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Vol. 92, No. 52
Kingston Township police and
municipal officials received
notification of an arbitration award
last week. Spokesmen for both sides
agreed it was a fair decision.
Township Manager Mark Kunkle
said the award of $1,000 the first
year, and $1,100 in 1984 translates to
amounts the municipality had of-
fered the police during initial
bargaining sessions. James
Balavage, chairman of the King-
ston Township Police Officers
Association, said money was only
one of several major points of
contention, some of which were
included in the award and others
which were denied.
Other benefits derived from the
award include overtime provisions
for holdovers, early call-ins and
second shift assignments and
financial remuneration for local
and county court hearings. 3
Requests denied were a longevity
clause, equal work scheduling, full-
time preference over part-time in
scheduling and a no-layeff clause.
Balavage noted the award is a
Road
Continuing with the Dallas Post
series on outlooks for 1983, Dallas
Township supervisor Phil Walter
gave his opinion of what changes
the new year might have on the
community.
Walter was re-elect; ed chairman
of the Dallas Township board of
supervisors at the recent
step toward catching up with other
Back Mountain communities in
salary scales. It is the first nego-
tiated agreement for the Kingston
Township police. Dallas Township
and Dallas Borough police have
worked under written agreements
for a number of years. A com-
parison of the three communities in
terms of police salaries are
Kingston Township with five full-
time officers works from a base
starting rate of $10,000 per year. In-
creases are given across the board
to all members of the force. In 1983,
patrolman Balavage, two years of
service, will receive $11,500; Gary
Beisel, five years, $13,554; Walter
Davis, eight years, $15,769; Sgt.
William Pugh, 13 years, $17,000 and
Police Chief Paul Sabol, $18,000.
Dallas Township with five
fulltime officers works from a base
starting rate of $9,931.69 but
salaries increase on a step-scale
over the first four years. Dallas
Township also has a longevity
clause of one percent every two
years. The police negotiated a $750
all facets of municipal decision-
making. Walters, Frank Wagner
and Glen Howell conduct com-
munity business in an informal
manner, which appears to satisfy
the electorate since the men are
continuously voted back into office.
In 1983, Walter noted the township
will see an emphasis on road resur-
facing. Streets in New Goss and Old
Goss manors have been included in
budgeted paving projects. If money
is available, road crews may then
continue into College Manor. “We'll
get as much done as we can,” said
raise for 1983. Township police
salaries for 1983 are Chief Carl
Mies, 14 years, $19,000; Doug
Lamoreaux, 13 years, $15,739.86;
Elliot Ide, 13 years, $15,739.86; John
Appel, 12 years, $15,594.21; and
Clark Van Orden, four years,
$15,155.91.
Dallas Borough although
budgeted for four fulltime police
officers, the borough is presently
working with three. The vacancy is
expected to be filled in the near
future. In 1983, borough police
salaries are Chief Ed Lyons, seven
years, $16,900; patrolman Severn
Newberry, 14 years, $15,690; and
James Tupper, 10 years, $15,000.
It mut be noted that there are
differences in size, population and
assessed valuation which play a
part in determining the salaries of
any municipality’s employees.
Dallas and Kingston Townships run
close t020 square miles in area with
populations of around 7,000. The
borough covers just over two
square miles of area and is
populated by 3,000.
Walter. ‘Until the money runs out.”’
He is looking for oil prices to
remain stable so that funds will
stretch further. Walter also said a
mild winter, during which the
township does not spend a fortune
on anti-skid materials, would be
helpful as well.
Bids on the road work will go out
in March or April. Otherwise,
Walter does not see major changes
taking place. Improvements on
recreational areas will be done if
time and money permit but nothing
is specifically scheduled.
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The State Corrections Institution
at Dallas (SCID) Citizens Com-
mittee made several specific
requests following a meeting last
week with officials of the prison.
During the meeting the two groups
discussed a number of procedures
followed during the recent escape of
prisoner William DelBuno. Also
present was Ron Kuzminski, repre-
senting Sen. Frank O’Connell, who
was instrumental in the formation
of the committee.
The committee is headed by
Jackson Township resident Pat
Rusiloski. In a written report
prepared at the conclusion of last
week’s meeting, she noted the
group is asking SCID officials to
review siren routes to better cover
the township. A request is being
made to O’Connell to forward
funds for the prison. His help will
also be requested for funding for a
central warning system in the
Township. Jackson Township
supervisors will be asked to con-
sider installing a central warning
siren and implementing a fulltime
day police officer.
At the meeting, SCID Superin-
tendent Glenn Jeffes reviewed the
escape, procedure followed to alert
the community and capture of the
prisoner. He indicated that the lock
system in the warehouse from
which the prisoner escaped has
been changed to prevent this type
escape in the future.
The procedure to alert the
community was reviewed by
Kuzminski assuring all steps were
carried out. This review revealed
that although vehicles with sirens
siren, the Fieldcrest area was not
alerted by this method. It was
requested by the committee that
Deputy Joseph Ryan of SCID
review the routes covered by the
siren autos and, if possible, include
the Fieldcrest and Sutton Road
area.
An additional permanent siren
with a unique sound located to alert
the areas not presently covered was
purposes.
suggested. Jeffes said he had no
money for this and recommended it
be accomplished by the township.
Kuzminski agreed to check on the
availability of state funds for this
project.
In addition, Kuzminski agreed to
check on the status of the letter
promised by O’Connell on behalf of
local legislators requesting funds
for the prison. Kuzminski said he
would forward a copy of the above
letter to the committee and check
the status of the Senator’s response
to Atty. Blythe Evans’ letter written
on behalf of. the Jackson Twp.
supervisors.
The committee commended the
SCID staff on the handling of the
escape and capture. The desire to
have additional fencing at the
power plant and warehouse was
discussed. It was determined that
additional fencing in this area may
be a better investment than the pro-
posed second fence now requested
in the 1983 budget not yet approved.
This will be recommended by.Sen.
O’Connell.
Deadline for Harveys Lake voters
to file application with Luzerne
County Court Administrator
Andrew Mihalko for filling the
vacancy on Council is Thursday,
Jan. 13. The order was handed down
Monday, Jan. 3, by President Judge
Robert J. Hourigan following a
petition by the six remaining
Council members filed by Borough
solicitor Joseph Kasper. The Court
was requested to fill the vacancy
resulting from the Nov. 11 death of
Republican Council member
Joseph Ruotolo. ?
Traditionally, applications come
from persons of the same party and
a number of prominent Republicans
in the community are rumored to be
interested.
The Dallas Post contacted those
whose names have been mentioned
to confirm their intentions. Richard
Myers, who served on Council from
June through December, 1981,
filling the unexpired term of
New Business
Andrew Morgus, said he has been
asked by members of Council to
submit his name. Myers, the son of
former Borough Secretary, Richard
Myers, said he is definitely adding
his name to the list for the court’s
selection.
Bernard ‘Buzzy’ Boback is also
interested in filling the vacancy, if
Ruotolo’s wife, Ann, does not go for
it. “I'll support Ann if she wants it,
but if she .doesn’t, I'll throw my
name in,’ he said. Boback pre-
sently sits on the Borough Planning
Commission and is involved in the
Harveys Lake Protective Associa-
tion.
Ann Ruotolo, said by some to be
the number one contender, has in-
deed confirmed the fact that she is
interested in filling her husband’s
tradition behind her bid and is sub-
stantially supported by a
Republican faction in the com-
munity.
Mike Wood, is not actively pur-
suing the seat at this time. “I said I
would not refuse it if it were given to
me, but I have no intention of
running after it,”’ he explained.
Should he be pressured into accept-
ance, he said he would not then con-
sent to run in the spring and fall to
continue in the position.
Bob DeRemer, who served as
Borough councilman for four years
and as president of the board for
three of those years, is actively
pursuing the seat. “I lost the
election by 13 votes last time,” he
noted. ‘I think I have good support
here at the Lake.”
Becky Casterline, another former
member of Council, has also been
mentioned in connection with the
vacancy. She has not made up her
mind whether she will seek the
position. “I’ve been asked to, but
I’m waiting to see what happens. I'd
rather run for the office than fill
in,” she said. Casterline served on
Council for four years and was
Borough auditor nine years.
The new building on the Lake
Highway has just been readied for,
occupancy and two of its three
rental units are already filled, with
inquiries concerning the third. Gus
Walter’s building, adjacent to the
Towel Outlet, which he owns on
Route 415, has been leased by Jan
Verbinski, owner of Back Mountain
TV Appliance and Satellite. Ver-
binski moved his business from
Main Street in Dallas because, he
said, there is ample parking space
in the new location.
Brand name baked goods at low
prices can be found at the Bakery
Outlet which opened Jan. 7 in the
complex. The Outlet, owned by Pat
and Earl Rozelle, is the first of its
kind for the Back Mountain and
expands the variety of local
shopping power in the community.
The third space remains vacant
at present but Walter said there
have been inquiries. Nothing is
firm, however, and he continues to
welcome interest from small
businesses looking for a place to
locate.
Jim Eason, Dallas Centre Hard-
ware, owns the space vacated by
Verbinski’s TV business on Main St.
Eason admitted he is not eager to
r
time basis. He plans to expand his
hardware store but has not decided
which direction he will take. He has -
design experts evaluating the
table and is not certain what
make. ; ;
While he is sure the space will,
of his present business, Eason said.
he has already had rental inquiries.
“If I rent it at all, it will only be with
the understanding that it will be’
temporary. When I'm ready to
Tove, the space will revert to me.”
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