i i E.R Sunday, September 12, 2010 THE DALLAS POST PAGE 3 DALLAS TOWNSHIP Supervisors debate laying of pipeline in township By SARAH HITE 1 shite@timesleader.com After receiving an offer from Chief Gas and Oil Company to lay a natural gas pipeline in Dallas Township, supervisors are work- ing hard to make an informed deci- sion on the matter. Residents came to the meeting with questions on Tuesday evening, and Solicitor Tom Brennan was prepared to an- swer them. The only question left unan- swered was the township's final de- cision on the issue. “There are just as many people (in the township) for it as against it,” said Supervisor Frank Wagner. “T've talked to many people.” Brennan was recently informed by the Bureau of Forestry that the final decision rests in the hands of the township as to whether the pipeline can be placed on the pe- rimeter of the 50-acre community forest. After attending a meeting held by the Gas Drilling Awareness Coalition in August and traveling to Hazleton for a seminar concern- ing the safety issues of gas pipe- lines, officials are still unsure of how to decide on the matter. “Ultimately, it’s a big issue,” said Brennan. One decision that is final - more research needs to be done. Bren- nan says the supervisors are look- ing into what types of conditions would need to be in an agreement between the two parties if the township were to accept the offer. “If they don’t go through (the township), they'll go through someone else,” said Supervisor Philip Walter about the gas compa- ny. Brennan estimates the township will profit $90,000 from the pro- ject. Gas companies pay townships “If they don't go through (the township), they'll go through someone else.” Philip Walter Dallas Twp. supervisor by the footage of the pipeline, as well as for the value of trees re- moved from the property, he said. Supervisors are also working with officials from the Department of Conservation and Natural Re- sources and the Bureau of Forestry to develop a management plan for the forest, which Brennan says is not used for anything. “We can make it something worthwhile for the whole town- ship,” he said. Suggestions include making the area into a place where students can study the land. Brennan says even if the township decides to for- go the pipeline, the plans to open the area for community use will go on. There is no timetable for the township to decide on this issue, and officials may hold a public meeting in the future concerning the matter. In other news... e Township Engineer Tom Doughton has reviewed new esti- mates for the Geisinger building project on Dorchester Drive in which new water main work and fire hydrants will be placed all along Dorchester Drive instead of the initial plan of placing a water tank system on the property. The township fire company re- quires facilities to be able to have a water system that will produce 500 gallons per minute in the event of a fire. The site was not equipped for those standards, but now Doughton says the new water main will provide an excess of that amount. He also said 50 to 60 percent of site improvements have already been made at the property. The Letter of Credit has decreased due to these changes, from $858,689 to $822,851, but the board approved to keep the present Letter of Credit in place. ¢ The board also discussed the township's eligibility to receive a grant from the Luzerne County Of- fice of Community Development in 2011, and supervisors estimate that the township could receive up to $100,000. The township must be in ac- cordance with the program’s gui- delines, and projects pursued us- ing the grant would need to benefit low to moderate income house- holds. A community development survey may be needed to apply for projects. Project applications and supportive materials can be sub- mitted to the municipal building by Thursday, Sept. 30. e A public meeting will be held concerning the Country Club Shopping Center expansion pro- ject. Supervisors say the project ex- ceeds the size it is intended to be, and the property owner has not signed in agreement to the site plan. The hearing must be held be- fore the approval or denial of an ap- plication for conditional use. e Supervisors also voted on a motion to buy a new sweeper for the township’s road department. ¢ The next meeting will be held on Sept. 21 at the municipal build- ing. ROSS TOWNSHIP Increase in health gnsurance premium will cost employees By EILEEN GODIN Dallas Post Correspondent Ross Township supervisors ac- cepted an insurance rate increase to employee policies and an- nounced a tire recycling program at their regular monthly meeting Tuesday evening. Secretary Terry Davis told su- pervisors she received notifica- tion from Blue Cross of NEPA re- garding an increase to the town- ship’s insurance policy premi- ums, requiring township employees to pay an extra $37 for family and $14 for individual pol- icies per month. The question facing supervi- sors was whether to keep the in- surance carrier or look around for other policies. Supervisor David Williams said he had not heard any complaints from “the guys.” Other supervisors agreed on satisfaction with the carrier and the insurance rate increase was accepted. king out for the environ- @. health of their rural com- munity, supervisors announced a free tire recycling program slated for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 2, at the Butler Township Road Department, Drums and on Saturday, Oct. 9, at Hanover Area Junior Senior High School, Ha- nover Township. The recycling programs are held by the Luzerne County Commissioners, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the Luzerne County Solid Waste Manage- ment Department. Tires accepted are automobile, motorcycle, pick up trucks and SUV. Tires must be removed from the rims and clean of mud and liquids. Tires cannot be cut. Municipalities interested in participating must pre-register before noon on September 24 by calling 331-7048 or e-mailing beth@luzernecounty.org. In other news... ¢ Supervisors changed dates of the last three meetings of the year due to conflicts with sched- ules. The meetings were changed to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 12; Tuesday, Nov. 9; and Wednesday, Dec. 1. ® Supervisors announced they received a grant application for the Community Development Luzerne County Block Grant. Da- vis said the township is allowed to apply for the grant