Mayor Chris Maby swore in Mike Sellitto during Lanesboro's regularly scheduled Council meeting held on June 12th. Mr. Sellitto would be replacing Councilman Steve Bixby, who has chosen not to remain on Council. Council also introduced Kaylin Gordon, Lanesboro's new Secretary.

Kaylin Gordon and Mike Sellitto

The Triboro Municipal Authority will be conducting a sanitary replacement project in Susquehanna Depot Borough, and Council approved a resolution to sponsor them in this endeavor.

Council approved Mindy Carr to conduct the 2017 Audit for the Borough.

Colleen Wilkes requested a donation from the Borough for a 5k Run to be held during the Susquehanna Depot Borough Home Town Days. Council unanimously approved a donation, the same amount as last year.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) vacant properties which border occupied properties will be leased to those residents who have expressed an interest in using the land. The lease will have explicit guidelines of property maintenance and Mayor Maby is working on completing the paperwork.

Amanda Cook reported there are multiple rentals for the Community Center coming in. She also questioned whether or not Council had decided on the Community Yard Sale Days. After a few moments of discussion it was decided the yard sales will take place the weekend of August 10, 11, 12 and will be posted on the Lanesboro website and Facebook page.

Chief Jim Smith stated Thompson Borough requested more police hours for the summer and he will work out a schedule for the officers. In the month of May there were thirteen traffic stops, with four citations issued and nine warnings given as follows: six speeding, three inspection, two careless driving, and two turn signal violations. Four court hours, eleven incidents which included public drunkenness, burning, criminal mischief, drug possessions, disorderly conduct, and assault/harassment charges were logged in Lanesboro. In Thompson, eight traffic stops with three citations were issued and five warnings as follows: six speeding, one turn signal and one vehicle equipment violation. Officers responded to reports of an abandoned vehicle and a theft of gasoline.

Council's next meeting will be held on July 9th, at 7:00pm.

School's out for the summer and the Blue Ridge School Board ends the year with some major staff changes, embarks on some significant projects to upgrade its infrastructure, and – not least – adopts a new budget. All of that in less than an hour at its last scheduled business meeting of its fiscal year on June 11th.

Well, it was actually a bit more than an hour, because the evening began with a gathering of the Board's Facilities & Grounds Committee at which Maintenance Supervisor Ron Cranage, and Business Manager Brian Dolan reported progress on some of those projects. Two of them – bringing the second water well on line and installing new backup generators – are awaiting the publication of bid packages (RFPs – requests for proposals) or bid submissions from contractors.  And the vendor of the fancy new digital sign is trying to resolve some delays.

The biggest project, $2 million to reconfigure the entire layout of the campus, has encountered some bureaucratic snags ("more red tape") requiring some adjustments in handling drainage and the placement of a retaining wall. Mr. Dolan said that the project might be delayed slightly, but that some of the work will begin this summer.

Mr. Cranage also recommended replacing the refrigeration and condensing units for the kitchen's walk-in cooler and freezer at a cost of up to $20,000. He said that parts for the old units are hard to come by, and that he could scale back the planned replacement of the heating and air conditioning equipment to pay for it.

Board member Edward Arnold, who has made security his special portfolio, suggested that large boulders might be placed in front of the building doors to block vehicles from crashing them. Mr. Cranage said that might not be possible, since the heating systems in those sidewalks might not tolerate the extra weight.

Once the full Board assembled, President Chris Lewis immediately called a short executive session "for a personnel matter" that presumably had something to do with the staff changes on the agenda. Once they returned, the Board passed most of the 38-point agenda – plus a list of added account transfers – in a single motion.

Among a number of other personnel matters, the Board accepted the resignation of Middle/High School Principal Peter Supko with considerable regret. Several lamented his departure for a new challenge at Susquehanna. Mr. Lewis remarked on his contributions during his two-year tenure at Blue Ridge. "A good guy" who will be missed, said others.

Mr. Supko will be replaced by Casey Webster, who yields her post as Special Education Director to Margot Parsons. (Ms. Parsons has a long history with Blue Ridge, beginning as an emotional support teacher in 2009.) The Board also welcomed Shirley Motyka as a new biology and Middle School science teacher, and Elizabeth Vaccaro to teach physics and also Middle School science.

