Highland-Lumberland basketball camp a slam-dunk

David Hulse
Posted 8/21/12

Following director Josh Santoro’s September 10 report, Highland Supervisor Andrew Boyar called the Highland-Lumberland summer basketball camp a success, saying, “I’m sure we will continue …

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Highland-Lumberland basketball camp a slam-dunk

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Following director Josh Santoro’s September 10 report, Highland Supervisor Andrew Boyar called the Highland-Lumberland summer basketball camp a success, saying, “I’m sure we will continue it.”

Santoro told the town board audience that the month-long camp had been “huge,” drawing a total of 60 participants between grades seven and 12. He said he was surprised at the number of older kids attending, “forty of those from the high school including the entire Eldred varsity team.”

Boyar credited Councilman James Gutekunst for insisting that the town provide some kind of activity for the older kids. “Then Josh called,” he added.

Santoro agreed, referring tangentially to several recent incidents in which youth substance abuse was said to have played a role. “It was something to do at night, (which was important) especially the way the summer has gone, with so many local issues,” he said.

In August, Lumberland resident Darnelle Prunka told the Lumberland Town Board “We have a severe drug problem… not just in Lumberland, but in Eldred and Yulan… drugs have no boundaries…” she said.

Lumberland Supervisor Nadia Rajsz agreed. “When my kids were at Eldred the school didn’t want to hear about it,” she said.

Santoro said the basketball camp was “good medicine. After the camp they were too tired to do anything else.”

Santoro said the camp had six coaches working with participants and that five Eldred graduates returned to help out. Participants “got jerseys and basketball cards. It was awesome.”

As a further incentive for budget makers, Santoro said the camp was completed at $1,000 under budget. Highland and Lumberland each provided $1,500 for the program.

In other business at the board’s 40-minute meeting prior to scheduled 9/11 ceremonies, the board approved the six-year reappointment of sole assessor Renee Osomek.

Agreeing they will still consider alternate proposals from the property owner through November 28, they approved a resolution to seek bids for the demolition and removal of debris from an unsafe Washington Lake property. Boyar called the resolution “a belt and suspenders, and if it’s not needed, OK.”

The board referred a letter from the Upper Delaware Council to the planning board and town attorney for their determination and response. The letter expressed concerns about unauthorized river-edge construction and campsites at the Barryville location of Reber River Trips.

The board approved Councilman Fred Bosch’s proposal to line the parking areas at the Barryville Town Court and pay Superior Surfacing Systems $540 for the painting.

Boyar said the town’s 2014 budget preparations would begin with a September 24 review of budget requests, to be held at the senior citizens center. He said his review of current year spending showed no overruns and the new budget should increase 2% or less.

Saying a review of the town’s senior citizen-aged tax exemption maximum income level of $23,200 is necessary, Boyar said he would direct Osomek to bring the question to the county assessors’ association.

VFW Commander Peter Carmeci reported that the 101st Airborne is being withdrawn from Afghanistan, thus ending the town’s “Adopt-a-unit” effort. Carmeci said more than 70 packages had been sent.

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