Wayne Bureau of Elections makes MOVE

HONESDALE, PA — A federal program, the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act(MOVE) directs counties to send absentee ballots to military personnel electronically so that they can more easily vote in the coming national election on November 2.

Other citizens out of the country will also be included in the program.

“This will speed up the process a lot because mail can sometimes take weeks to reach military personnel serving in combat zones,” said Cindy Sherman, director of the Wayne County Bureau of Elections.

The service personnel will have to print out the ballot, fill it out and mail it, using a special “envelope” that is more like a label that can be attached to an envelope, she said.

“All absentee ballots must have a postmark of October 4 or be brought in by that date for them to be counted,” Sherman said.

Child dies in tractor accident

DAMASCUS, PA — A 23-month-old child was killed on Monday, August 30 after he fell out of a moving tractor and was run over by it.

Zevrix Hyde had been riding inside the enclosed cabin of the vehicle, which was being operated by a family friend, while it was engaged in cutting a hay field. The toddler fell out the door, and was run over by a rear tire, according to the police. He was pronounced dead at the scene. See obituary on page 8.

UDC grant improves museum

HUGUENOT, NY — The Upper Delaware Council (UDC) presented a check for $8,125 to the Town of Deerpark on August 23, representing its share of a $75,000 Community Projects State Grant funding program that Senator John J. Bonacic secured for the UDC’s New York State member towns in the FY 2008-2009 budget.

The funding enabled the town to install a historically authentic bluestone entranceway and safety lighting at the Town of Deerpark Museum located in the 1863 Schoolhouse building at 25 Grange Road in Huguenot.

The 1863 Schoolhouse is listed on the State and National Register of Historic Places, and houses the Town Museum and Historian’s Office. This project, on which the town spent a total of $8,129.50, completed restoration of the historic property.

Grant enables wastewater upgrade

MONTICELLO, NY — Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) came to Monticello on September 3 to announce a $14.4 million grant and low-interest loan award to Monticello to upgrade its wastewater system. The award will allow the village to lay a foundation for new economic development that is currently inhibited by an aging system, which was deemed “near failure” by a 2008 village engineering report.

Much of the mechanical equipment at the wastewater treatment plant is over 25 years old, and parts of the sanitary collection system are over 50 years old and nearing failure. The planned system improvements are critical for protection of the public health and the environment.

The village will receive a grant of $6,447,000 and a loan for $7,984,000 at an interest rate of 2.375%. This is both the largest grant award and total grant and loan package ever provided by Rural Development in New York State. The village will also contribute $569,000 toward the $15 million project.

Pike Conservation to hold realtor training

HAWLEY, PA — The Pike County Conservation District (PCCD) will hold a training session on the environmental impacts of land development for realtors on Wednesday, September 15 at the PPL Environmental Center at Lake Wallenpaupack. The session will take place from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. The cost is $59.

Issues discussed will include the impacts of land development on water sources, protection of wetlands and flood plains, on-lot septic system maintenance, protecting drinking water using water testing, conservation easements, planning initiatives and preservation programs. Realtors can use the session toward fulfillment of their educational requirements in order to maintain their licenses. Call 570/251-9335 or 296-4042.

Powerline comment period extended

The National Park Service has extended the deadline to comment on alternative routes suggested by the National Park Service for the Susquehanna-Roseland power line to September 14.

To comment online, visit parkplanning.nps.gov/commentForm.cfm?parkID=220&projectID=25147&documentId=35406 . By mail, write to National Park Service, ATTN: DEWA PPL EIS Planning Team, DSC-P, P.O. Box 25287, Denver, CO 80225-0287.