by Barbara Evans The attitude of Back Mountain municipalities about the water problems has been, “Maybe it will go away.”’ With the ever increasing growth of new homes, develop- ments, businesses and shopping centers it is apparent that ‘It won’t 0 away.” The governing fathers are aware that eventually something must be done. Dallas Township Supervisors met with their Solicitor Frank Townend and Ed Lashford, a ‘‘grant- smanship consultant’’ last week to discuss some fo the possibilities and probabilities of a ‘water authority”. Lashford will conduct an extensive preliminary study into the subject. According to Chairman Phil Walter, “It is just a study and that is all to find out if an authority is needed, what it will cost and what financial help could be had from State and Federal sources.” No final decision will be made or plans discussed until all the information is compiled. Dallas Borough and Kingston Township have been contacted and they are in agreement with Dallas Township about the problems which exist and will exist in the near and distant future. The word ‘‘authority” is anathema for many. But the Dallas Area Municipal Authority (sewers) has operated favorably for those it services in the Back Mountain since 1972. DAMA has the authority to take over a ‘‘water authority’ and DAMA Chairman Spencer Martin was asked if DAMA would consider handling a water authority and he said definitely, “Yes.” What will happen in the future is purely speculative. The three most populated communities have started the ball rolling and only time will tell where the future of the water authority lies. A fear among the elected officials is the possibility of some or all of the existing 12 water companies which denly realizing that their company is worth much more than originally estimated. It has been requested that the words, ‘“‘water authority’ be played “low-key’’ for that reason. Also it was requested that it be made known that there is nothing definite. This is only a preliminary study. At the regular meeting of the Dallas Township Board of Super- visors, residents of Garfield St., Roushey Hill Plot were present to complain about the poor water pressure and lack of water in their area. The problem was supposed to Positive steps are being taken by the Dallas School Board to reduce vandalism to school property. On Monday night the board approved installation of night lighting at the rear of the Dallas Intermediate School. @ Directors are also submitting a proposal for an Anti-Vandalism Project to the Luzerne County Human Resources Department in hopes of obtaining funds for a C.E.T.A. worker to act as a full- time security guard Suring, night time hours. If the project is Approved as planned, protective surveillance will be primarily centered around the educational campus, which includes the senior high school, junior high and intermediate school. However, some surveillance would also be provided to the other schools. Dallas School Board members approved the first reading of the school district’s revised drug, alcohol and tobacco policy at the board meeting, Monday night, in the administration building. The revised policy, introduced by Earl Fritzges, chairman of the board’s policy committee, included changes in the disciplinary measures to be taken by the district against violators of the policy. The original policy, initiated in 1975 and revised in 1978, stipulated that any student found in possession or under the influence of alcohol or drugs by school representatives, at a school sponsored affair or during a school day would be suspended from school for five days by the principal, in accordance with school suspension procedures. In addition, the student would not be allowed to represent the school or participate in any school activity as a member of a team, club or other school functions for 30 school days, beginning with the effective date of suspension. In the event of a second offense, the student would be suspended from school for 10 days and would not be allowed to represent the school or participate in any school activity as a member of a team, club or other school functions for 60 days. Under the 1980 revision of the drug alcohol and tobacco policy, such violation by a student would carry a five day suspension from school and, in addition, the student would not be allowed to represent the school, participate in any school activity as a member of a team, club, or other school function, or attend any school function for a minimum of 14 calendar days, plaguing residents. Frequent calls and complaints to the Dallas- Shavertown Water Company have netted them nothing but excuses, one resident stated, and so they sought the help of the board. Chairman Walter said that he would contact the water company the next day and that he would try to have the problem corrected or see what is the reason for the water scarcity. There are such problems at nearly every supervisors meeting about. the poor pressure, lack of water etc. Supervisor Glen Howell was instructed to advertise for bids on road materials for 1980. The bids will include, 2000 tons of 2RC, 1000 tons of 3A stone, 1000 tons of ID2 applied, and 40 tons of calcium chloride in 100-1b. bags. The police report indicated that beginning with the effective date of suspension. In the event of a second offense, in one school year, the student would be suspended from school for 10 days and would not be able to represent the school or partipate in any school events or attend any school function for 60 calendar days. Copies of the revised policy have been distributed by the district to all students, parents and school district staff for their review prior to the second reading of the policy at the district’s general meeting in March. Earl Fritzges noted that there has been a continuing loss on school lunches due to the rising cost of food. Prices will remain stable during this year. However, if costs continue to rise, lunch prices may be raised to the maximum of 75 cents