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'©1©©S1 J . ■" ?Saa' 1 ■ lag b» ai ■ aaS© ;'. a aa f ■ :n.n, ' • . f in a ■ .■■ ��I I LIBRARY WILKES-BARRE PENNSYLVANIA �P4 wilkes-barr WILkES c.y Ok v’ NO- i plains TOWNSHIP have 3.dopted a.n 11 point Plain! commissioners ‘f‘the’township. It is noteworthy that the township . betterment of the wjth development and the progr '^her Zlley-->towns . Albert Janerich, new presic with the u towns . Albert all°_ resident7of the State Association, has offered t of the State are points 1 and 2. The ? LookP Of special interest cial interest the value of planning in the future development of th< Wilkes-Barre found that the appointment of a new pl necessity. If only a few more communities and cou: planning. Ona cooperative basis, the greater Will many problems . Point 2 of the 11-point program ai authority to sewer the whole township. This again h '»their te considered a good place to work and live for vision. xvc.. PENNSYLVANIA ASSOCIATK Joseph Gallagher, Newport, Legal Counse , Committee; Francis Connors , Hanover , Municip Gallagher, Newport, Legislative; Anthony J- Vest. Andrew M. Grivner, Wilkes-Barre, Department o Grivner, hnerich, PlainsD. . Hugo V. Mailey, Wilkes Plains; and Dr. WERE YOU BORN POLIT A man may think that he washes is ,, lnstinct. T— * *"Y YT e fl f**) But ask anyone who ’’knew him w vl8n°rani ce. We gain knowledge by training an it is hard to teach an old dog new trie all our lives . Only °the thi rs c°urt; sm>°oth8 8 ls neCes sary. 4 aUit ®y. just a° s Ur r. ow* Paths . ] This is to reali Every taxpayer s or hat. n^uch i 4s ouras he 'vould’ receive if he ernPloyer ! �fa .dcif&ute (faulty WILKES COLLEGE, rot- v, no- 1 WILKES-BARRE, PA. JANUARY 15, 1956 PLAINS TOWNSHIP Plains commissioners have adopted an 11-point program toward the betterment of the township. It is noteworthy that the commissioners find their welfare bound up w.th the development and the progress in betterment made in all other Valley towns . Albert Janerich, new president of the Board and third vice-president of the State Association, has offered his constituents a New Look. Of special interest are points 1 and 2. The Plains solons fully realize the value of planning in the future development of the township. Only recently Wilkes-Barre found that the appointment of a new planning commission was a necessity. If only a few more communities and county could see the value of planning. On a cooperative basis, the greater Wilkes-Barre area could solve many problems . Point 2 of the 11-point program anticipates the creation of an authority to sewer the whole township. This again is a necessity if the township is to be considered a good place to work and live. A bouquet to the Commissioners for their vision. PENNSYLVANIA ASSOCIATION James A. Otterson, President of the Pennsylvania Association of Township Commissioners, has appointed the following local people to committees: Joseph Gallagher, Newport, Legal Counsel; John C. Wordoski, Hanover, Steering Committee; Francis Connors, Hanover, Municipal Employees Retirement; Joseph Gallagher, Newport, Legislative; Anthony J. Vestyck, Plains, Membership; Andrew M. Grivner, Wilkes-Barre, Department of Internal Affairs; Albert Janerich, Plains; and Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Wilkes College, Publicity. WERE YOU BORN POLITE? A man may think that he washes his hands or says "Thank you" by inborn instinct. But ask anyone who "knew him when." The truth is, we are all born in ignorance. We gain knowledge by training and example when we are children. And while it is hard to teach an old dog new tricks, we can go on becoming more courteous all our lives. Only one thing is necessary. This is to realize how much courtesy toward others smooths our own paths. Every taxpayer should be treated with utmost Courtesy, just a8 much aB he would receive if he went into a retail store to purchase Suit Cjjc nat. T-T ’ i f He is our employer I 42826 �abatement progress t of stream pollution in the Susquehanna P' River in abatement Program places that section among those in Pr T ” h ” ci~» 1 Basin under the which givej evidence of the successful promotion of tha> various areas ot the State F. Mattison, Secretary of Health and Chairman of the program, Dr. Berwpi 1 • minted out. Sanitary Water Board, L— • has p< ■ i pollution abatement in the upper reaches of the "Although the advance in that made in the downstream areas, " Dr. Mattison to t... basin is not comparable ■’ • communities in this section may soon add an that the stated, "indications are the record of anti-pollution progress being made throughout important chapter to t— Pennsylvania. " The records of the Sanitary Water Board show that as a result of the program T of 64 sewerage projects, all of them to serve in abating pollution, have beenWIlt and put in operation or placed under construction on that watershed. O'' the number of projects 55 are new sewage treatment plants to provide treatment of the wastes of municipalities for the first time. All the sewage from those source had always been discharged without any treatment to the public waterways. In addition to treatment of the sewage a considerable amount of industrial waste is also treated in the plants of those communities in which industrial establishments are located. In addition to the new sewage treatment plants built and placed under construction, three existing works have been enlarged to provide greater capacity and a higher degree of treatment. Six of the projects provide sewer connections through which the sewage is discharged from one municipality to the treatment plant in another community for treatment under an agreement made between the two municipalities. It is estimated that the cost of all the projects exceeds $30 million. Included in the total number are sewage treatment plants built at industrial establishments, public institutions as well as by municipalities . On the industrial side much progress has also been made in providing facilitie for the treatment of wastes to abate stream pollution. In addition to the industrial establishments for which arrangements have been made with the municipalities for t-e treatment of their wastes, many industries have built their own treatment works '■‘■r--'t-d that on a Statewide basis industry spends at least as much in ln^ 01 treatment of mill and factory wastes as is spent by municipalities for 8ewage treatment plants . Ine progress made under this r program shows definitely that to increase in* popuiation and grow industrially it is i not necessary that we make open sewers o our streams. In fact were gross pollution of the streams permitted to continue we would soon go into a -cline for there would not be sufficient clean wate r to meet our needs a short time. SEWERAGE CASE INJUNCTION An injunction granted June 3 by the Lycoming County Common Pleas Cour restraining Loyalsock Township in that county from permitting connections to ' made to the sewer system until permits for the extensions to that system have procured from the State Department of Health, was lifted some time later by t court under agreements and stipulations made with Deputy Attorney General Robert J. Trace and Thomas Wood, Lycoming County State Attorney, and cour for the parties involved in the injunction. Mr. Trace represents the Sanitary Water Board which directs the Clean Streams program and authorizes the issi of sewerage permits. In addition to restraining the township from permitting sewer extensions to be made the injunction also restrained the Susquehanna He Co. , Fred Tebbs and John Bubb, land owners and builders, from making any i connections in the area involved. Prior to the lifting of the injunction applications were made to the Sanitary Water Board by the township for permits for the sewer extensions and those p. have been issued. Under the agreement by which the injunction was lifted the township was to select an engineer to prepare plans for a sewage treatment w< and construction of that works to be started immediately the plans are approvs the Sanitary Water Board. The court will retain jurisdiction in the matter ant State shall have the right to ask for reinstatement of the injunction if the propt and schedules of work are not adhered to. Monthly reports of progress are to submitted to Mr. Trace. REPORT ON TREATMENT FACILITIES The Sanitary Water Board has directed the borough of Carlisle, Cumberl Co. , to make a study of its sewage treatment plant to determine what improve are necessary to provide efficient complete treatment of the sewage. It is ah required that the borough submit a report of the study and detailed constructs plans covering the improvements that must be made. The action was taken as a result of a report made to the Board by the Bui of Sanitary Engineering of the Health Department, of extensive studies made i the plant. PUBLICATION I'his News-letter, published monthly as a community service, originates « I olitical Science Department of Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries may Whi l!88cd to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Political Science Department, Wilkes o 18-Barre, Pennsylvania. �abatement progress Le in abatement of stream pollution in the Susquehanna River lean r— —“ Streams Program places that section J 1 amon g those in ie State which give evidence of the successful p Promotion of •wyn F. Mattison, Secretary of Health and Chai that -irman of the ard, has pointed out. advance in pollution abatement in the upper reaches of the rable to that made in the downstream areas, Dr- MattiSon s are that the communities in this section m may soon add an to the record of anti-pollution progress being made ~~ thr°ughout f the Sanitary Water Board show that as a result of the prOgrani age projects, all of them to serve in abating pollution have n operation or placed under construction on that watershed rojects 55 are new sewage treatment plants to provide t treatment inicipalities for the first time. All the sewage from those source scharged without any treatment to the public waterways . In nt of the sewage a considerable amount of industrial waste is plants of those communities in which industrial establishments he new sewage treatment plants built and placed under existing works have been enlarged to provide greater capacity ■ of treatment. Six of the projects provide sewer connections ewage is discharged from one municipality to the treatment nmunity for treatment under an agreement made between the that the cost of all the projects exceeds $30 million. Included are sewage treatment plants built at industrial establishments, s well as by municipalities. g facilities 11 side much progress has also been made in providing industrial wastes to abate stream pollution. In addition to the i.. ’' ' js for vhich arrangements have been made with the municipalitie , ____ . 4- xi '---jatment works ir wastes, many industries have built their own tre<-.—-□n a Statewide basis industry spends at least _t as ~ much in by municipalities for lent of mill and factory wastes as is spent 1 , ants. j mm lade under this program shows definitely that to inert-' industrially it is not necessary that we make open s^t-nue it were gross pollution of the streams permitted to C> to a decline for there would not be sufficient clean However, we must guard against laxity. We have still a long way to co to bring all major pollution under control and even when that shall be done the ilishments will soon be wiped out if we curtail our vigilance even for a accomplishments short time. SEWERAGE CASE INJ UN C T ION An injunction granted June 3 by the Lycoming County Common Pleas Court straining Loyalsock Township in that county trom from permitting permitting connections to be restraining uuai. county made to the sewer system until permits for the extensions to that system have been procured from the State Department of Health, was lifted some time later by the court under agreements and stipulations made with Deputy Attorney General Robert J. Trace and Thomas Wood, Lycoming County State Attorney, and counsel for the parties involved in the injunction. Mr. Trace represents the Sanitary Water Board which directs the Clean Streams program and authorizes the issuance of sewerage permits. In addition to restraining the township from permitting sewer extensions to be made the injunction also restrained the Susquehanna Homes Co. , Fred Tebbs and John Bubb, land owners and builders, from making any sewer connections in the area involved. Prior to the lifting of the injunction applications were made to the Sanitary Water Board by the township for permits for the sewer extensions and those permits have been issued. Under the agreement by which the injunction was lifted the township was to select an engineer to prepare plans for a sewage treatment works, and construction of that works to be started immediately the plans are approved by the Sanitary Water Board. The court will retain jurisdiction in the matter and the State shall have the right to ask for reinstatement of the injunction if the proposals and schedules of work are not adhered to. Monthly reports of progress are to be submitted to Mr . Trace. REPORT ON TREATMENT FACILITIES The Sanitary Water Board has directed the borough of Carlisle, Cumberland Co. , to make a study of its sewage treatment plant to determine what improvements are necessary to provide efficient complete treatment of the sewage. It is also required that the borough submit a report of the study and detailed construction plans covering the improvements that must be made. The action was taken as a result of a report made to the Board by the Bureau of Sanitary Engineering of the Health Department, of extensive studies made of the plant. PUBLICATION This News-letter, published monthly as a community service, originates in Political Science Department of Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries may be ,lf dressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Political Science Department, Wilkes College, Wilke S-Barre, Pennsylvania. �(faulty ACTS OF THE 1955 GENERAL ASSEMBLY BOROUGH CODE - Act 197 (HB 656) Increases monthly compensation paid to councilmen in boroughs with populations from 5,000 to 10,000 to $50, and in qL boroughs over 10,000 to $100. FAIR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES - Act 222 (HB 229) Prohibits in municipal and other employment such practices as requiring information relating to age color, religion, national origin, ancestry and race, use of "quota" systems, and publishing discriminatory help wanted ads; creates a State FEPC; provides penalties. HOME RULE TAXES - Act 186 (SB 459) Clarifies aggregate tax levy; eliminate notice of intent and publishing of ordinances of reenactment; requires short notice stating existing tax reenacted; authorizes budget revision to reflect additional receipts. MEETING PLACES - Act 18 7 (HB 1078) Authorizes school boards to permit use of schools as meeting places for public bodies. WHAT ' S NEW ? 2 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. EE] OF FORD CITY VS. FORD GIT' ____ POLICE DEPARTMENT In the Court of Common Pleas of Armstrong County, Pennsylvan Number 212. June Term, 1955. Complaint in Mandamus. The plaintiffs, policemen of the Borough of Ford City filed this mandamus to compel the Borough Council of Ford City Borough tn in them in accordance with the contracts of employment After the action was instituted the parties by stipulation agreed u case stated. The question for decision is whether the borough policer in accordance with the resolution of the borough council, are required make use of a time clock when going upon duty and when reporting off The burgess of the borough notified the policemen that they would be s if they complied with the resolution passed by the council. LARKSVILLE - Boro officials intend to operate with one less police officer this year. PLYMOUTH - Ashes and garbage collection will be continued through 1956 even NANTICOKE - Licenses will be required of all truckers engaged in collecting garbage, refuse, or ashes. KINGSTON - Building permits for more than $1,200,000 in new construction and improvements were issued. PITTSTON - During 1955, the city constructed a new garage for the storage of equipment of the street department. WILKES-BARRE - Tax free property in the city has reached $32,757,515 representing a figure that is 40 per cent as great as the t".— total evaluation for the city--$82,500,000 THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Visitors always make us happy--some when they come, others when they gc While the sun shines, much hay can be made, too, from the grass under other's feet. that gro* It is agreed that if the court decides that the requirement to use t clock is not an interference with the authority and duty of the burgess, plaint should be dismissed and the plaintiffs ordered to use the time ci the manner set forth in the borough council's resolution. If the court that such requirement is an interference, then an order shall be enter recting the borough to pay the policemen's salaries in full without tim< records. The single question presented in the case is whether this require r the resolution is an interference with the duties and authority of the bu and beyond the power of the borough council to enact. The Act of Assembly specifically states that after the appointincut borough policeman the burgess of the borough shall have full charge' ai trol of the —a police force and shall direct the time during which, the pla< and the manner in which the chief of police and the police force rihall p their duties . T* it is the duty of the burgess to keep some ie the time when Undoubtedly the '-'-j policemen arc on duty. The controversy here seem* the manner rin which such records shall be kept. II 1* argued that the I rnosf .1 efficient manner is in the use of a time clock, There in this 7 argument. rt onic Ini However, we are confronted with the dlllh c°uncil T seeks to < nit y th.it th. make one of the duties of the polit omen n clock. It is i i.i l> t ng mu <>| Record s is a clear, under the Act of Assembly, tli.it the making duty clearly I" "1* fore within the authority given Io the buig« »« apparent It I 4 that the bo �lcts__2£ THE 1955 GENERAL ASSEMBLY . x iq7 (HB 656) Increases monthly compensationi paid to ,DE - Act .------ c a a ■« zx populations from 5,000 to 10,000 to $50, o„d in ■OL- V, NO. 2 nin boroughs v 3Ver 7o 10,000 to S $100. 000 t0 100' a . x 222 ??■> (HB 229) Prohibits PRACTICES- Act .. in municipal . g YMENT L-----employment such practices as requiring information igion, national origin, ancestry and race, use of " ° relatin hing discriminatory help wanted ads; creates a St quota" systems* penalties. ate FEPC; TAXES Act 186 (SB Clarifies aggregate taxr levy-’ ellrnina r itent and- publishing of 459) ordinances of reenactmenttes ing existing tax reenacted; authorizes budget revision tQ1"08 Sh°rt reenacted; authorizes budget revision to reflect receipts. ° re Eect - Act 187 (HB 1078) Authorizes school boards to permit use as meeting places for public bodies . lCES WHAT ' S NEW ? - Boro officials intend to operate with one less police officer Ashes and garbage collection will be continued through 19 56 even is may be earmarked for creek projects . Licenses will be required of all truckers engaged in collecting 'efuse, or ashes. uilding permits for more than $1,200,000 in new construction /ements were issued. uring 1955, the city constructed a new garage for the storage of of the street department. E - Tax free property in the city has reached $32,757,515 ng a figure that is 40 per cent as great as tthe — total ------- evaluation '--$82,500,000 thoughts FOR TODAY ways make us happy--some when they come, others when they & un shines, much hay can be made, too, from the grass that gro^ :et. WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, POLICE DEPARTMENT OF FORD CITY VS. PA. FEBRUARY 15,1956 FORD CITY In the Court of Common Pleas of Armstrong County, Pennsylvania Number 212. June Term, 1955. Complaint in Mandamus. in mandamus to compel the Borough Counci^o^F^CH^Bor^u h^ them in accordance with the contracts of employment g ° Pay After the action was instituted the parties by stipulation agreed upon a case stated. The question for decision is whether ' the borough policemen, in accordance with the resolution of the borough council, are required to make use of a time clock when going upon duty and when reporting off duty. The burgess of the borough notified the policemen that they would be suspended if they complied with the resolution passed by the council. It is agreed that if the court decides that the requirement to use the time clock is not an interference with the authority and duty of the burgess, the com­ plaint should be dismissed and the plaintiffs ordered to use the time clock in the manner set forth in the borough council's resolution. If the court decides that such requirement is an interference, then an order shall be entered di­ recting the borough to pay the policemen's salaries in full without time clock records. The siingle question presented in the case is whether this requirement in the resolution is .3 an interference with the duties and authority of the burgess and beyond the power of the borough council to enact. borough doT Assernbly specifically states that after the appointment of a trol of the 1C,eman the burSess of the borough shall have full charge and conand the m ^Orce ant^ shall direct the time during which, the place where, and the their duti^nne3" Wb*cb tbe chief of police and the police force shall perform their duties. the time 6k' Undoubtedly it is the duty of the burgess to keep some record of the policemen the mann when a P°Hcemen are on duty. The controversy here seems to be niost effj * wb^cb such records shall be kept. It is argued that the best and ^ost efficient : this argUClent manner is in the use of a time clock. There is some force to a argument. c°uncil rn^n^‘ However, we are confronted with the difficulty that the borough clock ° one of the duties of the policemen making use of the time fccorda ip/8 C ear* under the Act of Assembly, that the making of proper time fore apn a duiy clearly within the authority given to the burgees. It is thererent that the borough resolution of February 7, 1955, encroaches upon �’fically given to him, and therefore is void the powers and of no In the performance o arisen ia chpre is a wilful dereliction upon the part a remedy 1 . The law provides formance of his duties. of the burgess in the per. SEWER authorities A group of banks headed Mellon National Bank Sanitary and Trust Co arranged a $100-million loan by to the Allegheny County Authorft^^ hSS loan, "unique in the history of authority financing, " will be repaid th The sale long-term bonds in athe nextinterest four years. Under r. i arrangementof the authorityauthority expects to obtain lower rate on '-'ii sale of Mi bonds than it would at present. ne PAYMENTS TO MUNICIPALITIES Approval of the parent of $3,426,612 in the eighth installment to mnniei palities under Act 340 was announced today by Secretary of Hrghwaya Joseph J. Lawler. Act 340 was approved in 1953 and provides for disbursement to cities, boroughs, and townships which file State Expenditure Reports for the period December 31, 1954 or their State Fund Budget for 1955. Fifty cities will receive $813,684.21; 866 boroughs will receive $544,051.58 and 69 First-Class Townships will receive $182,724.05. The largest amount $1,886,152.71 will be paid to 1448 Second-Class Townships. Townships and Payments were not approved for 76 boroughs; 3 First-Class 50 Second-Class Townships for failure to file the required reports, All of the cities qualified for payment. the proper way to start revising the t3vHe said of the property in the county. He said th' Pr°gram is to take inventory regard to urban areas and by using aen'l^hotogrlXTr"8' >: an particularly in rural areas . WATER POLLUTION CONTROL A water pollution control act was passed j-- by the Congress j giving the Surgeon General of the Public Health Service authority t > prepare comprehensive . 3liminating or reducing the pollution of interJS” ------ a programs xcuubxug vxxc puxxuuon oi interstate waters and waters. tributaries ford eli itary condition of surface and He thereof is improving the san sanitary surf,. * underground ----------------------------------... ---------° ^rface and underground and irriPrto enCOurage cooperative activities by the states, enactment of uniform direc compacts between states for prevention and control of water pollution. laWS’ . £ any state or interstate water pollution control agency, he may Upon r q recOmmendations to any such agency, municipality, or indusmake survey trial plant. Small grants are authorized "to states and to interstate agencies." No grants are provided for construction of any sewerage treatment plants. A water pollution control advisory board is established consisting of fifteen persons, eight representatives of federal agencies and seven others to be appointed by the President. Of the latter, one must be an expert sewerage engineer, one must be a person who has shown an active interest in the field of wildlife and rec­ reation, and, except as otherwise determined by the President, there must be one representative of each of the following: municipal government, state govern­ ment, county government, water suppliers, affected industries , interstate agencies, and agriculture. Certain enforcement powers are granted to the Surgeon General to abate pollu­ tion of interstate waters which endanger the health or welfare of persons in a state other than that in which the pollution is discharged. THOUGHTS FOR The funds are diverted from the Motor Fund and are specifically used for highway purposes in the municipalities. TODAY Be thankful if your life is somewhat of a grind, it keeps your good points getting dull. AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY _nedSteps recently by James to readjust tax A- s Patt Gnt systems on a county-wide basis were outLuzerrtrn^nt Com^erce,' Co^? ChUf °f T^hnical Division, Pennsylvania County Loca, Redevelopment Bureau, at the meeting of Aeaoctation at Wukee College dining hall. People living in our large cities today are confronted with two problems -where to park and where to jump. PUBLICATION the Politi-N?Wa"letter > published monthly as a community service, originates in In ,!?!I?A <*------ n_glUe!t,iOn8' Paterson stressed toward the close of the session ,olitica addre8aed t Science Department of Wilkes College. Notes and inquires maybe tax assessments should be- a technical and business-like matter and not a P1 ^ilkes-i} ° ^r" Hug° V' Mailey, Political Science Department, Wilkes College, ------one. rre, Pennsylvania. �■OL.V- NO- 3 ACTS OF THE 1955 GENERAL WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, ASSEMBLY PA. march 15, 1956 WILKES-BARRE traffic THIRD-CLASS CITY CODE- Act 23 (SB 171) Provides that no employee be suspended more than one time for the same violation; permits appeal to court 90 days after suspension. Act 129 (SB 193) Authorizes issuance of non-debt revenue bonds for sewer system improvement; bonds seer d by pledge of sewer service charge. Act 177 (SB 508) Provides that d ment heads submit to Director of Accounts and Finance, instead of KA ~ quarterly financial statements to be consolidated for report to council y°r ’ THIRD-CLASS CITY CODE- Act 254 (SB 457) Provides for appropriation by such cities to official police pension funds of a sum sufficient to meet the requirements of and maintain the fund. Act 207 (HB 1173) Permits con­ tributors to the police pension fund to withdraw their increment contri­ butions if they leave the city's employ or if they retire before becoming entitled to any service increment. UTILITY COSTS- Act 252 (SB 156) Provides for the payment of the cost of removal or change of public utility facilities of political subdivisions or municipal authorities in state highways . The city of Wilkes-Barre has put into effect a 60-day test of a parking ban from 7:30 A.M. to 10:00 AM. week days on central ci to relieve the congestion in the busy early morning hours when heavv traff city. Temporary signs have been placed on parking meter,7 the following central city area will be included in the narV L °T motorists- The inner and outer circles; Market Street from River St Public S9uare, nue; Main Street from Union to Northampton; South WaVhinp^T371^11^ to East Northampton; South Franklin from West Ma rk <- c* gt fr°m West Market the block. The only vehicles permitted to park will >7 reet to the middle of less trolleys and trucks making deliveries 1 CabS’ buses- track’ The plan copied from the City of Albany is intended to eliminate all day parking in meter zones, give truckers an opportunity to make deliveries and to make it easier for people to get to work in cars and buses. Cars parked in the prohibited area will be towed away at a $5.00 towing charge. A traffic court for violators of the parking regulations has been set up for a 60-day trial period ban. Mayor Luther F. Kniffen has stated that so far the plan has worked very well and that the general population has been most cooperative in relieving the city of the early morning congestion. PLANNING COMMISSIONS MUNICIPAL AU 1HROITIES- Act 185 (SB 456) Provides that an Authority's service may be contested before court of common pleas . Act 212 (SB 455) Requires approval of municipality, instead of PUC, before Authority can acquire facilities subject to PUC jurisdiction. VEHICLE CODE- Act 97 (HB 1365) Authorizes magistrates to send notices of informations by certified mail as well as registered mail. Planning commissions maybe established by all types^of^ci^subdi^^g counties, cities, boroughs and townships . In addition, an}.n nal lanning civil subdivisions, subdivisions, regardless of class, may unite in forming commission. The commissions composed the governin b S,S^°n3 are corn posed of a small group of citizens appointed by to the local 7 ° ^be P°Ntical subdivision and act in an advisory capacity localw legislative Originally, the 6or Public ®lslaNve body. body. Originally, the enabling enabling acts acts emphasized emphasized planning planning Was r S . ’ suc h as streets, schools, hospitals and recreation areas . Soon it rea ized t at private developments of all types were affected and that the location musing, industry and commercial centers could mar the growth atld development of — a community. �, enactments frequently implement the c ------- -*■ that the concept The latest legislative all matters of public concern, whether they be physi? field of planning includes . esthetic. cal, economic, social or even planning Commission to anticipate natural and. normal It is the function of a them, Planning is a continuing nd provide guides for dealing with them. happenings ai contain elements of elasticity. process and it must of Planning Commissions is nine persons in the case of The membership of cities, boroughs and townships, The terms of counties and five in the case provide continuity of purpose and objective.• The memoffice are staggered to ; thpv may mav employ such consultants as they U but they deem nebers serve without pay, within their financial limits. Cities have the authority to exercise the cessary w*.---------planning function in an area extending three miles beyond their corporate limits. ACTS OF THE 1955 GENERAL ASSEMBLY poration petitions from a majority in each portion where a proposed borough is in more than one township; requires annual association convention to be hels in Pennsylvania and fixes convention expenses; fixes maximum fines for failure to file auditor's report; authorizes creation of reserve funds for anti­ cipated capital expenditures; provides for advertising notice of intent to enact subdivision regulations and authorizes such ordinances to be adopted by ref­ erence. Act 266 (HB 1763) Extends to 30 days the time payment for property purchased from boroughs. Act 282 (SB 520) Provides a procedure for repeal­ ing or amending existing ordinances in the course of a codification. Regional Planning Commissions are primarily concerned with those commu­ nity problems which have no respect for municipal boundaries . In addition, this H0ME RULE TAXES - Act 276 (Sb 757) Validates until end of tax year, those cooperative type of commission may have definite economic advantages. What deed transfer tax ordinances, adopted prior to June 28, 1955, in conflict with several communities may not be able to do separately because of cost limitations the Act 60 requirements that tax be paid by transferor. may be feasible by a joint arrangement. The powers, duties and membership of such a regional commission are determined by the participating civil subdi­ PLANNING - Act 265 (HB 17 51) Authorizes the merger of the Allegheny County visions . Planning Commission and Traffic and Transit Commission. BRIDGEPORT PROPERTY TAXES- Act 283 (HB 114) Changes the procedure for appeals from assessments by property owners for the payment of taxes pending appeal and for refunds due as a result of appeals. Act 267 (HB 1707) Eliminates in Allegheny the prohibition against assessment of new buildings in process of construction. The Sanitary Water Board has requested the borough of Bridgeport, Mont­ gomery County, to issue non-debt revenue bonds to finance the construction of additions and improvements to its sewage treatment plant to provide a higher degree of treatment and greater capacity in compliance with orders issued by UTILITY COSTS - Act 252 (SB 156) Authorizes the State Highway Department to the Board to the municipality a few years ago. Because the community did not change municipal utility facilities in state highway projects, and to enter into comply several years ago the Board took its case to the Montgomery County agreements with municipalities for sharing costs of such changes; authorizes Court, seeking a writ of mandamus. That court decided, however, that a writ the PUC to determine cost allocation if agreement cannot be reached. (Cor­ would not be issued, pointing out that the Board had not requested the Borough recting description of Act in December issue.) to procure the funds necessary for construction by issuing non-debt revenue bonds in accordance with the provision of an Act of 1935. The State appealed VETERANS PREFERENCE - Act 230 (Hb 740) Extends civil service preference the case to the Supreme Court, but that Court sustained the decision of the counto veterans of armed conflict. y court. The request now being made to the Borough by the Board is is accor­ dance with the provisions of that Act. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY nf th rhe request 10r issuing the bonds also states that provision for the payment or charo ercSt a"d princlPal of the bond issue be made by imposing a sewer rental I just want you to loan me enough to tide me over until something unexpectedly or charge, winch is also authorized by the Act. turns up. PUBLICATION 8 letter- Published monthly as a community service, originatesi in the Political Scienc •^ Department of Wilkes College. Notes and inquires may be addressed to Dr. J" 6 , ’ bailey, Political Science Department, Wilkes Colleg0' Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania? There once was a man who called a spade a spade, until he stumbled on one inthe dark. �WHAT'S NEW? city officials will soon decide whether to WILKES-BARRE - Wilkes-Barre ’ float a bond issue of $300, 000 or more for such items as a new s~ swimming pool, heavy motor equipment, assessment maps and bookkeeping machin —les . L. V. NO. 4 WILKES COLLEGE, LUZERNE COUNTY -- The County Lonmu^wu^s ------------------V Commissioner are presently consider’ g r..’----- ■•"J reassessment program for the whole e— county. the costs of a. comprehensive 1956 total valuation - realestate, coal and occupation a J The county's 1 ' ’ under the 1955 valuation. r°Ppecj $565,232i ' DURYEA - Two women ---Mrs. Julian Jackson, councilman, and Mrs. Jennie Barlik, secretary---will have pre-eminent roles in the borough's local government. LARKSVILLE - Sergeant Stanley Piekanski was advanced to Chief of Police at a recent reorganization meeting. FORTY-FORT - All officers, patrolmen and other borough employers were re­ appointed at the reorganization meeting. WYOMING - Attorney Emanuella Falcone is the first woman to be appointed sol­ icitor for any Wyoming Valley community. NANTICOKE - The Mayor's office reports a gratifying response to letters re­ cently sent out requesting property owners to repair and improve dilapi­ dated sidewalks. SWOf ERV ILLE - The council has made it more inviting for persons at the Town Hall by installing modern sanitary facilities . resurvey. The engineering engineering firm firm would would locate locate a plant site to care four communities. The rate would be adjusted so that the joint plan ’ would be less for each municipality than it would --------be —; if each community operated its own plant. APRIL 15, 1956 Zoning is primarily concerned with controlling the various uses of land and is one of the major powers for implementing planning. It is a means to an end and not an end in itself. To achieve its maximum value in service to the community it must be a part of and based on comprehensive and continuing planning. All civil divisions, counties, cities, boroughs and townships, have the authority to use the zoning powers. By nature zoning is technical with exten­ sive legal ramifications embracing both statutory and case law. It is widely known as a "legal tool" of planning. Reduced to outline form the following are the purposes of zoning: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. EXETER - The council has abolished the Board of Health and turned the commu­ nity's health function over to the State Department of Health. a PA. ZONING BACK MOUNTAIN - Many residents of the area feel that the time has come for paid fire truck and ambulance drivers. UP-RIVER COMMUNITIES - Agreement for a joint sewage disposal plant was nearer it was reported at a u recent meeting of the Public Services Commitee of the Chamber of Commerce. T u»i. x xwo-^*** • . It was also reported that Pittston, West Pittston, Exeter and Wyoming have agreed to put up $1,000 pro ra WILKES-BARRE, 7. 8. To promote health, safety, morals or the general welfare To lessen congestion in the streets To insure safety from fire, panic and other dangers To provide adequate light and air To prevent the overcrowding of land and avoid undue con­ centration of population To facilitate adequate provision of: (a) Transportation (b) Water (c) Sewerage (d) Parks and playgrounds (e) Other public requirements To conserve the value of buildings and land To encourage the most appropriate use of the land throughout the civil division. These purposes to be accomplished by: 1. Regulating the height, number of stories, and size of 2. 3. 4. 5. buildings and structures. Regulating the percentage of lot that may be occupied. Specifying the size of yards, courts and other open spaces. Controlling the density of population. Regulating the location and use of buildings, structures and land for trade, industry, residence, agriculture, or other purposes. �division may be divided into dist In 'raming a zoun.b dinance, a All regulations must be unifo,?0 ts of ' shape and size as zoning may be°rdeemed best, district may differ from thosj ^for may bc each district, but the regulations in one ln an. FOURTH ANNUAL DINNER Plans are being made for the fourth ann„=i local officials. This dinner has annually been h the Luzerne County be enacted only under special proceduDining Room. No definite date has been set a. „ 7 the Wilkes Colle8e ■ u res. A zoning can d ted t0 recommend to the local Ordinances for be forthcoming in the near future. Remember announcement wiu must first be PF ning commission may act as c°uncii ficates will be awarded to those who have comni e adleS are lnvlted- Certizoning c3mnliX?ed regulations,ust hold advertised public hearings. a and to those who have completed the health offf/ & * COUncllmen's course ,M var>»«s Pr-->P°* commis31011 ™ dationS, the council must also holdAfter made to those local officials who have given unst /T8*/ WiU be Th' s its recommen —1 adver. to their communities over a long period of time '"n"8 7 °ffthelr time and efforts the Commission maxe these latter awards should be forwarded to the PolitSlV' th°Se deServe tised public hearings. soon as possible. 6 Polltlcal Science Department as be advertised by reference to the approved map Zoning ordinances and regulations ax-’-other. I S are followed in changing zoning regulaGenerally the same procedur • ^the directly affected area object to a change, ;. If 29% or more of those. 111 i.. ^sually required for its authorization. tions a larger majority of the c ACTS OF THE 1956 GENERAL ASSEMBLY FIRST CLASS TOWNSHIP CODE - Act 301 (HB 874) Increases to 15 mills the maximum tax rate for general purposes and to 5 mills the additional tax that may be levied with court approval. Proper administration of the zoning ordinance requires a Board of Appeals gr Adjustment. The preparation of a satisfactory ordinance usually requires HOME RULE TAXES - Act 300 (SB 7 58) Permits municipalities to designate experience and technical training and professional guidance. The ordinance whether transferor or transferee shall pay deed transfer tax. should not only forbid certain types of development, but should also encourage the type of development which the community desires . It should be a positive rather than a negative force. Above all, the zoning ordinance should be based on an accepted community plan. SALT SPREADER The city of Wilkes-Barre has decided to purchase eight salt spreaders to be usee in the spreading of rock salt to melt ice and snow on central city streets Rock salt was spread by hand this last winter to determine the cost factor whe w°Hhared With Cinderin8‘ Since the results were satisfactory, the use of sa •tmu.d and the city will purchase mechanical salt spreaders. PUBLIC BUILDINGS - Act 287 (HB 738) Authorizes boroughs, cities and coun­ ties to furnish rooms in any public building to the American Gold Star Mo­ thers, Inc. , and to ladies auxiliaries of war veterans organizations. VEHICLE CODE - Act 312 (HB 445) Requires drivers on non-divided highways to stop when approaching or overtaking school bus picking up or discharging passengers; on divided highways to stop when overtaking and slow to 15 mph when approaching; to slow to 15 mph when passing school bus parked at the curb to pick up or discharge children at school. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Science says the mocking bird can change its tune 89 times in 7 minutes. We know of several who will regard this record with en\ y. Work is better than play - to those who love it. ST. CLAIRE The Fed T «al Government t Attorney has taken‘ stePs to recover - ’ hrou£h office of Federal District in 1951 forr the purpoSe of Drf. 030 $^600.00 made to the Borough ctile town's sewage disposal ok lng F^ans y°r the construction of an a1 comP1® lite Fede IV/n's G°Vernnient is nri, Although the addition has not been seizure the to' WuniciPal property attem?ting to recover the loan by nC u<ding fire engines and police cars • «< st. CIf PUBLICATION . thlv as a community service, originates in This News-letter, published month!) Notes and inquiries may be the Political Science Department of W 1 u ’ .ence Department, Wilkes College, addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Politico Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. �WHAT'S NEW? " -imissioners passed the 1956 budget v’ PLAINS - Plains Township Comi ,'"hich despite the protests of more than 125 tov/n , a $7.50 per capita tax ' ------ --------- *' resi. NO. 5 WILKES COLLEGE, dents. js which years ago paid the bulk of the localtax NANTICOKE - Coal C°mPanie bill carry but 22% of the load today. LUZERNE - The town fathers are planning a storm sewer from Ch Toby's Creek to take care of the mountain water and prevent it fr Stfeet to into the lower end of the Borough. orn flowj^ EDWARDSVILLE - The Borough lost $880.00 in assessed valuation this year in. stead of gaining the thousands of dollars anticipated through the new ' buildin. development. WILKES-BARRE TOWNSHIP - The Commissioners have agreed on a1 budget of $44,971.67 that calls for a reduction of 1 mill in taxes. LARKSVILLE - The valuation this year is $104,189 less than the figure used by Borough Council in preparing the annual budget. The tax levy is 19 1/2 mills NlW i , 1956 mixes WILKES-BARRE, PA. MAY 15, 1956 1 x— LAND SUBDIVISION CONTROL The subdivision of land is essential to the general growth of almost every type of community and can be a great benefit if it provides proper living conditions for new residents and at the same time gives assurance of economic maintenance and service and a long-term addition to the community's resources. On < the other hand, poorly planned, poorly located or premature land subdivisions become 1------ 2 can L ----------j a permanent handicap to any community's growth. Counties, cities, boroughs, townships of the first class and townships of the second class, all have the power to control the subdivision of the land under their jurisdiction. This is an extremely important power. When land is subdivided the lo­ cal government has its best opportunity to influence the future physical pattern of the community. At the same time it can control the developing pattern of its public facilities, such as streets, surface drainage, water supply, and sewage disposal. ASHLEY - The Pennsylvania Department of Highway Engin eers has agreed to spend $21,900 for a new span over Solomon's Creek. Success in land subdivision control depends largely upon the recognition by public officials and by real estate developers that poorly planned developments are unnecessarily costly to the community, to the purchasers of the properties and to the developer. LUZERNE COUNTY - In the future ttemporary loans will be made only ■as needed for the sums needed, the thought bein^ g to save payment of interest: on mone) that was not being used but remained on deposit. In general, no road, street, lane, alley or drainage facility maybe op­ ened, constructed or dedicated for public use except in accordance with approved plans and neither the public officials nor any other public authorities may place or operate sewers, drains, water pipes or other facilities, or do no work of any kind on unauthorized or unapproved streets. DURYEA ■- Council " instructed its of roads — andJ sewers washed i , Engineer tto draw up tplans for the repl&cern.ent ' out by the flood of last August. DUPONT - The r18tate and a representative of council have agreed to Posted 25 mile —speed zone in the Borough. SWOYERVILLE for general tudy a The Borough will « c, Purposes 2 i/o r operate on a 17 mill tax rate for 1956 ’ 1/2 for street lighting. 141/ To fully employ land subdivision controls, boroughs and townships must enact certain regulations specifying conditions under which land can be subdi­ vided. Such a procedure is not required for cities or counties, although it is advisable. Counties can fine from $50 to $100, plus costs, for each lot in viola«on. Cities can fine not exceeding $300. Boroughs and townships can enforce a Penalty up to $1,000 or tow years' imprisonment or both. Cities are the only governmental unit which have extra-territorial auth­ ority. A city planning commission has jurisdiction over land subdivision ^tending three miles beyond the city limits, except where tins area of juris­ diction "may conflict with the zone of similar character connected with another Municipality. " �parking meters d that the parking meter is no longer pral it may well be conclul e. pennies and nickelslonger from tficant gadget which can pain n institution of great moment an ^^otodsts . It has become an A . meters and the revenues derived park„ ‘ ■ Bolb th. "'.J* * “portions and are likely to eo„ti„„e municipalities have rea ”»crease. The f rk”f„ facilities is constantly increasing. Con>mu. The use he number used <« „ ,Lir installation involve uncertainty and nity attitudes toward meter, befo ma change substantially. once lire “'“S’ »o While the bulk of the curb meters ' an_hour rate or its equivalent, there J?8' 8ti11 are tagged with the 5-centsthe part of municipalities to experiment an jincreasing willingness on desirable objectives. If the funds so deriv/a g w_Fh,rates wxu.erintoo^er accomplish derived, gram itself, are dedicated to alleviating DaX’ above °Ve the the costs C08t* of of the the meter meter procommend such efforts and to bolster th! difficulti^, there is much’t seems to be a developing tendency among m ? °f the Use °f meteT Th meter-fee schedules so that higher rates graduate their P^n. are placed on metered spaces that are closer m tn permissable time, or both demand than on those farther away. This ig the’generators of parkin', uable space should command the higher price ^"^-SXdprecis. — -e been tested. . r in many cities is an expanding enterprise; Because the parking; me: e m; and because it can be exceedingly because it is of an ’veI-a11 P economic implications - for all these reacomplex, if viewed in the light ot lodged in thoge sons the functions invo ve formed most expertly on the basis of merit or S”"’e’X because of political expediency or partisan pressures. , ®°°1 Sense' since the more val> an other things being equal. Dothe notgolden scoff any the lowly through flowlonger of the at pennies and parkin. nickel! ™ . “ may yet Pr°vide, "open sesane" for solution of the parkin. diffic„lr “ facilitates, the United States. 8 “1Cultles confronting cities in the ATLANTA ON REFUSE A vigorous tendency is discernible toward lowering fines for violation of parking meter regulations, and toward making it easier for motorists to pay whatever penalties are involved. Frequently, no sacrifice in the total revenue from fines results from such practices. The need for parking accomodations looms so large that any diversions of revenues to nonparking purposes is beginning to be looked upon as undesirable in the public interest, as well as possible contravening the legal justification for parking meter. Though much remains to be done, an increasing tendency is fnnrH i curb and off-street-parking facilities into a single legal, accomodat^ lnancial whole • An impressive quantity of off-street-parking xk ? _ °nS haS alfeady been Provided form parking-meter funds . Some of the largest cities j are among these. It is in this role that the parking meter can perhaps make its g e test contribution toward the economic and social well-being of the urbanized areas of the United States. que8tionable wisdom of the public pol- icy it engenders, the^oveme seems to be gaining momentum tion with that program not the “"’“•‘"i COmmercial advertising on parking meters dlfficul*ie8 have developed in connec- ”hiCh “ * Atlanta's incenerator actually turns up a profit of $75,000 a year. It does this through salvage and the sale of steam. The steam is used to heat most of Atlanta's downtown business buildings. The salvaging of old tin cans earns an­ other tidy sum. Scrap metal, such as discarded auto parts, bicycle frames, etc. is sold to the highest bidder. The incinerator ash has been found to be an excell­ ent base for driveways, parking lots, playgrounds and roadways. Little of this is sold, however, because of its usefulness in street repair and construction by the City. MUNICIPAL REPORTS Each year the contest for modern Municipal Reports sponsored by the Institute of Local Government at Pennsylvania State University grows in impor tance and scope. All communities know the value of a Modern Report. No commu­ nity in Wyoming V Iley has ever won or submitted a report in this contest. It might be worthwhile to look forward to participation in this activity. Write to the Institute at Penn State. The entry deadline is July 1, 1956. Remember the °ld maxim, "you can't sell 'em what you don't tell 'em. H hold. that the 8ervitude which may not lawfully 0 the owners of abutting property. It is cq_Uite ' aPParent that without regard tn meter may possess, it does effectively and u &ny other advantages the parking at the curb. In addition to assisting in the 8U atantially reduce overtime parking the parking meter increases L " ’ _ Parking turnovT/lt^6^ °f parking restrictions, second principal regulatory objective. T, at the curb. This constitutes ite that municipalities in overwhelming numbers ha e findings of this investigation reveal greatly by use of the parking meter. er“ ..ave found that turnover is augment6 e imposed without making compensaf 1 THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Wc suggest some new issue of postage a weeping stamp carrying a picture of tax Payer. are he won't know what you are y°u can always tell a fool, but the chances lklng about. �HOT-MIX CURBS t. c V Lil* wl -,rs, can be constructed I '' with or without gutte 'Vith a 4 is hot-mix. Their use i_ steadily on the increase. Asphaltic curbs, ‘ New placing machines now They heavy-duty asphaltic 21-wherever employed. mold the mixture into a varie 0,1 the give excellent service ied' with apparatus to i.. markably quick and much less y of market can be equippti of such curbs is rem; about 50£ to 70^ Per lineal foot. ®*peiu shapes. ConstructionCosts t WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, Pa range from a V., N°- 6 formerly necessary in curb c- The sive than concrete. C. fOU JUNE 15, 1956 -eluded the forms ’ • , a day. This type Coiis of ( truc. new machines havemore pre< than 2,000 feet of curbing bumb against it, abuse. When tires of cars or trucks ---tion adn can place J they d0 withstand heavy ai >als which cause rigid curbs to scale a, ■nd Pit haVe . Ice-melting cl' They require little or no maintenance. no harm. .. ROBERT H. McGREc.OR Asphalt,, CUrbdistinct advantage over any other type of v—on — a. asphaltic c_. no effect curbs. watterproof quality gives Trends in local government were outlined u v Director of the Bureau of Municipal Affairs in the n/V' McGreg°L Affairs, at the Fourth Annual Dinner of the Luzerne r °f Internal redevelopment held on May 21. Among the trends mentioned was the dT ? Officials for more and better governmental services The result citizenrF tlv exploring redevelopment to remake part of the City Nanticoke is presen y F m. City officials received plans and pr9. ment, with limited resources, has been hard pressed to ne f g°Vernunder the State RedeYJn7™tants with a view to replacing blighted areas with demanded by the public. The only choice in the face of fixed °rm 8ervices based on property taxes is to improve the operation. operating revenue SustriTlsRes and^arking areas. tettvt t?^ BRIDGE TRAFFIC A coordinated plan for changing bridge lane traffic flow to meet rush hour demands is in the discussion stage between Kingston and Wilkes-Barre. Such a change-the-lane plan must be endorsed by both communities on both sides of the Market Street Bridge. Permission of the State Highway Department is neces­ sary for the plan. Another step forward in cooperation. FIRE RADIO SERVICE Contract for a ^^^yn^y radio swarded by fire chiefs of seven seven West Side Communities tp„. Jhe sy.tm emergencies . Radios will be installed in one t ru<* in each of the ge® USed --------for r emergencies. •- ’ S_w°y Courtdale, Luzerne, ,er __ville, ..xt, Forty?/artiCipating communities: Pringle, Headquarters of West Side Mi" Mutual Aid will Kingston and Edwardsville. by the municipalities and Civil "Deft ---'ense 1 be ln Kingston. Cost will be borne The speaker listed a number of methods that have been tried in the effort to improve local government efficiency. Included among these was the increas­ ing professionalization of municipal administration - appointment of persons trained by schooling and experience. Acceptance of the manager plan is becoming more general. While 10 years ago only 36 communities were under the manager form, today the number is 75. Another major trend is the recent emphasis on long-range municipal planning and subdivision control. In stating that there are but a few municipalities that could not improve their assessment procedures, he also emphasized that this does not mean all taxpayers would be hit with the increase, but certain taxpayers will no longer get a free ride. Among Among his his closing closing remarks, remarks, Mr. Mr. McGregor McGregor expressed his desire to see higher wages for municipal employees in order to make public service more attractive. SALT duplication . , This News-letf.-. Published r origina^e6y nHuDePartrnentmonthly as a community service, ^yie^ f13 Cnll ~ -Ur . I of Wilkes College. Notes and llege- WiikeB.Barr Penn*ylvania Political Science Department, vs. CINDERS After trying salt on City streets has decided to discontinue the use of cm every spring is expected to be a tidy su f°r the whole program of snow remova ’ ter WilkeS"®arre savings in s*reet phased8 spreaders will be p �HEALTH. CERTIFICATES President of the Wilkes-Barre Board Of p Charles H. Min«r- F incipai health officer, presented certift •ftedby Edward J- Pug County who completed the Health Trainin g’ aSXht health officers in3 Board of Health and the p^.