Montrose Boro opts against Zito franchise

Montrose Borough Council is offering approval to Zito Media for an easement to run its line through the town, but is opting to not offer the company a franchise in the borough.

Council discussed implications of the franchise agreement at the Monday, Nov. 6 meeting. Time-Warner, now Spectrum, holds the cable franchise in Montrose, and the agreement entered into several years ago has a non-competition clause, council members said.

The borough received a letter regarding the corner of Chestnut and Church streets. Council is investigating whether the area in question on the sidewalk is compliant with ADA requirements and if it is actually even a ramp.

Council approved the purchase of a backhoe for the streets department, at a cost of about $70,000. The trade-in value of the current backhoe is at its peak, Streets Department Director Ken DiPhillips told council.

 Aaron Woodruff, of the Kilmer Group, a company that offers municipal insurance, presented a proposal to borough council. Currently, the borough uses another company.

Woodruff said the Kilmer Group, as a member of the Keystone Insurers Group, would provide an increased level of service and would pay dividends to the borough.

The Kilmer Group also insured Susquehanna and Tunkhannock boroughs.

The Montrose Borough Police Department held a Fill the Cruiser event, collecting donations for local veterans. In addition to filling the cruiser with non-perishable food items, $693 was also collected.