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Notice of ZONING Hearing
Notice is hereby given that an appeal to the Taylor Board of Zoning will be held March 12, 2012 at 6:30 P.M. in Council Chambers at the Taylor Borough Municipal Building, 122 Union Street Taylor PA. 18517 for the following,
Variance Hearing request – Michael & Linda Ericson – Site location at Railroad Ct., north of the Davis St. bridge, on the East side of the dead end.
1) Proposed Mono pole billboard to be located, with in 1000 feet of another Billboard (5.853 (b)), Not setback equal to sign height or minimum needed of 25 feet (5.853 (c) (e)).
All parties who may desire to state their case for or against said appeal being heard may appear at the hearing or may file a written, signed, detailed statement.
PUBLIC HEARING for 2012 Community Development Block Grant
Lackawanna County Department of Planning and Economic Development has scheduled a Public Hearing for Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 7:25 P.M.. The hearing is being held to discuss the Federal Fiscal Year 2012 Community Development Block Grant Program. The hearing will be held at the Taylor Borough Building 122 Union St., in council chambers
Taylor Police enforce 10-Ton Weight Limit on Union St.
By Jim Lockwood (Staff Writer Scranton Times) 1-23-2012
Blame it on GPS. Some drivers of tractor-trailers and other big rigs that get ticketed for violating a 10-ton weight limit on Union Street in Taylor often say they were only following directions of their GPS devices, Police Chief Leonard Mickavicz said.
It does them no good, however, and the violation results in a ticket and a fine, the chief said.
Police in recent months have stepped up enforcement of the weight limit on Union Street. They issued 22 citations in November and 44 in December, Chief Mickavicz said.
Most trucks are headed to Stauffer Industrial Park on the north side of Taylor, he said.
Traveling from Davis Street, a truck heavier than 10 tons is supposed to stay off Union Street, and instead turn right onto North Main Street to get to the industrial park, he said.
A pair of signs at the entrance to Union Street clearly state there is a 10-ton weight limit on that road, but some truckers either miss the signs completely or apparently ignore them, the chief said.
“I receive complaints (from residents) daily. Truck drivers seem to disregard it every day,” he said of the weight-limit. “Modern truckers say, ‘But the GPS gave me these directions.’ The old truck driver you could tell – he’ll have a map.”
Fines can range from $500 to $18,000, though the typical fine amounts to about $700, he said.
The stepped-up enforcement aims to improve safety on residential Union Street and protect older terra-cotta pipes underground in that area, Chief Mickavicz said.
“It (the weight limit) is properly posted. They have ample warning,” the chief said. “We’re stopping trucks, weighing them and issuing citations. We do have to take safety into consideration.”
First Snow Storm of 2012 hits Taylor Borough
The first snow storm of 2012 hit Taylor Borough on Saturday January 21 2012. The snow dropped 3-4 inches of snow and started falling after midnight. The Department of Public Worker employees had all the equipment ready and salt loaded in the trucks to clean the borough streets. The employees starting cleaning up after the storm at 7:00am and finished up around 4:00pm
Taylor Borough Snow Removal
Taylor Borough residents are reminded that it is illegal for any person, owner or resident of the borough to deposit, throw or discard snow, slush or other obstructions into the public streets and rights-of-way. Offenders may be subject to a $600 fine. Residents have 24 hours after the snow stops to remove the snow and ice from their sidewalks
Its winter time and the snow will be fast approaching
Its winter time and the snow will be fast approaching Taylor Borough. Taylor Borough Council would like to remind all Taylor residents that, the placement of any objects intended to save or protect parking spaces in front of properties is illegal. This is a citable offense for the residents who placed the object in the streets. Objects placed in the Borough Right-of Ways will be removed and disposed of accordingly. Along with the resident being cited
While making our streets clean and safe our Department of Public Works has been having problems with homeowners who have portable basketball hoops that hang out beyond the curb lines. The Department has had a few incidents over the years when the plow trucks catch on the rim or the net of the basketball hoops. Taylor Borough Council is asking all residents to move the basketball hoops away from the roadway so this can be avoided and make it safer for our Department of Public Works employees in removing the snow
Taylor police contract calls for 3 percent annual raise
By Jim Lockwood (Staff Writer Scranton Times) 1-11-2012
Borough council on Wednesday, January 11, 2012 ratified a new three-year police contract that gives each of the municipality’s six full-time police officers a 9 percent raise over the life of the contract but lowers the starting salary.
Police officers did not receive a raise last year, and the pact provides for a 3 percent raise annually for 2012, 2013 and 2014, officials said.