^8. Co^ This course was co-sp^ wilkes College. The following officers and Biology Departvennshak, Hanover; John Emanuel, Hanover; Louis certificates: John an Wilkes-Barre; John Wasmanski, Plains; £a H°O<^’ West Pittston; James Rule> COUNCILMEN AND COMMISSIONERS „ P princiP pal of the Service of the Dep att. Mr. Alfreds. Holt, nted certPublic ificates to nineInstitute local officials. The ment of Public Induction p^ co_sponsOred by the College and the class taught by Dr. Hugo . received certificates: George Astolfi, Public Service Institute. John Cefaiyj Ashley; Martin Gallette, Plains; Dr. John Biernac , ’ Kovalich, Newport; Anthony Kulikovs'. Stanley Scruitaky. Pringle. MERIT AWARDS Annually, the Political Science Department of Wilkes College Service Award to those local officials who have served their co™a Kni(fa fifteen years or more. These awards were presented to. _. Robert J. Wilkes-Barre; Edward Pugh, Wilkes-Barre, Principal Health O£t^e ’ Coun. William, Wilkes-Barre, Secretary to the Mayor; Joseph Jewell, a Q0Rectot cilman; Herbert Smith, Dallas, Burgess; Arthur Dungey, Dallas, ax CouncilLuther Nicholson, White Haven, Secretary; Clair Murdoch, Wyoming, port[ man; Thomas J. Williams, Laflin, Tax Collector; William Evans, °-d Havard Secretary, Board of Health; Emily Metcalf, Hanover, Secretary, micil®1811' West Pittston, Council President; Morgan Williams, West Pittston, ° De?af, Edwin Sites, Pittston, City Clerk; James Halford, Pittston, Public Sa ment; Dr. Daniel Robinhold, Forty Fort, Board of Health. CIVIL service eorboro SECRETARIES ? Tenure in office for boro co^ ’"° C°n,ention . secretaries will be an important facial 0 1sthe ^°a •c a ... ‘•ldb”' Some have the feeling that these appointed ° of tl-thoUgb ftccir; Sieves that the » ' and protection provided police. Another sc < ary should be appointed in the same way a of the stree0 (>' -tment is made according to Section 11 ■ B°r nt successor shall qualify." No doubt the L‘°C rioU0jy General Assembly will consider in 1957 very apP°^mentand^: the nure of boro secretaries. ACTS OF THE GENERA). ASSEMBLY DELINQUENT TAX SALES - Act 298 (SB 523) pPn • treasurers' sale to pay, in addition to am R®quires Purchasers at a part necessary to pay all taxes an ar™ °Unt of Purchase money or chase money; provides for the ’forteiturenofeqiia2 tO 25% °.f the pur“ fails to make complete settlement in the timSUC ,m°nies i£ Purchaser the money to be disposed of in the same ma ° manner Pr°vided, e same manner as purchase money. F!RE SALES - Act 324 (SB 780) Extends the provisions of the Act relating bankruptcy, closing out and fire sales to boros u relaUng it unlawful to conduct such sales unless licensed i WHS ^S’ maklng , • ■ r , licensed, in accordance with the provisions of the law, by the appropriate municipal officilas; pro­ vides for the payment of the license fee to the municipality of $25 permits appeals for the refusal or revocation of licenses by munici­ palities. FIRE WORKS - Act 325 (SB 842) Authorizes a municipal governing body, under reasonable rules and regulations adopted by it, to grant permits for use of fire works in connection with raising and protecting crops from birds and animal damage. PROPERTY TAXES - Act 371 (SB 832) Requires the appropriate county board to give notice to clerk or secretary of each political subdivision of (1) any change in excess of $300 in assessed value as fixed in the pre­ ceding assessment role, and (2) the value of any property separately fixed for the first time, whether such change or new valuation is made before or after an appeal to the county board or the court, fixes time limit for political subdivisions to appeal decision of the board or court to run on the day that notice is sent. BOROUGH CODE - Act 435 (HB 289) Authorizes issuance of non-debt reve­ nue bonds for altering, improving or enlarging sewer systems or sewage treatment plants, water works, and electric power and gas plants; re­ quires boros issuing such revenue bonds to adjust and, where necessary, to increase service charges to provide reserve funds for depreciation, future improvements and payment of interest and principal or indebted­ ness. _ EMINENT '.u 3 or actions .o cw of petitions DOMAIN - Act 430 /c (SB 53U) T imits theorfiling authority to a period of notice is served the owner of the affected prope “ proP" y - '■! the use of lands in coal Refuse disposal - Act 471 (hb 1593) Problbl . ,ermit is first obtained from the mining areas for refuse disposal unless P -State Department of Mines. �” Code - acx Act 456 (HB L _ Third Class City Loae wu 1809) SUBDIVISION CONTROL-ubdivision plan i8 approved by the plaimill| lg torr, 3 automatically are relieved’. fI.rorri ' p,«rides ,hat ", a„d mortgages 1 “ mission, purchases a . . __ t ---------------subdivision are freed from possible.encu^? “ability and all lots m the t fail to carry out his required improvement brance should the developer NO. ? /OL. V. ' Vilkss CollegeTH^^^ WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. JULY 15, 1956 obligations. Boro and Township Codes - Act 459 (HB 1812), Act 458 (HB 181 n md Township Codes Act 460 (HB 1813) Provides the same for boros and townships ’ and TAX REFUNDS - Act 447 (HB 111) Prohibits the refunding of taxe fees that were inadvertently or erroneously paid a municipal’ °r ^CetlSe three years prior to discovery. Y more than THIRD CLASS CITY CODE - Act 415 (Hb 876) Limits hours of service for firemen to 56 in any one calendar week where the hours of day and night service are equalized. VEHICLE CODE - Act 389 (HB 844) Authorizes municipalities and school districts to use "silent policemen" within 100 feet of school zones, begin­ ning one hour before and ending one hour after school hours; prohibits use of such devices in conflict with any rule of the Secretary of Highways; authorizes Secretary of Highways, at his discretion, to determine proper location insofar as state highways are concerned. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY anh' CaUS y°“ * “ There once was a cowboy who wore only one spur. side of the horse went, the other would too. JU8t q“etly 'ake He figured that if °ne PUBLICATION te8 ------------------------ce This Ne —- • lews-letter, published monthly as a community serV1 inquirie0 th<= Political Scie' ^ilke» fessed to Dr.-nee Department of Wilkes College. Notes an ;HugoV. Mailey, Political Science Departmen , Pen»;yI, , Ivania THE ILLUSION OF SUBURBAN ECONOMY In the rapid expansion of America's cities in recent years, the problem of the urbanite has been to establish a home for himself at the highest social level in an economy in which costs are rising. Homeowners have desperately tried to get out from under the property tax load. It has been a fond illusion of many that moving into the suburbs will accomplish this. Actually, such a result is unlikely under the best of conditions. It is true there are a few ways in which savings in taxes can be made by establishing a suburban home. In the first place, if the core city is seriously corrupt and the suburb is not, a saving equal to the waste can be made. In the second place, very large cities suffer from increasing costs per capita. Beyond a certain point, cities lose any advantage of large scale opera­ tions and begin to encounter cost increases. In the third place, crime rates, health and slum problems, and welfare ex­ penses are all likely to be greater in the core city and hence more expensive. Lu, it may be possible to have the state and Lastly, by moving into the suburbs performed by the core city and borne by county perform the services that are i the core city taxpayers. The picture of large savings is likely to be illusory, however, and for many an increase in reasons. First, a move to the suburbs almost certainly means fire insurance rates. , bv location in the suburbs (advanSecondly, any real tax advantages cause -tauzed in the sale price and ----- -apitalized tages in the site value of land) tend to become^ |oses through jerry-building The buyer loses accrues to the seller and not the buyer. T ie uy building codes i- or skimping on building materials because of xnadeq no services. Many sub­ n nnlite way of saying Thirdly, low taxes is really a p hanites expect, In moving out of a city, about contamination and a urbs do not have all the services that ur worry at _ Th1 s c aU B e D a septic tank may be necessary. iation increasest, sewers may be necesfalling water table level. And, as popn ‘ tment in a iseptic tank aary. The result is a total loss of the n �Fourthly, services that they are available are likely be This means that are not likely to be to eithe amateurs. inexpensive. erf°rr ~ d by me r Satisf-^ctory a, _ y or Hhe’city but the suburbanite can be assured that they wiU thaase « 4 lnc^e Ld pace If one family is attracted to a particular Suburb, many ^iUbe, too.’ As population density increases, the need for urban servi, others increases Each new service must be paid for by additional taxes. r-- -ices Water and sewerage systems must be installed. Streets need paving Street Ughts must be installed. Urbanites demand many services. The discovery that these services must be paid for results ! in bitter illusionment to the suburbanite who had believed that suburban dis. Dving includ, the having of the cake as well as the eating of it. led CONTROL OF SIGNS It is unlawful to place any sign, banner, , or advertising matter of whatsoever on or across any public road or highway, or on or across any kind ture within the legal limits of any public road any strucobtained the written consent of the authorities or highway without first having responsible for the of such public road. rnaintenance »ZZZZZZpow" overhanging signs Other types of political subdivisions P^ers, discussed in an may regulate signs under general zoning earlier issue. garbage AND REFUSE DISPOSAL Third-class cities, boros, and townf’ . prohibit the dumping or otherwise depositin; ships have the power to regulate or or to prohibit the accumulation of garbage r ag garbage or rubbish within their ar Upon petition of the majority of adult taxable and rubbish upon private propertytownship which has been defined as a village, or contract for removal of ashes, garbage, residents of any territory 'sr*tb*?(jg ment sufficient to defray the cost of such removal. township supervisors may Pr°Vfi3e8i' or refuse and levy a per capita a ^phalt U) the/S Curbs and f CURBS and gutters gutters have four dii omical to construct ■ lact advantages over other type 1 construct; (3) they can be „ out 20% of the cost of otherW constructed much faster; ( <2) the* are eTsre eC°n01 8^r seX^ . SHADE TREE COMMISSIONS Third-class cities, boros, ’ and first-class townships may establish a Shade Tree Commission, which will have townships -1/e custody and control of the shade trees within the municipality. ■ exclusive The Commission may plant, remove, protect, and maintain shade trees along the . Any action on the part of the Commission must be published in one streets or more newspapers. The cost of any planting, replanting, or removal must be owner of the property in front of which paid by the the work is done. for the trees will be paid by the mun: The cost of caring icipality. In first-class townships the i Commissioimers are e-----or remove any trees, shrubbery, empowered' to cut, alter , or underbrush within the legal public street. Any wood becomes the p--- ' ' o_. width of any property of the abuttingj owner but must be removed from the highway within ten days. In second-class f townships the planting of trees along roadsides is encouraged by an abatement under certain conditions of one dollar of road tax for every two trees set out, by an allowance for every tree growing naturally by the side of a highway, 1 ' and by the imposition of a penalty for the cutting of such trees. Trees3 growing along uncultivated lands may not be cut down or destroyed without the consent of the abutting owner if they measure four inches or more in diameter and are beyond 1 fifteen feet on either side of the center line of the road. In the case of roads running through improved or cultivated lands, shrubs or trees may be cut or destroyed if the supervisors feel they interfere with public travel, and only after notifying the abutting property owner of the contemplated action. STATE ASSOCIATION OF BOROS State Association of Boros. Sectio , are authorized to organize 1 017 of the Boro the Code as amended Act 262 of 1955. The Boros of thec Commonwe interests of theby a State Association of Boros for the purpose o£ council and payment of Boros; any boro may join the association y mo delegates from the elected the annual dues. Council may designate one or meeting of the association °r appointed officials of the boro to attend t e a the procedure allowed which shall be held in the Commonwealth in acc eg incurred in attending the bY law, each delegate shall be allowed for i s . and returning from the Meeting $20 per day together with 8< Per ting shall not be more than three Meeting. The time spent in attending said thereto and therefrom. Each daya exclusive of the time employed in travei 9Uch reasonable dues as bo: *o becoming a member of the association ‘oro8 having a population o hii iay be fixed by the association but sue les8 than 1, 000 shall not exceed $15. �applications municipal fund Act 655, passed in the payment of $30, 000, 000 to of roads, streets ai._ 1 '’j . st session of the Legislature, provides f°r the V. NO. 8 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, -tor Li, PA. AUGUST 15, 1956 Fund. . rmula under Act 655 is identical with that used in •'The allocation tor i cent mileage basis and 40 per PrevioJS years. The money is^ {he Act specifies and that is how the Departiment P0Pulation basis. Tnat 15 ", 000 000 additional provided in Act 655 ■rnent has X’S’Xip.Uty. rural Ind urban, will receive more U i8 obmoney. -ouS Vears provided only $18, 000, 000 in State ' "Legislation inpm this to $30, 000, 000 a year. In addition aid to the municipalities. Act b municipalities, the Act eliminates the matching ----- 1 to increasing the amount for the ^Xs required the municipalities to raise p.ovf.ic which “J fully In the State program. ■■ $4, 000, 000 locally in order to pa p To qualify for the money each municipality is required to furnish the Depart­ rr.ent of Highways with specific information spelled out in the Act. These reports must be submitted to the Department's district engineers in charge of the area in which the municipality is located. They are then checked for accuracy and forwarded to the Central Office and thence to the fiscal offices for payment. The first semi-annual payment is due on June 1, the second on December 1. Municipalities which have not forwarded report forms to highway district engi­ neers are urged to do so promptly. LEGISLATION AFFECTING MUNICIPAL AUTHORITIES amends Section 4B (h) of the Municipal Act to Act 145 - remove any question regarding the fact Authorities that services of so an as authority, as well as rates, are under the jurisdiction of the Court of Common Pleas of the county where the principal office of the authority is located. Appeals are provided within thirty days after the final decision of the Court of Common Pleas. Act 633 - provides and authorizes the Department of Highways to enter into an agreement with a municipal authority for the sharing in the cost of any construction, reconstruction, or alteration of any sewer, water, or gas line due to any construction, relocation, or widening of any highway or bridge. If no agreement is reached, then the PUC will determine the cost to be borne by each party. Act 430 - limits to six years the period in which a person having any interest in land taken by an authority may petition for the appointment of a board of viewers to fix the damages. ASSESSMENTS thoughts for TODAY No man is remembered because he lived long. lived well. (Only some look it.) His chances are better if be The trouble with blunt words is that they have sharp edges. PUBLICATION This News -letter, .’ published monthly as a community service, . -eS the Political bcie addressed to Dr*'ince Depart: rtment of Wilkes College. Notes and in<^^ke9 Hugo V. ] Wilkes-Barre, Mailey, Political Science Department, CoW“ PennsypIvania. The 1956 figures of the State Tax ^X*et average, in the County, real estate is asse t fixed value. The market value for property in the Cou y V In 1954> $712,695,400 while the assessed valuation was se a is due to the the assessment was 36.7% of the market 0 hne the assessed valuation fact that the market value increased by $ > , resulted in some types did not keep pace, plus the fact that a loss mig of assessed valuations. ■ ,o8% about 3 1/2% higher than the average Generally, the State average is 39.8/o, in Berks County and Clear *n the County. There have been spectacu ar c lowest rate field County Centre County assessed its property while Clearfield was the highest - 75.7 o. high of 50. 2% in Newport to a low Assessments in the County range from a end of the ladder are such communi16.8% in Dallas Township. At the uppci 42826 �■ 1k s Barre, Ashley, Jenkins, Laflin> w Hanover, Wil* ' q{ the ladder are cornmuniti, arrior CODIFICATION Uke ^lip, N“ngO1‘' Sale”’ Kin8stonTLea ' Dallas Township, Da and Fairview. ACTS OF THE . MJ) A.^i.g boroughs with approval o£ the court to iniProve Act 98 (HB 683) *burial grOunds. and maintain neglecte A thnrizing payment for certain improvements in rm°nthly Act 142utoent°s8and further regulating the entrance of liens in the prothon, -aotary's office. Act 148 (HB 1469) - Requiring recorder of deeds in certain cases to report transfers of property to borough tax collectors. Act 266 (HB 1763) - Extending the time for payment on purchases of borough property. Act 282 (SB 520) - Regulating the procedure to be followed in enacting necessary ordinances in the course of preparing a consolidation, codification or re­ vision of ordinances. Act 531 (HB 1474) - Amends the Borough Code regulating the power of the borough to raise its annual tax for general purposes from fifteen to twenty mills without appealing to the court. retirement at half pay aftel XentvOlfSh P°hCe °f m°re’ age. P y twenty-five years of service and sixty years of Act 128A (SB 38) - Providing for payments by the Cornrn°nWeasewage treat**16” 1th to -municiP ties which have expended money to acquire and construct se a^es $3> ali' plants in accordance with the Clean Stream Program. ApPr j^uniciP”^ to the Department of Health for payments to municipalities an other authorities toward the cost of maintaining, repairing, replaci cent 0 expenses relating to sewage treatment plants not to exceed tw the annual costs. thoughts £QR today An c~ 0Ptimist ia a man who is glad he is not one "-3 credhoVs3'1 °f feeling sorrY he cannot pay his biH8< °f his A millennium is ■""'•tag like b”° «—• h. GENERAL ASSEMBLY a centennial, only it has more legs- recorded Did you know that pasting typed copies of ordinances or r in the ordinance book probably does not legally newspaperfo:clippings legally meet meet the the requirement ------ .or recording? Did you know that ordinances must be Properly signed and attested to? Municipal ordinances are in poor condition in tunate because ordinances are municipal legislating^ places‘ This is unforto the municipality and its citizens as state laws are^o th^ JUSt important Local governments cannot operate efficientlv and d ° 6 State and its citizens. „e u..d wisely ihrou8h c.,lt.^ "“Z™7 The condition of ordinances is largely a result of the failure of municipal oKiHa! t nize the importance of periodic revision and codification. ? 1 ° recog' Many ordinances become obsolete with the passage of time, the change in local conditions or the adoption of more recent ordinances on the same subject not expressly repealing previous ones. Some municipalities have been in existance for over 200 years and have an accumulation of all the ordinances passed during that time without modernization or codification. The solicitor may feel the lack of a modern municipal code most strongly, since he is asked to give answers to many questions based on local ordinances. He is confronted with conflicts between ordinances, between ordinances and the Municipal Code, and between ordinances and other state laws and regulations, not to mention overlapping and obsolete ordinances. He must find and study the relevant ordinances and its amendments. These may be recorded in several different ordinance and minute books and some may not be recorded at all. Mose citizens and even many municipal officials think the solicitor can take a quick look at the ordinance books and give the correct answer to any legal question in volving ordinances. Thus, many solicitors are unjustly criticized for not knowing the law of the municipality. t be held responsible for the confused Likewise, the clerk or secretary canno pxnected to perform his many condition of local ordinances. He should no * p weR His primary job, as other duties and codify and revise the ordina perly in the ordinance ^r as ordinances are concerned, is to,recordJa^e to interpret ordinances. b°ok. It is definitely not his duty or his p Periodic revieion oi ordinances U or Partially ineffective from a number at every session that may change the s amount of borough solicitors' bonds lbe law was recently changed to g*vt0[ the bond. existing orth”aU ly had to be ix the authority . Y ordinance, but amount �state laws and local ordinances Utl^8s frequently invalidate ed in the courts there is no way to be The courts is challengeCerUin the law or ordinance or legality- Some laws and ordinances have be:ei> in before being nullified by the courts of its consti tutionality or more b effect for a half century . 8 cattle fOL V< Changing conditions y-^aled just because it is no longer used, an or dj from running at large on There u nance is not automatically repe may, with unquestionable legal authority,’ decid/ always the risk that someone ---- » ordinance with embarrassing results. to prosecute under an obsolete uttijycr the various amendments in their r Hification involves more than pu parts of ordinances specifically proper places and eliminating> or1 and deleting those repealed repealed. It also involves■ aisca ;J ones or otherwise replaced by the inclusion bv implication or superceded by 1 ordinances are then arranged Of new and modern ordinances. and indexed according to subje - parts o£ ordinances are omitted, ordinances are put in the code. This reduCi »e —- — Indexing is very important since it largely determines the accessibility of the ordinances in the code. Each provision of every ordinance should be thor­ oughly indexed and cross-referenced under all conceivable headings so that even the new councilman can find within seconds the specific provision of the ordinance he is seeking. and rTd-7U^CiPa^tZ ShOald “d ^idX ord^nCeS- Solicitor> clerk, or secretary to revise " j°b f°r eXPertS trained in edifying, editing, for that of the municipal official^on locai° T attempt tO substitute their judgmen; times desire to keep cert-in r d1 1 ordlnances- Municipal officials somebut for which there is a t0 an °Utsider may seem unnecessa: biting the hitching of horsZ reason- For example, an ordinance prohimunities, yet there mav bp L /*e.es Would be obsolete in most Pennsylvania comsylvania Dutch area where & PartlCUlar need for it in a municipality in the Penntrade. The codifiers' job is t pe°ple horse-drawn vehicles come to town to harmony with state lavza reaniT 6 municlPal law consistent, modern, and in ) tin: codifiers are checked -nr^10ns’ and court decisions. Changes recom®^1 «ning body before being mco “ appr°ved by the solicitor and the municipal gov. incorporated into the municipal code. publication This News-;, better, published monthlv •he Political Scie: --nee Department monthly of WiiJ commanity service, or ^dressed to Dr ^US° V. Mailev D kes College. Notes and inquire60 Wilkes-Barre, blailey, Pennsylvan^ Z’ olitlcal Science Department, Wilkes Collet •vania. NO. 8 I. WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, pA> SEPTEMBER 15, 1956 ACT NO. 600 Principal Basic ProVi8ions This Act makes it mandatory for all boroughs and . apolice force of eight or more full-time officers to ♦"nshlps maintaining for their retirement. The retirement under snob = e0tabllsh a definite system minimum of half salary based on the average montKh provide for a five years prior to retirement. y earnings over the last To qualify for retirement, the individual officer must have attained the age of 60 and have completed a minimum of 25 years of service to this age in the municipality providing the retirement, In cases of less than 25 years of service to age 60, retirement is deferred to an older age by which time 25 years of service would be attained. The retirement benefits can be established and proved through the services of an insurance company, by the establishment of a self-administered plan or a combination of those two types of retirement planning. In addition, where Social Security is in effect for Police Officers, this coverage can also be a part of the overall retirement system. In the case where the system is entirely self-admin­ istered, the services of an actuary must be employed. However, when the planning is established through the services of an insurance company, an actuary is not needed as the insurance company serves in this capacity. provided the status of the police officer s emp oy Senate Bill 1019 which establishes the requiremen police officers. The qualifications are basically a ata stipulated hourly or monthly wage. T eJ™6™ than 5% monthly compensation; and when Socia hours and pay for full time mum of 40 hours per week monthiy not less ity ais0 exists, not less than on excess. The on the portion covered by Social Security remainder of the obligation is paid by the oro g an actuary. township as determine : municipality from taxes on foreign £ for purposes of pension, retirement, uaed as ugh follows: (I) reduce unfunded wi9e sii or township, and (3) reduce member pecified) may apply equally to member Gifts, etc. (unless otherw Payments by the State Treasurer casualty insurance company ^ability benefits of policemen shal Ability, (2) apply annual obligation Contributions. rnunicipal portions of future cos �When a fund is established under this the actaary borough u- Act, Act me Moxvugxxisortotownship shaU , ,:shed under this a > determine; tab is compensation^ ,nal members, (2) offset assets employ an actuary and fix his compensation. .nd to service for 8 un£anded liability, (3) unfunded (1) liability on account of prior transferred from any previous fund to dete fanded over a period not tn liability to be paid entirely by bor•°Ughbat ?or "future service". ontribution for exceed 25 years, and (4) annual cc Traffic Analysis Traffic Classification Traffic Density Maximum, per Per lane, lane, per day Daily Volume of Passenger Cars and Light Trucks* Light ASPHALT-PAVED STREETS 25 Medium • determining structure: estima. There are three basic steps in ^afftc. (2)pavement determination of the (1) support tion of the weight, volume ana yp selection of the design mix and thickness value of the subgrade or natur . V gervice u£e and quality desired based on the above two surveys and of the pavement Light Traffic Asphalt Pavement Type o o Single Surface « j Treatment u o k CO T3 O g h Double Surface Treatment s Road Mix ■O !S. 0 Q U o a x W Plant Mix 0 'H Macadam Asphaltic Concrete Medium Traffic Quality Cost Quality Cost Choice Choice Choice Choice 6 th 1st 6th Heavy Traffic Very Heavy Trail — Quality Choice Cost Choice Quality C Choice Ch 1st 5 500 25 Heavy Unlimited 250 Very Heavy Unlimited * Unlimited Single Axle Load of 6, 000 lbs. or less. BORO Selection of Asphalt Pavement Types for Different Densities of Traffic, as Influenced by Service Life, Quality, and Cost Factors Daily Volume of Commercial Trucks and Buses CONVENTION - JARZENBOWICZ The topic on the Borough's stake in industrial development really turned into a session on redevelopment. Since most redevelopment takes place in outlying townships, borough officials were urged to assist in planning for an entire area instead of planning just for the one community. One answer to the problem of shortage of industrial sites within a borough is to redevelop blighted areas otherwise suitable for this type of enterprise. State laws now permit a new land use under redevelopment which may be any­ thing that good planning calls for - industrial, commercial, residential, or any combination of these. 5th 2nd 5th 4th 3rd 4th 3rd 4th 1st 3rd 4th 3rd 4th 3rd 2nd 5th 2nd 5 th 2nd 3rd * 2nd 1st Cost choice for this t nd the ^lability Of’ 6th 1st • an area in Chester, Pa., Federal assistance already has been approv In New Jersey, which will be utilized in part for industrial ParkinS. Trenton, a coal-dumping and a twenty-six acre blighted residential section, adja. under which the storage yard has been approved for a Federa c p commercial and indusredevelopment site will be sold to private in 2nd 6th 1st 4th Cruahed aggregategariable’ dePendin8 uPon Redevelopment authorities are 1st C°' in Redpvpinnr^o-* t ->■The g there »»a declare ordinance or or re.oUlwn — . by „y oromance resolution that^ Th„9, the »n t0 function within the limits of the city 'action within the limits of the city thr0Ugh cooperati boro -^ participate in this PrOfa™ 'r°ughs can participate in this progra county comm regional planning. may a 9 ^^nt authority- " Planning. Boroughs Boroughs may also authority and work with the county r bor°agh may set up a redevelopment au thority • g to sct up individual �WHAT'S NEW? , nv nroject has been temporarily delayed nntil all property ASHLEY - The S°X“ and Waters DeS entry. creek project »' ,he S“,e D'Partment °f seen as all «U property property <owners ”™"s sign tha the "8hts WILKES-BARRE - Applications VOL- V. NO.10 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, Pa OCTOBER 15, 1956 of have been received from thirty men fOr NUISANCE ABATEMENT AND PRqtrcTion .. are becoming scarce and because indusKINGSTON - Because desirable lots Jiusual, a decline in permits for building trial expansion last year was i is expected. SWOYER VILLE - Resurfacing of some of the borough streets has been com. pleted. WILKES-BARRE - The amusement tax may yield $20, 000 less than budget estimates for 1956. FORTY FORT - The Council approved the construction of a storm sewer at a low spot on River Street. PLYMOUTH - Because of about $90, 000 in debts, the Council is considering the floating of a bond issue. WEST PITTSTON - Borough Council has started plans for the centennial celebration of the borough next year. EXETER - Council has asked its solicitor to prepare to seek an injunction against an ash cinder plant claiming that it is a nuisance. thoughts for today Those rare individuals who look down on their neighbors are on a bluff. usually living Children between 4 and 17 are at their and 17 the questions; and at 174 they know all the mental peaks. answers. At 4 they know all PUBL1CATION This Ni ews-letter, published the p<'olitical Science Department monthly of Wilkes---- .w addreissedtoDr. HugoV. Mailey, Political as Scie a community service, origina^e Wilkes-Bar. ,C°1}ege* Notes and inquiries re, Pennsylvania ince Department, Wilkes OF PUBLIC HEALTH Third Class Cities, Boroughs and Tow h' regulations prohibiting and requiring the removals authoritY to make vate grounds. Penalties are provided for non-comnlia nCeS on Public and priThe word "nuisance" is broadly defined and includes ,,nCe.Wlth such regulations, "dangerous conditions", "manufactures", "business" n°X10US"’ "offensive" or "weeds" prejudicial to the public health a’nd safety ^h "p^8"’ "structures" or Boroughs, and Townships of the First Class havP L of Health of Cities, mises and after due warning to abate and remove all P°Wer to insPect pre­ deem "prejudicial to the public health." rsances which they shall Supervisors of Townships of the Second Class may prohibit nuisances which are specified as accumulations of garbage and rubbish, the storage of abandoned or junk automobiles on private or public property, and the carrying on of any offensive manufacture or business. They also are empowered to remove any nuisance or dangerous structure on private or public ground after failure of the owner to do so. The obstruction of highways by the felling5 ^moVed" turning of roads is specifically punishable i S°durnpings of rubbish, glass or on notice given by the Township Supervisor • imprisonment, metal on streets or highways is also punishable by fine In the codes of Cities of the Third Class^Bo^rounder certain the First Class, the definition of "nuisance" is ex ay. The First Class conditions a public street or portion thereo , o a street or portion ot a a public street Township Law empowers the Board of Hea dure and on petition 01 a empowers street to be a nuisance, whereupon by Court P d< In the Borough Co Pr°perty owners the street referred to may e made by the council o declaration that such an area is « nUiSa:“iTedStby cZe'l. may P'"*™'X«p» B“t»ugh. In a city the Mayor, when author .£ nuisance. ‘ J o{ view„s to » P«‘ such find ,he proper to be a I!?r>y a"0 make a report to the Court,■ “^within sixty days. ' of the Publi, lc nuisance and the nuisance is not als0 made for the y of a Cityr rnay proceed to take action. Provisio declares sue passageway to to their pro/ay, alley, or lane if the Boar o owners to acce . a Publi -ic nuisance and if the right of prop " Common Pleas stating any property has lh' Court may appoint viewers from the County Csa8a8ew‘' Pttyi8 Protected. �MKTHODlorESTABUSHlNG A. Use of Insurance THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM Company Services B. Use of Self-administered System ■ for one person or any number of persons is providing a pension to q{ a sufficient amount to guaran. • iiv a matter of the accumuta amount of money required in any tee the pension for thelife of1 the^^^y^lled actuarial tables . These ? instance must be based on wha thousands of lives . The requiretables are the resu^.°^X same for both the insurance company and the self, administered plan. . and the sum of $1,923. for a ffemale. Therefore, taking the male ., monthly pension of $100. to his cre 1 r.is anticipated, this monthly inexample.■ , r sents a total of $16,7 50. Continuii aS an ng, if a group consisted of 10 repre coTe mployees, their pension commitments on the basis of $100. per month rnale? d a total of $167,500. •esents reprt AsSuming that both the insurance company and the actuary of the . t red system use the same figures, one major difference between sei)lf'adTnin^liods becomes apparent if an individual, or the group as a whole, and the accumulated funds are expended. Under such circumthe two 1116 lives too lon®insurance plan continues to pay the income without further cost 5tanCeSh’ Xf^administered plan requires additional funds. If-administered plan requires additional funds. It is interesting to note that increased lonaevitv ha • Sion costs over the years and such increases will continue 1.nCreased Pen' ffillbe 30 to 40 years before many pensions coming under’ a* day will retire, it is only common sense to establish a ref P S1°n Plan t0' guaranteed cost basis at the beginning, thereby assuring f “vZgX & Pension costs are primarily determined by the number of persons in­ volved in any pension group. The minimum number of persons in a group may vary according to the opinion of the actuary but in no case, according to the best of opinion, can any accurate prediction be established on less than 400 lives. be k-°”" -- - More attention should be paid to trends in pension cases since these benefits are chiefly future obligations. Life insurance companies employ the finest actuarial talent available and what has been their experience in predicting The insurance company establishes their requirements on thousands of lives and will guarantee their prediction. The actuary under a self-administered the amounts required to pay a life income? The following facts are based upon the average experience of the 30 largest U. S. companies. The figures shown plan cannot make an accurate prediction on a small number of lives and if and are not the selling price but rather the expected net cost to the insuring com­ when such a prediction is made, the mistakes or errors in the prediction are the liability of the group and not that of the actuary. pany and are for age 65 rather than age 60. er t^le insurance company funded plan or the self-administered funded plan deaths and termin'^.deaths and terminations . In most selfadministered plans, vance. The insuraince ’ company Diann,- & 10nS’ or credits are discounted in ad­ in both instances, it the discount is in C&n a^so de discounted in advance, but °fthe^-g from Jh^ct for the group, this simply shifts the actual costs <' ’ —J most likely be disaTtro” tHe plan tO a later date when a shift in costs would The best 1lype of planning ia tn a then accumulate the -r&dit as it occurs T,elterrn*ne the full cost in advance and ■ ■acti' cal way of establishiin8 a Pension plan wkrneth°d is the only sure and pr' certainties. h,'h eltoinate future financial un- Based on ?' actuarial tables covering experience on thousa which gives the lowest -t cost attainable, the insurance company actus example, that in order to pay an in retiree may live beginning at age ' 60, icome of $10.00 per month for as a male retiree must have a -111 find q£ live6 ng aS Amount required to pay a life income of $10.00 per mcnth, 10 years certain, to a male age 65 1932 1942 1952 $1,350 $1,503 $1,616 ^crease in cost over 1932 11.3% 19.7% computed the 1932 figure The best actuarial minds in the country who f°und tk iUC UeSt actaariaL minds in tne money to pay nn 4-4time 4*they rs x r really r o 11 V needed 11. the s, that at in 10 v years 11. 3 Per funds required benefit. At the end J10 more years, the addmo-l , can do I had in - ■ *— er cent! Why should any pension group Mterc?reased to 19% p lCr inc ’jr fo. itself against could protect It Height seem that the pension group a Single Premium Annuity conrisk on Cost of benefits by simply buying retires, passing the annuity ich employee as that employee i-- (continued page 4) �WHAT'S new? (or„e«P»H« cruiser and new police uniform s were FORTY FORT - Bids Council because only one bid was received. rejected by the itracted with an outside road conThe commissioners have con: of certain streets. plains for the improvement tractor , an ordinance controlling strip mining by ASHLEY - Boro Council passed ' requiring back-filling, and requiring a bond. setting time for blasting, A new ordinance would require property owners on a WEST WYOMING one third of the cost of construction. new street to pay an application to file for a Permit SWOYERVILLE - Boro Council approved for waste di KINGSTON - Street Department employees have completed the annual oil and chips on the boro streets. HANOVER - The Township has adopted a zoning ordinance planning commission to be presented to the commissioners for adoption. WEST PITTSTON - The Council has authorized the purchase of a two-way radio system. (Retirement System) Sin^ 1"SUranCe comPanY- The trouble with such a plan would be the fact that can est-bbT/'t-111-—"ulty COntracts have also gone up in cost, and no one haps individu-’°-Qll/-PnCe f°r SUCh a policy many years in the future. Pertee in advance the^c^Tth1111 P°11Cles are the onlY method which will guaran? - e o. the entire pension to be paid. THOUGHTS for k'»eaa.".ZXmed. 8r?rdfo'r a man to acquire a large vocabulary. All to step on somebody PUBLICATION This Nev- . ^-letter, ginates in the Political PubLshed m “^tinent^f a com munity service, Quirigg community service. onScie:nce ^ may be addressed to Dr Depart: . Wilkes " i^es College. Notes College. Notes and a— inCollege, Wilke . -Barre, •PenHugo V. j- Mail ey, Political Science Depart insylvania VOL- V. NO. 11 NOV 211955 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. November is, i956 Wiles HORSHAM FIRE COMPANY This case is unique m that it has to d ■ responded to an alarm to fight the common enemv comPanies which other." With this statement Justice Musmano of the q UP fighting each vania began his opinion in a case resulting from thJ P.reme Cou^t of PennsylMontgomery County fire companies back on October q ToJ0" °f the truck« of two the opinion whether the building was destroyed bv th V are not told in untangled themselves, but we do know that the d/™/ . ,Whlle the C0I«panies lone exceeded $10,000.00. go to the Horsham truck a- The accident occurred at the intersection of Welsh Road and Butler Pike and the Fort Washington truck drove through a "Stop" sign at an allegedly high speed while the Horsham truck was entering at a reduced speed. The jury found that the driver of the former was guilty of reckless disregard of the rights of others on the highway, even though he had certain privileges under the Motor Vehicle Code. In upholding the verdict of Jury against Ft. Washington, the court gave some sound advice to firemen, as follows: must in effect lose their priority rights an e far as rights against each other are concerne . TODAY A sure WaY to get off on the else's toes. wrong foot is ~ I be quite strange to hold, rmeet at an intersection they as appellant's counsel argues that if two fire tru“ both have an equal right to be there, and if they P^ collide that is simply ible . The law is not one of the risks involved in getting to a fire as a is not merely to make s° fatalistic as that. The object of a fire truck s J Jdriver .g t0 ignore a show of rushing to a fire, but actually to ge through obviously imperi S •U elements of safety driving at breakneck .peedthe „b.le ob hazards, he may not only kill others en route, kct of the mission and not get there at all. fire companies. It may save yOl, Bl-ing this case to the attention of your 11 rr>oney. �FARMERSAKEACAINSTrT In hundreds of letters major portion of them are request ceived by the State Highway Department > or demands for improved highways. a occurs when some are pretty well 3atBu' the unusual sometimes letter from a farm wife in Bucks County. lSfi■ed ' with old style roads. Here is a "We live on a farm which has a <county road which so far has be en .... ........1 hear they are going to macademiz safe for our children to cross now we —‘26 it. It children for it has a hill and a driver can not see will be a death trap for our C— what is below and it could be a child. We almost live on the road and now the way the road is they still come down at 50 miles an hour and if it was mn c s. d g ize; ■oulZjust be impossible for them to stop in time. Why not leave the road the wi _ way it is and let our children be safe. If it is true that they are going to do it could we vote against it. They sure dont need to make this road of our's a speed way because the highway is only 1 mile from our little farm. "Please let me know what to do if they are going’to macAd«^, we have four families up here against it and two for it. " 1Ze for TRAFFIC SIGNS An increasing number of localities are iimproving „ their traffic signs with a "do it yourself" sign maintenance package. It enables workers to reflectorize painted signs and refurbish old signs with "Scotchlite" sheeting. The equipment includes a heat lamp, vacuum, applicator, and a variety of plain and reflectorized sign blanks and faces. Write: Minnesota Mining and Mfg.> St. Paul 6, Minnesota. ^™aldB£lopmewt industrial development ’ of interest in on th< th ?nited States today °Untn the m°St raPidly developing fields ment work " 10cal ^vel has been r n°W> the bulk of industrial developcommerce activTe related §rouP- On th^1^ °n b/ the local chambers of velopment C"’r“U>“atC industrial d.entered into th. worpUre. °f lndustrial dev.|SS" Even the federal government has Although some very little ill"13 °n the County 1316011 although on a limited sca", said that i— ..... Un '.^“''’‘derel^^'11 » general, however, it counties in th, “■•ed State,. Pm'« work is currently being earned on by WMN.p.w No inter„t? Such a situation is extremely unfortun,mate; for the county logically -3, which should in many instances be the is the area ,.u primary unit for such activity. should be especially true of counties in the ln the Middle And this Pennsylvania. __ .a Atlantic States, which includes The industrial development picture presents “ aF paradox; [ her of municipalities have little with wk.aaoxaa or... easily exploit the potential of theroom sparsely. SetH\ed eXpand -ttrwhi le the count^", expand, while the industrial development groups are the answer, a °f the counties Count °U1<1 wi.ty of Jobs: w" • A county organisation a^y 1. efforts devel 2. Co-ordinating Publicizing thethe county on of . national"",?""'" th. „«.ty. 3. Compiling a list of available industrial = .„ 4. Maintaining a storehouse of informal ’ ordinances, maps, water supply, tax rates, assessment Services’ zoni"g 5. Co-operating with the governing kr.A,, etC< ties in providing services to industry. 63 ° the countl"s municipal!. The time has come for counties in the United States to take cognizance of the industrial development in the interest of their welfare and that of the muni­ cipalities in the county. NOT,ES ON MEETINGS Class for magistrates meets every Friday evening. Class for probation officers meets every Monday evening. Class for Borough and Township Secretaries ** J^rne county Local Too bad many missed the October meeting of he L pennsyl. Officials with Clifford H. McConnell, Chief of Flood Con vania Department of Forests and Waters. rhprnesski Director of The November meeting “ with Anthony r.^nern.^ Bureau of Social Security for Municipal Employees ic, and »»»-mov.1- Th. date .nd The January meeting will be on i.--Weaker win be! announced. ------- PUBLICATION ’ ’ ' as a community service, originates This News-letter, published monthly of Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries may ’n the rPolitical Science Department c Political Science Department, Wilkes College, J^/ddr,?e^sed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, *lke8-Barre, • Pennsylvania �WHAT'S NEW? VOL. V. N 12 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. DECEMBER 15, 1956 --- of Streets states that the rnewly adOpted WILKES-BARRE - The Director for street cleaning has received the heart schedule of streets 1_ — iy endorsement of all citizens and is working well. VliW ANNIVERSARY This issue marks the fourth anniversarv r u News-letter published for local officials. ADnr„ • Y he Luzerne County :il will borrow $10, 000 to pay curr^ ent expenses ASHLEY - The counc: out every month. The first issue of this NewsC°PieS are “ailed gram at the dinner for the graduates of the first cla r f°rm of a Pr°and township commissioners in December 19s? , borough councilman in 1952. • Only 35 copies were printed LARKSVILLE - The Mountain Road may be taken over by the State High. way Department in January. PITTSTON - Employees of the Street Department started re surfacing Frothingham Street. who have made this News-letter possible: Dr. Eugene S^. Mey Indtheloarf NANTICOKE - The Council intends repairing the broken sanitary sewer lines in the near future. of Trustees of Wilkes College; all those who are part of the "production" staffand the local officials who find the letter interesting and informative. NUANGOLA - Borough Councilman, Charles A. Jones passed away last month. Mr. Jones was among the select few in the first class of Borough Councilmen, who received certificates from the PSI and the Political Science Department on December 15, 1952. SPEAKER The speaker for the next meeting of the Luzerne County Local Offi­ cials will be William B. Wilkinson from Cayuga Salt Sales Service. He will be accompanied by Mr. Carl Warren, engineer for the firm. "Ice and Snow Removal with Salt" Subject: Monday, January 21, 1957 at 6:30 P M. Time: Luzerne County Boroughs Association Host: -RDS\ ILLE - The tax income from the Shopping Center on Narrows Road has jumped 400% in the last two years. Whereas the area was is asno Per acre 10 years ago, today the ground in the area is assessed at $20 per foot. TRAINING COURSE FOR BOROUGH SECRETARIES THOUGHTS FOR today The remaining three meetings of this training course Working for the public is rough - if you're a deserve the job, if you're not you can't get it. liar you <J°n a two Another way men learn to be °id 8'MOchild whoTte ‘ _oss. good losers is by trying to Wednesday January 16, 1957 teach Wednesday ebruary2Qj 1957 ARTHUR HOOVER Wilkes College CONNIE LIZDAS Wilkes-Barre Record ROBERT FREEBURN follow: "Improving Contacts With Citizens" "Finance and Budget preparation" HERMAN OTTO League Pennsylvania Economy (continued on page 2) 1 �located in the fore part of each ordinance : booh, is an alphabetical ind f this kind has twenty-six pages , one page for c each The typical index Entries are made on the appropriate alphab, etical letter of the alphabet ' •. This type of ordinance index is more suit. page in chronology ------is only one ordinance book than where there are tw ° or able where there 1 several books. the annual report The printed annual report has received increasing attention from municipal officials during recent years. The number of municipalities issuing annual reports has increased as urban population has spiraled and municipal activities have expanded. Although it is desirable that the following topics be included in the annual report, it is not expected that all of them will receive the equal emphasis or be reported in a stereotyped pattern. The size of the municipality, the scope of municipal services, and the number of municipal activities engaged are factors which dictate the content of the report. The report may, however, be divided conveniently into six parts; Introduction Legislation and general administration Municipal services "Managerial" and "Auxiliary" services City's finance 6. Planning municipal services 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. section are of prima ’■ arran6ernent< and attractiveness of the introductory factor in arousing the7 lmp°rtance and frequently will be the determining design and should emnh^-ei" ! interest- The cover should be of attractive cipality for a definite n ■ booklet is the annual report of the mum municipal buildings n^,?0 ° time’ usually a fiscal year. Pictures of have Proven to be e;fecdvpC°n8trUCtion8 - °r outline maps of the city or state eCtive cover designs. The introdrPM administrativ, ’-'rs in a^S° should contain a directory of nlUI\ary --/e office of outstanding th® £overning body, and a brief surrl. ‘n8 municipal eventBC a statement of -ens' rol ° • P&St year ’ A final desirable feature the citiz, v>ces affect the indgovernment, indicating how city ser ■Vidual in his PW,iCiW“ '• — everyday Hfe and how the individual can -—tent, (contii lnued in the next issue) TRAINING COURSE FOR BORottc-H SECRETARIES (continued) HOWARD KENNEDY, former "Municipal Liability. solicitor, Wilkes-Barre J. F. SALLADA Greater Wilk.s-B.er. As..ciltion of Agents PLACE: Harding Hall, Wilkes Colleg.;e, Room 201 TIME: 7:30 P M. to 9:30 P.M. INQUIRIES: Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Wilkes College Wednesday March 20, 1957 INDEXING ORDINANCES It seems beyond debate that municipal ordinances should be in­ dexed to be useful to local officials and citizens. All major subject titles should be nouns, since these are usually usually the headings which most officials are likely to look for. Adequate indexing demands that a given piece of legislation be indexed under a number of different titles, i.e. , that there be ample cross references to the various categories of subjects contained in one ordinance. Naturally, if the index is to be useful, it should be kept at all times with the ordinance books. Users should be required to refrain from removing, misplacing, or defacing the index, or any card thereof. The full value of an ordinance index system can be achieved only if it is prepared accurately and kept up-to-date. A card index system can be expanded at will and, consequently, is the ideal system for perpetual main­ tenance. Old cards can be removed and new cards added. The index should be kept up to date by making the necessary entries in chronological order as each new ordinano^ _ _____ : ordinance ;is„ _passed. An ordinance index in booklet form is more difficult to keep.up m date th;ian the card system. If the booklet form is used, the indexing o finances will require ink notations and supplemental pages. card index of ordinances and secondEmphasis has been placed on a , other usable index systems arily r°n a booklet index of ordinances. ThereThe aremost common of these systems ‘n °Perati ion among Pennsylvania boroughs. ---- �WHAT'S NEW for $57,000 to meet payrolls will be sold. PITTSTON - A. bond issue DURYEA - Council and firemen of Germania Ho.e Company are disputing unpaid appr.prialion .7 $750 for new equ.pmenl. WEST WYOMING - A plan which would permit the ward election of councilmen is under consideration in the borough. KINGSTON - The extension of North Third Avenue from Pierce Street to Rutter Avenue is under consideration by the council. PLASTIC LINING Los Angeles is currently building a new trunk sewer, 10 feet in diameter and 4 miles long. It is being lined with a vinyl-plastic lining moulded to make possible its corporation as an integral part of the con­ crete pipe. The lining will protect the sewer against erosion by sulphide gas in the sewage. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Married men are said to live longer, but it's the bachelors who always lead the singing at the club. husband's ®lectrocardioSrain is a device that lets a woman know her husband s heart can stand it if he carries out the trash. PUBLICATION This News-letter, published monthly as a community service, originates in the Political Science Department of Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries may be addressed Wi!i ° r D Hug° V’ Mailey, Political Science Departwent, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. �42^26 Ut42te6 P4L9 !i '6 c.?'.-. Luzerne County News-letter. 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Title A name given to the resource Luzerne County Newsletters and Institute for Regional Affair Newsletters, 1952-1975 Subject The topic of the resource Political Science; Luzerne County; Institute for Regional Affairs; Wyoming Valley Description An account of the resource A collection of newsletters created by the Political Science Department at Wilkes College from 1952-1975 for Luzerne County and later the Institute for Regional Affairs. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Political Science Department (Hugo Mailey) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1952-1975 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newsletters Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Luzerne County Newsletter, 1956 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Political Science Department Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1956 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newsletter https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/2012c2b9b540c3fbe97a95d92b851b7a.pdf 2b921033c109eec126f4d1ed31197835 PDF Text Text ��9 4 RARY [LKES-BARRE NNSYLVANIA �G*’ - 1 ■ ■ - ' ?H . ■' C.l G 24 memottne C--^ mers will receive tber5 s their cer With the Christm3.s seas G&iS' tbeir al public officials who ce l°c nding of their duties Science Departmenr is to these public offic its P°litiC is facilities ceive The graduates xtfho wi-* William L- Ballxet A. Tony Barbose AlanH. Bare Ralph M. Brown Thomas A. Callahan. Brinley Crahall Michael Fasulka Andrew Garber Martha E. Hadsel David W. Hopkins John J- Jarzenbowicz Be st o . Local Luzerne F. communities r epr esen. -1 ortyFort, Kin.gst.orx, — =-• r e Township, Sugar _ •» o - c 1 me every 'N ednesday evet class considered a differ et Q>ketopics . considered, in tne "’lent, making of ordir § Of I Ionina. C^tV X,§ the -to L -O1 c es C s' :sPe- k 8itCt*nv re �Ul t VOL. I. NO. 1 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES -BARRE,pa. DEC.15, 1952 GRADUATION Tonight 24 members of the class for borough r~- ” councilmen and township --or completion of their work. ............... SO near> the awards are a fitting gift to those local public officials who ggave of their time in order to secure a better understanding of their duties and ’ responsibilities. Wilkes College, and its Political Science Department in particular," 1,7 > has been most happy to offer its facilities to these public officials interested in ------ -a sound local government. The graduates who will receive certificates are: William L. Balliet A. Tony Barbose Alan H. Bare Ralph M. Brown Thomas A, Callahan Brinley Crahall Michael Fasulka Andrew Garber Martha E. Hadsel David W. Hopkins John J. Jarzenbowicz Charles A. Jones Gustave C. Kemerite George Kotyk Joseph Lakus James J. McCarthy Grace A. McGinty Harvey O. Nielsen George S. Sobeck Peter Stusnick Gilbert W. Watkins JohnC. Wordoski Best of Luck in Your Official Capacity ! Local communities represented in the graduating class are Nuangola, Luzerne, Forty Fort, Kingston, Laurel Run, Courtdale, Hanover Township, Wilkes-Barre Township, Sugar Notch, and Edwardsville. Meeting every Wednesday evening at 8 o'clock in Room 202, Pickering Hall, the class considered a different aspect of local government each week. Among the topics considered in the 10 sessions of the class were structure of local government, making of ordinances, municipal finance, police and traffic, fire and building codes, recreation, health, street maintenance, waste disposal, and planning and zoning. „ „ TT „ v Mailev of the Political Science The faculty was headed by Dr. Hug> agsisted each week by a panel of I Partment at Wilkes College. He was *Penenced pers.ons especially competen ation. Among the visiting faculty were discuss the topic under considerLewis R. Crisman and John 37451 s �■B Morris; Robert Pickup, Robert Freeburn, and John Semski of the Pennsylvania Economy League; Penn Williams of the Police Department and Milton Jacobson of the Fire Department, both of Wilkes-Barre City; Police Chief David Francis of Kingston; Police Chief Herbert Woodeshick^of Hanover Township; Sergeant A. J. Wilson of the State Police; Edwin McLaughlin, fire underwriter; Joseph Kane of the Playground Association; Dr. J. T. Millington of the Pennsylvania Department of Health; Mrs. Charles L. Shaeffer of Kingston; Harradon H. Smith of the Pennsylvania Department of Highways; Robert N. Bierly, engineer of five Luzerne County boros; engineers Bernard Bush and John Yenchko of the Pennsylvania Department of Health; and Dr. F. A. Pitkin, Executive Director n ■t •’! ■ W J ■ ACT WILKE S-BARRE Proposed 1953 budget of Wilkes-Barre was passed on second reading by the City Council. Third and final reading will come at the Council meeting tomorrow. Calling for an expenditure of $1, 953, 660. 