MOSCOW BOROUGH NEWSLETTER
OCTOBER 2009

BOROUGH OFFICE

LANDLORDS:  Landlords are reminded to provide all tenants with a copy of this newsletter or post a copy where tenants will be able to read it.  If you would like your tenants to be on a mailing list to receive the newsletter directly please contact the Borough Office at 842-1699. 

HOMEOWNERS/BUSINESS OWNERS:  Please see that all members of your household or employees of your business are aware of this newsletter.

MOSCOW BOROUGH OFFICE HOURS:  The Moscow Borough Office hours are Monday and Tuesday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

E-MAIL ADDRESSES/TELEPHONE NUMBERS:  Moscow Borough’s e-mail addresses and telephone numbers are as follows:

Moscow Borough Office	842-1699	moscowborough@verizon.net
Moscow Borough Police Department	842-2061	moscowboropolice@verizon.net
Moscow Borough Street Department	848-1265	moscowboroughdpw@verizon.net

VOTING FORMS:  Absentee ballot applications and voter registration forms can be picked up at the Moscow Borough Office.

WAGE TAX COLLECTOR:  Beth Murray, Wage Tax Collector, would like to remind everyone who is employed to make sure that your employer knows that the correct taxing district for your local wage taxes is Moscow Borough.  Also make sure that your employers are aware of your physical and mailing addresses, if different.   

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT:  If you or anyone you know would require assistance in the event of an emergency please contact Kimberly Mecca, Emergency Management Coordinator, to notify her of this situation at 840-4533 or msboro@verizon.net.

POLICE DEPARTMENT

HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS (Chief Ivy Brenzel, radKIDS Instructor): Halloween is a cherished tradition but the excitement of the night can cause children to forget to be careful. Parents need to take a moment to remind their children how special they are and how important it is for them to review and remember their safety plans and rules as they enjoy their evening of fun.  A parent, older sibling or trusted adult should always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds. If older children are going alone, have at least two buddies go along. Plan and review the entire route and make sure your family knows what it is. Agree on a specific time when you should return home. Stay with your group and communicate where you will be going to each other.  Carry a cell phone for quick communication and remember YOUR NUMBER! Call 9-1-1 if you have an emergency, become lost or afraid.  Everyone should carry a flashlight with fresh batteries to light the way. Consider adding reflective tape or striping to flashlights, costumes and Trick-or-Treat bags for greater visibility.  Make sure your costume lets you see and hear perfectly - mask holes should be large enough to see through easily so that you will be able to watch and listen for cars.  To avoid tripping make sure your costume fits – it is easy to trip on costumes that are too long or shoes that are too big.  Don’t run; walk, slither, and creep on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk. If no sidewalk is available, walk to the far left edge of the roadway facing traffic.  Be careful and remember rules for vehicle safety. Stop at all corners, look left-right-and left again before crossing the street to check for cars, trucks, and low-flying bats.  Cross streets as a group and only at corners or established crosswalks.  Don’t hide or cross the street in between parked cars.  Do not cut through back alleys, fields or across yards or driveways.   Respect others and their property.  Stay on sidewalks and in well-lighted areas.  Only trick-or-treat in well known neighborhoods at homes that have a porch light on.  Accept your treats at the door and never go into a stranger’s house.  Run away from people who try to entice you with special treats. Scream, holler, make a scene if anyone tries to grab you or force you to go with them.  Stay away from and don’t pet animals you don’t know. Pets can get spooked on Halloween too.  Bullies and older kids don’t have any right to hurt other children so if tricked or threatened by a Halloween Bully, run and get help and always remember it is not your fault; no one has the right to hurt you. Halloween decorations often are lit by candles. Keep away from open fires & candles. Have your parent or a trusted adult inspect your treats before eating. Don't eat anything if the package appears to have been tampered with, opened or is not wrapped. Children should report any suspicious incidents to their parents or guardians or to law enforcement. Have a safe and fun Halloween.

