TimesLeader.com

WEST PITTSTON

October 5
WEST PITTSTON

They are everywhere. You can see them on Wyoming Avenue, Luzerne Avenue and more prominently, Exeter Avenue. The crosswalk yield signs, or technically called channelizers, first appeared on Wyoming Avenue in front of Montgomery Avenue Elementary School last year. Since then, you can find a series of signs on the very narrow and busy Exeter Avenue as well as Luzerne Avenue.

Michael Cotter, PennDOT, Mayor Bill Goldsworthy and Chief of Police Paul Porfirio at one of the new designated crosswalks in the borough.

Photo by Tony Callaio

This past August 22, PennDOT along with West Pittston Borough held a Pedestrian Safety Awareness Day. Over 600 pamphlets were passed out regarding pedestrian right-of-way at crosswalks in Pennsylvania. Officials escorted pedestrians across the street demonstrating the right-of-way. Approximately 9,000 – 10,000 vehicles travel Route 92 (Exeter Avenue) in West Pittston daily.

Two studies were conducted over the past year regarding traffic speed and patterns on Wyoming and Exeter Avenues. One study suggested the right hand turn onto Susquehanna Avenue from the Fort Jenkins Bridge be one way heading north on Susquehanna Avenue with a left hand turn in the opposite direction being illegal.

At the same time the first study was being conducted, Exeter Avenue resident Paula Bubul, had concerns of her own regarding the speed of vehicles along with the safety of school children and residents crossing Exeter Avenue. She contacted Borough officials as well as State Rep. Phyllis Mundy and through Mundy’s office, a study was conducted on the speed of drivers on Exeter Avenue. That study concluded that vehicles were traveling within the parameters of the law.

“Exeter Avenue is a very narrow throughway and we’d like to take as many precautions as possible for the residents of West Pittston,” stated West Pittston Mayor William Goldsworthy.

Mike Cotter, PennDOT Safety Press Officer, would like to remind motorists that the pedestrian channeling devices placed in the center of the roadway at designated crosswalk areas are designed to slow down traffic and alert motorists of pedestrian areas. The Pennsylvania Vehicle Code states when traffic-control signals are not in place or not in operation, the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.

Drivers, who are convicted of an offense for not yielding to a pedestrian, face a fine of $50 as well as points assessed to their driver’s license. The Vehicle Code also states that no pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle that is so close as to constitute a hazard.

Register to Vote

If you are not registered to vote, tomorrow is the deadline. Get in touch with the County courthouse to find how.

Cemetery Association

The annual meeting of the West Pittston Cemetery Association will be held October 14 at 7:00 p.m. at the Municipal Building. All lot owners are encouraged to attend.

Tax Reminder

West Pittston 2008 school taxes are being collected at face value until December 4. The penalty value will be in effect until December 15 and after that date, the tax records will be closed for the year. County and Borough taxes are also in the penalty period.

All unpaid taxes not paid by December 15 shall be turned over to Luzerne County for collection.

Tax Office hours for this period will be Tuesdays from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. until noon or by appointment.

Shade Tree Notes

The West Pittston Shade Tree Commission will be conducting its fall planting during the month of October.

Residents are reminded that trees that have been removed from tree lawns must be replaced within one year. Fall is an ideal time to plant a tree.

Applications for trees are available at the Borough Building (during normal business hours), Evans Hardware, West Pittston Library and online at http://www.wpshadetree.org.

Residents of Elm Street are particularly being asked to help “Bring Back the Elms on Elm Street.”

Council Meeting

West Pittston Council will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, October 7 at 7:30 p.m. with a special meeting to be held prior to the work session

Smoke Detectors

West Pittston Hose Co. No.1 is offering Smoke Detectors to residents at no cost. Anyone interested in obtaining one, please call the Hose Company at 655-7785.

Halloween Parade

The West Pittston Children’s Halloween Parade sponsored by the West Pittston Parks and Recreation Committee will be held on Sunday, October 26 at 2:00 p.m. Prizes and treats will be given.

Haunted House

The Haunted House, sponsored by Night Terrors, will open Friday, September 26 and continue each Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the IGOUMET Building, on Delaware Avenue.

The Friday and Saturday hours are 6 p.m. - 11 p.m. and Sunday from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. The West Pittston Parks and Recreation will again sponsor a concession stand at this event.

Rummage Sale

The Women’s Association of the First United Presbyterian Church, Exeter Avenue and Warren Street, will hold its annual rummage sale Saturday, October 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the church dining room. Bag items from 1:00 p.m.

Coffee and cake will be available at the snack bar during the rummage sale.

Class of 1959

WPHS Class of 1959 is currently planning on their 50th reunion to be held on September 12, 2009 at Glenmaura Country Club, Moosic.

For further information, call Lynne at 654-1596 or Cookie and Jerry at 654-1690.

Call 911

Police Chief Porfirio requests that residents call 911 when witnessing a suspicious action or when in need of a police officer.

Recycling Reminder

A reminder to residents that curbside recycling will be picked up the first and third Fridays of each month.

Any items not picked up on Fridays, will be collected on the following Monday. Recyclables can also be dropped off at the Public Works Building, 505 Delaware Avenue each Saturday from 8 a.m. until noon.

Happy Birthday

Catherine Hood and Deanne Hood-Carmean will celebrate their birthdays today.

Happy birthday to Peter Sidari who celebrated his birthday on October 1 and his sister Vicky will celebrate on October 10. Peter is in 7th grade at Wyoming Area and Vicky is a 6th grader at Wyoming Area Catholic. Their sister Jennifer is a senior Pre-Med student at the University of Scranton and a 2005 Wyoming Area graduate. The proud parents are Peter and Patty of West Pittston.

Iva Coyle will be 80 years young on Tuesday, October 7. Iva, who is still employed gainfully, looks terrific.

Happy Anniversary

Harold and Gloria Green will be celebrating their 46th anniversary tomorrow, October 6.

Concolences

I’d like to express my condolences and on behalf of the residents of West Pittston to longtime former District Magistrate, Attorney and Mrs. Carmen Maffei on the loss of their son George in a tragic automobile accident near his home in Florida last month.

George leaves behind wife Janice, daughter Melissa Berretta and grandchildren, Sierra, Mariah, Alexandra and Chance.

Along with having a magnetic personality, George was a tremendous athlete in his youth. He will be greatly missed.

Get Well Soon

Good luck and best wishes to Regina Stevenson after recently having knee replacement surgery.