Dimock Twp. appoints new supervisor

BY PAT FARNELLI

 Dimock Township supervisors appointed Matthew Neenan as supervisor on Monday, Aug. 1.

Supervisor Gerald Ellis made the motion to appoint Neenan, which was seconded by Supervisor Paul Jennings.

According to Jennings, the supervisors felt Neenan was the right choice for the job, since he will be on the ballot running for the position in the November election. Neenan has been working as a township employee since June, working on the roads, and will take the place of Supervisor Edwin Bunnell, who died in July.

Gary Mekeel is another new employee of the township. He stopped in the office to ask if they were hiring at about the time when Edwin Bunnell became ill with pneumonia in July, just after falling and hurting his back.

“We needed someone then to replace Bud (Bunnell) on the roads,”Jenningssaid.

The supervisors opened bids for bridge repair onCarter Road.

Penneypacker Welding bid $7,380 to replace both sides with four inch tubing. Chemung Supply Corp. bid $4,684.60 to replace both sides with W beam guide rails, andWayne’s Welding Inc. bid $3,550 to replace one side and the four wings with four inch C channel.

The supervisors, after some review and discussion, accepted Chemung Supply’s bid, because they thought that the guide rails would be stronger, and that both sides should be replaced.

A notice was sent to the supervisors of a proposed Cabot Oil & Gas tank farm for the Wood property on Davis Road.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection issued permits for two pads on the Wood property, as well as a tank farm..

Ron Teel had inquired at the July meeting about rehab houses moving into the township, and was concerned about a neighbor’s property that had recently sold.

He had asked if anything could be done to prevent such facilities from purchasing homes or buildings in the township, or if zoning could be applied.

After some discussion, the supervisors said that even with zoning, such businesses would still be able to buy property.

The township solicitor, Sam Lewis, later confirmed that there was nothing to prevent such a facility from buying property or operating within the township, after Supervisor Paul Jennings inquired about the possibility.

Jenningssuggested paying the township’s representative to the Susquehanna County Tax Collection Committee for attending the meetings, as well as mileage.

Esther Rayias has been serving asDimockTownship’s representative as well as tax collector. The supervisors approved paying whoever represents the township at a rate of $30 per meeting, and 55.5 cents per mile reimbursement for travel.

Jenningsannounced that he would not run for supervisor in the November election. After checking with voter registration and thecountyRepublicanchairman, he found that it is the party’s responsibility to have a name placed on the ballot for the position in the township.

“The Republican party chairman would like to have a name from us to present at their August meeting for approval,” he said.

Craig and Julie Sautner suggested Charlie Baker, who was in attendance.

Neenan made the motion to have Charles Baker’s name given to the Republican chairman for consideration of being on the ballot forDimockTownshipsupervisor in the November election. Gerald Ellis seconded the motion.

Baker is the son of the former Dimock Township Supervisor George Baker, who died earlier this year.

Craig Sautner asked if something could be done to fix his driveway entrance ontoCarter Road. Cabot’s road improvement raised the road, making it difficult for cars to pull in and out of the driveway, he said.

He also asked if permits were being issued for the water treatment sheds and water buffalo sheds that were being installed on Dimock properties, as well as the associated electrical systems. Sautner said he has not seen any permits posted. The supervisors said they will look into both concerns.

Jenningssaid on Tuesday that he checked into the permit situation, and was told that the water system and tank sheds were being permitted through the Susquehanna County Council of Governments.