Another swimmer dies in river

DELAWARE WATER GAP — Michael Salazar of Hillside, NJ, 37, drowned while swimming in the Delaware River within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area on Saturday, July 26.

The National Park Service’s 24-hour emergency communications center received notice of a swimmer in distress on the New Jersey side of the river near the canoe launch at the Kittatinny Point Visitor Center at about 5:00 p.m. Rangers and personnel from New Jersey State Police, the Portland Hook and Ladder Dive Team, Bushkill Fire Company’s Underwater Search and Recovery Unit and Worthington State Forest responded, but were unable to save the victim. The operation was complicated by the fact that the Delaware is currently flowing at approximately three feet above normal summer levels due to the recent rains, and visibility is close to zero in the muddy water.

The body was eventually recovered about 50 yards from the New Jersey shore by the National Park Service Dive Team in about eight feet of water. Salazar was not wearing a life jacket.

Greenway bill signed

ALBANY, NY — Legislation proposed by senator John Bonacic and championed by assemblywoman Aileen Gunther that enables the creation of an Upper Delaware River Greenway has been signed into law by Governor Paterson. The bill (A.9297-A) establishes the Upper Delaware River Greenway fund and Upper Delaware River Council to facilitate the greenway’s development.

The new law authorizes the City of Port Jervis, Village of Hancock and Towns of Deerpark, Lumberland, Highland, Tusten, Cochecton and Delaware to establish a corporation to undertake projects related to the Delaware River and Greenway member communities related to tourism, recreation, municipal park improvements and downtown revitalization.

Valley View cited for violations

TOWN OF DELAWARE, NY — The owners of Valley View Hotel on Swiss Hill Road have been ticketed for “Discharging sewage in violation of the SPEDES Permit,” a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $3,750 to $37,500, and “operating a solid waste management facility without a permit,” a violation punishable by a fine of $1,500 to $15,000.

A member of the Environmental Conservation police, a Department of Environmental Conservation water technician and environmental officer came to the site in response to a complaint. They observed untreated sewage flowing out of the dosing chamber down an embankment, and a large amount of garbage thrown over a different embankment.

Both charges against the corporation, AJCD Corp., of 1274 49th St., Brooklyn, are pending in the Town of Delaware Justice Court, with a court date scheduled for August 18. Other design problems are being reviewed by DEC water program staff, for additional administrative actions and possible penalties.

Supervisor resigns as road master

DAMASCUS, PA – Newly appointed Damascus Township Supervisor Jason Roberts has resigned his duties as road master of the township’s southern sector but will remain in his position as supervisor. Roberts said he received an employment position that was more in line with the needs of his family. Chairman Jeff Dexter did not name a replacement at this time.

Pike chamber endorses proposed library

PIKE COUNTY, PA — The Pike County Chamber of Commerce has announced its support of the proposed Pike County Public Library (PCPL) headquarters. Chamber executive director Scott J. Weiland issued a letter of endorsement stating that “the Board of Directors of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce is confident that the new facility will be critical in meeting the needs of our growing residency.”

The board is also supportive of the library as the first LEED-certified, green public building in the county. “This will help the library conserve energy while lowering operating costs,” said Weiland. “The new library headquarters will be an icon for a county that is looking and moving forward.”

The new library headquarters, to be located on Harford Street in Milford not far from the current outdated facility, is slated to be 16,500 square feet with 14,500 square feet of assignable space.

The proposed design for the library has been a source of some contention, as some groups feel that it does not fit in with Milford’s existing architecture.