a BE a SSR 2 The Post NEWS Sunday, November 30, 2003 Budget (continued from page 1) cept a higher co-pay for prescrip- tions that he said would save $26,000 in annual premiums. Yankovich responded by asking O’Neill to ask the police union to re- open its contract and reduce its raise to 3.5 percent. O'Neill said he had tried that once without success, but would ask again. Even if a final budget is adopted, it appears unlikely to hold up much past January 1, since incoming supervisor Jeffrey Box expects to reopen the doc- ument once he takes office. “It’s very obvious this budget will need major revisions when the new board is seated,” Box said after Mon- day’s special meeting. That was the fifth meeting since late October at which the budget was the main topic of discussion. As pre- sented before the most recent changes, the general fund budget called for spending of $2,168,019 and revenue of $1,929,738, with the differ- ence made up by drawing down the township savings account from $350,000 to just under $112,000. O’Neill raised the possibility of in- creasing the prescription co-pay in or- der to reduce health insurance expens- es. Employees now pay $8 per pre- “If you're going to give it to one, you need to give it to both.” Chris Yankovich Township Supervisor scription; O'Neill said increasing that to $10 would save $5,000 and to $15 would save $26,000. Again, Yankovich asked if the changes would apply equally to the police and other employees. Because the police have a labor contract, their co-pay could be raised only by their consent. Donald Fritzges, Road Superinten- dent, objected to a two-tiered plan. “I don’t think it’s fair,” he said. “Are they first-class and we’re second-class?” In the end, the supervisors voted unanimously to table any considera- tion of a change in the co-pay until the police union was approached about ac- ceptance of the plan. By a 5-0 vote, the board also asked O'Neill to seek to re- open the contract with the police. Gary Beisel urged the supervisors to think “outside the box,” and get away from focusing on cuts. “You really need to come up with some revenues,” he said, suggesting raising existing permit fees and adding new ones, such as for burning. Two revenue items did make it into the budget, a new tax on businesses and fees for spring cleanup. Goodwin proposed an annual busi- ness privilege tax on each commercial entity in the township. He feels busi- nesses benefit greatly from township services such as police and fire protec- tion and road maintenance. Allen seconded he motion, and sug- gested a fee of $500 to $600 per busi- ness. “I think $600 a year is quite modest,” he said. Using O'Neill's estimate of 145 busi- nesses in the township, the tax could generate revenue of up to $87,000 to help offset the projected $236,000 deficit. Only Yankovich voted against the tax, which must be the subject of a public hearing before adoption. The supervisors unanimously ap- proved fees for the spring cleanup on the order of $5 per car, $10 per SUV and $15-25 per pickup truck load. Allen also advanced the prospect of charging higher fees for the summer recreation program, but did get a sec- ond for his motion. Green Road (continued from page 1) complete the project, and Mark for the project, estimated the ‘Kravits collected a petition support- ing the project from 11 of the 13 families that live on the unpaved portion. Aside from safety and conven- ience, Kravits said the township spends a considerable amount of money and time each year main- taining the road in passable condi- tion. He also questioned whether emergency vehicles could safely ne- gotiate the road, which has existed for decades. Before voting to complete the project, the supervisors discussed the possibility of scaling back the work, or postponing it. Solicitor Ben Jones said that was easily done, since the contract with La- gana Construction Services con- tained a clause allowing the town- ship to terminate the contract for “convenience.” “You have the clear right without cause,” Jones said, although the township would be liable for ex- penses already assumed by the con- tractor. Pressed to put a figure on the lia- bility, Christopher Borton, engineer charges as “probably around $5,000 to $10,000,” since no work has yet begun. The township has also paid about $25,000 in engineering fees to Borton’s firm. Borton also offered to reduce the scope of the work. “We can cut back on the job,” he said, and lower the cost by $100,000 by not doing the final paving work. It would cost approximately $200,000 to clear Kingston Township Budget at a glance These were significant items in the 2004 Kingston Township budget as it was proposed before the November 24 meeting. GENERAL FUND trees, grade the roadway and install | Revenues $1,929,738 new drainage and piping, Borton Expenditures 2,168,019 gad Deficit 238,281 Any money saved on Green Road could be put toward other capital improvement projects, including renovation of the Center Street bridge, but could not be used to bolster the general fund. Township Manager Eddie O'Neill said he was confident that at least $85,000 would be left over from the Green Road project, and that mon- ey could be used for the bridge. He said the township borrowed about $500,000 to fund the project and a conservative estimate of its cost is $415,000. die Beginning Fund Balance $350,000 Ending Fund Balance Reduction 111,719 238,281 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND Revenues Expenditures $93,000 254,600 Beginning Fund Balance $250,000 Ending Fund Balance -Reduction........ 