Westfall files for bankruptcy

WESTFALL TOWNSHIP, PA — Officials of Westfall Township have made a rare move in the annals of municipalities; they have filed for Chapter Nine bankruptcy protection. The move comes because the township does not have the funds to pay a $20 million judgment assessed by the courts to a developer in a lengthy case. In 1985, developer David Kats bought 750 acres in the town in hopes of building a development. But town officials at the time were opposed to the development and passed a series of zoning ordinances that prevented him from moving forward.

Ultimately, the courts agreed that the zoning changes had been arbitrary and awarded a $20 million settlement in September 2008. The bankruptcy filing came on April 10, and will allow the town to operate normally, without selling off assets, as it restructures its finances to manage the large debt burden.

Library submits new application

MILFORD, PA — The Pike County Public Library (PCPL) has filed a new application with the Milford Borough Architectural Review Board (ARB) for a Certificate of Appropriateness for its new headquarters, to be located on East Harford Street. The PCPL’s previous application to the ARB was temporarily withdrawn last December when the ARB’s outside architectural consultant, Peter Benton, provided a report on the application.

The new PCPL application accompanies a new façade design that incorporates input from the Benton Report itself and from discussions between the PCPL’s architect, Frederick Schwartz, and Benton, who provided Schwartz with feedback from the members of the ARB about modifications they wanted to see.

PCPL board member Tom Hoff said that the application “demonstrates the willingness and desire of the library to work with the ARB and its consultant and to fully address their concerns… Mr. Schwartz’s conversations with Mr. Benton were productive and we look forward to working with the ARB to get this new façade design approved promptly.”

The full text of the new application is available at www.pcpl.org.

Monticello board approves school budget

MONTICELLO, NY — The Monticello Board of Education approved a $76,685,227 budget for the 2009-10 school year at its April 2 meeting. The proposed budget represents a 3.44 percent increase over this year’s operating budget, the lowest increase in more than 12 years. The proposed spending plan includes a projected tax levy increase of 3.85 percent. The final tax rate impact will be determined in August when the board of education approves the tax warrant.

A public budget hearing will be held on Tuesday, May 12, at 7:00 p.m. in the RJK Middle School cafeteria. At the polls on Tuesday, May 19, district residents will also elect three board of education members for the seats of incumbents Robert Stewart and Jacob Billig and the seat vacated by the late Eugene Nesin.

PA energy grant applications available

HARRISBURG, PA — Acting Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger has announced that Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority (PEDA) grant applications are now available. According to Hanger, that Federal stimulus package has nearly doubled the funding available for developing renewable energy technologies and reducing energy consumption.

The $21 million that is available through PEDA includes $9 million in state funds and $10 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Grant applications will be accepted through May 29. Guidelines and applications are available at www.depweb.state.pa.us , keyword: PEDA.

Farrell gets Republicans’ DA endorsement

MONTICELLO, NY — Chief Assistant District Attorney Jim Farrell won the endorsement of the Republican party for the position of Sullivan County District Attorney in a party convention held last Thursday night. Mike McGuire, the Liberty lawyer who challenged him, said he was not sure whether he would continue to pursue the position.

This represents a reversal on McGuire’s part, who had previously said that he would continue fighting to force a primary in September. In order to do so, he would have to submit a petition with about 700 signatures from registered Republicans in the county. McGuire said he would take time to talk to his family about his decision.

Narrowsburg woman killed in car crash

MONGAUP VALLEY, NY — Heidi Morse, 46, of Narrowsburg, was killed in a car accident on Route 17B near the Bethel-Thompson town line on the morning of Saturday, April 18. The collision occurred when another vehicle, a Jeep Cherokee driven by Jessica Becker, 34, strayed across the yellow line and hit Morse’s car.

Morse was declared dead on the scene. Becker, who was airlifted to St. Francis Hospital in Poughkeepsie, was found to have broken an ankle. No other persons were involved in the accident. See obituary on page 8.

Unemployment dips in Sullivan

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — Sullivan County’s unemployment rates dropped from 10.5 percent in February to 9.9 percent in March, according to the chairman of the Sullivan County legislature, Jonathan F. Rouis, in an announcement made on Monday, April 20.

“Sullivan County has a large segment of the population that is employed seasonally in our tourism and agribusiness industries, and so the winter months through April are particularly difficult months for our unemployment rates,” said Rouis. “While our unemployment rate is still considerably higher than we would like, this unexpected drop is encouraging.”

Rouis encouraged residents to take advantage of the Sullivan Works One Stop Center, which provides services to Sullivan County residents who are looking for work. It can be reached at 845/794-3340.