ny/pa briefs

Cartwright introduces Eric's Law, fatal motorcycle incident in Bethel and more

What's new in the Upper Delaware region May 25-31

Posted 5/23/23

Flood-reduction project begins in Kohlertown

JEFFERSONVILLE, NY — The Kohlertown Flood Risk Reduction Project will start construction the week of May 30. Substantial completion is expected …

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ny/pa briefs

Cartwright introduces Eric's Law, fatal motorcycle incident in Bethel and more

What's new in the Upper Delaware region May 25-31

Posted

Flood-reduction project begins in Kohlertown

JEFFERSONVILLE, NY — The Kohlertown Flood Risk Reduction Project will start construction the week of May 30. Substantial completion is expected by the end of July; however, that is only an estimate, according to a news release. For any questions concerning this project, contact Sullivan County Bridge Engineer Robert Trotta at 845/807-0278 or Robert.Trotta@sullivanny.us. Traffic on County Road 164 and Route 52 will be regulated by traffic lights in order to maintain a single bi-directional lane on each road when needed. Depending on circumstances, County Road 164 may occasionally require brief shutdowns, detouring traffic to Miller Road and Route 52.

The project is overseen by Sullivan County’s Division of Public Works, which intends to construct a flume adjacent to the tributary of the East Branch of Callicoon Creek, approximately 450 feet uphill from the intersection of State Route 52 and County Road 164 near Jeffersonville. The flume will skim off excess stream flow and transport the flood water directly to the East Branch of Callicoon Creek through a 46-inch-high by 60-inch-wide arch pipeline, reducing flooding down County Road 164 and to the south, behind the homes and businesses west of Route 52.

Congressmen Cartwright and Thompson introduce Eric’s Law

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Reps. Matt Cartwright (PA-08) and Glenn Thompson (PA-15) on May 17 introduced Eric’s Law, a bill that, according to a statement, aims to deliver justice to victims and their families in federal death penalty cases.

Eric’s Law is named for Eric Williams, a federal correctional officer who was murdered by an inmate at the U.S. Penitentiary Canaan in Wayne County, PA. At the time of the murder, the inmate was serving a life sentence for murder. Following a trial, the inmate was found guilty and received a second life sentence, despite 11 out of 12 jurors voting in favor of the death penalty. Current law requires a unanimous decision by the jury to impose the death penalty. Eric’s Law permits prosecutors to impanel a second jury for sentencing if the first jury in a federal death penalty case fails to reach a unanimous decision on a sentence.

Legislators announce over $1.4 million for Pike and Wayne projects

HARRISBURG, PA — Sen. Lisa Baker (R-20), Sen. Rosemary Brown (R-40), Rep. Joe Adams (R-139) and Rep. Jonathan Fritz (R-111) announced on Tuesday, May 16 that 10 projects in Pike and Wayne counties will receive $1,425,916 in funding from the Monroe County Local Share Account (LSA) grant program.

Pike County will receive $300,000 in funding to aid the county in developing a recycling convenience center, to be located in Milford Borough. Pike County does not currently provide recycling services to residents, and the proposed project implements the first phase to renovate the facility and provide a drop-off service of recyclables for Pike County residents.

Other grants are as follows: Berlin Township will receive $125,000 for its road department materials storage facility project; Cherry Ridge Township will receive $103,472 for its municipal equipment acquisition project; Hawley Borough will receive $75,000 for the Hawley Borough/Wayne County Public Safety Project; Honesdale Borough will receive $200,000 for the Texas No. 4 Fire House Building Improvement Project; Lake Ariel Volunteer Fire Company will receive $112,830 for its building renovations project;  Milford Fire Department will receive $75,000 for its safety equipment acquisition project; South Canaan Township will receive $122,314 for its municipal vehicle acquisition project; Texas Township will receive $264,300 for its infrastructure improvement project; and Westfall Township will receive $48,000 for the Eastern Pike regional police vehicle acquisition project.

Mongaup Pond Campground receives tentative determination

LIVINGSTON MANOR, NY — The Department of Environmental Conservation has prepared a draft permit and has made a tentative determination, subject to public comment or other information, to approve proposed modifications to the existing State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) permit for Mongaup Pond Campground in the Town of Rockland, Sullivan County. The draft SPDES permit with fact sheet is available online at www.dec.ny.gov/fs/projects/draftpermits.

Modifications include a new proposed discharge of 1,240 gallons per day (gpd) of treated sanitary wastewater to groundwater for a proposed shower house at Loop G (Outfall 008). The shower house is to be used by patrons of the campground for approximately four months of each year. Additionally, the applicant proposes a reduction of the flow from Outfalls 001 (from 18,000 gpd to 15,360 gpd), 002 (from 6,800 gpd to 2,160 gpd), 003 (from 2,000 gpd to 1,000 gpd) and 004 (from 2,100 gpd to 1,000 gpd); all are located at the Mongaup Pond Campground.

Fatal motorcycle incident in Bethel

WHITE LAKE, NY — On May 21, 2023, at approximately 6 p.m., state troopers from the Liberty barracks responded to 3207 State Route 55 in the Town of Bethel for a report of two motorcycles involved in a crash.

Preliminary investigation revealed that Joseph Messina, age 40, and William Bailey, age 42, both from Dingman’s Ferry, PA, were traveling south on State Route 55 when they collided with one another. Bailey was ejected from his motorcycle and struck a utility pole. Life-saving measures were performed by members of the White Lake Fire Department, but he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Messina was transported to Garnet Hospital in Catskills where he was treated and released. During the investigation it was determined that Messina was impaired by alcohol and was charged with Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) and Aggravated Unlicensed Operator 1st degree. He was released on an appearance ticket returnable to the Bethel Town Court on June 26, at 10 a.m. This incident remains under investigation.

Spongy moth update

PENNSYLVANIA — Spongy moth is a forest pest responsible for causing significant tree mortality and defoliation across the state. In 2021 and 2022 there were high populations and heavy impacts in central and north central PA. The trend continues in 2023. This year, spongy moth have been detected in Pike County.

Visit pikepa.org/news_detail_T27_R291.php for more information.

flood reduction, kohlertown, congressman matt cartwright, erics law, mongaup pond, campground, fatal motorcycle, spongy moth

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