88,400 «463,600. si Jinn Military Affairs Committee provides free legal services As National Guard and Reserve units are called up to ac- tive duty, the Military Affairs Committee of the Wilkes- Barre Law and Library Association/Luzerne County Bar is available to provide legal services where needed. The pro bono service inclues the preparation of wills for soldiers, sailors and airmen. The service is also available to assist these individuals and their families with problems re- SIMPLY JILL'S Gift & Collectibles Shoppe 1623 Main Road, Hunlock Creek 21 (570) 256-FLAG (3524) S'MORES HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE December 5th 11 AM to 7 PM & December 6th 11 AM to 3 PM Fun! Refreshments! Door Prizes! Stop in and make S'Mores with us! HOURS: Wed., Thurs, Fri. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sat. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. We're two short miles from the Hunlock Creek Post Office (Bring in ad to receive 20% off your purchase - some restrictions apply) * OVER 34,000 MONOGRAM DESIGNS » COUNTRY ¢& PRIMITIVE GIFTS * 62 YANKEE CANDLE SCENTS 570-477-3940 1% from home. duty. 2 Mooretown Rd. (Mooretown) Sweet Valley © YANKEE CANDLE November FRAGRAN CE current fitn lated to their recall to active duty, and legal affairs which may require their attention during their physical absence The committee is also available to assist lawyers in the management of their legal cases during their call to active For information call 822-6712. There's A Great Gym Right Around The Corner!! SHAPES TOTAL FITNESS 675-4141 Located in the Twin Stacks Center on Memorial Highway in Dallas JOIN FOR THE YEAR AND PAY ONLY $29.95 PER MONTH ess class Sasdsy Mendry Toessey Wetnessay | Thursday Friday Yatontny 6:00AM Cydling Cycling DAY CHRISTMAS SALE FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY, MONDAY 20% Off All Diamond Jewelry * 25% Off All Gold Jewelry 9:00AM chi Step Step Interval |Step/ab lab 10:00AM Pilates Cycling Yoga 10:15am 5:45PM Cycling [Step Body Step sculpt 7:00PM Kickbox Jeircuit Cycling | Bootcamp | Cycling 8:00PM Pilates Yoga 7:45pm Free Day Care for Members! Paid departments seen as® impractical, unatfordable While it may be several years off, the possibility exists for the Back Mountain to one day be served by a paid, regional fire and ambulance de- partment. Dallas Fire and Ambulance now spends about $90,000 a year to staff its station from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. week- days and 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends. Kingston Township Ambulance has a similar arrangement, and the two de- partments team up on weekends to provide quick response. Brett Slocum, the Dallas chief, thinks more cooperation is coming. “At some point, you're going to have to combine emergency services,” he said Tuesday. But whether that will be through paid personnel is another question. “It would probably be impossible to go to a paid department,” Slocum said. Mark Van Etten, treasurer of the Dallas department, offered the exam- ple of Plains, which has an annual pay- roll of about $750,000, bloated by union staffing requirements. Jack Dodson, Chief of Kunkle Fire and Ambulance, thinks a volunteer de- partment is best, and it keeps the community involved with the people who provide vital services. He has been encouraged by an adequate sup- ply of volunteers, who must spend hundreds or hours — and sometimes their own money — on training. “Our area is very fortunate” to have excellent volunteer departments, he said. But Dodson doesn’t rule out the possibility of mixing paid and volun- ~ teer personnel, as Dallas and Kingston Township are doing. The Kunkle department is the first call for northern Dallas Township and shares duties in Monroe Township, Wyoming County, with the Noxen de- partment. Most departments are supported in part by an annual subscriber fee, usu- ally in the range of $25 per household. Aside from raising funds for equip- ment and training, the fee protects subscribers from additional charges beyond those paid by their insurance. Van Etten estimated that 65 percent households in the Dallas departme area pay the fee, and Dodson said the rate was even higher in Kunkle’s zone. Slocum said few insurance compa- nies pay the full cost of service by the BLS (Basic Life Support) unit and paramedics, and the charge to the pa- tient could be in the range of $600 if they were not a subscriber. The Dallas and Kunkle departments honor each other’s subscribers, since they often are called outside their primary area. Responders (continued from page 1) days at the Dallas garage and Sun- day at Kingston Township. State regulations require that an EMT and another person certified in advanced first aid be available at an emergency scene. Slocum said the Dallas paid EMTs are also certified as firefighters and drivers, allowing them to take an am- bulance, fire truck or both to an inci- dent, while volunteer personnel re- spond directly to the scene. The addition of paid weekend cover- age was spurred by decreasing avail- ability of volunteers who are often busy with jobs, sports or family activi- ties, Van Etten said. Now, instead of having to wait for two volunteers to arrive at the station, the paid crew can respond immediately. The new arrangement has resulted in a small change in the call sequence for backup. On weekend days, Kingston