Pond Eddy Bridge reopens

SHOHOLA, PA — Repair work on the Pond Eddy Bridge has been completed, and bridge posting has been restored to seven tons. However, a center beam or “stringer” that runs the entire length of the bridge remains weak, and has not been repaired given the time and expense involved and the fact that the bridge’s future remains undecided, according to Community Relations Coordinator Karen Dussinger. Barrels have been placed on either side to direct motorists to the center of the bridge, making sure that there is only one lane of traffic straddling the central beams. Two lanes of traffic could put excessive weight on the stress point.

The bridge had been downgraded to four tons last October, when it was discovered that a number of beams beneath the bridge were deteriorating. The bridge connects some 26 Shohola Township homes on the Pennsylvania shore to the only area highway access, across the Delaware in New York. The higher limit will once again allow heavier fire and emergency vehicle access.

Help for small businesses may be on the way

ALBANY, NY — The New York State Senate has advanced legislation that would help small businesses expand and create jobs, according to State Senator John J. Bonacic (R/I/C – Mount Hope).

The main provisions would eliminate the income tax and corporate franchise tax on manufacturers, providing $550 million of tax relief; provide a $350 million refundable tax credit to help small businesses with rising energy costs; reduce the corporate franchise tax rates from 7.5 percent to 6.85 percent, saving an estimated $150 million; and create a small business STAR program to provide direct rebate checks to small businesses that pay school taxes and employ fewer than 20 people.

Medical centers explore possible synergies

MIDDLETOWN, NY — Boards of directors and administration from both Orange Regional Medical and Catskill Regional Medical centers have met twice to discuss how to work together to enhance healthcare in the Hudson Valley.

Acting chairperson of Orange Regional Ginny Rizzo and chairperson of Catskill Regional Joyce Salimeno, along with board members and top administrators from each hospital, met for the second time last week, at the offices of Alan Gerry in Liberty, to have a dialogue about potential collaboration.

Salimeno said, “Both hospitals are committed to the greater health of the community. We embrace the chance to identify any opportunities which benefit the entire region.”

Although their next meeting has not officially been scheduled, hospital officials say they will remain devoted to examining opportunities over the coming months.

Lehutsky declines pay raise passed in 2005

HONESDALE, PA — Wayne County District Attorney Michael Lehutsky will decline any pay raise to which he is entitled as a result of the Stilp decision handed down by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court last September. That decision reinstated judicial pay raises that had been part of a controversial pay raise package passed by Pennsylvania lawmakers in 2005, and had a secondary effect on the salary paid to full-time district attorneys.

The decision means that Lehutsky will not be accepting the additional $16,822 the law otherwise directs he be paid during 2007. According to Lehutsky, the amount of the pay raise will be diverted to fund the creation of a secured computer network for county law enforcement agencies. The network will enable Wayne County’s four municipal police departments to have direct access to criminal history and drivers’ records maintained in state and national databases.

Deadline for tax delinquencies approaches

MONTICELLO, NY — The deadline for property owners who received a tax foreclosure notice during October 2006 to pay these taxes is Wednesday, January 31 at 5:00 p.m. Payments postmarked January 31, 2007, will be accepted. Unless the unpaid tax delinquencies are paid in full, the property will be foreclosed and slated for sale at public auction.

The treasurer’s office will accept payment in the form of cash, certified bank check, money orders and MasterCard or Visa credit card. Certified bank checks and money orders should be made payable to the “Sullivan County Treasurer.” Personal checks will not be accepted.

Property owners may be eligible for an installment payment plan. For information about the installment plan, please contact Gen at 845/794-3000 ext. 3204. All other questions should be directed to 794-3000, ext. 5014.