Car dealership closes in Wayne

HONESDALE, PA — Owl Chrysler and Jeep, located on Grand View Avenue near Honesdale, has closed its doors. The closing was unexpected to many customers, who learned of it from a sign posted outside the building.

The reasons for the closure are not known, though some customers speculated that it might be related to the recent shortage of credit in the overall economy. Owl was the only Chrysler and Jeep dealership in the area, and owners of vehicles bought at the business may now have to travel as much as 30 miles for service under warranty.

Port Jervis budget includes 5.19 percent tax hike

PORT JERVIS, NY — The city of Port Jervis has issued its proposed budget for 2009, and it entails a 5.19 percent tax increase.

Expenses have been held in check for the upcoming year, with a rise just under 1 percent, but officials project an estimated drop of $90,000 in mortgage taxes and fees collected for building permits, leading to the need for the tax hike.

A public hearing on the budget will be held in the Common Council chambers at 7:35 p.m. on Monday, December 8. It will occur before the regular council meeting. It is possible that the council will approve the budget the same evening.

Sullivan salt prices to rise 25 percent

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — Following a year in which many municipalities around the nation ran out of salt to de-ice their roads by the end of the season, road-salt prices have gone sky high for the upcoming winter as those municipalities vie to stock up.

The contract with Sullivan County with Cargill, which holds the state bid to supply Orange, Ulster and Sullivan, was rebid at $52.38 per ton, representing an increase of about 25 percent over the 2008 figure of $41.91 and a greater than 60 percent increase over the $35.29 figure for 2006. The total expected cost increase for salt to Sullivan County taxpayers is estimated at almost $90,000.

Bear harvest strong in PA

PENNSYLVANIA — Preliminary figures from the Pennsylvania Game Commission at press time showed that 2,946 bears were taken during the three-day season from November 24 to November 26, with an additional 68 bears during archery season on November 19 and 20.

The total preliminary harvest of 3,004 so far counts as the fifth highest bear harvest recorded so far. However, there is an extended season in certain Wildlife Management Units from December 1 through 6. First estimates for the entire season will be available by December 10; however, official numbers will not be issued until early in 2009.

Sewer blockage closes Sullivan West

LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — Sullivan West High School was closed for the day on December 2 because the sewer system for the school could not be used in the morning. The school superintendent, Dr. Kenneth Hilton, said a blockage was discovered on the evening of December 1, but the custodial staff was unable to immediately contact a plumber to help solve the problem. Hilton canceled the school day at about 6:30 a.m. when it seemed that the system would not be up and running until the afternoon.

There have not been any previous problems with the sewer system, which connects to the Lake Huntington system. A soft blockage was discovered and fixed on a section of pipe beneath the school’s driveway.

Honesdale turns green for tree lighting

HONESDALE, PA — The Greater Honesdale Partnership gave the lighting system for its annual holiday tree lighting a green overhaul this season, including the installation of LED lights, at a cost of close to $6,000. At the tree lighting celebration, Mayor Jonathan Fritz told the crowd, “We’re going green in Honesdale, folks.”

The inaugural ceremony for the new system hit a glitch when the tree did not light on cue. The problem turned out to be the timer, and the tree was lit later in the evening, though after the crowd had dispersed. The star on Irving Cliff lit up on schedule, however, bringing forth a cheer from those present.

Library presents application

MILFORD, PA — The Pike County Public Library presented its application for a certificate of appropriateness to the Architectural Review Board (ARB) of the Borough of Milford on November 24. The application introduced the newly adjusted design for the proposed library. About a year and a half ago, the design that was originally presented met with some resistance from local residents.

This new design came as a result of many workshops with ARB members and the public.

“We appreciate the ARB’s attention in considering this matter and look forward to a fine new library for all of Milford and Pike County,” said Ed Brannon, building committee member.

Kevin Stroyan, the chairman of ARB, could not be reached for comment.

New jail gets thumbs up

HONESDALE, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections has presented the new Wayne County Correctional Facility with a 100 percent compliance certificate for 2008. Ed Pfister, a representative of the department, read a letter of congratulations at the county commissioners’ November 30 meeting.

The facility opened in August after a process that took over six years from inception to completion. The building can hold 186 inmates and includes a medical clinic, private meeting rooms for inmates and their attorneys and a kitchen.