H o a r p o p b e s nings l l e
1 • WELLSBORO HAPPENINGS
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NOVEMBER 2020
We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men. ~Herman Melville
No. 34 - Issued Quarterly
BOROUGH OF WELLSBORO, PA
November 2020
By Tim McBride
By Linda Stager
By Linda Stager
ON THE INSIDE...
By Tim McBride
By Linda Stager
The Wreaths of Main Street...............................Page 2 Please conserve!....................................................Page 3 Woodland Park Project Update.........................Page 4 Tioga County Cat Project....................................Page 6
By Linda Stager
By Linda Stager
New Ordinances & Regulations in 2020...Page 8 Paperless Billing.........................................Page 10 Bike Riding on Sidewalks..........................Page 10 Bodine Street SW Project Recap...........Page 11
2 • WELLSBORO HAPPENINGS
NOVEMBER 2020
The Wreaths of Main Street
Each year, Martin’s Garden Center provides the 74 Christmas Wreaths and Bows for placement on the gaslights in the Borough. The wreaths are made primarily from Concolor Fir and will remain in place from the end of November through the New Year. The Bows are dark scarlet red in color, and made of faux velvet.
Martin’s begins their wreath-making in early NOVEMBER. They usually have 3-4 people working to affix the fir to the wreath forms. The Concolor Fir is obtained from an old tree farm Martin’s acquired some years ago. Martin’s staff cut fresh greens as they make the wreaths. The Wellsboro Borough Crew will pick up the wreaths on November 12th or 13th and have them installed in place soon after for all of us to enjoy!
Belz Taxes & More Taxes, Bookkeeping & More 30 Jackson Street • Wellsboro, PA 16901
• Individual and Business Taxes • Consultations and Planning • Accounting Services • Tax Services • Payroll Services
Melissa “Mel” Belz - Owner -
570-439-8884 belztaxes@gmail.com
Fully Insured Electronic Filing
NOVEMBER 2020
WELLSBORO HAPPENINGS • 3
The Gift of
FREE Parking! Are you invested properly? Get a second opinion.
The Gift of 2 Hours of Free Parking will be continued throughout all metered parking spaces this year! ALL meters will be bagged and 2 hour parking will be FREE throughout the Borough! This is free 2 hour parking for shoppers, from
Ryan Oswald
Financial Advisor
Nov. 20th through Jan.3rd, 2021!
23 East Ave Suite 1 Wellsboro, PA 16901-1605 570-948-9777
Then enjoy the delightful shopping experiences Wellsboro Merchants have to offer and park for
two hours for FREE!
MKT-5894H-A-A1
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
edwardjones.com
Member SIPC
Please conserve! RESIDENTS can reduce water consumption in the following ways: • Reduce the watering of lawns, outdoor gardens, landscaped areas, trees, shrubs, and other outdoor plants. • Reduce the washing of automobiles, streets, driveways and sidewalks. • Reduce ornamental water use, including fountains, artificial waterfalls, and reflecting pools. • Reducing the use of fire hydrants by fire companies for testing fire apparatus. • Reducing the use of water to fill and top off swimming pools. • Locate and repair all leaks in faucets, toilets and water-using appliances. • Adjust all water-using appliances to the minimum amount of water in order to achieve the appliances purpose. • Use automatic washing machines and dishwashers only with full loads. Preferably, wash dishes by hand. • Take shorter showers and shallower baths. • Turn off shower while soaping; turn off faucet while brushing teeth, etc. • Install flow restrictors in showerheads and faucets. • Reduce the number of toilet flushes per day. Keep a bottle of chilled drinking water in the refrigerator
NON-RESIDENTIAL WATER CUSTOMERS can reduce water consumption in the following ways, • Reduce the serving of water in restaurants, clubs, or eating places unless specifically requested by the individual. • Identify and repair all leaky fixtures and water-using equipment. • Assure that the valves and solenoids, which control water flows, are shut off completely when the waterusing cycle is not engaged. • Adjust all water-using appliances to the minimum amount of water in order to achieve the appliances purpose. • Shorten rinse cycles for laundry machines. • Install flow restricting devices. • Reduce temperature settings of hot water at least 10 degrees to discourage lengthy shower taking. • Install flow restricting or other water-saving devices. • Advise employees, students, patients, customers and other users, not to flush toilets after every use. Install toilet tank displacement inserts. Thank you. Borough of Wellsboro
4 • WELLSBORO HAPPENINGS
e t a br e l e C
NOVEMBER 2020
Woodland Project
july 16 - August 1, 2021 FROM POPS TO PAGANINI THE VARIETY IS ENDLESS!
