Group plans to demonstrate for Toronto access

BETHEL, NY — The Friends of Toronto is organizing a demonstration for public access to the Toronto dam launch site. The group maintains that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) requires Mirant Corporation to provide access at that site, and notes that since last year, when the road was open, Woodstone Lakes Development, LLC has erected a gate across it.

The group says it has 2,000 signatures from the public in favor of the Toronto dam access. Demonstrators will meet at 10:00 a.m. on June 24 at the Smallwood beach parking lot and carpool to the gate.

For more information call 845/583-7556.

Search for sewer solution continues for Mews project

NARROWSBURG, NY — The town of Tusten continues to work with Mews project owners Nick and Laura Santana to find possible solutions for their sewer capacity issues. At the May meeting it was suggested that if a large septic tank were installed in the Rasmussen Funeral Home parking lot, it could be connected to the Mews building and save the cost and inconvenience of tearing up Main Street. Later investigation revealed that this was not an option, as pipe layout would cause the new line to overshoot the proposed tank location.

The Mews project will come before the Tusten Planning Board for a special-use permit or the renewal of a temporary permit on Monday, July 17.

—Kimberly Weyandt

PA tax rebates to benefit seniors

HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania legislature has passed a property tax rebate plan that doubles the income limit for seniors receiving rebates under the state’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program. It is estimated that approximately 400,000 seniors will benefit.

State Rep. John Siptroth, (D-Monroe/Pike) supported the property tax rebate plan, but says he thinks it should be more widely applied. “Approving this plan was a preliminary step—the homeowners of Pike and Monroe counties simply need more. We face rapidly increasing property taxes because our districts have overwhelming growth, so we need to find a better, more equitable revenue source.”

Funds for Sullivan Main Streets

WASHINGTON, DC — At the request of Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), the House has approved $200,000 for the Community Revitalization on the Main Streets Initiative (CRMSI), a program designed to revitalize Main Streets in Sullivan County. The initiative is part of the Sullivan Renaissance Program.

As the program’s goals and needs expand, federal funding is needed to advance the core mission of the Renaissance program and its continuation of community economic development and beautification.

The measure is part of the Fiscal Year 2007 appropriations bill that funds the Departments of Transportation and Housing and Urban Development. Now that it has been passed by the House, the Senate has to take up its own version of that bill. The final availability of the funding now depends on Senate approval.

Main Street stinks

NARROWSBURG, NY — A foul sewer smell on Main Street in Narrowsburg continues to be a cause for concern as weekenders and tourists begin to file onto Main Street for the town’s annual events. Reportedly sniffed out around five years ago, the smell has gotten substantially worse in recent months.

Planning board members pondered possible causes for the lingering of the smelly sewer fumes, ranging from leaky sewer lids to sewer building vents of improper height.

Until the problem is discovered and corrected, the town remains concerned about the effects the gas could have on upcoming town events.

—Kimberly Weyandt

Chamber urges residents to sign rate complaints

MILFORD, PA — The Pike County Chamber of Commerce is urging residents of the county to fill out the Public Utility Commission’s complaint form regarding January’s 129 percent energy rate hike. Currently, only 62 of the 4,200 customers affected by the surge in Pike County Power and Light’s (PCP&L) rates have filled out the form. The chamber has made the form available online through a link placed on their website, www.PikeChamber.com. Forms may also be picked up at the commissioner’s office located in the county administration building.

In addition to the PCP&L increase, there may be a hike for Met-Ed customers, as the company has asked to raise rates 19 percent at the end of its regulation period.

For more information call 570/296-8700.

Egg processor pollution charges

THOMPSONVILLE, NY — The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has charged the Deb-El Food Products Company with a violation and two misdemeanors in connection with its discharges into the Neversink River. The violation is prohibited pollution of a trout stream. The misdemeanors are discharging into a stream without permits and polluting waters, each of which could result in fines of between $3,750 and $37,500.

The pollution was reported by a fisherman who noticed a gray stream in the river and called the DEC. The effluent comes from the floor drains and septic system of the company, which processes eggs into powdered, frozen and liquid form.

Deb-El is scheduled to answer the DEC tickets on July 6 in Thompson Town Court.

Hunters soon to apply on line

HONESDALE, PA — Hunters in Pennsylvania can now obtain their 2006-2007 hunting licenses by applying to PA county treasurer’s offices or to any duly licensing agent. Next year, things will be easier.

“Next year, we will begin the process of putting the licensing system on line so that people can apply for licenses from home or from a personal computer,” said Wayne Treasurer Bruce Mackle. The new system will go into effect for the 2008-2009 hunting season, he said.

The exception is the issuance of the non-antler licenses, called doe licenses, for which hunters must go directly to the treasurer’s office in the county they wish to hunt in.