Local News 12/12/18

A TAX INCREASE IN MONTGOMERY

Montgomery Borough Council last night said yes to a 2019 budget which will contain a tax increase for borough property owners. The spending plan is for a little more than $677,000 dollars and contains increases of about $40,000 for the upcoming year due to what borough officials are calling increases in the cost of doing business. The tax increase will be for .25 mills which will mean that owners of properties worth $100,000 dollars will see their tax bills rise by $25 next year.  The increase will bring in a little more than $695,000 dollars allowing Montgomery to end up the year with a little more than $13,000 dollars surplus.

A WILLIAMSPORT MAN DIES IN A CITY CRASH

That crash in the city of Williamsport involving a car and bus has resulted in the death of a city man.  Just before 6am, police say that 49 year old Ronald Levine of Williamsport was heading southbound on Maynard Street when he went into the West Third Street intersection colliding with an eastbound city bus operated by 63 year old Robert Kock of Williamsport.  Levine’s car then went up on a curb, struck a pedestrian signal pole and then crashed into the front of the former Jackie’s Kitchen building.  He was pronounced dead at the scene. Koch was treated for minor injuries. There was no one else on the bus and the crash investigation continues.

TRAFFIC DELAYS POSSIBLE ON ROUTE 147

There could be some possible delays on a section of Route 147 in Northumberland County today.  Flood debris removal continues today from bridge piers on Route 147 northbound between Packer Island and the borough of Northumberland.  There will be daylight lane restrictions with possible delays and motorists are advised to keep an eye out for the work and drive carefully through the work zone there.

PUMP STATION SALE HELD UP

The Williamsport City Council finance Committee found out yesterday that there is a hold up regarding the proposed sales of two pump stations from the city to the Williamsport Municipal Water and Sanitary Authority. The pump stations, which were thought to be city owned and are operated by the authority at a cost of $80,000 dollars a year are actually owned by the Army Corps of engineers. The city was hoping to get a million dollars for the sale, and city officials say they need to iron out the ownership details before the sale can take place.

COMMISSOINERS HEAR IT OVER APPOINTMENT

Several Lycoming County residents, most of them from Eastern Lycoming County gave Lycoming County Commissioners an earful during their meeting yesterday following a change in who commissioners appointed to the County Planning Authority last month.  Linda Sosniak who lost her bid to unseat Garth Everett as a state representative in November had been recommended for appointment to the authority, but instead, commissioners appointed Joseph Reighard, a Gamble Township Supervisor.  Those present called the appointment arbitrary.  Following the public comment, Commissioner Rick Mirabito motioned that Reighard be removed and Sosniak appointed, but that motion died for lack of a second.

SCAM INVESTIGATION

State police in Selinsgrove are investigating an incident of fraud of which a Freeburg man is out $3,700 dollars.  Police were called on December 4th by the unidentified 54 year old man who was called and told that a refund needed to be made involving Google Play cards.  The person then spent the money in Google Play Cards to pay that unknown person back.  He then called police and reported the fraud.  The investigation continues.

NO TAX INCREASE IN SUNBURY

Taxpayers in the city of Sunbury will see their property tax rates remain the same for 2019.  Sunbury Council has approved the second draft of a spending plan for next year for $4.6 million dollars and say they will not have to institute a tax increase though they say money is once again tight this year.   The budget will provide enough money to hire five city police officers as well as for payment of a $250,000 dollars tax anticipation note which the city had taken out earlier this year to pay some expenses.

DONATION FOR RECREATION

A Lock Haven businessman and Philanthropist is another step closer to seeing his vision for recreation in the city of Williamsport come to fruition.  The city council finance committee yesterday gave a positive recommendation for the city to accept a legacy fund of $238,675 dollars from Steven Poorman for the city recreation dcpartment.  Some of the funds would be used immediately to construct pavilions at Splash Cove and Brandon Park especially designed to help keep children who are participating in summer camps cool.  Poorman is hoping his donation spurs others on to do the same thing.

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