WINTER DRIVING SAFETY:   The Police Department would like to advise all residents to use caution when driving during the winter months:

 

SNOW REMOVAL:  The Police Department strictly enforces the Borough’s ordinance prohibiting the plowing, blowing, shoveling, or pushing of snow from private property onto Borough streets, whether before or after the streets have been plowed.  Doing so creates an unsafe and difficult situation when chunks of snow become frozen, or even when a thin layer of snow freezes causing slippery conditions.  It is also illegal to blow or plow snow onto a neighbor’s property.  Property owners will be held liable, not the contractors, so please inform your contractor of this policy.

PARKING BAN ON STREETS:  The Police Department strictly enforces the Borough’s ordinance prohibiting parking on streets in the Borough from 2:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., November 15th through April 1st and at all times (including day time hours) during a snowstorm until the streets have been cleared.  If you have visitors during a snowstorm please ask them to move their vehicles off the streets so that the streets can be properly plowed.

SNOW ON SIDEWALKS:  The Borough of Moscow has a sidewalk ordinance that requires all residents to have their sidewalks cleared within twenty-four hours after any snowfall.  Sidewalks must be cleared the whole width, not just a small pathway.  If you live on a corner lot you are responsible for cleaning and removing snow from the sidewalks located in front and on the side of your property.  Also, you must clear the sidewalk out to the street so that access can be made from there.  Pedestrians should not have to go into someone’s driveway to access sidewalks.  Also, if your sidewalks have been cleared but get covered again due to drifting, you are responsible for clearing the snow after the drifting.  

DRIVING IN THE SCHOOL ZONE: Residents are reminded that the speed limit in the school zone is 15 miles per hour when the lights are flashing.  Pay close attention to the school crossing guards who are crossing children at several locations in the Borough. 

MEETING OR OVERTAKING A SCHOOL BUS:  The driver of a vehicle meeting or overtaking any school bus stopped on a highway or trafficway shall stop at least ten feet before reaching the school bus when the red signal lights on the school bus are flashing and the side stop signal arms are activated. The driver shall not proceed until the flashing red signal lights are no longer activated.  In no event shall a driver of a vehicle resume motion of the vehicle until the school children who may have alighted from the school bus have reached a place of safety.

 
SAFETY TIPS FOR A SAFE AND HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON:

At Home:
• Be extra cautious about locking doors and windows when you leave your house or apartment, even for a few minutes.
• Don’t display holiday gifts where they can be seen from a window or doorway. Store gifts before you go away on a holiday trip.
• If you go out for the evening, turn on lights and a radio or television so the house or apartment appears to be occupied.
• If you take a holiday trip away from your home, have some interior lights activated by an automatic timer. Have a neighbor or family member watch your house, shovel new snow, pick up the mail and newspaper and park his or her motor vehicle in your driveway from time to time. Call the police department at (570) 842-2061 to have a house watch on your home.
• Be wary of strangers soliciting for charitable donations. They may attempt to take advantage of people’s generosity during the holidays. Ask for identification, how donated funds are used, if contributions are tax deductible, etc. If you aren’t satisfied with the answers, don’t give.
• Immediately after the holidays, mark new gifts with a unique identification number and record new serial numbers.
• Test your smoke detectors. Make sure your home has a carbon monoxide detector and that the batteries are fresh.
• Use only fire resistant ornaments on a holiday tree and make sure electric lights are in good working order. Do not overload outlets or run extension cords under carpets, across doorways, on or under heaters, or behind furniture. Unplug all decorative lights before leaving home or going to bed. 
• If you have house guests, advise them of your security precautions and make sure they follow them.
• Avoid leaving boxes from purchases (TV’s, VCR’s, computer, etc.) out on the curb for trash pickup.
 
