No RGGI for PA and more

What's new in the Upper Delaware region July 21 to 27

Posted 7/20/22

Sexual harrassment indicated in report on Highland constabulary

HIGHLAND, NY — The Town of Highland released a redacted report on its investigation into its constable force on July 18. The …

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No RGGI for PA and more

What's new in the Upper Delaware region July 21 to 27

Posted

Sexual harrassment indicated in report on Highland constabulary

HIGHLAND, NY — The Town of Highland released a redacted report on its investigation into its constable force on July 18. The report includes a substantiated allegation of sexually harassing statements made by an unnamed constable, substantiated allegations of a hostile work environment created by one constable against another and a number of violations of policy from an unnamed constable. The report, dated May 31, was drafted by the Town of Highland Constable Committee; the town suspended the operations of its constable force on April 12 to launch an investigation into allegations of misconduct.

For more information and to read the full report, visit bit.ly/highland-constable-report.

Election integrity legislation signed into law

HARRISBURG, PA — In a statement after Gov. Tom Wolf’s signed election integrity legislation Senate Bill 982, Sens. Lisa Baker (R-20) and Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-28) said, “The election amendments we have pushed forward are substantial structural improvement. Some came to light as a result of concerns expressed over improvisations undertaken to conduct a high-turnout election during pandemic times. Others respond to long-time requests from county election officials, who have been hampered by restrictions in election law that are proving unworkable with changes in voting practices and the expectations for timely determination of outcomes.”

No RGGI for PA

HARRISBURG, PA — The Commonwealth Court issued an injunction halting Gov. Tom Wolf’s efforts to enroll Pennsylvania in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a multi-state initiative that would have created a carbon tax on the state’s energy industry.

RGGI is an initiative of 10 New England and Mid-Atlantic states, intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector while generating economic growth. Together the states cap and reduce their power sector carbon dioxide emissions; this is achieved by setting a regional cap, or limit, on those emissions from electric power plants in the participating states.

“While all 11 other states enrolled in RGGI are there as a result of a vote by their legislatures, Gov. Tom Wolf has been circumventing that process and ignoring the voices of the citizens we represent,” stated a press release from Rep. Jonathan Fritz (R-111). “The administration has said it will appeal the decision.”

Comments requested on Neversink River management plan

NEVERSINK, NY — The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced the release of the draft Neversink River Unit management plan (tinyurl.com/5mdf8wp6) for public comment. The plan guides the future uses and management of approximately 8,644 acres of DEC-managed public lands within the Neversink River Unit in the Towns of Forestburgh, Highland, Mamakating and Wawarsing.

DEC will hold a public meeting at the Sullivan County legislative meeting room in the Sullivan County government building, 100 North St., Monticello, on August 4 at 6 pm. For more information, visit dec.ny.gov/press/125715.html.

Honesdale seeks Central Wayne Regional Authority applicants

HONESDALE, PA — The Honesdale Borough Council is soliciting interest from individuals willing to serve on the Central Wayne Regional Authority (CWRA) board of directors. The CWRA board meets on the fourth Monday of each month. The position  has no monetary compensation.

Send resume and letter of interest to hdleadm@ptd.net, or drop off at the Honesdale Borough Office at 958 Main St. before the end of business on July 21.

Sullivan County finances win praise

MONTICELLO, NY — For the seventh time in a row, the Sullivan County manager’s office and budget office have earned the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). A panel of judges reviewed more than 1,700 budgets submitted to the GFOA, including Sullivan County’s version for the 2022 fiscal year. They judged the budgets on their excellence as policy documents, financial plans, operations guides and communications devices, deeming Sullivan’s to be “outstanding” in all four categories.

In addition, Sullivan County’s independent auditors informed legislators on July 14 that the county government’s financial picture has improved and is now “stable,” based on the results of their audit of the 2021 fiscal year. “You did experience a pretty significant increase [in revenue] based on the sales tax primarily,” said Matthew Montalbo of Drescher & Malecki, a Buffalo-based accounting firm. “All in all, [this report is] an improvement from the prior year.”

Pike County EMS services improved

MILFORD, PA — The Pike County Commissioners and Office of Emergency Management (OEM) Director Tim Knapp recently provided a mid-year update on the county’s Emergency Medical Services Matching Grant program.

Combined with municipal funding, the county match has created approximately $4.4 million for EMS in Pike County in 2022. To date, 12 of Pike County’s 13 municipalities are participating in the Emergency Medical Services matching grant program and have made improvements to their EMS programs. Increased and expanded services are significant outcomes—for example, there is currently at least one transport unit in every municipality—as well as reduced response times in all municipalities.

Major fire in Fallsburg

FALLSBURG, NY — A building at the corner of Main Street / Route 42 and Railroad Plaza Extension caught fire in the early hours of July 17. The Fallsburg Fire Department was dispatched to the scene at 3:17 a.m.; shortly thereafter, a second alarm was sounded for the Fallsburg, Woodridge and Monticello fire departments owing to heavy smoke and possible entrapment. Multiple neighboring fire departments were called in owing to the limited amount of water in the town. All told, dozens of local fire departments, police agencies and EMS units responded at the scene or on standby.

“Because of their quick action and bravery, the Fallsburg Police Department saved mulitple lives and aided residents to safety from the second-floor apartments,” wrote the Fallsburg Fire Company. “No firefighter injuries were reported. One civilian bystander was transported by Mobilemedic EMS.”


Highland, constables, investigation, election integrity, Pennsylvania, Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, Commonwealth Court, Neversink River, Department of Environmental conservation, Honesdale, Central Wayne Regional Authority, Sullivan County, finances, Pike County EMS, Fallsburg, fire

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