Chief Jim Smith informed Council of the generosity Officer Tilghman Smith portrayed in contributing to a young boy with serious health problems, who has dreams of becoming a Police Officer during Council’s monthly meeting held on February 13th.  Elizabeth Kippycase, who is a Physical Therapist at the Blue Ridge School District was contacting police departments in the area informing them A Room To Heal was creating a healing environment in this young boy’s home; asking them to donate some police memorabilia for his room.  Officer Tilghman offered his services to help gather memorabilia and create something very special.

Officer Tilghman contacted Michael Polasky, who is the Owner of Proud to Support Flag Company and Custom Woodworking to create a special flag.  Mr. Polasky was willing to do the project, and Officer Tilghman contributed his own funds to pay for the materials.  Mr. Polasky not only consigned a beautiful memorabilia for the young man, he donated a special flag to the Lanesboro Police Department.

The Memorabilia Flag

Chief Smith said they would be presenting the flag, which includes official law enforcement patches and medallions to the young boy on February 17th.

The Flag To Lanesboro Police Department

While Chief Smith had the floor he asked Council to consider an increase in the Police Officers hourly wage.  The current hourly wage is fourteen dollars and twenty-five cents, and he would like to increase it to fifteen dollars an hour.  Mayor Maby stated at one time Lanesboro had the highest paid officers, now they are one of the lowest in the area.  In order to maintain, and possibly recruit other officers they need to be competitive since no other benefits are offered.

Chief Smith said he constructed a method to provide officers the higher wage, while maintaining the budget.  After he explained the method to Council and Mayor Maby, Council unanimously approved the hourly salary to be increased to fifteen dollars an hour.

The December Report for the Police Department was provided by Chief Smith, which included one hundred and fifty two hours of service, two hours of court time, eleven incidents, three traffic citations, nine traffic warnings, ninety-eight school hours and ten contracted hours for Thompson Borough.  During the ten contracted hours there were two traffic arrests and four traffic warnings.

January’s Report consisted of one hundred forty-nine hours of service, two hours of court time, eleven incidents, three traffic citations, eight traffic warnings, ninety-eight school hours, and eight contracted hours for Thompson Borough.  During the eight contracted hours there were two traffic arrests and six traffic warnings.

Tax Collector Bobbie Edwards requested Council to pay a fee of two hundred dollars for training, which was unanimously approved.  The training is a necessity for all new tax collectors, and it will be a one-time session.

Mayor Maby brought in an engineered plan of the sidewalk project to review details with Council and obtain the approval needed to move forward with the next step of the process. Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) has allotted Lanesboro five hundred and two thousand dollars for the Sidewalk Project.

The plan includes a five foot paved shoulder, which is necessary since the road is an assigned bike route.  From the shoulder of the road there will be a curb, followed by a three-foot grass strip, followed by the sidewalk.

Council and Mayor Maby reviewed the technical specifications, which included utility and lamppost relocation.  A few trees will need to be cut down, as well as new mailboxes for the residents.  Council approved the plan and Mayor Maby will contact the appropriate people to move forward with the project.  He is hoping to start the bidding process in the spring.

Councilman Dave Glidden reviewed informational paperwork he obtained at the Susquehanna County Hazard Mitigation meeting.  Council needs to complete a survey on the needs of Lanesboro and provide a wish list of products they would like to obtain from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  Risk factors provided by Susquehanna County need to be reviewed by Council and the Mayor to confirm risk factors are correctly captured.  Councilman Glidden stated completing the paperwork would expedite the funding, if needed from FEMA.

Gene Beautz attended the February 14th Susquehanna Borough Council meeting with plenty of visual aids for Council to review pertaining to the Ira Reynolds Riverfront Park Project, which had the groundbreaking ceremony on July 13, 2017.

Mr. Beautz is the architect for the project and has taken a personal interest since he grew up in Susquehanna and attended Susquehanna High School.  He said he’s very honored to be working on the project.

Computer Rendition of the volley ball court area

Council reviewed the documents which showed in detail the positioning of the two trails, light poles, fencing, access roads, volleyball area, utility building, pavilion, future iceless rink and parking area.  One trail is closer to the river and both trails are ADA accessible. Mr. Beautz also provided pictures showing what the park would look like upon completion.  Residents who attended the meeting were amazed by the details included in the pictures and everyone was excited with the anticipation of the park completion.

Computer Rendition of the iceless rink area

Mr. Beautz will forward the plans, now approved by Council to the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).  Mr. Beautz stated Council would need to decide what specific items of the project would be going out to bid, along with other major decisions since the package includes many items.

Council President Roy Williams stated Exchange Street will be impacted by the park project, and he is working towards conversion to a one way from Main Street.  The street is very narrow, especially at the bridge two cars are not able to pass alongside at this location.  With the new park and activities scheduled the traffic would be too congested for a two way street.  President Williams informed Council, Delta Engineering would create a design for a cost of fourteen thousand two hundred fifty dollars, which Council unanimously approved.  The design would then be submitted to PennDOT for the Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) for approval.

Railroad crossing gates, lights and a bell will be installed at the railroad crossing located near the park since the area will be highly populated.  The railroad will install and maintain the new equipment at no cost to the Borough.

River Bounty, who owns acreage connecting to the proposed park has yet to respond to Susquehanna’s request to obtain the acreage for use in the Ira Reynolds Riverfront Park. It’s been several months since River Bounty members gave the information to their solicitor to review.  President Williams is hopeful this will be resolved shortly.

It was motioned and unanimously approved to remove former Council President Joe Varsik from the Police Pension Fund and to appoint Council President Roy Williams as Trustee.

Council members reviewed the contracted Fee Schedule from JHA for Sewer Enforcement and Zoning and unanimously approved continuing with the services from JHA.

President Williams stated on Thursday, February 8th he and Mr. Vinsko attended the Susquehanna County Hazard Mitigation meeting.  President Williams gave an overview of the meeting and the paperwork they need to complete.  He said they have two more meetings they need to attend.

PennDOT will be holding meetings regarding roadway initiative with streams running along the road and providing information on the impact to the road.  President Williams said there are two locations for the meeting scheduled for March 26th; Honesdale from 9-11 and Dunmore 1-3.  He feels this is important information and someone should attend a meeting of their choice.

Chief Creamer provided the January Report to Council members consisting of thirty-nine incidents, two drug arrests, two warrant arrests, and two subjects arrested for a break-in on W. Main Street.  President Williams thanked Chief Creamer for all his work in keeping the Borough safe.