Franklin House Apartments Open For Seniors

FRANKLIN, N.J. – Franklin House recently opened the doors to its first tenants amid much fanfare at the new 94-unit rental community on Mill Street in Franklin Borough.  Sponsored by the Episcopal Community Development, Inc. (ECD), in cooperation with the N.J. Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, Franklin House Senior Apartments offers residents 55 years of age and older modern, independent living in a serene, natural setting, in close proximity to a variety of municipal and retail services.

“We’ve looked forward to this day for a long time” said SussexBank President and CEO Donald Kovach, explaining that the bank and its management have been involved with the development of Franklin House since it was first envisioned in the mid – ‘90s.  “This is a proud day for the Borough of Franklin.  A proud day for SussexBank. And most importantly, a great day for local citizens in need of safe and affordable senior housing.”

Mr. Kovach explained that the management of SussexBank is proud to have played a key role in sponsoring a subsidy grant from the Federal Home Bank of New York thereby making available 94 low-to-moderate housing units for area senior residents.  “As a locally-based community bank we took a special interest in this project and from the beginning have backed it 100%,” he continued.  “Getting to where we are today was no easy task because of the challenges we faced along the way.  But as they say, nothing worthwhile comes easy.”

For more information about Franklin House Senior Apartments call (973) 823-6395.

PUC To Investigate Proposed Marcel Lakes Rate Hike

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) has voted to investigate a proposed rate increase for wastewater service for Clean Treatment Sewage Company.

The commission voted 5-0 to investigate the proposed $221,317 (65.8 percent) increase for wastewater revenues.  It is suspended for up to seven months until May 1, 2010, and will be assigned to the Office of Administrative Law Judge for public hearings and a recommended decision or settlement.

Under the company’s proposal, the average yearly residential bill would increase from an annual flat rate of $816 to $1,409.28 (72.7 percent).

Clean Treatment Sewage Co. serves about 370 customers in the Marcel Lake Estates Development in Delaware Township, Pike County.  The company said the primary reason for the rate increase is to restore the company’s rate of return and net operating income to a more reasonable level and to recover the company’s investments in sewer plants.

Correction to Birchwood Lakes Story

An earlier story about Birchwood Lakes cited an incorrect vote tally. The story said that a proposed surcharge on landlords was approved by a count of 1,667 to 361 votes.  Those numbers actually consider several bylaws changes. The correct total for the surcharge vote was 122 for, 63 against.

Seasonal Communities Spruce-Up: Projects in Monticello, Woodridge and Liberty to Beautify Grounds

LIBERTY, NY – Four seasonal communities in Monticello, Woodridge and Liberty are improving the appearance of their properties this summer as part of a Sullivan Renaissance program that helps fund demonstration projects.  The program awards up to $2500 in matching grants for beautification projects that demonstrate best practices for other seasonal properties throughout Sullivan County.

Eligible projects include: fixing up entranceways and gates, planting flower gardens or other landscaping, removal of old structures and cleaning up dump sites, replacing fencing or upgrading signage.  Improvements are made in areas visible to the public.

Far Site Bungalows on Route 17B in Monticello is returning to continue work on an entryway project.  Last season the bungalow colony partnered with Sullivan Renaissance to begin improving the property visible from the highway.  This summer the colony will plant more flowers, shrubs and trees, and will replace a section of old fencing along the roadside.

Regency Estates, a seasonal second home community in Woodridge, is replacing a long expanse of chain-link fence with a modern, yet classic looking wood fence, and planting an array of colorful flowers in front of the fence along the road.  Last season the community replaced old fencing and a corroded gate by constructing a stone wall with new gate, signage and shrubbery.

Whispering Woods, another second-home community in Woodridge, will replace its old sign and landscape the adjacent area and plant a colorful array of flowers.  The community is new to the program.

Camp Shomria in Liberty has two projects.  The first will improve old signage, and include landscaping and flowers at the entrance on Lake Marie Road.  The second project will plant a vegetable garden to be used in meal preparation as a demonstration to campers about how to tend and grow a garden, and to help them understand where food actually comes from.

“Demonstration projects like these are an example to other seasonal communities.  Simple landscaping and inexpensive improvements make properties look better and are easy to do,” said Sullivan Renaissance Community Organizer Richard Sush.

Sush pointed to Lipkowitz Bungalows on Old Route 17 in Ferndale which replaced its sign, surrounded it with incredible flowers, planted large trees, and did some other tasteful landscaping. Although not a participant in this program, Sullivan Renaissance recognized the colony with a Sullivan Renaissance Achievement Award.  “Just like the year-round residents, the appearance of our seasonal community is improving.  As more groups participate in the program and are inspired to work on their own, we are seeing real results,” said Sush.

Sullivan Renaissance seasonal beautification activities include:

-        Mini-grants awarded to summer communities

-        A hands-on workshop on gardening basics in July

-        Publishing the “Building Seasonal Partnerships” brochure for area camps and colonies with the support of Thompson Sanitation

-        Participating in Sullivan County’s “Building Better Relations with Summer Residents” Committee

-        Attending the Jewish Camp Expo and Conference in Brooklyn on March 23

Sullivan Renaissance is a beautification and community development program principally funded by the Gerry Foundation.  Additional funding has been secured by NYS Senator John J. Bonacic and Assemblywoman Aileen M. Gunther.  Sponsorships have also been provided by WSUL/WVOS for Category A projects and by Thunder 102 for Category B projects.

For information about Sullivan Renaissance, contact 845-295-2445 or www.sullivanrenaissance.org.

Walker Lakeshores Landowners Association, (WLLA).

POLITANO DECLARES VICTORY IN WLLA PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

Shohola, PA -   Art Politano was declared the winner for the position of President of WLLA, on Saturday, July 18, 2009.  Politano, who currently serves as the Treasurer of WLLA, won with a 68% margin over his opponent’s 32%.  Politano will replace former WLLA President, Bernard Reyes.  This was the largest voter turnout in recent memory.

Also up for election was the position of Vice President, (the incumbent, Frank Dubowski, decided not to run for re-election), and Mary Iverson defeated her opponent for Vice President by a margin of 69% to 29%.

There were five (5) Board Of Director positions also up for election.  These positions were won by the following individuals, (in order of winning percentages):

Frank Dubowski                     71%

Tom Tate                               66%

Nancy Olson                          52%

Andy Milne                             52%

Charles A. Kieselmann            31%

Walker Lake is a quaint lake community located in the tranquil hills of Shohola, Pa.  WLLA is made up of four divisions; Walker Lakeshores, Pennsylvania Lakeshores, Hinkle Estates, and Maple Park.  There are approximately 325 homes located within these divisions, along with other open and green acreages.

The day to day office operations are run by the Office Manager, Norma Prigge, along with the assistance of Mary Agnes Dorney.