BY REGGE EPISALE
Correspondent

Susquehanna County District Attorney Robert Klein addressed the Montrose Borough Council on local illegal drug activities and the steps being taken to combat those problems in the borough.

There has been an increase in burglaries, and according to Klein, the majority of these burglaries are drug related. He said that drug addicts are not looking for large items but rather looking for gift cards, cash, and small items that can easily be turned into cash. Such items are frequently found in unlocked cars and homes and often the victims of theft are at first unaware that they have been robbed.

Borough residents who know of or suspect illegal drug activity can now file a report online through the county website, www.susqco.com. Reports can also be made in person at the District Attorney’s office, by phone, or by speaking with the District Attorney directly.

DA Klein reported that the link has been highly successful and that reports through the link have resulted in individuals being apprehended. Although the information can be sent anonymously, leaving contact information enables investigating officers to more effectively follow up on reported illegal activity.

To date some reports have proven either untrue or unverifiable, but others have resulted in illegal operations being stopped.

While the emphasis is on identifying dealers, individuals illegally using drugs are also apprehended and receive mandated treatment. The goal is to have full-time treatment in the county jail to give addicts a better chance at recovery.

Klein is asking that all residents and organizations who can help in the recovery and support process contact him to get involved.

April 30 is a National Drug Take Back Day. There is an in the Susquehanna County Court House where prescription medication can be dropped at any time the courthouse is open. On National Drug Take Back Day there will be multiple locations throughout Susquehanna County.

All residents are urged to take this opportunity to properly dispose of drugs in your home. Klein said unused and outdated drugs in the home are like “keeping a loaded gun in the medicine cabinet. You can’t tell who is susceptible to an opiate addiction.”

The Montrose Borough Council changed the management of the police pension fund in order to better address the rapidly changing financial market. The request for proposal resulted in bids from Beirne Wealth Management and Morgan Stanley. Upon review, the council moved to advertise an ordinance to move the fund from Stone House Management to Beirne Wealth Management.

Debbie and Michael Russell of Montrose Produce and Larry Griffiths of Montrose Auto Parts, asked the council to verify what steps need to be taken to petition for abandonment of Harrison Street, a street that appears on a borough map registered at the court house in 1922 and listed as a boundary marker on deeds for Kost Tire, Montrose Produce, and Montrose Auto Parts, but that currently is not used as a road and possibly never was.

Attorney Jason Beardsley questioned whether the road had ever been ordained.

Borough solicitor Marian O’Malley stated that once a map is recorded at the court house it has a certain amount of credibility whether officially ordained or not. Council member Craig Reimel said the council believed the road had been ordained based on the fact that it had been recorded on maps and referenced in deeds.

The business owners were advised that they can initiate an action for the release of the road as abandoned. Russell asked if they can petition only for the part of the road that affects their business. Council members said they were unsure. More research will be done on the process.

Ken DiPhillips, Street Supervisor, reported that street cleaning has been taking place all year due to the temperate climate and is well underway. A motion was made and approved to purchase new brushes for the street cleaning equipment.

Steven Arnold of South Main Street spoke with council regarding problems with road flooding due to dilapidated catch drains on the street. The state advised him that they were responsible for the grate covering the drain, but not the drain. The council made and approved a motion to look into the problem.

The council discussed the possibility of making it possible to pay for parking meters through a smart phone application, thus making it possible for individuals to park at metered spots for longer periods of time without having to put money in the meters, which currently have a two hour time limit.

Reimel said the purpose of the two hour limit was to encourage people to move within that time so customers for various businesses would have a place to park. The conversation was tabled for later review and discussion.

Richard Ainey of New Milford Borough has asked Montrose Borough and two other boroughs to consider forming a collective to approach gas companies regarding gas royalties.

The Streetscape Project for Montrose Borough was discussed. The replacement of sidewalks on South Main Street, which was initially considered for 2016 is being postponed until 2017 due to a delay in state approval and a desire to avoid more construction in town that will discourage visitors. Local businesses suffered large losses in 2016 due to road construction which discouraged customers and visitors alike.

Reimel addressed the council on behalf of the Lions Club. The Lions Club is looking for projects they can assist with. They would like to level and repave the basketball court in Memorial Park and repave the current ramp access to the park.

Dan Calby of Montrose asked the council to consider taking action on the over population of deer in the borough. He said that deer feces are making the area unsanitary and that the deer are damaging gardens and trees in town.

Council member Judy Kelly suggested that feeding the deer should be illegal and punishable by fines.

Council members said they had talked to conservation officers who suggested alternate methods of controlling the deer population, all of which involved some form of killing the deer, which would raise a strong protest from area residents.

The matter was tabled for further conversation.