The contract also sets a base rate of annual pay of $35,000 for new hires, as compared to the prior base rate in the low-to-mid $50,000 range, borough Manager Daniel Zeleniak said. The average salary of an officer is around $55,000, he said.
“The base rate fits in more with what the borough can afford,” solicitor William Jones said.
Council members Gene King, George Kofira, Edward Derenick, Chrissy Nehme, James Digwood and John Tigue voted to approve the contract.
Council President Kenneth Mickavicz abstained from voting because his brother, Cord Mickavicz, is a police officer. Their brother, Leonard Mickavicz, is Taylor police chief, but is not a member of the police union, Mr. Zeleniak said.
The council also hired three part-time police officers, Brandon Bell of Taylor, Brian Holland of Scranton and Edward Frescoln of Blakely, on an on-call basis at a rate of $15.32 per hour.
The council also made several appointments, as follows:
Civil Service Commission, Jim Petrunich; planning commission, George Aulisio and Brian Fallon; recreation commission, Jack Mekilo; zoning board, Bill Czachor; Lower Lackawanna Valley Sanitary Authority, Shawn Murphy; vacancy board, Dick Nezlo; fire chief, Joe Crosby; assistant fire chief, David Graham; development authority, Shawn Murphy; and property maintenance code board of appeals, Brian Williams.
These appointments were unanimously approved, except that Ms. Nehme abstained from voting on the appointment of Mr. Nezlo because she is his daughter, officials said.
Taylor Considers Rental Ordinance
By Jim Lockwood (Staff Writer Scranton Times) 1-10-2012
TAYLOR – Borough Council is considering requiring landlords to register their rental units with the municipality and report any changes in use or occupancy.
Under a draft ordinance discussed at a council worksession Tuesday, landlords would have to file annual reports listing their dwelling units, both occupied and unoccupied, the address of each unit, and a brief description of each unit.
Landlords would not be required to list the names of tenants, but they would have to report any change in the use or occupancy of a rental unit. Landlords of hotels, inns, county housing or boarding houses would be exempt from reporting changes in use or occupancy.
The goal of the plan, which has been in the works for several months, is to compile a list of owners and contacts of who is in charge of each rental property in the event they are needed quickly in emergencies, said Councilman John Tigue. The idea arose after a tenant had a water break in her unit, but when emergency officials arrived she did not know who her landlord was, Mr. Tigue said. There are about 300 rental properties in town, he said.
The proposal also would impose an annual $10 fee per rental property, as well as a maximum $600 fine per violation, or up to 30 days in jail if fines go unpaid.
“It’s a starting point. We have nothing now,” borough Manager Daniel Zeleniak said of the draft ordinance.
In other matters:
n Council may consider banning parking on either side of Claire Drive, a narrow, two-block-long residential street with about 20 homes near the Old Forge border. Such a ban is needed because when residents’ vehicles are parked on both sides of Claire Drive there is not enough room for long emergency vehicles to turn onto Claire Drive from Sibley Avenue, Mr. Tigue said. It has not been decided which side of Claire Drive may become off-limits to parking.
“You hate to do it, but I’d rather see that (parking on one side only) than have a fire and the trucks can’t get in there,” Mr. Tigue said.
Residents also have been getting into arguments and “parking wars” on Claire Drive, where it can be a tight squeeze or impossible to pull out of a driveway if vehicles are parked nearby on the street, officials said.
“There are parking wars there going on,” Mayor Richard Bowen said.
Lawmakers also are considering updating and/or enforcing the borough’s tax on coin-operated amusement machines, council President Kenneth Mickavicz said. An ordinance requiring businesses to pay a fee for each amusement machine, such as jukebox, pinball, billiard table or videogame, has been on the books for years, but enforcement fell by the wayside long ago, Mr. Zeleniak said.
“I’d say there’s maybe 50 to 60 machines throughout the borough,” Mr. Mickavicz said
Taylor Borough Council holds Reorganization Meeting
The Reorganization meeting of the Taylor Borough Council was held on Tuesday, January 03, 2012 at the Taylor Municipal Building, 122 Union St., Taylor, PA 18517 at 7:00 P.M..