New Middle/High School Principal Casey Webster

New Special Education Director Margot Parsons

New Middle/High School science teacher Shirley Motyka

New Middle/High School science teacher Elizabeth Vaccaro

The Board voted separately on an agreement with the Blue Ridge Medical Center for summer nursing services so that Dr. Patrick MacConnell could abstain.

Among other items on the agenda, the Board approved:

• A 5-year agreement with Keystone College that allows for the placement of student teachers.
  
  
• An agreement with Pivot Physical Therapy of Pennsylvania for physical therapy services.
  
  
• An agreement with Merakey Pennsylvania for "educational services to students with autism and/or emotional disturbance."
  
  
• A dual-enrollment agreement with Lackawanna College.
  
  
• Released time for religious instruction by Child Evangelism Fellowship.
  
  
• An agreement for services with Government Software Services, which prints your tax bills.
  
  
• A "memorandum of understanding" with the Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit 19 (the "IU") relating to the use of Title III funds.  Title III is a Federal program that covers the teaching of English.
  
  
• Another agreement with the IU leasing the IU the use of a classroom for "early intervention" students for $4,500 for the year.

The Board also renewed its agreement with the County District Attorney for the services of Greg Deck as School Resource Officer (SRO – armed policeman). Mr. Deck works for the DA, but spends his days in the schools at a cost to the District of about $20,000 per year.

The Board gave its blessing to a new constitution for the Student Council. Representatives of the incoming Council and their advisor, Michelle Allen, presented their draft to the Board a week earlier. The final version seems to reflect some of the comments made by the Board at its first reading, in particular broadening its representation somewhat.

As discussed the previous week at a presentation by Food Service Manager Linda Cole-Koloski, lunch prices will rise slightly next year. Breakfast for Elementary pupils will still be free, but paid lunches for them will rise by 10 cents, while Middle and High School lunch prices will go up 20 cents.

The Board also adopted a number of changes to its policy manual covering curriculum, safety and security, use of school facilities, cell phones, service animals, social media, public complaints, among other things. The Board's policy manual – all the many, many pages of it – is available through the Board of Education link on the District's website.

And, last but certainly not least, the Board gave formal approval to its budget for the fiscal year beginning on July 1. Expenditures are projected at $18,882,226, an increase over 2017-2018 year, but requiring no increase in tax rates. Mr. Lewis reported that a surplus is expected at the end of the current fiscal year this month, offering a comfortable cushion in the fund balances for the major projects his Board has approved. He noted that the new budget provides new uniforms for 4 sports programs, more funds for reading programs, new risers for the choirs, a new information technology (IT) system, 180 new Chromebook computers plus 70 replacements for aging Dell computers. "A lot of good things are happening," he said.

Superintendent Matthew Button noted that the District is expecting (hoping) for an additional $50,000 in federal funds for next year to cover three "Title" programs (Business Manager Dolan had his fingers crossed). He also announced that the Blue Ridge Sportsmen's Association has donated $2,000 to support an archery program; the sportsmen also expect to establish an annual scholarship for students with a "passion for the outdoors."

Several commented on the condition and appearance of the schools in preparation for graduation, commending Mr. Cranage and his staff in particular for their efforts.

Mr. Lewis thanked the staff and students for a great end to the school year at graduation and Honors Night. Principal of Curriculum and Instruction Matthew Nebzydoski remarked on the broad community support demonstrated by some $32,000-$35,000 in local scholarships presented at Honors Night, and the efforts of the Susquehanna County Community Foundation for managing the funds. Mr. Button made special mention of the 18 Blue Ridge students who graduated at the Susquehanna County Technology and Career Center at Elk Lake.

With summer approaching (gradually), the Blue Ridge School Board will meet only once in July and once in August. The next public session is scheduled for Monday, July 16, 2018, beginning at 7:00pm in the cafeteria in the Elementary School.

Councilwoman Deb Zayas proudly announced Council President Roy Williams was chosen to receive the Distinguished Service Award by the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs (PSAB). This award is for councilmen/women who have distinguished, meritorious and exceptionally outstanding service to the citizens of his or her borough and promoted better borough government. Councilman Williams attended the awards banquet at the PSAB annual conference at the Hershey Lodge on Tuesday, June 12 where he was presented his award for outstanding service. Councilwoman Zayas read the nomination letter for the award that was penned by Borough Secretary Ann Stewart.

