, Lori Cobb, Mary Lynne Twining, Bambi Schack, Matthew Voda.
10 years: Sharon Kress, Matthew Donnelly, Jamie White, Matthew Georgetti, Robert Taylor, Anthony Borgia, Catherine Sekely, Penny Bills.
15 years: Susan Gesford, Diana Lombardi.
20 years: Pamela Ealo, Amy Getz, Mona Headley, Kelly Richmond, Amy Seamans.
25 years: Patricia Dietrich, Melody Haley, Robert Harvey, Judy Bell.
30 years: Peter Regeski, Darlene Sweeney.
Otherwise, the meeting was fairly routine. The district spent $91,696.31 over the past month. The Board hired some substitutes, approved a sabbatical for a staff member, and will look for a new secondary science/physics teacher. A change was made to the first of the Board’s policies, defining the name and classification of the District to update its official address, which is 11748 State Route 106, Kingsley, PA 18826 for the Elementary School and District offices.
Superintendent Karen Voigt reported that interested students will be involved in studies over the next couple of weeks to assess the energy and other characteristics of the District’s physical plant with the cooperation of the company hired to evaluate the situation in anticipation of a planned major improvement project.
Ms. Voigt also announced preparations for performances and interaction by and with the Tri-Cities Opera. They will be performing Jack and the Bean Stalk and offering something called “Opera 101” for students supported in part by a Colwell grant.
She also said that she will be presenting information about the schools’ academic performance at the next Board meeting, scheduled for January 22, 2018.
Board President Michael Barhite reported that he had met with the Mountain View Education Association (MVEA), the teachers’ union, earlier in the evening and would be presenting some information to the Board at an executive session following the public meeting.
Mr. Barhite also met with Clifford Township, which has requested regular information updates for residents about the school district. He said that he had suggested links of some sort between the Clifford and Mountain View websites. Other interested townships and boroughs with websites are welcome to join in. Ms. Voigt added that the District’s website is scheduled for an update within the next few weeks.
Director of Curriculum & Instruction, and acting Elementary School Principal Dr. Christopher Lake reported on a broad spectrum of activities planned for February and March for the Read Across America program.
The Mountain View School Board will meet next in public session on Monday, January 22, 2018 beginning at 7:00pm in the conference room in the Elementary School.
Lanesboro conducted their reorganizational meeting with Mayor Chris Maby calling the meeting to order on January 9th. After the Pledge of Allegiance was recited Council members nominated and unanimously approved Dan Boughton as Council President and Dale Rockwell as Vice President. Tom Nitterour motioned to appoint Bobbie Edwards as the Tax Collector until the next general election, Dale Rockwell seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
Mayor Maby informed Council a resident inquired whether or not he would be able to put up a carport. After speaking with the Borough Solicitor, Myron Dewitt it was determined this was not permittable since the property is located in a no building flood plain zone. President Boughton asked if the resident would be able to put up a carport constructed with metal and no enclosed sides since that wouldn’t be considered a permanent structure. Mayor Maby stated he would contact Solicitor Dewitt with the question.
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) sidewalk project is moving along, stated Mayor Maby. PennDOT representative April Hannon was in contact with the project manager to answer some questions pertaining to the project. When asked what the projected start and completion date would be, Mayor Maby stated it would go to bid and be completed this year.
Angelo Ventresca Associates, LLC has taken over the job of processing the sewer bills, and residents should be receiving their bills shortly stated Mayor Maby. The first bill will contain three months of service, November, December and January. Future bills will be on a monthly basis.
President Dan Boughton stated he contacted an engineering company to obtain an Elevation Certificate on his property. He wanted to know if anyone else was interested in obtaining a certificate since this company offers discount pricing for multiple properties. It was discussed putting the information on Lanesboro Facebook to reach more residents to access discounted pricing.
The next Council meeting will be held on February 13th, at 7:00 p.m.
Susquehanna Borough held their reorganization meeting on January 2nd and Mayor Hurley swore in newly elected Council members. At the meeting a vacant Council seat was recognized and Council decided to fill the vacancy at their regularly scheduled meeting that was held on January 10th. Christine Vinsko submitted a letter of interest to serve on Council and after the letter was read she was unanimously appointed to the position.
Margaret Biegert was on hand to give Council an update on the wonderful things Susquehanna Community Development Association (SCDA) was working on. She stated one of the projects they are looking to do is Pocket Parks throughout the Borough to enhance the beauty of the downtown area. Ms. Biegert stated the Belize Fund expressed an interest in a particular spot to put up a totem pole, also a plaque providing information about the Susquehannock Indians, some plants and a sign. Council said they would need more information and suggested the Belize Fund submit a plot plan with dimensions of the sign since there is a Zoning Ordinance with specifics for signs.
The SCDA would like to have something done with the water tower to preserve and beautify it since it’s a prominent fixture when you come into the area. Ms. Biegert said they were also talking about stairs in various locations throughout the Borough and would it be possible to recreate them. Council spoke for a few minutes about the stairs and they will look to see if it was a possibility.
Mayor Nancy Hurley thanked Kevin McKee for the great job on the Borough streets during the snow. Judith Hershel, Chief John Creamer and Mayor Hurley would be conducting another Drug Program, tentatively on March 18th. Mayor Hurley will keep everyone updated when she has more information.
The Police Report provided by Chief Creamer consisted of seventy-one responses to multiple incidents during the month of December.
The Codes Report provided by President Williams consisted of six property complaints, eleven Notice of Violations, four Citations, and nine snow removal Citations. President Williams stated the 2018 Rental Applications will be sent out to all landlords by January 31st and they are required to have them returned by March 15th. All inspections are required to be completed by April 30th.
The Susquehanna Emergency Management Agency will be having a meeting on the 17th of January for the Hazard Mitigation update. President Williams is the EMA Coordinator for Susquehanna Borough and a position of Deputy EMA Coordinator should be appointed. Council nominated and appointed Daniel Vinsko as the Deputy EMA Coordinator and he will be attending the update meeting with President Williams.
President Williams stated the Ira Reynolds Park Project was a status quo, just tying up loose ends. He plans to attend a meeting in the near future with the Department of Environmental Protection, and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
At this time Council retired into an Executive Session to discuss personnel issues.
