News

January 7, 2010

Bear Creek seeks public’s help for road grant

The township will repay money it was incorrectly sent by its tax collector.

JANINE UNGVARSKY Times Leader Correspondent

BEAR CREEK TWP. – The township is hoping 2010 will be the year a gaming grant will come its way, and township supervisors are asking anyone who uses Route 115 to help it happen.

The township is pursuing grant money to help fund a $637,269 safety corridor project for Route 115 — a major thoroughfare leading to the Mohegan Sun casino that generates the gaming revenues. The project will include culvert repairs, improved signage along the road, funds to replace a fire truck and other projects that will improve safety along the heavily traveled, winding road.

Several previous grant bids have failed, but newly sworn-in Supervisor Jim Smith praised this application, which was prepared largely by board Chairman Gary Zingaretti, as being more complete than others. The township, Bear Creek Foundation, Bear Creek Community Charter School, the hose company and Bear Creek Village Borough have pledged a total of $55,000 toward the project, providing proof of local support, the supervisors said on Monday.

“The last missing piece of the puzzle is public support,” said Smith. Zingaretti joined Smith in asking for a public letter-writing campaign to those involved in the grant decision-making process. “You don’t have to live in the municipality,” Smith said. “If you travel Route 115 … you have a stake in this grant.”

Zingaretti said grants will be awarded in February, and the addresses to send letters to will be posted on the township’s Web site.

The board also discussed a letter received in December from tax collector Berkheimer Associates informing the township it was overpaid $22,571 in per capita taxes in 2007-08. Zingaretti noted that the difference received over prior years indicates the township most likely did receive payments due to other municipalities.

But supervisors differed over whether a check should be cut before the 2009 books were closed or hold off cutting a check until additional documentation of the overpayment was received. Zingaretti said cutting the check would simplify bookkeeping and that the check would not be sent until the township got the requested documentation.

Smith and Supervisor Bonnie Wasilewski favored not cutting the check until the documentation was received and reviewed. By a 3-2 vote, supervisors approved cutting and holding the check, which will not be mailed until supervisors review the matter again at a public meeting.

The supervisors also disagreed on the appointment of a vacancy board member — a person called in to fill a vacant position on the board should one arise. Former supervisor Gary Slusser was nominated for the position and had support from Zingaretti, Smith and Joseph Masi.

Wasilewski and Ruth Ann Koval questioned why Michael Gober, who has been appointed to that position for the last four years, was not being reappointed. Koval cited Gober’s dedication to the township while Wasilewski said all residents should have been given an opportunity for the post. Zingaretti said it was an “at-will” position and was open. Slusser was approved by a 3-2 vote, with Wasilewski and Koval casting the no votes.

Tweet	Follow @TLnews