Drew Sonntag, representing Urban Research and Development Corporation presented a conceptual plan and rendering for Council's viewing. Mr. Sonntag has been working with the Susquehanna Community Development Association to help plan a revitalization of the area. He stated, with the newly created Ira Reynolds Riverfront Park they should expand by making it a walkable community, which creates a healthy environment, and he presented the conceptual plan to transform the downtown area.

Painting of the conceptual plan

By revitalizing the area you would retain businesses, attract new industry and tourism. Mr. Sonntag said tourism could benefit from ecotourism, which is using the natural features of the area creating Bed & Breakfast establishments, a small hotel, restaurants and canoe rentals. The new businesses would assist the existing businesses by bringing more visitors into the area.

Joe DeMuro attended the meeting asking Council to consider giving his company, Wolfbain Productions permission to film a movie in Susquehanna Borough. Mr. DeMuro handed Council members CD's of his last film, which was shot in Broome County, NY and in Great Bend, PA titled Tales of Dracula. He stated he worked on the film with a budget of twenty thousand dollars and the reviews he received were outstanding. His rating for the film was a 6.9 out of 10 and was reviewed by twenty-nine critics.

An idea of what a scene in Mr. DeMuro's film would look like

Since he sat through the presentation of Mr. Sonntag he informed Council filming a movie in a town went a long way to promote tourism. Mr. DeMuro said people go to towns where a favorite movie of theirs was filmed, and he feels Susquehanna would be a great place as a backdrop to his latest endeavor "The Devil's Punchbowl", "Night of the Winged Beast".

What he would like is a blessing of Council and the people in the area and once he obtained such, he could go out and start raising funds. Mr. DeMuro said filming wouldn't start until next summer. He encouraged Council to check out his website and stated he would show the town in a positive light. He asked Council to also view the Tales of Dracula and he would come back to Council's meeting next month to hear what they decided.

A discussion was conducted by Council on the digital information sign that was installed in November of 2017 by Pocono Sign Company in Blakely. When the sign was installed it wasn't working and it took the Pocono Sign Company until February to come out to look at it. The problem at that time was an electrical issue; they didn't run the neutral and they made the appropriate repairs. In April, something happened to the Wi-Fi located at the sign and it stopped working again. Multiple calls from President Williams were ignored and never returned. Secretary Stewart stated the people were very rude, and after multiple calls not returned she elected to stay on the phone for forty minutes until someone finally came on the line to speak with her. Council stated there were multiple events from April until June that could not be advertised on the board. The informational board cost the Borough eighty-one hundred dollars and has been out of commission more months than activated. Secretary Stewart said they plan to come out on Monday, June 18th to make the repairs. Council said they would wait until that day to see if repairs were made; if not they would take it to the next step.

Mayor Nancy Hurley reported there are more phone scams going on. She said the latest scam is people pretending to be from Medicare, stating they need the person's social security number before they can issue them a new card. Mayor Hurley is advising people not to give anyone any personal information, especially their social security number on the phone when they receive such a call.

President Williams gave an update on the Ira Reynolds Riverfront Park, stating the topsoil is down and raked. By July 2nd the bids must be received for the walkways, foundations, lights, electrical work and some paving. He said he would be conducting a pre-bid meeting with the contractors on June 15th, to answer any and all questions about the project.

There will be another Public Meeting on June 27th, 6pm at the fire hall for the Ira Reynolds Riverfront Park. The public is urged to attend this informational meeting.

The signs purchased by River Bounty were placed where the Fish & Game Commission and the Department of Environmental Protection recommended, stated President Williams. They are two hundred feet upstream from the dam on both sides, and on the walking path by the dam one hundred feet downstream on the Susquehanna side. President Williams stated buoys might have to be placed out by the dam. The signs state: Danger Dam – no boating, no swimming, no wading, dangerous strong currents and turbulent water. Summary offense subject to fine. Fishing permitted from banks unless otherwise posted.

Chief John Creamer provided the Police Report to Council and the Mayor. For the month of May, there were sixty-eight incidents handled by the Officers, which included criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, domestic disputes, harassment, motor vehicle accident, and motor vehicle theft among other events. President Williams thanked Chief Creamer for all the work he does keeping the Borough safe.