90, the new budget exceeds ■ the 1952 budget by $39, 850.82. Increase in the millage is . 34 of a mill, or an increase of 3.4 cents a year on each $100 of assessed valuation. ■ ■ i / , i 9 K I u.-* FEDERAL HIGHWAY AID !| In 1952 Congress enacted the Federal Highway Act, appropriating $550, 000, 000 for the next two years. The largest amount will be given for secondary road systems and smaller amounts for the primary highway system and urban street systems. To obtain federal aid it must be demonstrated that the proposed project will provide increased traffic safety. Local projects requiring the aid should originate with the local state highway department offi­ cials. Under Public Law 564, the federal government will now reimburse the cities for the cost of alterations to bridges over navigable rivers if they are made at the request of the federal government, provided the bridges are used for the purpose of carrying highway traffic. Local officials may thank the American Municipal Association for this step forward. FORTY FORT Forty Fort Council discussed the application of Social Security for boro employees. The matter was referred for study to the finance committee which is to report at the next Council meeting. I The finance committee reported it has been unable to find a means of granting the 15 per cent increase requested by boro employees but that it will reconsider the matter before the budget is compiled. NEW HIGHWAY Initial steps toward relocation of the Wilkes-Barre--Scranton Highway to bypass Dupont and Avoca and provide a modern approach to the airport at Avoca have been taken by the State Department of Highways. This has been confirmed by Bernard J. Harding, engineer of the Scranton District, State Highway Depart­ ment. Scheduled for relocation is the main roadway from a point near the Comerford Drive-in Theatre below Dupont, to pass through the area east of the airport and then over the Moosic-Daleville Highway. It is contemplated the 145 for HIGHWAY GRANTS Payments under Act 145, which authorizes $15, 000, 000 each year to local governments for road purposes, were certified on September 1, 1952. This Act provides for a $5, 000, 000 annual increase over the former total of $10, 000, 000 from the Motor License Fund. Formerly the allocation was on a mileage basis alone, in the ratio which the number of miles of streets in a municipality in any one of three classes (cities, boros, and townships) bore to the total miles of streets in these classes alone. Now 60 per cent of the allocation will be on the basis of the ratio which the number of miles of public streets in a municipality bears to the total number of miles maintained by all classes of municipalities in the State. The other 40 per cent will be divided on the basis of the ratio which the population of the municipality bears to the total population of all municipalities of a class. A boro or first-class town­ ship may gain or lose under this new formula. On the basis of the above for­ mula, Hanover Township lost $411.53 from its 1951 allocation on its third quarterly payment. Newport Township gained $1, 976. 65; Plains gained $450. 66 and Wilkes-Barre Township gained $267.93. of the State Planning Board. Approved on second reading also was an ordinance increasing the tax rate for debt purposes from 2. 66 mills to 3 mills on each $100 of assessed valuation. Revenue from this tax is for sinking-fund appropriations. First principal payment on the 1951 bond issue falls due in 1953. project will begin sometime next year and not be completed until 1954. Pay­ ment of property damage would be the responsibility of Luzerne and Lacka­ wanna Counties. SOCIAL SECURITY FOR LOCAL GOVE R N M E N T WORKERS (I v i ‘I Act 491 of the State Legislature permits Federal Social Security coverage to employees of governments on the local level. The Bureau of Social Security for Public Employees in the Department of Labor and Industry, headed by James Jamieson, the Director, will administer the set-up. The procedure set up under the Act calls for legal election by the municipality to come under the sys­ tem, submission and approval of a plan by the State, and the final adoption. �{faiatcf, not be covered. A municipality may under an existing system m^y eiective officers, part-time employee Employees cover emergency employees,^ provision is made for retroactive select not to and employees compensated on a fee BIireau of Social Security has mailed coverage without any interest paymen . reernent, sample ordinance, samto municipalities the Act, a sample ““ ® pie resolution, «l » booklet of information. VOL. II. NO. 1 LlOr'&>■ WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE,PA. JAN.16, 1953 GRADUATION WASTE DISPOSAL The Graduation Dinner of the boro and first-class township officials class was held on December 15 at Wilkes College. The names of two of the graduates were inadvertently omitted from the list of graduates: Joseph Matiskiel of Wilkes-Barre Township and William Brush of Laurel Run. So sorry, Gentlemen. is a relatively new thing. Sewage was an individual Treatment of sewage . introduction of the water closet around 1850. The matter in America untilconnected the later into storm sewers so that human waste was water closet was then dumped into rivers. While the problem of disposing of the sewage may have been postponed by many communities, modern society compels that it be disposed of in a sanitary manner. Failure on the part of a community to plan for eventual sanitary disposal of sewage can be a very costly mistake. The San­ itary Water Board, whose administrative agency is the Bureau of Sanitary Engi­ neering in the Department of Health, stands ready to assist a community in an advisory capacity on how to approach its disposal problem. While the Board is concerned with stream pollution wherever it occurs, it has focused its attention on those waters that are a source of water supply for other municipalities. Organization of an association for boro and township officials in Luzerne County was urged by Alfred S. Holt, Principal of the Public Service Institute, at the dinner. Organization of such an association would provide an opportunity for officials to discuss common problems. ■k Dr. Eugene S. Farley, President of Wilkes College, commented that good government is one of the essentials in attracting new industries to the area. He also asserted that strong local government plays a large part in the fight against communism since a constructive job in government creates faith in democracies. According to an article by Mark D. Hollis, of the United States Public Health Service, in American City, over $9, 000, 000, 000 has been invested in public sewage-treatment facilities since 1915. An additional billion has been spent on maintenance, not including operation. During 1949, municipalities spent over $277, 000, 000 to build 208 sewage-treatment plants. To help those public officials who are interested in understanding whole problem, the Public Service Institute has prepared a collection of readings just for the asking. Write to Keery McAmbley of the Institute for it. ON AN ASSOCIATION In regard to the formation of a County Association, Dr. Willard Hancock, Director of the Bureau of Municipal Affairs in the Department of Internal Af­ fairs, states that under Article XII of the Boro Code, Section XXX, boros and townships are permitted to join together in a County Association and pay dues. The Beaver County Municipal Association is composed of County municipalities. According to Article 3 of the Association's by-laws, "Membership. . . shall con­ sist of such municipalities in Beaver County, and such municipalities adjacent thereto as shall not have municipal associations, and which shall by resolution of their respective Councils declare their intention to become members of this Association. " POLICE TRAINING made afterYipts to raise ool * t- j ^^ith some local units, have police class on Wednesday afternoons ' \ Barre Pollce instructing a basic s m Butler Annex on the Wilkes College Campus. NEW PLUMBING LAWS PUBLICATION OF THE NEWS-LETTER pule Con'S'- . ■>■>*». “<> information. Wilke. College, Wilke'^B^re' pXylvM• j''Y’ Political Science D«P“tn,ent' -•1 v A proposed new public-health plumbing law for Pennsylvania is being studied by State Health Department officials, representatives of organized busi­ ness and labor, municipal associations and professional groups. There is a need for an orderly system of protecting public health as it is affected by the installa­ tion of sanitary plumbing equipment and facilities. The proposed measure would �,u-raouoo HIM. sja iSrio Uaz S12H uazT SuIutbj;4 J -^oiiod s^oidtua Haea sj “ jo 1 JoSpn^j ■laqjo jo X 'tiorj sb aping jo asoqj tJ’.'BA 3qj 3 S SOJ3B J3T JLJCBq maintenance of high plumbing standards on the municipalities, with the State acting in a supervisory capacity and generally only in the event a municipality failed to accept its responsibility. Requirements governing plumbing and house and building drainage in all cities, boros, towns, and townships are stipulated in the proposed law. Provisions are included for inspection of work, and enforcement of the law. The Department's officials and the local agents will provide for the examination, licensure, and registration of persons, cor­ porations, and authorities engaged in plumbing or house and building drainage. INDUSTRIAL Zoning, a tool to help to effect comprehensive plans, was devised to promote the best use of land and buildings. Its purpose is positive, not nega­ tive. The objectives are to stabilize property values, minimize congestion of traffic and people, encourage convenience and financial success and sponsor orderly growth. In the zeal of citizens to protect certain types of land use, other types--industrial--suffer . Industry was assigned the land currently used for industry, land deemed not suited for higher uses and land considered unfit for any use. The new approach in zoning is to treat industry as an equal member of the family of land uses, to anticipate the needs of industry, and to try to protect existing and potential industrial sites against the invasion of uses detrimental to industrial development. ar j-sqj. JI anSsaq inouooa ts auixii ZONING 1. Principles of industrial zoning are: Most communities require a certain amount of industrial development to produce a sound economy. 2. Industrial use should be considered equal to any other land use. 3. areas. Industry will continue to grow and therefore require larger 4. There is a need for reclassification of industry based on modern manufacturing processes. auSauV 3 5. ........... i of lands bearing a favorable relationship to Industrial potentialities transportation should be recognized. 6. Industrial zoning and highway planning pout JO jotunui 7. Street layout should be given ^OOf st 8. Industrial zoning can should go hand in hand. special consideration. be most effective when considered on a metro- politan basis. I zoning by compartments for zoning by I 9. Good zoning today substitutes laye r s. I �|Uaui,«duxoo Xq sajnjijsqns • sjbAbj Aapoj Stnuoz pooQ •6 t. 10. Modern-day industrial zoning is based on performance standards. 11. Zoning ordinances should be permissive rather than prohibitive. 'SISBq UBJIJOd gutuoz jBTJlsnpui aq ubo taptsuoo uaq/A aAtjoaJI3 lsoUI ppads ubaiS aq PI"°^ JboXbT jaaxjg •uotJBJapTsnoa guiuoz jBTJjsnpui ,uBq Pinoqs SutuuBTd XBMqSjq P^ ajqBJOABj b '8 'L ’9 3q pinoqs uotJBjrodsuB rj •pazitiSooo r BaTjT[Btjtiajod iBtrjsnpuj 'g SutJtBaq spuBj jo •sassaoord SuijnjoBjnuBtii >asBq Xrjsnpui jo tlOTJBOtJTSSBp^ IOJ pS9U B ST SWql Xrjsnpuj •£ aqjo Xub oj pnba parapxsuoa aq pinoqs asn jBTjjsnpuj 7 ajinbar arojaraqj Pur oj anuijuoo iiiav ■Xuiouooa punos b aonpoud oj b ajtnbar satjinnuiuioo jsoyq jsnpui jo junouiB utBjrao Industrial zoning is in a period of rapid change. Since Wyoming Valley is looking for industry to strengthen its economy, it would be well for every municipality to keep itself acquainted with all the implications and developments of modern zoning for industry. STRIP-MINE SITES Boro and township officials were told that the refuse disposal problem in Allegneny County may partially be solved through arrangements to use strip­ mine sites as sanitary landfills. The double advantages of land restoration and economical disposal were outlined in a report by the Pennsylvania Economy League made at the request of boros and townships. PUBLIC RELATIONS ’I etrjsnput jo saidtouiJd: -jnauidoiaAap iBtrjsnput oj rejuaurt jjap aqj jsuibSb sajts jBirjsnpuT pijuajod puB Suijstxa joajoud oj Xjtj jo spaau aqj ajBdiotjuB o; 'sasn puBj jo Xjtuibj aqj jo Jtaquiatn >npui jbbjj oj st Suiuoz tn qaaorddB aabu aqj, "asn Xub joj jtjun pus sasn raqStq roj pajins ;ou pauiaap puBj ‘Xrjsnput uoj pasn ibj aqj pauStssB sbm Xrjsnpuj • jajjns--jBijjsnput--sadXj uaqjo sadXj uiBjjao jaajord oj suaztjta jo jBaz aqj uj ’qjAAOuS Xjuapjo saaons jBiauBuij pus aauatuaAUoa aSninoaua ‘aidoad puB □tjjbjj rruinnui ‘sanjBA Xjradord aztjtqBjs oj bjb saAtjaafqo aqx '9ATJ sod st asodrnd sjj •souipjinq puB puBj jo asn jsaq aqj ajouioud bm ‘suBjd BAtsuaqarduioa jaajja oj djaq oj jooj b ‘Sutuoz DNINOZ TVIHISnUNI iq pua asnoq ro Sujqumjd tn paS-goua saijtjoqjnB puB ‘suotjBJod □ uotjBrjstSaj pun ‘ajnsuaaij 'uotjButuiBxa aqj joj apiAO-id IfTM. qq puB spiaijjo s.juamjjBdaQ aqj, ’/abj aqj jo juauiaaiojua pUB oj papnjaui ajB suotsiAojjj ‘zabj pasodojd aqj ut pajBjTKlTjs gUE SUA'°1 sojoq ‘saijia jjb ut a§BuiBjp Suipjtnq puB asnoq utujbao sjuauiajinba-g •Xjtitqtsuodsa.i sjt jdaooB oj panBJ ■saiinpdTn' 1U° A11EI3U3§ puE ^PsdBa XjostAjadns B ux Sutjon tsuodsaj aui* a” LU° SpiBpuE?s Sutquinjd qgtq jo aouBuajuiBtu 631 Su^d “I Baidpupd apr-auioq oj Xpopjs a «qp- If you tell the story and tell it plainly, you can produce community progress. That really is public relations. That's all there is to it. Your problem is to ap­ ply the techniques of public relations skillfully enough to anticipate the potential barriers of ignorance, misunderstanding, and prejudice, so they won't be flung across the paths of municipal progress. BUDGETS Budget time is reappraisal time. It is time to consider the adequacy of the various municipal operations. Comparison of a function's expenditures with those of other years, or with those of other municipalities, may provide some guide as to adequacy. Small appropriations may not be signs of economical opera­ tion. They might indicate inadequacy. Marked variations in unit costs from those of other years or of other jurisdictions are signposts to further investigations. Budget study should concern itself with a restudy of the organizational structure of the municipality. Can it be simplified? All the personnel should be scrutinized. Is each employee in the right spot? Can a better division of labor be made? Are employees being lost to private industry? Should changes be made in personnel policy regarding wages, vacations, sick leaves, or pensions? Will in-service training bring better results? Budget time is also public-relations time. The cit­ izen has the right of review and recommendation. The fact that few citizens take advantage of their opportunities is not necessarily a good thing. Perhaps the citi­ zen ought to be forced to view municipal operations on a broad scale. Better budg­ ets will result, and local government will be strengthened if the attention of all concerned is directed to the positive objectives of budgeting. �-$ 'tSAo IS 4 3HJ jo Hs-eo °°° 'or* uoo u’t PToioaa c. slspq sSuIabs' J aqj lU3pi, !Un dlW^oj llnsgj WHAT ' S d 9ABq O4 axH Jaq have decided to assign house numbers for the house delivery of mail where delivery will be set by the Post Office. ASHLEY - The Boro Council took action to pay the boro employees before Christmas. [ St J3MSOT aqj n 6 JsdH31{3 aq I ado aqj jH qooj qS3IJ v ptinoj spq diqsu/Ao,t, uorreqa’q ■e ‘apiud peoox ‘Bijjcaux 04 anp b ajBOipur laiaiph spjarj Aubixi aqj^ >aya apetu aq 4snui suoppisdo ayosu aq ppnoqs sjBSodoud aq4 > jo uopppposuoD uiouj jjnsaj: \oqs stsAjbub ynja^BO jj ut pajood aq 04 jqSno pus ubo 1040111 jo sqBdai puB Surat utjBajldnp puB jstdAj ‘uotjBJtj qj ajpu-eq 04 aiQ^ 3CL °’ 1OU SB SB saDiAias jo pjajj (TJTATJOB pUB ■UOTJBXaUUB jo uotjBpflosuo□ jsdTOTunui }° pTB UO p-Biadooo Xqa-zam PU1B aqj qoja1 ! 5 p XB4 aqj jo 3UQ Xq spoqjam 53>niM The road transfer between these two municipalities has hit a snag. The township will repair the road if both the road and the strip between the road and the township is ceded, while the boro wishes to cede merely the road, The matter of tax adjustment is also involved. NANTICOKE - "Hold that line” is the slogan of the officials of this third-class the establishment of a new schedule of fees for construction permits and the examination and licensure of building tradesmen. The new fees for building contractors, electricians, and plumbers went into effect January 1. DALLAS TOWNSHIP - Officers of the Dallas Township Board of Supervisors IOJ 93S ST uauurp 3qj. ^I-Ialaj'e0 j 'Ajutioq -J Suipa33oj.d SUHTcI >3{ood jo asn uapiAx WARRIOR RUN and HANOVER TOWNSHIP city. With the help of the Pennsylvania Economy League, Nanticoke City Council has seen fit to decrease its tax rate by a full mill. WILKES-BARRE - An additional $8, 000 revenue in 1953 is anticipated through TTT^ ‘OJoq’ Xu N F. W * LUZERNE COUNTY - The Luzerne County Commissioners adopted a resolution giving assurances to Federal authorities the county is anxious to join the Commonwealth and four West Side municipalities in beginning construction of the flood-protection dike system on the west side of the River by the spring of 1953. EDWARDSVILLE - The boro is considering social security for its 10 employees. It presently has no short-term notes and no bonded indebtedness. THE NARROWS - The Roadside Committee of the Chamber of Commerce an­ nounced that the Committee has embarked on a program of beautification for the Plymouth-Kingston Narrows road. Steps to be taken include enlist­ ing cooperation of adjoining municipalities in a zoning program, planting trees with the cooperation of the State's Highway Department, and increas­ ing the accessibility to the general public of an outlook parapet. KINGSTON - Passed an ordinance regulating openings or excavations within the public highways, providing for restoration of disturbed areas in the making of such openings. FORTY FORT - The Council has enacted a program of sickness and health ben­ efits for boro employees and has at the same time decided to hold the line on the 14 1/2 mill tax rate. SUGAR NOTCH - The Council has discussed with the boro auditors the possibility of hiring certified public accountants to audit the municipality's books, and it appears that the plan may be followed through. HANOVER TOWNSHIP - "Interesting Facts of Hanover Township" is available in the secretary's office. Officials have had plans approved by the PUC for electric lights at Oxford Street, Carey Avenue, and the Pennsylvania Railroad. P U B L ICATION Z ’ON *l! •1OA This News-letter for interested public officials of local governments jn Luzerne County is published as a community service,. It originates in the PolitPlease address inquiries to Dr. H. V. ical Science Department of Wilkes College.. 1 ------------Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Mailey, Political Science Department, �'juauqJBdaa aouajog ibot;tIOcI «XaTT~T„ ' rteu^-Cettei •aSanoo sasfiJM J° saqilAX saqpM 33 11 J ut ssa-ipp* aSB3kI Xjiunujujoa b sb uStjoJI -aoiAJas [nd pajsajaiux joj ja;;ai-SMaN srqj, sjbtotjjo ayjqi . VOL. II. NO. 2 3 jBaoj jo WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE,PA. FEB.16, 1953 Konvjnsnd -----q ;b s;q3n aTjjaaya f aq; puB ‘anuaAy Xbjbq ‘;aaj;g pjojxQ •aaijjo s,XjB;ajaas aq; aAOjddB suBjd pBq aABq sjbtotjjq • ({SUM01 isaouehjo s;obj dIHSMM.O.1 ------ TTnj 3q 8uj;saja;u Xbui uBjd I1( aq;- jBq; sunaddn BT ;t aonvu H sjob gupsajajuin -----■? o; s;uBjunoaaB !P„ P—-p - >q; qiiM passnasrp POOLED SERVICES One of the methods by which a number of municipalities may cooperate and thereby stretch the tax dollar is that of POOLED SERVICES. This form of municipal cooperation aids in the solution of metropolitan problems without consolidation or annexation. Pooled services could cover almost the whole field of services and activities, particularly where small towns are so small as not to be able to handle the services individually. Police and fire adminis­ tration, typist and duplicating pools, centralized purchasing, and central serv­ icing and repairs of motor vehicles are just a few of the types of services that can and ought to be pooled in order to effect savings. ~ “X?TOns ipiaap aun; buibs aq; IB SBq Pub saaXojdma ojoq uo; sjjja satopts jo uxBJgojd b pajaBua SBq ipunoQ aqj, - 1HO3: AI.-HO.il • -sSuiuado qans jo joj SuipiAOjd ‘sXBMqSyq apqnd e paq-rnjsip jo uoT;BJO;saJ .Baxa io sguyuado gupBjnSaJ aauBuipro ub passBj; - NOLSONIX " ; o; AjijrqissaooB aq; 3ut ,ajBig aq; jo uoijB-tadooa aq; q;y/A ,d 3m„oz . «< .aOTI«<PP™“ If careful analysis shows that actual savings or increased efficiency will result from consolidation of activities, then two steps are necessary. First, the proposals should be "sold" to the departments affected. Second, the plan of operations must be made clear. 1° «o.,Su. p aq oi sdais ’PBOJ smojjbn uopguT^-q^ouiXjcJ aq; uoj uiB-rSord b uo paqjBquia SBq aa;;TUiuiog aqi ;uq; paaunou jo raquiBqo aq; jo aaiJiuiuioQ apispBO-g aqj, - SMOHUVN SHI lapui papuoq ou Pub sa;ou uua;-;joqs ou snq Xpuasatd ;j ioj Xpjnaas jbtoos gui-iapisuoa st oroq aqj, - S'T'nASG'HV.M.GS •£96l J° Sujuds [1 jo apis jsaM aq; uo uia;sXs aqip uoTjaa;o jd-poojj aq; jo gaq ut saTiqadTOTunui apyg ;saxi -ruoj puB q;jBaAAUOTiituo3 :b st X;unoa aq; saT;yroq;nB '[Bjapajj o; saauBjnssB Sutato Pb srauoTSSTurtuoQ X;unog aujaznq aqj, - ATNIIOD SNUSZm & The many fields wherein it would seem profitable to join operations would indicate a wider use of pooled services than actually exists. This is probably due to inertia, local pride, and the need for formalized agreements. Mount Lebanon Township has found that joint operations have paid. A fresh look at the operations in your town may suggest pooling. Would it be cheaper? If the answer is "Pool!" then the difficulties are worth overcoming. • SBUIJSTJTqO qduia oroq aq; XBd o; uot;ob qoo; jTaunoQ ojoq aqj, - A39HSV ■aoTjJO jsod aq; Xq ;as aq IJTM. XjaATjap Flap asnoq aq; joj sraqtunu asnoq ugyssB o; papjaap aABq pjBoq drqsuMoj sbhbq aq; jo sjaaTjjQ - dlHSNALOI. SVTTVCI t ;u3a\ sjaqunqd puB ‘suBTaTijaaja 'sjo;;bj;uoo gurpyrnq L 'uauisapBi; guTppynq jo ajTisuaaq pun TioTi'BUTLU'Bxa aq; inj;suoa joj saaj jo ajnpaqas tabu b jo ;uatuqsTjqB;sa aq; UE SI £S6l ut anuBAar qqq ‘g$ tbuot;tPpb uy - 3'H’HV9_S3^irTI-^ui pnj b Xq b;bj xb; s;t asnajaap o; ;tj uaas SBq paunoQ noBaq Xuiouoog btubajXsuubj gqy jo djaq aq; q;T^ 'Ml3 ° sjbtotjjo aq; J0 uBgojs aq; st ..autj ;Bq; pjoH,, - 3D1O9I1NVN 'paAjoATiT osjb st ;uaui apaa 0; saqsT/A ouoq aq; auq/A aj tttm drUE PB01 U33M,3cl dIJls aq; Pub pboj aq; q;oq ajsuBr; pbo7aqT^1 SER S3HHBd!3IunuI H3A0NVH Pu^ NUTT Si 1VHM DINNER IN MARCH Plans are proceeding rapidly for a dinner of local officials in Luzerne County. The dinner is set for Thursday, March 26, 1953, in the Wilkes College Cafeteria. The graduating class of councilmen and commissioners will remem­ ber the tasty dinner they ate there last December. A special effort is being made to have every boro, township, and city represented. The speaker for the occasion will be Dr. Willard Hancock, Director of the Bureau of Municipal Affairs in Harris­ burg. His topic will be a timely one: "Act 145: Its Continuance or Modification. " CITY MANAGER (2 President Walter R. Unangst of the Quakertown Council stated recently that the savings in engineering consulting fees for a two-year period on a conservative basis would exceed $10, 000 since the town adopted city-manager government. Actual cash savings of over $75, 000 are claimed for a three-year period as a result of the boro assumption of all construction under the city manager. �report CONTEST Jod8„ .He --= COUNCILMEN AND COMMISSIONERS A— ness. The goal soug t y mjaht be understood by the average orderly and readable manner so that they migni g If you officials bring uninformed opinions to your chambers, you act unintelligently and really let your constituents down. On the other hand, if you take the trouble to look into a matter, to get the facts, then you are in a position to make much wiser decisions. Among the tools available are: Chrostwaite' s "Borough Bulletin, " "Borough Officers Handbook. " You can consult the Penn­ sylvania Economy League. You are invited to use the Wilkes College Library and the College facilities. You can learn from officials in other boros how they handle similar problems. You can attend the annual meetings of your own asso­ ciations. You can obtain data from the Bureau of Municipal Affairs in the Depart­ ment of Internal Affairs headed by Dr. Willard Hancock. The sources are numer­ ous. All you need is the desire. citizen. •’ ! citizen has a better knowledge of his Remember everybody wins when the Get busy now for next year's contest. The Wilkes College home-town affairs. of all the winners. Read them as a guide. The entry form Library has copies and three copies of the Annual Report should be mailed to the Institute of Local Government at Penn State not later than July 1, 1953. S A NI T ATION ORDER Rejection by the voters of a proposed $108, 000 bond issue has made it impossible for the Boro of Bridgeport in Montgomery County to comply with an order of the State Sanitary Board to construct a secondary sewage-treatment plant. Although the Boro complied with an order to submit plans, it failed to proceed with construction. The State's suit seeks to prevent the Boro from dis­ charging its sewage into the River. Since this is a test case, boros would do well to follow it. On the State's stream clean-up drive, Governor John S. Fine held out a hope to hard-pressed municipalities for State aid. A definite recommendation may soon come from his office. MAGISTRAL E S ' CLASS Interest still runs high in the class for magistrates conducted by Aiderman Francis V. Murphy. /A class of about 25 magistrates meets every Wednesday evening at Wilkes College. The State Association has launched another drive for legislation establishing higher educational standards, ----------- - A similar bill that would force members of the minor judiciary to take a course in legal instruction did not pass. 'Tis said that "A man's judgment is not better than his information. ii This is used by Robert Cameron in the Montgomery County Recorder, It is from his article that the following bit of advice is taken: PLANNING 1° The Shenango Valley Regional Planning Commission has been organized in Mercer County. It serves two cities, three boros, and two townships. Rep­ resenting them is an 18-member commission that will assist the localities in planning and zoning problems. Municipalities in this area would do well to look into Act 624 of the 1951 General Assembly which created the Metropolitan Study Commission for Alle­ gheny County. Section I of that Act states that the Commission was created in order to promote the uniform development of the 129 municipalities in the County and encourage these same to cooperate in meeting the problems attendant to the growth of the County. PARKING METERS Denver is experimenting with a device which resets parking meters when motorists pull out of metered parking spaces so that other drivers may not bene­ fit from unused time on the meters. The mechanism consists of a bar set into the pavement about midway in the parking space, parallel with the meter. A car pulling out crosses the bar, activating an electric impulse which resets the meter. LEGAL NOT ES PUBLICATION gram without affecting the riabt t e n 0 a disability and/or death-benefit pro- r.ght ,0 „„ive the state inButance tax money This News-letter for interested public officials of local governments in Luzerne County is published as a community service. It originates in the Polit­ ical Science Department of Wilkes College. Address inquiries to Dr. Hugo Mailey, Political Science Department, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. �t.uzerne county WHAT 'S new in PUBLISHED BY WILKES COLLEGE Vol. II, No. 3 hiring of special police officers are included AVOCA - Additional funds for the in the 1953 budget. to reduce the boro indebtedness to a DUPONT - The 1953 budget will attemp EDWAR^VILLE^Th^proposed budget lists approximately $72, 000 for general operation and $4,500 for road maintenance. — -- Township and Wilkes-Barre officials have reached an HANOVER TOWNSHIP agreement on the installation of an ;automatic stop-and-go signal at Carey and Division Streets, costs of which will be equally divided. SWOYERVILLE - Council approved a budget that is slightly higher than in 1952, by approximately $1, 500. The 17-mill levy is retained. DALLAS - Council plans a new boro building either on the Harvey's Lake High­ way or on the Tunkhannock Highway. WILKES-BARRE - The Traffic Commission will be asked to approve for a trial period one-way traffic on two of the city's important arteries - Franklin and Washington Streets. NANTICOKE - The Pennsylvania Economy League has completed a survey of the finances of the city, indicating that the city's finances and credit have been placed on firm ground. HAZLETON - In 1950 the League published a comprehensive report on the Hazleton Police Department. In January, 1953, the League reassessed three of the proposals made relative to the Police Department's efficiency. PLYMOUTH - Members of the Police Department have agreed to deduction from their pays for Social Security, but are not certain whether they will remain enrolled (see the Boro Bulletin for Legal Opinions). LARKSVILLE - According to reports, the budget provides for about the same receipts and expenditures as last year. SWOYERVILLE - The boro solons are being urged by the local citizenry to adopt comprehensive building, zoning, and fire codes. FORTY FORT - No plans for major expenditures have been proposed. The State Highway Department and the Boro are endeavoring to reach an agreement T construction of curbing on its main street. UZEmNnE C0UNTY ’ The Commissioners have paved the way for more than DURYEA C Th117 Per diem employees t0 get Social Security coverage. be fnieJehS°i1Cltkr/dViSed the C°Uncil tbat the ^^ncy of auditor cannot oe tilled by that body. WILKES - BARRE TOWNSHIP The Township is one of the few that purchases its fire service from the CCity of Wilkes-Barre. NEWPORT TOWNSHIP - Inasmuch —i as the budget is $7, 000 lower than it was last year, no capital improvement k -i S are P^anned during the year. KINGSTON - The nronnspri r = inking fund^and'^vV^V/ 5'1?111 general taX leVy’ 1 mills for the / mills for the light fund. WILKES-BARRE, PENNSYLVANIA March 16, 1953 DON'T MISS THE DINNER The speaker at the March 26 dinner for local officials in Luzerne County will be Dr. Willard Hancock, Director of the Bureau of Municipal Affairs in Harrisburg. Dr. Hancock, a native of Plains Township, has chosen to discuss "Act 145: Its Continuance or Modification. " Act 145, it will be remembered, cut appropriations for such urban areas as cities, boros, and first-class townships and increased road appropriations for second-class townships. What should the basis for such appropriations be-mileage, area, population, assessed value of land abutting, relative indebtedness of the unit, cost of construction? Dr. Hancock may well have the answers. PHONE THE POLITICAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT AT WILKES COLLEGE --WILKES-BARRE 4-4651--TO RESERVE A PLACE FOR THE MARCH 26 DINNER IN THE COLLEGE CAFETERIA. Cost of the dinner: $1.50. TOWN MEETING What to do when irate citizens protest, "We don't know what's going on at city hall" ? / c Many city officials have found a satisfactory answer in little town meetings, which put the personal touch into local government. Such meetings, held today in Worcester, Mass., .Kansas City, Mo., Portland, Me., and the Fifth Ward of Kingston, acquaint the public with what the municipality is doing and with what it can and cannot reasonably be expected to do. Thanks to the friendly spirit and in­ formality of the meetings, those who attend them speak freely. Says Portland City Manager Lyman S. Moore: "We feel that the neighborhood town meeting shows promise of becoming an indispensable element of the medium­ sized city in making democracy work at the grass roots." It is pleasant to report that the town meeting has been introduced to Wyoming Valley through Kingston Councilman Ralph M. Brown of the Fifth Ward, who makes use of the Rutter Street School. Well attended by partisans of both parties, his meetings have enabled his constituents to learn about Kingston government and have kept lim in touch with the problems of those same constituents. Town meetings are valuable for a variety of reasons: 1. They indicate that the local solon sincerely regards public office as a public trust. �2. They afford the official direct own ground. communication with citizens on their 3. They secure immediate governmental response to justified complaint 4. They test citizen reaction to projected programs. 5. They permit the solon to demonstrate the range of the municipal program in relation to size, cost, and time factors. WHAT'S NEW The taxpayers' associations that mushroom in every little town are conly the result of lack of insight on the part of local officials. If councilmen and ■—I com. missioners would regularly coordinate the resources of the community, renula report on social conditions in the area, and then plan and recommend with publi ' approval, their road would be considerably smoother. STREET CLEANING In Evanston, Illinois, a ban on all-night parking, alternately on each side of the street, has cut street-cleaning time by two-thirds. PARKING IN B U F F A L O Buffalo has granted tax exemption to buildings constructed, altered, and remodeled to provide off-street parking. The exemption applies only to general property taxes and not to special assessments, and is to run for 15 years after the completion of the parking structure. It will apply only to the building improve­ ment and not to the land. To qualify, buildings must have a minimum capacity of 150 cars. At least 75 per cent of the floor area must be used exclusively for offstreet parking. Exemption proportionate to the percentage of parking area to the total may be allowed. SERVICE CHARGE The municipality which sets up a refuse service-charge system should also set up an efficient billing and collection procedure. Boros and townships vary the billing methods. The more common billing methods a, vary generail with a discount for prompt payment; (2) separate are (1) separate bill, item on the tax bill or on the water bill. The m -2 ticket system; (3) an istrative overhead by combining the collection char unicipality can reduce its adminof cities send out bills on a quarterly or semi-annual basis ge with the tax bill. A majority holder's burden and to stabilize the working revenue of the to reduce the house­ municipality. i DUPONT - With the adoption of the 5 per cent tax on admissions, the Council will take half of the 10 per cent admissions tax already levied by the School Board. AVOCA - The Lions voted to purchase six wastepaper receptacles to be pre­ sented to the boro for proper distribution. FORTY FORT - A 5 per cent increase for all boro employees was approved by the Council; the ordinance excludes the engineer, solicitor, secretary, and burgess. WEST HAZLETON - A preliminary injunction restraining the Council from col­ lecting a 22-mill tax levy was obtained from the Luzerne County Court. NEWPORT TOWNSHIP - The Commissioners have adopted a supplemental ordi­ nance restricting parking to one side of the street on several narrow thoroughfares. DURYEA - Continuation of the road-repair program in the borough is promised by this year's budget, which includes $6, 500 for the project. WEST PITTSTON - The fire loss’ of $100, 000 may cause the Council to revise its budget which provided for a half-mill tax reduction and to restore the 17 1/2-mill levy. EXETER - There might be an inclination among the Council members to reduce the number of councilmen with a view to saving the boro about $1, 200 a year. HANOVER TOWNSHIP - The Commissioners conferred with officials of the Pennsylvania Department of Highways relative to a proposed new connect­ ing highway between Askam and the new state road at Sans Souci Park. LARKSVILLE - Because the Boro lost $75,468 in assessments for 1953, the Council must borrow $20, 000 for general purposes. WILKES-BARRE - Non-assessable property in the City, including both land and buildings, has a total valuation of $30, 653, 763. Tax-free property amounts to $19, 728, 729. It is noteworthy that the total non-assessable property in the City exceeds the Occupation, Real Estate, and Coal Total Valuation for tax purposes of every Luzerne County municipality but one--Hanover Town­ ship. EDWARDSVILLE - The boro lockup is in good condition, according to a letter from the Department of Welfare which complimented officials on its upkeep. ASHLEY - Ashley Lions Club has presented white capes to the police to lessen the hazards they face. KINGSTON - The Council is seriously considering the purchase of a community building. Several plans are now under consideration. LUZERNE - Council has instructed the boro engineer to check the mine subsidence because of the number of complaints. SUGAR NOTCH - Increased road work, as planned in the budget, will amount to several thousands of dollars. THE COUNTY - Luzerne County's assessed valuation for 1953 shows a net gain of $469, 746 over the 1952 figure, according to certified valuation of the County. There was a drop of occupational taxables of 804 in 1953, result­ ing in a loss of $90, 932 in valuation. There was also a loss of $1, 607, 360 in coal valuation for the year. The gain was realized in real estate valuation -- a gain of $2, 077, 106. �Wilkes College library THE THREE E ' S OF TRAFFIC CONTROL The Wilkes-Barre City officials are currently finding out something about the three E's of traffic control--engineering, enforcement, and educa­ tion. Engineers can spend months studying the traffic problem and prepare an excellent plan of control. Police can track down violators of well-conceived regulations. But if the public hasn't been educated or refuses to accept wellconceived plans, traffic snarls will never be straightened out. {famfy '7'lew4~lett0i H VOL. II, NO. 4 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. APRIL 15, 1953 THE DINNER After several weeks, the Wilkes-Barre police find that the public has not adjusted to one-way streets. Some motorists still remain in the right-hand lane on one-way streets. The value of double-lane traffic is lost if both lanes are not used. Moreover, making a left-hand turn from the right-hand lane could prove mighty costly to the motorist. Some 35 councilmen and commissioners of the Wyoming Valley area attended the first bi-monthly dinner meeting held in the Wilkes College Cafeteria on March 26, 1953. Dr. Willard Hancock, Director of the Bureau of Municipal Affairs, de­ voted most of his talk to a review of proposed legislation affecting boros and town­ ships, emphasizing the measures allocating road funds. He pointed out that Act 145, which annually allocates $15, 000, 000 for road upkeep to cities, boros, and townships on the basis of mileage and population, expires at the end of this year. Present House Bill 650 would hold the line, whereas Senate Bill 344 would increase the annual appropriation to $20, 000, 000. Traffic problems have another aspect, too. Pedestrian regulations must be a part of the traffic code. The essence of pedestrian control is that the man who walks on the street is no different, in the eyes of the law, from the man who drives on it. Each has an equal responsibility to obey the law. Washington, D C had 499 pedestrian arrests in 1952. In an effort to reduce jaywalking, Philadelphia has hired nine professional models, attired in policemen's caps and carrying police whistles, to hand out fake traffic tickets to jaywalkers. A printed seal on the ticket states: "This ticket is phony but it is a fact you could have lost your life. DON'T JAYWALK. " sewage plans Communities in this area have at last shown that they desire to cooperate to solve their common sewage problem. Single-treatment works for each town is an extravagant waste of taxpayers' funds. Whether one plant or a half a dozen plants are needed can be decided only after a careful engineering survey, such as that being undertaken at the behest of the Chamber of Commerce. Area-wide planning requires cooperation. While awaiting the release of the survey by the engineers, official could be educating himself on the subject by reading’Dr. every public article, "Clean Streams, " in the quarterly publication of the Sanitary Water Board Russell Teague's and "Individual Sewage Disposal Systems," reprint no. 2461 of the Public Health Service of the U.S. Keery McAmbley of the Public Service Institute has prepared a collection of readings on the subject that can be had just for the asking. O Hosts at the dinner were Hanover Township officials: Gwilliam Williams, President of the Board; John C. Wordoski, Second Vice President of the State Township Association; Township Secretary Andrew Garber, James McCarthy, Stephen Yanoshak, and George Kotik. Entertainment was furnished by Arthur Thomas, himorist. Brief remarks were made by John C. Wordoski, Dr. Hugo Mailey, and Andrew Garber. Municipalities represented at this first meeting were Courtdale, Edwards ville, Forty Fort, Hanover Township, Kingston, Luzerne, Nuangola, Newport Township, Plains Township, Wilkes-Barre Township, and West Pittston. The next meeting has tentatively been set for Thursday, May 21, at the Col­ lege Cafeteria. The topic to be discussed will be "Sewage Disposal: How to Finance It." Make reservations now. It is hoped that every municipality will send at least one representative in order that permanent associations may be formed. TAX COLLECTORS Luzerne County Tax Collectors Association adopted a resolution calling for the passage of an act by the State Legislature which would exonerate persons over 65 from payment of the per capita and occupation taxes. PUBLICAT ION This News-letter for interested public officials Luzerne County is published as a community service, ical Science Department of Wilkes College. Address of local governments in It originates in the PolitMailey, Political Science Department, Wilkes Colb inquiries to Dr. Hugo V. ege, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. CITIZENS' HANDBOOK Citizens' Handbook, a publication prepared by the Bureau of Municipal Affairs and containing information concerning local election regulations and voting procedures, is now available at a very low price. �FINAN CING SEWAGE PROJECTS Financing sewage projects will be one of the problems facing the 15 municipalities when the sewage survey conducted by Albright and Friehl, engineers, is finally released through the Public Services Committee of the Chamber of Commerce. Financing varies with conditions to be met. The common methods by which a town or towns may raise funds in this State for the construction of such facilities are: > Authority management is generally strong and competent. Virtually all authorities appoint competent managers and often seek technical advice. Lacking taxing power, an authority must stand or fall as a business enterprise. The one important advantage to Luzerne County municipalities is that a joint authority would permit the local units to embark on a capital improve­ ment without regard to debt limitation or borrowing capacity tied to assess­ ments . 1. 2. Through General Obligation Bonds Through assessments using General Obligation Bonds in a revolving fund 3. By current revenue from existing sources or from reserves 4. By the creation of a municipal authority and the issuance of revenue bonds 5. By temporary loan 6. Through a privately owned sewer company SEWAGE AUTHORITY RATES Goldman, Sacks and Co. bought a $1, 300, 000 bond issue for the new Pottstown secondary sewage-disposal plant at a 1.96 per cent interest rate. Only York's rate of 1.82 per cent is lower, and it was secured by the boro officials talking personally to Moody and Company, municipal credit-rating organization. Cited were Pottstown's diversified industries, good labor­ management relations, sound financial standing, and efficient municipal government. MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY IN PENNSYLVANIA Practically all communities which have built sewage treatment works in compliance with the orders of the Sanitary Water Board have adopted the authority method of financing the project,. This is the youngest type of municipal instrumentality, born only fifteen ye.ars ago. A municipal authority is a special public corporation, whose obligations are payable solely from its revenues. Authorities have no taxing power. The authority owns a revenue-producing project under public control. Its business must be self-liquidating, and its corporate existence limited to fifty years. When all debts are liquidated, all assets revert to the incorporating munici­ palities. Some 24 functions may be performed by Pennsylvania authority, among which is the function of sewers, sewage systems, and sewage treat­ ment works. It is eligible for federal subsidies. Its bonds are tax exempt. They are subject to the same degree of regulation as a privately owned utility. The joint authority, worthy of consideration in Wyoming Valley, would transcend political boundaries. The authority has made joint action by several municipalities a reality. It functionally unifies local governments. The largest joint project, the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority, is an attempt to solve the sewage disposal problems for the whole of Allegheny County, including 63 municipalities. 7 1 The administration of the f ” ority is vested in a governing body or board, which in the case of a joint endeavor equal to the number of incorpi consists of a number of members at least than five. Membership in the rn i c ip al j. ties, but in no instance less no salary is usually given, Ca ar is usually deemed an honor and trust, and a burgess fill the post. en may not serve on the boards, nor may - The Sunbury Municipal Authority issued $1, 075, 000 worth of bonds at 2 1/4 to 2 3/4 per cent. The sewer rental charges amount to $20 a year or about $1.66 a month for each dwelling. The interest rate for $475, 000 worth of bonds issued by Danville will be 2.016 per cent. Sewer rental charge will be $19 a year. TRAILER HOUSING Municipalities should give serious consideration to the trailer problem. Trailers and trailer parks need regular attention in the public interest. They should be recognized in the zoning and building codes. A special ordinance should provide regulations for health and safety. And finally, some taxes should be levied so that the needs of permanent trailer families for education, recreation, and protection may be provided without undue hardship on families living in fixed housing. PUBLICATION This News-letter for interested public officials of local governments in Luzerne County is published as a community service. It originates in the Po­ litical Science Department of Wilkes College. Address inquiries to Dr. Hugo Mailcy, Political Science Department, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. �I WHAT' S NEW VOL. II, NO. 5 CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - Four local units--Forty Fort, Wyoming, Kingston, and Plains Township--have already paid into a special account their proportionate shares of the funds necessary to conduct a Valley-wide survey of sewage needs. The proposed survey would consider groupings and construction as well as maintenance and fi­ nance costs. The 15 river-bordering municipalities have approved the survey as part of their joint approach to the over-all question of compliance with the State's Clean Streams Program. Letters from the Justice Department threatening local officials came as a surprise in the light of the 15 communities' attempt at a joint plan. EXETER - Boro Council ordered the sale of a boro motorcycle, a road truck, and the plate glass salvaged from the honor roll. Councilmen and Commissioners will hold-their second joint session at 6:30 P.M. on May 21 at the Wilkes College Cafeteria. The Honorable S. Cober Braucher, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Internal Affairs, will speak on the subject "Sewage Disposal and How It Can Be Financed. " Organization plans for next -year will also be discussed. The Boro of Kingston will act as the official hosts for the evening. Make reservations with Dr. Hugo V. Mailey as soon as possible. Telephone 4-4651. FORTY SECOND ANNUAL CONVENTION The boros of Pennsylvania will hold their annual convention at the BellevueStratford Hotel in Philadelphia May 27 to May 29. Plan now to attend in the interest of boro government in the State. It may yet be possible for the Luzerne County representative to sit on the Resolutions Committee. METROPOLITANITIS While the nation's cities increased 13.9 per cent in population in the decade between 1940 to 1950, the fringe-area communities grew 35.9 per cent. Today at least one-fourth of the population of the United States lives in the metropolitan communities. °SP W1U QSe a private road instead. cfve’^ eRRE ' TrmS fr°m BUreaU °f AsseBsment began April 1 to the CityLe;yeXiOta:SUre C°mPlete re^Strati- MAY 15,- 1953 THE DINNER FORTY FORT - In addition to approving a motion placing Boro employees under Social Security effective April 1, Council changed from residen­ tial and commercial to light industry an area bordering the American Stores warehouse property. KINGSTON - Council amended the zoning ordinance, increasing the number of signatures necessary for approval from 75 per cent to 100 per cent in an area 500 feet from the proposed location of a filling station. KINGSTON TOWNSHIP - Supervisors have been granted permission to install a four-post traffic signal at the intersection of Carverton and Church roads in Trucksville. The light, cost of which is estimated at $2, 000, will be operated by a push-button for pedestrians and a trip-plate for automobiles. NANT1COKE - The City's taxable valuation decreased $283, 263 during the past year, while the City's debt was reduced more than $64, 000. Bor­ rowing capacity has increased to $142, 479. Almost 90 per cent of the 19o2 taxes were collected. PLAINS TOWNSHIP - An agreement has been reached b Town hi officials vTh lnterests that trucks now using the Township roads near the WTT WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. persons subject to REFERENCE depreciation of tLT/retl^steteT^ d° Pr°teCt ProPertY owners against "The Authority in Pennsylvania: Pro and Con, " by Tina V. Weintraub and James D. Patterson, is available in the Wilkes College Library. This 50-page booklet explains what special governmental "magic, "‘if"any, the authority in fact possesses. LUZERNE COUNTY - Adonic A Under consideration. highway will be submitted^Jr°adS &S & C°Unty £N T E R E S T IN G NAMES The Burgess of Narberth is " Sterling on the watch for the public's interests. ” Chain--no doubt one who is always I �RUBBER road Naw Jersey's first rubber road. Ole Hansen & So °asantville> began the job of laying a one-and-one-half.’ * four_and.0ne-half-mile stretch. About 6, 600 tons of highway in the State Highway De Work has starte contracting firm of meh rubber surfac * -.0.. The material with which the road i. ’ns p"«d i. a combination of ..ph.lt and ..r.