NM reaches gas commitment target

BY STACI WILSON

New Milford Borough Council believes enough residents have signed commitment letters for natural gas service for the project to be feasible for the distribution company.

After the Blue Ridge School District indicated last year they would not be hooking up to natural gas as an anchor customer, Leatherstocking Gas Company told the borough at least 160 customers would be required to make bringing gas through New Milford possible.

Council members indicated that number had been reached, including the Sutton Rd. and SR 848 residents who live in New Milford Twp. along the proposed service route.

With service commitment letters in hand, Leatherstocking can now move forward to develop its build out plans for New Milford.

Council discussed the possibility of having gas service at the municipal garage, especially for heating. The borough is looking into the cost to convert the garage to natural gas.

With the borough actively working to bring the opportunity for natural gas service to its residents, Mayor Scott Smith said he believed all the borough-owned buildings should be converted to gas.

New Milford is also looking forward to warmer weather with council discussing plans for improvements in the borough parks slated for this year.

Council President Ken Carey said the pool filtration system and concrete fixes at the pool will be completed prior to its summer opening; and the borough is looking to clear brush on the bank that borders SR 492 in the Blue Ridge Park.

Council gave its solicitor the go ahead to proceed in a legal matter involving a zoning matter dealing with the non-conforming use of business in the borough.

The following appointments were made:
Vacancy Board Chairman – Phil Hari;
Secretary/Treasuerer: Amy Hine;
Solicitor: Briechle Law Offices;
Emergency Management Coordinator/ Deputy Coordinator: Jim Carpenetti and Ken Bondurant;
Designate Bank: Peoples Securities
Newspaper of record: Susquehanna County Independent and another weekly county newspaper;
Planning Commission: Teri Gulick – 4 year term;
Municipal Authority: Phil Hari – 5 year term;
Zoning Hearing Board – Joyce Cobb – 3 year term;
Recreation board: Stephnie Thornton and Chuck Welch – 5 year terms.