Latest news with #ZoningBoard
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Johnson College's diesel programs might move to off-campus site in Scranton
SCRANTON — Johnson College's diesel programs might relocate to a site on North Keyser Avenue in Scranton, the college president said. Marelli Realty LLC seeks a variance from the city Zoning Board to construct a 100-foot-by-70-foot building at 1646 N. Keyser Ave. for use by Johnson College's diesel program. The board will hear the application Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Scranton City Hall, according a public notice of the board's agenda published in The Times-Tribune on May 2 and Wednesday. College President and CEO Katie Pittelli, Ed.D., said the plan calls for Marelli Reality to construct the building on a vacant lot on North Keyser Avenue and lease the structure to Johnson College. 1646 N Keyser Ave. in Scranton on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) The college currently teaches a two-year Diesel Truck Technology Associate Degree program and one-year Diesel Preventative Maintenance Technician certificate program at the main campus at 3427 N. Main Ave. in Scranton, Pittelli said in an email. If a new building on North Keyser Avenue gets zoning approval, the college would move the diesel programs from the main campus to the North Keyser Avenue site, freeing up space for other programs at the main campus, she said. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 3% growth in the diesel industry until 2033 with demand widespread and needed in construction, large transportation fleets and agriculture, Pittelli said. 'This field is growing due to the overall increased demand for commercial transportation and due to the ever-changing, complex technology,' Pittelli said. 'As technology continues to evolve, the industry will need the highly skilled technicians who are well-versed in maintaining and repairing these complex pieces of machinery.' The college's Diesel Truck Technology program prepares students as entry-level technicians with the latest information on diagnosis, repair procedures, preventive maintenance and necessary safety applications in diesel technology, according to the college website. The program graduates more than 20 students each year who have an immediate impact on the diesel truck industry, especially in Northeast Pennsylvania. The current diesel technology building at Johnson College in Scranton on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)The current diesel technology building at Johnson College in Scranton on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) The college currently has diesel program labs at Five Star Equipment in Dunmore and Simplex Industries in Scranton, as well as Commercial Driver License (CDL) classes at Road Runner CDL Academy in Taylor and at Johnson College at the CAN DO Training Center in Hazle Twp. The college's Aviation Technology program runs at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport. A diesel site on North Keyser Avenue would be a location for that program, and not a full campus, like the main campus on North Main Avenue in Scranton or its Hazleton campus, she said. * The current diesel technology building at Johnson College in Scranton on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * The current diesel technology building at Johnson College in Scranton on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * The current diesel technology building at Johnson College in Scranton on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * 1646 N Keyser Ave. in Scranton on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Show Caption 1 of 4 The current diesel technology building at Johnson College in Scranton on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Expand
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Amy Hansen and Jeff Grip win Hampton Select Board seats: Election results
HAMPTON — Amy Hansen and Jeff Grip won Tuesday's selectmen races for two open positions, while voters approved police union contracts and improvements to the town's safety pier. Hansen, the current board chair, won her second straight term and a three-year seat with 1,972 votes, defeating Regina Barnes who had 763 votes and Brian Warburton who had 671. Grip won a two-year seat in a four-way race defeating Bruce Theriault's 756 votes, Derek Beaupre's 408 votes and Matthew Flynn's 401 votes. 'I'm a little speechless,' Hansen said Tuesday after the results were posted. 'I'm very excited and relieved the campaigning process is over.' In the race for School Board, voters elected Sarah Elliott and Candice O'Neil. They defeated incumbents Ginny Bridle Russell and Leslie Shepard as well as Frank Bajowski. In other contested races, a three-way race for two three-year seats on the Budget Committee was won by Fred Diana and Michael Plouffe. For the one-year seat on the Budget Committee, Aleksandra Ring defeated Mary Blackwell, Joseph Bamforth and Patrick Sheridan. Matthew Saunders was elected to the Zoning Board while Sharon Mullen and Keith Lessard were re-elected to the town Planning Board. In the race for town clerk, Cheryl Hildreth defeated Beth Frongillo by a vote of 2,010 to 1,121. The town also voted 2,245 to 971 to approve the town's proposed $36.3 million operating budget, which was $67 less than the default budget. Sixty-seven percent of the budget consists of wages ($15.6 million) and employee benefits ($8.7 million). Other items include $2.8 million in debt payments, $2.2 million for contracts, and $1 million for repairs and maintenance. The school budget was approved by a vote of 2,229 to 1,081. Also gaining approval were two three-year employee contracts: one for Hampton police officers and another for the department's sergeants. Both contracts feature adjustments to the current salary schedule, with a 6.5% wage increase in the first year, and a 3% increase in the second and third years. Additionally, the contracts address adjustments to health insurance and an increase in private detail wages, paid by outside vendors. The new contract also introduces Juneteenth as a holiday and provides a stipend for patrolmen assigned with a police K-9. Voters also approved $300,000 from the town's unassigned fund balance to repair and upgrade the Hampton Public Safety Pier. A citizens' petition request to amend the elderly property tax exemption program to increase an applicant's net assets from $250,000 to $367,000 to qualify was rejected. Four other citizens' petitions deemed illegal by the town attorney were also rejected, including one to regulate commercial businesses in the residentially zoned district at 17/17R Barbour Road. For the first time in decades, voters rejected a citizens' petition for $52,958 to provide child benefit services for Hampton students who attend Sacred Heart School. Voters have supported providing funding under RSA 198:49 to the Catholic school each year since 1975. The state law was created to allow non-public schools the means of attaining educational resources normally provided to public schools by the state. None of the funds are used for religious purposes and are directly used to benefit the students from Hampton who attend the school. The article, which was not recommended by the School Board or Budget Committee, was defeated by a vote of 1,345 to 1,961. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Amy Hansen re-elected to Hampton Select Board: Election results
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Election 2025: Here's more about the two Republicans running to be Pontiac's next mayor
There's only one race on Pontiac's primary ballot Feb. 25, but it's a big one. Two candidates from the Republican party are competing against each other for the Republican nomination for mayor. Incumbent Bill Alvey is being challenged by city council member Kelly Eckhoff. The Daily Leader sent questionnaires to the candidates. Here are some their responses. Occupation: worked at Wright's Furniture for 39 years. Before that, he was advertising manager at the Daily Leader. Background: Zoning Board 2½ years; Ward 1 Alderperson 5 years; Mayor 6 years (replaced Bob Russell, then elected in 2021); also served on Chamber of Commerce Board, PROUD Board (including as president), Downtown Merchants Association (4 years as chairman) Family: wife, Diana, one son and two grandchildren Education: Graduated from Pontiac Township High School and attended Illinois State University. Why are you running for mayor? Running for re-election is important to me. I want to make sure plans we have started are finished. What policies are most important to you? Among the projects in the works for the city are the fire department's substation, which has a very high priority. Also in the plans are the upcoming Route 66 Centennial plans (which is in 2026), work to be done on streets and so many other projects. We have put together a great team and staff to make our town the best we can. What challenges does Pontiac face? Like so many other communities, we are facing issues on affordable housing, finding staff for our departments, which has brought us a loss of residents. We are working with state, county groups to build up our reach and improve our spread of information. How do you plan to face these challenges? It comes down to working together and make the best outcome. Working together, we find ways to improve and overcome. What are your accomplishments as a member of the city council? I'm very proud of our departments and staff. 1) Our fire department's growth and the way we have been able to take on the ambulance duty with 24-hour notice; 2) Our parks and rec growth, the addition of the ice rink, the buildup of Block 59. I'd love to take credit for all the improvements and success we have had over the last 6-plus years, but it's been a group effort with the council, city administrator and city staff. Working with Adam Dontz and GLCEDC; working with each department has been easy with help of city administrator, monthly visits keep everyone thinking of team — from library to airport to state and federal government office holders. Occupation: Eckhoff manages the farm properties owned by herself and her siblings. Her 'full-time' job has been volunteering in the community for more than 20 years. Her volunteering efforts have been at St. Mary's School/Church and Pontiac Elks #1019. Background: Ward 2 alderperson since May 2007. Currently serves as chairman of the Finance & Administration Committee, chairman of the Housing Study Committee, and member of the Infrastructure Committee and Community Service committee. Council representative on the Citywide Heart & Soul community engagement process that was done in 2018-19. Was the lead planner for the city's weeklong celebration of its 175th birthday in 2012 Family: husband, Bob, three daughters and eight grandchildren Education: Graduated from Pontiac Township High School and Illinois Wesleyan University, bachelor of arts degree in Accounting. Why are you running for mayor? Pontiac needs to remain attractive to the next generation or our city will shrivel up and die. I will dedicate to making a difference so it can happen. I have the time and energy to commit to leading the decision-making process that will build a better tomorrow for Pontiac. What policies are most important to you? Proactive planning has to be a priority. Communication and collaboration between local government and residents is critical to revitalizing our civic pride.' What challenges does Pontiac face? Transportation maintenance is a never-ending challenge. Adequate housing is a critical challenge, and energy in our central business district — more retail, more shoppers, more events to engage people — is necessary. Also spending tax revenues wisely. How do you plan to face these challenges? Council recently adopted a five-year infrastructure maintenance plan that will need periodic review. Increased sales tax revenues may allow us to make additions to the plan. The reality of infrastructure maintenance is that we are never going to keep up with it. Keeping the residents informed is a monumental task that I want to conquer. If elected, I will plan for monthly (minimum) resident engagement events. The event will be an opportunity for residents to gather in a casual setting to learn what's going on with the city, and for them to share ideas/concerns. My intention is to create a positive platform for community engagement. What are your accomplishments as a member of the city council? Our city council is comprised of a good team of people that work very well together. I am proud that we do maintain a fiscally responsible budget. That is not an individual accomplishment but is attributed to a good collaboration between the council and city staff. Erich Murphy is a reporter with the Pontiac Daily Leader. This article originally appeared on Pontiac Daily Leader: Alvey faces challenge from Eckhoff for Pontiac mayor