every three years. Williams said in the past, the grant money has been used to fund road resurfacing projects. Davis added that supervisors do not know how much they will receive and they will be notified in May 2011 of the dollar amount. ple. The Back Mountain Busi- ness Association will sponsor a Family Fun Walk on the Back Mountain Trail at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept.18. This family event, which will originate at the Luzerne Trailhead, is planned in coop- eration with the Dallas Har- vest Festival and the Back Mountain Trail. Parking will be available in the Luzerne Knights of Co- lumbus lot. Families are encouraged to The Back Mountain Business Association will sponsor a Family Fun Walk on the Back Mountain Trail at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept.18. Shown here at the Luzerne Trailhead are organizers. From left, BMBA Board members Liz Martin and Diane Dreier and Back Mountain Trail President Judy Rim- BMBA will sponsor Family Fun Walk walk the trail at their leisure, choosing from a 2- or 4-mile trek along the Back Moun- tain’s historic railroad bed. Participants should bring their GPS devices for one of several Geocaching hotspots. Keystone Active Zone (KAZ) 2010 Passport Stop 11 is locat- ed along the trail. Walkers will enjoy a free gift and discounts from area busi- nesses while supplies last. No pre-registration is re- quired. KINGSTON TOWNSHIP Safety issues on trail are a concern By SARAH HITE shite@mydallaspost.com Kingston Township supervi- sors are working with the Anthra- cite Scenic Trails Association, or the Back Mountain Trail, to im- prove the Back Mountain com- munity, but safety issues are still a concern to rescue workers in the area. The board voted to approve sponsorship of a grant applica- tion to the state Department of Transportation PCTI program for the trail in which funds would be used to complete construction and design of Phase I of the pro- ject. Trucksville Fire Chief Bill Eck believes there are safety is- sues that still need to be ad- dressed on the trail. Eck says there have been six emergencies on the trail, and res- cue workers are not able to easily spot those in need due to lack of landmarks on the path. He sug- gests the trails be colored-coded so that walkers can accurately pinpoint their location for emer- gency servicemen. He also says there are locks on gates instead of chains, and the fire department would need to cut the locks to get to those in dis- tress. Eck also pointed out that the recently-completed bridge near the Wildcat Falls entrance to the trail does not allow for an emergency vehicle to pass through easily. Supervisor James Reino Jr. asked township manager Kath- leen Sebastian to write a letter to ASTA about these concerns. He said the grant is meant to address these issues in addition to up- grading Phase I of the project. In other matters ... ® The township’s Public Works Department will pave a portion of Lockville Road located in Fran- klin Township, pending an agree- ment from Franklin Township to reimburse costs of the project. Reino says this is an effort for the Back Mountain Community Partnership to take effect and help smaller communities finan- cially. He said if Kingston Town- ship did not get involved, it could cost “Franklin Township hun- dreds of thousands of dollars to complete the project. “We're in a down time right now,” he said of helping Franklin Township. “We've finished with our paving.” ¢ The board also approved the Planning Commission’s recom- mendation to accept new ordi- nances concerning small wind mills and wind energy facilities in the area. Two public hearings will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 13 about this issue. ® Supervisors granted a 90-day extension of the Burger King Fi- nal Land Development Plan, which is what. Reino calls a “housekeeping” issue. ¢ The board voted to accept a winter maintenance agreement from the state Department of See SAFETY, Page 11 Pack 232 plans meeting Cub Scouts of Pack 232 of Gate of Heaven, Dallas will have a pack meeting at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Sept.19, at Gate of Heaven School gym. Boys, regardless of their school or faith affiliation, are welcome to join scouting at Gate of Heaven. Boys in grades K-5 are eligible to join Cub Scouts while those in grades six and up may join Boy Scouts. Girls in grades kindergarten and up may join Girl Scouts. For information regarding Cub Scout Pack 232, call 675-7186. PEOPLE BRIEFS Miller awarded master's degree Stephanie Marie Miller, of Shavertown, was awarded a master of science degree in @ cic sciences with a ‘oncentration in organization- al leadership in biosciences by Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine at graduate programs com- mencement ceremonies on July 31 at the Academy of versity of Scranton in 2007. Bower graduates from basic training D. Bower graduated from Air Force Airman Richard basic mil- itary training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. A 2007 Music in Philadelphia. Miller is the daughter of * Drs. Debra and Michael Miller, of Shavertown. She earned a bachelor of science degree in neuroscience and psychology from the Uni- Bower High School, he is the grandson of Clarence and Marsha Hogan of Rural Route 1, Harveys Lake. graduate of Lake-Lehman © nik 23, Q ki I GATE 0p RAVEN CHURCH BER se ae - Members of Cub Scout Pack 232 of Gate of Heaven, Dallas, planning a pack meeting for Sept. 19 are, from left, first row, Cole Dewees, Gracie Huntington, Adam Walp, Amanda Feher, Madison Dewees, Lyndsey Hornlein, Hunter Wesoloski, James Frederick. Second row, Sydney Hornlein, Daniel Drost, Alex Hajkowski, Jake Pizzolato, Matthew Ash, Peter Khoudary, Matthew Carty, Jacob Brennan,Morgan Landau. Third row, Alex Arndt, Johnny Cantando, Christian Diana, Matthew Williams, Colin Marshall, Brennan Eggleston, Jacob En- glish, Ryan Maloney, Terri Calpin, Hannah Morgan. Fourth row, Father Daniel Toomey, Christopher Ash, Michael Huntington, Scotty Williams, Jacob Brennan, Tommy Hajkowski, Brendan Frederick, Tyler Osipower, A.J. Bednar, Sam Oley. Fifth row, Tommy Calpin, An- Simery Gate of Heaven School Principal; and Scoutmaster Richie 8 Huntington. - thony Huntington, Chester Brennan, Christo Huntington, Bray Vanderhoff, Michael Lyons, Justin Marshall, Michael Parmeles, Mr. Abe
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