DEC regulations reduce packaging waste

ALBANY, NY — New York State Department of Environmental Conservation commissioner Basil Seggos announced on March 31 the finalization of two regulations that will help reduce waste that ends up in landfills. The e-waste management regulations strengthen and provide clarity to the state’s 2010 Electronic Equipment Recycling and Reuse Act, increasing consumer recycling opportunities, emphasize producer responsibility for covering costs associated with the implementation of their own electronic waste acceptance programs and improve overall collection of e-waste as well as recycling program performance. Another set of regulations provide clarity regarding the New York State ban on expanded polystyrene foam containers and loose fill packaging (commonly referred to as packing peanuts). The full text of both regulations can be found on the DEC’s website at dec.ny.gov/regulations/propregulations.html#recent.

Honesdale yard debris collection to resume

HONESDALE, PA — The Honesdale Borough Council has approved the resumption of yard debris collection beginning Monday, April 11.

Yard debris is collected by public works crews Monday mornings. Place your debris container with an appropriate sticker by the street. Stickers can be picked up for free at Borough Hall, 958 Main St. Do not include the following in your debris container: rocks, dirt, cinders, sod and other heavy materials.

New incentive for contractors in Pike County

MILFORD, PA — Pike County expects to rehabilitate at least 10 homes in 2022, with the value of these contracts to exceed $225,000. It invites qualified contractors to submit bids for these housing rehabilitation projects; to qualify, contractors must be licensed as home improvement contractors with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, have at least three years of experience doing residential rehabilitation, and meet other eligibility criteria.

To support these projects, Pike County will pay up to $500 toward the cost of completing an eight-hour, accredited EPA-approved lead renovator certificate course—either an initial course or a refresher—after construction firms’ qualifications have been received and approved. This incentive is limited to the first 30 respondents. Contractors that benefit from this incentive must agree to respond to bid requests from the county. More information is available at https://www.pikeforward.com/rfps or by contacting Kayla Orben, assistant executive director for community services, at 570/952-6485 or email korben@pikepa.org.

Redeem your tax-foreclosed properties

MONTICELLO, NY — Sullivan County treasurer Nancy Buck is urging owners to redeem their tax-delinquent properties prior to April 30.

“We extended the redemption date from January 31 to April 30 to accommodate those struggling in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic,” she said. “But that means there will be no repurchase opportunity after that date.”

State law permits owners of properties facing foreclosure to “redeem” those properties—removing them from the foreclosure list by paying the outstanding taxes and associated penalties (prior to April 30) before an auction is conducted. For more information, contact the treasurer’s office at 845/807-0200.

Sullivan County accepting agricultural district applications

MONTICELLO, NY — Until April 30, Sullivan County is accepting applications from property owners who seek to be included in New York State Agricultural Districts 1 and 4.

New York State Agricultural Districts are geographic areas that consist predominantly of viable agricultural land. Agricultural operations within those districts are afforded benefits and protections to promote the continuation of farming and the preservation of agricultural land. In Sullivan County, Agricultural District 1 encompasses towns in northern and western Sullivan County, and Agricultural District 4 covers the county’s eastern and southern towns.

During this 30-day window, property owners may request the addition of their land into an agricultural district. For an application, call Melinda Meddaugh at Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County at 845/292-6180 ext. 116, or email her at mm2592@cornell.edu. More information on the benefits of agricultural districts, as well as access to maps of Sullivan County’s agricultural districts, is available on the Sullivan County website at sullivanny.us/Departments/PlanningEnvironmental/AgriculturalDistricts.

Want some community project funding?

WASHINGTON DC — On March 29, Rep. Antonio Delgado (NY-19) announced the launch of the Community Project Funding (CPF) process , which is open to local governments and nonprofits for fiscal year 2023 (FY23). The CPF process allows localities and nonprofits to submit requests for direct federal funding for high-priority community projects in New York’s 19th Congressional District. The deadline for submissions to Delgado’s office is April 18.

For fiscal year 2022,  Delgado successfully secured funding for nine projects in NY-19, including funding for local police, child care, broadband and more.

CPF will be available only to nonprofit organizations and to state, local, tribal and territorial governments. In addition, only projects with evidence of strong support from the community will be considered, and evidence of community support and community need is required as part of the submission. Find more information and resources to apply on Delgado’s website at delgado.house.gov/services/community-project-funding.

Sniffing out drugs at Wayne Highlands

HONESDALE, PA — K9 officers and their handlers visited Honesdale High School and Middle School on Tuesday, March 29, to conduct a proactive narcotics sweep at the request of the district administration.

The search was requested to “maintain a safe and secure learning environment,”  said Wayne County District Attorney A.G. Howell. “When a school district requests a search, law enforcement will work with the district to schedule and assist with the search. We know that increased access to  drugs and other substances is a concern for school districts, parents, and law  enforcement.”

Each year, Wayne Highlands School District coordinates the canine search conducted by narcotics detection canine handlers. This year’s effort was coordinated in partnership with the Wayne County District Attorney’s Office, Wayne County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Unit, Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office K-9 Unit, and the City of Scranton K-9 Unit. DA Howell said all lockers were searched but no narcotics were located.

Correction and call to communicate

In the March 17 letter from Peter Madden urging readers to fill out a listener survey for 90.5 WJFF Radio Catskill, his hometown was incorrectly listed. He is a full-time resident of Yulan, NY.

You can find the listener survey in both English and Spanish at wjffradio.org or by following the QR code below.