next year. by Michael Polk There is a wide variance in the | hourly rates paid road department workers in surrounding townships-- ranging from as high as $8 per hour for township roadmaster to the $3.10 per hour minimum rate. The in- formation was reviewed this week after an article in last week’s Post cited rates in Franklin Township. Dallas Township pays the highest area rates for its road department workers. A survey early in the week shows that Dallas Township’s roadmaster is paid at the rate of $8 per hour. Supervisors working on Dallas Township roads are paid $7.50 per hour. Truck driver in Dallas Township receives $5.65 per hour, and laborers are paid $4.50 per hour. Franklin Township, which raised wages of road department workers by 10 percent starting last month, has the following hourly rate schedule in effect for its road department workers: roadmaster, 6.20 per hour; supervisors, $5.60 A ver hour; truck driver, $5 per hour, ~ and $4.65 per hour for laborers. Franklin Township road workers are not the ‘‘highest paid’ road department workers in the area, coming in behind those of Dallas Township. A story in last week’s Post incorrectly listed Franklin Township workers as the highest paid of ‘nearby townships.” In Monroe Township, which in- cludes the Beaumont, Evans Falls and Bowmans Creek areas, road department employees receive the following hourly wages: road- master $5.80 per hour; laborer, $4.80 per hour. In January, Monroe Township road workers worked about 20 hours each pay period. “We had no severe storms and no need for road work, and as a result, road employees worked very little last month,” a township official commented. In Noxen Township, the minimum hourly rate is paid road workers, $3.10 per hour. At Noxen, worktime last month was also limited because of the lack of snow so far this winter. “Our men get three or four hours per week, mostly on urgent work,” a township official com- mented. “It’s a case of no winter snows--no work.” Northmoreland Township, which includes the village of Vernon, Dymond Hollow and Cen- termoreland, has this hourly rate schedule for its road department employees: roadmaster, $5 per hour; supervisors employed on township roads, $4.50 per hour; laborers, $4 per hour. It also was reported last week that Willard Race, Franklin Township roadmaster, received hourly wages for the first half of January totaling 101 hours and five overtime hours. Race called the Post to state the 101 hours pay he received included the five overtime hours. Similarly for the second half of Januray, in last week’s issue, Race was credited with having received payment for a total of 99 hours and three overtime hours. Race maintains the 99 hours in- cluded payment for 96 hours plus three overtime hours. Bishop James M. Ault of the Philadelphia Area of the United Methodist Church has announced served churches in this area will be the new pastor of the Shavertown United Methodist Church. The Rev. Burtt E. Sweet, whose father, the late Rev. George Sweet, served at Maple Grove from 1933 to 1938 and at Courtdale-Larksville from 1938 to 1940, will become pastor at Shavertown, effective July 1st. Currently Sweet is superin- tendent of the Oneonta, N.Y. District of the United Methodist Church. He will succeed the late Rev. Robert D. Yost who died in December after serving the Shavertown Church since 1950. In addition to serving as Oneonta District Superintendent, Sweet has served at Rome and Clarks Summit in Pennsylvania and Binghamton, Newark Valley, Narrowsburg, and Vestal Center in New York. He is married to the former Marilyn Moore of Rome, Pa. The Sweets have four children: Mrs. Jeffrey Besse of Albany, N.Y., Burtt, Jr., a student at the University of North Carolina in Charlotte, Becky, a student at Lycoming College in Williamsport, and Dan, at home. Plans concerning pastoral leadership at the Shavertown Church until Sweet’s appointment becomes effective will be made shortly. Robert (Bobby) Grose of 34 Pomona St., Forty Fort and a former Dallas resident has entered his candidacy for the 120th Legislative District seat as state representative. The district includes the boroughs of Dallas, Kingston, Forty Fort, Wyoming, Exeter and West Pittston and the townships of Exeter, Franklin, Dallas and Kingston. The seat is presently held by Republican incumbent Frank Coslett. Grose is a former professional baseball player on the old Philadelphia Athletics farm team. He managed the Dallas Dairy and Dallas Legion teams after retiring from professional baseball. He is also a Navy Veteran of World War II. He is married to the former Melba Thomas of Forty Fort and is the father of Amy Jo and Robert, Jr. He has been and still is the ad- ministrative assistant for Sen. Frank J. O'Connell. Grose has been with Sen. O’Connell for almost nine years. Five of those years were spent in Harrisburg where he acted as liaison to individual constituents and provided technical assistance fo municipalities in need of various services. With his experience in state government Grose said that one of the big problems in Harrisburg is the Dept. of Motor Vehicles of the Pa. Dept. of Transportation and the Professional and Licensure Board. The Governor promised to overhaul these divisions but they are “still in distress’, according to Grose. “In government; red tape still goes on,” said Grose. “You cannot build character and courage by taking away a man’s initiative and independence. It seems this is what they are trying to do to us. *“Too long now people have been elected and appointed to state positions, only to forget who put them there. I will be a full time legislator as I have been a full time administrator. “Because of the honest and sincere support that I have received, and with the people of the 120th District in mind, I am at this time announcing my candidacy for State Representative from the 120th Legislative District, on the Republican ticket. “A lot of people want to be a State Representative, Grose knows