Stormwater retention area grading.
CLASSICAL/JAZZ/ CELTIC/BLUES/CHORAL PIANO/TANGO/ BRASS/POPS
and 8 emerging hollywood film composers!
Season P
Grading at start of walking path.
$ 50 1 r o f e l a s ass on
www.endlessmountain.net 570-787-7800 H WELLSBORO H MANSFIELD H H TIOGA H KNOXVILLE H CORNING H H CHERRY SPRINGS STATE PARK H
Demolition of upper pavilion (to be replaced).
NOVEMBER 2020
Park Update Phase 1 of the Woodland Park Rehabilitation Project began late this summer and continues into the fall. LandServ Inc., out of State College mobilized to the site, completing tree removal, earth moving, and installation of the stormwater facilities. Rough grading of the walking path, parking areas and pavilion areas is also complete. The upper pavilion has been removed and will be replaced with a new pavilion. The barbeque pavilion used for the Lion’s Club annual chicken sale will now be located in the area of the lower driveway at the park. As we lose construction weather, items such as playground installation, paving and restoration grading and seeding will be completed in 2021, with a target re-opening date of Memorial Day. There are eight benches planned for installation near the pavilions and along the walking path between the pavilions. These benches can be purchased for dedication to loved ones or service groups. Anyone who would like to purchase a bench (with plaque) should contact Peter Herres, Director of Parks and Recreation.
WELLSBORO HAPPENINGS • 5
6 • WELLSBORO HAPPENINGS
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Making affordable spay/neuter accessible in Tioga County, PA TiogaCountyCatProject.com TiogaCountyCatProject@gmail.com Facebook.com/TiogaCountyCatProject
NOVEMBER 2020
Who We Are
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We’re animal-lovers who saw a need in our community and want to help make a difference. The Tioga County Cat Project (TCCP) is the result of a successful TNR program started in Elkland, PA in 2019. After more than 100 cats from Elkland were fixed in less than a year, other communities expressed similar needs. A county-wide program was the obvious next step.
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The Tioga County Cat Project is a nonprofit volunteer organization with a mission to improve the lives of cats in Tioga County, PA through TNR (trap, neuter/ spay, vaccinate, return) and other services as needs arise. Our vision is to help create a world where cats and people can live in harmony.
What We Do •
Coordinate dates with low-cost spay/ neuter clinics in and around Tioga County to bring large numbers of cats at a time
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Assist with trapping feral cats and transporting cats to and from clinics
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Educate residents about stray/feral cats and how to live with them in harmony
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Help owners get their cats spayed/ neutered and vaccinated
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Refer pet owners to additional programs and resources outside our organization
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NOVEMBER 2020
Contact Us www.TiogaCountyCatProject.com Includes FAQs, form to report cats Facebook.com/TiogaCountyCatProject Includes program announcements, clinic and fundraising dates TiogaCountyCatProject@gmail.com
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WELLSBORO HAPPENINGS • 7
Addressing Tioga County’s Cat Overpopulation
A volunteer-run organization formed in early 2020 is addressing a problem plaguing every corner of Tioga County – cat overpopulation. “There are thousands of stray and free-roaming cats in Tioga County,” said Laura Clarson, founder and president of the Tioga County Cat Project (TCCP). “The few attempts at managing the cat population here have been short-lived and minimally beneficial. With lack of funding and resources for spay/neuter services, there didn’t seem to be an end in sight, until now.” TCCP spawned from informal TNR programs in Elkland and Mansfield started in 2019. Since then, nearly 350 cats have been fixed across the county, including several from Wellsboro. This has prevented the birth of thousands of new kittens. “We’ve been wildly successful in Elkland and Mansfield thanks to the support of the borough councils and residents,” said Clarson. “Creating a formal nonprofit to assist the entire county seemed like the obvious next step. While it can’t happen overnight, we’re committed to helping anyone who needs cats fixed.” TCCP is addressing the issue through TNR (trap, neuter/ spay, return), statistically the most humane and effective solution to cat overpopulation. TNR also includes rabies vaccinations and ear-tipping, which involves taking a small tip from the top of a cat’s ear during surgery. This does not harm the cat and helps identify those that have already been fixed from a distance so they aren’t re-trapped. The program also assists residents with getting their pet cats fixed and vaccinated. Indoor-only cats don’t require ear tips. Volunteers coordinate spay/neuter dates with low-cost clinics in and around the county and transport cats to and from the clinics. Everything is paid for in donations, so TCCP does not charge residents. TCCP is a registered 501c3 nonprofit organization. Taxexempt donations can be sent to PO Box 160, Elkland, PA 16920 or PayPal at www.paypal.me/tiogacountycatprojec (no “t” at the end of “project”). For more information, visit www.tiogacountycatproject. com or contact TCCP to report cats who need to be fixed: Message on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ tiogacountycatproject, e-mail TiogaCountyCatProject@ gmail.com or fill out the form on www.tiogacountycatproject. com/report-cats.
