Local News

From the Supervisor Meeting Minutes, August 28, 2019:

a. William Pipolo, Jr. made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 082819 to request a Local Share Account grant in the amount of $280,000 from the Commonwealth Financing Authority of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to be used for the design and construction work related to the Old Canadensis Road Bridge replacement. The motion was seconded by May LaBar and carried. All Supervisors voted aye.

The Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) has announced the re-opening of two programs in addition to the Dairy Investment Program: the Pennsylvania Small Water Program and PA H2O.

PA Small Water provides funding for activities to assist with the construction, improvement, expansion, or rehabilitation or repair of a water supply system, sanitary sewer system, storm sewer system, or flood control projects. Eligible projects are those which have a total project cost of not less than $30,000 and not more than $500,000.

Wash away your worries in the woods with a unique meditation known as forest bathing.

Forest bathing —otherwise known as shinrin-yoku — was developed in Japan in the 1980s but is catching on in Europe and the States as a new form of awakening the body and mind.

The practice involves slowing your mind down and connecting with nature using five senses: sight, smell, hearing, touch and taste.

The mobile-friendly, online application site, at votesPA.com/ApplyAbsentee, will go live on Monday, September 16, the first day that registered voters may apply for absentee ballots for the November 5 election.

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In recognition of September being National Preparedness Month, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency is encouraging all of us to take steps to plan for emergencies by participating in September’s 30 Days/30 Ways preparedness event.

This year’s theme for National Preparedness Month is “Prepared. Not Scared.” Much like a fire drill, knowing what to do in an emergency makes the situation a little less frightening for everyone.

Some simple steps to boost your preparedness include taking a basic first aid or CPR class, creating a family emergency plan, assembling a small kit of emergency supplies for your home and car, reviewing insurance coverage, and building up an emergency fund.

Pocono Mountain School District’s enhanced property tax rebates for eligible property owners will continue for the 2019-2020 fiscal year.

The District’s Board of Education approved the enhanced property tax rebates in April 2016, and has continued to offer the enhanced rebates each fiscal year since to provide qualifying property owners with additional tax relief above the state rebate rate.

For many years, the District matched the state rebate program established by the PA Senior Citizen’s Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program Act. That changed in April 2016, when the School Board passed its first resolution for the enhanced tax relief.

How to vote in November's upcoming election using the new ClearCast electronic voting machines:

Public Hearing Re: 4767 Route 447
Wednesday, September 25, 2019 @ 9:00am

At the August 14, 2019 meeting, the Board appointed May LaBar to fill the Supervisor Seat vacated by Grant Hilfiger.

[Update 8/28/19 @ 10:30am - to include the following details from the Meeting Minutes]

Source: August 14, 2019 Meeting Minutes

d. Two letters were received from Grant Hilfiger to the Supervisors and the Planning Commission. The letters stated that he regretted to inform the Boards of his resignation, effective immediately. William Pipolo, Jr. made a motion to accept the letter of resignation to the Board of Supervisors. The motion was seconded by Benjie Labar and carried. All Supervisors voted aye. William Pipolo, Jr. made a motion to accept the letter of resignation to the Planning Commission. The motion was seconded by Benjie Labar and carried. All Supervisors voted aye. William Pipolo, Jr. made a motion to send Grant Hilfiger a letter, thanking him for his service. The motion was seconded by John Seese and carried. All Supervisors voted aye.

g. William Pipolo, Jr. made a motion to appoint May Labar to fill the position as Supervisor. The motion was seconded by Benjie Labar and carried. All Supervisors voted aye.

A Canadensis man was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment for charges stemming from an illegal crystal methamphetamine operation.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced on Wednesday, August 21 that James Counterman, 56, was charged for the distribution and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of crystal methamphetamine, in addition to money laundering.

Update from August 28, 2019 Meeting Minutes:
Bids:
One bid was received from Flat Rock Equipment LLC for 1997 John Deere Athey 7-12D Belt Loader in the amount of $ 22,500.00. William Pipolo, Jr. made a motion to accept the bid. The motion was seconded by John Seese and carried. All Supervisors voted aye.

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed bids will be publicly opened and read by the Barrett Township Board of Supervisors at its regular meeting scheduled to be held at 8 a.m. Wednesday, August 28, 2019, at the Barrett Township Municipal Building, 993 Route 390, Cresco, Pennsylvania 18326 for the purchase of the following belt loader or its equal: John Deere Athey 7-12D Diesel Engine Hydrostatic Transmission Straight Conveyor Year: 1995-2000 Under 3000 hours Good to excellent condition The Township Secretary shall receive all bids by 4 p.m. Wednesday, August 27, 2019. All bids shall be submitted in a sealed envelope clearly marked "2019 Belt Loader." Clear title shall be transferred to the Township by bill of sale and the equipment shall be delivered by September 27, 2019. Each bid must be accompanied by a proposal security in the amount of ten (10%) percent of the amount bid in the form of a certified check, bank cashier's check, or satisfactory bid bond naming as payee "Barrett Township." A contract may be awarded during the meeting on August 28, 2019 or at a subsequent public meeting the date and time of which will be announced after bids are opened. The Barrett Township Board of Supervisors reserves the right to reject any or all bids or parts thereof, and to waive any defects or irregularities in the proposals. The Board further reserves the right to reject any proposal deemed not to be in the best interest of the Township. By: Barrett Township Board of Supervisors P - Aug. 14, Aug. 19

Since I have received numerous communications on road and bridge funding in relation to state police funding, I hope you will find the following information helpful. There is a tremendous amount of road work that needs to be accomplished in Monroe and Pike counties; however, we are moving forward. Please remember that Pennsylvania has the fourth largest roadway system in the country. With 40,000 miles of state roadways and 25,000 state-owned bridges – the third largest number of bridges in the country – the maintenance is constant, expensive and fierce. Due to the extreme weather conditions and flooding across the state this past year, several projects also lost funding due to flooding remediation. We are working diligently with PennDOT on prioritizing road work to the best of the financial capabilities.