The meeting included the swearing in by the Honorable Judge Terrence R. Nealon, of newly elected council member Chrissy Nehme, and re-elected members Ken Mickavicz and George Kofira. Council members held nomination and election of President and Vice President. Kenneth F Mickavicz was elected President of council while John J. Tigue was elected Vice President of the council
2012 Taylor Borough Council Meeting Notice
The Taylor Borough Council has scheduled its regular monthly meetings for 2012 to be held at the Taylor Municipal Building, 122 Union Street, Taylor, PA 18517, starting at 7:30 P.M. on the following dates;
January 11, 2012; February 8, 2012; March 14, 2012; April 11, 2012; May 9, 2012; June 13, 2012 July 11, 2012; August 8, 2012; September 12, 2012; October 10, 2012; November 14, 2012; December 12, 2012
Taylor Borough Council will conduct their Work Sessions for 2012 at the Taylor Municipal Building, 122 Union Street, Taylor, PA 18517, starting at 7:30 P.M. on the following dates;
January 10, 2012; January 24, 2012; February 7, 2012; February 28, 2012; March 13, 2012; March 27, 2012: April 10, 2012; April 24, 2012; May 8, 2012; May 22, 2012; June 12, 2012; June 26, 2012; July 10, 2012; July 24, 2012; August 7, 2012; August 28, 2012; September 11, 2012; September 25, 2012; October 9, 2012; October 23, 2011; November 13, 2012; November 27, 2012; December 11, 2012 & December 18, 2012. December 12, 2012
The Public is invited to attend.
Pond Street Storm Water Project PHASE 2 has started
This project is a storm drainage improvement project located along South Pond Street and North Pond Street in Taylor Borough. The site is located so that up slope developed portions of the Borough drain towards South Pond Street where the existing storm inlets and pipes are inadequate to collect the runoff. In addition, the existing storm inlets connect to the existing combined sanitary/storm system along South Pond Street. This combined sanitary/storm flow is conveyed along South Pond Street to North Pond Street and then to Church Street to an overflow chamber at its connection into the Lower Lackawanna Valley Sanitary Authority’s (LLVSA) interceptor line. In times of moderate rainfall, the overflow discharges into Keyser Creek east of North Main Street.
The intent of the project is to provide an adequate separated storm collection/conveyance system along South Pond Street that will connect to the recently completed separated storm system on North Pond Street and Church Street (Phase 1 Project Area), eventually discharging to the Borough-Owned Colliery Property where additional controls such as rock-lined channels, storm water management/ponding basin and stabilized outlet channel to Keyser Creek have been completed through the efforts of both the PA DEP Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation (BAMR) and Taylor Borough (via the PA DEP Growing Greener Grant Program). In addition, the subject project will provide a new separate storm collection/conveyance system that can be further expanded in the future to alleviate hydraulic overloads of the Borough’s existing combination sanitary/storm system and related storm flooding problems along the roadways upslope within the extent of the system’s drainage area. During the anticipated Phase 2B portion of the project, the separate storm system will be expanded along South Pond Street to West Grove Street and to the South Ridge Street Intersection. Phase 2B may be ready for construction during 2012.
The Phase 2A project includes the installation of 6 six-foot diameter concrete storm manholes, 140’ of 15”, 35’ of 24”, 30’ of 30” and 330’ of 36” diameter High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) storm pipe, 10 new storm inlets, and associated pave, walk, curb and treelawn restoration work within the limits of the Phase 2A project. The new storm system will follow the general route of the existing combination system pipe along South Pond Street and North Pond Street and will connect to the recently completed separated storm system on North Pond Street.
Some of the existing inlets, which are small and in poor condition, will be replaced with PA DOT standard inlets with bicycle-safe grates, and additional inlets will be installed where necessary to help collect the storm drainage more efficiently. All inlets will connect to the new storm pipe either at manhole locations or at the new main line through the use of “TEE” connections. The connecting pipes from inlets to the main line will be 15” HDPE.
Once the Phase 2A and subsequently Phase 2B are completed, the contributing drainage area will discharge through the new separated storm pipe system to the completed system on North Pond and Church Streets to the storm basin within the Colliery Property. The final product will be a completely separated storm drainage collection and conveyance system for this portion of Taylor Borough, alleviating basement and roadway flooding, and greatly reducing the combined sewer overflows present at the LLVSA diversion chamber.
Taylor Borough Recognized the Taylor Jr Vikes for an outstanding 2011 season
Taylor Borough Council has recognized the Taylor Jr Vikes A team football players and cheerleaders for an outstanding 2011 season. The Council , together with the Mayor, proclaimed Wednesday, December 14, 2011, as
“TAYLOR JUNIOR VIKES A TEAM DAY”
The Jr Vikes fell short in there quest for an ACC Super Bowl Championship to the Olyphant Lions 13-0
The Jr Vikes fisnished the season with and 9-2 record and were the 2011 American Conference Champions of the All County Conference.