Making affordable spay/neuter accessible in Tioga County, PA
How You Can Help DONATE • Mail checks to Tioga County Cat Project at PO Box 160, Elkland, PA 16920 • Donate online through PayPal at www.paypal.me/tiogacountycatprojec (no “t” at the end of “project”) • Watch for upcoming fundraisers on our Facebook page
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VOLUNTEER • Assist with community outreach and tracking cats in your area • Trap and transport cats to and from clinics • Help plan or staff fundraising events
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REPORT CATS If you or someone you know has cats who need to be fixed (pets or ferals), let us know!
TiogaCountyCatProject.com TiogaCountyCatProject@gmail.com Facebook.com/TiogaCountyCatProject
8 • WELLSBORO HAPPENINGS
NOVEMBER 2020
NEW ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS IN 2020 ORDINANCE 697
COUNCIL UPDATED THE ORDINANCE REGARDING ‘STREET AND SIDEWALK OBSTRUCTIONS IN FEBRUARY OF 2020: No person shall deposit grass clippings, leaves, or snow on any street or sidewalk in the Borough; excluding those times when snow may be moved to the metered parking spaces along Main Street during snow removal following snow events.
Equipment – a charge of $35.00 per hour for all vehicles up to 1 Ton. $45.00 per hour for 5 Ton. $45.00 per hour for Backhoe. All other equipment will be charged at $25.00 per hour. Parts – Actual cost plus 15%.
ORDINANCE 698
COUNCIL UPDATED THE FEE SCHEDULE FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES IN SEPTEMBER OF 2020 BOROUGH OF WELLSBORO SCHEDULE OF FEES ALL FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE TRANSIENT RETAILER PERMIT: $15.00 per day, $80.00 per week, $120.00 per month, $600.00 per annum. All paid in advance. ZONING FEES
ZONING PERMIT FEE: $25.00 ZONING APPLICATION FEE FOR ANY WORK TAKING PLACE BEFORE A ZONING PERMIT IS SECURED: $50.00 ZONING HEARING FEE: $750.00 CONDITIONAL USE HEARING FEE: $750.00 ZONING ORDINANCE OR ZONING MAP AMENDMENT FROM PUBLIC: $500.00 NON REFUNDABLE. If Cost is over $500.00 person shall be billed. PHOTOCOPIES: $00.25 PER PAGE COPIES OF ORDINANCES: $00.25 PER PAGE PLUS POSTAGE IF MAILED CRIMINAL AND INCIDENT REPORTS: $15.00 POLICE ACCIDENT REPORTS: $15.00 CHECKS RETURNED BY BANK: $37.00 CHECKS REDEPOSIT FEE: $12.00 LATE FEES 10% WILL BE CHARGED FOR EVERY ADDITIONAL MONTH OR FRACTION AND ALL POSTAGE COSTS. DRIVEWAY PERMIT FEE: $50.00 WATER $600.00 Tapping Fee for new residential unit plus cost of meter/fittings and labor to install meter, labor, material, and equipment costs $ 50.00 Meter Hook-up Charge $ 50.00 Water Deposit (returned, if current, after one year) $50.00 Turn Off Fee SEWER $650.00 Tapping Fee for new residential unit plus labor, material, and equipment costs Restoration of water service after water turn off for non-payment of bill or violation $50.00
SUBDIVISION AND LAND DEVELOPMENT FEES ALL FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE Review of Subdivisions/Land Developments Category I - Minor Subdivisions: Minor subdivision fees are twenty dollars ($20.) * plus Fifteen dollars ($15.00) per lot Category II-
Major Subdivisions: Major subdivision preliminary review fees are seventy-five dollars ($75.00) plus fifteen dollars ($15.00) per lot. Major subdivision final review fees are thirty dollars ($30.00) plus seven and one-half dollars ($7.50) per lot.