Township is now the first backup — or ‘second do” in the park. ance of emergency response — for the Dallas department in the southern part of the township and in Dallas Borough. Kunkle Fire and Ambulance, which is located in the northern section of Dallas Township, had been in that po- sition since 1992, and remains the sec- ond call at times other than weekend days. “Kunkle has always been our second do, and still is,” Slocum said during a November 6 meeting with the Dallas Township supervisors. “We've worked with them for 50 years.” “Nothing has changed except for 20 hours on the weekend.” Van Etten said only about one or two ambulance responses are needed on a typical weekend day. “There’s a lot of downtime,” waiting for calls, he said. Slocum said it is unusual to ha competing calls on weekends, and timated that only occurs four to six times a year. While he is annoyed that the change was not communicated better, Jack Dodson, Kunkle chief, does not want the new lineup to become a problem. “Our main concern is we don’t want to damage the relationship” with Dal- las, Dodson said. Tuesday. “We don’t want to upset the apple cart.” Still, Dodson feels his department -has been left somewhat in the dark about the change. “We have not: been officially notified,” he said, and he has- n’t talked to anyone from the township or the Dallas department since ex- pressing his concerns at the Novem- ber Dallas Township Supervisors meeting. At that meeting, Frank Wagner, 9 chairman of the supervisors, assured Dodson nothing would be done with- out Dodson’s knowledge. You ve COT 3 Book Your Holiday Manicure Appointments Are Going Fast 258-260 Memorial Hwy., Shavertown, PA 18708 & Pedicure Now, NAIL POLISH Buy 1 Get 1 1/2 Price OPI CREATIVE ESSIE NICOLE Make Great Stocking Stuffers (570) 675-2204 SALON SPECIALIZES IN Cr if. reat Jengths HAIR, WAXING, TANNING at feng 100% strand-hy-strand & NAILS Ho hair i vc NAL SERVICE: Manicures $10 | Te Pr ya ort tot i A Pedicures $25 Call for a consultation. 20% Off All Gemstone Jewelry + 25% Off All Sterling Silver Jewelry Holiday Hours: Daily 10-7 Thursday 10-8 Sunday 11-6 Simon & Co. Jewelers Fiberglass $35 Beauty Above the Beast 7/( ) Socum Street * Jwoyersoille, PA 18707 © 881-7110 All classes are free to all members! COME TRY US OUT! YOUR FIRST CLASS IS FREE! Call now for information! ® The largest and most utiful jewelry collection in the area SHAPES Have a story idea? Please call, we'd like to hear about it. Letters: The Post prints letters of local interest. Send letters to: Editor, The Post (ISSN - 1090 - 1094) Return completed form with payment to: The Post, 15 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre PA 18711. All letters must be 2 : : The Post signed and include a phone number at which we can reach the author. Published weekly by Cypress Media, LLC. $20 per year, in Luzerne and ; Deadline is Noon, Tuesday prior to publication. Wyoming counties (PA); $24 elsewhere in PA and additional offices. 15 N. Main St. Want a photo that has appeared? We can provide color prints of pho- Periodicals postage paid at Dallas, PA 18612-9998 Wilkes-Barre, PA tos taken by our staff. Prices: 5x7 - $12; 8x10 - $15. Call, mail in, or stop POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Post, 15 N. Main St,, : i Wilkes-Barre PA 18711 18711 I i | 9 by to order. ©COPYRIGHT 2003: Entire contents copyrighted. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means without the express written consent of the publisher. WWW.SIMONCO.COM . TOTAL FITNESS 636 Market Street, Kingston, Dennsylvania © 570.718.1268 HAIR o SKIN o NAILS » WAXING Jj" EEN EE EEE SER GEE SER SES NED SND NEN SEN SEN SEN EER EN SEE BED SES DEN SEN EEN BEN SEN NE EN REE SEN ENG ARN SEE BNE EEN SEN SER SN AY THE CREE i : OST ~ ADVERTISING : | | TIMESeLEADER Community Newspaper Group I HOW TO SUBSCRIBE i . Fo oro Deadline: Mondays at 5 p.m.. a 70-7102 iq : We have a variety of rates and programs to suit your advertising needs. | Complete and mail in this form, or call 675-5211 I The Post satisfies most co-op ad programs. Creative services at no I Please enter a subscription to The Post. I charge. Combination rates with The Abington Journal, Clarks Summit, and f I + the Sunday Dispatch, Pittston available. I Name ! We can produce your newsletter, flyer or newspaper. Call for quotes on I ; typesetting, production and printing. Mail Address Coverage Area: The Post covers the “Back Mountain” area of Luzerne City State Zip County, including Dallas, Kingston, Lehman and Jackson townships, i i Dallas Borough, Harveys Lake and the Dallas and Lake-Lehman school I Phore i districts. We try to get to as many events as possible, but staff and CIRCULATION i i space limitations make it impossible to cover everthing. If you have i ; 2 I RATES: 1Y 2, 1 news about your family, town or organization, please send it to us and 5 : ; : J y i : : oar Sars i we'll try to get it in. Photographs are welcome. Orders for subscription received by Friday at Noon will begin the following Luzerne & Wyoming counties $20 . $35 ! Corrections, clarifications: The Post will correct errors of fact or clarify Week. See box at right for subscription prices. Local subscriptions should I Other PA, NY or NJ $24 $42 i any misunderstandings created by a story. Call 675-5211. arrive Mondays. Please inform us of damage or delay, call 829-5000. f All Other States $27 $48 i | | i i i @ i i | 4 v - "| - » yg v
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers