Local News

This article features a question & answer between myself and Judy Linder, Barrett Tax Collector, regarding the 2020 millage and how it fits into the county-wide reassessment.

QUESTION (Nate)
I'm confused about the property reassessment and the millage. It looks like the millage went from 20 down to 2.5, the millage numbers were roughly divided by 10. Monroe County is switching the property valuations from 25% value up to 100%. Perhaps I'm totally lost here but one set of numbers is divided by 10 and the other multiplied by 4, it doesn't add up to me. Can you let me know what I'm missing, here?

(via Rosemary Brown)

Forms for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program are now available for eligible Pennsylvanians to begin claiming rebates on property taxes or rent paid in 2019. Remember – you do not need to pay anyone for assistance to apply for the rebate. Help is available from my offices at no charge. Call to schedule an appointment.

The rebate program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The income limit is $35,000 a year for homeowners and $15,000 annually for renters, and half of Social Security income is excluded.

(via Rosemary Brown)

With a project slated to take place in New Jersey, I have deep economic and environmental concerns and am demanding answers from federal officials and stronger communication between the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). I am also asking officials for justification for the up to $200 million in federal funding that has been allocated for this project.

This project poses an economic and environmental threat to our area, not to mention the everyday impact it will have on commuters who have to travel through the Water Gap for work. Tourism and visitation will also be affected for four years as expected construction will cause major delays. Safety is always my first priority, but it is hard to support a project that will have extremely strong impacts to Pennsylvania when there appears to be no valid safety data available supporting the project need. I am requesting this safety data be presented to justify the usage of taxpayer dollars in this manner. My questions continue to include the project scope and if maintenance or less massive efforts could be done if needed. The answers should be available to taxpayers and officials. If this project is not validated, I am urging the dollars allocated to the Rockfall Mitigation Fund be transferred to our rail efforts from Andover, New Jersey, to Pennsylvania. This rail line is well overdue and would offer significant benefits to several states and their residents, especially in our region. (emphasis added)

TUNKHANNOCK, Pa. -- Pennsylvanians can trade their posted signs for purple paint. It's a new, legal way to warn hunters and other passers-by where your land begins.

"I don't like to post,but I have to," said Doug Gay of Gay's True Value Hardware. "If someone sues on your property whose fault is it? It is yours, mine, theirs?"

The purple markings are another option for landowners who feel posted signs, which are a few dollars each, are too pricey or don't last long enough.

Editor's Note:
If I understand correctly, the reason bus drivers cost the school district so much money is the medical benefits package that applies not to both the bus driver and their family.  

Pocono Mountain Education Support Professionals Association has moved to accept outsourcing transportation to First Student in lieu of cuts.

Tensions remain high between the Pocono Mountain School District and the Pocono Mountain Education Support Professionals Association regarding the ongoing negotiations for the district’s transportation.

With the next negotiation meeting in sight, on Jan. 29, the PMESPA bargaining team consisting of current Pocono Mountain employees have moved on the district’s second proposal.

Editor's Note:
If I understand correctly, the reason bus drivers cost the school district so much money is the medical benefits package that applies not to both the bus driver and their family.  

COOLBAUGH TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- Outsourcing may be the result of a bus contract dispute in the Pocono Mountain School District.

Negotiators for the union that represents the district's bus drivers have decided that outsourcing to a private bus company called First Student is the best option for drivers who have been working without a contract since July.

"I don't really agree with it, but hopefully, the district has everyone's best interest in mind. I think it was fine the way it was and there really wasn't a reason to change it," said parent Amber Rascona.

According to the school district, outsourcing would eliminate proposed salary cuts and offer drivers more affordable health care options. It would also save the district millions of dollars a year.

When you first walk into the Mountainhome Deli & Cafe, it’s the signage, cozy fireplace and decorations that catch the eye.

Owner Ray Cawolsky, who opened the business in 1993, takes great pride in the eatery’s inviting atmosphere.

Even though he’s got a storage unit and a laundry room overfilled with holiday decorations — Halloween is his favorite and locals look for the infamous witch who visits every year hoagie in tow — it brings a smile to his face knowing that the young and old alike enjoying visiting his second home.

“Great adventures are best spent with great friends.” I am not sure if anyone has ever stated this quote but these words quickly came to mind after a recent bald eagle excursion spent with my best friend Ron Dickey. I asked Ron, a resident of Barrett Township, if he would be interested in joining me on a preliminary scouting trip in search of wintering bald eagles along the Delaware River and surrounding watershed. The reason of the scouting trip was to determine when to schedule Bald Eagle auto tours that were available for the guests of Skytop Lodge. However, after several successful seasons, Skytop Lodge is now offering these bald eagle auto tours to the general public. If fact, anyone who is interested in sending a few hours with me in search of majestic bald eagles on an entertaining and educational wildlife adventure might consider the opportunity.

Paint a rain barrel for display at a business in Mountainhome or for your home.

A "Green" Community Project Administered by Brodhead Watershed Association

• We will recruit business sponsors for barrels.
• We will choose the winning designs for business display.
• Barrels delivered at end of April.
• Painted barrels installed late June/ early July 2020.
• We provide the rain barrel and a stipend to cover artist's costs if barrel is for public display.
• You provide the design.

Just a quick FYI to anyone who uses propane to heat their homes - I just got pricing today from local propane suppliers and found Heller's Gas to be the best price at $1.14 / gallon.  This was for a delivery of 300 gallons.  

The highest price was $1.99 / gallon.  It pays to own your tank and price shop each fill!  

PennDOT Maintenance Forces will patch potholes on PA 390 between PA 447 and and the Pike County line, imposing lane restrictions 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. until Friday.

[source]

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s 2020 hemp program is now accepting applications from both commercial growers and processors.

The 2020 application period is open through April 1. This year, both growers and processors of hemp are required to apply. The permitting of processors is new for the 2020 program. Each individual property will require its own permit and application. A permit costs $150.