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, the Taylor Junior Vikes A Team has always been a source of pride to our community and has maintained an outstanding commitment to excellence; and
WHEREAS, the enthusiasm and commitment of the team and cheerleading squad serves as an inspiration; and
WHEREAS, the Taylor Junior Vikes A Team, together with the Cheerleading Squad, their respective support and coaching staff (collectively referred to as Team) exemplify the community’s goals and values; and
WHEREAS, the Team claimed ALL COUNTY CONFERENCE JR. Football League, 2011 American Division Champs and Super bowl XII Runner-up; and
NOW, THEREFORE, the Council of the Borough of Taylor, together with the Mayor, do hereby proclaim Wednesday, December 14, 2011, as
“TAYLOR JUNIOR VIKES A TEAM DAY”
in the Borough of Taylor, and ask our Citizens to join us in congratulating and recognizing the Team for its distinguished accomplishments.
DULY PROCLAIMED AND ADOPTED, this 14th day of December, 2011, by the Council of the Borough of Taylor, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania in lawful session duly assembled.
Taylor Borough Council Approves $3M Budget
By Jim Lockwood (Staff Writer)
Published: December 15, 2011
Landfill funds, savings accounts help fund Taylor budget
TAYLOR – Borough council on Wednesday unanimously adopted a $3 million budget for 2012 that is largely funded with payments from Alliance Sanitary Landfill Inc. and revenue from borough savings accounts.
The $3,140,145 budget is composed of a $2,878,645 operating budget and a $261,500 capital budget.
The spending plan will draw $371,488 from the landfill’s payment to the borough. Another $20,000 of landfill payments will be devoted to the development of Taylor Colliery and the borough’s two fire companies, Taylor Fire & Rescue and the Taylor Fire Department.
Due to the landfill payments, Taylor does not have a municipal tax. To balance the budget, nearly $1 million from borough savings accounts will be tapped as revenue.
The 2012 budget represents a decrease from this year’s $3.24 million budget, the difference being $100,000 in grant money the borough received this year but won’t get next year, said Borough Manager Dan Zeleniak.
The council also approved a four-year contract with the borough’s seven DPW workers that will give them a 3-percent raise each year.
Taylor Borough Budget for 2012
Do you have the TIME?
Do you have the Time? You won’t have to ask that question anylonger if you are walking or driving down Main St or Union St. PennDOT continues working on the Gateway project on Main and Union Street, in the Borough. PennDot yesterday put a few of the finishing touches on the project. Few of the finishing touches added are the benches and trash containers. One of the main attractions to the project has been the lights on the bridge. But that has changed when PennDot installed the clock at the corner of Davis St and Main. The clock is black in color with gold trim. The header of the clock reads Borough of Taylor. The Gateway project is to welcome our residents home or visitors into our borough and now let them know what time they arrived.
Work Continues on Gateway Project
PennDOT continues working on the Gateway project on Main and Union Streeet, in the Borough. PennDot is currently landscaping the area at the entrance of the bridge and the area of the former Sam’s Deil. The landscaping portion of the project has PennDot planting trees and shrubs. Along with planting they are also placing Mulch around the area
By-Pass Road on Main Street OPEN
PennDOT removed the barricade from the by-pass road and closed the North Main Street bridge. Beginning on Wednesday October 12 at 12:30, the detour on Main Street will divert southbound traffic onto Oak Street, to the temporary by-pass road and back to Main Street. Northbound traffic will follow the reverse route of the detour.
A 10-ton weight limit will also be established on Union Street, according to PennDOT
On the Lookout
The Taylor Borough Police Department has a warning to overweight vehicles – “watch out, because we’ll be watching for you.”
And, it’s not just tractor trailers they’re interested in weight checking.
“Overweight vehicles can be on any road,” “Every vehicle has weight limits. It’s not just the big trucks. Even a pickup truck headed to the landfill can be over it’s approved weight.”
The police have been conducting random vehicle checks and inspections for more than four years, primarily prompted by the ailing Taylor Bridge on North Main Street.
The 224-foot bridge, built in 1934, closed Wednesday, Oct. 13. As its condition deteriorated its weight limits were lowered to five tons.
“The program has been effective,” said police officer Rob Zuby. “Most drivers have followed the detour signs. You get five percent of truck drivers who insist on following their GPS units, which would be fine if they were driving a car.”
Fines for overweight vehicles are $150 for the first 3,000 pounds a vehicle is over the weight limit and $150 for every 500 pounds after that.
