BOX 336 > . VOL. 88 NO. 46 by Tom Mooney Harveys Lake Borough Council agreed to establish a new ‘‘citizens’ planning commission” to replace the existing borough planning com- mission during the council’s Councilman Guy J. Giordano moved to authorize solicitor John Thomas draw up an ordinance to esta- mission to be . composed of one member of Borough Council, one member from the: present Zoning Board, and three citizens. Motion was carried unanimously. Zoning Board Member Joseph Ruotolo was placed debated motion to appoint Francis Kopko to the Zoning Board to replace Ruotolo finally carried unanimously. Council also voted unanimously to meet with representatives of both insurance companies that have sub- mitted bids for borough coverage this year in order to iron out differences and to see if further reductions in cost can be made. A bid of $9,333 was sub- mitted by Hartman Insurance and one of $9,686 by Gordon Nationwide. Councilman Giordano reported on demolition of derelict structures, noting that the borough has managed to add 15 to the demolition list. Council took note of complaints that some garbage has not been picked up and accepted an offer from borough refuse collector Richard Tattersall to stage a special collection Friday, Dec. ‘16. ’ Back Mountain resident Judge Robert Hourigan, Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas, was on hand Monday night, Dec. 5, to swear in newly-elegted school directors at Lake-Lehman’s reorganization meeting. Allen Keiper, Noxen, who won the seat vacated by Lake Township resident, Ellis Hoover, was the only new board member. Sworn in for second terms were Kenneth Williams, Bloomingdale, and R. Arnold Garinger, Harveys Lake. Elected president of the board by unanimous vote was Gilbert D. Tough. Williams was elected first vice president and Donald Jones, second vice president. Solicitor Charles D. chairperson during election of of- ficers. After assuming the presidency, Tough congratulating his predecessor, Garinger on two years of valuable leadership, observed that “we have all seen some great things happen to Lake-Lehman kids during his tenure.” Upon presentation of a coupon’ which will be carried in local papers, each resident will be eligible to have removed as much {rash as a single man can carry in one load. Councilman Jack McManus reported on repairs made to borough equipment and announced that a load of pipe was ready for installation on Oneonta Hill. He also suggested that council have South St. staked out by an engineer. He agreed to check on the possibility that the truck tires placed on the police cruiser may be hazardous to the transmission and have to be removed. Council agreed to check on means of widening roadways and replacing speed limit signs, which have deteriorated, in accordance with new regulations pertaining to proper size and placing. Plans for a cinderblock recreation building were announced as well. (See separate article). Council voted unanimously to send the county a bill for $2056.90 to cover school expenses of Patrolman Ziegler and the expenses incurred by his absence. Completion of Ziegler’s training was announced, and he was commended for superior per- formance. Council also voted unani- mously to reappoint William Gunster to a four-year term on the Sewer Authority. In the area of payroll and budget, council decided to hold up payment to East Falls Sand and Gravel Co. until work performed by the company can be inspected. In regard to the question of in- stalling additional lights on Lake Drive, council decided to contact resi- dents interested with a suggestion that costs be borne by the residents, as council foresees no money available for lighting next year. Tattersall, who also serves as borough zoning officer and building inspector, reported issuance of 37 permits and. 24 licesnses in the amount of $486, as well as 23 calls about installation of woodburners. Council announced Berkheimer tax collections for the month in the amount of $2,969.65. Council agreed to check into possibilities of increasing Zoning Board application fees for appeals board member Ruotolo informed council that costs of handling appeal cases are increasing as additional (Continued on P. 5) } whose ‘sincere, straight forward and observative viewpoint will be missed.”’ Supervisors of Franklin Township at their December meeting Monday night in the Orange UM Church meeting rooms adopted a tentative budget for 1978, calling for a total ticipated receipts of $82,707. The budget continues the current levy of six mills on assessed real estate valuation. Included in the tentative budget is an estimated receipt of $7,775 in Federal Revenue Sharing Funds and these funds, it is anticipated, will be used for the purchase of a dump truck for the township road department, as discussed at the board’s November 7 meeting. Budget is available for inspection by appointment at the home of the board’s secretary, Harold Hoover, in Orange, and will be finally adopted at a special meeting of the Franklin Township Supervisors on Friday night, December 30, 8 p.m. in the Orange UM Church meeting rooms. Denmon) : Proclaim the Spirit of Christmas in the Back Mountain this year by en- tering the Great Back Mountain Holiday Decoration Contest! Jim Kozemchak, Sr., who has en- tered and judged such contests in the Back Mountain in years past, this week urged homeowners to join in the holiday spirit and enter their gaily- decorated homes in the first such contest in many years. Kozemchak is chairman of judging for the event, which is co-sponsored by Back Mt. Lumber: and Coal Co., Market, Offset Paperback and the Dallas Post. “Be creative,” he says. Get out some of your favorite Christmas cards and get an idea. And remem- ber, often the more simple the decorations the more beautiful and impressive the display.” " Kozemchak suggested the use of white sheets, plastic