Among those representing Forkston Township (above) at the annual convention were (from left) supervisor Lou Denison, secretary treasurer Madge Severcool, tax collector Mary Valentine, and supervisor Dennis Mingus.
Photos and Story by Rick Hiduk
(Also published in the Rocket-Courier)
Representatives from most of Wyoming County’s 18 townships and a number of its boroughs met at Triton Hose Company in Tunkhannock on Sept. 13 for the 106th Association of Townships Convention. Participants and their guests had opportunities to check out the wares and services that numerous vendors make available to municipalities before enjoying a buffet meal prepared by Triton personnel.
Eaton Township secretary treasurer Brenda Novak (above, right) coordinated much of the event, and Eaton Township supervisor Ken White (below), who also serves as president of the county organization, facilitated the event, introducing state and county guests who had important news for those in attendance.
County planner Lynnelle Farber reported that all nine board positions on the Planning Commission have been filled and that the board has been busy reviewing and processing 36 applications already this year. She concluded by noting that the a much-anticipated construction of an Aldi grocery store in the former WalMart plaza in Eaton Township is on the Planning Commission’s next meeting agenda for preliminary approval.
Jay Wilkes, current secretary treasurer of PSATS (PA State Association of Township Supervisors), addressed the audience with statements from both Sen. Lisa Baker and Rep. Karen Boback, who were unable to stay for the full meeting. Wilkes told the crowd that they were very fortunate to be in a county overlapped by the districts of both Baker and Boback, the latter of which did make a brief appearance prior to dinner.
Wilkes also touted the convenience of the proximity of Wyoming and Luzerne counties, noting that they share common goals and that there are many resources available to municipal leaders in both counties. One challenge that both have in common is staffing and adequately training fire companies and firefighters, a topic that will be addressed at a meeting in Dallas on Oct. 3 that will feature presentations from the state fire commissioner and FEMA officials.
Wyoming County EMA director Gene Dziak (above) encouraged all municipalities to get their hazard mitigation plans to him as soon as possible in order to make them part of a county-wide plan and eligible for funding. He is also seeking damage reports and estimates from the Aug. 10 storm from each municipality that will be pooled with reports from Bradford and Susquehanna counties in an effort to get a presidential declaration of disaster and subsequent funding.
The information was literally due on his desk by the end of that day he noted, but the imminent arrival of Hurricane Florence on the North Carolina coast had grabbed FEMA’s attention for the moment, giving him a few more days to file his report. “Don’t wait for FEMA,” he told the township officials. “If you have repairs that need to be made, get it done, document it, and take lots of pictures.”
A motion was made and seconded to keep all Wyoming County Association of Township officers the same. This includes White as president, Michael Stabinsky of Windham Township as first vice president, Walt Derhammer of Monroe Township as second vice president, Novak as secretary treasurer and Ken Johnson as assistant secretary treasurer.
The final speaker was PSATS president Kirk Montrose (above), who drew an audible sigh of relief from the audience when he announced that a technical issue would prevent him from delivering a planned slideshow. All of the information was provided as a handout, however, highlights of which included insurance and retirement services available through PSATS; upcoming meetings and regional conferences, including two storm water best practices presentations; and numerous legislative issues, including measures proposed to increase rural broadband accessibility and to address the volunteer firefighter crisis.
Additional photos by Rick Hiduk
Windham Township supervisor Jason VenDeMark (center) and his wife, Hillary, chat with Medico representative Brian Slavinski.
Among those representing Exeter Township were zoning officer Ron Jackson, supervisors Rick Wilbur and Carol Bardzel, secretary Nancy Hopkins and tax collector Ann Marie Farley.
North Branch Township supervisor Lenny Traver (left) and his wife, Nancy, settle in for a meal and meeting at the Triton Hose Company on Sept. 13.
Among those representing Northmoreland Township were (from left) former supervisor Bill Widener, secretary treasurer Judy Rusinko, auditor Marie Wall, guest Alice Weaver, and supervisor John Sands.
Benda Novak of Eaton Township, John Sands of Northmoreland Township and Alice Weaver checked out vendors like AAA North Penn.
Among those representing Meshoppen Township were (from left) supervisor Bouwe Aukema and wife, Faye, secretary Diana Nichols and husband, Dick, and supervisor John Benninger.
North Branch Supervisor Tim Poole (left) and secretary treasurer Beverly Poole.
Among those representing Tunkhannock Township are (from left) auditor Linda Stacknick, secretary treasurer Judy Gingher, and supervisors Hoyt Keiser and Ace Shupp. Supervisor Randy White was working in the kitchen with the Triton crew preparing dinner.
Among those representing Monroe Township were (from left) auditors Leon Sidorek and Lee Reeves; supervisors Dale Wright, William Patton, and Walt Derhammer; and secretary Karen Traver.
Among those representing Falls Township were (from left) supervisor Levi Bonnice, tax collector Missy Bonnice, zoning and hearing board secretary Raynele Traveny, secretary treasurer Christine Shook, and board chairman Bob Kenya.
