Forest rangers respond to Callicoon Center fire

CALLICOON CENTER, NY — On February 13 at 4 p.m., the Callicoon Fire Department requested Department of Environmental Conservation forest ranger assistance with a wildland fire. Rangers Richard Franke, Paul Quinones, Timothy Schweider and Robert Stratton responded. A homeowner was burning treated wood when the fire escaped and spread into the woods. The fire department completed a fire line around the perimeter. Rangers measured the fire at approximately 2.5 acres. Rangers put out hot spots and issued a ticket to the homeowner for not clearing three feet around the fire. On February 14 at 1:10 p.m., rangers declared the fire out.

Conserving the forest

ALBANY, NY — New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) commissioner Basil Seggos announced the second round of competitive grants for the Forest Conservation Easements for Land Trusts (FCELT) grant program. The result of a partnership with the Land Trust Alliance, a total of $1.35 million in grant funding is available for DEC to award to eligible, accredited land trusts to purchase conservation easements on forested land for the purpose of protecting these lands from future development. Complete details about this grant opportunity, including eligibility requirements and other program elements, can be found at bit.ly/forest-grants-2023.

Concealed carry seminar coming up

HAMLIN, PA — Rep. Joe Adams (R-Wayne/Pike) and Rep. Jonathan Fritz (R-Susquehanna/Wayne) will hold a concealed-carry seminar on Thursday, March 16, at the Hamlin Fire and Rescue Company, 513 Hamlin Hwy. The doors will open for attendees starting at 5:30 p.m.; the event runs from 6 to 8 p.m. Registration is required, as seating is limited; to register, call 570/226-5959, or visit www.RepJoeAdams.com/events or www.RepFritz.com/events.

Villa Roma pays for labor violations

ALBANY, NY — A U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) investigation found Villa Roma Resort & Conference Center and Villa Roma Resort Lodges failed to pay correct overtime wages to tipped employees when it paid them time-and-a-half on their tipped wages, and not at the higher New York state rate for more than 40 hours in a work-week. The resorts, the investigation found, also failed to include additional payments for commissions, bonuses and side jobs in calculating employees’ regular rate of pay. DoL recovered $40,691 for 56 employees to resolve the resorts’ Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) violations.

The investigation also determined the employers allowed 11 minors, aged 14- to 15-years old, to work more hours than allowed by federal law. Specifically, investigators identified several instances where young employees worked up to or past 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. DoL assessed the resorts $9,542 in civil money penalties for its violations of child labor provisions of the FLSA.

Landlords asked to share in survey

LIBERTY, NY — A new survey for local landlords will guide Sullivan County in developing a smoother process for rentals and payments, according to a press release. The survey is online at www.surveymonkey.com/r/69YLZDT. Only current and prospective landlords are asked to participate. Information collected in the survey will not be shared with other entities. Contact information is being requested solely to give additional information that landlords will find useful. Deadline for responses is close of business on Friday, March 24.

County teams with BOCES to provide free construction training

LIBERTY, NY — Thanks to a partnership between Sullivan County’s Center for Workforce Development (CWD) and Sullivan BOCES, up to 15 local residents who want to gain basic carpentry skills can do so for free, starting this April. The nine-week program is being administered by the CWD. Classes start Monday, April 10, and will be held every Monday and Wednesday from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the Rubin Pollack Education Center on Ferndale-Loomis Road. To find out more or to sign up, call the Center for Workforce Development at 845/794-3340 or email sccwd@sullivanny.us.

Check your car-seat safety

MILFORD, PA — The Pike County Sheriff’s Office is now offering free car-seat safety checks. National Child Passenger Safety certified technicians will inspect your current car seat to ensure a proper installation and fit. Call the office at 570/296-6459 or email sheriff@pikepa.org to schedule an appointment.

Farm vitality planning grants available

HARRISBURG, PA — Rep. Jonathan Fritz (R-Susquehanna/Wayne) announced on February 23 that the PA Agricultural Business Development Center has boosted funding by $200,000 to meet demand for farm vitality planning grants. The grants fund strategic business planning to expand, diversify or transition ownership of farms to the next generation.

The program, initiated as part of the PA Farm Bill in 2019, has accepted 308 applications to date, funding more than $2 million in project planning, financial and technical expertise to feed farm growth and sustainability.

Applications for the planning grants will be accepted until funds are exhausted. Apply online through the PA Department of Community and Economic Development’s single electronic application at dced.pa.gov/programs-funding.