2 The Post NEWS Sunday, June 13, 2004 Plant neighbors consider legal steps By RONALD BARTIZEK Post Staff DALLAS TWP. — Neigh- bors of the Pulverman Enter- prises plant have spoken with an attorney about continuing objectionable noise from the metal stamping facility. “There hasn’t been any im- provement,” said Dr. Michael Kovalick Thursday. He lives in the Orchard View Terrace sub- division, which is situated be- hind and above the plant. But he says the group of residents affected by the noise includes people who live across Lower Demunds Road from the facto- ry, and others who live in the Ondish Hills development, built on a ridge across the nar- row valley from Orchard View. “It’s the repetitiveness of the thumping,” that causes dis- tress, particularly at night, Ko- valick said. “The frequency of the noise travels into the homes.” Kovalick said Barbara Bren- nan, who lives next door to the plant's former location in Courtdale, had contacted him and was interested in helping the residents take action. She has said that during the five- year period Pulverman operat- .ed in Courtdale she had to sleep with the television on to block out banging noises from the presses and loud music from employees’ boom boxes. The company moved its op- erations from Courtdale to the former Energy Converters plant in January. But it may be a while before the volume is turned down. “l think we’re going to liti- gate this to our utmost ability,” said Atty. Michael Melnick, the township’s solicitor, on Wednesday. Atty. Patrick Aregood, repre- senting Pulverman, hopes for an accommodation. “lI think both parties are working toward an amicable decision,” he said. Pulverman has appealed a noise. violation it received in May, and feels that under the statewide municipalities plan- ning code, the township should not enforce the noise ordinance until the company’s appeal is heard. : “They have filed an appeal to the enforcement action, which means we can’t enforce it,” Melnick said. Zoning officer Len Kozick must now schedule a hearing before the zoning hearing board. Either party may appeal the decision of the board. Melnick plans to ask the court in a letter to allow the township to make the company comply while the appeal is pending. The noise ordinance, which is included in the town- ship’s zoning regulations, limits noise to 72 decibels. Along with its request to lift the stay, the township will retest the noise level around the Lower Demunds Road plant to show that the company has violated the order to cease and desist operating over the noise limit. The testing will be conducted by township engi- neer Tom Doughton. Melnick said expert opinion is also be- ing solicited from an acoustic engineer. Pulverman officials will have the opportunity to respond to the township’s letter. Melnick said the process could take 30 days. Melnick said he was at a house near the plant Tuesday night. “It seemed pretty obvi- ous it was beyond the allowable level,” he said. Three weeks earlier, Melnick met with Pulverman’s owner, Randy Mark, at the plant. “It was incredibly loud inside the factory,” Melnick said. “When I went outside, it was still very loud within 100 feet of the building.” Melnick said Mark told him the company would plant shrubs and trees, “as tall as they could buy them,” behind the factory to help deaden the sound. “It’s a good start,” he said, and suggests trees could be planted between the build- ing and Lower Demunds Road to shield homes there. Aregood said Pulverman has already taken 28 steps to ad- dress the noise problem, and is trying to be a good corporate neighbor. As he seeks to resolve the sit- uation with Pulverman, Mel- nick is also drafting changes to the noise ordinance that would reduce the allowable level to 45 decibels. Mark did not respond to a re- quest to be interviewed for this story. Expanding the 1 Central Administration Nterview ; | Dallas School Board member Maureen Matiska made a presentation April 20, hoping to convince the board to make hiring criteria more standardized and rational. Other board members are rewriting district policy to shift more hiring responsibility to the board from the administration. At least six have applied for Dallas School Board opening By MARK GUYDISH For The Post DALLAS TWP. - Dallas School Board President David Usavage said at least six peo- ple have expressed written in- terest in filling the seat left open by Deborah Morgantini’s resignation, which took effect June 11. Former board members Karen Kyle and Rich Coslett have applied, as well as Christopher Concert, Dan Nul- ton, Demetrius Fannick and Todd Buckley. The board has 30 days after the“ resignation to pick a re- placement. Then the matter is given #0 a Luzerne County judge. The board also is sifting through dozens of applications for teaching posts, including a high school science teacher. Usavage confirmed rumors that Ted Jackson Jr., the high school football coach’s son, has applied for the science slot. Jackson Jr. was named head basketball coach during a spe- cial meeting May 24 after weeks of rumors saying he was in line for the job. The way the district hires people — and how it makes its budget — also are likely to change. Board member Gary Mathers has drawn up revi- sions to at least five sections of the board policies: board function, organization, em- ployment procedures, person- nel records and finances. Many of the changes are sin- gle words, such as one requir- ing administrators to set spe- cific priorities, rather than general ones, when proposing budgets. Other changes - are more sweeping, taking responsibility from the superintendent and giving it to the board. Under current policy, the superin- tendent or a “designee” devel- oped procedures for recruiting and recommending employ- ees. The new policy includes an undefined “management team” in the process. The proposed policy also deletes a section that gave the superintendent sole discretion in recommending a second choice for a job if the board re- jected the first recommenda- tion. Usavage said he believes the changes make the process more democratic. “It broadens the opportunity for everyone to be involved. It doesn’t just say the superintendent alone is going to decide. who gets hired.” Sh