\ The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, June 10, 1998 ‘3 Roads (continued from page 1) tended several borough council meetings asking for help, espe- cially during the winter. School buses refuse to go in, and chil- dren have to walk down the crum- bling roads to the entrance. Trash trucks don’t dare drive into the subdivision, and residents have to haul their bags down in their cars. “I had an oil tanker stuck in the ditches here,” said Tom Blight. Most frightening is the fear of a tragedy. “In the winter, if we had afire up here, emergency vehicles couldn't get up the roads,” Scheirer said. "One night I called the police, and they couldn't get up here,” said Millie Monk. “For the health and well-being of the children, something needs to be done,” she said. “It's deplorable,” said Blight, who moved in two years ago. Other homeowners had told the Blights that when more houses came in, the roads would be paved, or that the borough would take responsi- bility, but that wasn’t accurate. » Adrian Merolli, chairman of the Luzerne County Planning Com- mission, said there are no man- dates that roads must be taken over, regardless of the number of homes. Charles McCormick, Harveys Lake Borough Solicitor, says the borough has no respon- sibility to take over the roads, but offers slight hope. “We would be open to a question of possible variances to help improve the roads over time,” he said. . Kingston attorney John Pike consulted with several Hemlock Gardens residents and reported that he can’t make Ruckno pave the roads or maintain them. “When the property was subdi- vided, Ruckno kept it as private roads,” Pike said. “Whoever putin the sewers did not adequately re- pair the roads.” Pike added that even when the roads are restored, there will still be the problem of paving and plowing them. * Attorney John Gill represents the Ruckno Construction Com- pany. According to Gill, there are questions about ownership of the roads and responsibilities of the owners. He also questions the work done by the municipal au- POST PHOTO/RON BARTIZEK A car made its way down the exit from Hemlock Gardens. Deep ruts line some of the roads, but residents are hopeful an agreement to repair them is near. “For the health and well-being of the children, something needs to be done.” Millie Monk Hemlock Gardens home owner thority and the sewer installation. In addition, “I have to ascertain whether deeds contain part of the roadway,” Gill said. - In a letter dated November 13, 1997, Gill asserted that the obli- gation to make repairs to main- tain the easements and the use of the private Ruckno roads is the responsibility of the homeowners. Gill wrote that “Ruckno Construc- tion Company has no responsibil- ity for the repair of these roads.” The Luzerne Conservation Dis- trict sees things differently. Paul Grimes, Resource Con- servationist, said at an enforce- ment conference on April 27, the attorney for Ruckno Construc- tion said that Ruckno would agree to fix the roads. In addition, on May 19, Grimes sent a letter to attorney Gill notifying: Ruckno Construction that the company needs to enter into an agreement to repair the roads or charges will be filed and fines assessed of up to $10,000 per day. ‘Grimes. The poor condition of the roads has sent sedimentation into the lake, argues Grimes, and is a con- tributing factor in the dry hydrant ~ below Hemlock Gardens. State as require that roads be prop- erly maintained to protect the environment. “My opinion is that . ithas tobe graded, stabilized, and the drainage ditches have to be repaired,” Grimes said. : “Our job here is primarily com- pliance,” says Grimes. But if the roads are not fixed, he adds, he will have to go to court. “Paul Grimes is way ahead of himself,” says Gill, Ruckno Construction’s attorney. “He's way behind,” responds “If I do not get an agree- ment in a timely manner, then we'll let the courts order the date.” “We've been more than patient,” says Grimes. Tim Connolly of Connolly Engi- neering, a firm hired by Ruckno, went to the development on June 3 to research the repair project. He will prepare a preliminary es- timate for Ruckno Construction : and the Luzerne Conservation District. Will these roads ever be ad- equately repaired and main- tained? “I don’t think anything is ever going to happen here,” says Jen- Showin' Blue of Dallas sponsors Horse Show The Showin’ Blue 4H Club of Dallas, sponsored a Horse Show May 24 at the Luzerne County Fairgrounds with all proceeds benefiting the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. The club raised $700 which will be forwarded to St. Jude's Hospital for cancer research. Several members of the club were on hand for a picture, from left, Jamie Laubenstein, Alex Shumack, Lindsay Jayne, Kim Perez {Champion Youth/Amateur Gymkhanna), Megan Ross, Chelsea Andrews, Amanda Adamitz and Wendy Wallo. LUZERNE Tol NTN = VANT Want big interest? Take a hike! Luzerne National Bank presents... The Trail CD en a one ® Your Trail CD from Luzerne N NCE TO OPEN AN ACK Hemlock Gardens - - Time Line 1961: Subdivision Approved Initial phase of development Few houses built 1964: Lake Township created 1968: Borough of Harveys Lake created 1990: Sewers put in Hemlock Gardens 1991: Remaining lots sold Present: Most year-round homes built. 24 homes currently - more being built “It'll take too much nifer Tierney, money.” ~ “T'll wait and see,” says Wilma Scheirer. People in the development cer- tainly are used to waiting. To place your Post Classified Call 675-5211 7 A bind ITALIAN WATER ICE Dallas Twp. will switch to county 911 June 17 Chief Carl Miers of the Dallas Township Police Department, wishes to inform the residents of Dallas Township of pending changes with the switch over to the LUZERNE COUNTY “911” CENTER from the Back Mountain 911 Center anticipated to take place June 17. All residents and business es- tablishments who have burglar or fire alarm systems which when activated and uses a phone dialer system SHALL NOT have said sys- tem directly contact the COUNTY 911 Center. All systems must be connected to or contact a central monitoring service provider first, which will in turn contact the 911 © center after validating the system activation. Owners of systems currently being monitored are re- quested to notify the service pro- vider of the change in 911 service to Luzerne County. In addition All alarm systems, by ordinance, must be registered with the Town- ship on an annual basis. The non- emergency phone lines of the po- lice or fire departments cannot be used for alarm systems either, as they are not manned 24 hrs. daily. The chief also states that the majority of residents do not have a clearly visible address number or mail box number at or near the driveway entrance to the resi- dence. He suggests a reflective address number 4-6 inches tall and two to three feet off the ground near the driveway or walk en- trance to assist Emergency Ser- vices (Police, Fire & Ambulance) to locate the residence in time of emergency: In addition the same number should be applied to the dwelling which would be visible from the street. Chief Miers states that the non- emergency number of the Dallas Township Police Department will remain the same, (717) 675-5251. Because of the move of 911 opera- tions to the county, this number will be answered by an auto-phone attendant when a officer is not in the police station to answer the phone or handling another call. The chief asks residents to follow the instructions when answered by the auto-phone attendant to insure a response from the de- partment. In addition, the chief states he would like to see a re-numbering of the postal R.D. numbers in the township to a true street address. If this is accomplished the resi- dents concerned will be notified of any address change. Lehman makes change June 10 As of Wed., June 10, all Lehman 911 calls are being answered by Luzerne County. It is urgent that people calling 911 from Lehman give the following information: Your name, your street address (not Post Office box number or Rural Route number). These items will be vital knowledge for the 91 1 operator who will also have your phone number and the township you live in. As these county-mandated changes to 911 are put into place, it is of utmost urgency that residents know and use their proper addresses. Many residents get their mail via a Dallas address even though they live in Lehman or Lake townships. The 911 operator must know where you live and your correct street name and number and township. Anyone with questions about the changes to 911 may call 675-5654, Blood drive to be held June 15 The Back Mountain Blood Council will sponsor a community blood drive at St. Therese’s Church in Shavertown on Mon. June 15 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. If you are age 17 or older and weigh at least 105 Ibs., you can be a a quiet hero. There is no upper age limit for blood donors. Contrary to popular belief, most common prescription drugs ar acceptable, so ir. most cases you can and should donate blood. From registration tc refreshments only takes about an hour of your time, and the actual donation takes only six to eight minutes. For more information, call 823-7161, ext. 33 or 34. Next to Grotto Pizza at Harvey’s Lake The Best Relief for the Summer Heat is Cooling Refreshing Water Ice!! We have » Italian Water Ice . Gelati’s » Ice Shakes o Old Fashion Custard in Cups & Cones This. is cur way of saying “Thanks” for tuping Josie’s BUY ONE GET ONE FREE (Any Josie’s Water Ice or Custard Product) Limit One Per Customer. Expire s 6/30/98 Ce rt Fr ett SS Cee Brett dN g 5 io
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