-.e.U, a synthetic rabbet co„. pound made by the Naugatuck (Conn. ) Chemical Division nited States Rubber Company. The compound is being shipped in a hot mix stage from the plant in tank trucks carrying 3, 000 gallons of the material each trip. SOCIAL SECURITY The State Social Security Bureau is running into trouble trying to help some policemen and firemen already under pension systems qualify for social security coverage. The Bureau now has 15, 000 public employees covered in 384 contracts between the federal governments and cities, townships, boros, school districts, and municipal authorities, expecting some 70 more in the next several weeks. It is a difficult problem with third-class cities. They must have retirement systems for their policemen by law and the question whether they can abolish them is a legal one. The third-class cities code requires the State's 47 commu­ nities of that classification to setup pension plans for policement. Congressman George, Kansas, a member of the Subcommittee on Roads of the Public Works Committee of the House, feels that too much money is being diverted from road construction. His claim is that our whole highway system will break down under the transportation needs because the States have not the funds since the federal government is draining this source of revenue. Congress has authorized an increase of funds for highways to 575 million dollars annually for fiscal years ending 1954 and 1955. Under the two-year program, starting July 1, 1953, there will be 247 1/2 million for projects on the primary highway system, 165 million for secondary roads, 137 1/2 million for urban roads, and 25 million for the so-called national system of interstate highways. MINNESOTA ROAD REPAIR The Minnesota State Department of Highways has found three tools standard equipment in filling concrete pavement cracks. The paving kettle is followed immediately by a rubber-edged squeegee which wipes off the surplus bituminous material and carries it forward into the infilled joints. The squeegee has re­ duced the use of material by one-third. The third tool is a cone-shaped device that distributes lime, cement, or fine dust over the wiped joint. This eliminates pavement smearing and safeguards the fresh materials against removal by suc­ tion of passing vehicles. DEFECT IN STREET FEDERAL TAXES FOR HIGHWAYS There are 7 different federal taxes on motor-vehicle owners. The taxes and approximate amounts collected on each for fiscal yea'r 1951 are: 7 per cent on new motor cars and cycles 11/2 cents a gallon on gas 5 per cent on new trucks 5 cents a lb. on tires 5 per cent on parts and accessories 9 cents a lb. on inner tubes 6 cents a lb. on lubricating oils 1 pay more 1’ government. - t $653,363,451 569, 047, 960 121,248,890 166,424, 958 119,475,023 31,958,282 97,238,095 ORDINANCES AND LICENSE FEES • -> taxes C ’ - ------ -- ---- — V* JL1.J highway construction thr - —J general fund of the U. S. Treasury. Municipalities which have control over the streets are liable to damages for injuries sustained in consequence of their failure to use reasonable care to keep them in a reasonably safe condition for travel. Notice is an essential ele­ ment of the claim. It must be established, moreover, that the defect existed for an unreasonable length of time. cent of the states. Where a license fee is assessed, it must be in accordance with the expense of issuing the license and of inspecting the business. In the Case Commonwealth v. McFadden, it was held that an annual fee of $100 for each trailer camp, in addition to a permit fee of five dollars per permit per month for each trailer and for each monthly renewal, exceeded the costs of supervision, inspection, and regulation and constituted a revenue tax under the guise of a police regulation. �r je Library WHAT 'S NEW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - Thirteen of the 15 River-bordering UhAMBibK ur „„„fT.arts entering into a joint survey on the sewage indebtedness to $940, 000-well below the legal limit of two per cent of the County's valuation, or a limit of $5, 262, 386 NANTICOKE - The new street lamps recently installed m the City s business district were turned on for the first time several nights ago, and made a most favorable impression. PLYMOUTH - Property valuation has increased during the last 10 years, but the loss of taxable persons gives the Town something to think about. The 6, 094 taxables this year is a drop of 224 from last year. DALLAS TOWNSHIP - The State Department of Highways has recommended installation of a traffic-control light as a means of reducing accidents at the intersection of the Harvey's Lake Highway and the new Lehman Road Expenses will be borne by the municipality. WILKES-BARRE - The new building code, on which builders, contractors and public officials spent more than a year, is nearly ready for adoption. KINGSTON TOWNSHIP - One of the problems facing local officials is the expan sion of the police department to afford protection to a rapidly expanding residential area. NEWPORT TOWNSHIP - Local officials were informed that the municipality is one of three whose application for Social Security coverage for employees has been approved at Harrisburg. Police are excluded. WYOMING - Zoning, playgrounds, and Christmas lighting are three problems requiring solution this year. HANOVER TOWNSHIP - The Commissioners have been giving serious thought to lights and guard rails along the new State Highway. PITTSTON - Parking revenue declined $519 during the first quarter of 1953 „ as_comPared with the first quarter of last year. X ffawn mo^V5 COOperating with the Town's biggest taxpayer, KInAtom «T m WhlCh provides an income of $6, 491 ing met’ers JeCt dlSCUSSi°n amonS local officials and merchants is park- VOL. II, NO. 6 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. S. JUNE 15, 1953 C O B E R B RAUCHER Some 50 councilmen and commissioners gathered in Wilkes College cafeteria May 21 to hear S. Cober Braucher, deputy secretary of the Department of Internal Affairs, explain the authority as a means of financing sewage disposal. "Within the past decade, " Mr. Braucher said, "most municipalities have become sensible of their obligation to dispose of waste in such a manner as not to contaminate their water supplies, realizing nothing is so likely to keep industry out of an area as polluted water. " He pointed out the authority has come into favor because it can borrow as much as it needs to construct, operate, and repair a sewage plant provided it has the revenue to pay interest and retire its bonds. The idea of paying rent for sewers is a relatively new one, he observed, adding liens against those re­ fusing to pay their sewer rentals take precedence over mortgages. The presiding officer was William I. Martin, Burgess of Kingston, which boro served as host for the evening. Other local units represented at the meet­ ing were Luzerne, Laurel Run, Nuangola, Courtdale, Wilkes-Barre, Hanover Township, Wilkes-Barre Township, Forty Fort, Sugar Notch, Newport Township, West Pittston, and Kingston. COUNTY UNIT NOTE wn °GOn=r °r later U Was bound to hapnen- Wltllam Jr. Shou]d he be r the burgess of Morrisville is -J as Burgess Burgess? JLP B LI C A T IQ N This News-letter, DrUHCal S.CrienCe DeP^rt^ent originates in the Dr. HugoV. Mailey, Political S College. Send notes and inquiries to ^rre, Pennsylvania Scie: —nee Department, Wilke, College, Wilkes- PUbl'’«ldW V Decision by representatives of about a dozen boros to form a county association was reached last May 21 at the dinner meeting. Ralph Brown, councilman from Kingston, was elected temporary chairman while Roy Speece, secretary of the council from West Pittston, was named temporary secretary of the organization. Appointed to the executive committee which will meet on June 17 to draft a set of by-laws were John Jarzenbowicz, Sugar Notch; Alan Bare, Forty Fort; Brinley Crahall, Courtdale; Fred Balliet, Nuangola; George Sobeck, Luzerne; and Thomas Callahan, Laurel Run. Suggestions for organiz­ ing the association of boros were furnished by D. William Arndt of Berwick, secretary of the Columbia-Montour Boros Association and member of the exec­ utive committee of the State Boros Association. �ATT RACTING INDUSTRY "Attracting Industry to Cities" is the title of a very informative article in the May 1953 issue of the National Municipal Review. The article a re­ print, was written by Dr. Lawrence Durisch, authority in the field of municipal government. Many times it is not such primary factors as availability of markets, raw materials or labor supply that determine where a new industry locates, but rather such secondary considerations as local government services. Local leaders have centered their attention on municipal financing of industrial under­ takings or subsidies. The State Legislatures of Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee have passed legislation to permit community financing of new in­ dustry. This spectacular endeavor has its proponents and opponents. Some of the latter hold this method of attracting industry obscures the real role of local government, which role is to create a place where people can work and live. The most important part that local government can play in industrial development is to perform well its regular functions of government. Here are some of the services that industry considers important: property protection, including both fire and police; public schools and facilities for em­ ployee training; public health; hospital facilities; housing; local transportation; water and electric utilities, those publicly managed and those privately operated; recreation; and planning and zoning as they affect the availability of industrial sites and the convenience of industrial areas. Examples are mentioned: One town was told rather bluntly by an industry which located elsewhere: "There is nothing wrong with your town as an industrial location that a good city government would not cure. " Few towns realize com­ pletely the value of being known as a good town in which to live and work. Adequate services of local government do not in themselves insure initial or continuing < success in industria! development. They do, however, constitute the most lasting which local government can extend to industry. - inducement ------ ------------ NON-PROPe r t y tax the HomTlUleTax ^a^ oVherXeT0^^ reVENUES 1947 Legislatare PaSSed * s known as the Mtax-anything" law. A number of factors dictated it: S passage at the time, most important of which was the fact that the State wished curtail subsidies to local governments. Another important factor was the generally low r— property assessments around the State, which are about 30 per cent of market value ---- J throughout the State. It ought to be noted that the law kit has been used to t finance new acf S not reduced real estate taxes, rather —1 tax assessment? L°Cal governments still have not done anything about local C L E V E L A ND'S ANTI-JAYWALKING DRIVE Cleveland police have been presenting roses to good drivers and free cigarets to careful pedestrians in that city's drive to rid the city of jay-walkers. On the first day of the drive, 218 tickets were issued to jaywalking pedestrians, and 14 motorists were cited for failure to yield the right of way to pedestrians. ACT The The The The 145 from the $12,000,000 and the $3,000,000 cities received boros received first-class townships received second-class townships received $3,080,017 2,247,650 632,515 9,039,808 $14,999, 990 This allocation was on a basis of 60 per cent for road mileage and 40 per cent for population. This fact increased the appropriation to second-class town­ ships, which contain 45, 000 miles of road, whereas other units combined contain about 13,500. UNIFORM LAW FOR TRUC KERS A special committee of the Council of State Governments has recommended enactment by the states of a uniform law to assure more equitable payment of highway-user taxes by operators of heavy commercial vehicles in both interstate and intrastate commerce. Such a law would apply to heavy vehicles with a gross weight of 18, 000 lbs. or more. BILLS SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR H. 383 - Giving townships additional powers in relation to streets, State highways, sewers, public squares, and abutting properties. H. 384 - Requiring local taxes under "tax-anything" law of 1947 to be re­ enacted annually. H. 703 - Changing provisions relating to effective date of laws affecting budgets of municipalities. PUBLICATION This News-letter, published as a community service, originates in the Political Science Department of Wilkes College. Please send notes and inquiries to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Political Science Department, Wilkes College, WilkesBarre, Pennsylvania. �JUL 2 1 195~ WHAT 'S NEW ? approval of annexation by the Boro of a 2.2 acre section CONYNGHAM - Court ? was asked in a petition filed with the Court. of Sugarloaf Township KINGSTON - The problem of c. cost of collection of ashes is presently being dis. ASHLEY - Only 38 properties were turned in to the county this month for unpaid taxes, fewer than last year. DALLAS - Citizens of the Boro have realized the need for a more systemized parking program for the area to insure success of all enterprises in the section. PLYMOUTH - The bond issues proposed by the council will be redeemable with­ in two yars, purpose of the bonds being for emergency work, which has not been provided for in the annual budget. SWOYERVILLE - New street signs were placed at all intersections in the Boro. LUZERNE COUNTY - County officials voted more than $200, 000 for land damages incidental to improvement of state highways in the county, but at the same time they expressed annoyance at the prospect of these costs becoming per­ petual as the state continues to expand its highway system. PITTSTON - The City has an accumulation of $423, 402. 97 in back taxes, most of which date from 1952. EDWARDSVILLE - Reports have it that the C’ty fathers are planning an ordinance to prohibit dumping within its limits. WILKES-BARRE - The City contemplates the purchase of a <coin ' machine ' ' ' designed. to assort and count all types of mixed deposits accurately at a speed of 500 coins a minute. The machine will be used to sort, count, and package the millions of coins taken from the parking meters. HANOVER TOWNSHIP - The commissioners have undertaken a road-improvement ,, program and have asked the cooperation of motorists. " -Q-^INC- - The council is considering a paving job for a new proposed housing project. CSVILLE More than three mills of the Boro taxes this year are ear-marked tor bonds, interest, and old bills. doublf wbT?efSt«e ^lghway Department will not object to the painting of tion= on 1 6 ra 1C UneS ° n the mail hiShway if it will improve safety condi- VOL. II, NO. 7 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. JULY 15, 1953 VALUABLE PRODUCTS RESULT OF POLLUTION ABATEMENT Treatment of wastes by industry, required under the Clean Streams program, has resulted in many instances in the reclamation by industry of valuable products which formerly were discharged to the rivers as waste. In other instances, com­ plete surveys of the manufacturing process resulted in changes which decreased the volume of waste, causing a lower expenditure for a waste treatment system. Other industries found that they could install systems for the removal of waste material from the water used in the process of manufacture, recirculate the cleansed water for re-use and thereby cut down on water consumption. In many cases the recirculating systems have eliminated the stream pollution problem en­ tirely as the solids settled out of the water are removed to dumps. Some concerns have stated they are actually making a profit on the products they formerly discharged to the streams. Outstanding on the reclamation list are the finer sizes of coal which are recovered from the silt from anthracite breaker water. In the past, many tons of silt were discharged annually to the waterways. This has been stopped and in the de silting process the finer sizes of coal are re­ covered for which a ready sale has been developed. Some coal operators have stated that they are realizing a profit on the coal they formerly sent down the streams as waste. In some other cases sale of the recovered coal brings suffi­ cient return to pay for the cost of operating systems. One steel mill installed a modern flue dust recovery works costing $516, 361. After deducting the cost of operation of the plant and the cost of sintering the re­ covered ore dust, the plant showed a profit of $580, 636 in the first yar. Imme­ diately a shovel was placed in the stream and 15, 000 tons of dust previously depos­ ited on the stream bed were recovered. In another instance, a manufacturing plant recovered 4, 000 gallons a day of low grade ether, used in the process of man­ ufacture, which had been going down the stream as waste. There are many instances in which closed systems have been installed which not only permit the use of the water over and over, reducing the charges for water, but have also eliminated the pollution problem. However, in most instances pollu­ tion abatement brings additional costs to the operation of the industry, which points up the fact that preventing pollution must be placed in the category of any other pro­ duction cost. �SUBDIVISION CONTROL (first of two articles) new ^tensions er location o * nl,__ose water mains, and sewers. °PWnt with schools, public buildings and shopping areas, Pfop. complete subdivision regulations must be c In concerned sidewalks The suitability of the land for the proposed subdivision should be the first consideration. Topography and soil types should also be considered as they affect desirable circulation patterns and population densities. "Gentlemen: "I am very pleased to be able to report to you that all of the fifteen Wyoming Valley communities have now paid their proportionate share of the cost for the proposed survey of the waste disposal problem in our area. "Seven of these communities have also executed and sent in their signed contracts. If you have not sent in your contract, will you please take steps as are necessary to have it executed and returned to me as promptly as possible in order that we may proceed with the survey. "It is very gratifying to have this demonstration of cooperation by Wyoming Valley communities and my sincere thanks and congratulations go to all concerned. II BILL 418 A classification of streets is necessary. Local residential streets (residential service streets) are those providing direct access to residences and serving a com paratively small number of dwellings. Secondary streets (neighborhood feeder streets) are those serving only neighborhood traffic and which connect service streets to each other, to local facilities, and to major traffic streets. Primary or major streets are those connecting district centers, serving large volumes of through fast-moving traffic and which are preferably located outside the boundary of neighborhoods. The circulation pattern for a new subdivision should conform generally to the over-community plan. Provision for the extension of major streets into and from adjoining areas should be required, while local service streets should discourage through traffic. If the proposed subdivision is adjacent to a primary or major thoroughfare, provision should be made for necessary future widening. If dead end streets are used, lengths up to 600 feet are generally considered acceptable, provided the street is wide enough for two lanes generally of traffic considered unobstructed except by occasional parking and provided there is a turning space with a diameter of at least 80 feet at the end. Where minor streets near each other open into oppoterseSctiols° 77StreetS’ they should be made to coincide, making for fewer ines than 800 ee^ icbb man ouu teet. 8 al°ng 8treetS should not occur at intervals of W Y Q M IN G VALLEY SURVEY Below is a ( copy of the letter QI June 18 f 18 the Public fift Servi,lCeS <"'on'lrnittee of of theJune Greatp^u? 1 C” A‘ Von Stein> Chairman of to the Creati a units that have joined in tv Wllkes’Barre Chamber of Commerce­ survey on sewage disposal. Third class cities in northeastern Pennsylvania have joined with the Pennsyl­ vania Home Rule Association to urge enactment of House Bill 418 to provide for more equitable distribution of the State Motor License Fund to counties, cities, boroughs, and townships. Under present law and legislation proposed by the State Highway Department the money received by cities, boroughs, and townships amounts to only 7 per cent of the Motor License Fund available for construction, repair, and maintenance of streets and highways. House Bill 418 would provide a 75 per cent distribution to the Highway Depart­ ment and a 25 per cent distribution to municipal units based on population and miles of roads. Such distribution, it is contemplated, will mean a two-mill saving in taxes. The Highway Department has now amassed an unspent balance of $410, 000, 00 in the Motor License Fund. Under the bill, part of this would revert back to the mu­ nicipalities. Bill 418 would base refunds on $350 a mile and $2 per capita. Bill 650 would keep in force the present formula by which the State makes gas tax refunds on a basis of $123 a mile and 45 cents per capita. Table Showing Increase under Bill 418 City Wilkes-Barre Hazleton Nanticoke Pittston Now Receives $45,018 23,648 12,268 8, 705 Under Bill 418 $183,381 92,832 49,444 35,575 Increase $134,032 68,001 35,847 26,002 PUBLICATION This News-letter, published as a community service, originates in the Political Science Department of Wilkes College. Please send notes and inquiries to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Political Science Department, Wilkes College, WilkesBarre, Pennsylvania. �I '1fcw4,~letten WHAT'S NEW ? PLYMOUTH - Salaries by departments presentt an interesting picture indicate inp ____ and more on revenue other than property taXe that the Boro depends more KINGSTON - A suggestion to to council that Second and Third Avenues be made On referred to the Boro's traffic committee for study an^ way streets has been 1-. recommendation. EDWARDSVILLE - Council has passed an ordinance denying permission to establish a trailer camp along the Narrows Road near the new developrnen(. plot, feeling that the revenue from a trailer camp would be low. DUPONT - Boro solons are studying a plan that could increase the Boro area five times its present size and double its real estate valuation. ASHLEY - A $20, 000 bond issue has been sold to Butcher and Sherrerd Invest­ ment Company at an interest rate of 4 1/2 per cent, the highest in many years. The money will be used to fund a floating debt, purchase a new fire engine and ash truck, and improve streets. KINGSTON TOWNSHIP - Plans are being made for improving safety on the long stretch of wide roadway through the community. PLAINS TOWNSHIP - The commissioners are pondering an ordinance regulating the installation of oil burners and requiring a permit for installation. WILKES-BARRE - City Council is considering an ordinance providing for an annual license fee of $5.00 for every coin-operated machine except cigaret machines; and another under which stock and food brokerage firms would pay an annual license tax of $50. 00. LARKSVILLE - Volunteer firemen have asked to purchase and install a fire alarm siren since the alarm at Loree No. 5 is not dependable due to working conditions. STO,, Attorney Joseph F. Saporito was named mayor of Pittston to fill the unexpired term of the late Mayor John J. Allardvce AN°IfVOIN!HfPC Commissioner John C. Wordoski has been re-elected 4 LUZERNE C0UNTYO-LTheScXttSllOC1'atlOn ClaSS TownshiP Commissioner ment owe the . °ller s rePort shows that 26 local units of govern ' h““‘y $4?' 6t”■8, ,Or with road construction and tor Wyoming, wh.lc /hj lowe7“’ h‘ a"°"nt " $24’ 813' ” STATE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT -Th "<= Y Av°Ca Sch°O1 District‘ $2, 500, 000. 00 to repair the J* 18 preParing to spend more than pair the road between Wilkes-Barre and Hazleton. VOL. II, NO. 8 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. Cgege Lib® AUGUST 15, 1953 AUG 2 4 1953 MEETING Local officials will hold their first fall meeting in Wilkes College Cafeteria September 23 at 6:30 P.M. It will be recalled that at the meeting May 21 repre­ sentatives of the boroughs decided to form a county association. Copies of by-laws worked out during the summer by a committee headed by Ralph Brown of Kingston, temporary chairman of the projected association, and Roy Speece of West Pittston, temporary secretary, have been sent to every borough secretary in the County and will presumably be discussed at the organization meeting September 23. It is the earnest desire of the by-laws committee that every borough in the County be represented. Commissioners of first-class townships are contemplating a similar organization. They, too, expect to make progress at the September meeting. Reservations may be made through Wilkes College, VAlley 4-4651. SUBDIVISION CONTROL The first specific subdivision standards to be considered are those relating to street or road alignment. Curves should be designed with botl vehicle speed and sight distance in mind. A good minimum center-line ra.— for curves on primary roads is 500 feet; for secondary roads, 300 feet; and for local service streets, 100 feet. Sight distances should be 400 feet for pri­ mary roads, 200 feet for secondary roads, and 100 feet for service streets. The controlling factors in street grades are safe descent, type and volume of traffic, and weather and pavement conditions, A maximum oi six to eight per cent is recommended for residential streets, Grades up to six per cent are allowed on major streets. .A minimum, street grade, usually five per cent, will assure adequate drainage, Intersections should be approached on all sides by levelling areas. Local Officials Remember--. Some people grow with The quickest responsibility; others Way tO lose swell. audience i8 to be the whole show. The fellow who slaps you on the back something. tnay be trying to make you cough up Many pavement widths are possible. Ten feet is usually considered the minimum width for a lane of moving traffic, with 11 and 12 feet for higher speeds. The standard width for a lane of parallel parking is 8 feet. The mini­ mum width of pavement of a one-way service street with two parking lanes should be 26 feet; on a secondary feeder street, 36 feet. Standards for intersections should prohibit the junction of more than four roadways, require right-angle intersections along major streets, and pro­ hibit service-street intersection angles of less than 60 degrees. �FOR BETTER ROADS HEARST PLAN ,e General Assembly of the State of Illinoi consideration to the Hearst plan for bette1S Called Up0 Not long ago the is that the Federal Government should return1 r°ads- T? Congress to give every c tIle the state 6 essence ofnecessary the plan i_part _L of the $2 billion collected from highw H funds be used for immediate improvement of the national inte Users. the all or to any system, which comprises those streets and roads considered .rstate highw and defense. By temporarily relieving the states of the respo^^- t0 °Ur eco? ing the interstate system, the plan would pump a tidy sum into ^lbllity for network and release state funds for other highway work ° hat Strategic r^' Thousands of tests were made of the soils underlying the road, the gravel base material, and the asphaltic concrete surfacing. Owing to this rigid construction control, it should be possible to observe the "behavior" of different sections of the road under different truck loads. The Idaho test is part of a nationwide attempt on the part of highway engineers and the highway transportation industry to develop factual information on which to base design of highways intended to carry heavy truck loads, to guide legislators in their effort to draw equitable tax laws for highway users, and to help truck manufacturers and operators to determine reasonable and efficient vehicle operating sizes and weights. M U NIC I PAL BOND MARKET RECREATION PROGRAM Smith the NATIONAL MUNICIPAL According o an article bv Wade moreS.and moreindifficult to market lowREVIEW municipal^1]ei' XrOvements. The Index for the month ending May 14 interest bonds f P cent as compared with 2.03 per cent shows an average interest cost ot r for the same period in 1952. Back in 1945 Luzerne County received several bids offering to take the bonds for one per cent; today the interest rate has risen to four per cent. Where as in 1942 the city of Wilkes-Barre had to pay but 1.25 per cent interest on the bond money it borrowed, the present rate is nearer four per cent. Electric City banks bad to take Scranton bonds to keep the City solvent--and at 3. 5 per cent. In the June, 1953 BULLETIN of the Department of Internal Affairs, 14 approvals for bond borrowing were listed as having been granted--one city, four boroughs, three school districts, and six housing authorities. The highest intere rate was found in the school-district category, while the lowest average rate was the housing-authority class. The borough of McAdoo had to pay three per cent ir terest on the small amount of $14, 500. interest° iexi6tlnS debt at higher ' over> that the new Federal policy of reXX,' T* al‘ oTbor "SI certainly herald a rise i« terest rates'. oritlefl‘-which, by the WlnE”be 11 authority or governmental. Dlf h„ come m Bond Buy.,',7T W"' in “se before the rise in 1»to an end, I™ • Index indicate, that “he era of cheap money W ASHO ROAD PROJECT °* Malad’ Idaho. will soon begin Prelir"ad the will soon begin p National Government . UC “traffic conditions. Eleven Western states , ^00ociation, the Truck T-r- ? co°peration with the Automobile Manufacturers n„ tests under controlled^01 V soring the project ssociation, and the petroleum industry. are There is a reason why this item was not written for one of the spring issues of the NEWS-LETTER. If it had appeared immediately .prior to the be­ ginning of summer, it would have conveyed the impression that a recreation pro­ gram is little more than a vacation fill-in for school activities. Certainly such a notion is not within the broad outline of ideals in the field. An all-inclusive recreational program operated on a 12-month basis should be provided for all--regardless of race, creed, or color. Recreation programs should offer considerable freedom of choice. Indi­ viduals of all ages enter into recreational activities to satisfy an urge from within. Public interest can be aroused by any group or individual aware of the recreational needs of the community and determined to improve the opportunities presently af­ forded. Each community should survey its available areas and facilities for a comprehensive indoor-outdoor public recreation program. These areas and fa­ cilities are the basic tools without which community recreation cannot succeed. Lack of immediate availability of perfect spaces and equipment should not delay the institution of the program, however. Intelligent, well-trained leadership will always take advantage of anything that presents itself. As a matter of fact, the success of any recreational program depends to a greater degree upon the quality of the leadership than upon any other factor. It should be demanded that personnel in charge of recreation have professional train­ ing and personal qualifications comparable to the training and qualifications of personnel in a public school system or a public health or welfare department. PUBLICATION This News-letter, published monthly as a community service, originates in the Political Science Department of Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries may be ad­ dressed to Dr. II. V. Mailey, Political Science Department, Wilkes College, WilkesBarre, Pennsylvania. �» SEP ] 8 1953 WHAT'S NEW revenue^ The mid-year operations report also shows that tax collections t ^e first half of 1953 are up, whereas departmental earnings are down ED WARDSVILLE- The new shopping section along theNarrows Road may ne. SEPTEMBER 15, 1953 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. VOL. II, NO. 9 cessitate the vacating of business properties along Main Street--a situation which may result in a loss of assessments for tax purposes. A Council com­ mittee is looking into Social-Security protection for all salaried employees. LARKSVILLE - Borough officials are concerned about local residents who dump SEPTEMBER MEETING ashes and garbage on public thoroughfares in violation of a Borough ordinance DALLAS - The Council met with the School Board to discuss equalized assess­ Local officials will hold their first fall meeting in Wilkes College Cafeteria ment. Although the Borough may be in good financial condition, the Board, September 23 at 6:30 P.M. with West Pittston as host. Speakers for the evening badly in need of funds, has requested that assessments be equalized to increas will be William Sword, Herbert Morris, and Charles Von Stein, all of the Chamber its tax income. of Commerce. Mr. Sword and Mr. Morris will speak on the "Place of Local Of­ HANOVER TOWNSHIP - Road jobs are progressing. Patching, installing of curb: ficials in Bringing in Industry, " while Mr. Von Stein will bring the group up to date and oiling will be completed in the near future. on the sewage problem in the Valley. PLYMOUTH - Revenue from parking meters and fines is playing an important part in helping the Council meet payrolls promptly--without borrowing thousan Remember that this is the organization meeting for both boros and first class of dollars before current taxes come in. townships. Every boro and township in the County should be represented. WILKES-BARRE - The non-assessable property has a total valuation of $30 millii with $10 million in land and $20 million in buildings . The increase of several For reservations, call Wilkes College, VA 4-4651. millions in assessments during the last 10 years has been cancelled out owing to the necessity of removing from the tax books, during the same period, a lik< SANITARY LANDFILL amount of property as non-assessable. SWOYERVILLE - Four full-time employees were placed under the Social Security Act. The people of the West Side have come to realize that the old method of dump­ ing refuse into a depression can no longer be tolerated. The Wilkes-Barre incin­ ASHLEY - The Council has authorized the purchase of new fire apparatus and the erator has offered a temporary solution to the problem, and an incinerator operated preparation of specifications for a new ash truck. SAFETY HONORS - The National Safety Council has cited 10 Luzerne County coni' jointly by all West Side communities would certainly be one method of refuse disposal. munities for tholing 1952 without a single traffic fatality. They are: Hazleton, Another method, successfully used by San Bernardino, California; Oneonta, anticoke Plymouth, Ashley, Edwardsville, Forty Fort, Luzerne, Swoyervill New York; and Cheyenne, Wyoming; is ihe sanitary landfill. In Pennsylvania, the West Hazleton, and West Pittston SUPER ROAD - A bill of importance to this area has been considered by the State Lower Bucks County municipalities could readily conquer this problem by accept­ Legislature. ]It provides for the construction of a connecting link with the Penn ing a plan offered by the Planning Commission and the Pennsylvania Economy League. The landfill operation would require the cooperation of all 22 local units in Bucks. sylvania Turnpike pi ce from Harrisburg through the anthracite region. Since sanitary landfills are cheaper than incinerators, West Side units might inves­ EIRE SCHOOL - The cornerstone of Pennsylvania's new fire school at Lewistown tigate and study the idea, that is, if political differences or individual jealousies can was laid August 6. Operated by the Public Service Institute of the Departm®" be forgotten. of Public Instruction, fire fighting--the8C?°O1 ha8 a CMric^m including every aspect of Basically, the operation consists of digging a trench, dumping all trash and cepted. Instruction wilinbe°oCOntla8ratiOn8 caused bV atomic attacks ^fire' garbage into it, and then covering it up. Technically, there are certain refinements men retained by industrial esUblishX's66' Paid firemen> necessary to make the plan work. President oy^e^’t^1?”88101161 Herman C. Kersteen was elected third v'c The operation calls for a trench 6 feet deep, 10 feet wide, and as long as National Association of County Officials meeting in Boston. desired--preferably on submarginal land. Disposal trucks dump refuse at one end �Pac^ covered. sufficient to handle the refuse from 10, 00n ground is the area has been filled, it can be used <0, "'*'"“ °”' “twoofyear s"after Two years " 10^0 recreation field, or similar project. About six years later it recreation field, used for building purposes. The system.. w.thmod.f.cat.ons can al8o be used ,o reclaim low or swampy land, thereby creating more saleable acreage. San Bernardino is using this method to correct erosion and re-rroute the Santa Ana River into its normal channel after the course was changed'"'Ya bfi00d Trenches on this project are about 20 feet wide. Dirt excavated from a new ditch is used to cover the one which has just been closed. The City provides a combined collection service for garbage, rubbish and debris which makes for compaction at the fill. The housewife no longer has to separate papers and tin cans from her garbage. Enclosed sanitary compaction trucks, which are washed and steamed, are used. Continuous burying and bull­ dozing of debris has completely eliminated rats and fleas. Oneonta dumps into a sanitary landfill operated by a private contractor whc is subject to regular inspection and supervision. An International tractor with a two-yard Drott Bullclam shovel is the only equipment used. The tractor compac refuse as it is dumped and immediately covers it with six inches of earth. After substantial area is filled, the tractor tops it off with two feet of dirt. The town fathers were quick to recognize its usefulness for refuse disposal when it aided in transforming a rat-infested swamp into a good, neat landfill operation, The Huber machine is also used to spread asphalt cold mix in paving streets. No wonder the city manager doesn't miss the county assistance which the town formerly received. THE COLLEGE AND COMMUNITY PROGRESS Although every college exists primarily to provide education and to sponsor research, it is also a community institution bearing all the responsibilities the fact implies. Community affairs have an impact on the college even as the devel­ opment of the college affects the community. This interdependence las yet to be fully recognized in Wyoming Valley. During the past year, however, local officials and the Political Science Depart­ ment of Wilkes College have taken real strides in the right direction--witness the publication of this News-letter, the classes on the Wilkes campus for police, magistrates, and councilmen and commissioners, the bi-monthly meetings at the College to bring officials into touch with authorities on local government. The PSI classes will be repeated this year (phone the College for details), and institutes for local officials are being planned for both the fall and the spring. Much remains to be done, of course, but the enthusiastic activity of 1952-1953 proves that, together, College and community can do it successfully. LEGAL NOTES Not onl}, were 20,000 rats evicted after Cheyenne adopted the landfill methc but the city discovered a new gravel deposit on which it draws for street-grading A trip by the West Side solons 1to ’Highland Park, New Jersey, to see a san’ itary landfill in operation would be most — 1 rewarding. And it's only a short ride. A Lower I Science Department ------- 1 at the College. TRAC TOR .L-MaINTAINER - bulldozer 2, 6°°), purchased a tractor-maintainera rubber-tired tractor with a a versatile machine. A Huber maintainer, it 18 bfc-deonthefrontaBoth^i Bothblades ”” blade mounted under the body and a ades are hydraulically operated. N°t only can the machine be ln laying waterlines, USCd for street work, but it also proves u8 e(j. ’ as trenches and ‘hen backfills after the lines are in6 The Honorable George C. Corson declared invalid and void an ordinance passed September 17 by the Lower Merion Township Board of Commissioners barring part of Montgomery Avenue to trucks and buses shunted off the Schuyl­ kill Expressway. The township contended it had the power to enact the ordinance under portions of the First Class Township Code concerned with public safety, public .health and cleanliness, and general powers. Greyhound charged the ordi­ nance was so vague, ambiguous, and inconsistent as to leave reasonable doubt as to its meaning. The Judge ruled that the power to pass an ordinance designating certain streets for travel by through buses cannot be found in any clause of the code, and if given, then only by implication. He further stated the Township's position that the ordinance came under the public health clause is untenable, The effect of through buses on the health of the Township is infinitesimal. PUBLICATION This News-letter, published monthly as a community service, originates in the Political Science Department of Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries may be addressed to Dr. H. V. Mailey, Political Science Department, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. �WHAT'S NEW? . between the school board and members of WEST PITTSTON t°iated swimming pool, cor" sting about $49 may decide on the c h school stadium. 00o-oo, which will be built e 1 composed of businessmen and banke PITTSTON - A citizens c0™ deficit budget which runs to about $30, rs Win VOL. II, NO. 10 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. OCTOBER 15, 1953 °00. oo committee will work on traffic. LAKE TOWNSHIP - A two-way radio system is the next goal of Harveys Lake WILLIAM SWORD NANTICOKE - The onderst.Hed police department will require the services ol Le and possibly two additional full-time patrolmen to eon form to the „„ state law which gives the police of third class cities a 44-hour work W(?ek. HANOVER TOWNSHIP - Commissioners will protest the Pennsylvania Railroad Company's request for another extension of time for installing flashing light signals and automatic gates at the Oxford Street crossing in Lee Park. Bi°ds are being sought for the purchase of a new fire truck with federal-stat assistance covering 50 per cent of cost. NEWPORT TOWNSHIP - Local officials are satisfied with progress being made along the Robert Street hill prior to its resurfacing and its becoming part of the new route between Nanticoke and Glen Lyon. WARRIOR RUN - Agreement by officials of the Boro and Hanover Township of­ ficials for annexation of 73 acres of land by the Township relieves the Boro of a road maintenance burden it was unable to support. A decrease in boro revenue prompted officials to strive for such an agreement. PLYMOUTH - The police department is presently putting on a safety drive for motorists and pedestrians. EDWARDSVILLE - Main Street merchants are interested in parking meters to regulate traffic and make room for the traveling trade. DUPONT - Council is aware that the proper solution of the police problem is forn tion of a full-time police force, a solution unlikely to be reached on a $19, O' budget. SWOYERVILLE - Council is awaiting shipment of fire alarm station boxes for use in the community. EXETER - Through the cooperation of council and the officials of the mower plant, KINGSTOnXorT^F^ surfacing. .. _.„£ ... er West Side communities abandoned the Narro"1 Road dump in Edwardsville, declared a public health nuisance by state in spectors, Kingston officials official signed an agreement with the Sgarlat Estate, Forty Fort, for dumping p-— purposes. Citizen protests enjoined Kingstonpt­ ficials from dumping there ___ , Kingston '?'* “H~*tiil hav e the Wilkes-Barre incinerator In the meantime, temporarily uses find a new dumping ground. ’. Other West Side communities PLOUGH TS The way to succeed is FOR TODAY to keep your head up and your overhead down. The best place t° find a helping hand is at the end of your own arm. About fifty local officials from seventeen municipalities were in attendance at the first fall meeting of municipal officials at Wilkes College. William O. Sword, chairman of the Committee of 100, stated that most important in obtain­ ing new industries is the need for sites of at least two and one-half acres. Im­ proving these sites is as vitally important; Although the Committee can't always meet the gimmicks of the South in attracting industries, unified support and co­ operation of local officials can enhance the Committee's success. Jack Conway, secretary of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce, stressed that co­ operation among municipalities is sorely needed. Present were Hazleton, Dupont, Nuangola, Ashley, ship, Laurel Run, officials from Wilkes-Barre Township, West Pittston, West Wilkes-Barre, Nescopeck, Hanover Township, White Haven, Kingston, Luzerne, Courtdale, Edwardsville, Newport Town­ and Forty Fort. LUZERNE COUNTY BOROUGH ASSOCIATION Councilmen of Luzerne County have organized a Borough Association, the twenty-fifth such group in Pennsylvania, following the bi-monthly dinner meet­ ing at the Wilkes College Cafeteria. By-laws, under preparation since last summer, were adopted and officers elected. The local group which now com­ prises thirteen boroughs will be affiliated with the Pennsylvania Association for Boroughs. The following are the elected officers: President First Vice President Second Vice President Secretary Treasurer State Representative Ralph Brown, Kingston, Councilman Thomas Callahan, Laurel Run, Council President Alan Bare , Forty Fort,Councilman Roy Speece, West Pittston, Council Secretary Harvey Nicken, Laurel Run, Council Secretary Elwood Jones, West Hazleton, Solicitor Directors elected were Wilson Smith, Nescopeck; John Gallick, Dupont; Gilbert Watkins, Laurel Run; William Thomas, Forty Fort; John Mulhall, West Pittston; Luther Nicholson, White Haven; Brinley Crahall, Courtdale. Board members from Nuangola, Ashley, Kingston, Luzerne, West Hazle­ ton, and Edwardsville will be chosen at a future date. �new legislation Act 340 - Total appropriation for highway allocation has been increas ri 15 to 18 million dollars, 14 million to be divided on popm^ fr°tu per cent) and mileage (40 per cent) and 4 million in the Matc^ <6° Act 31 - Taxes under the tax-anything law must be renewed yearly and milst filed in the Bureau of Municipal Affairs. Act 86 - Sales to political subdivisions or to authorities are exernnt new sales tax. er the Act 118- Fines levied by justices of the peace must be turned °Ver to borough or township treasurers on a monthly basis. PENNSYLVANIA STREAM POLLUTION This state continued to lead all others in 1952 in the number of sewage and industrial waste treatment plants, according to Wastes Engineering. The survey states that 804 sewage treatment plants and 392 industrial wastes treat­ ment works were built in the country. Pennsylvania accounts for 83 and 124 of these systems respectively. California ranks second, followed by Texas, Wisconsin, and Florida. On industrial waste, this state is followed by Michigan and Wisconsin. In Pennsylvania 43 of the plants under construction are to serve populations of less than 5, 000 people. The 83 plants are designed to serve a population of about 2, 500, 000 people, and the total cost is placed at more than $60, 000, 000. Act 245 - Additions to real estate subject to local property taxation are k trailers attached to land, trailer parks, and parking lots °USe The decided trend is toward joint treatment projects, both nationally and in the state. The Allegheny County Sanitary Authority is the largest in the coun­ try--comprising Pittsburgh and 63 other municipalities in the area. There is a A?1 68 ~ Persons are permitted to hold both the offices of Secretary and Treas. possibility that 3 other units might join. In addition, many industrial concerns urer in boroughs of less than 2, 000. have entered into agreements with the authority. Ac£69_- Powers and duties of the Recreation Board in first-lass tow are refined. urst-ciass townships Act 49 v This project entails the laying of 66 miles of intercepting sewers varying in size from 2 feet to 10 1/2 feet. The plant will treat 150 million gallons of wastes a day, serving 1,400, 000 people. This act provides that a person person appointed to fill a vacancy in the office of Commissioner, Controller, In the southeastern part of the state 3 authorities comprising 27 communi­ and Treasurer serves his predecessor' ties are building plants. The Darby Creek Authority is made up of 10 local units. unexpired term of office. RAW GARBA GE New headaches for local officials ailed vesicular exantheura. In SDite are f observed because of a hog disease imposition of strictp te of — an expenditure of $3, 000, 000 and the P ki ■ states, the nation-wide epidemic o<^citi„oftheOnite “a5s feUe°d bHealth Service estimated that 40 per cent Therefore, the Federal r t eir garbage to swine without disinfection. up on the health laws pG°Ve^merlt *nd n many state governments are tightening tl>e feediag 0[ „ncooked e™«rl'a„ia has jjoined about a dozen states in forbidding garbage to hogs. / to swine feeding anH I ~ s Act 55, approved June 19, 1953, relate "a11 garbage be tho dlsPosal. g be thoroughly heated — Section 10 of the new law requires that to at least 212 ° F. for at least 20 minutes. TheTT ha,t lh' Act in the . -- not too distant future. e Miles Horst will issue procedures under th continue their Until then, Present operations. garbage collectors and feeders c In addition to i— ■ squiring that all firms „ garbage from others M -^Uation of cJ^Xanimal feedinp ’ persons. or corporations rec eiving , , ■’*t garbage tbe new law permits the reThis featur —*e was iincluded 8arbaSe conf collection uded to provide a "• CtlOn by ma nicipalities (Section ZB)Person. ■ • fulfilling the cr ° Provide a "just & Confront contract. ii" JUSt re turn on the added expense to the return FINANCING MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENT Writing in the Constructioneer, Maurice J. Fleischman, city manager of Long Beach, New York, states that more ways must be found to finance im­ provements needed by suburban communities. The one thing that local officials can do is to make as many facilities as possible self-supporting and self-liqui­ dating, fixing the charge high enough to provide the necessary funds. The sewer rental charge was set at 100 per cent of the water charge with the hope of reducing it to 90 per cent shortly. In the meantime, the sewer fund pays all operating and maintenance costs as well as interest and amortization of all sewer bonds. The three capital improvements--incinerator, parking lot, and sewer--are all expected to be self-liquidating. Long Beach has found the advantage of quickly amortizing indebtedness. Compare this: The cost of financing at 3 per cent a million-dollar 30-year proj­ ect is $413,250, while a 5-year project only costs $85,860. Therefore, to save costs all bonds have been callable at the city's option. Sound financial practice dictates that these calls be exercised when possible. �wha_tHJ1^L? a ^/Unance adopted by the commissioners pits HANOVER TOWNSHIP - An 0 ng of signs, banners, etc. , on polP esr°hib . -3 along the posting, painting playgrounds. streets and alleysi as ordinance every property owner within a KINGSTON - Since un d gas station mlist grant permission, those 500-foot radius ?? shouid grow in value with the passing of time stations now in p the city dump used f NANTICOKE - Fire controls have been sen r r gar. bage and refuse collected by city equipment NEWPORT TOWNSHIP - The tax collector reported 94 per cent collection of 1953 VOL. II,NO. 11 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. NOVEMBER 15, 1953 ayp s WYOMING - Councilmen are still pondering the necessity of a zoning ordinanj DURYEA - Borough council has promised financial aid in the construction of a community swimming pool. SWOYERVILLE - Council ratified the program of the State Highway engineers to resurface the Back Road. PLYMOUTH - An ordinance to control salesmen and solicitors is under consid. eration by council. EDWARDSVILLE - Council will open bids on a new police cruiser. DUPONT - Operating on a small budget, the Council is now heading toward a year-end surplus. AVOCA - The State Highway Department has approved flashing lights at Plane and York Street intersections on Main Street. PITTSTON - Five of the seven recommendations made by a special survey con) mittee will be given a 60-day trial. WEST WYOMING - There appears to be some talk on the merging of Wyoming and West Wyoming boroughs, which have existed as separate entities sinci 1898 when the West Ward (W. W. ) broke from the larger borough. WILKES-BARRE - The City finds itself $20, 000 in the red on revenue estimate from parking meter, amusement, and salvage income. THOUGHTS FOR It's the little things that worry us. tack. TODAY You can sit on a mountain, but not on a PROBLEMS FOR THE NEWLY ELECTED COUNCILMEN 1. How may zoning help solve such problems as strip mining, trailer camps, used car lots, junk yards, billboards, and overhanging street signs? 2. Are there any standards based on population for the number of policemen a municipality should have ? . 3. What authority does a municipal health officer have? 4. What municipal jobs have special contact aspects? 5. Should capital improvements be taken into consideration in estimating expenditures ? Can newly elected councilmen answer these questions and others satisfac­ torily? If not, there is a place to garner information. The Political Science Department in cooperation with the Public Service Institute will again conduct a course for councilmen and first-class township commissioners. The first News -Letter published by the Department contains the details of that FIRST GRADUATION. All municipal officials are invited to attend. It is our wish to limit the class. A proportion of 2/3 new members and 1/3 old members ought to make for an enthusiastic class. Plans are to begin the course in January. Details will be mailed to all councilmen and commissioners during the latter part of November. The did the same thing yestel daybragglng aboQt what he is going to do tomorrow REFUSE DISPOSAL PUB LIC A T ION This News-letter, published monthly a, in the Political Science as a community service, originates 'es VO1 College. Notes and inquiries tf1 ' be addressed to Dr. H ?VrePtrtment of Wilke. Wilkes-Barre, —-cnee Department, Wilkes C° The Northeast Division of the Pennsylvania Economy League has produced a condensation from a detailed survey of refuse collection in Lower Bucks County. The League notes that the complete survey report will be made available to the League members and public officials upon request as long as the supply lasts. This Department has made its single copy available to the councilmen of Kingston and Forty Fort. There is a great deal to be said for sanitary landfill. According to a re­ cent issue of Engineering News-Record, about 225 acres of waste land that had �. claimed, much of it for park pUr will be re become lit of municipal improvements begi -r County way, local mits of govern^, method to heal strip mine scars. The e3< C01 the 1. Protect public health--reducing opportunities for insects to spread disease from their breeding places and reducing water born- disease through pollution of streams. 2. Reduce fire hazards--removing combustible wastes that add danger to property and increase fire-fighting costs. 3. Reduce stream pollution--effecting savings in water treatment costs. 4. Conserve land and materials--unifying operations which permit the salvage of disposal areas and lead to the more economic use of land. 5. Improve community appearance--disposing of waste materials which are offensive to the eye and nose, detract from land values, lower the living quality of a community, and limit the ability to attract sound growth. ' c°n. irton is a notable e::xampleWEIGH AGE? „The Man" in County Bloughs -It has been said that Youth is the Age of Folly; Middle-Age, the a of Frustration; and Old Age, the Age of Futility. That there is truth in saying, anyone with reasonable powers of observation can testify. "Since most councilmen are middle-aged, we would address our re. marks to that period of life. Sooner or later everyone of us finds himself' frustrated. Needs that are clear to us are not recognized by others. Something that should be done cannot be accomplished because funds are not available. Personal antagonisms and personal ambitions clash bitterly and good projects fail because of them. Fatigue, laziness, indifference, and sheer childishness all play their part in defeating our proper ends. "What can we do? We can change other men's attitudes but slightly. We can change the world's not at all. B ut there is one thing we can change and that is ourselves. We can accept the fact that we are partly to blame for the conditions which exist. Have we been arrogant, discourteous, or careless Are our projects really sound or were they not thought through as they should have been? Have we really understood that other men have the right to disg with us and that there are times when they are right and we are wrongtesvkW^mUSt Sdmit °Ur mistakes and substitute modesty tor arrogance, c" dlsc0Qrtesy, a„d ears for careles3ness "If we i ’ll only do these things, our projects will more fre<^Uertr^dle come to fruition and we will be far happier and far more useful men-^ the Age Age will then bee of Frustration."i me th6 Age of Accomplishment and will cease SOCIAL Economy of operation is a second important objective. This means getting the utmost value out of every tax dollar. Changing conditions and technological advances dictate constant appraisal. Basic assumptions must be periodically reconsidered. Are pre-collection regulations adequate? Should the special collection vehicle replace the truck? Have collection routes been adjusted to meet changed conditions? Are there damages to equipment? Is the cheap dump really cheap in the face of dropping land values? Has storm water infiltration reached such a volume as to warrant some reconstruction of mains ? Adequate and efficient service is bound to create good public relations, a third administrative objective. The following promote public acceptance: prompt handling of complaints, attention given to the appearance of men and equipment, campaigns to enlist compliance of regulations. Both social and administrative objectives must constantly be re-examined to determine governmental successes or failures. OBJECTIVE S OF WASTE C O L L E C T_L2-S- From time to r . nY forms of waste (sew ^°ca^ Units of government ought to appra that are:collected. DiSDOQa8e’ garbage> rubbish, ashes, and street c°me a imunicipal functiOn large quantities of waste material tives are = varied; ’ No longer is it an individual matter. There are three administrative objectives in addition to the social objectives. The first objective concerns the adequacy of operations. The number of people, population density, topography, climate, soil conditions, and nearness to other communities affect collection and disposal. Although adequacy of operations cannot be measured among municipalities, it is meas­ ureable for any given locality. the bes) , ^ec' PUB LIC AT ION This News-letter, published monthly as a community service, originates in the Political Science Department of Wilkes College. Notes and Inquiries may be addressed to Dr. H. V. Mailey, Political Science Department, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. �- -_ wimes bum WHAT'S NEW? STATE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT - Construction of Route 780, known as the Dupont-Avoca bypass, will directly affect owners of twenty homes and fifteen other properties, all of whom lave been notified to vacate by April 1. PENNSYLVANIA SUPREME COURT - The City of Wilkes-Barre is not liable for personal injuries sustained by an individual who falls on a generally slippery construction of either a street or sidewalk due to the presence of ice and snow, accumulated as a result of a natural cause. BACK MOUNTAIN - Local governments are increasingly aware that zoning is working in the new residential developments, thus enhancing property values. Led by Jackson Township, other units may prepare ordinances already in use by real estate developers. LUZERNE COUNTY - The commissioners are considering a plan to air-map the county as part of an over-all tax program, since the idea proved successful in establishing boundaries. NEWPORT TOWNSHIP - Local government is being operated at $13.69 per $13.89 resident, one of the lowest per capitas reported by theatfirst-class townships in the state. During the last year local indebtedness was reduced by $13, 000 to a total of- T$71,578. •PLYMOUTH - The old dump in the borough „ i is being used temporarily until facilities can be found f for disposal of ashes and garbage, since the Narrows Road site le was closed. HANOVER TOWNSHIP - Employees have made sewer repairs that have the municipality little--adjacent property owners purchased 1 cost the commissioners provided transportation for five workers, the pipe, a Department of Public Assistance project. This is NANTICOKE - City Council meeting as a board of taxes cided to retain the present tax valuation of the new 1 assessments de­ and the next five years. The plant is owned by the Nanticoke McGregor plant for Barre Industrial Fund. City Council and the Fire Chief are and W ilkes to have several unlicensed junkyards closed. cooperating DUPONT - Because traffic is expected to increase through town proposed highway, many citizens feel that the borders of on thethe 1 new should be enlarged through annexation to make room for drive borough ping centers. e-in shop­ LARKSVILLE ----- —I - Council does not have much m---•construction after money for improvements and old accounts, even with a 95 new cent tax <collection.paying salaries and d old per JACKSON TOWNSHIP - * ------- ’ - Alarmed by increased dumping of waste materials in addition " * ’21—-i to abandoning of pets, garbage and other acted an ordinance supervisors have enKINGSTON - The path was to end these nuisances. cleared by council for a new real estate development , by passing an ordinance VOL.II.NO. 12 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. DECEMBER 15, 1953 FIRST ANNIVERSARY This issue marks the first anniversary of the Luzerne County News-Letter published for local public officials. No one could lave imagined the trials and tribulations in putting out the informative sheet--no local news, broken typewriter, delay everywhere along the line. Although some issues were late in reaching you, the presses rolled on. It is appropriate then, in this issue, to give a word of thanks to those who have made this News-Letter possible: Dr. Eugene S. Farley, President of Wilkes, who saw a need for the Letter; James Foxlow and his successor, Dale Warmouth, and the Public Relations staff; Miss Beverly VanHorn, who does the typing; Mrs. Hugo V. Mailey, who did much of the mailing for the earlier issues; Mebane Off­ set Printing Co. ; the first graduating class of councilmen and commissioners, who lent encouragement in this publication. LUZERNE COUNTY BOROUGH ASSOCIATION Bert Husband of Kingston and John Stein of West Hazleton were added to the Board of Directors. The position of executive secretary was created at the last meeting and Dr. Hugo V. Mailey was elected to the post. The Association plans to invite those boroughs that have not joined to send delegates to the next meeting, January 21, at the Wilkes College Cafeteria. The speaker will be Daniel Bailey, Township engineer of the State Department of Highways. His topic will be "Allocation of Liquid Fuel Funds. " STREET OPENINGS Erecting barricades is a common practice when streets are out or being repaired. Protection is left to the judgment of the foreman. Lanterns may even be used. Pedestrians thus appear protected. But how about the motorist? How can traffic hazards be minimized? The cooperation of street crew and/or public utility is required, with a general plan of operations worked out in advance. The reporting of all work proposals should be made to a single agency which would schedule work to assure minimum interference with traffic. industry to residential. rezoning the West Bennett Street area from light Los Angeles has developed such a coordinating group and a training pro­ gram to teach workers how to handle excavations with a minimum of interference. Here are some suggestions from its training handbook: �excavated dirt to a boards (wooden retainers) to confine 1. Use toe the excavation. narrow pile close along the curb, place excavated material on the 2. When excavation is near over the gutter for free drainage flow. curbside, after first boarding 3. 