or white trash bags to make snowballs. They can be stuffed and shaped for heads, arms, legs, or other identities, if desired/ He explained that pipe organs can be made from cardboard tubes covered with silver or gold. Tin foil pie tins can be used to make stars and can be attached to cardboard. The photographer said that Christmas packages make nice displays and recommends the use of lots of foil and greens. He emphasized the use of a spotlight, either plain or a revolving one with colored bulbs. ‘Plan a display that is eye-catching as at night,” said Kozemhak. He said he is glad that the Post has announced the holiday decorating contest and will coordinate the details, selecting judges and arranging to take photos of the win- ning entries. Back Mountain business places, schools and churches will be included in a special categroy and given certi- ficates. Selection of judges will be final in all instances. Homes may be entered in either of two divisions, lighted and unlighted displays, and both divisions are eli- gible for the grand prize. Business sponsors of the contest are and Offset Paperback Mirs., Inc. sponsors of a contest which has been renewed after nearly 20 years. ‘More than 30 years ago, the late Howard Risley, editor and publisher of the Dallas Post, initiated a Christmas Home Decorations Contest in the Back Mountain. The idea was received enthusiast- ically by residents and early in December, many homeowners became involved in creative and original ideas, some unlighted and others lighted displays. Homes throughout the Back Mountain pro- Clarke Bittner, member of the board of the Back Mountain Memorial Library, urged Dallas Township Board of Supervisors at their regular monthly meeting Monday night for funds to offset the $10,000 deficit which the library faces this year. Bittner stated that there are 8,000 active borrowers at the library and 75,000 books were loaned during the first 11 months of this year. Dallas Township has a population of 6,000 or one quarter of the total population served by the library, he said. Ac- cording to Bittner, it is hoped that Dallas Township will donate one claimed the Spirit of Christmas in a beautiful and unique way. Kozemchak, whose home fronts Huntsville Dam, won first prize in the first year’s contest with a simple but creative and beautiful display, unlighted, incidentally. Kozemchak was enthused with the idea and through his urging, Risley spearheaded the contest for a number fourth of the needed funds or $2,500 toward the library. He suggested that revenue sharing funds could be used or the amount taken from the general fund. He noted that Dallas Borough had donated $1,000 in accordance with the 10 percent population it represents in the library service area. He also noted that a new furnace had to be purchased this year and it meant dipping into capital funds. Bittner said that continued use of this fund will eliminate any chance of future expansion of the present facilities. Le of years in cooperation with the local businessmen’s association. Then the interest on the part of the business was dropped. Later, the Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce conducted an area-wide contest and numerous Back Mountain residents entered, (Continued on P. 6) board replied that they would have to where some added monies could be found. He also noted that revenue sharing funds were being used for a new storage shed to house road equipment. : Solicitor Townend suggested that Dallas Township donating be contingent with the donations of the Bittner or someother representative of the library will approach all other local municipalities. by Joan Kingsbury Despite the stormy weather on Monday night, the Jackson Township Supervisors held their monthly meeting at which time they presented the budget for 1978 for public review. The supervisors have 20 days from the date of presentation in which to adopt their budget for the coming year. Tentative date for adoption is set for Thursday, Dec. 29. Millage will remain at the present 3.5 mills. An- ticipated total expenditures for 1978 are $146,973. Chairman¥red Fielding stated that he will be happy to answer any questions regarding the budget. A public meeting of the General Municipal Authority of Jackson Township will be held on Monday, Dec. 12 regarding sewers. John Hoffman and Vince O’Connor, con- sulting engineers with Mullen, Lonergan. and Cahn, will lead the dis- cussion, Members of the Jackson Township Planning Commission, advisory board, zoning board and zoning of- ficer, supervisor Fielding and the tow supervisors-elect attended a meeting Nov. 30 at Hayfield House, Penn State Campus, Lehman, concerning zoning. Stanford Lembeck, Penn State plained responsibilities and rules regarding zoning variances, special exceptions and conditional uses in land management decisions. The increase in population in Jackson Township demands citizen knowledge for proper zoning and planning. Also speaking at the meeting were Joseph Macialek, Penn State, and Jackson Township Planner Marlene Pawlowski. Areas widely discussed were proposed ordinances, Clean and Green Act, Act 319, Act 247; Rules and Environmental Resources, and Act 71 which pertains to farmers being ‘excluded from sewer authority. There will be an important public meeting of The General Municipal Authority of Jackson Township on Monday evening, Dec. 12, at 7 p.m. at the Jackson Fire Hall on Chase Road. Charles, Davenport, chairman, invited all residents of Jackson Township to be in attendance. John Hoffman and Vince O’Connor of Mullen, Lonergan and Cahn, consulting engineers, will give an uninterrupted one-hour long presentation of facts concerning the completed, and extent of Federal participation in such a program. presentation, residents of Jackson Township will be invited to partici-
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