Taxes on the level

LACKAWAXEN — On December 19, Lackawaxen Township Supervisors approved a 2002 budget that “for the fourth or fifth year in a row” will include no new taxes, Supervisors chair Brian Stuart said.

The township tax levy will be $482,370.

Recently, the supervisors have been hearing regular requests for more comprehensive road construction and maintenance planning and the new $825,179 budget includes $295,000 for highways. But Stuart said after salaries and new equipment purchases, that leaves a construction budget of only about $150,000

Fire and ambulance tax rates also remain unchanged, funding $151,885 and $37,971 respectively for the emergency services.

WTC impacts continue

ALBANY — November 2001 employment statistics released by the New York State Department of Labor show the continuing impact of September 11 on the economy and jobs, particularly in New York City.

Statewide, private employment (seasonally adjusted) fell 25,600 in November 2001 from the previous month. In October 2001, private employment fell by a revised 63,000.

In November 2001, private employment was down 92,200 from November 2000, a decline of 1.3 percent. Including government, total employment declined 75,100 or 0.9 percent.

The national economy has been declared to have been in recession since last March.

PPL makes hydro for drought

LAKE WALLENPAUPACK — In accordance with the formal drought Conservation Order enacted on December 18 by the Delaware River Basin Commission(DRBC), PPL is now operating its Lake Wallenpaupack hydroelectric facility to help offset drought conditions in the basin.

The 5,700-acre man-made lake was last used to offset drought conditions in the 1960s, and is a voluntarily offered segment in the DRBC’s drought management plan.

The Lake Wallenpaupack facility can generate 44 megawatts of electricity.

PPL Corporation, headquartered in Allentown, generates electricity at power plants in Pennsylvania, Maine and Montana, markets wholesale or retail energy in 42 U.S. states and Canada, and delivers electricity to nearly six million customers in Pennsylvania, the United Kingdom and Latin America.

Negotiations continuing with Mohicans

MONTICELLO — If other tribes want to develop casinos, they are going to have to match the $15 million host benefit package Sullivan County has negotiated with the St. Regis Mohawks, county legislative Chairman Rusty Pomeroy said December 20.

Pomeroy said Sullivan County and the Mohicans are continuing to talk, but the bottom line will be equivalent to the existing Mohawk agreement of $15 million for seven years. “It’s the cost of doing business,” he added.

Mohican negotiations continued as U.S. Senator Charles Schumer predicted in a published report on December 19 that the Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) would finish its review of the Mohawk-Park Place casino application for Kutshers in the next three to four months.

Toll hike for Milford-Montague bridge

MILFORD — Tolls on the Milford bridge in July will go to $1.25 from $1 for passenger vehicles traveling in the westbound lanes.

The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission has approved a toll increase for seven of its bridges.

No toll will be collected from eastbound traffic, and the plan will eventually do away with the 20-cent bridge token.

The new rates will take effect in conjunction with the installation of E-Z pass.

Bridges at Trenton-Morrisville, New Hope-Lambertville, Interstate 78, Easton-Phillipsburg, Portland-Columbia and Delaware Water Gap will also see toll increases.

The new toll-rate structure will fund a 10-year, $526 million capital improvement program for the 20 bridges the commission maintains and operates.

Inauguration day in Port Jervis

PORT JERVIS — The public is cordially invited to the 2002 Port Jervis City Officials Oath of Office Ceremony for the mayor, councilman at large, council persons and fire department officers.

Ceremonies will take place at 1:00 p.m. on January 1st, 2002 at the Port Jervis Middle School Auditorium on East Main Street.

A reception will follow at the Howard Wheat Engine Company #4 on Owen and Hammond Streets.