4. Park work equipment where it will interfere least with traffic. Recent statutes have tended to benefit the individual tort claimant rather than to grant protection for municipalities. Many claims today are based on defec­ tive sidewalks. Three steps might be taken by every local unit to alleviate the danger and still give partial protection: Haul away excavated material at intersections. Work could be scheduled at off-peak traffic: hours. A four or five-day job should be started on Monday, not on a street that carries heavy week-end traffic; si ■r out paving projects. Kansas City Thursday. A number of cities carry <— one-day one Sunday. Baltimore repaved fourteen resurfaced five blocks downtown on one Sunday, blocks of a major street on a Sunday. Plan of barricading must precede the start of actual work. Each job must be studied as to the street's physical features, grades, obstructions to sight, movement of pedestrians, and the type of work. Warning equipment must be carefully placed. The preferred color for barricades is yellow, striped with black. Two red flags to each barricade placed at a height of 5 feet are recom­ mended. The kerosene bomb torch is preferred for night warning. The red lantern should be used in neighborhoods where children play. The effects of one avoidable accident and the bad public relations caused by interference with traffic should interest more local officials. ANNUAL REPORT Fourteen communities were given awards in the Second Annual Modern Municipal Report Contest sponsored by the Institute of Local Government of Pennsylvania State University. Not one of the fourteen winners came from Luzern County or northeastern Pennsylvania. The F ’ niC\DeP“tment WiU again Send for c°Pies of the winning S-.^! reports. Together with last ^ar's collection, the reports can be obtained at the Wilkes College Library, Local officials should giive thought to municipal reporting. Now is the time to prepare the 1954 report. 3 P'S OF TORT LIABILITY We are■ living in a claim-conscious period municipality (can be held liable in damages are ’ The torts for which any spread over the entire field of municipal activities, Firemen, policemen, members of f 1 garbage collecting and service squads street cleaning, s are potentially guilty of • negligence. 1. Prevent--the obvious danger spots by repairing defective sidewalks, unsafe buildings, and other places where accidents might occur. 2. Provide--protection by taking out insurance against liability, If the insurance policy has been cancelled, you can provide self-insurance or partial self-insurance. 3. Prepare--legislation that provides greater means of protection. Examine local laws. Join with other communities for greater efficiency. BOROUGHS BUILD JOINTLY In an article by John Bailey in this October's issue of The American City, local municipalities can learn how to get a sound dollar's worth of street main­ tenance by pooling equipment specifications. The boroughs of Edgeworth, Osborne, and Senichley in Western Pennsylvania have laid out a high-grade, large-scale, cooperative road building program. First, managers of the boroughs agreed on common specifications for materials for sealing their streets, using RT-9 tar and limestone chips which are specified by the Pennsylvania Highway Department. Then, they worked out a schedule so that equipment would not be needed in different communities at the same time. Finally, they agreed on a plan to purchase new equipment which would be used jointly. Senichley did its work first, using a truck, driver, and stone spreader from Edgeworth. Edgeworth and Osborne followed, using Edgeworth and Senichley men and equipment. After the work was completed, rental of equipment was com­ puted and adjustments made. Because the three boroughs are purchasing their tar from the same company on a bulk purchase contract, future prices will be lower. Cooperation is paying off for all three communities. Joint efforts are not always easy for they require much tolerance and work for all concerned, especially elected officials. They do, however, offer a solution for overcoming the disadvantages of making improvements in smaller communities where citizens do not wish to consolidate or federate. �s College Lfarary .£wf0uce. (faittly rubberized asphalt - 7 an asphalt street with a natural New York City plans to determine how A test strip, the second in New rubber content will withstand heavy traffic. Three years York City, was laid on First Avenue where truck travel is heavy ago, the City laid a trial surfacing for heavy passenger-car travel, Results VOL. Ill, NO. 1 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. JANUARY 15, 1954 obtained were excellent. WHAT'S NE W ? KINGSTON - Trailer camps will not be permitted in areas zoned as residential. NANTICOKE - Council is expected to adopt the 1954 budget, containing no pro­ vision for any raise in taxes. PLYMOUTH - Parking meter revenues have dropped because of either vandalism or mechanically defective meters. DUPONT - Council is willing to offer land to veterans' organizations to erect a memorial for servicemen. PITTSTON - The city is considering half-hour parking for a nickel. ASHLEY - Temporary loans amounting to $30, 000 were retired at the regular monthly meeting of the Council. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Some people are like blotters. They soak it all in, but get it all backwards. A dime is a dollar with all the taxes taken out of it. PUBLICA T I O N This News-letter, published monthly ac as a community service, originates in the Political Science Department of Wilkes tt v College. Notes and Inquiries may be addressed to Dr. JHugo ’ V. MaHey, Political Science Department, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.’ BAILEY ON ALLOCATION OF LIQUID FUEL FUNDS The January meeting of councilmen and commissioners should be a- most interesting one. The speaker will be Daniel Bailey, Township engineer of the State Department of Highways in Harrisburg. His topic will be "Allocation of Liquid Fuel Funds. " The meeting is scheduled for the night of January 21 at 6:30 in the Wilkes College Cafeteria. Reservations can be made by calling the College. The number is VA 4-4651. PURCHASING FOR A SMALL TOWN If municipalities are experiencing a declining tax base, local public officials ought to explore all possibilities for more efficient and economical administration. One method of saving is to improve purchasing procedures. Do you purchase in a hit-and-miss fashion, with little evidence of ef­ ficiency of operation? Do you have inventory control? Or must you postpone work until supplies are ordered and received? Do you use tests and specifica­ tions to determine the quality of the purchases? The borough of Dormont, Pennsylvania saved much through systematic purchasing. An analysis of more than 22 items purchased since 1946 was made. For each item, the quantities purchased during the year, unit prices, vendors, and other data were determined. The quantities purchased each year were com­ pared with that year's work-program and in this way the requirements for the current year were estimated. After stock was inventoried, the quantity to be purchased was determined. Specifications were drawn up and distributed to vendors selling to the borough. Requests for bids were publicized, especially in AMERICAN CITY. Newspaper advertising is ordinarily the least successful since it does not cover the greatest number of suppliers. "T----- Standard bidding blanks were mailed to all vendors. The vendor was re­ quested to fill in the unit price f.o.b. shipping point and the unit price f.o.b. Dormont, and to stipulate variations from specifications, if any. Quotations were requested on a standing order basis only. The borough agreed to purchase the quantity of each product desired as it was needed, with payment to be made after delivery. If any item was needed in less quantity than anticipated, the bor­ ough agreed to fulfill all purchase commitments over a two-year period, the vendor agreeing to hold the price over the two-year period. I �In the year 1950 alone, the total savings amounted to $1, 042.45 or 14 per cent of the estimated cost of the year's purchases at 1949 prices. Systematic purchasing as practiced by the borough officials of Dormont is one way to get more for the tax dollar. Together with pooled services and pooled purchases (suggested in the December and February issues of the Newsletter), local of­ LEGAL NOTES The following case is reviewed to illustrate the failure of an attempt to aintain the character of residential section without the assistance of a zoning in: ordinance. ficials might realize tremendous savings. Menger v. Pass, Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, May 21, 1951 TRAINING OF FIREMEN IN PENNSYLVANIA Pass, appellant, purchased a piece of vacant land in Harrisburg, on which he proposed to build a tourist court, At the time of purchase, November 1949, there was no zoning ordinance or building restrictions prohibiting motor courts. Now that Pennsylvania has one of the finest fire-training schools in the United States, this state ought to lead the nation in the reduction of fire losses. This goal can only be realized if local government officials encourage interested firemen to attend this school, open from April to November. Make plans now to attend the Annual Firemen's Training Conference at Lewistown during the month of August. In his main address at the cornerstone laying last August, Alfred S. Holt of the Public Service Institute stated that the school was an outgrowth of the programs conducted by the Institute since 1938. The 1946 Annual Fire School marked the beginning of a program of "learning by doing, " featuring training under actual fire conditions. It was the success of this program that prompted the firemen of Pennsylvania to sponsor legislation for erection of the permanent Fire School. In August 1950 a building permit was issued for the erection of the struc­ ture, on Front Street, a multi-lane highway along the Susquehanna River . There are only three non-residential buildings on Front or Second Street. All dwellings on Front are single-family structures and those on Second are both one and two family dwellings. The fair market value of the majority of the residences in the neighborhood runs from $10, 000 to $75, 000. In March 1950 the neighboring property owners filed their bill of complaint, stating that a tourist court in a strictly residential neighborhood is a nuisance per se, and hoped that an injunction be issued enjoining the erection of the motor court. The proposed use of the land was restrained by the Court of Common Pleas. The tract on which the school is situated is about eight acres with a training yard of more than five acres and will accommodate over sixty students. The Ad­ ministration Building will be a two-story modern brick fire-resistive building and will include classrooms, pump laboratory, fire apparatus room, offices, library, locker room, shower room, and maintenance shop. The Fire Training Building will be a modern fire -resistive multiple story yarranged ---with provision for combustible hatches, panels and trap doors in floors, ’walls, and roofs. The building pls ar>ri p— J-------- • '' will consist of three sections: sections: manufacturing manufacturing plant, plant, mercantile building, and a home. The training training yard yard will for teaching teaching hydraulic hydraulic and and pump opwill have have facilities facilities for eration, oil and gasoline tanks for f-Drill space will be available for —‘ testing and extinguishing flammable liquids, minor extinguishing practices. In reversing the decision, the State Supreme Court stated that a tourist court is not a nuisance per se. "Such assigned reason respecting the operation of proposed auto court is obviously anticipatory, conjectural. . .. . Such suggested or predicted results are neither inevitable nor likely. Should, ---- 1J however, such legal business be improperly conducted and become a nuisance in fact, its operations can be restrained. " " ---As far as local officials are concerned, these two sentences aresignificant: "When owners of real estate in a residential area desire to preserve their neigh: secure appropriate zoning ordinances borhood in an unchanged condition, they must In the absence of zoning ordinances or re or be protected by building restrictions.. L. -■ real estate in the area and use it for any lawstrictions, any citizen may purchase 1----------ful purpose. " The course will change each week so f that training can be offered in all areas of fire fighting and fire prevention. There is •3 no tuition cost. TRAINING COURSE Old and newly elected local public officials are welcome to attend the new training course. The class is open to both elected and appointed officials. This ten-session course is free of charge. The Public Service Institute will grant certificates to those completing the course. THOUGH TS FOR TODAY An off day is something that usually follows a day off. Prejudice is being down on / something which you are not up on. �^cc^entte. TleM^-Cetten. WHAT'S NEW? initiated action to insure all LUZERNE COUNTY - The Commissioners have loss by robbery, burglary, and employees handling public funds against VOL. HI, NO. 2 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. FEBRUARY 15, 1954 BOROUGhIsSOCIATION - Bert He.band ot Kingston and John L. Stein of West Hazleton were added to the Board of Directors of the Association. HANOVER TOWNSHIP - The commissioners received a recommendation from the Chief of Police that overnight parking could be eliminated by opening several community parking lots. NANTICOKE - Bond issues floated in 1939 and 1948 for a total of $158, 000 were wiped out recently, leaving only three bond issues outstanding. 1949, 1950, and 1952. PLYMOUTH - Local officials have been notified that twenty-seven of the borough personnel have been approved for Social Security. EDWARDSVILLE - Local officials, though disturbed by reports that the new busi­ ness section along Narrows Road may be annexed by Kingston, have resolved not to lose any ground to its neighbors. KINGSTON - The borough now owns fifteen acres of land east of Rutter Avenue, part of which may be used for the construction of a new warehouse. DALLAS - Council members are unanimous in lending every effort to ease the parking situation along Main Street. WEST PITTSTON - Vehicles and equipment of the city street department will be housed in a centrally located site in a plan to reorganize the street depart­ ment for greater efficiency and economy. WILKES-BARRE - Assessed valuation for 1954 shows a decrease of $201,841.00 o=XX°ai XXX b'ins"coal landB “d NEwp’oRTTo-wXr px b: xx-x ibe Me™Tg;ve:x.mi::xrs,b‘v'1.r“'ived a check f» chased for the X (.vinlX XX °' tht" H" ■>“- DANIEL A . BAILEY Daniel A. Bailey, Chief Township Engineer of the State Highway Department, advised local officials at the bi-monthly meeting that matching money refunds from the liquid fuel tax for 1952 would revert to the fund un­ less the subdivisions submit projects for road maintenance or improvement before the end of the year. He stated that 25 of the 33 boroughs in Luzerne County have not submitted projects to claim their shares of the 1952 funds. Municipalities have 3 years in which tp claim the funds. Unclaimed 1952 funds for boroughs in the county amount to $8, 353.27. The largest un­ claimed amount is allotted to Swoyerville---- $793.21, the lowest amount to Laflin---- $54.24. Within a few weeks, Dr. Hugo V. Mailey of Wilkes College will send all the pertinent information on matching fund grants to local officials. COUNTY GOVERNMENT Practical knowledge about government can very well begin down on the local level. A knowledge of the functions and powers of the officials will help responsible citizens assume their civic duties. Various types of local governments exist in Pennsylvania. Local units of government do not have inherent powers of their own; the power to create the local units rests with the state. Provision for powers and functions of local governments can be found in the charters issued by the state. The power to contract or extend these functions of local governments rests solely with the state. The responsibility for the operation of local government, however, rests with the officials elected in the respective communities. publication This News-letter, published monthly a; Department of Wilkes WTkSedB° PolRicMSc ge’ Notes and i Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Science• Department, Department, Wilkes Wilkes College, The principal administrative area in England was the county. This same unit became the important governmental area in Pennsylvania colonial govern­ ment. Today, county government lies between the local units and the state it­ self. The county has a large field of powers and functions delegated to it by the state. As the smaller units relinquish many functions to the counties and as the state creates more powers for the county governments, these areas of govern­ mental control are becoming more significant every day. one. to the municipalities is a complicated The relation of the county government joint interest in the construction of roads. Both units of government have a �3 are elected, yet they make the classes of counties the tax assessors the county commissioners who pay them. valuation of taxable property or in are divided into classes, ranging from The 67 counties in Pennsylvania Luzerne, Delaware, Lackawanna, Montone to eight, based on population, gomery, am'd ~0'^ “a" X. 43 ar. in the last three classes. Ten counties in th. state are in th. eighth class where the population .s less than 20, 000. Although most of the counties can be classified as rural it does not mean that the population of the state can be classified as such About 2, 000, 000 of the state's 10, 500, 000 live in Philadelphia, the only first-class SIDEWALK CASE The following case points up the re sponsibility of municipalities in regard to sidewalks: In Tauber v. Wilkinsburg 309 Pa. 331, the Supreme Court of Pennsyl­ vania held that the negligence of the borough was clearly established. In the case, trucks passed over a sidewalk, breaking the flagstones. After replac­ ing same, crevices varying from one to four inches remained between the flagstones. The borough filled these crevices with mud and ashes. Since the plaintiff was not guilty of contributory negligence, she was entitled to recover. Note to municipal officials: Repairs must not have defects. county. The classification set up is useful for the legislature. Pennsylvania's Constitution prevents the General Assembly from passing any special legisla­ tion for particular counties. Therefore, when the General Assembly passes a law, the law is applicable to a class of counties. The Legislature does not enact laws that pertain to Luzerne County alone, but to third-class counties. SOCIAL SECURITY A total of 753 government units in Pennsylvania now have social security coverage for their employees, according to Richard H. Wagner, Legal Adviser of the Bureau of Social Security of the Department of Labor and Industry. Among these are 266 boroughs, 34 first-class townships, 25 cities, and 35 counties. About 60 of the 753 had retirement systems and repealed them About 250 cases are pending for approval. It should be noted that December 31 1953 was the deadline for making coverage retroactive to January 1 1951 This date apphesm applications received in the New York regional office and not at the state INCINERATOR The Delaware County Commissioners recently created the Delaware County Incinerator Authority to build one or more incinerators to dispose of rubbish and garbage. The participating municipalities will pay a proportionate share of the cost of the operation, based on the poundage of garbage and rubbish disposed. ADEQUATE HIGHWAYS Last year General Motors conducted a national better highways contest in which more than 44, 000 essays were submitted on the subject, "How to Plan and Pay for the Safe and Adequate Highways We Need." Below are some of the remarks of the winner of the West-South Region, Judge Walter L. Pope of Arkansas. The answer. . . is in form of a command to us; and it is divided into three parts: If your employees are now covered by social security, it is time to reappraise the payroll to see if your municipality is carrying "hidden pensioners. Social security could be the that the olrLtp j ®ett^n8 young people to enter the public service. TNow ’ • f» h i: nOt h‘Ve l° *>' “> '>■= payroll, it is time to be selectives. in hiring personnel. } vania Municipal EmpSyets RetTremelrAlt^a^ed^01^3 government is to compete with private i d 1. The development of an efficient nation-wide administrative tool to determine and fix standards and designs of the nation s highways. PennSyl“ passed some Vears ago. If local d SOme and attract workable base for a sound supplement social security. a statewide basis something sri,y p“idXatlract a “ir -ha" °i The generation of an informed, aroused, and fighting public interest. 3. The provision for a dependable and steady supply of funds to be fairly and equitably expended. "We are told by experts that $32 billion should be used during the next ten years merely to correct deficiencies as they exist today. The Federal Govern­ ment is collecting in excess of $2 billion annually as excise taxes on gas and fuel, and the sale of vehicles, parts, tubes. Yet, the Federal Government appropriates only twenty-six per cent of that for road construction. The contributions fall far short of present-day needs. The average motorist pays at least one-third of a cent per mile tax to the State in which the road traveled is located. A road with 4, 000 vehicles a day earns about $4, 800 a year. �W H A T ' s NEW? to the West Side Visiting FORTY FORT - Council approved a donation of $100 Nurses Association. of 1932, peddlers with a license are PLYMOUTH - According to an ordinance liable for fines. Snherolite lamps recently installed on VAVTTCOKE - The one hundred new bpnerom h some streets provide 25 per cent more brilliance without an increase ln KINGSTON - The borough is seriously considering health and death benefits, □ver and above federal Social Security, for about sixty employees. ASHLEY - Local officials are considering installing a traffic light at the inter­ section of Hazleton and South Main Streets regardless of the attitude of the State Department of Highways. WEST PITTSTON - Borough fathers still have a pay hike for employees under consideration. LUZERNE - Despite a big pile of unpaid bills, council plans a two-mill cut in the real estate tax levy in 1954, lowering the millage to 19 mills. HANOVER TOWNSHIP - Commissioners state that reconstruction of the,Oxford Street crossing of the Pennsylvania Railroad represents a tremendous improvement for the sector. PITTSTON - Due to a budget slash, the City Street Department reduced its personnel. AVOCA - An increase in taxes is being considered by borough fathers as they began work on the 1954 budget. THOU GHTS F OR TODAY One of the smallest packages we ever saw was a man wholly wrapped up in himself. left to”“Pr shoulder., there'. „ot much room VOL. HL NO. 3 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. MARCH 15, 1954 METROP OLITANIT1S Suburbanitis or metropolitanitis is not a new disease. Political scientists have poured out millions of words on the subject. All that we have ever accom­ plished is a world's record for words. Since the end of the war, people everywhere have expressed a desire for better parks, schools, playgrounds, sewerage systems, underground garages, and other services. Any success in realizing these desires is bound up with the problem of metr opolitanitis. A metropolitan area can simply be defined as the outward movement of people from a large city forming satellite communities each with their governments. The reasons for the disease are not hard to find. First, the motor vehicle, high speed lines, and inter-urban railways have decreased traveling distances. Second, the central part of a city becomes overcrowded making it less desirable for residential purposes. This overcrowding is followed by an out­ ward movement to get away from the effects of urban congestion, noise and dirt; to obtain more favorable living conditions, or opportunities for outdoor life. Homeowners and businessmen who locate in the fringe area seek a reduction in real estate costs, lower assessments and lower tax rates, and freedom from building regulations and other restrictions. Generally, business and profes­ sional people are the first to move into these "bedroom” municipalities. Third, industries seek more space and low-priced land to set up demount­ able, one-story factories in case of enemy bombing. PUBLICATION This News-letter, published monthly as a community service, originates in the Political Scie: -ence Department of Wilkes C~iic> Notes and inquiries may be addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, PoliticalCollege. Scie 1 mce Department, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Now, what are the effects of such a movement, both on the central city and on the fringe municipalities? In time, the key city eventually suffers a loss in population. The central city also experiences a decline in the valuation of taxable real estate. The migrants who continue to work or shop in the city pay little or nothing to offset the decreases in revenue from lowered property values. Important elements of the population in a metropolitan area lave withdrawn from the politics and government of the central city by moving to the suburbs, so that while there is greater citizen participation in the outlying areas, the city has lost its professional and business leaders. To the outside world, the population of the citY as listed in statistical reports might be misconstrued as the population of the area, with the result that new industries do not consider the area sufficiently ex­ tensive . �The „.a — “U essential PLANNING ASSIST A N C E with the growth of new larger metropolitan area of which it is an inte. on as if it were not relate o hi high standards of service, not only gral part. It is often -P-^^^s"t the same job in a congested area,' Most of the municipalities of Montgomery County ; are too small physically and financially to justify hiring a professional planner, With population density and land use pattern controlled by borough and township 1 zoning, the County Planning Commission is to furnish technical assistance. X-X" zrLns “e exiunce of several layers of goveram.nl in metropolitan areas creates co„(,' sion, overburdens the voting population, and adds to governmental costs Many of the localities on the fringe are unable to maintain the kind of service that the urbat) Rapid growth in outlying areas means that added facilities must be pro­ vided by municipalities. These facilities include: H dweller in the modern world requires. Although some of these communities do provide adequate service, many suburban places become a potpourri of residences, industry, and vacant land. Lack of any planned effort to solve common problems leads to governmental chaos and bad public relations. Most of the metropolitan communities find themselves nearer this anarchy today than is generally realized. 1. The provision of adequate roads: <additional ’ ”“ local streets, improved major highways, and more road maintenance. 2. The provision of necessary services: public water and sewer systems, garbage and trash collection, street lighting, and fire hydrants. 3. Administrative expenditures: inspection and licensing. 1 9 5 3 LAWS AFFECTING LOCAL GOVERNMENT 4. A total of 2,490 bills were introduced in the 1953 session of the General Assembly, 622 of which related--directly or indirectly--to local government. Of these, 133 were passed by the House and the Senate. The Governor approved 122 and vetoed 11. Act 1 45 - Whenever the annexation of territory in a second-class town­ ship to a borough, city, or township is desired, a majority of the free-holders in the proposed annexed territory shall petition the borough, city, or township, requesting the annexation. ’ The petition shall be accompanied by a fee of $ 150. Act 376 - The annexing community must pay: 1. 2. 3. 4. Value of all roads improved within five years Cost of sewers of the past fifteen years Pro-rata share of all facilities Pro-rata share of all value for buildings Act 63 __ " Salaries for members class townships shall not exceed half tv, Zoning Boards of Adjustment in firstexceed half lhe .meant pa.d tQ the commlss.oneps Act 214 - Whenever a vz~ViCi“hV; “• om“ °f “V political subdivision is filled by appointment ■ me appointing authority shall give notice of the appointment to the County Election Bo’^d? Il i Additional schooling: more complex school administration. More complex legal controls: viding a sound tax base. zoning and subdivision regulations pro­ A purpose of the program is to help provide these additional facilities at minimum cost and maximum efficiency. The County underwrites the program with no charge to the municipality. The only cost to them is for the material directly involved, such as reproduction of maps, aerial photographs, and sim­ ilar items. A member of the County office is assigned to work with the local planning commission. The technician gathers, interprets, and projects such basic statistics as population, school enrollment, industrial employment, and assessments. However, before the actual study can begin, basic maps, includ­ ing topography, street, building location and sometimes utility maps must be completed. No municipality can be considered as an isolated unit; the technician must relate it to the neighboring townships and boroughs, as well as the County. The map information includes: 1. Natural land features: featuring topographical characteristics and emphasizing the storm drainage and sewerage service areas winch will offset residential and industrial growth. i na t H Act 266 - Municipalities, ' • except in cases < ' °f misconduct, while —-ase activities, shall not be liable f JUry tO Pers°ns or damage to ’----M for the death of nor in_ property as a result of their ----- z performance of duties. Act49. vacancy of in fir by the Court of Quarter sp commissioner • Vacancy in th'e 3haU ba IiUed ‘"ll" shall be fiUbd by J y tne township '•> c°mmissioners or Con’ engag^rM~crvil Defen 5. increased police and fire protection, 2. Existing land use: illustrating the present use of land including areas”set aside for residential, industrial, commercial, recreational, and other uses. 3. 4. Land suitable for development: Suggested plan: municipality. this is a composite o( map 1 and 2. a general proposal for the ( �It is the responsibility of the local planning commission to sell ' the plan to the citizens. As a result, the final comprehensive plan represents local ideas and sentiments. VOL. HI, NO. 4 is but one tool to carry out the recommendations The power of zoning Also available are housing, building, plumbing, electrical, and of the plan, Since these powers rest with the municipality, it must enact, other codes, rewrite the zoning ordinance or any other legal control. revise, or WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA DR. April 15, 1954 TEAGUE WHAT 'S NEW ? WYOMING - Building construction during the past few years, particularly in the Third Ward, will be a major factor in holding the assessed valuation at about $2,500,000. EDWARDSVILLE - Borough council has agreed ori a type of parking meter that will accept pennies, nickels, or dimes. KINGSTON - The tentative budget adopted by council provides no specific amount for wage increases, although some increases might be granted. WEST PITTSTON - The council is considering setting aside $1, 003.83 for road construction in order to get an equal amount from the State Highway De­ partment. PITTSTON - The city's taxable wealth showed a sign of recovery this year for the first time since the depression. It has returned to the $8, 000, 000 figure. HANOVER TOWNSHIP - An ordinance res „ --------stricting the future installation and use of oil burners is being considered by the Commissioners. NANTICOKE - The increase over past years' parking meter collections shows that strict adherence to the parking regulations is working. Only 42.9 per cent of the 1953 estimates was collected during the first six months of the year. PLYMOUTH - The council seems to have solved the problem on Main Street with the installation of meters, meters, but there is still much 1 to be done before satisfactory relief is provided other thoroughfares. FORTY FORT - Council took final action on the 1954 budget, year's 17 mill tax. retaining last publication This News-letter, published monthly as a community service, originates in the Political Science Department of Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries may community service, originates be addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Political Science Department, Wilkes Col­ lege, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. ... hi. •tatement that 104 municipalities 1„ Allegheny County have banded together m regards to the sewage problem. Approximately 55 officials attended, representing 12 towns. Township served as host. JOINT W ilkes -Bar r e ENTERPRISE What are some ways to avoid the near anarchy existing on the local govern­ ment level? There is one thing that must be recognized, and that is that nothing can be gained by promoting antagonism among people no matter where they live. Therefore, an intelligent approach is necessary. A complete cure must be out­ lined and planned for. But, if the opposition is overwhelming, there are approaches which will lead to the long-range solution. One means of alleviating the difficulties of metropolitan areas without chang­ ing boundaries or governments is through the joint cooperative enterprise. Several forms of intergovernmental cooperation are provided by Pennsylvania law. be it One is the joint enterprise set up for a speci■al Durpose,’ved in water 1943, supply, permits sewerage system, city hospital, or any ot , townships to cooperate through third-class cities, boroughs, incorporate overnmental functions relating to joint agreements -while exercising their regu ar go agreement may inpublic health, recreation, zoning, and municipa p i property, and allocation ■■ eimploym.n, of Joint personnel, purchase ot personal prop. elude of costs and ---- 1 expenses. Ac. 94 of 1,45 extends the »Hgi»l act » joint agreement to employ and retain planning tract for professional planning services re s under their or consultants, and to confour mentioned functions. i �City Law permits the city to enter into Section 3240 of the Third-Class nuudeipailties io build and ""““lu.J'shaU £ oint agreements with other i------- _ . from each joining H j of one member joint board consisting The member municipalities may incur or the endeavor. established to operate but not exceeding the constitutional limits. their indebtedness increase t----Law permits boroughs to enter into such joint Section 2120 of the Borough agreements as mentioned above. BUDGET I • s a detailed financial plan for the coming fiscal year, setting The budget• is forth an<,d balancing proposed expenditures against anticipated revenue. If ex.enditures exceed receipts, the budget is unbalanced. When a budget remains P' out of balance from year to year, the result is an accumulation of floating debt which will have to be funded through the issuance of bonds. Section 1305 of the borough code states that a budget shall be prepared in January. The tentative budget is often times prepared by a Finance Committee. Another type of cooperation is the rendering of service by one unit of gov­ ernment for others, usually on a contractual basis. The Pennsylvania Legislature authorized Allegheny County to build incinerators and other disposal facilities for the numerous municipalities within its bounds. Wilkes-Barre already does this in some measure. Section 3248 of the Third-Class City Law permits third-class cities to furnish sewerage facilities outside the city. The city may not, however, extend its system outside the boundaries where sewerage facilities are furnished by a private company or by a municipal authority. Budgeting must show a realistic approach, but as the law now stands in Pennsylvania, this is probably impossible. For the first six or eight months of the fiscal year the functions of borough government must be financed from sources other than the current taxes. This is because overdrafts are prohibited by law and taxes are not billed until after the assessment roll has been received from the county. This makes it impossible to send bills before June, and with the two-month discount, taxes may not come in before July or August. Section 2130 of the Borough Law permits boroughs to exercise this extra­ mural power in order to supply sewerage service to places outside the borough limits, so long as there is no conflict with the rights of a sewer company or any other borough. A third type of cooperation, not used in Pennsylvania, and based on the principle of mutual aid, involves the exchange of services by the participating units of governments. A mutual aid plan may be set up to fight fires, involving placement of fire forces under one coordinator. While there exists joint cooperation between two or more units of government in a metropolitan area there is no joint operation of any municipal function over the whole area. The actual number of arrangements is small in proportion to the opportunities that Pennsylvania law affords, The desire to cooperate is not sufficiently strong, and difficulties in reaching an agreement are great. Cooperation is, however, a valuable means of of overcoming overcoming psychological psychological bar­ riers and jealousies that divide communities. Functional cooperation is the road of easiest grade into the complicated field of metropolitanism. tionalXerTX'^ WJOming ValleV XXXX t PrOblemSraising,Taxes. oAssefsZU "TT do well to explore the idea of funcLUZerne County municipalities ought to . Instead of munities would do well to cutdT Degg?lg the State to raise the debt limits, the coin thereby stretching the tax dollar^ Wouldn't ITighXP°°ling their financeS amount if they joined hands and operated neighboring communities save a tren^ they cooperatively provide recreational activitfe! atXT SySt6m? C°Uldn,t vines at much lower costs? PROCEDURE 1 Some method of raising funds must be found. Many boroughs carry over surpluses from the previous year to take care of part of the requirements. In other words, boroughs aim to show sizeable year-end cash balances. This can be done intentionally by underestimating revenue and overestimating expenditures. The cash balance at the end of the year, amounting sometimes to five or six mills in a middle-sized borough, is misleading to the public. It ought to be explained to the people that the money is planned to finance municipal functions during the early months of the next year, In reality the annual tax levy is used to finance current and future operations, If overestimates of expenditures and underestimates of revenue are grossly exaggerated, the budget lacks a realistic picture. Several miunicipalities in Luzerne County use this method. Some towns receive funds from taxes other than real estate. Many towns resort to temporary borrowing. There is no question of the right of council to negotiate temporary loans in anticipation of taxes. All such loans must be re­ paid from the first moneys available from current taxes. Temporary borrowing is usually done by issuing a tax anticipation note to a bank or an individual in ex­ change for cash. Many boroughs or towns borrow from local banking institutions, but there is nothing in the law to prevent a borough from borrowing from an indi­ vidual or from a bank beyond borough limits. CITY MAN AGER PLAN A total of 1, 146 cities and counties in the United States and Canada were Using “ the ---- council-manager c form of government as of last March. Maine ea s Wlth 117 places. Pennsylvania is in seventh place with 55. Tota popua 1 ln the United Stat.:es covered by the plan runs to 23 million, w i e c°vered in the State. �__ _______________ ' WHAT 'S NEW ? VOL. IH, NO. 5 city building code is progressing WILKES-BARRE - Proofreading of the new have high hopes that the long awaited better than expected and officials now code book will be ready by April 1. ash containers set out for the ASHLEY - Officials urge residents to cover for possible vacancies in the fire and police departments has been scheduled. SWOYERVILLE- - The borough contemplates spending $13, 151 less this year than in 1953 with the mileage the same at 17 - 15 for general purposes and 2 for Sec. 501 of the Third Class City Code raises an interesting problem in regard to Wilkes-Barre and Kingston because of the provision---- "any borough having a population of less than 10, 000. . .may become annexed to any such city . . ." According to the Borough Code, adjacent boroughs may consolidate. Coun­ cils of two or more boroughs may enter into a consolidation agreement. If ten per cent of the registered voters of each borough request such an agreement, council must try to reach an agreement. If the councils cannot reach an agree­ ment within sixty days, "the Court.of Quarter Sessions shall cause an election to be held in the boroughs; " The procedure to be followed in annexing adjacent territory to a borough follows the same pattern: ten per cent requirement and referendum in both areas. Money doesn't make you happy; it only quiets the nerves. ’ : action A second obstacle is the difficulty of obtaining favorable popular fear of increased taxes. The on the plan. The fringe area opposition has a £.---- --- ------To be successful, greatest resistance usually centers in the wealthier suburbs, -oney nowadays isn't a miser; he's a wizard. PUBLICATION This News-letter,published __ monthly as ■o"Sei'nc' DePa«"iv™tWIikesi‘c°>?”“nity service’ originates Department of Wilke >' * T. ‘ V. MaUey, po^" ,C’U'S'- Notes and Inquiries ma, cience Department, Wilkes Col- 2 - 1954 Unfortunately, territorial annexation is the most impractical of the methods because of legal difficulties and because of popular objections. The usual process for annexation involves some combination of majority vote in the area or petition by a percentage of the fringe residents or property owners, followed by the passage of a city ordinance or majority approval by the city voters. THOU GH T S FOR TODAY s-Barre, Pennsylvania. May 15. l< Ma- The oldest of the remedies to solve metropolitan problems is annexation or consolidation. At first thought, it would seem that the best means to overcome political disunity would be to extend the boundaries of the central city into the suburban fringe area. the light fund. LUZERNE - The Borough council has decided to purchase a new police cruiser. EXETER - The council has under consideration a proposal that the tax levy be reduced 2 mills. DUPONT - The borough will purchase a new truck for the street department, according to the tentative budget. LARKSVILLE - An ordinance regulating the installation of oil burners has been adopted. NEWPORT TOWNSHIP - The new highway through the township has caused com­ missioners numerous problems concerning pits bordering it. NANTICOKE - "Prudent administration of purchasing, together with budgetary controls is paying dividends, " Pennsylvania Economy League announced. WYOMING - The tax ordinance provides for a 14 mill levy. WEST PITTSTON - Council will investigate complaints that vibration from a plant is causing damage to homes. AVOCA - Reported objectionable in the budget is an item for the purchase of a new police car. 5 The man who saves WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA? METROPOL I T A NI T IS PLASrTOWNSHIP - A competitive exam to establish a civil service register ■ fty_____ , voluntarily from the fringe area and not movement for annexation must come central city. city. Tlie Tlie fringe fringe area area must recognize some gain from the ’ the central as iillustrated ” in the following instances: Burley, Idaho, favore ann x ■ ■ lower its fire insurance rates. Eugene, Oregon, favored annexation when it special districts was greater than the °und out that the total tax rate paid to In Pennsylvania, Parkside borough conneil annexedI city tax rate. <• f-tip latter community were ottc rookhaven when the property _ ... _/ owners of the latter c chil_ ^Wage facilities. Inc ______Pennsylvania communitie , other dren en to better schools has also been offered as a reason. �U- • o-nt i not as academic as it first appears. This is that extrenie centralization would prove as undesirable as extreme decentraliza_ extreme cen advisability of the new arrangement would be open m question. Can’one metropolitan government furnish all of the sery. ices needed in the whole area? There is some doubt that it can. There are some problems that are of metropolitan concern ana therefore require cornn solution. There are other problems that could be handled by the individual local governments. Big city government over the whole metropolitan area could be remote and impersonal. Local problems might receive inadequate consideration. This NEWSLETTER has consistently 'nsistently pl.1 tion on a functional basis. Couldn't this be theT*interg°vernmental cooper*. West Side? ginning of something for the MEETINGS May 14, 15 --- Municipal Manager's Association, State College June 17, 18, 19-----Township Commissioners, The history of annexations is largely one of piecemeal extensions of the central city boundaries. This piecemeal expansion on the part of the central city lags behind social and economic development and the population increases that occur. Actually, annexation never really catches up. BONDS For years, local governments have waged war against the attempt of the federal government to tax municipal bonds. The House Ways and Means Committee just recently made another such attempt, mainly because some local units in the South were issuing bonds to encourage industry to locate with­ in their limits. Northern municipalities claimed this could have been the first step toward taxing all municipals. The State Association of Boroughs and the Luzerne County _ record against the Committee proposal. ~ . unit went —-i on Many Luzerne County local units _ indicated their feelings in written communications to Congressman Edward Bonin and Committee Chairman Daniel Reed. SANITARY LANDFILL Kingston, which has been dif" sposing ofingarbage incinerator, has terminated its agreement favor ofat the Wilkes-Barre ---------- - *■ The site is located on the former Lutes estate belowofthe Church Streetmethod, its own landfill former Lutes estate below the Street dike. Kingston can claim the distinction of being the pioneer in Church the area, onto ofoperate being the pioneer project. in the area. It is hoped that West Pittston can soon -----begin a similar I begin operateproject. a similarPerhaps project. West Local public officials are invited to inspect the to Kingston Side inspectplan the involving Kingston project. Perhaps West Side towns could work out a cooperative several projects, ing. an involving several oroiertc It's worth expi°r C-OQP E R A T IQ N Fire company officials of Wilkes-Barre because of the Ai seven West Side ... .. .oioiae communities, including operative system of fighting fires, rmory, have laid preliminary plans for a cocouncils for approval. Cooperative ■es. The proposal will be presented to local under Pennsylvania law in an impressiveProposal will be — .a action of one — another is possible one tvr>o type or in an range of ^nicipal functioi '____ -jns. Bedford Springs June 28, 29, 30 -----State Boroughs Association, Pittsburgh ASSESSORS SCHOOL The Allegheny County Board of Assessments is sponsoring a ten-week course of instruction for assessors. General C ' laws ' relating to assessments, techniques of arriving at a fair and equitable valuation,, preparation of records, use of maps, methods of assessing personal property and occupations _s and other phases of the work are included, The school is co-sponsored by the Public Service Institute. T R EA TMENT PLANTS The second largest joint venture in the field of antipollution is located in Delaware County under the Authorities of Central Delaware County. Total cost of three projects is $7, 000, 000. This project serving twenty-seven mu­ nicipalities is second to the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority comprising sixty-four municipalities. It is this sort of set-up that Wyoming Valley officials ought to study and inspect. Borough and township officials heading westward next month for their annual association meetings might inspect the Allegheny project. BOARDS of ADJUSTMENT CAN MAKE OR BREAK ZONING in the zoning The Board of Adjustment occupies a m ,essential beenposition prepared, it cannot scheme. No matter how well an ordinance .de {or every possible situation be perfect or complete enough to foresee an p in his book, ZONING, that might arise in the community. Edwar . of injustice. No zoning stated, "The strict letter of the law may be adaptation of the spin ordinance standing by itself can provide for th J J tment, in Pennsylvania the law to each exceptional case. " The Boar need for flexiin many other states, is the agency provi bility. �. - -.._o of finances indicates that at least seventyPLYMOUTH - The general picture annual expense goes tor salaries and wages. five per cent of the z----NANTICOKE - According tn to a a p P. E E L D report, the. total debt has been reduced . for debt service was cut from five to fOUr by $102, 740 while the tax rat VOL. HL NO. 6 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. JUNE 15, 1954 I DINNER AND A WARDS mills. ASHLEY - The council has received state approval for three traffic lights. ’ i a decline of $49,691 in valuation, 343 less LARKSVILLE - County figures show 122 additional taxable properties. adults, but 1-----KINGSTON - The council is considering taking over the maintenance of the dike system. DALLAS - The borough and Miners National Bank are studying the advisability of a municipal parking lot. WEST PITTSTON - There is some sentiment to elect councilmen by wards in­ stead of at large. DUPONT - Excavations for the new highway will mean shifting of playground equipment. State Highway Department has agreed on $7, 500 in land damages. WHITE HAVEN - The Northeastern Turnpike feedways will compel the borough to relocate its playgrounds. NEWPORT - Taxes collected from property owners are not enough to pay the cost of police protection according to a breakdown of budget figures. HANOVER - Permission will be granted by the state for the installation of the proposed control ----program at Willow Street as soon as a one-way parking ordinance is adopted. WI“Rp“g„Lhe —— on a Good Manners Behind the to tie in with the national campaign to make courtesy the code of the road. PUBLICATION This News-letter, rnonthly as as a a community service, originat in the Political Science published mc.in.niy Department- of Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries n be addressed to Dr. Hugo Wilkes V. Mailey, Political Science I lege, Wilke Department, Wilkes C°P s-Barre, Pennsylvania. > The second annual dinner of the Luzerne County local government officials was held on May 12 at the Wilkes College Cafeteria. The 125 who attended ‘hadI a gala time. Prominent state and local representatives turned out out for f— the — affair, and Gerard B. Gilbert, assistant to the Chairman of PennIvania Turnpike Commission, was the main speaker of the evening. Certif­ icates of attainment were awarded to the following local officials: Stanley J. Atcavage, Wilkes-Barre Township; John Karmilowicz, Luzerne; Robert J. Sarsfield, Luzerne; Richard H. Morgan, Luzerne; C. Everett Sharkey, West Pittston; Frank Danilowicz, Wilkes-Barre Township; Ralph Brown, Kingston; Stanley G. Folek, Wyoming; J. Howell James, Kingston; George S. Sobeck, Luzerne; John Motsko, Plains Township; George Metcalf, Wyoming; James R. Llewellyn, West Pittston; John J. Karlo, Ashley; Thomas J. Reese, Kingston; John L. Stein, West Hazleton; Luthern D. Nicholson, White Haven; Anthony F. Siepictowski, West Hazleton; JohnC. Wordoski, Hanover Township; Alan Bare, Forty Fort; William A. Garber, Hanover Township, and Oscar Sipler, White Haven. A Service Award Certificate was offered for the first time by the Political Science Department. These certificates were given to t ose oc officials who served 20 years or more for their respective munic p The following received awards: Plymouth, George Trebilcox ( ) an Cooper (28); Newport Township, John Riodan (28); Ashley, eorge c Plains, Joseph Poczatko (22); Wilkes-Barre Township, Frank D-ilowicz (20), Hanover, Andrew Garber (20); Wilkes-Barre, Oliver Pr^ca (?0V West Walker (49); Laurel Run, William Brush (20) and Fred J. Kingston 20), West Pittston, Andrew B. Jones (23); Forty Fort, Lewis R. Crisman , • _ vvere ^4.3-yor Among the chief executives in attendance at to B jones of West Luther M. Kniffen of Wilkes-Barre, Burgesses Petroski of Edwardsville, Pittston, Oscar C. Sipler of White Haven, C e and Joseph Troynacki of Dupont. 