“An empty tractor trailer traveling over that bridge would be fined some $6,500,” he explained.
Zuby said the fines are set by the state and that the funds recovered by the District Magistrate are split, with 50 percent going to the borough and 50 percent to the state.
“Just because the bridge has closed doesn’t mean that we’re done,” he added. “We will just be focusing on other areas of the borough.”
Let There be LIGHTS
If you have not driven yet at night across the Veterans Memorial Bridge lately, then you didn’t get to see the new lights shining bright at night. The bridge lights and road constructions on Main, Union and the bridge is part of Taylor Boroughs Grant for our Gate Way Project. The project grant proposal was written and overseen by John and Peg Derenick. With the help from Borough Manger Dan Zeleniak and Penndot the project has been moving forward with great success. The project is to welcome our residents home or visitors into our borough
Taylor Borough Recognized Dave Siminski for Helping Greenview West Neighborhood
Taylor Borough Council has recognized Dave Siminski for spending a rainy August weekend keeping his neighbors’ homes from being flooded by a malfunctioning sewage collection system.
“Taylor Borough is blessed with volunteers who seek to alleviate the burden of their neighbors and Dave Siminski, in the spirit of volunteerism, assisted residents of the borough by helping pump out the sewer system and preventing what could have been a catastrophe,” said Mayor Richard Bowen when he presented Mr. Siminski with a proclamation. Mr. Siminski accepted the proclamation from Mayor Bowen and Taylor Borough Council during council’s September meeting.
Joe Icovazzi, Taylor’s public works foreman, said two pumps that move sewage out of a reservoir near Oak Street and Rinaldi Drive in Greenview broke down on Aug. 6, setting off alarms and causing a combination of sewage and stormwater to fill the reservoir and begin backing up toward nearby homes.
“The rain wasn’t stopping and if we hadn’t been able to begin pumping out the reservoir the sewer system would have begun flooding into nearby homes,” Mr. Iacovazzi said.
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, David Siminski is a lifelong Taylor resident and is employed by Waste Management/Alliance Landfill; and
WHEREAS, the Taylor Community is blessed with volunteers who seek to alleviate the burden of their neighbors; and
WHEREAS, David Siminski in the spirit of volunteerism assisted residents of the Borough of Taylor during times of need by offering his assistance and employing the use of Alliance vacuum truck from time to time.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Taylor Community honors David Siminski for his service for our community.
DULY PROCLAIMED AND ADOPTED, this 14th day of September, 2011, by the Council of
the Borough of Taylor, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania in lawful session duly assembled
BOROUGH OF TAYLOR, PENNSYLVANIA
Taking the Helm
by Shannon C. Keith (TRIBORO BANNER EDITOR)
There’s a new sheriff in town.
Well, he’s a former sheriff who is now a chief … Chief of Police that is.
Taylor Borough Council appointed Leonard Mickavicz Jr. to the position of chief July 15. The 48-year-old’s law enforcement career in Taylor began in 1981 when he was just 18.
“When I was younger, a neighbor who was a retired state trooper sparked my interest,” he said. “When I graduated high school I was appointed as a part-time reserve officer and entered the police academy. I’ve also worked in other police departments over the years. I’ve always maintained employment here.”
Mickavicz spent 24 years with the Lackawanna County Sheriff’s Department, retiring as a sergeant officially the same day his new position as chief began in the borough, Monday, Aug. 1.
“There’s quite a few things that need to get done,” he said. “One task at a time, that’s how I will approach leading this department. Smaller, hometown departments are enjoyable because it’s hands-on and there’s more community involvement.”
Taylor Borough currently employs six full time-officers in addition to numerous part-time officers. One of his goals as chief is to ensure the borough’s public safety is always well protected. His plan to achieve that goal is by building up the borough’s part-time roster so there are always adequate officers working in the most efficient manner.
“With any department, part-time officers come and go with a lot of turnover,” he said. “Part-time officers are an important asset to the community. With any police chief it’s a big concern because they leave for a full-time positions.”
Additionally, the chief wants to grow traffic and drug enforcement efforts within the borough.
“Our older residents are the eyes and ears of the community and it’s very important that they continue to provide tips,” he said. “I’m big on stepping-up traffic enforcement and investigating drug activity within the community. Again, we are counting on those tips from the community as well.”
“We have a good reputation within the county,” he added. “All of our officers are professional and dedicated to the community.”
Confidential tips can be left at the police department by calling 562-2210 and leaving a message for the chief.
He promises calls will be returned.
“If anyone has any concerns or information I am readily available,” he said.