But board member Maureen Matiska disagreed. She said the superintendent and dis- trict administrators are trained to make the right decisions, and paid well to do it. “I just couldn’t make a lot of sense out of the changes. I couldn’t see the purpose of them.” Band battle will€® aid fire company Rock bands will be battling it out come June 25 at the Luzerne County Fairgrounds. The Shavertown Volunteer Fire Department will hold a “Battle of the Bands” competi- tion featuring local bands from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m., with a live broadcast from radio station 97.9X: The winners of the bat- tle royal will be awarded $500, with the runner-up receiving a $200 prize. According to committee co- chair Jeffrey Jumper, the event ‘will feature a mix of music, but will concentrate on new age rock. “We have eight bands competing in the event,” said Jumper. “We're hoping for a 500 person turnout.” Each band will have equal time to present its material. The admission is $10 at the gate and $8 in advance. Tickets are available at Wayne’s World, the Gallery of Sound in Dallas, Kingston and Wilkes-Barre, or from any Shavertown Volun- teer Fire Department member. Fireworks, courtesy of Phoenix General Contracting, will also be featured at the event, along with refreshments. For more information on the battle, log on to the fire compa- ny’s website at www.shaver- townfire.com or call 675-1302, mailbox 8. Another township needs to set up construction appeals board By VICKI KEIPER Post Correspondent JACKSON TWP. — Supervi- sors said at their June 7 meet- ing that they are looking for volunteers to serve on the Uni- form Construction Code board of appeals. Once the supervisors passed an ordinance adopting the je AL Sa if o RR ES AE ENE . Le AR 53 i ns 4 » A] . 7 bd o SRL Bd be i o Ke 4 ATER Fe Tremens CoML - NOW OPEN - ~~ Assisted Living bo . Private rooms as low as code, they are required to cre- ate a board of three to seven township residents to hear citi- zens’ appeals to decisions made by the code administrator, said Supervisor David Roskos. “After a zoning hearing, if someone - isn’t happy with a code, they would go to the board of appeals.” Anyone interested in serving $65/day “4 CALL TODAY for Wide! Information and a tour! Enjoy ‘Carefree Living and New Beginnings’ COMING FALL, 2004 — “The Cottages” for independent living 4252 Memorial Hwy., Dallas * 675-1300 on the appeals board must send a letter of intent to the supervi- sors by July 3, said Supervisor Chairman John Wilkes, Jr. The new construction code requires members of the ap- peals board to have a back- ground in construction. Gov- ernment officials cannot serve on the board but they can fill any empty positions with a “qualified person who resides outside of the municipality” if they can’t find enough qualified residents. In other business, the board voted to allow the township road and police departments as well as the neighborhood crime watch group to participate in the 2004 Drug-Free and Safety Festival on July 17 at the "Now Open" Serving Lunch & Dinner Try Our Ribs, Steaks, Burgers, Chicken & Seafood Happy Hour Mon.-Fri. 5-7 $1.00 Off All Drinks All Items Available for TAKE OUT 111 S. Main Street Trucksville, PA 696-3580 Hours: Mon.-Sat. 11am-12 am ¢ Sun. 11am-10pm Church Street and Third Av- enue Park, Kingston. The festi- val runs from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. with a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. The board also re-appointed Walter Billings for another term on the planning commis- sion. “Walt does a great job for us,” Wilkes said. PREFERRED RATES Preferred Auto Insurance Rates. Aren't You glad you Paid Attention in rivers Ed. To find out more about our auto insurance — Call me... Stop by... Log on - it's your choic Dog license sales Luzerne County Treasurer Michael L. Morreale has an- nounced that 2004 dog licenses are now available at the follow- ing locations: e Dallas Twp. — Hoof-in- Paw-n-Jeans, 675-4800. e Kunkle — Pet Care ates, 675-1621. Licenses also will be sold at the Treasurer’s Office in the Luzerne County Courthouse, Wilkes-Barre, and at the Hazle- ton annex, 145 E. Broad St., Hazleton. To obtain licenses by mail, send your name, address, tele- phone number, date of birth (if 65 of older), the dog’s name, color, breed ‘and gender. The mailing address is: Luzerne County Treasurer, Courthouse, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711. Re- turn postage is not necessary. The regular rates are $8 for males and females; $6 fi neutered males or spayed fe males. The rates for senior citi- zens with disabilities are $6 for males and females; $4 for neutered males or spayed fe- males. If you are applying for a license that requires the dog owner be a senior citizen (at 65 at the time of purchase), or a person with the disability, you must provide proof of age or disability to the county treasur- er or agent. Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and Affiliated Companies, Home Office: Columbus, OH 43215-2220 A4 11/00 Tell our advertisers you saw . them in The Post. They'll appreciate it, and so will we. GORDON-SMITH Insurance Agency Charles W. Gordon, Associate Agent Lauren M. Smith, Agent 570-675-5234 smithL68 @nationwide.com Nationwide’ | Insurance & Financial Services Nationwide Is On Your Side® Coverage Area: The Post covers the “Back Mountain” area of Luzerne County, including the Dallas and Lake-Lehman school districts, and southern Wyoming County. We try to get to as many events as possible, but staff and space limitations make it impossible to cover everything. If you have news about your family, town or organization, please send it to us and we'll try to get it in. Photographs are welcome. You may send items to the address above, or drop them off at the Uni-Mart in Dallas near the intersection of Routes 309 and 415. E-mail is the best and most timely method for submissions. Send items (digital photos, too) to: thepost@ leader.net Deadline is noon, Wednesday prior to publication. Corrections, clarifications: The Post will correct errors of fact or clarify any misunderstandings created by a story. Call 675-5211. Have a story idea? 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