2.22Lp e mned garbage cans announced that The Geneva, Alabama, sanitary d p taggecf and mgarbage cans that become unserviceable w have 15 days arked "Dis­ in which to approved for Garbage Collection. " Owners * garbage can must be of 1;eplace them. A recent ordinance speci . rust and must have a lid that steel or v,ariciles. will fitt metal construction that wi no It also requires that the can have �GOVERNMENT PENNSYLVANIA local CONFER En rr 3 of municipal ■ations “officials ------------ traveled --veiect separ, Because individual associat * oi u>uu*v*i" arose {or integrating the efforts ate need arose for integrating the thfifTe«X8oC uP- ^^^ittXto^th^oXing organizations to join 'of a to. 'nimissioned Association, Towns p Directors Association. There was Township Supervisors, and tn Conference would deal with these general agreement at the first administration of delinquent taxes, areas of common interest ass the General Assembly, functioning of relationship between local gov subsidies. Each association will state agencies in local matters, and state I contribute $50 to the Conference treasu y. mber of successful authorities in operation in Pennsylvania is The 11 the authority is a workable solution to the financial woes of many evidence that to the financial a half dozen communcommunities, A joint municipal authority chartered by Jy a half dozen a combined project on a business-like basis with greater „ement thereby saving the taxpayers -likegreat basissums with of ; money. ities c ould ope ..tinuity of manag k . s great sums of coni PARKING The alibis that some people can offer for traffic violations sometimes deserve a better reward than mere fines. with mighty eloquence. “ "° to parking in -«»«, " he argued METROPOLITANITIS The judge fined him $1 instead of $2, The bottleneck in cooperative action is many times financial, The sewage problem is a good case in point. How can funds be found? The following are a few ways to finance such a project: (1) general fund revenue, (2) spe­ revenue, cial assessment, (3) issuance of non-debt revenue bonds, (4) municipal authority. r The Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities /' Act was first passed to permit municipalities to get federal funds. It was later amended to increase permit getting for waterworks. In 1945 the entire act was rewritten. -d The in the funds crea The increase have in thefound crea- j tion of sewer authorities is mostly due to the fact that municipalities that this device has solved many problems of financing projects. The authority combines the advantages of public ownership and pri^ business management. It is a special type of public corporation whose * pOinted limited to 50 years. It is managed by a board of at least five mem ers o£^ce. by the incorporating municipality or municipalities for staggered terms municipalities for Municipal authorities are financed by they are retired out of revenue 'Y revenue bonds, so-called because liquidating. Bonds issued are derived from a the project financed. They are self' ment or valuation of property. independent They have iof the tax base which is the assesspower of the municipality or municipalitiesno effect on the statutory borrowing is placed directly on those who use the 3 wldch form the authority. The burde11 service. , . , , There is no field liable for the way by which the municipalitie afe the Purchaser payment of either- interest or f s or their taxpayers can be s■ of the they, r The real investors L1.J authority bonds. It is principal. municipaiitj, es, who assume the risk. risk. The The only check is assume the bankers. , , and not the citizens of tbe --s the investing public °r The soundness of any authority depends on a carefully chosen bo' skillfully designed by engineers, and a bond resolution or on aAuditin; cpetent bond counsel or investment banking group. rd Plan5 resolution certified public accountant and a statement sent to the municipalities, indenture drawn by cortl also provided for the protection of the holders of the hnr-Jlg must be done by a of the’bonds?Cipalities- Auditing is INTERSTATE ROADS Over the entire Federal-aid system of 672, 000 miles, State Highway officials report that 2. / 3 of the roads are "below tolerable standards." This means that 424, 000 miles of busy highways are out-of-date; 84, 000 bridges are unfit for high speed traffic. It is estimated that to bring this federal-aid system, alone, up to current needs, thirty-five billion dollars would be needed. ZONING DECISION Its ruling was handed down in the case of a resident of Chestnut Hill, who ssought permission to construct a property which lacked nearly 700 square feet of space to meet the zoning requirements. II A economic cl ^S^°n a zonlng ordinance which divides our• people into social or e-fathers, our historic '“lopment asses Is contrary to the spirit of our founding f_ develc-■ "Th/ and our legal and patriotic institutions,, "" the Supreme Court ruling added. birthright of liberty and our Amerway of ijf Ord3nance flies in the face of our Li ican II 1 e, and is interdicted by the Constitution. c The 1 gal battle opened when a Philadelphia resident .sought a permit from ^Pringfieiji t nship to build a home containing 1125 square feet of floor space. That area i°s Zoned AA residential and calls for homes with 1800 square feet of floor sPace,’ so he was refused. �Ufa WHArS_N^Vl kingston *hiS spring " - Th. -p— Wilkes College Ltay M, B54 ('wuty RUt,er to eliminate a curve. on ordinance governing oil burners DUPONT - Council passed on first reading VOL. in> NO. 7 studying ways and means of improving HANOVER - The commissioners are the municipal dump. WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, Pa. JULY 15, 1954 COUNCILMEN AND J P NANTICOKE - The city is planning to use rock salt instead of ashes to provide The offices of justice of the peace and membership in boro council are not incompatible, hence a J P can also serve as a member of council. This was the decision in Gregory v. Johnson in a Mercer County court decision in April 1954. better traction for motorists next winter. LUZERNE - Council authorized purchase of a pickup truck after many bids were received. WEST PITTSTON - The boro has joined the ranks of those municipalities that have eliminated the post of boro health officers and turned the duty over to the State Health Department. « PLAINS - A resolution was adopted by the solons to prohibit strip mining within 100 feet of occupied property. WILKES-BARRE - Only $81,242.48 in uncollected 1953 property taxes were returned to the county's tax claims bureau. LUZERNE COUNTY - Despite adverse conditions, 94 per cent of the property taxes were paid. The plantiff was elected to both offices in Mercer, Pennsylvania in Novem­ ber 1953 and asked the burgess to administer the oath of office, which the burgess refused to do. The Court stated that the statutory list of incompatible offices in the Constitution of Pennsylvania does not specifically include the offices in question. It was contended, however, that the office of J P is a county office within the meaning of Article III. The county offices are listed in the Article and J P is not mentioned. No statute in Pennsylvania refers to a J P as a county officer. There are a few cases where courts may have indicated that the office of J P is in the nature of a county office, but only within the meaning of a certain few statutes. After reviewing these few decisions, the Court summarizes by saying that the office of J P is not a county office within the meaning of the General County Law, and that therefore both offices may be filled by the same person. WYOMING - Council has authorized an option on about eight and one-half acres of land. BORO HEALTH SWOYERVILLE - Authorities are t endeavoring to divert funds from one department to another to remedy certain —i water conditions in the boro. LARKSVILLE - The contract for weekly collection of ashes and garbage has not been renewed. ASHLEY - The council has made arrangements for labor in the Department of Public Assistance. PLYMOUTH - Council is looking for fina level the spoil banks. ■ , ncia aid to fill local stripping holes and This department has a model resolution suggested by the District Medical Director of Luzerne County that can be used to permit the Department of Health ~ to take over the administration of health laws within a municipality. The reasons or such action on the part of the local officials are: first, the decrease in tne ax exPenditure in the particular municipality; and second, the providing ° £the town of a trained sanitary inspector under the supervision of the strict Medical Director in the County. Wh /1 11118111 be interesting to note that Conyngham, Laurel Run, New C°l Haven, West Pittston, and Dallas have taken this action ^-^ms since they^j haVe reP°rts that Wyoming, Luzerne, Avoca have been sen LI CA T I QN This Newr ’ in the Political Scie be addressed to Dr Hug° V. Mailey lege, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. pol-t originate5 I) ”rvice’ Collegge. Notes and inquiries rna^ 1 Science Department, Wilkes C° e c°nternplating action in the near future. o[(. A coov .. .... . .ailing the Medical Director's C0Py of this resolution may be obtained by calling the °r the News-letter at the College. 1 �MOTIONS ORDINANCES AND use ordinances, resolutions, all by-laws and motions, j The council may 1 to distinguish between these classes, as it is not the laiu is frequently difficult : and result that is controlling. guage but the purpos .... action of council and therefore becomes An ordinance is a for®al legtSXVto^heOenxefcutOive for approval. Not so^’ ' local law. As such, in a boro it g ordinance may be adopted at a sin. a first-class township or third' be advertised in advance. The actual ordigle meeting. Some ordinances m alg The ordinance transcribed into the nance is the one that is signed y According to Chrostwaite' s Boro Law, , ordinance book is not the actua ^st be by ordinance: (1) those specif, there are three classes of acw permanently affect boro affairs and remain ically directed by statute, ( ) acti?ities where the legislative character or in force until changed, an ( ) . or the size of the boro, expenditure may depend upon local conditions or the A motion is a device or means used to express the will of council. It is used to adopt ordinances and resolutions. It has no binding force or permanent status. It is also used to pass on reports and petitions. A resolution is a more formal act of council used especially for administrative action. Resolutions may even be framed by non-council members. If the resolu­ tion is legislative in character, it has the characteristics of an ordinance. It thus becomes difficult to distinguish between the two. If legislative, then it must be presented to the executive. In an early Lancaster case, the State Supreme Court implied that a resolution should not bind the city beyond the term of the officer en- , forcing the resolution. This points up the fact that resolutions are many times special and temporary in character. A by-law is usually employed in determining the administrative activities of the local government. It cannot bind succeeding councils. If a by-law is to be ig- ( nored by the council creating it, full notice should be given to officials and to the public. Sometimes there is some doubt as to which of the first three should be used. If doubt exists, an ordinance is preferable. ] not estopped from treating the subject matterBy adopting an ordinance, council is if in fact, the subject matter could have been as though it were adopted by moti011’ covered by motion. olitician does notidea waste his head a pretty clear of his whattime the butting public will standagainst and what nThe aS ■ tute^g •• He be iieves in a cause or a movement which his people oppose viostone wall there is no use tilting with windmills, so he simple waits until it won' t. l£ he he knows rather than waste his strength in what he knows cannot lently> qimate has chang . the cl— SUC'ceed. "This does not mean, of course, that he changes his opinion nor does it mean that in matters of overwhelming importance he may not stand out against L crowd. It does mean that for the most part, he waits for a favorable oppor tunity before he plunges into the middle of a brawl. "The reformers and other special interest groups have little patience with this procedure and they cannot understand that a politician is the representative --not the master--of his constituents. If he fails to remember this, he soon finds himself a "has-been" who is no use to anyone." STATE AID FOR SEWAGE PLANTS As of last April, a total of 124 municipalities and authorities, which have expended money to acquire and construct sewage treatment plants in accordance with the Clean Streams program, have filed applications with the State Secretary of Health for payments from state funds. The individual project for which funds are requested range in cost from $4,570 to nearly $14, 500, 000, the latter one of the three sewage treatment plants in Philadelphia. The cost of the projects reported is $49,633,311.35. The Bureau of Sanitary Engineering establishes eligibility in some cases and in all instances authorizes the exact amount to be paid. treatment 1 6 neW s *-afe-aid law, municipalities which build or acquire sewage state-aid. cost of co P antS are to receive annually an amount not to exceed 2 per cent of the taining reSa^U^^°n £r°m s*;aPe funds which are to be applied to operating, mainlature pro replacing, and other expenses relating to the plants. The Legise $2, 000, 000 for payments to be made during the present biennium. that the m -Hre Con^nu’-n8 appropriations by future legislatures, it is pointed out plants. TonbCiPa£i£ieS COll^d receive payments matching in full the cost of their in °peratio iT f°r payment, municipalities must have their treatment plants rnade y December 31 of the year preceding that year in which payment is to SOME thoughts ON POLITICS article on PoUtics^0™^ C°Unty Rec°rder DOG-GONE of May 1954 corneg thig interesting "Some wise man once defined Politics as is much food for thought in this observation. 'The Art of the Possible, ' and thef 8ahitaI016 .eC^de d to garba spongy6 cans from Paris, Texas. The Junior Chamber of Commerce ^ere^ about both a y C°nditiona ancT^^6 Sa^e dog-proof containers in order to improve attached°d "Tth a hook 6 aRPearance °f the city. The canine-foiling device is sim, id and the can l®ht, a 0 side. Tb^f6 and bar driven securely into the grouni .nd level, keeps the lid on f)r°vide<s => c- 1S eePs the can above the groui.2 1 ’ a foundation. �WHAT'S NEW_? done to boro streets by the heavy ‘ent. DURYEA - Improvements to Foote Avenu system, have already started. an important link in the boro' s r<M VOL. HI, NO. 8 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA August 15, 1954 WESLmplX0N JXr'pXct Installation of neaX sewers comp^Tonfs IheToro ^ge nei^ aring -Jej PARKING AS A FACTOR IN BUSINESS to house machinery and equipment. KINGSTON - Council has purchased another property on Church Street near the ' acreage recently acquired for a warehouse. NANTICOKE - The city is planning to purchase a city sweeper to replace its 193b model. WARRIOR RUN - Discussion continues toward a consolidation of the boro with Hanover Township. WILKES-BARRE - Installation of permanent traffic line markers to replace the present painted lines looms as one of the major traffic control steps to be taken this year. It will mean a saving of $9, 000. HANOVER TOWNSHIP - Hereafter, two cards will be used in the tax: collection system. The commissioners have levied a 10.5 mileage, plus a $3 per capita tax. THOUGHTS for today If your knees are knocking, kneel on them. Why is it that the less a man knows, the longer it takes him to tell it? publication the PolkSicT17c'ieentct^DePDUbl.1Shed monthlY as a co­ community service, originate s i*1 addressed to Dr. Hugo °f Wilkes College -r be Wilkes-Barre, ’peXvanUailey> P°Utical ^e• Notes and inquiries may Wilkes-Barre, Department, Wilkes College’ The Highway Research Board has gathered extensive factual material on park­ ing as related to business activity. Studies indicated that the attitude of retail shoppers toward downtown shopping is largely conditioned by the advantages of greater selection, ability to perform several errands on one trip, and cheaper prices. The disadvantages of downtown shopping are difficult parking, crowded conditions, and traffic congestion. The advantages of suburban shopping in con­ ditioning shoppers' attitudes are proximity to home, easy parking, and more convenient hours; while the disadvantages are limited selection, limited types of business establishments, and higher prices. Two tentative findings are that families with children are more inclined to patronize local shopping centers, and that higher income groups shop more often downtown than those in lower economic brackets. There definitely is a tendency toward suburban shopping, although the draw­ ing power of the central business district is still strong. The majority of the trips are generated within two miles of the shopping center. The maximum draw­ ing power of the suburban shopping center seems to be about five miles. REPRINT From the NATIONAL MUNICIPAL REVIEW of June, 1954, come these words of wisdom by Dr. M. Nelson McGeary, professor of Political Science at Penn State and councilman since 1951: "A councilman has to learn to roll with the Punches. Punches are as inevitable for the councilman as are boos for ball umpire. There's no question that all councils make some mistakes or w ic they deserve censure. But it's the snap criticism, from persons w o are wi 1 to form judgments on the basis of only a little evidence, that the counc.lman must learn to absorb and still maintain his resiliency. "Presumably in every municipality, as in ours, there are some c^lzJ{nS Wh° umably in every municipality, as : start with the that anyone willing to run for counci is —e premise premise willing to he's P^ger._may not be a that bad anyone oJ_.bQt at least a man with some -t^n- Sjmd and will, when he finds an opportunity, maneuver t ings Sometimes, of course, this suspicion is justified. I 1t s generally We ^ight as well give up democracy as a bad job. Fortunately, �y-vpENDITURES FOR PUBLIC HEALTH IN LUZERNE COUNTY himself with "A councilman must cover .3 same time the unfailing darts, but at the tractive critic becomes insensitive to constsign of a good co tions. Perhaps it is one at night pondering occasionally to lie awake alate himself th^h^ aseful opinions and sugg^ n if his conscience forces him comments of a disgruntled Population Expenditure $ 76,826 $ 55,072 0. 717 35,491 10, 502 0. 295 20,160 4, 600 0. 228 15, 012 2, 200 0. 145 $147,489 $ 72,374 0.49 $ 15, 051 $ 10, 681. 00 0. 709 12, 541 2,680.32 0.213 Newport Township 9, 347 2,300.00 0.246 Wilkes-Barre Township 5, 267 480.00 0. 091 $ 42,206 $ 16,141.32 0. 38 $135,637 $ 16,381.00 0. 12 Boroughs $325,332 $104,896.00 0. 32 Total Wilkes-Barre Hazleton citizen. " Nanticoke RED STOP SIGNS Pittston National Safety Council records show that during the last 10 years 40% of all fatalities in urban areas have occurred at intersections, " and -----1 ■>'*'* 12% of _r all occurred at intersections. The standard safe­ fatalities in rural areas have guard has been the yellow stop sign. It has had its chance. Per Capita First Class Townships Red, in traffic circles, always has signified a complete stop. The red stop sign was recommended last June by the Joint Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. The recommendation was for reflectorized white STOP let­ ters and reflectorized red background, so that the sign will be brightly visible both day and night. In the city this sign may be seen at night for the length of a city block; on the highway, with lights on high beam, for a quarter of a mile. ( Hanover Township Plains Township . PARKING VIOLATION An envelope-type parking ticket is used in Norwich, Connecticut. T e 0 parker simply places his one dollar fine in the serial-numbered business rep y envelope and drops it into the nearest mail-box. The nature of the offense, license number, date, and time appear on both the portion of the envelope re tained by the officer and that given to the offender. A STREETSWEEPER IS NO PLACE FOR A DOG Athens, Ga. -With Picking the advent of aa ne^ leasil law in Athens, even the mechani up dog new leash law in Athens, cal streetsweepers are streetsweeper got f 6 City Engineer said recently that a small dog barked at a known to the driver, was swept - into the di <t° C^°Se to the rotary broom and, an-ior, pointed a COrnpartrnent. Later, a small boy appeared at the City incinerati said, "You've got my dog." The surprispr)11 aCcuainS finger at the driver and eno“gh, there was the dop0^**017 °pened the dust bin of his sweeper and sure e-„ covered quickly at• the —' S1ght of his master dlZZy but sti11 alive- The pup reaad we*t home with him. PUBLICATION Thia News-letter, published monthly as a community service, °r the Political Science Department of Wilkes College. Notes and inqairiiginates & addressed to Dr. HugoV. Mailey, Political Science ~ may beg| Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Department, Wilkes College’ Personnel Municipalities Wilkes-Barre 20-4 part-time medical health officers, 1 milk inspector, 1 food and meat inspector, 6 sani­ tary inspectors, 1 nurse, 2 clerks, 4 labora­ tory technicians 3-1 health officer, 1 dog catcher, 1 plumbing Hazleton inspector, 1 dairy inspector Nanticoke pittston Total 1-1 health officer 1 25 �1 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. personnel (Con't.) VOL III, SEPT. 15, 1954 NO. 9 4 - 1 health officer, 1 assistant health officer meeting OF LOCAL OFFICIALS 1 secretary, 1 plumbing inspector Hanover To«m“P plains Township mcements of the fall meeting of local government officials \ for annoui College. Interesting and informative speakers are being Watch ,{d at Wilkes Suggestions are welcome as to topics and speakers. to be hel for the year. lined up THE COUNCILMAN I eMefot P»H=e is health officer Newport Township Wilkes-Barre Township I » 8 Total Boroughs Total Personnel . Ludwig, executive secretary of the League From C. C cipalities, comes of Boards of Health, 33 health 43 _ 10 secretaries officers i 76 WHAT'S NEW? WILKES-BARRE TOWNSHIP - Six township officials attended the State Asso­ ciation meeting at which Joseph S. Matiskiel, former secretary and now tax collector, was honored with a meritorious award. a view to conWARRIOR RUN - More informal meetings have been held with to accompli3*1 solidating with Hanover Township. A program designed this end is in the making. ASHLEY - The council is using three men certified by the DPA for various chores about the municipality. HANOVER TOWNSHIP - John C. Sordoski, commissioner from Askam recently elected president of the Pennsylvania State Association o ship Commissioners, received a meritorious award at the recent m ing at Bedford Springs, Pennsylvania. NEWPORT TOWNSHIP -Attorney Joseph Gallagher, solicitor, was elected one of three members of the legal counsel staff of the State Association Commissioners. John J. Riordan, commissioner, was formerly president of the State Association of Commissioners. of Minnesota Muni- this bit of advice: vital in determining city individual council members are ;—>d councilman and "The attitudes of The good councilman should be a gooi government policies, should demonstrate a respect for the t._ right of others to -e that his lanjudicially minded. He expressing his own point of view he should take care should be courtemoderate and restrained. The councilman's demeanor sdiffer, isand in t a sense of humor , reflecting an inner dignity, and he should not be without guage 5 of men holding public and a spirit of tolerance. It has been said that the attitudes < ous It should set an example office are often a reflection of general public attitudes. I---attitudes of those whom they and stimulate educational efforts to improve the trued as a lack of courage but represent. The middle course should not be cons for the peaceable compromise rather the great virtue of democracy. It provides suppression of one by the between differing parties, rather than the forceable other." Sound isn't it? T RAFFIC p rQBLEMS 13 is intended '3, the Conference on Traffic Problems in municipal!the problems of congestion and parking i.. Sponsored by relieve Penn State responsibility for to suggest ways to 1 - • meant for persons who have some vehicles. Among ties. The Conference is gestion and providing space for motor local officials. r are traffic engineers and other . in 1938 and the relieving traffic cong those included in this category / a Traffic Engineering Seminar is sponsored by This conference was preceded by1950 and 1952. The Conference j the Department and the f Traffic Engineering Institute in 1 ' : of Local Government, October 7 and 8, the Institute of Public Safety, Institute Conference dates are °f Civil Engineering at Penn State. C �STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ~ LU ZERNp FIRE INSURAN C E ANNUAL EXPENDITURES plan P£RSQ]\[i Ml District Office Public Health Nurses Tuberculosis Control Venereal Disease Control Maternal and Child Health Dental Health Vital Statistics Crippled Children $ 39, 866.00 37,400. 00 36,169.00 3,960.00 15,487.00 6,480. 00 5,500.00 $144, 862. 00 9-1 physician, 1 SeniOr grapher, 7 sanita*y aSt Si %. ants sist. 11 - Nurses 9-5 part-time C}inicians, 4 , 3-2 part-time clmicians ] < 18 - 1 full-time, 17 clinicians 9 - part-time dentists 20 - part-time registrars registrars 2 - part-time clinicians 81 Jones, men Wilkes-Barre P ub]■ Safety Dire Public Director, a plan William wherebyD.selected from the Bure ctor 1hopes to work out vania Fire School at Lewistown. These m °f Fire wiU be sent r’- to the Pennsyl—‘ ized instructors for other members of the T W1U then Tualify ‘to to serve as specialing as instructors at the State school would °f Fire- The fi^ * ----conduct classes and drills for the member ’ rP°n return to dutv h men qualifyfire .rations. member. of the be the eight City Do otherwhy communities Luzerne County th6 Valley-wise, couldn't a in cooperative plan behave deveR thouSht? Thinking worked out later. The agreement by localities to aid h Details could be might be a starting point. A minimum of effort toward^ °ther.in case of fire maximum results in civic betterment. cooperation could produce GLEN ALDEN SCHOOL HEALTH PROGRAM Checks have been issued by the Glen Alden Coal Company for $667, 106.23 in payment of township, county, and institution district taxes. These payments were made to Hanover and Newport Townships. Later in the year, the Company will turn over to the same township school boards $797, 000. 16 Third Class Districts 48 Fourth-Class Districts School Nurses School Doctors Dental Nurses, State Clerks $ 91,664.12 44,112.00 22,448.25 4,229.25 3,610.00 54 67 62 Dentists, 54 Assistants 22 REGION FUNCTIONS Engineers Office Industrial Waste Laboratory Nutritionist Dental $ 8,000. 00 3,000.00 1,000.00 1, 000.00 1.000. 00 8 1 8 1 1 $ 14> 000. 00 19 total “ engineers, 3 stenograph^1 “ engineer 1 bacteriologist, 7 11*' 7 assist ass - nutritionist - dentist SKID RESISTANCE Skidding is not a pleasant experience, but it is not the principal important cause of accidents. Skidding cannot occur unless a car ‘J of control. It takes place when the frictional resistance between goAe.rnme^n tire is exceeded. The tire companies in their adve^^^complete studies of educating the public in respect to tire design. S . one of the - •have been -a made on the non-skid ed by also best known 1 o------ the Highway Research Board. when, summed up show very clearly tv~' high-type . -~that asphalt surfaces built to modern designs frictional ---- 1 resistance possible. TAX LEAFLET $326. 107. 00 359 sh ■ One-Page tax leaflet has been distributed by Mt. ’ t to home!‘0W‘"S a breakdown „( the property tax bill to indicate the tor services and projection rendered by their city government. �WHA T 'S NEW ? PITTSTON - A bond issue of $178, 000 was passed by City Council * " * -o be used to pay for storage of City-owned vehicles, to erect and to purchase new equipment. The r*>yi,' a City ' 8%, NO VOL. III, PLYMOUTH - Operating revenue comes from various miscellaneous sour, as delinquent property taxes, licenses on pin ball machines fines, ■ meter collections, and amusement taxes and service pole tax This money : suPPle. ments property tax revenue. Not yet permissible under Pennsylvania statute, the federated municipality would consist of a government of limited powers allocated to it by the member munici­ palities in the area. The municipalities would give the federated government jurisdic­ tion over only those problems of regional significance. Since local powers cannot be relinquished to higher levels of government without consent, governing bodies would allocate powers on an optional basis. NANiICOKE - The new sweeper will cost the City between $8, 500 and $9, 500. for street resurfacing. ASHLEY - Council has passed an ordinance providing for the installation and regulation of parking meters. Each local unit would pay its share of the cost of joint admimstra ion a unit would retain its own taxing power. The metropolitan government mig nue bonds to finance self-liquidating projects. - Boro Council voted to borrow $3, 000. plains township - The commissioners sion from the County court to float approved a resolution to seek permis "unfunded" debt. a bond issue is of $15, 000 to fund the NEWPORT TOWNSHIP . The °ad “'Provetnews. commissioners are planning on spending $11, This New News-letter, publishedofmonthly a < the Political Science Department Wilkes as Colle; addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Political Scieicommunity service, originates 1P Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Se. Notes and inquiries may :nce Department, Wilkes CoHeg ’ OCTOBER 15, 1954 A federal plan of government has been put into effect for a part of London. Government in New York City and its boroughs resembles this plan. The federated idea was attempted in Allegheny County in 1928, but the required two-thirds majority vote caused its defeat. EDWARDSVILLE - A $40, 000 bond issue 'will "" be floated by Council for a new fire engine, resurfacing, and curb repairs. WILKES-BARRE - Amusement tax r----budget estimate u7n“Ue is not exPected to hit the $100, 000 —-J since only $36, 402 was collected in the first six months. PA. Some problems are of metropolitan concern and therefore require common soluproble: Other problems, however, could be handled by the individual local governments tion. federal plan, based on the principle of national and state governments, is a comThe 1 iromise between centralization and decentralization. It is a reconciling device. P] HUGHESTOWN -■ Council ~ ” and the buyers still remain deadlocked after eight m0 f over the boro's budget. « * F WEST PITTSTON WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE METROPOLITAN! T IS KINGSTON - Council awarded a contract for curbs and gutters on North Goodwin Avenue, costing each property owner approximately $200. DUPONT - Council signed contracts 10 ’ st of members from The governing bod, of the bej"tlot athen the ' the fringe area than regional elections. Y <»n6e area woold control the metropolitan ment, depending on pop ,Ue, »' “ nt for vote to each participating municipality, rega the suburban communities to join the federati ? yes, in the sense W ould the that the tax doll; federated municipality save the ^^J/^stancey suppose thatjvery gurn appropriate ore Municipality , ar would be stretched to do mor . the one government Works and p - on the West Side removed from its budge its funds into a central body. oa ? With this lupooled mi —ip sum than each municipality separate yit Tii . . three are most significant. A'«>°u8h the re are numerous advantages to this plan, resent local officials * the Plan Preserves the identity of local governments. P �e ^problem, become regional. tremely important and relatively new phase of budgeting 1, long.r„„ An eXMovement budgeting. This type of budget is the bridge between long” - iinpr , .ning and realisation of those plans There is a lot of difference beL„ nital caP1L . 7 « ” planning and a positive program for realization of those plans. To be range pt- _ '^principal barrier to realize .on of long-range plan, is „„„ey, and th„e long*' sure, th • formula whereby a capital budget produces the money. The necessary is no’ ^^ore apt to be raised, however, in a community possessing a sound longfund8 are^ai budget as a program for its plans, than in a community without such range capi prograin‘ ’ „ ,he people of metropolitan areas want the best possible administrr ation, . la be thinking along such lines. Metropolitan services would be more they 2 ec°n< ^d efficient, duplication would be eliminated, and home pride would not be p‘ land-fill Officials of several Luzerne County municipalities are again plagued with th problem of dumping. In the Mountain Top area people are advised not to dump gj ’ bage anywhere. Presently, officials are looking for a suitable dump. Public resen ment against dumping has again built up in Forty Fort. Officials in Nanticoke are”' considering the land-fill method. Just one year ago this News-letter suggested the land-fill method, recently adopted by Kingston and West Pittston. Again, this News letter recommends the adoption of the method, but with one added suggestion. It might be wise for the officials of many municipalities to explore the location of several land-fill sites. propos device which ensures mat no project win oe undertaken without ing th^’consideration of the need and priority for that project in relation to other ■■ 161,63 t Hasty and ill-advised action, perhaps at the behest of some pressure PI J can be avoided. Long-range financial plans can be made for raising of the fundf needed for public improvements. In many cases, cities have succeeded in shifting to pay-as-you-go financing for all or many of their capital improvements, with consequent savings in interest costs. The sites could be located in places that would accommodate the maximum pop- ‘ ulation and expenses could be shared. Outlying townships should be brought into the P ratlve P^an because later "dumping" by cities and boroughs only serves to ioinfcoXe !-rUr^1 element- Garbage disposal today in Luzerne County requires a garba? is available for riding -Ive this problem alone. The survey on Pennsylvania Economy League for Lower Bucks County Leag, Six years it the period of time commonly spanned by municipal capital improve­ ment budgets. The budget presents a definite program for the first year, with identi­ fication of other projects programmed for the second to sixth years inclusive, and perhaps listing additional projects contemplated later. After consideration, revision, and adoption by the Council, the first year’s program is completed. A year later, anew budget is developed which reconsiders relative priorities of the various pro­ jects, and again proposes a program for the first year and for the second to sixth FIRE years inclusive. insuranc E write After,StUdie8 ab°*t 500 i municipalities, the National Board of Fire Under­ of def . t00k place fire of deficiencies. The folloling . items'were aS8igning ' Points Water Supply Fire Department Fire Alarm Police gilding LaWs Hazards Structural Coi editions 1, 700 1, 500 550 50 200 300 700 5, 000 Some authorities recommend that the capital budget should be incorpo a single document with the operating budget, so that the two may r®c^1V® . submit consideration by the Council. Under our circumstances, it is pro a y^ d> e capital budget as soon as possible after the operating bu ge a naideratjon as , ere 18 no important disadvantage in such separate submission °ng as the financial planning of the two is carefully coordinate . for capital improve • 3 can be elimmated fr be Clty g j;fficult city,» school school district, district, and and county county so that "t tto achieve, howev°m the a88regate tax rate. — is politically difficult intergovernmental "S^c8<xi.c tax rate. This objective is po 1 'will likely be attained, if at all, only after gro Co°PeraA 3-tion over a long period of time in other areas of o activity. ac ^nt8°by\^most eOSt/desirable esirable ob Jective is °°rdinatedJaV^^ objective is C coo: �WHAT ' S NE W ? EDWARDSVILLE1 -to’the treasury for passing theXd™’^’ XrX” R»d. Parking problems seem to have been solved by . °rists . 011 the of meters. nI NO. 11 KINGSTON TOWNSHIP - Groups in the Township feel that somethi be cut expenses in order to keep within the $5, 000 budgeted for p naust p do^to , ~~ Prote, KINGSTON - The Burgess has instructed the police to hand out tickets fOr parking. WILKES-BARRE - Based on collections for the first four months, inco ing meters and traffic fines will fall about $20, 000 short of bnHrroirOln path for 1954. get estlrnates The man OF THE PANEL .-What Local Governments Can Do To Aid Industry in the Anthra > n the subject discussed by a panel at the Municipal Officers Meeting atp! f011" Was ,er8ity on October 1, 1954. Below is a summary. g Penn State Uni- ■ today oars does not have much time to rock Wh° thinks himself a buddii Lng Senius is often a blooming nuisance. publication SUMMARY of equitable assessments. Moreover, local officials must exercise prudence with the tax money, much of which is provided from coal. LUZERNE COUNTY - Officials the year's liquid fuel ta: ._r lved_$220, 000 from the State treasurer as half of However, officials are lx i refund. Lastw ’Year the County received $452, 867.05. concerned since the meeting the $778, 000 - —- amount in tax refunds is far from spent on roads, damages especially with the growing costs of land connected with the State highway program. thoughts FOR VOL Communities in low employment areas might take steps to nurse the j -"King Coal. " Local officials can help to reduce the tax load on coal lands by TsysteL ASHLEY - Residents may expect the appointment of a delinquent tax collector because may expect the appointment of approximately 1,200 adults have not paid personal taxes for the past year. The fen, °W who continues the boat. Pulling on the NOVEMBER 15, i954 — Suggestions offered by the panel can easily be divided into two r groups. In the first to be found those aimed at nursing the basic industry-coal — . In the second group are are those proposals that deal with inviting new industry into the region the PMSibility °f usln8 WEST PITTSTON ■- " Borough credit is rated high, as indicated by the fact that the borough's bonds —J sold for only 2 1/2%. ■ WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. Port- This Nev/ 8 - °htical Scier- -letter, published monthly ■nee lO Dr TJ ur- Hugo V. i Department of Wilkes College C°5lrnunity service, originates in tb\i '-’.ley, Political Science ^6nrisylVania.• • ’Maih Depar. °teS and inquiries may be aa< ent> Wilkes College, Wilkes -Barr' Ordinances banning the use of oil may not necessarily be an asset to the coal indus­ try. Such ordinances are predicated on the idea that the single use of coal is space heating. A revitalized leadership in the coal industry has recognized that new uses must be found for coal. Survival of the coal industry depends on experiment and research into new uses of coal. Oil banning ordinances could prevent the attraction of new indus­ tries which utilize oil in their operations. Shojild such an ordinance exist, a concession will have to be made as an inducement to bring the industry into the area. The result will be embarrassment to both the industry and the local officials, and wonderment on the part of the local populace. In attracting new industries the following factors are important: floor space availa le; floor space that could be offered to an incoming industry as a result of new financrJ’ *raTned labor supply; proximity to markets; services offered <-----by local governments; w material supply; utilities; community attitudes; taxes. ("yu • ^ti/781y> local officials can do little or nothing about some attr‘ *ed * Preceding paragraph. And, by the same token aboa4h8 ^dU8try is to succeed, local officials must concern , ch they can do something. For, many times it is no *Vailability Of nsideraK * markets, raw material supply > or a traine c°n8id, a rations as -3 local governmental services that determin of rA Coihhier, 'er of the panel representing an industrial fund ce stated quite frankly and firmT the considerations gram aimed at prog -mary factors as but rather such . re new industry locates. �taxes or lower assessment, in attracting industry Such action is lllegal the concession is unfair to industries already established in the community °hlyj’ ginal or shoestring enterprises demand such favoritism. It is unlikely that the Pennsylvania local government th£ take pride in the community. •glatures of Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi ...have made ’“Xte permit community financing of ne „ . A * point ’ eg.ee passed „„ legislative proposals for Pennsylvania A ^member of the panel supported .ylvania might create a state-wide indu,. Suggestion, however, was area could borrow money to be used for ft, XtX°~ Ofthrough htdustrial buildings mdustrres , ,-Kr.ritv which a depr for new ;„j 11<5tries I, [ Such a loan would be repaid over a period of years. CONFER ENC E Pennsylvania. ---- ---the very existence' •tone. In the beginning, Ju9t pass ed its six-month . its purpose was misrepresented in some ° the Con^ence was r against ratification by some of the member " and inHuenc e‘ precarious bemil63' -—: was brought to cause ■levying state associations legally participatin’ ®anizati°ns. Today we find all six bear These groups are; tax-1 State Association of Boroughs League of Cities of the Third Class County Commissioners Association Township Commissioners Association Association of Township Supervisors State School Directors Association The most important part that local government can play in industrial development is to perform well the regular functions of government, Some " of ' theservices r? ' that industry considers important are; property protection, public schools, 1 hospitals, housing, local transportation, water and electric utilities,, recreation, planning A constitution was adopted that formally created the Pennsylvania Local Govern­ j ’■ j and zoning as these would affect land sites. The role of local go, ment Conference consisting of three representatives from the above six tax-levying government in regard to these responsibilities is being overlooked by a more spectacular r: associations to meet periodically to discuss problems and adopt policies in the areas one --that of subsidizing industry. of tax assessment, delinquent tax administration, relationship between local govern­ ment and the General Assembly, functioning of state agencies in local matters and One town was told i-ll rather bluntly by an industry that located elsewhere that, "There state road subsidies. is nothing wrong with your .• town as an industrial site that good city government might not cure. " T _______ Few towns realize completely the value of being known as a good town in The first subject discussed by the Conference was the 1951 Assessment laws which to live and work. There being a unanimous support for them, a program to aid in their a op ion approved and as an initial step, a series of newspaper articles were proposed for the A member of the purpose of publicizing how the laws were to operate. The articles were pr p ^nici_ sources to furnish adequate se SUgges£ed that local government does not have the re­ the contents analyzed. It was the consensus that by adoption o t ese aw , local government r~ would reappraised emanded today« A proposal was offered that if found,. Unequal distribution of taxes > palities will have their financial conditions impr^by XXX'XXX and taxation> resources might be and the recovery of taxable wealth not now accoun a and unfair assessments, does make if anthracite region resulting from unjust will appear in future issues of this News-letter. and at low unit cost. 1 lcull f° provide adequate services efficiently Not to be overlooked as c as a prerequisit, Cooperation with the Ghambe ___ - ”—; attractin§ industry is community attitude. ■ BASIC EQUIPMENT imerle ;r of Com: lished betwi een the Council and the Chambe->er sn ! S8ential Better liason could be estabindustries. i are few in number, The essential items of equipment for building asphalt sur Local governments do wish toj czz cnnr> at l°cal °«icials could prepare for neW but industrial fund officials forget that budgets for compaction; ey include only some device for application of asphalt an a roller ro —- =LSPerate o£fering services to industry, tures. Perhaps a member of the C' ; °r ^ed-in-place work there is required in addition some kind of mixing blade. Council should^ prepared in advance of the expendimittee specifically to keep his Council info: uncil informed & placed on the industrial fund coms or diesel Rollers have steadily improved over the years. The ^^^per steadily improved over the years, n evelopments in attracting industry, day. In addition, It was the consensus of the p— has greatly greatly increased 11111 roller can operate practic­ increased the the yardage yardage a a given l tranL'-'Missions ance in Harrisburg or Washington, “XU si panel that local ghave been greatly improved so that thatt a a _axled roiier es to concentrate have been greatly improved so industries if the real role of local L governments should not beg for as si® p y at full Local officiala „_______ , Tt provides intensified of the power at all speeds. The T1’" purpose comose tne -Place where ; xtra ] — - people can work and live. government is notwill be successful in attracting a high area is enc on the middle axle where obscured--that is, to create a I Cothpr.ession. The purpose of the pneumatic The purpose of the pneumatic-tireface i--- texture Prod, Uce, immediately after construction, used to obtain a very dense surface, i re9uir e Years of normal traffic to achieve. 8Uch as required on airfields. II f°rf I �WHAT'S NEW ? NEWPORT TOWNSHIP - The Township's excellent financial conditio have enabled the commissioners to sell the municipality's $22 Cr®dit r VOL. PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP - An ordinance adopted by the supervisors proh’b’ collecting or abandoning junked autos or other vehicles on public or in the Township. P °r private I EDWARDSVILLE - The value of the new shopping s' ---center along the Narrows Road felt for the first time this year by Boro will be ---- CCouncil. ”. Ten new properties are $75, 908 or $3, 500 in revenue. valued at ^aced bill boards in the Boro will be WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. DECEMBER 15, 1954 WINDSOR SWOYERVILLE - The Council approved a resolution to borrow $5 000 “ •»HeipMiWg( taxes and liquor license money. DUPONT - Advertising firms whi to pay an annual tax on each. NO. 12 required ■■ PLYMOUTH - Residents have urged the Council to recommend action to the State or Federal Government in removing stripping banks and voids. William Windsor, Executive Director of the Bureau of <? • Employees, discussed the changes in the Social Securitv 1 SecuritV f°r Public of local officials. The Act now permits the coverage ofp bi-monthly meeting an existing retirement system, except police and fireme P*°yees in Positions under employees must vote in a referendum set up under the T° become covered, the The Director reminded the officials that a 6% intere SUpervislon °f the Governor, for every day that the account is delinquent Mnnie S 1S assessed on municipalities of the month. “nquent. Monies ought to be turned in by the 10th The rush to get OASI coverage for municipal employees is over, and with approxi­ mately 50% of eligible municipal employees covered by contract, the system is now running smoothly. Occasionally money is sent directly by a political subdivision to the Director of Internal Revenue. The federal agency cannot grant coverage to any WEST PITTSTON - A reminder was given given the public by the Council r egarding enforcement of the building permit ordinance. NANTICOKE - Some Street Department personnel are benefits. already drawing social security DirectortOof Internal the money^ however, ^nd sometimes itThe is difficult eventsRevenue be madewill withkeep the Harris In order to get coverage for municipal employees, it is necessary that arrangements^ burg bureau. No application for coverage nor paym benefit records> however, EXETER - Council members feel that same for 1955. processed by the bureau at Harrisburg. A emp are maintained by local Social Security offices. 'e presently at 20 mills will remain the PLAINS - Towns hi----- --- dp residents have urged the commissioners ordinance Patterned after to enact a strip mining .• one used by Old Forge. - PARKING METERS Lewisburg has parking meters such There is anadditionto the meter that is 1 tenth meter for the violator to place his ■ s any other municipality in Pennsylvania. qUe' A small metal box is attached to every time allowance, the enforcement fine. Where the autoist has overstayed his instead of a ticket. The violator °fficer places 3 an _ drops it into one of the metal boxes, ,^. Vel°~pe on the windshield of the Places the fir»P f_, 1 W 1UUD HiC 1.VX S/«. •"*" ticket written out. on y nominal, into the envelope an -• Only if th| -ae violator fails to make his deposit is a f PUBLIC ATIQn This News-letter, published i—* Political Science Department of Wilki to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Political Monthly Science AR a Pennsylvania. College, Denart service’ originates in th«■ , 68 and inquiries may be addre nt« Wilkes College, Wilkes -Bar* ’ I Mr. Windsor stated that there are 1, 343 has anow providing OASI coverage for some or all of their employees. • ions, 1 staff of 43 auditors who must check the quarterly reports of these su -------------- .. For that reason it has been found necessary to require that reports be submitted s directly 10 days after the end of the ^rter, instead 30 days as is the case when remit g^ ~' to tbe internal reve.Tnent of Th•--------------------------------------------------------------------nue department. thewhich to process the reports pay to th f This 1S gives ®^Ves his bureau onl only 20 days in and to pay to thet federal depar tions ‘‘Harns eral internal revenue department the amounts due in the aggregate. rly - idual Williams exc stated that all persons in covered c°^ em positions ployees are covered and that no f e P°sitions of3 1OnS Can be made. Part-time employees continue to be a problem, but exceptions can be made. F and golicitor ^esult Of a secretary, treasurer, engineer, and solicitor were now covered as a ins of secretary, treasurer, engine . employees. |Oyees. Other part-time employees n°t cover tT® tO COVer essential or important rating cover- essential important emp y of. ... ‘Cti°nsa onV ’ hto °Wever A personorwith two jobs, both which are covered, must pay covered, however. dedu, ded b°th Salaries- The $4200 maximum will apply on each. However, he can both salaries. clailrrn the-.3.<•<’ on Uction paid on his combined salary in excess of $4200 as an income tax ourse, all employees have to be real persons. An engineering firm could credit/ ' ------- > ““ 'amplen°‘ be ,classified as an employee, f°r �BOORSE V. MASS SPRINGFIELD T O W N S H IP s There is one thing that cities such as Wilkes-Ba A municipality is immune from liability for torts of its employees in of performance of a governmental function, unless a right of recovery is e r * c°urs e granted by statute. A municipality is not liable for a tort committed by aeXprer /sajy tort committed b' cer who was not acting within the scope of his authority. In this case a P°^Ce In this case, ! °ffi. racing horse was discovered by two policemen to be in a helpless conditi^ le helpless r~ 2; leg wedged in a culvert near a public highway. The policemen shot the h one notifying the owner. The policement were not acting within the r------36 without scope of their authorjtv since the horse was trapped on the neighboring township's side of — the — j line and the policemen were outside the geographical limits of their township. If they had been On their own side, they would not be liable because they would be engaged in the exercise of police power in removing a traffic hazard or obstruction on the highway. cities centers, downtown iot be widened to transport more traffic and uceritcann< bethat expected in view ci the these probie ms areas c.used are pouring into central city ? by can 1 cars RETIREMENT SY STEMS The Local Government Commission will undertake a s. study with of municipal pensionxj-rcLL p and retirement systems. Laws will be analyzed and compared practices 1 of other [ systems. The study will be the basis for recommendations to the Legislature, study is most important in view of the recent changes in the Social Security law. This f STATE ROAD GRANTS many municipal!Altogether, 466 boroughs, there any in Luzerne CoLnty? ? thlrd-class cities have faHed to apply for funds. Are I Ouster of a borough ccouncilman for non-at the proceedings was given non-attendance nenJi OpP°rtunity to dpf a^Ce at meetings where no notice Ouster proceedings are Courts the Statute must b WaS afforded, is held to be iWl decision of the Supreme regular mee ° Pennsylvania in 8Jl 8trictly construed. Thia was the attended only two rr special and n° sPecial m & the fact tllat the councils211 i meetings and three With°ut "«■« not ^3. 6! lagS * ouster was effected to hto and The! '5eci. ioa reeted on and the no factregul t8hatar to explain his absence. a» opportunity being accorded W ' PUBLICATION This News-letter, published r" Political Science Department of Wilke monthly as a c— DePartm, ’ to Dr. Hugo V. eMalle-" community service, originates ■’ '-Lis c hiailey, Politi) College. Notes Pennsylvania. be addre^ L LCal Science and inquiries may L- DePartment, Wilkes College, Wilke0' Slte °f old °nes. Streets Ck °f facilities for the many A number of remedies have been suggested. Central city parking garages ought to be halted because they only channel more traffic into an already congested area, perhaps each city should build parking facilities on the perimeter of its central dis­ trict in the slums or marginal areas where real estate values are low. From another quarter comes this advice--the removal of all parking facilities from central city areas, thereby speeding taxicab, bus, and through traffic. It has been stated that existing offstreet parking facilities would accommodate visitors unacquainted with perimeter park­ ing facilities. It may be that in the next five or ten years American cities might ave o vate automobiles in the central city areas. There might not be any room vehicles that will be on our streets by I960. P . n Transit Associs-tion Another suggestion that was recently X^rtaTon-the bus, the streetConventicn in Pittsburgh was greater use o i„_„er cities transport as muc a car, the elevated, and the subway-which in the la. g ig a necessity today. Withf>0% to 80% of the working population. Mass ran truly a city's life bloo . — Highway Department, According to an announcement by the State 20 fi^Li°Se u°ad gTantS tOtaling $365> 761‘ 65- transit out it most cities of great size would wither awa_ ’ been shipping boys for civac times in the past, inter-urban railway sys em consistent public opposi leaders. Traffic congestion combined with tax public transportation systems^ against fare increases have caused headach®S tJe trolleys." Such a campaig Y cities a drive is underlay to -get back on is speededup. not induce riders to use the busses and tr°Dey lations to give mass tramn Probably will mean drastic changes in tra matter of civic duty, ben they Priority. People will use public transit no buggea and trolleys on y °f convenience and preference. People wi automobiles. lnd the service preferable to the use o between the auto- in dec.dtng be. „„ It should be clear that expense is not a primary d with cost, 1 and niaintenance Mobile and public transit. If the citizen is concerne atttOrreagonably le3S? The ’mobile several miles through the city att considerable cos atl<i th, -ien pay to park it when he could ride to use ansWr. er is found in convenience and time. fast ride, f^tch to and *a flow n°” c. °f llea in -J public transit only if it gave comprehensive planning with g' CaPital sufficient to provide rapid transit �w||||wv £*”«ULU| J Arenac WHAT'S NEW ? .0. - Tie council is planning to purchase an ash spreader to .:e presen: equipment. ‘ent VOL. council may legislate a five-day fortv k cers c: :he police force except ranking officers. ’ Y‘h°Ur week III, NO. 11 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA JANUARY 15, 1955 aU SEWAGE HANOVER TOWNSHIP - Ten pieces of property were listed in a aEST recent tax sale notice> PITTSTON - Borough police have been instructed to halt any new construction * if a building permit has not been secured from council, KINGSTON - The landfill communities. Sewage may be defined as the liquid waste of a comm > from toilets, baths, sinks and other plumbing fixtures in COnsists of wastes certain types of manufacturing and industrial plants - and ■ ngS; some wastes from off from the streets and other surfaces that result f “ S°me communities the run­ operations. U1CS trom storms or street-flushing program attracts attention from officials of a TREAT M E N T number °f other NANTICOKE - Much favorable comment has been heard about the In this State orders are being issued to many cities and towns to require their L an abandoned mine stripping. installing treatment plants to take care of this community waste. If this is necessary, then the questions arises, "What is there in sewage that is objectionable?" or "Why should it be treated?" The answer is fairly obvious in that, first, it is objectionable in appearance, dirty gray water with bits of paper, feces, garbage, decayed fruits, and other useless and discarded materials. Probably more important than its objec­ tionable appearance, though, is the danger it presents as far as public health is con­ cerned. Water is an excellent carrier of typhoid fever, various forms of dysentery, and cholera. If a person with any of these diseases discharged feces or urine into sewage which is untreated and passes into a stream which is the source of a water supply for a downstream town, some unsuspecting and innocent resident of that down stream community may be the victim of one of the diseases mentioned. True, this possibility is fairly remote in most cases, but with adequate treatment it becomes almost non-existent. City’s new landfill in PITTSTON - Income from p- ’ Parking meters totaled $23, 312 40 This was more than doubled —J over last year. ^-40 for the first ten months. I ! 