Shopping:
• Stay alert and be aware of what’s going on around you. Shop before dark if possible. Coordinate shopping trips with a friend. Never park in an unlit lot or area, no matter how convenient it is.
• Lock your packages and gifts in your vehicle’s trunk. Keep your vehicle’s doors locked and windows closed. Store all items out of sight. Breaking into an empty car isn't worth a thief's time. However, anything left in plain view – from your holiday gifts to spare change, sunglasses, CDs, cell phones or briefcases – may tempt a thief. Help prevent your vehicle from being stolen by always locking your car and using anti-theft devices. And although it's cold, never leave your vehicle running while you run inside your home or a store – even if for only a minute or two.
• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Pay for purchases with a check, credit card, or debit card when possible.
• To discourage purse-snatchers, don’t overburden yourself with packages. Have your purchases delivered whenever practical.
• Be extra careful with purses and wallets. Carry a purse under your arm or close to your body, not dangling by the straps. Keep a wallet in an inside coat or front pants pocket, not a back pocket.
• Shopping with children? Teach them to go to a store clerk or security guard and ask for help if you become separated. They should never go into a parking lot alone.

Pickpockets:
Pickpockets like to take advantage of crowds in stores, on the street and on public transportation.
Many work in teams with one distracting the victim while the other does the actual pick pocketing. Beware of anyone who jostles you. It may be accidental but, then again, it may not. For women who carry a purse, one that has a flap which folds over the opening and fastens at the bottom is preferable to one that can be opened simply by turning a clasp at the top. Men who carry wallets or a money clip should keep them in inner or side pockets rather than rear trouser pockets.

Holiday Party Safety:
• Have non-alcoholic beverages available for party guests.
• Serve something to eat before serving alcoholic beverages. High protein foods stay in the stomach longer and slow absorption of alcohol into the system.
• Have alternative transportation for intoxicated persons. Don’t let guests drink and drive.

Have a Safe and Happy Holiday Season!  Chief Ivy Brenzel

 

STREET DEPARTMENT

LEAF PICK UP:  The Moscow Borough Street Department will vacuum leaves curbside on Mondays and Tuesdays, October 19th and 20th, 26th and 27th, November 2nd and 3rd, and 9th and 10th.  When raking leaves curbside please be sure that no other debris such as grass, dirt, stones, or animal droppings are mixed in.  Leaves will only be picked up once per week on each street.  Please note that recycling on these days will be pushed back two days.  If you cannot wait until these dates to have your leaves vacuumed curbside by the Borough, you may bring the leaves to the Borough Building to be recycled but we ask that you empty all bags and take the bags home with you to be disposed of.  Also, if it snows on any of those days leaves will not be picked up.

YARD WASTE:   You are reminded that residents only (no contractors that are hired to provide a service to you) are permitted to drop off yard waste, grass clippings, leaves, plants, and small branches (no longer than 8’ or wider than 6” in diameter).  This does NOT include large branches or logs and is not meant for tree removal, only tree trimming of smaller branches.  The Borough must pay to have this removed so it should not be taken advantage of.  This area is monitored by security cameras so anyone caught disposing of inappropriate materials will be fined accordingly. 

RECYCLING SCHEDULES:  Recycling schedules for 2010 are enclosed for your convenience.  Please make sure that you follow the proper schedule for your area.  Also, please note a change in the schedules for holidays and for late October and early November where recycling has been moved back two days due to the fact that the individuals responsible for picking up the recycling also do the curbside leaf pick up. 

RECYCLING:  Any local business which does not currently recycle and is interested in doing so should contact the Moscow Borough Office.  If you are a business and take recyclables to be recycled please ask for weight slips and give them to the Borough Office.  These weight totals can be used for performance grants.

If you are unsure about what can and cannot be recycled please contact the Borough Office for verification.  The dumpster located at the rear of the Borough Building is for corrugated cardboard only and is not to be used for any other items or personal garbage.  If you drop off recyclables at the rear of the building do not leave flower pots, buckets, or any other non-recyclables.  Do not take advantage of this service by using it as a way of disposing of your personal garbage.  Recycling bins that are placed curbside should not weigh more than twenty-five (25) pounds.  Please be considerate of the employees that must lift these bins up high to dump the recyclables into the recycling truck.

The Borough applied for a grant for recycling bins earlier this year but has not yet heard if grant money is available.  At this time we do not have any bins left in stock.  If necessary, you may use any type of container with a lid for your recyclables but we ask that you mark the container “recycling”. 

TREES ON BOROUGH RIGHT OF WAY:   Property owners are responsible for trimming and maintaining all trees on their property including the ones located on Borough right-of-way.  It is less likely that your trees will be damaged from snow or ice storms if they are trimmed on a regular basis.   For those residents who have sidewalks, you should be reminded that any trees adjacent to the sidewalks must be trimmed so that anyone walking on the sidewalk is able to do so in a safe manner.  Please take a few minutes to check any trees near sidewalks to be sure that the branches do not interfere with anyone walking beneath them.

BOROUGH RIGHT-OF-WAY:  The Borough has a right-of-way that is twenty-five feet from the center of the street to each side of the street; therefore you should notify the Borough Office prior to doing any work in this area. 

CHRISTMAS TREE DROP-0FF:  Christmas trees can be dropped off at the Borough Building.  All bags and decorations must be removed.  The Borough does not pick trees up curbside from in front of your homes.

PARKS:  When using any of the Borough parks please place all garbage or recyclables in the containers located in the parks.  Also, if you use a park to practice golf, please pick up all balls.

BOROUGH EVENTS

ELECTION DAY: Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2009.  Residents of the Borough vote at the Moscow United Methodist Church on Church Street, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.  Light food items, soup and baked goods will be available for purchase.

HALLOWEEN TRICK OR TREATING:  Trick or treating in the Borough will take place on Saturday,  October 31, 2009 between the hours of 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT:  National Night Out 2009 was again a huge success.  

Award Winners for 2009:  “Citizen of the Year” – Ryan Morgan; “Volunteers of the Year” – the Young family for the many of years of service that Dave, Lucille, Shawn, Erin, and Colin have put into training and responding to emergency calls for the Moscow Volunteer Fire Company and Ambulance; “Pride and Progress” for a residence - Ron and Sheri Carpenter; “Pride and Progress” for a business - Acker Associates; and a special award was presented to Bill Heim for his many years of service on Moscow Borough Council and for the many years he has dedicated to the North Pocono Youth Soccer League.  The Bochicchio family at 207 Autumn Drive won the “Best Lit House” award. 

COMMUNITY EVENTS

NORTH POCONO PUBLIC LIBRARY: 

Weekly: Mondays – Chess Club, 5:00 p.m.; Tuesdays – Pre-School Story Hour at 11:00 a.m.; Tuesdays – Mexican Train Club at 12:30 p.m.; Thursdays – Bridge Club at 12:30 p.m.; Fridays – Lap Sit Story Time for ages 2 and under at 10:00 a.m.

Monthly: Third Tuesday – Adult Book Club at 6:00 p.m.; Last Friday – Family Movie Night at 7:00 p.m.; Last Monday – Terri’s Nature Hour at 4:30 p.m. (cancelled in November and December).  Book sales, Read to Dogs, and Saturday story hours are regularly scheduled monthly or bi-monthly.  Please check the monthly calendar of events in the library or online at www.lclshome.org/npocono.  Library hours are Monday through Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Friday and Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  The library will be closed on November 3, 11, and 26 as well as December 24 and 25 for holidays.  The library follows the North Pocono School District’s policy for inclement weather and is closed or delayed as the school district is due to poor driving conditions.

NORTH POCONO ROTARY:  “Radio City Christmas Spectacular and a day of shopping and sightseeing in New York City”, Tuesday, December 8, 2009, $85.00 per person, call Gloria Perna at 842-2289 for reservations.

MOSCOW UNITED METHODIST CHURCH:  “Mondays in Moscow”, Monday, October 19, 2009, 7:00 p.m., Christine Donahue, nationally known soprano and graduate of Julliard; “Annual Fall Auction”, Saturday, November 7, 2009, 6:00 p.m. (preview at 5:30 p.m.), light supper menu available; “Road to Financial Fitness”, free seminar sponsored by Consumer Credit Counseling Service of NEPA, Thursday, November 5, 2009, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., call 842-7251 for reservations; “Breakfast with Santa” and “Cookie Sale”, Saturday, December 5, 2009, 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. seatings, $5.00 for adults, $3.00 for children, children under 2 are free, pictures will be available, call 842-2495 for reservations; “Blood Drive” – Thursday, January 14, 2010.