how,” the candidate concluded. the cruisers traveled 7,556 miles in January; 222 incidents were reported; 15 accidents; 46 traffic PAGE THREE The semi-monthly meeting will be held Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. in the town-* ship building. Township and some of its neigh- boring municipalities got a pat on the back from a Democrat last week as Pennsylvania Auditor- the municipality’s investment of temporarily idle liquid fuel tax funds during 1977 and 1978. Benedict's office said in a news release that the investments by Dallas Township earned that municipality interest of $1,502 which would have otherwise been unavailable to the municipal budget. : Benedict also complimented three other area townships in- and Ross for the practice, which he said could be used for ‘‘local snow removal this winter’, an option which thus far appears to provide another opportunity for interest on idle funds. The announcement indicated that Lake Township earned $349 in in- terest; Lehman, $1,559; Ross, $1,077; and Franklin $337. Six other Luzerne County townships were also commended in the report. The biennial report, covering the period Jan 1, 1977 through Dec. 31, 1978, showed that Dallas Township alsospent about $17,120 more than it received in liquid fuels tax funds during the period but had a balance of $19,885 going into the period. Lake Township operated with a surplus of a bit over $5,000 in the liquid fuels tax fund and Lehman spent $12,630 more than the amount received during the period but, like. Dallas Township, had a sizable balance carried forward. Most of Lehman Township's liquid fuels tax expenditures went for highway construction and rebuilding, $63,032 of $73,068, during the two year period. In Dallas Township, two major items--road and bridge maintenance at $55,486 and highway construction and rebuilding at $35,331, dominated liquid fuels tax expenditures which totaled $98,423. Franklin Township also had an excess of expenditures over revenue during the period with a balance carry-forward which kept the fund solvent. Franklin spent $18,776 of its $29,449 in expenditures on road and bridge maintenance. Sunday, March 2, between 2 and 5 p.m. anyone interested is invited to visit and tour the newly opened Back Mountain Medical Center, announced Dr. Lester E. Jordan, president of the Medical Center Board. In announcing the Open House for the Medical Center, Dr. Jordan noted the availability of the Medical Center for patients represents many months of hard work and planning by a cross segment of community residents. The Medical Center, located on Route 118, Lehman Township, was built on land donated to the Fall Fair Committee by the late Joe Park. Upon receipt of the land representatives from the Fall Fair Committee and Nesbitt Memorial Hospital joined forces to build a primary care office to better serve the medical needs of area citizens. The Back Mountain Medical Jan. 21. Physicians participating in the coverage of the Medical Center are A. Anthony Anzalone, M.D, family practitioner; David I. Barras, M.D., ear, nose and throat Leon Ellman, D.P.M., Arnold Feder, D.P.M., podiatrist; Leo Landau, M.D., pediatrician; Jay A. Ochreiter, D.P.M., podiatrist; Shishir Prasad, M.D., surgeon; and Sylvia R. Reich, M.D., family practitioner. On March 2, members of the Key Club will escort visitors through the beautifully designed spacious Medical Center. Also on hand will be Joan Rihan, R.N., office nurse; and Audrey Gerlach, secretary- receptionist, who will be available to answer all questions. On this special day for the Medical Center community residents are invited to met with members of the Medical Center Board. In attendance in addition to Dr. Jordan will be Robert Bayer, Jr., Robert Cartier, Raymond Hillman, Thomas Reese, John M. Coon, Edmund L. Dana, Dr.. George B. Davis, Dr. Ralph Rozelle and Atty. Frank Townend. In the event of extreme snow or other weather conditions, the Open House will be rescheduled to Sunday, March 9, between 2 and 5 p.m. specialist; podiatrist; Recently the Lake-Lehman School District entered into an agreement with the Lehman Township Police Force concerning police duty and security at school functions. According to Lake-Lehman School District business manager Raymond Bowersox, this agreement assures workman's compensation for patrolmen while working in a security capacity at sports events, concerts and other activities open to the general public. Patrolmen are covered under Lehman Township’s workmen’s compensation planand are paid for each event out of township funds. The school district then reimburses the township $15 per policeman per Robert J. Gushka of Swoyersville has announced his Democratic candidacy of the 119th Legislative District. Gushka is 33 years old, a lifelong resident of Luzerne and Swoyer- sville, graduated from Luzerne High School, Luzerne County Community College with an associate degree in business admin- istration and Wilkes College with a bachelor of science degree in business administration. For the past several years, he has worked for the American Red Cross as Disaster Services Chairman in Luzerne Borough and has been affiliated with civic functions. A former employee of Luzerne National Bank he recently resigned a fulltime position with the Com- monwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Labor and Industry, in Wilkes-Barre to be a full time candidate. He will oppose incumbent rep. Fred Shupnik. event plus any taxes incurred by the township. Lehman Township Chief of Police Tom Kane coordinates this program. Due to the limited number of officers on the Lehman Township police force the police departments of Noxen Township, Ross Township, Lake Township, Jackson Township and Harveys Lake Borough were ° also invited to enter into a similar agreement for police and security services. Affirmative responses have been received from Lake Township and Harveys Lake Borough. Robert Gushka
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