Third rabid fox found in Pike County

HAWLEY, PA — A gray fox, described as “obviously rabid,” was destroyed recently near the intersection of Wellwood Avenue and Route 6.

Authorities said the animal was the third rabid fox discovered this year in Pike, along with one skunk.

Two other rabid foxes have been reported in Wayne County this year.

Rabies is a virus fatal to humans if untreated and may be contracted through any contact with the saliva of a rabid animal.

Animals suffering from the disease may appear aggressive or move erratically and may change normal behavioral patterns. Anyone believing they may have had physical contact with a rabid animal should contact a physician.

State holds hearing on Home Depot

TEXAS TOWNSHIP, PA — The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will hold a public hearing to accept comment on a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for discharge of storm water into the Lackawaxen River from construction activities related to a proposed Home Depot retail store in Texas Township in Wayne County.

The application was submitted by RB Honesdale LLC.

The public hearing will be held Wednesday, November 10 at 7:00 p.m. in the White Mills Fire Department’s Community Hall on Route 6 in White Mills.

DEP requests that individuals wishing to testify at the hearing submit a written notice to Retail at Texas Township Public Hearing, PA DEP, Water Management Program, 2 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711-0790.

For further information, contact Mark Carmon of DEP’s Northeast Regional Office at 570/826-2511.

Dog kennel application is sent back to the drawing board

LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — Gloria Smith presented her application September 30 to the Town of Cochecton Planning Board to build a new dog shelter next to the one she currently operates, Bennie’s Buddies, on Pinewood Road. She plans to lease the property, which is owned by the Lazarian Society.

Though Smith originally wanted to hold up to 89 dogs at the proposed shelter, planning board members cited New York State Department of Agricultural Markets law, informing Smith that not all dogs are small enough to keep in three-by-four-foot pens. The preliminary application and map drew other concerns, including ventilation of the enclosed kennel barns, water and electricity, lighting, heating, drainage, waste disposal, dog licensing and driveway access to the property.

Smith’s engineer, John Fink, agreed to adapt and update site plans to comply with the board’s concerns. Consideration of the application will continue at the board’s October 28 meeting, which begins at 7:30 p.m.

If approved, Smith said she would take down the outdoor kennels that occupy her own property and move all of her dogs into the new buildings.

Pike schedules result forums on comprehensive plan

MILFORD, PA — The data has been compiled and after two years’ preparation for a new county comprehensive plan, Pike planners have scheduled two public forums to detail some of their findings.

Two thousand resident survey forms, of about 25,000 which were made available last summer, have been returned and Spotts, Stevens and McCoy, the county’s project consultant has reviewed, tabulated and analyzed them.

The program will also address the county’s projected “build-out” under current zoning and planning ordinances.

The plan’s advisory board has scheduled a forum at 7:00 p.m. on October 25 at the Delaware Township Building at 116 Wilson Hill Road, and at the PP&L Environmental Learning Center at Lake Wallenpaupack at 7:00 p.m. on October 26.

Some federal storm relief approved

MONTICELLO, NY — President Bush has now approved portions of storm relief for Sullivan County for the storms and flooding of August 30 and September 18-19, Sullivan County Emergency Management Coordinator Dick Martinkovic confirmed on Tuesday.

Bush’s action provides relief to municipalities for road and bridge damages from the August 30 storm, but not individual relief for property owners in Westbrookville in the Town of Mamakating.

Orange County was denied any aid from the August storm.

On the later September storm, the relief program was reversed in Sullivan, and individuals were given grants and loans, but towns and the county were not given municipal assistance.

Martinkovic said Governor Pataki has protested the finding, and federal emergency officials were sent back to Westbrookville on Tuesday, and on the following day were scheduled to revisit municipal damage sites they did not view earlier.

Martinkovic said federal officials have asked Sullivan County to open a disaster relief center in Monticello area and two smaller locations, one in Livingston Manor and one in Narrowsburg. These offices will deal with individual disaster damage claims.

Pike and Wayne county federal disaster relief was approved on September 19.

Anyone seeking individual assistance may call 800/621-3362 to file a claim.

Applicants will be asked for federal storm reference numbers and they are, 1564DRNY for the August flood and 1565DRNY for the September storm.

County names Park Street Complex

HONESDALE, PA – The former Stourbridge Elementary School building at 648 Park Street in Honesdale, which was sold to Wayne County, is now being called the Wayne County Park Street Complex.

The building, purchased initially as a new jail site, will house several county agencies including the Wayne County Conservation District.

The new elementary school that was built to replace the Stourbridge School and which is located behind the high school next to the Lake Street Elementary School, will retain the Stourbridge name.