*Base fee includes any portion of the parent tract remaining after lot/ lots have been subdivided there from. Review of land Developments Category I- RESIDENTIAL APPLICATIONS: These fees apply to all kinds of residential projects for sale or rental; any type of building; as a single tract land development., Number of Units 0-3 4-20 21-100 101 + Category II-
General Fee $30.00 $45.00 $75.00 $200.00
Fee for each Unit $7.50 $6.00 $5.00 $4.00
NON-RESIDENTIAL SINGLE TRACT LAND DEVELOPMENT: These fees apply to all projects or sections of mixed projects, which are for non-residential use of any kind for sale, rental, lease or condominium in any type of building on a single tract of land.
Number of Acres General Fee 0-4.99 $75.00 5-24.99 $150.00 25-100 $300.00 100 or more $600.00 SUBDIVISION FEES (continued) In addition to the general fee, the applicant shall include a fee for the gross floor area of all building proposed as follows:
BOROUGH SECRETARY’S CETIFICATE OF FINAL BILLING: $15.00 Each Water, Sewer and Garbage.
Gross Floor Area in Sq. Ft. 0-49,999 50,000 – 299,999 300,000 or more
For Each 1,000 Sq. Ft. of Floor Area $9.00 $7.00 $5.00
CHARGES FOR BOROUGH WORKERS AND EQUIPMENT Worker – actual wages including benefits plus 50%.
All review fees of Borough Engineer will be paid by Applicant plus 15%. (New)
NOVEMBER 2020
WELLSBORO HAPPENINGS • 9
PARKING OFFENSE FEES
Expired Meter Parked in Alley Parked Double Parked at an Intersection or on Sidewalk Too near Fire Hydrant of Fire Station In Front of Driveway or Loading Zone Too Near an Intersection or Traffic Sign Parked in Restricted Area Parked Overtime in Restricted Area Parked Improperly or Against Traffic Parked After Hours in a Restricted Zone Handicapped Parking
$10.00 Minimum $10.00 Minimum $10.00 Minimum $10.00 Minimum $10.00 Minimum $10.00 Minimum $10.00 Minimum $10.00 Minimum $10.00 Minimum $10.00 Minimum $10.00 Minimum $10.00 Minimum
Minimum Fine is $10.00 if paid within 7 days. If more than 7 days, but within 14 days after the dated of this Notice, the fine is $15.00. If not paid within this time, a Summons will be issued and a fine plus court costs collected.
RESOLUTION 2020-05 AMENDED THE SCHEDULE OF FEES
The Borough Council has found the language for fees charged when requesting a public hearing for a zoning map change are not listed in the schedule of fees, The schedule of fees is amended to include charging $500.00 in fees for a Zoning Map Change and raising the fees for a Conditional Use and Variance requests to $750.00. Attached hereto as Exhibit “A” and is incorporated herein by reference. These fees may be amended, revised and updated by Resolution.
ORDINANCE NO 699, AMENDING A PORTION OF ORDINANCE NO 615, RELATING TO ZONING.
This ordinance changed the Borough Planning Agency review period to 30 days to conform with the requirements of Municipalities Planning Code.
WATER & SEWER RATES FOR THE FIRST 15,000 GALLONS EFFECTIVE APRIL 2020 BOROUGH OF WELLSBORO GALLONS 5/8" METER 3/4" METER 1" METER 1 1/4" METER 1 1/2" METER 2" METER 3" METER 1,000 $17.77 $21.52 $35.78 $48.63 $67.36 $101.06 $177.08 2,000 $24.18 $27.93 $42.19 $55.04 $73.77 $107.47 $183.49 3,000 $30.59 $34.34 $48.60 $61.45 $80.18 $113.88 $189.90 4,000 $37.00 $40.75 $55.01 $67.86 $86.59 $120.29 $196.31 5,000 $43.41 $47.16 $61.42 $74.27 $93.00 $126.70 $202.72 6,000 $49.82 $53.57 $67.83 $80.68 $99.41 $133.11 $209.13 7,000 $56.23 $59.98 $74.24 $87.09 $105.82 $139.52 $215.54 8,000 $62.64 $66.39 $80.65 $93.50 $112.23 $145.93 $221.95 9,000 $69.05 $72.80 $87.06 $99.91 $118.64 $152.34 $228.36 10,000 $75.46 $79.21 $93.47 $106.32 $125.05 $158.75 $234.77 11,000 $81.87 $85.62 $99.88 $112.73 $131.46 $165.16 $241.18 12,000 $88.28 $92.03 $106.29 $119.14 $137.87 $171.57 $247.59 13,000 $94.69 $98.44 $112.70 $125.55 $144.28 $177.98 $254.00 14,000 $101.10 $104.85 $119.11 $131.96 $150.69 $184.39 $260.41 15,000 $107.51 $111.26 $125.52 $138.37 $157.10 $190.80 $266.82
1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000
$11.27 $16.45 $21.88 $27.31 $32.74 $38.17
WATER RATES 1,000 $17.77 2,000 - 33,000 $6.41/1,000 AFTER 33,000 $5.00/1,000 BULK FILLING STATION $7.00/1,000
SEWER RATES EFFECTIVE APRIL 2020 7,000 $43.60 13,000 8,000 $49.03 14,000 9,000 $54.46 15,000 10,000 $59.89 11,000 $65.32 12,000 $70.75 SEWER RATES 1,000 $11.27 NEXT 1,000 $5.18 NEXT 14,000 $5.43/1,000 AFTER 16,000 $2.22/1,000 FLAT RATE $40.00
$76.18 $81.61 $87.04
4" METER $270.02 $276.43 $282.84 $289.25 $295.66 $302.07 $308.48 $314.89 $321.30 $327.71 $334.12 $340.53 $346.94 $353.35 $359.76
6" METER 8 " METER 3 1/2" METER $367.07 $398.45 $223.49 $373.48 $404.86 $229.90 $379.89 $411.27 $236.31 $386.30 $417.68 $242.72 $392.71 $424.09 $249.13 $399.12 $430.50 $255.54 $405.53 $436.91 $261.95 $411.94 $443.32 $268.36 $418.35 $449.73 $274.77 $424.76 $456.14 $281.18 $431.17 $462.55 $287.59 $437.58 $468.96 $294.00 $443.99 $475.37 $300.41 $450.40 $481.78 $306.82 $456.81 $488.19 $313.23
10 • WELLSBORO HAPPENINGS
NOVEMBER 2020
Paperless Billing! The Borough of Wellsboro is now offering paperless billing for utility customers. To sign up, just visit the borough’s website at www.wellsboroborough.com and click on the “View eBills” button below the borough calendar. Customers will need their bill to enter their customer number and PIN to register their account. The PIN number is located on the bills below your name and address. Customers can still choose any method of payment when receiving paperless billing.
Come Join Us...Thursdays at Noon Penn Wells Hotel • Main Street
Wellsboro Rotary Club Benefits: Friendship • Community • Networking Professional Development Personal Growth Leadership Development • Fun!
Bike Riding on Sidewalks
570-662-3700 Monday-Friday 10 AM - 5 PM Auto | Home | Life | Business Renter | Mobile Home | Collectable Auto Boat | Motorcycle | RV | Personal Watercraft
TINA JENKINS Jenkins Insurance Agency www.farmersagent.com/cjenkins1 8 N. Main St., Mansfield, PA 16933
One of the activities that have seen more participation since the start of the pandemic is bicycling. There has been uptick in bicyclists in and around the borough. Bike riders are reminded that, per the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code, bikes cannot be ridden in Business Districts on the sidewalks along a state highway. With the increased pedestrians during the pandemic, there could possibly be a safety issue with bikes riding on the sidewalk. Bikers can walk their bikes through this area, or they can ride their bikes down the street.
NOVEMBER 2020
WELLSBORO HAPPENINGS • 11
Bodine Street SW Project Recap
Bodine Street before stormwater project.
Bodine Street after stormwater project completed.
This summer, the borough crew completed the final phase of stormwater system installation on Bodine Street. Upon the completion of this section, the entire length of Bodine Street has stormwater, eliminating the ditches and improving the road condition as water no longer sits on the road or erodes the ditches during heavy rains. The installation of the stormwater system was made possible through funding from the Tioga County Conservation District’s Dirt and Gravel Road Program. The borough hopes to continue improving the secondary roads and has applied to extend the stormwater system on Buena Vista Street in 2021.
12 • WELLSBORO HAPPENINGS
NOVEMBER 2020
Cancer Care in Wellsboro. After discovering a lump and following up with a routine mammogram, Kate Sholonski was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. At UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Wellsboro, Kate was able to receive chemotherapy, access renowned cancer specialists, and be treated using the most advanced technology for cancer detection and treatment — without having to travel far. Today, Kate is enjoying life more now than ever before. Learn more about the care that made Kate unstoppable at UPMCHillman.com/Wellsboro.
NCI Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center
Affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