1 Untreated sewage has a detrimental effon to the v°^ s°p£ecIaUy warm of water which receives it, especially if the receiving body is sm decomposes rapi Y» waste may f°rm charged. The organic material in the s g The solids i decomposillg solids weather, with the production of disagr "sludge ban s surface an Actionable deposits on the bed of the s or soap ’»>' 11 oxygen in the A build up on the bank of the stream an g deeompo unsightly seum. Also, as «>e ■•’earn is depleted, and if used up ’u{£lc* a9Uati, °{s°rne ( d°^tle3s “ ar ‘ ” e ,tream Jnd is not one wh>c‘ will rtobjections little or no ’ \-T The treatment 1 of most process ■»£, ,he primary r ‘heae 'OniPlex ——2i„t»o — ta the Urge? . position. ---» odors and nuisance CTn°o“ »ut the pnH«““!“ “-JL. In A MU bpr°cessea__ ___ ,__________.___ r_____ the secondary process, e Prevented and secondary treatment will be needed. �5. Check at manholes excessi 617 diluted sewage groundwater infiltration or for storm-water ’ r°of, or cleav- ’ This may indicate u tear-water connections. 56 Without < the sewage is oxidizi 1.13 secondary secondary oxidation oxidation is is carried is depend dependent uThe degree to which this carried is Upun local ditions and these are usually taken into account when the engineer de si. Lgns the Briefly, the units found in most sewage plants are the foil • a,lt. -g4er 71 desi-POtl gns the PS- used in many various combinations: Primary treatment--bar grit chamber, Inhoff tank, primary sedimentation, sludge Check manhole forare repa check manhole stops to masonry see It they soS'*?"1’' the f„st line 6. seating of manhole covers. The grade of X check Counting On 7 &nd tbese COrnihin7ybe --dosing tanks, trickling filters, activated sludge, secondary XnfctJ Chlorination may be an adjunctive feature of either primary or r—„• secondary treat. meat designed to reduce the content of sewage bacteria in water courses receiving treated effluents. In general it may be assumed that as an average, primary treatment affects about 35 percent of purification, and secondary treatment about 85 per. cent. These figures are approximate and subject to considerable variation in individ^i cases, according to local conditions and methods of treatment. ' essary, to stop excessive surface water or earth frorn’e"^7 ’* entering the sewer system. I The and most common of sewer rnnf S’ accumulation °f grease, grit. Rootscauses generally enterclogginn at faultyare joints from a single leader root which has penetrated the joint an/™ H USUally beSins the sewer until the branches from the leader fill the nine r™7 C°ntlnue inside charged into the sewer with warm water. As it cools t/o rease is usually dissticks to the sewer walls or develops into a ball around one^f hT S°lldi,ieS and . in the flow. Grit, such as cinders, ashes sand or m id e particles carried OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF SEWER SYSTEMS _________ I To maintain a sewer system properly, the first essential is a master map, together with larger scale sectional maps of the system. These should show direction of flow, exact manhole locations, sewer sizes and slopes, house connections, an o- .. cation of other utility services with relation to the sewer. The next requirement is a permanent record of maintenance and inspection. This should include dates of inspec tion, location of maintenance work, conditions found, equipment used, and costs. I Routine inspection of the entire system is most desirable to prevent trouble. M general inspection practice recommends the following schedule; sewers on flat gr or previously troubled by roots--every three months; sewers with which no di has been experienced--once or twice yearly-, main intercepting sewers--one to o times per month; inverted siphons--one to four times per month; storm-water ov flow s - - dur ing and following heavy rains. The following items should be considered in making a general inspection: 1- Check c’ manholes for g- : gasoline odors If signs are found °r presence of oil slick on sewage suiirfac6. ----- J inspect each —i upstream manhole until the source is located. 2. Check for unusual odors, some cases. such as illuminating gas. Use an explosimeter in 3- Check r-- ’ for r°r l°°Se 3e^r manholes joints sand, mud, and grit. Their presence may indicate brd>kel1 - —3 or sewer —’ pipe. 4. Check manholes for sluggish flc; solids. These may indicate obstructions °w> septic sewage, or accumulations of for periodic flushing. j o Ji6 ’ in the sewer, poor sewer grades, °r ? ularty in Hat materials gvades. This b„.d ...... where on these are washed in with the surface drainage thX may also enter samtary sewers through basement drains, through broken foi’nt. in the sewers, or from other sources, such as automobile wash racks. Flushing will remove minor deposits of material. Lines that are laid on flat grades and get clogged with grit or grease should be flushed frequently, perhaps as often as once every several weeks or every month. On lines with steeper grades it may not be necessary to flush as often, perhaps only yearly. Where odors are present at manholes , flushing should be frequent, particularly during the dry­ weather periods. The simplest method is to insert a fire hose into ^sewer^oXTes^ge deposits. This method, however, is not particui y . rubber ball such as quantities of water. Another method consists o m wer and placing it in a a beach ball or a volley-ball bladder to fit snug y in then placed in the sewer canvas bag or burlap bag with a rope attached. ba]q then allowed to and the rope held until sewage backs up in the man in tbe sewer, the presmove to the next manhole. When the ball hits an o between the bottom of the sure forces it against the top of the sewer, causing sewage flow is low, it may ■<«. and the ball. This washes the deposit out. Where a he necessary to add water to the manhole. As is now i control■ as it passes through the sewer. secured to it for roots from sewers. are avanauic available for removing __ -diameter sewers, A number i._ of types of equipment have been popular for the smallerbeen popular hazard of having to work Plexible sewer rods and cutters at the surface, and the L._ The se rods are pushed and turned in a naanhole is thus eliminated. �tfuwty 'JtewA-tettei MAR 3 al consists of adding copper sulphate to the sey, Another method of root remov; 'revention method. It cannot cope with severe . isidered a r.oot-p:' needed to kill the roots. It also does not — ’ ob str should. be con: w°rk too three weeks^are WeUOn since usually 1----“terals and branch sewers, however, two or three sewers. For 1. : Pounds the larger - - , abOve the root growth about once a -------year will do th ( fcopper sulphate placed in the manhole cleaning will not clear the sewer, it may be necessary r to use When flushing or L ball —.ciea g o , , • -1- Or a turbine ' or scraper pulled through the sewer by cable and winch, 3c°opf -type cleanin.lg tool. P ^~2iv7~no. 1 WTT.KES-BARRE, WILKES COLLEGE, FRIEL 1955 PA. FEBRUARY 15, 1955 R E P 0 R T Albright & Friel, consulting engineers, have prepared a v a5 M infiltration results from faulty sewer construction. It Most excessive. groundwater | between the manhole frame and cover; ventilation holes and has been traced to <openings x openings for handles on manhole covers, especially if they are located in the gutters; Open I ines ings between between the the sewer pipe and manhole brickwork, incorrect plastering of manhole brid, work, frost cracks in the crowns of manholes; poor pipe joints; diversion of natural under, ground water courses into sewers; improper sealing of plugs placed in the ends of lateral, or in "Y" branches; breaking of joints by dislocation of the bearing surface. One of the most common causes of excessive flow in sanitary sewers is the discharge of roof drains k or connection of street-surface water drains to the sewer. These prohibit such practices, 1 together with public education and vigilance on the part of the superintendent of sewers. Wilkes-Barre, and Wyoming. The report emphasized that only\y 3 of authority could a sewage treatment plant or plants be constructed % + Ing one of the three cooperative schemes proposed, $50 000 S S’nnn be saved by the municipalities of Wyoming Valley. $9^,000 would ------ n plant plant would would be be constructed constructed, on on the sites pres­ Under Scheme £1 one common ently Seirage Treatment The plant mtly contemplated for the the Wilkes-Barre Wilkes-Barre Seirage Treatment Works. Works would serve the entire valley of F^the^ 250,000 and TOUld would .+ cost or $20.36 dwelling Jiit?' tod^sXemf C 0St $16,562,058 0^20.36 & unit. Under unuer beneme per dwelling Scheme ^1 #1 all the communities, except Jenkins and Hains Townships, would he served by bv the plant which would also gpgo be t2 located at. the Wilkes-Barre site. The cost of construction would be $15,559,125; $1‘iliQ.125; the cost p_,d.u. would be $19.68. ■ 1. One plant, loUnder Scheme #2 two treatment works would be operated, $12,553,693 or $21.ok cated at the contemplated Wilkes-Barre site, would cost $1°,. ■J - -r at Hanp.d.u. and would serve 190,000. The other plant, already operating Scheme #2A is over Township, would serve 60,000 and would cost $21.96 p.d.u. Sch< ; and Plains the same as #2 except that it would eliminate service toreduced Jenkins to a...$11,536,362. The pumping costs are often a major operating expense. An efficient inspection a'nd maintenance program which follows the manufacturer's recommendations -will be helpful in holding these costs to a minimum. Another important part of the pumping station is the wet well. Out.bottom A one 11 The settled walls and of the well should be flushed daily to remove solids and grit whic be in the float and a half inch hose and nozzle are usually satisfactory. However, 1 Bar or tubes; they also should be flushed daily and scraped out whenever nec basket screen at pumping stations should be cleaned at least once ai y Townships. The cost of the Wilkes-Barre plant would be would- serve> the Under ^3 four plants would be constructed. Plant 1 2 would serve Plant Pittston area at a cost of $2,780,325 or $29-36 p.d.u. 1. 3 would be Plant Wilkes-Barre and vicinity with a cost p.d.u. of $18.76. J itimated at $23-00. .d.u. es' J1® Present Hanover Township ■works with the cost p.~._-- ,.d.u. Under anticoke would construct a plant of its own,, costing costing ?19. 1 P . and Plains Towa­ Scheme #3A Jenkins Township would not be served "“™ed by 1 1— by Plant 1_ Other maintenance items at pumping stations consist of removing wa ter accumulati . j0 not0115 daily from the dry well by operating the suction-valve of the sewage pump 1 ping sta' I have an automatic sump pump); plus the normal housekeeping measures nire Pr°” tion clean (both internally and externally); all equipment and materials t a , tection against moisture and fumes should be painted with the proper type O P ship would not be served by Plant 2. consider the advanUnder a cooperative example, under the tages of a cooperative project oyer savings. ’ ?For $19.68 p.d.u. as comitsf. own sewage treatment Plan, the communities would realize „nUr-b would be owners $19.68 cooperative plan the cost to Exe er sbructed i — Pared to $92.80 p.d.u. if the Borough Forty Fort hornwould be $23.60. v°rks. The valley-wide authority woul plant tfae cost v of the schemes P-d.u. whereas if Forty Fort bull would save money 1 ; for each municiJ-hus, we can see that each cS“*/airtlual overall ^vlng$19,172: and, un^cre adopted. Under Scheme #1A e saVing woul Pality would be $93,956: under ir > d®r #3A, it would be $61,238. Each community in Wyoming ValleyZ^ient plants, It is much easier, and also less expensive, to set up an efficient inspectio ^on't^ ndrnain'6 \I expensive, to set your up anfingers efficient inspection tenance schedule for your sewer system than to cross and hope y° a . trouble. The crossed-finger system does — not -j prevent trouble —it mevelv saves cross your fingers and hope you time when it is most inconvenient for not prevent trouble--it merely saves i you to correct it. I P U B Lie A T IQ N This News -letter, published Political Science T — monthly as ; ge rT!nUnity 8ervice, originates in the p Department of Wilk< Dr. HugoV. Mailey, Political Scie ■es Colle K • Notes and inquiries may be addressed Pennsylvania. ------- snee Department, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, HHfVHN C mmuu a L ■ e Library ■j �N E W r W H A T assessed1 valuation valuation of all coal lands, tracts, proper^ the total borough of $5,^3,309. is less than 10/ of the Property propertv valuation. , The total in the borough1 $ equiP®sQuof a College know full weui it Perfectly clear Jth construct their oro s this sort attempted o STbickSSs ^d be economical for commune tii?!S treatment plant. There have been few projects^?0 o area_vri.de basis. In is one of the first obtL residents to forget petty jealousies and^L / valley-wise instead of community-wise. -> city anyone on open to a valuation is down to $^,37°,32O or about ’L's property Reduction in the triennial assessment may Borough ^.TTir _ The it was 30 S years ago. Mt amount . sizable 1----be a officials maintain that the overhead traffic lights are the pedestal type which stand on the 4 corners of an intersecn^-BARRE Special permission must be obtained from the state to install such ^safe/than -j - NOT ICE “w»naay, Pe'oruary 28 In the Lecture Hell at wllies tion. ! lights. College. LOCAL OFFICIA LS TO DUPONT - The MEET L The next bi-monthly meeting of the Luzerne County Local Government Offic­ ials will be held on Thursday, March 10 at 6:30 in the college dining room at Wilkes College. The speaker will be Dr. Willard Hancock, director of the Bureau of Municipal Affairs in Harrisburg, whose topic will be, ''Proposed Legislation Concerning Local Governments in the Present Legislation." Attention is also called to the fact that the Luzerne County Borough Association will hold its election. Very important business will also be pre­ sented before the borough association officials. Cards will be mailed in the immediate future. SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS INCREASE The new Social 65~and Securdtv an employee between 79 An+ raises from $900 to $1200 a year the amount snd lowers from 75 to 72 the aar,n and continue to collect benefits, °£J*e amount of earnings/^Thp'-no0 Yh?c11 benefits are available regardless aw-r V°rS and retirement benefits 5Lso raakes substantial increases in age monthly wage of $300. ’ ihe ta°le below gives the benefits on an Retired worker Retired Couple Widow & 1 child Widow & 2 Children widow & 3 Children Old Lav $ 85.00 127.50 I27.60 168.90 168.90 - nights department when theannounced bulldozerthat is not the in new operation/ city dump is not* or“W??c- street council expects to pay off the $2,000 bond issue by spring. lira from the state de­ is receipt of a check second half refund of • The county treasurer LUZERNE COUBTY $265,000 representing the s----icixG r of revenue for partment tax. of the part cl — state's gasoline the tax rate which is of increasing thinking seriously FORTY FORT - Council is now 17 mills. was reduced by 2 that the mileage all paid at the same time EXETER - Bills are mills. T H OUGHTS FOR TO DAY Most poor folks can resist temptations poor are usually Broke. tetter than the rich, spending of the way they are index The way ■people spend their money is an their lives. ’ ~ p U B L I ° A TI QN - original63 * immunity serviceInquiries , may be College This News-letter, published monthlysaJollege Notes and H the Political Science Department "tical Sei®1106 Department, Wilkes addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Hailey, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. 3* col— Increase $13.50 20.30 20.20 28.20 31.10 New Law $ 98.50 147-8° 147.80 197-1° 200.00 because the �on We ' VOL- lV> NO. 3 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA MARCH 15, 1955 TWO-WAY RADIO This slap-happy approach is intriguing, or falsity. Let's look at the record. Let us move to exaffiine its Representatives of seven West Side communities Km. . Courtdale, Pringle, Swoyersville, Edwardsville, and Lu g °n’ Forty Fort, to apply to the federal government for funds for a two-waV^Vi^6 makin® Plans This is an example of the joint endeavors in which vail ? m°blle radio system, join. This News-letter has always advocated cooperationC°mmUnitieS ought to make for efficiency and to stretch the tax dollar. It is 1 m°i?8 communities to schemes are the only solutions to the problems of shrint Car f C00Perative assessments. And now if the area eommun!”e“ Jan f" ,"8 "d low" radio system and also ban together for fire nroteeti ,1 purchase a two-way it ought to be a simple matte8 to solve t r' *8°’ tie. basis by means of an authority set up Jointly by the communities”' theTauJy. Take a family of 5 'which lives in a: an outlying community. time do they spend, in the great big Just how much __o city?? Each p------- ' p-nanA -----Person spend. Five times that number is 8k) hours per week at has the168 c* ‘ hour<T-TOnlr ~-L Ji - s a week to family. ttHow much does3 the city get provided theo-isposal -------’ of- that• time ■; 1 — of the ~ man works there? We can allow him 9 hours for 5 days a week. This figure a week. you include vacations, but let's be generous. T This figure is 1too high if assume that the lady of the house goes to town The twiceresult if U5 hours. Let's A hours on each trip. There is another 2 L~— t'.rioo a month to shop p and. spends hours a ? week, making U9 in 3 kids probably don't spend a total of 1 hour all. The .• a week there. they do, so we have 50 hours out of 8k). That's 6$ of the total r— thL_„. But let's assume devoted to the city, leaving 9k> spent at home. 1 time which is The ridiculousness i. of the term "bedroom trated betfr -ter. community" could not be illus- - Another joint endeavor into which communities might enter could very well be a solution to the refuse problem. Before long Kingston's landfill and that of several other communities will be over-extended. It would be wise for communi­ ties to ban together and on a cooperative basis with several second class townships set up several landfill sites that could be used 5 or 15 years from now. Of course, if the Luzerne County Commissioners should create a planning commission, a county survey of refuse collection and disposal problems could very well be made. It is for this reason and many other reasons that a county planning commission ought to be set up by the county. Planning as one of the modern techniques of community development will be discussed in a later issue of the News-letter. ALLOCATION OF STATE FUNDS ? 816.62 thatd can Luzerne County municipalities have a tota 1 ° f $81did not spen anybe of spent the under the highway grants. Many of the appropriates $18,000,000 eac state funds available in 1954. Under Act 34 W eS> municipalities may year to local levels of government for hig way p P matched in 1955 may apcarry over unspent amounts. Although the amountsjo^.^ f Pear to be small when accumulated over a Y For instanCe, Exeter municipality to undertake a rather extensive1 proje amount to $1,457.23 carried over from other Year®' gxeter is $2,289-92. hatched in 1955. The total amount aval a s available to the There is attached do this Ne».-le«er • communities in 1955, the unspent amo^ It wouid be well for Luze '■Ite total matching funds available or before they lapse. ""■hicipalitie. to consider using these funds . mX 1 �PrqPOSEDLEGISLATIONFOR legislation P boroughs Association of Boroughs adopted1 a number of resolutions at th Zed in the present legislature. Local offi^954 The State convention which itL h„pc3 hopes will be pass— • ” : a bill to raise the amount of th ■ t examine the following bills: of boroughs might e----- _ 15 to 20 mills; opposition to House bill #222 which 'i pro. real, secondi class should ough levy on i* estate^fr0™ "le township of- the 1 approve vides that t..— the — eferCo°rtownships t0 boroughs and cities; a proposed bill to 1 Permit in all annexations between local retirement systems and federal Social Security; a bill favor, tegration control by boroughs themselves of traffic signals in boroughs off state high. ing the ways. The The Association Association opposes opposes any legislation for a change in the fiscal year. The Association favors the repeal of the law exempting machinery from assessment from local government tax purposes beginning in 1956. A bill is favored legalizing silent policemen. The Association opposes House bill #173 providing for mandatory police retirement systems. The Association opposed legislation allowing burgesses the power to appoint and dismiss borough police. The Association supports the renewal of the act providing for $2,600,000 to municipalities for sewage treatment. be comPerning 1 body should be called a metropolitan commission It nro h this -- 'g°vi ^nnolitancommission could not levy taxes or revenue ’ provides that )“Sde'ing of its services or facilities and that it would not be aUowed to'e’^rX V governmental funct.ons except those specially designated to it by the pa "ci paling municipalities. The governing body of each participating m„„icip.lity would elect one representative to the commission, designate by ordinance which of its governmental functions that metropolitan commission would take over, approve the annual proposed budget of the metropolitan district, and assume a proportionate share of the expenses. s ?• HEALTH FUNCTION To date, the following boroughs have voluntarily surrendered their health du­ ties to the state Department of Health because they felt that a more economical and efficient job could be done in this field by the state health authorities than by local officials: Conyngham, Laurel Run, White Haven, Dallas, Avoca, Yatesville, West Wyoming, Hughestown, Nuangola, Exeter. If any community is contempla­ ting such action this department has a model resolution that councils can use. Cop­ ies are available upon request. PENNSYLVANIA METROPOLITAN BILL The increase in size and number of fringe communities and the growing de­ mands of citizens for adequate and economical municipal services have been singled out as the underlying causes of metropolitan confusion in Pennsylvania. The attempts of the multiplicity of governments in metropolitan areas to provide municipal ser­ vices result in governmental confusion because of limited municipal authority and other legal restrictions and in citizen confusion in their efforts to control the patch­ work of governmental units created to serve them. INSURANCE COSTS REDUCED BY COMPETITIVE BIDDING An experiment in Park Forest, Illinois (population 8138) last year in A plan embodied in Senate Bill 271 introduced in the 1949 session by Senator a wavout'nft®venson< Chairman of the Senate Local Government Committee, was the Senate bv aVT" o"" ®ov<!rni”ents and citizens alike. After passage in the LTtwo davl n °,a V°"' “ House Representatives during characteristic of th. H IOSt " Hon indicated 1„ the Hous“8 t2« ‘'giBlative corporation tl8 ernmental CitieS the that ins ~ can be The municipality combined "package" reduction : resulted, Savings fro™ other types of policies included ,n a»uffle a«ivity that is always although there was no islative sessions of 1951 and mco etropolitan Bill was not revived during the e8 arouse interest in the hill u ■ argelV because there was no organized effort to -.............. ^cethe many people in local government that the bill win be enacted numerous thanPeverTeforV^ 6^1716111 metrOP°litan & more complex and Such a bill would strengthen home rule because it would make it possible to ,rovide modern, efficient local government at the local level. Making local govern­ P: ment more efficient is the only sure means of curbing state expansion in areas of local concern. Local officials are urged to become thoroughly acquainted with the Pennsylvania Metropolitan Bill. Interested local officials ought to request copies of such a bill from their local legislators . 0 ’ r°ugbs, and townships as mun P 1 functions which the participating g e metropolitan district to perform- circum. deteidrained — ’ since coverage was broadened in some case I rehensive and liabilstances imade necessary the continuance of automo 1 tjme Because of the -sur^Z Sarnes a short period of time . ~ " "repeat the system this year *Uccess of the initial venture, Park Forest expects to i . further refinements in procedure and bid forms. publication Voluntary creation of carry on jointly govern™ units would voluntarily eive ' th nltv service, originatesbein community se This News-letter, published monthly as a Notes and inquiries may be ' Political Science Department of Wilkes College- Department, Wilkes College, *u?' sed to Dr- Hus° Mailey’ Polit es-Barre, Pennsylvania. �(faufy Tlecm-fatten WHAT'S NEW? EDWARDSVILLE - The budget for 1955 amounts to $71,275, retainin g a tax le. 17 mills, the same as last year. !Vy of VOL- lV’ NANTICOKE City officials has besen instituted, rePort that th.e municipality's ash collection program The ash collection program will augment the garbage collection —a system that was initiated a decade ago. WEST PITTSTON - The new 18.5 tax levy, an incr borough budget list, ease of a mill expenses of $86,132 calling for an °ver last year. FORTY FORT Borough taxes mills . The raise in the tax levy i^to 1 1/4 miUs this year» from 17 tO 18 1/2 the cost of repairs to a sewer line ° pr °vide approximately $8,000 toward provide WILKES-BARRE ar Forty Fort Cemetery. “ The < ‘ ■ C1ty's nickel-fed narf hours more in 1954 -I than in 1954 lng deters were in operation 5, 053 PLYMOUTH - The t.„tatlvcbud et 8 a ,o,al re'""“ °f w^.’«-80- budget mills increase re Provided byt5 " ““"C11 for 1,55 eliminated the I.8 8 1* “ vear 're? amusement tax '.'al is ast year and restor -sal.0CM ■'•stores th. whole rate of 17 mill.- Th' cut. WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. APRIL 15, 1955 PROPERTY DAMAGE A COSTLY HIGHWAY ITEM V COURTDALE - The town solons instructed the Chief of Police to check illegal dump­ ing at the borough's dump. People from other communities who have been using the dump facilities of Courtdale were reminded that they will be sub­ ject to arrest and fined $100 if they continue to use the Courtdale dump. continue to use the NEWPORT TOWNSHIP - ] It might i ’ ’ -be possible for mileage in the t_... the commissioners to reduce the township by , 1/2 .2 rmill because almost 100% of the collections on 1954 taxes will be —a total estimated. Curtailment of a few thousand dollars expenses resulted in ----------- in a cash balance. NO. IV c* ASHLEY - Ashley Borough's tax valuation has been reduced i . $65,000, meaning a tax loss of $1,170 annually for the municipality. \ . The budget provide 18 mill tax levy and $5 per capita tax. s for a HANOVER TOWNSHIP - Other communities in the 1 valley lacking adequate g- ’__6, disposal facilities are welcome to use Hanover Township's garbage Township's dumping tract. Fees will be charged for the dumping in order to defray the taining watch on the grounds. The Commissioners raised the expenses of main.j municipal tax rate this year from 10 1/2 mills to 11 mills. APR ? ' ARKSVILLE - The 1955 tentative budget of Larksville borough ‘ 19 1/2 mills. The major headache of Larksville officials x stains a levY of is debt cause of a $200,000 bond issue floated some years ago. tesrViCe bThis debt takes more than 3 mills of the taxation. ServiCe -Property Damage" a phrase that doesn't mean much to th user is one of the most costly items in the Pennsylvania Hiehwav n highwa^ gram of rebuilding and modernizing the State's 41 000-ml & / Department's pro­ damage, which is the money paid to owners for the use J system- Property new road or to relocate an old, cost the State $12 922 41A 1 Which tO build a At the rate of expenditure for the first 7 mnnthe c r, aS lscaI Tear 1953 -1954. claims oi $9,266,718 have already been ,954-'’55 “ ^ieh neighborhood of $15,000,000. ’ expenditures will total in the Under the Constitution, the State is not retired to buy landnew rightof-way. It is empowered to secure perpetua easeme^^ claim, he is likewise property owner is fully advised of his rig so exac t date the Governor's 1 authorized the job. Then r advised that he must speak up within six years ro signature was put on the bulky bundle of documents w *c Hi hway Department, begins negotiations between the property owner an hnlldozer starts moving dirt. In certain cases the owner files a claim even be ore repressed far enough to Others, and they are in the majority, wait until wor Highway Department, 1 make a reasonable claim. When he does finally approac its vajues, and rebe finds the right-of-way expert knows more about his prop Placement —i costs, then he actually does himself. In the records of the Department, there is a st cet values. Right-of,niar rd jprice for everything, and the F Department's settlements must be on the asl® settle damage according way experts -.3 are not infallible and where negotiation whose technical stan fo the 1book. th. Seeretaryof Highways appoints an_appraby the courts- He makes lng in th. le community is recognized by real es a e Highway Departmen carefui p . -o-----■ . ... and at this juncture then accepts or down to ------rnina tion of the "damage <=ases with the property owner. A fair offer is ma perty ownersapEjects. If the latter, he can go to court, but m r-ent y^ oat of hi-wn Parently realize that no matter what he gets i a negotiated rather Pocket. Incidentally, 94% of all claims settle °Urt decided b; - oasis. with claimants receiving $53 3n/ In th. tde last four years 17,720 claims were settled ------t, More than 11,000 of these were for amounts less than $1,000, with <e7’210-04. of the highway system in urban atl half of these under $250. In the expansion c- — „ ,J several involving reLeas> h.°Wever, damage claims become rather expensive and smallest settlement on Cation of " entire plants have cost upwards of a million. e . �•™atPlv $2- The largest claim for $6,250,000 record was ... for app for about $100,000. Pending for „ttlraent e a tery company 8 ,'132 claims. In addition the Department ts ready to close 1, Of l^fy L 1955 are f Th- greatest number of pending claims is in District 8 (H -- for $3,439,309,^bUrg) “ This district also has the greatest number of construct^, which has 1,44911 Pr°^t5 (203) under way. neighborly COOPERATION In a move aimed at correlating the health activities of Wiiu D ounding communities, the city's Board of Health has invited np8’^”6 surr 3 and townships to use its local facilities. The citv tna cb neighboring boroughs 'unicipalities will also initiate a program to include training onJrsoneighb°5ing rnu,ussion of common health problems . Bowden Northrup, Wilkes Barr i di8‘ cannounced at the last local government officials meeting that mn • r councilman, be sent to neighboring municipalities on the city's move °rmatlon wiU HARTFORD TESTS REFUSE BAG City officials at Hartford, Connecticut, are testing a new method Of c°Hect. ing garbage that may reduce by as much as one-third the number of collect, :ors, as well as end the clatter of garbage cans. FRIEL REPORT A quick summary of estimated costs for construction of sewage treatment plants shows; The technique makes use of a new type high-strength paper liner for gark cans. The bag, which will not decompose even when thoroughly soaked, eliminates the need for the collector to haul the garbage can to the truck. For Edwardsville under Scheme 1A the annual cost per dwelling unit is $19 68 If Edwardsville operated an independent project the annual cost p.d.u. would be $21.08. The total annual revenue required if Kingston and Edwardsville set up an independent project would be $159,750. Under Scheme 1A the revenue required would be $124, 535. Use of the paper liner, which has been tested for four weeks by the city has permitted the reduction of test garbage collection crews from twenty-nine to twenty men. Engineers running a time study on garbage collectors have found that 12 bags can can be handled in 13 seconds as compared to an average of 13 seconds for each garbage can without a liner. For Plymouth the annual cost per dwelling unit would be $19.68 under Scheme 1A, with the total revenue required, $60,910. If Plymouth constructed an independent plant the cost per dwelling unit would be $30.46; the total revenue required, $94,273. The bags are said to reduce spillage, a problem with conventional garbage collections. An 8 -inch collar permits the bags to be tightly closed. can bp the old °f ,the Isn't it clear that some kind of joint project must be established in order to reduce costs per dwelling unit and also to realize a saving in annual revenue required to operate an independent project? questions is whether the bags, which now cost six cents each, ln Pflce sufficiently to bring the cost of the new method in line with The city has not yet made ; a decision to adopt the plan, but if it does, city refuse collectors who lose their inh personnel shor.ag.. X' bs would be absorbed into other city departments ^2Iertiseme_nts MORE ABOUT HOUSING CODES I ON PARKING METERS? delphia Comm^le^^ * °n its parking meters ? According j to to the the Pb Businessmen's Aq °Urt the answer is NO'. In the case of Chestnut Hill an ilid ’ a Philadelphia ord' Ass°ciation Permitting th °f PhiladelPhia> the Court declare J n>e'1 ters located along r’’:“ —. X ne lnstaUation of advertisements on pa^X City to a nr- °Urt held the ordinance to be "a divers vate corpOrati^nia n°r the Ch m ? rlphia " “- • £urth" -«■XJX° that ""XV highways where Perrnittlng h to ■ may grant a franchise t° Who have not CQr ® 0WnershrlP of the fee a Private USe o£ the sidewalks of theP er* tion fherej ,^nSented SUch uSe of_fee th in the he isidewalks is in the abutting 0 ni the ;3 and have received no comP "le sid^„ sidewalks What types of standards are set by a housing code that through their enforcernent will aid in the improvement and conservation of residential areas? They are tandards requiring the installation and continued maintenance of satisfactory water, a^ng> lighting, and plumbing facilities; the limiting of room and dwelling occupancy a ?revent °ver-crowding; the maintenance of dwellings in structurally safe condition, 1 the uP-keep of dwellings and premises in a clean and sanitary manner. Interested °cal officials can find more complete information about housing codes in the following 40 ,llcations: 1) Local Development and Enforcement of Housing Codes, available for ? a copy from the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, WashIngt< 25; 2) A Proposed Housing Ordinance, published by ihe American Public Health As . W Broadway, New York 19,~at 50« a copy; and 3) Th. Housing Code m thr Pittsburgh. Municipalities wishing to secure an object... measurement o( ia'^SSF^dilfcns may request th. assistance of the Pittsburgh Housing°Asso gran" “^ 306, ZOO Ross Street, Street, Pittsburgh 19.■ The Association ha. been officially - 'Jn’7 Suite 200 Ross Pittsburgh 19 ^«leathe t„hUS h‘ to make use °f nationally Mooring the Qu.lityof right g. the . .. n Public Health Association's Appraisal Method for Me_ ^aing. �DINNER The third annual dinner of the Luzerne -. m nment will be held on Tuesday, May 10, 1955 at the Wilkes I College Dining Hall, Offic ciais prominent guests have been invited. The speaker for r the occasion will b A H, -ist of Berwyn Mattison, Pennsylvania’s new Secretary of Health, The dinner e Dr honor those local officials who have faithfully served their period of years. Remember, too, that this is a coed affair. municipalitie Wiv Wives are s over a invited. WOTHERSPOON VS. SCHERMAN WillalSo VOL. jy NO. 4 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. APRIL 15, 1955 REDEVELOPM ENT Ouster of a borough councilman for at meetings, where notice of the proceedings was given or an c non-attendance y -o proceedings m are cm to defend afforded no u-u to be •illegal. held ” ■ Ouster proceedings areopportunity penal penaland andthe the statutewas must be strictly is construed. This was the decision of’ the Supreme Court of of Pennsylvania in spite J ■ ' jreme Court of the fact that the solon attended only 2 regular meetings and no special meetings regular meetings and in 1952 and no regular meetings and 3 special meetings in 1953. The decision i_.l meetings in 1953. rested on the fact that the ouster was affected without notice to him and without opportunity being accorded him to explain his absence. -----i notice to him an THOUGHTS FOR the day Most of US know how to say nothing; few of us know when. The one thing more frequently opened by mistake than the mouth is the Pocketbook. PUBLICATION This bh ews-letter, published monthly 'h» Political Sei. ■nee Department of Wilkes ( as a community service, originates in to Dr. ... Wllk"’-Ba„e, p Hugo V . Mailey, PoliticalCollege. Notes and inquiries maybe 1 Science Department, Wilkes College, —insylvania. To date, redevelopment has not had much impact at the h. level. It may, accordingly, come as a surprise to learn th gh or township in all parts of the country are currently actively eneaf?ed in• "Umerous communities development. For a program that dates only froTmid-^^ °f considerable progress. ' ' "e record represents In our own Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, many localities are currently participating in redevelopment activities. Fifteen projects have been carried to the final planning stage in 9 different localities, including Beaver Falls, Clairton, Harrisburg, McKees Rocks and York, as well as Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Other Pennsylvania communities will shortly begin detailed work on additional projects. Wilkes-Barre is considering such a program. The purpose of this extensive activity is toacco , the suthat bstandard 1’ h something prior to 1949 was almost impossible---the elimination an gome of our boroughs and blighted areas that mar so many of our ci ie qhantvtowns, spottily developed and townships . Such ■■problem" areas may consist of sha^.yt concentration in premature subdivisions, blighted sections of heavy P°P of outmoded commercial severely substandard structures, inefficient cong °™e sections, areas of heavy and industrial facilities, down-at-the-heel old resi e ^gd utiHties . Such problem tax delinquency, sections with deteriorated or poor y recently, there was I areas c constitute very costly community liabilities. Botb the necessary financial little thi •ie community could do in the face of this threa Federal redevelopment resourc ■ces and the legislative authority were lack gituation> first, by providing Program m and the companion State measures a ter dands in achieving a a workable e method for private and public enJerJ>J1 idfng extensive financial . Worthwhile community objective I assistance to help foot the bill. and, secon , States '2le kick~off for all the numerous local redevelopment programs5 was the United environment and the SubstS H°Using Act of 1949. This act recognized that the poor c r.pre.ent real thread toward housing and economic inefficiency of blighted areas A entire country. Title ----------------------------------------------------------community with localities I of thhealth and welfare of both the individual and the bothi thegovernment state law, the in Utlcjiee 'A' 0*' accordingly authorized the rrnina Federal Act te government such areas. An shment of ^dertaking operations operations designed designed to to eliminate eli provided such areas.for esta -/xvania elim inating bhghte^ sPe^ C]--Z Vania Urban Redevelopment Law of 1945, provided for as a later Oieceial authorities PrO men Assistance ig^ e Stat n. aUthori ties to cope with the problem oft eliminating provided State r. e measure, ----.. , „ j Assistance Law of Ivm P the Housing and Re eve haacial ’-1 assistance for the same purp �’ . to effective improvement of blighted areas mentioned above, was the cost, which, in terrn ’ ’ “dnrivate budgets, was prohibitive. Obviously it costs mOne anJ,P ,7 H area It costs money to purchase the buildings, e'"a ” ^the verge o' of collapse. It costs money to demolish buildings that have hi they are on1 the ve d ,to 0 install the utilities utilises and improvements ,. rnieg usefulness, an and ■ +li,, „„ farther econom.c »•« “ construction. economic useiu ___ BtT„rtinn. The cost of eliminating eliminatir- a- hh - - ,h H^considerable, so considerable, in fact, that theVn^t*'" that the'land* : in other words, is considerable, area, in other buildings and equipped with necessary improvements, nrnt ^‘prohibitive price tag. Private Private agencies simply cannot afford to pay such pti„5 agencies simply break even in their new building operations. operations. And mumcipal.t.es cannot afford the financial loss of placing a cut-rate price on the land---a price that reflects more accurately the real value of the formerly blighted land for a new and desirable use. The Federal and State redevelopment laws help cut through this dilemma by supplying funds to absorb most of the financial loss involved in redevelopment. While Federal grant funds must be matched on the basis of one local dollar for every two Federal dollars, the availability of State subsidy funds , which can be and are counted as "local" dollars, means that Pennsylvania communities can undertake redevelopment operation with very little municipal outlay and substantial municipal benefits. The methods and procedures for redevelopment in this Commonwealth are fixed by the Pennsylvania Urban Redevelopment Law of 1945. This act permits establish­ ment of a redevelopment authority in any of the State's cities and counties. The basic steps in undertaking a redevelopment program are few and simple. First of all, the "problem" areas, the areas that might profit from redevelopment, must be identified and tagged, at least in a preliminary way. Second, the different ’problem" areas must be scheduled for attention on the basis of the relative urgency of the situation in each. y. 'Maxi nr ■ " The It does utboritya d the laW requires that, as far as possible, such ‘ rebuilding be t>nd’ahed by pr^ate enterprise. ond redevelopment is not low-rent housing; the two programs are Se"d independent. Some low-rent housing may and often is required in di t on with clearance of a blighted area. But low-rent housing is just one C°nneCvarious re-uses that may find a place on formerly blighted land. A °f ^elopment area may be re-used for industry, for stores, for parks, for ^Xlots, for rental accommodations, for a civic center---in other words, ■y ^anyof the entire range of public and private uses. ■ : Third, any redevelopment operation must be properly related to existing and proposed development of both the immediate and the intermediate surroundings. Specific redevelopment projects must form a logical and desirable addition to the entire redevelopment area and to the entire community. Each specific project must harmonize with an overall scheme. Fourth, no redevelopment authority or any other agency can just tear down people's homes around them. If a borough or township and a county redevelopment authority cooperatively undertake a redevelopment operation, they have an obligation, legal as well as moral, to help provide housing for families inevitably forced to move to permit a desirable community improvement, in the form of redevelopment, to take place. And finally, redevelopment in a township or borough has to be a cooperative are partners. undertaking in which the county authority and the township or borough 1 ’ 5 must, at various e law specifically provides that the redevelopment proposals 8es> be submitted to and approved by the municipality. No county redevelopment j ority has the power, even if it was so misguided as to have the inclination, to and 6 3 t0Wnship or borough to accept a redevelopment scheme. The law requires, 8°od sense dictates, a cooperative working relationship. property, demolition of struct Schedule must be prepared to guide acquisition of type, form and placement of new con"^^^*"011 t Fifth, the land, when once reasonable price to private overall redevelopment pC. THEIR ASSESSMENT SHOPPING CENTERS AND Series) (1st of a and to contro^ tbe genera ^U^ed’ cleared and improved, is made available Pu ic interests for re-use in accordance with able, the work involved^tiliK11 HVe easy stePS. The tim ' easy steps. be consider' will S1mple scheme for « 111 be extensive but k ‘ solved may community liability and private enterprise t^17 redeveloPment is a fairly y th a■ community p e to cooperate in replacing a «-sset. ld opping center is a central point for buying family ne districts where enters in our American way of life are the downtown -tail chst^ e large d department stores are located. Thirty years ago cities, this has siness was conducted in these districts. Today, m r°Pped i to less than a quarter of the total. which had its The "Shop and Park" center is the outgrowth of hectic days lgs as a result of the depression of the 30 s. sales and smaller chants s°ught ways to reduce costs to cope with tan K �on help; they eliminated credit; they stopped deiiv_ profits- They cut down • v Was started and was an immediate success. The , y « Self-service , wer prices made possible by cuts in overhead, and she en service- oen ^d appreciated the - merchandise. More space was needed to display this -_J u>rror selecting her own -- sales area- and larger stores. stores. Since Since deliv ery wasrChandi«.se, and this required greater had to be provided for customer parking. And so the SUper^rket eliminated, space L jilliss College Library y lV NO. 6 VOL. 1V’ WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA JUNE 15, 1955 came into being ■ Shopping centers maybe classified into three categories accordi population: (1) super or regional; (2) average; (3) junior. A super up”8 t0 center requires a population of at least 100, 000. It should have an are i” least 50 acres. The major unit is a department store, preferably a br& RIVER ■Op' At the third annual dinner of the Luzerne County Local Government Official State Secretary of Health, Dr. Berwyn Mattison, stated that one of the”principal serv­ a popular downtown store. An average center requires a population of Its main unit is a junior department store or several chain variety store ’ center requires a population of at least 10,000 and its main unit is a S ' A junior supermarket. Successful centers are found close to junctions of main highways that are cross-currents of frequent travel and where there is some type of public trans­ portation. Shopping centers should be at least three miles apart, A new center built too close to a competitive center usually ruins the old one and seriously hurts the new one. They should be on land with good drainage so that shoppers will not get stuck in the mud. Adequate parking facilities are absolutely necessary, least three times as much parking space as selling space. There must be at Those shopping centers that are not successful can }place the blame m -poor location, poorly designed and unattractive shops, lack of public transportation, unpopular and inadequate merchandisers, and lack of adequate parking facilities Over-built centers willbecomeWayside Ghosts. Assessing a "Park and Shop" c*~" center is a real challenge. In order to arrive at a fair assessment for a "Park and Shop" should determine - ' of center, the assessor the building construction costs and the kind materials used, , Some materials have a greater permanency than others checked c* ere£ore ££le ^fe of the building will be longer . Construction should be < ’ . -..i "orsat i|Orne cen^ers are merely promotion schemes and are "jerry" built with materials to hold the cost of construction down. THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY No one agreeably occupied was ever wholly unhappy. Some folks' idea of a good time is going places and undoing things . APPLICATION This News-letter, published monthly addP°litiCal Sciei Coll' a. community service, addressedto Dr mce Department of Wilkes as Hugo V. Mailey, Political Scie. ege. Notes and inquiries may ^kes-Barre Pennsylvania. -nee Department, Wilkes Col POLLUTION | ices a community must offer to attract new industries is adequate disposal of sewage and industrial wastes. Dr. Mattison said that fifteen municipalities on the east and west side of the Susquehanna River are the only municipalities which dump raw sewage , and in one case partially treated sewage, into the River along its course. The clean streams program is not just a matter of community pride, but a public health measure and a program of economic rehabilitation. A sewage disposal plant, if properly designed, can serve the community and industry and obviate the necessity for a tremen­ dous expenditure of money by industries for their own individual waste treatment systems. Dr. Mattison declared his intention, "as long as I have anything to do with its administration, " to see that there will be "no relaxation of effort in this vital field of public health. The State Health Department will help wherever possible, but if pro­ gress lags, the Department will not forget its responsibility to protect public health. It is, however, the intent of the Sanitary Water Board that the program be vigorously pursued. " SHOPPING AND TH EIR CENTERS (2nd o f “a S*e ries) assessment A builder purchases a The assessor may come across the £oU°^nf ^atTact at the western endofft* hact of land at the eastern end of the city an The one is success u city. He erects the same type center on ea • The other requires in , __ compete for the shops. They offer premium rented. to secure tenants, and some of the stores ca , ------------- On the basis of his leases, mortgage of $2 million on the builde than one-half million the first. d°Uars. for each. Should the assessor Construction and land costs were the sa Pla.ce similar valuations on these properties ? the project. He should have - —. Insurance for this type of In many and savings bank, are the thes. gropertl ’"V- Their primary C ins Me ration i» �rases leases are assigned to the mortgagee to further secure the * f the’appraisal report which was the basis of permanent financing ^gage the assessor. The following stock clause will probably be a part of th -. rePort. ?' >» reliance has been placed by the appraiser on the capitalization of the st S ■■ of the property than on a cost estimate due to the fact that it is difficult lc°ihe improved value of this land. The community is so new that the value ” O■f *° "‘“'Oat. , -the land is not yet established. " , the neighborhood it will eerve, remembering thlt a successprimarily a merchandising promotion a ? that proportionate in ... size to t basic idea is kept in mind, a center will invariabi eC H ndar 'ly a realty is ful shopping center > a venture. If that tnl when real estate investment and be an unity given a proper valuation by excellent the assessor dded revenue highly success to the commi move people, The assessor should inspect the leases, if possible, and know thei terrms- He should note the terms, including percentage clauses on his records These sh°uld be followed by obtaining certified statements concerning the amount paid each year On these percentages. In some places buildings of this type are assessed on a r- "square-foot basis • in others, on cubical contents. Since the rentals in these centers are based on the area of the building, it appears that it is proper to value these buildings on their area, merchandising is concerned, it is immaterial if a store is twelve feet high As far as feethigh, so why penalize the taxpayer for extra height? However, since or sixteen a supermarket requires an unusually high ceiling, it should be assessed on a cubic basis. It is not an average store. The builder should furnish the assessor with the foot plans so that he can determine the area or cubage, which should then be checked with the actual construction when completed. In establishing the land value, f the assessor should have information on the sales price of the land, or if the land had been the market builder at forthe a number of years, he should know what it would have broughtowned in theby open time of its develop­ ment. The assessor should have the answers to the following questions: Was the land above grade? What did it cost to grade it? If the land was below grade, what did it o°st t° HU? If it was was below below grade, what was the cost to install piling or whatever loca be Isefrt 7eqUire “ 8UCh ca3es? Alao> the cost of paving the parking area should require in such It islAT™ likewise6 imp°rtant to classification -•of the of the land. had been any previous zoning 1 NOT VEHICLES (1st of a Series) | see a traffic mess in your community, it is only natural to ask, "What When you do to move all these vehicles faster?" Many communities have tried to answer can we --and failed. They have widened streets and built new thoroughfares, this question these expensive "improvements" overrun by the additional cars they attract. only to see t.. — warn us against trying to answer the wrong question. Don't start by Traffic experts and more vehicles. Ask, instead, how to move more and asking how to move more more people and goods. Vehicles are only a means to that all-important end. Ask how many people the streets have to carry--people on their way to work, to shop, to play. Ask how many tons of goods the streets must carry--goods being delivered to industries, to stores, to homes. This total volume of people and goods simply has to circulate readily through streets, or the city will decline. No city can afford to build all the highways which the individual car owners would like to have to permit them to go from their homes to their places of business. manv people from entering the To the extent that traffic congestion discourag decrease and business suffers, decrease downtown areas of our cities, the values of these ar entireiy offset the center-city The development of outlying shopping centers °es beconie so congested that they, losses. Many of these outlying developments quickly beco too, lose much of their convenience. Most of these "Park and Shop" centers the assessor has a value of $20 are on the outskirts of the city, Assam irg community, isn't he justified in per front foot on residential land in a given suburban shopping center ? setting a value of $1 per square foot on the land of the real estate values decrease and the tax of inadequate ,oad Because must be re.Uo ’c.led totransportation, othel areas oi the clty-a load that .property £»«>■■ must be reallocated to other areas cesa Prosperous districts must bear and are less able to bear an 30v or more ricts where volume is enjoyed. Many cities have recorde re uc The "Park a; .nd Shop" center Property which cost u on which a $2-million mortgage could be secured ° only $1.1 million place a higher valuati< creates a problem for the assessor. He cann the in. .on on the buildinj crease must be i gs than on their —reproduction cost. Therefor reflected in the land. ln ten years. The assessor is familiar not hesitate to express his c, with trends a and sales iin n his opinion if he is* ”” 8aLea his assessing district. center is being promoted for ; onvinced that a; proposed "Park amLd Sh°P rather than to fill the needs-•ofa the ccaU or to» windf that ■here of the soundness of the development, , —- communitv out and then move elsew —,ed ^e should °n the °ther hand« if he is convinc' centeX encourage the establishment of a c NO MOTOR deaths the honor roll of the ixiy Lhaw —ve won places on traffic fatalityTwelve communities in Luzerne County through 1954 without a single National Traffic Safety Council for going fatal traffic ^eads this area, Having gone through five years without a are: ^^Rst local communities not having — ' ... -----having g°ne a traffic death through last year Forty Port Pn* Nanticoke, Ashley, Edwardsville, Exeter Borough, Exeter Township, ’ reeland, Newport Township, West Hazleton, and West Pittston. L �WHAT'S NEW ? NANTICOKE - Motorists have asked the city fathers for an amber signal at Market Streets. Main and WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. EXETER - The burgess has stated that dumping along the River must end yOL- LARKSVILLE - The assessed valuation has been slashed to $4, 379, g^3 council of $4,500 in anticipated revenue. ’ JULY 15, 1955 IV, NO. 7 dePMving N O TICES figured despite the building in the Narrows’211 EDWARDSVILLE - The —j in the offing for the coming year. Late in September Several important events are . with the regular bi-monthly meeting of the local a one-day clinic, in conjunction the subject of street maintenance. Films, slides, and officials group, will beoffer held all on tL. w those engaged in street street work panel discussions will will offer all those engaged in work an insight on this of local work " ■u-—~ win hp aiven to all boro, county, city, and important aspect of local work. Invitations will be given to ; section. KINGSTON - Council passed an ordinance accepting Woodland Drive located in the Taylor housing development. township workers to attend. LAFLIN - Because the police chief is not covered by liability insurance, the council has temporarily suspended him. ASHLEY - $65,000 valuation cut means a slash in income of $1, 170. is retained for the 1955 budget. Levy of 18 mills HANOVER - The commissioners have opened a stretch of land off Middle Road to other communities as a refuse disposal site. 4 on planning and urban redevelopment will local officials and also all civic groups interested Late in November a one-day conference be held. Invitations will be issued to .’ in learning about the value of planning! for the Valley. will be started in January. This Another class of township and boro officers an opportunity to acquaint 10-session course will afford newly elected officials will be awarded by the Public themselves with their tasks and duties. A certificate Service Institute to those who complete the course. COURTDALE - The city fathers accepted the auditors' report. DALLAS - A budget calling for expenditure of $29,344 has been adopted. THOUGH T S FOR the M OVE people, (2nd of a not^ vehicles Series^ ted in the present as well as finally interes districts be cleaned for It should be evident to all who are g of our busiest individual interests are the future welfare of cities that the str ar<iie ss of whose iaccepted as axiomatic, expeditious mass transportation flow, re^ ^egS this can be , ; and abnormal economic involved or whose toes are stepped decentrai.lization, cities will experience growing insta ' "'•ovide parking spaces for autos losses. 3 wisely • inal official9 to pr conceived or economically Frenzied efforts of many munic p tremendously in the past few years, become necessary in order to devote more are at least understandable, even 1 nO , go t e*ecuted. Because auto use has incr® storage of vehicles. As a result, curb parking m°re and more parking restrictions becoming a vanishing American custom, tarking is expensive, either in cost of ®tfeet space to movement rather t an buSy areas of many cities is ^a^reet p; of tax ratables when buildings are torn DAY When money talks, nobody cares what kind of grammar it uses. So few of us are perfect, but so many of us are impossible. PUBLICATION Political Science Department Vf'V'ik111117 & community service, originates ind Hugo V. Maney, pXu Jq C°Ue^ Notes and inquiries may be addrj PennSyivania. °lltlcal Sdence Department, Wilkes College, Wilkes-B* And yet provision of adequate 0 " Jultipie-fiOOr storage facilities or °'lVn to make parking lots . k loS6 �” -r communities, including Wilkes-Barre and surrounding Valle? Operatively developed such a plan for redevelopment and rehabilitation? 'itiee, c0°l Some.cities bananall parking onexample the mostthat congested streets hours. Chicago is outstanding curb parkin 6 dUrin§ busines in order for business to survive. Many other cities prohibft aIwaYs lie* arteries during morning and evening hours of peak vehicular o^ essary ^ain 7 No, they • dicate that only ^nnortion of the parkingevident in any business Surveys indicat . a..minor proportio: district can be taken care of at the curb. It therefore becomes ultimate solution is to prohibit all curb parking that interferes with traffic accommodate parked vehicles in off-street facilities . However, since and such off-street accommodations are limited by restricted space and high cost, it would b impractical to provide parking space for everyone who might desire to drive his auto every effort should be made to provide a transit service which will attract Therefore, more business people and shoppers, and thus reduce both the volume of vehi 1 and the demand for parking space. have not. MERIT AWARDS ■ Service were presented at the Third Annual Dinner of th. Luzerne t County Localawards Officials to those following; Warden Kimble, 30 Dallas, years; Allan Shepherd, Forty Fort ’; Michael 29 v.a Wais^t k Emanuel, Hanover, years; 30 Robert Williams, Kingston, 25 years Thomas 30 Callahan Laurel Run, 16 years; Casterline, Lau/elR^ 2] “ Laflin, years; Carlo Bontempi, Laflin,Harvey 15 years; Joseph Phillips Laflin 15a^’' QUESTIONS AND Gilbert Watkins, Laurel Run, 16 years; Peter Keblish, Newport, 16 years; Charles’ ANSWERS i What is community about? Planning is a form of insurance. As individuals, we plan for our families and for our old age, and of course everyall business r security, for i must have plans for its future. This same process of providing for the future of a community is called planning. Planning can help serve the older parts of c__ our communities and avoid past mistakes in the new. Planning is living insurance". J —---------------------------- , Uiweii _ , Wilbur, Newport, 18 years; Nicholas Keller, Nuangola, 30 years; Gus Kemerite, Nuangola, 25 years; Thomas Oliver, Plains, 16 years; Anthony Vestych, Plains, iu ______ _ __________ b____ ____________ ' ’’■---------------------NTmta-t,, 18 years; Martin x.xvx.x Munson, Sugar Notch, 16 years; Severino ’Pisaneschi, Sugar Notch, ’ * r — Tir__4. 97 Troq 16 years; Roy Speece, West Pittston, 29 years; Nelson Myers, West Pittston, 27 years; Lucius Eldridge, Wilkes-Barre,, 31 years; Thomas Evans, Wilkes-Barre, 22 years; Frank Goechel, Wilkes-Barre, 18 years; and William Boyd, Wyoming, 28 years. What does planning deal with? TRAFFIC All the factors which contribute to the orderly growth or evolution of community are part of the planning process. These include the use a improvements iof all kinds, both public and private. Some of the more of land and public improvements important are streets and highways, railroads, schools and playgrounds, parks, bridges, and floodwalls. Private development is controlled only in providing that the use and character and needs of their r----- spacing of buildings must be harmonious to the further public improvements.surroundings, and that provision be made for ] What is a Permanent signal installations cost money to buy, install, operate, and maintain. raffic Sentry portable traffic signals sometimes do the job as well. Although *“gged in construction, they can easily be wheeled into place by one man. These 1 can quickly be dispatched to widely separated localities by motorcycle trailer, signals creasing their usefulness to the traffic department. These self-contained thus inc...uvoillg LilCH U3C . ----------------x6xx.xxj can be kept in service for 18 continuous hours or 32 hours battery-operated signals The charger is housed in t e ase nf lntermittent service without recharging. ^bly and it i0 a gimple matter to keep the battery charged and the signal in good 8 3/«hng condition at all times. These lights are equipped with ITE dently. Th/8 lnCh diameter prismatic diffusing lenses. Each lens is illununa e_ Ihe «ver«ll height 1. 9' 2- and mounted on two 8„ wheel, with rubber cushion Ures. comprehensivie plan? A comprehensive ]_ ’ Plan is the guide or r-- SJX” fOr ‘he of the reports and i. serve this dev i 8 tlle Public PubUc faciliti. faciliti ’ anlaciPates the growth of the be revised as a °Pment- It must look ah/ ™e'ltloned above which are needed to icipated future needs cha* ° tO 25 years or more and should Doesanvt.,,____ cnange. any Luzerne community have any such pian? N°, they do not. D°es Luz er*e County hi Lave a c°mprehensive plan fQj. ^°' it; d°es not. SENTRY Ltion? development and re.kabilita’ J This equipment serves the traffic department in many ways, in In ease of fires and public gatherings, at daily peak hours, and on spo on. T H QU G H T S FOR today to a people or I, freedom isn't something that comes hr°Ugh wishing. enforcement is only as good as the citizens remains with a people merely want it to be. �WHAT' S NEW ? SWOYERVILLE - Council intends to make repairs to all of the damaged hi streets, using the street department in part of the work. acktop AUG 11 1955 NANTICOKE - City Council has received 150 new parking meters which WH1 be installed to replace broken meters . FORTY FORT - Council has under consideration its yearly donation to th pension fund. IV, NO. VOL- MOVE NEWPORT - Where possible, the commissioners are giving home owners an giving home opportunity to work out their taxes on roads, playgrounds, and sewer projects is being revamped by Council and PEOPLE, NOT (3rd of a Series) VEHICLES There has been a steady decline in the use of public transit except during the World War II years when the free use of the auto was restricted. Many transit companies have excess equipment, greatly increased operating costs, and a lack of revenue in spite of numerous fare increases. ’Viet enforcement of the State fireworks law “Si; AUGUST 15, 1955 Modern, powerful, streamlined transit vehicles do take a long time in getting passengers to their destinations. These vehicles are governed by the same traffic controls and regulations; are subject to the same delays; and travel over the same streets as the multitudes of autos which cause the congestion. Moreover, these vehicles must make additional stops along their routes to pick up and deposit people near their destinations, and must then wedge back into the moving traffic stream. LUZERNE - The municipality has engaged Albright and Friel to survey for the construction of a sanitary sewer system. NU“o;oThe b“Se“ WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. Police ASHLEY - Third Ward residents dumping garbage along Solomon's Creek in Ashley are responsible for a serious local health problem. PLYMOUTH - The f representatives 8 three mill. of laxe.. Obviously, the crying need of most tran.it a total of $12,850 will be paid “Ze roL^antt EDWARDSVILLE - Coun T ' heavily traveled stXVimProvements to Hillside Avenue, one of the streets in the boro. “mm. coaU^" and parking problems would be materially reduced and tra much better service. y WEST WYOMING - Total coal and property valuations is at $1,030,237 for the boroQUESTIONS WYOMING - Council will contribute $3,000 toward the cost of a $10,000 fire fighting truck. How does FORT The council has officials with arranged a cconference — with Lehigh Valley Coal Coregard to RiVer Street subsidi -idence. plains - The commissioners have p .. to pay off unfunded debts contracted for Petitioned the Court to float a $20,000 bond issue ;unded debt] —* current operating expenses. AND ANSWERS planning and zoning help the average citizen? forty PUBLICATION This News-letter, the Political Science T published . r ' addressed, to Dr . Hugo . 1 ’ — ^onthly as DeV Partme ent of Wilk, originates in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. • Mail ilejy, Political1 c_- ®e’ Notes and inquiries may be enCe Department, Wilkes College' For the taxpayer: 1. It preserves the value of property. as to the future need of public 2- It provides more accurate information of .be costly mistake. of .be pa.t by gu«.„g new 3. development. ,0 obtain the most benefit from 4. It helps to direct public expenditures your tax dollar. :efi CollX^111^1? 8ervice- I 1 ith adequate and well-located or the resident: attractive community wi;. 1. It encourages a more against objectionable public services. environments 2. It protects his living <and working intrusion. �SALVAGING BITUMINOUS PAVEMENTS What is the relation of a Planning or nsiderable amount of heavy industrial traffic together with the increased volume of commercial and passenger type vehicular traffic Averyt c° ni imperative that a network of reasonably adequate highways for safe be provided. At the same time, there should be undertaken a K^leaiate b" fr reconstructing the network of primary roads to provide a which may be expected to care for immediate traffic demands and Zoning Commission to the city or county? 3 are the onlyact official concerned whole. They as < agencies ’ ’ '------- with th tutur•e of a Such commissions^ clearinghouses for all programs involving community as a vfuture needs. If most planning problems deal with a city, why is planning and zoning needed for adaptable to the strains the future demands are sure to create. 1 f’S °£ de6ign Wh“ I be _ 11 - central i, topography, and soils are typical of the northi of sand and sandy The glacial geology provides considerable deposits CUmatio conditio" ’ construction and well as some deposits of bank gravel suitable for base < United States. t, and in most Cost of producing these materials is moderate uXhs^l mtyZeWhen people live close together instead of on farms, many . There is a limited gravels as well as are limited to a five to ten-mile range. Th ~ officials surfacing of reads :11 worked out, so problems must be met. ’ j, and known deposits are getting pretty welareas haul distance methods of road maintenance. supply of graveeconomical \s;_ of more adequate base must practice ccc_WEIGHTS TRUCK construction e thoughts in the 3 has taught that There are some rather positiv Experience scd to accomplish this, The new law on truck weights permits the commonly used tandem axle semi-trailer adequate to carry the not always t courses and the methods used up to 60,000 lbs . and the single axle vehicle up to 22,400 lbs. It requires the mandatory 'acted earth grades are rticularly so when elastic soils This is par J properly drained and comp; — unloading of loads exceeding the limits by more than 3 per cent. The law also raises transferred to it through the base. are encounlitered. Highly p! over a loads that are trc.nsfc sharply the present flat $50 fine for overloading and sets instead a scale ranging from . tables and thawing; cv: ,r soils or high water of freezing hold the pring cycles extensive areas of poor $60 to $600 plus $50 for each additional 500 lbs. over 6,500 above the limit. -to .ervious layer combined with si are all factors and high water tables • s, deep frost providing an imp< : with free draining sand caj.pillarity dth high period of several weeks There is also a requirement that every truck must be equipped with emergency moisture in the thawed upper layers, and so’ of a sub-base the earth grade, and .1 , brakes adequate to hold it stationary on any grade on which it is operated. Another which cause plenty of trouble. The con ® r ( . ’ s over - 3 for water entering of loads change in the law extends to local peace officers, instead of just State Police, the right or sand gravel provides for greater distri u _ •ut-off plane and a ci general base failure that is to 'arrest on view'1 any trucker carrying an excessive load. the sub-base also acts as an insulation co constructed varying from 8" to or of extensive id varying and the cJ'-'^cter the earth by capillary action. On areas character of traffic , sub-bases are All money paid for overloading would be retained in the locality where; the offense due to poor soils in the earth grades , these of the failures is committed just as it is under the present law. How many communities realize 1 in depth, depending on the severity fines as a source of income? Do you check with your J. P. 's on this? a well-grade‘ expected to use the particular road. '3 for bituminous mate ;hed by using chloride, V mat6 is accompli fairly low percent of binder. By using calcium c>'compaction©/binder. By-ing Construction of the base in the base material adequate for complete SHOULDER material adequate STABILIZATION ;• 8ravel aggregate with a £---- ’ aced immediately on the completed base. •diately on grade widening and reditching the lsej£Possible to L retain moisture isti ®enera the construction procedures are: for u r°ad; scarifying the existing bituminous mats and ade Wiisalvaging the old surfacing, e as base aggregate material; placing and compacting all Paved hi ,°n81derable amount of traffic when wide trucks pass each other. (2> ing / and s sub-base material where ’ -enacting salvaged aggregate; placing 3" to 6" of additional the shoulder flS8 ’ e^e“_tbose sufficient width, there is the problem of main, sUl.fa w J compacting; and placing a hot mixed bituminous aggregate a county? s is tut tnt.1 “::^r»7ou" xxxxx I - XXX““°id 1 ““ird"u”™-is age : rut, particularly during springtime, and are ----------affic unstable under are suitable they show distress rs Bitumi a e for or light light traffic traffic roads roads but but under under heavy heavy tra 1 ^te only if a heavy base i^XTd" “ treatment shoulders Bituminous surface shoulderswill willprove prove adeq^ I chloride stabilized aggregate pavement edge. U maintenance given given to to the the surface. surface . A c &C er resi8ts abrasion and maintains the level 0 4 a 0.0 .,Tn‘ required; and co Ce ofspreading dense graded aggregate and heavy liquid asphalt. Processed base gravel �WHAT * S NEW ? COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PLYMOUTH - The town's firemen have requested council to provide for 3-dpni Uequate IV. DUPONT - The State Highway Department has agreed to place curbing and full width pavement on a three-block stretch of the Avoca by-pass . I i NEWPORT - Commissioners and Susquehanna Collieries are working on the elimination of a grade crossing and also the elimination of a large drainage ditch in the township. KINGSTON - The boro is considering a road along the dike from Pierce Street to relieve the traffic in the Market area. V EH IC L E_S NOT p E O P L E ,_ (FinaTof a Series) streets, street widening, traffic control, efforts have been made with a view Review past efforts such as one-way Let us look at the relative etc., and evaluate the benefit of each. These NANTICOKE - The mayor has announced that an old ordinance will be used to require property owners to make needed sidewalk repairs. to moving of vehicles and not people and goods, efficiency of various methods of moving people. PLAINS - By unanimous vote of the commissioners the 5% amusement tax has abolished. t°wnship are beset with the problem of finding a public FOR TODAY The greatest trouble found with the average man is that he imag little above the average. Your temper is one himself a of the few things that will improve the longer you keep xt• I ! th New8_ietter -2^iJ£ATl£N_ service, originates in ea-Barre, PennJ Mail«y, Political Sc^6' Note8 and in<luiries may Sylvania. aI Science Department, Wilkes College. CLINIC MOVE LARKSVILLE - The council is reluctant to abandon another boro thoroughfare to permit stripping. thoughts WORKERS 1 on Wednesday, September 28, 1955, in will be held Films, slides, and panel discussions will ; workers clinic A street College. 1__ a wealth of knowledge on how to perform the Lecuux~ Hall at Wilkes Lecture 1 of this region and afternoon sessions is free. In the bring to the street worker in Luzerne County will hold their first fall to theofficials morning to the i his job better . Admission Such topics as surface treatment, jrnment o evening, the local govewith the CLINIC. discussed. It is the expert opinion of those session in conjunction 1 , etc . , will be day spent at such a CLINIC will be much specifications, drainage one day spent at his routine duties. The t field that one iment street worker will assure better streets for in the street maintenance the worker than the more valuable to th. ---- 1 local govern! attendance of every local communities . WILKES-BARRE TOWNSHIP - A 5% amusement tax, effective August 1, has been adopted by the commissioners . dumping^ ^°r°^and RILKES S TREET PITTSTON - Police have been experimenting with control of traffic by use of the overhead traffic lights only. NO- 9 PA. SEPTEMBER 15, 1955 hour ssengers per lanein_P^ surface streets Capacity of a single in autos on elevated highways passengers on _face streets passengers in autos on 1,575 in buses passengers in street; cars in subway 2,625 passengers street; cars trains 9,000 passengers in subway local t trains 13,500 passengers in iress subway 20,000 e%P : in passengers of large 40,000 capacity in the 60,000 • inefficient 'ree”‘y’«"'dW a rapid eight-lane 1 Obviously, the private auto is quite -- bus Nine - - > that lumbers of people in restricted areas. full city imn ber 'v°uld be needed to move the same num! -5 trackthe same to one expre8 ® all the autos it unnec ransit line having just one local local and gained in : „sit , would make trans 11. line0 5.an carry all the people normally coni And since norm: of transit lines streets alleviatedThe use or build new would be °ck of street space. itreets )blem widen s 8Pend public funds to ' apace , this Pr° eQuire no street parking X n'°> �easy if ways c_ c°uld be zoning primarily for the protection of residential areas? And thi -is is Congesti0n t as used by the autos. IS I be tra tailored to fit local conditions . xvapid How to do this? IdeaS ™ iqtthe ffic flow many times. Public transittransit can be Rapid t lanes on highways can incr" at moderate cost. Traffic control studies have transit separated from competing tra current trend is to reduce parking, to speed studie been beneficial in many citie . the philadelphia patterntoby parking, up traffic. At least 20 oth®r in the mercantile area. Fringe parking posts -*• pattern b drastically restricting curb-p ^he downtown district have proved helpful in e Parkin, with speedy transit to and cities . parking controls have also been relieving traffic congestion prohibiting loading and unloading of commercial helpful in speeding traffic, su business districts . Arranging mass vehicles during rush hours g concentration helps transportation routes in conges e over c--------- " tremendously. Eliminating the duplication of transit lines cuts down ...i on transit vehicles. Using alternate stops for transit vehicles and p permitting ample loading zones will move people much faster. In some communities, staggered hours in community offices, stores, and industries have reduced peak traffic. And lastly, . and probably the most important, educate the traffic police to traffic give transit vehicles (which move the most people) the right of way accorded to ambulances and fire­ fighting vehicles. After some serious study, could some of the above, perhaps in a modified fashion, be applicable to Wyoming Valley. QUESTIONS AND No- Zoning is one of the tools used to Drn™ , well-balanced development of ail types of uses . It misses its goal if it ® existing residential neighborhoods. Industr ° 1 ? Pr -- °tects __ 3 the status quo of protection against absorption by other area^ are in co ­ need of equal industrial zoning in earlier issues of thi w?! the imP°rtan —ice of not be the step child of zoning. EWS-LETTER. Industry must SALVAGING BITUMINOUS PAVEMENTS of heavy type crusher. After crushing, the old blacktop as aggregrate with a top size of about 1 1/2" drops onto the grade, motorgraders can then move the crushed aggregrate towards the road shoulder and the process is repeated until all the material is crushed. This crushed material can be graded down to fines. Cost of scarifying and crushing will hardly ever average more than 85£ per cubic yard. ANSWERS What is Zoning ? grade as part of the base and add base grave o sand and gravel by tank wagons and the moisture can chloride, ............. ■ * Plenty -C.C. i. result. Immediately after the base is co p that adequati -■ Privacy are assured and so that overcrowding ma-y ’be avoided? The ™ zoning maps show where these use districts are located. Are a person's c— constitutional : ights violated when he is told what he may and may not do with hi. ■ -is property? One of the oldest laws of society restrains ]---- ' ~ that may be harmful or injurious to their neighbors or t- -— people from behaving in a way people. In 1926 the Supreme Court of the United States i.***Y“nnin*eto the of the that a reasonable control of land use is a normal exercise ol welfare z i affirmed the principle What is spot zoning? It applies to the establishment of a use district, is unsuited, to the adjacent neighborhood, usually a small one,t which property owner is at the expense of the f the general development of the communit The benefit of spot zoning to the values of nearby properties and ° may even be illegal. -ty. Spot zoning is impractical an < ® stained by using calcium condition will Th? average cost per mile Salvaging bituminous pavements doe save money. The aver e is $10,000 to $15,000, sometimes running a little higher depending on the density rcessfully handle traffic loads of 2,000 to °f population. Such construction canJu traffic iB heavy trucks. One added 4,000 vehicles --------------- per day where about 1 7 of service just a £— short period of £ eature of such construction is that roa time. THOUGHTS F OR Of all glad works of tongue or pen, the g check. I a man still has his appendix today are these: and tonsils, chances are Enclosed find he is a doctor. �WHAT ' S EXETER - Damage to two NEW ? Exeter streets has been reported to boro officials. VOL. IV, NO. 10 of $37.247.07 has been received from the State WILKES-BARRE - The sum Pension Fund. for the City Police FORTY FORT - Council has WILKES-BARRE, PA. OCTOBER 15, 1955 approved oil and chips for boro streets. STREET LARKSVILLE - Council accepted a bid to pave Nesbitt Street if the State Highway KINGSTON - Boro officials have purchased a new police cruiser and a new pick-up truck. B-B guns. MOUNTAIN TOP - The Park Committee of Fairview Township will raise funds to make improvements to the Park Recreation Center. SWOYERVILLE - Firemen in the boro have requested that the Council keep its promises and purchase fire-fighting supplies. Three films on asphalt were shown at the morning session. Asphalt is a versatile and waterproof road-building material, mixing well with crushed rock, sand or gravel at a minimal cost. The importance of following highway department specifications, especially Bulletin 25 concerning asphalt, was emphasized at this session. KINGSTON - The loss of coal valuation will probably not hurt boro finances measurably since it amounts to less than $1,000,000. WILKES-BARRE - Parsons dump is due to close because of the high cost of maintenance to protect neighboring residents from offensive odors and smoke. According to the advice in the films, certain measures should be followed in seal coating: (1) it should be determined whether the surface really needs a seal coat; (2) the work should be Gone in warm weather; (3) the old surface must be prepared; (4) the surface to be treated should be clean; (5) the mixture should be uniformly spread; (6) the mixture should not be overrolled; and, (7) traffic should be controlled. LARKSVILLE - Local officials expect that the outdoor movie in the Narrows Road area will add to the value of the land. KINGSTON - It is noteworthy that the valuation of the fifth ward - $14,460, 148, more °‘ L“"n" pri"81e' a”d Courtdlle -iB about 1/5 1 Jv8 NeW8’letter- puoiished monthly as a community service, originates in published monthly a may be College- CLINIC Donald D. Dagler, district engineer of the Asphalt Institute, discussed "Street Construction " at the morning session. The afternoon session featured thefollowing speakers; George T. Smith, Wilkes-Barre city street department; James C. Whalen, assistant district engineer, State Highway Department; Frank C. Witkoski, director of research and testing, State Highway Department; John H. Eigenbrod, superintendent of roads in Luzerne County. Robert AFarley, assistant chief engineer in charge of maintenance for the State Highway Department, was the main speaker at the dinner meeting. WYOMING - A boro ordinance has been passed forbidding the use of air rifles or PUBLICATION WORKERS The Street Workers Clinic held at Wilkes College <on September 26, 1955 attracted street workers from many local municipalities,. This was tie first time a clinic was held in the area. Department approves. STvX: WILKES COLLEGE, As regards bituminous road-patching, the following points were made: (1) mark an outline in rectangular form to make a neat patch; (2) sweep; (3) apply bituminous material (oil) by hand pump; (4) broom oil to outline of patch evenly; (5) apply chips and cover entire oil area; (6) brush back loose aggregate and spread with hand broom; (7) roll, compressing until chips are evenly embedded. At the afternoon session Mr. Robert Lurch stated that testing substantiates design for if designs are followed closely it is necessary to have tests. Testing appears to be expensive; since it is dead overhead, but it was shown that one-third of the cost of building roads goes for materials and that 2% of this amount for testing is "a small price for such insurance." �Mr all communities cannot afford to maintain a lab. Realizing that many smai the facilities of a nearby commercial tssting laboratory, it was suggested ae stion: that, on a cooperative basis, IXd. Mr. 11S“ 7cd;t*Xr Ind establish a stnall laboratory— for moratory several communities could g testing purposes. Such a co P equiP^entthe11 buy venture "would be an excellent investment, LAWLER SETS UP EMERGENCY MUNICIPAL UNIT Joseph J. Lawler, Pennsylvania's Secretary of Highways, has established a special unit within the Department to handle applications from municipalities {or financial assistance in repairing roads and bridges damaged by floods in » Northeastern Pennsylvania. Robert A. Farley, assistant chief engineer in charge of maintenance, will head the flood emergency unit. Mr. John Eigenbord pointed out that many small municipalities are ham. ipered because they do not have the money to purchase road equipment. In his estimation, small communities should purchase specific machinery, such as the payloader. The crawler type payloader, with a hydraulic controlled front end, can accomplish a number of jobs at a minimum of cost to the community. A lively discussion followed the speeches of the panel members. It It was was agreed that oil or any other additive should not be applied to a road unless the surface has some moisture. In other words, the surface of the road should be stabilized before the surface is treated. Itwas also suggested that shooting the surface with water, rather than putting on waste motor oil first, might be feasible. Engineers from other districts under Mr. Farley's direction will establish engineering procedures and standards for handling applications from counties, boroughs, cities and townships so that the emergency can be handled expeditiously. MAINTENANCE On the question of drainage, it was brought out that it is most important to get as high a crown as possible with good open ditches on both sides to keep the water beneath the surface. Also, there should be plenty of cross-drains , for a good road depends on good drainage. PRACTICES FOR CONCRETE PAVEMENT Although concrete pavement requires little maintenance, the little required should not be neglected. Prompt repair keeps cost at a minimum. To neglect maintenance is to invite progressive damage and expensive repairs at a later date. The same result may be expected from maintenance operations improperlyperformed. Even the experts could i to mix salt with cinders ess expensive. However, it was considered feasible does it require special Maintenance of of concrete concrete pavement is not difficult, nor properly supervised can qualifications or high high skill. skill. Untrained workmen who are carry out routine maintenance of concrete pavements. This A""duty di"eof the the main t.Farl'dy- the P""C‘Ple in good condition, The work nftK aartment iS t0 keeP the roads of Pennsylvania and ends when the road fs abandn H Partment be§inS the daT a -ad is completed TEe budget Of the department is $80,000,000 for two years, $9,000,000J of ?h $7,500,000 was spent 'for snow am°unt going for snow removal. In 1954 oval and the same amount is expected to be spent in 1955. Mr. T ' , stated. that the Farley lbs. of sodium chloride and. calcium chloride enance Department expects to use 13,000,000 'J; '‘ pointed out. that cinders are shorter in the e and 600,000 tons of cinders. It was of the state. emnK=> antbracite area than in any other part Furthermore,, it was f substitute fo .r cinders. As “ thit *s ”° acceptable regards the that while islag is a good abrasive, it is wh'f0 local officials were told undesirable fo. -jr use in snow removal. 6 &nd cannot be seen, making it , , should leave the Phase of maintenance must not be overlooked and all op „ surface irregularities Pavement clean, attractive in appearance an which adversely affect riding comfort and sa e y. the following classes of .placing broken areas or utility­ Ordinary maintenance of concrete ^rations: (1) sealing of joints to correct for settlement; (4) repairing resulting from accidents or Cuts: (3) adjusting the pavement 8sPills improper design Pills caused caused by by improper c „ or constru Utlusual conditions of use. t of broken areas or The replacement Let us limit our discussion to P^^’hould be made with concrete so that in appearance O^lity cuts, commonly calle 'P riding quality, an si the patch will be equal in streng the remainder of the paveme comparatively few . , is in good condition except tor needed it When patching is Concrete pavement —sPots should be rep;------ �t the earliest opportunity. If delayed, the broken are* is apt should be i Tarred by action of traffic. Temporary measures, SUch as to become! Treas with bituminous mixture, do little toward restoring the covering the broken pavement strength. V0L. IV, NO. 11 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. NOVEMBER 15, 1955 -broken area" refers to portions of the pavement which are broken into ■ too small to distribute the load to the subgrade without imposing unit nressures greater than the safe carrying capacity of the subgrade. Under this condition the broken portions of the slab become displaced and their surface is no a longer in the plane of the rest of the pavement. FIRST The shape and dimensions of a patch and its position in the pavement with respect to joints and edges have a direct relation to its ability to stand up under traffic. The laying out of the patch involves consideration of the existing pavement condition and the shape and dimensions which will best stand up under traffic. The selection and marking of the areas to be patched should be done by a qualified engineer. According to the position of the patch in the pavement and for convenience in certain design details which are pertinent to satisfactory performance in service, patches are classified into five types: (1) full-width patch, involving all lanes of the pavement, and usually constructed one lane at a time; (2) single-lane patch, involving the width of a single traffic lane; (3) exterior-edge patch, which is a patch less than a full lane in width, an edge of which lies along the outside edge of the pavement; (4) interior-edge patch, a patch less than one full lane in width, one edge of which lies along an interior edge or joint of the pavement; (5) interior patches, with all edges at least 2 ft. distant from any longitudinal or transverse edge or joint. Patches are usually rectangular in shape but triangular- or diamond-shaped t-K 6S have deen used with success to repair broken slab corners which are not and e eXtXri?r edge °f the Pavement- The sides of the triangle or diamond make more tin An a 10ngitudinal edge the slab which must be not less than 30 deg. nor longitudinal e/8’ at transverse expansion joints when the angles with t e ge must be not less than 30 deg. nor more than 45 deg. THOUGHTS FOR Some people are easily entertained. listen to them. The road to TODAY All you have to do is sit down and CeSS 18 fllled with women pushing their husbands along- -Lug LICATIQN This News-' -letter, addrP0UtiCal Sciei :m»r,t ^Hthly as a community service, oi*s community service, !nce Hepartr- .. 0 Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries Wllk--Barre, Pen, CoHeg —lnsylvania. :y’ Political Science Department, WilkeS ±?SSed Dr.. Hus° v. Maile. 1 CLASS TOWNSHIPS The Luzerne County Association of First Class Townships held its first annual conference on October 29- The conference was opened by Frank Danilowicz of Wilkes-Barre Township, chairman of the group. The officers elected were: John Matsko of Plains Township, president; Peter Keblish, Newport Township, first vice-president; Stephen Yanoshek, Hanover Township, second vice-president; Andrew Garber, Hanover Township, secretary; James McCarthy, Hanover Township, treasurer; Charles Wilkes, of Newport Township, John C. Wordoski, Hanover Township, and Joseph S. Matiskiel, WilkesBarre Township, members of the executive board; Joseph F. Gallagher, Newport Township, solicitor. NOTE The following people attended the twentieth annual meeting of the Municipal and Local Finance Officers of Pennsylvania at Penn State University on October 7 and 8; Frank Connors, Commissioner, Hanover Township; Hugo V. Mailey, Wilkes College; John C. Wordoski, Commissioner, Hanover Township; Stephen Yanoshek, Commissioner, Hanover Township; Thomas J. Reese, Secretary, Kingston Borough. L. O C A L GOVERNMENT COURSE Another local government course for councilmen and commissioners will be offered by the Wilkes College Political Science Department beginning in January. Information on the course will be mailed in the near future to all old and newly elected councilmen. Make arrangements now to attend this ten session course for local officials. As in the past, a certificate will be awarded by the Public Service Institute of the Department of Public Instruction to those who satisfactorily comp e e the course. J ANER IC H Albert Janerich, Plains Township Commissioner, was elected third viceJohn C. Wordoski, of this state association. Hanover Township Commission, is the retiri g p �In a second group might be placed th BOROUGHS Ralph Brown, Kingston Councilman and President of the Luzerne Count ■y Boroughs Association, has announced that the Luzerne County organization ■ wiU hold a very important business meeting on Thursday, November 17, at 7:30 P-m- in the Hoyt Library. All communities that are members of the association are urgedto have representatives at this meeting. URBAN in file cases for years . A third group of records cannot be destroyed be importance. Every community has them. The ori °f their historical which now stands the town hall, early ordinances IndT ground on of documents having historical value and should be"" ref!T71SSJ°nS examPles m oe retained and properly stored. REDEVELOPMENT The Political Science Department at Wilkes College will hold a conference on urban redevelopment on Wednesday, November 30, in conjunction with the bi -monthly meeting of Luzerne County local officials. The panelists for the afternoon session will be: John J. Grove, Assistant Director of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development; David M. Walker, Regional Administrator, Housing and Home Finance Agency, Philadelphia; Daniel Rogers, Chief, Housing and Redevelopment Division, Harrisburg. The speaker for the evening will be F. A. Pitkin, Director, Bureau of Community Development, Department of Commerce, Harrisburg. But finally, there is that vast collection of records, not falling into the above groups, that are valueless and should be destroyed to save space for the administering of other functions. These are records that had some value at one time, but have become useless because (1) the function for which they were created has become obsolete; (2) they have served their purpose and cannot be used again; (3) they have been replaced by more modern records; (4) a statute of limitations, or other legal standards have made them worthless. The legal groundwork to allow freedom on the part of local government officials for destroying useless records was laid in 1949 when Act 250 of the General Assembly was adopted. That legislation authorized the destruction of "• . . . records which are deemed valueless .... subject to the approval of the court of common pleas of the proper county." (Section 6.) All communities are asked to send representatives to the afternoon and evening sessions, Not only should councilmen, solicitors, and burgesses be interested but also members of planning commissions and zoning boards. RECORDS MANAGEMENT MAY HELP YOUR MUNICIPALITY SOLVE ITS NEEDS FOR MORE OFFICE SPACE records^t^ast861”6111 "the name giVen tO the Process of managing and controlling industry has recoXT^ lnSJituH°n « this country. For some tfmf, private management of its records'" C°”Servlng space by the proper control and that industry, on the averase artlcle in a current magazine, it was stated th. remaining XX!,'mC"W ,ht°» s.are 30% of Readers Digest, September 19541 ("D°n,t File »-Throw It Away, " the reason large industrial concern. enCeS of sPace savings of this kind is management programs in their i a lnterested in instituting records doing the same tLg. With" / ’ S—1 of °*r larger cities have been filing cabinets containing useless ? nsion of governmental functions, a room full of restored to office space for over S be PUt t0 much better use if over-cramped personnel. This is not written to imply that all of our public records are sp „overnmen wastersMany of our records are vital to the normal and efficient functioning ,ce eve ry In one group maybe classified those records that are necessary for rOy|9l operation of government. Assessment lists, tax charts, budgets, pay ^nts are applications for permits, police forms, purchase vouchers, and blue p cOrds 1X1 examples of records needed to run the typical governmental unit. Sue expenSe iiist be complete and adequate and must be properly managed to save endless filing and storage. in I act even though they may gntec®Ssary f° ! Just as important as a space saver is the process of microfilming those records having retention value. Microfilming, if conducted along practical lines, can result in the saving of considerable space by filming bulky records, filing the film for future reference, and the destruction of original records. The cost of Microfilming can easity be offset by the value of the space being made avaHable f°r other uses . Microfilming also serves to protect original records if they i° be preserved. to add however, that uncontrolled Records management people always hasten is no justification for Microfilming is unwise. Just because it saves, space sound practice for those records Microfilming all records . Microfilming is only a be maintained. Microfilming must Used infrequently, but for which a reference must be use is made. is not appropriate for records of which constant the problem by re might be an approach to The following general procedu officials. d First, visit an agency that has dealt with the m^htVe °ne there. A competent person in the field o recor might be the proper C<Msuited to learn the elementary principles involved and what g Pplication to your local situation. — r records in Second, survey your categories. historical , or current < :lassify them in either an effort to c. us eful, 4 �Third, when proper authorization has been obtained, destroy those records classified as useless. Fourth, develop an adequate microfilming program for those records adapted to it, a program that is a continuing one and follows a definite schedule. I DEC 2 2 1955 Wilkes Co VOL- IV, NO. 12 WILKES COLLEGE, 2 1955 WILKES-BARRE, PA. DECEMBER 15, 1955 Fifth, make a definite schedule for those current records to be destroyed when they have served their legal and practical purpose, so that the management program can be kept up-to-date. REDEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE Finally, attention m:ight also be devoted to the filing system for the historical and current records in order that they might be stored under a modern and efficient system. It is true that the task of operating local government becomes more complex. In many of our units the job must continue to be carried out by laymen devoting only their spare time to the job. They have little time left over for anything other than the essential workings of government and the practicality of devoting time to records is remote. To many other municipalities, however, the government function is in the hands of full-time appointive officials and they are the ones to whom this effort might devolve. If they accept the responsibility and do a thorough job, much good in the form of improved government management will result. A redevelopment conference was held at Wilkes College on November 3 0 to acquaint Wyoming Valley civic leaders with federal and state assistance available to help communities redevelop areas that have become community liabilities. Mr. Edmund Poggi, Vice-President of the Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce, served as chairman for the afternoon session of the conference. The speakers for the afternoon session were Mr. Hale Walker, Regional Administrator, Housing and Home Finance Agency, Philadelphia; Mr. John J. Grove, Assistant Director, Allegheny Conference on Community Development; and Mr. Daniel Rogers, Chief, Housing and Redevelopment Division, Harrisburg. HALE MONEY ISN'T EVERYTHING, YOU KNOW A high school principal, addres sing his graduating class, was extolling the virtues of our democratic system. He pointed out to the students the wonderful freedom of choice we have in this country, particularly in choosing our life's work. "We can be anything we want to be, " he said. "In free America, a street sweeper can become a professor--providing he's willing to make the financial sacrifice," he added. THOUG H T S The fear of ill is always FOR TODAY worse than the ill we fear. Some of the most disappointed people in the world are those who get what is coming to them. PUBLICATION This News-letter, published monthly as a the Political Science Department of Wilkes College, community service, originates in >nce addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Political Science Notes and inquiries may be Hug° V. Mail, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsvlvan;-> Department, Wilkes CollegePennsylvania. I WALKER Mr. Hale Walker, speaking on "Federal Government and Redevelopment", stated that federal aid is given for planning redevelopment projects through the Urban Renewal Administration, a department of the Housing and Home Finance Agency. Stressing the need for regional planning in Wyoming Valley, Mr. Walker went on to show the various steps that must be taken by a region contemplating a renewal program. A local authority must be established. There, a survey and planning application would be prepared. This could be done by the city planning commissions and/or the city engineers or the city could even call in special consultants. This application is reviewed by the Philadelphia office and then passed on to Washington for approval. These are the preliminary steps for a grant-in-aid by the federal government to assist areas in planning redevelopment. The requirements for planning are: (1) a land use plan, showing the location ; of the land in the community; (2) a thoroughfare plan, showing the routes in the community facilities plan indicating the schools, parks, community; (3) a c such aspects of the community, possibly combined with playgrounds, and other public improvement program; (5) zoning ordinances and the land use plan; (4) a subdivision regulations. Before a region is given aid by the federal government, the area must have Before program. a region is Agiven aid byprogram, the a workable workable according to Mr. Walker, should consist of the following: (1) sound local health codes; (2) a general master plan workable program �■> redevelopment. A maximum of 30% was 1to ’be used J for redevelopment and 70% going for housing. The communities concerned could choose ----- --------- —to use the funds for housing or redevelopment. community development; (3) a basic analysis of neighborhoods, showing lor , o . /al an effective administrative organization to run the blighted a.rea.s , cll •, x1/ --that is, a way to enforce building and housing codes; (5) financial capacity to carry’out the program; (6) a program for rehousing displaced persons- (7) full-fledged community-wide participation in program. JOHN J. 1 GROVE Mr. Rogers stated that the state is trying to see the various situations at the local point of view. Certain areas throughout the state are proving grounds for renewal projects. Workshops and conferences are being held where ideas about renewal projects are exchanged. Mr. John J. Grove, speaking about "The Role of Urban Redevelopment in Pittsburgh's Community Program", demonstrated what could be done in building up old communities. Pittsburgh faced a crisis after the war. Because Pittsburgh was a dirty, sooty city and because housing was bad, it was becoming difficult for industrial firms to attract top managerial talent. Industries were not attracted to Pittsburgh. Industrial, business, and political leaders of Pittsburgh united into the "Allegheny Conference on Community Development. " The city first embarked on a smoke control program. However, it was in the field of urban redevelopment that Pittsburgh made outstanding progress. The Allegheny Conference felt that redevelopment should begin at the heart of the city which was in a deteriorating condition. After the central core was rebuilt and revitalized, redevelopment could be carried out to outlying areas. In 1946 an Urban Redevelopment Authority was established, composed of three Republicans, two Democrats, and outstanding community leaders, with the Mayor serving as chairman of the Authority. The Equitable Life Insurance Company of Nevz York surveyed the city and through its study found that commercial development was a possibility. But, before Equitable would invest in the construction of new office buildings in the core of the city, it wanted assurance that the office space would be occupied. The Allegheny Conference and the Authority secured 20-year leases from nine firms to occupy the space. Then, the Equitable Life Insurance Company agreed to be the "redeveloper" and invested some $43,000,000 in the redevelopment of Pittsburgh. Renewal consists of the following elements: (1) a degenerating area in which complete clearance is needed; (2) a fringe area; (3) an area which needs improvement, where the buildings are too good to be torn down. ACTS OF THE 1955 GENERAL ASSEMBLY BOROUGH CODE - Act 31 (HB 443) permits the typing, printing, photostating, and microfilming of borough records required to be recorded. Act 98 (HB 683) further prescribes the power to improve and maintain neglected burial grounds. BURGESSES AND JUSTICES OF THE PEACE - Act 105 (HB 1303) requires burgesses and justices of the peace to issue receipts for money paid to them. j A According to Mr. Grove, the role of the Authority was two-fold; land aquisition and responsibility for relocating the people who had previously lived in the area. Some 8,000 people were relocated in the Pittsburgh area . FIRST-CLASS TOWNSHIP CODE - Act 27 (SB 64) changes the date when lighting assessments become delinquent. Act 76 (HB 303) authorizes the reassessment of new buildings or improvements after the tax duplicate has been prepared and the imposition of taxes for the remaining part of the year. Act 78 (HB 869) increases and clarifies the commissioners' powers to deal with the collection and disposal of garbage, rubbish, and ashes. HOME RULE TAXES - Act 60 (SB 69) makes the transferor subject to the payment of any local deed transfer tax on real property located within the municipality regardless of where the transaction was executed; prohibits the levy of the ■ tax on transfers by will or interstate laws. Pbe central core of Pittsburgh which was once deteriorating is now an a ractive usiness district. Redevelopment in Pittsburgh also paid dividends 2'nCrieaS1"g the tax assessment value to $131,000,000. Mr. Grove emphasized contiTue^HelT^ revitalized the "flight to the suburbs" will "unity of nurnos ” Vrt, Plttsbur£h's phenomenal success in redevelopment to leXs " P SOHd CO°P-ation of industrial, business, and political REFRIGERATOR ABANDONMENT - Act 4 (SB 108) amends the State Penal Code by prohibiting the abandonment of refrigerators and iceboxes from which doors T have not been removed. REFUSE DISPOSAL - Act 100 (HB 871) permits municipal authorities to construct and operate refuse disposal facilities. DANIEL ROGERS M.r. Daniel Rogers, C’ ’ Harrisburg, spoke about the Division in s role in redevelopment. In 1949 a Housing and Renewal Assistlnce Law wase passed providing $15,000,000 for housing and L 1U TRUCK WEIGHTS - Act 70 (HB 1288) permits heavier weights, increases registration fees, and increases penalties for violations. r �REDEVELOPMENT - Act 33 (SB 135) eliminates the initial URBXN re^irernent of a redevelopment contract as part of a proposal; provides for aPprovai of local governing body before a contract can be executed- and pi, •**' - - • ___ a___ t_______ J i lrninates approval by the Department of Internal Affairs of redevelopment bond issues. VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANIES - Act 51 (SB 150) requires a referendum to replace a volunteer fire company with a paid one. NEW? WHAT ’ S NANTICOKE - Municipal receipts during the first nine months of 1955 totaled $183,969 or $8, 233 short of the amount realized during the first nine months of 1954. EXETER - The Burgess and the Council seem to feel that an additional policeman is necessary. PLYMOUTH - People are slow to meet their tax obligations meaning that the local officials must borrow in anticipation of taxes . HANOVER - According to the commissioners, the sidewalk program is showing amazing progress. LARKSVILLE - Boro councilmen are not yet decided on a selection to replace the Chief of Police, Joseph Mock, who was elected Sheriff of Luzerne County- WILKES-BARRE - The City fathers have passed a budget of $2,017,039-80, adopting a total levy of 18.50 mills, a drop of . 4 of a mill from last year's tax rate. THOU G H T S F OR TODAY No matter whether you are on the road or in an argument, when you see red, stop! can dime iSn,t entirely worthless, cap on a cigarette lighter. It can still be used to unscrew the filling BLICATION I This News-letter v. cal’ Science Depart 6 rnont^1^y as a community service, originates in the Politic-o Dr. Hugo V. Mail^ Wilk;es College. Notes and inquiries may be addressed- to e^’ ^°^tical Science Department, Wilkes College, Wilkes - Bar r e, Pennsylvanta I ��• . ■ :I' • ■ ■ - ■ ■ . ... � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Luzerne County Newsletters and Institute for Regional Affair Newsletters, 1952-1975 Subject The topic of the resource Political Science; Luzerne County; Institute for Regional Affairs; Wyoming Valley Description An account of the resource A collection of newsletters created by the Political Science Department at Wilkes College from 1952-1975 for Luzerne County and later the Institute for Regional Affairs. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Political Science Department (Hugo Mailey) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1952-1975 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newsletters Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Luzerne County Newsletter, 1952-1955 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Political Science Department Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1952-1955 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newsletter