New Milford considers map change

New Milford Borough is considering a change to its zoning map that would increase the commercial district by three properties on the south end of the town.
The change, which would basically draw a straight line from the Lawrence property to Green Gables, is being looked at as a location for the Integrative Counseling Service, P.C. office.
Alyse Kerr, president and CEO of Integrative Counseling Services, attended the May 4 New Milford Borough Council meeting. She also operates a site in Scranton.
Among other services, Integrative Counseling Services provides individual, group, couples and family therapy for those suffering from depression, anxiety, substance abuse, trauma, as well as behavior support, training and consultation.
ICA also provides services to people with developmental disabilities and family members.
Council president Rick Ainey reviewed the process the borough must undergo in order to do a map change, which includes notifying neighboring property owners and advertising the proposed change, followed by a public hearing, which was scheduled for Jun 15.
Kerr said she hoped to open the office by Aug. 1.
“There has been a lot of investment from stake holders to make this a go,” she said, adding that Susquehanna County is considered to be underserved.
Kerr expects to employ about five staff members at the location, and looks to help create higher paying, high skills job in the borough.
The ICS office would be about 2,500 square feet in order to provide a comfortable, clean and modern space for clients.
She also expects to work with local vendors when possible, she told council.
In other business, council discussed recent renovations to the bath house at the Blue Ridge Park with some council members noting they don’t feel the remodel met their expectations of the work that was to have been done.
Members of the economic development committee plan to meet with the borough engineer on May 18 in order to move forward with plans for a sidewalk, curbing and storm drainage project.
The borough also adopted a winter parking ordinance. Those found in violation of the ordinance will be ticketed.
Council also approved a request for a National Night Out event to be held in New Milford at Aug. 1.