Tractor Supply Company
Comes To Milford Twp.

MILFORD — After 24 years in business, Luhrs on Route 6-209 will be closing their doors, and Tractor Supply will be moving in.

At the Milford Township supervisors meeting Monday night, Tractor Suppply was ensured the same outside display area as Luhrs. The current owners of Luhrs stated, “we’ll still be working, but not there.”

The outside display area of Luhrs is the area to the left that is fenced in. Owners used this area for storage of items and showing customers driving by some of their stock.

This was allowed under an old township ordinance that allowed outside displays for retail use, which the business was grandfathered into. Supervisors agreed that “if the footprint is the same, they can continue the same use, but expansion of the area would require approval.”

Supervisor Don Quick continued to say, “we try to be business friendly.” Although they approved the use of the space as it is, that includes needing approval if the space is used for anything else. For example, every year there is a fruit and vegetable vendor who sets up in that area, but he would need a permit, which is the same agreement that has been in effect since 1987... for complete story, get this week's issue.

Study Shows Industry

Costs Gov’t. Less

BUSHKILL — Pike County Economic Development Agency (EDA) Executive Director Mike Sullivan briefed Lehman Township supervisors on a study by American Farmland Trust (AFT) comparing cost of government services for residential taxpayers vs. commercial/industrial taxpayers.

AFT conducted studies for communities across the nation over the past 20 years including Fishkill, NY and Bethel, in Berks County, PA. The AFT studied showed that in Fishkill, for $1 in revenue brought in through taxing local homeowners, it cost government $1.23 to provide services.

For every $1 in revenue brought to Fishkill from commercial/industrial property owners, Fishkill spent only 31 cents to provide services.

For every $1 in tax collected from homeowners in Bethel Township, in Eastern Pennsylvania, Bethel spent $1.08, while it spent only 17 cents for every $1 collected in tax from commercial/industrial landowners.

Sullivan said that this shows that the business development is not burdensome to local government. He said, “Local business brings in revenue and therefore is a good way for local government to balance their budget.
“If we can find the right type of business and find suitable sites for a business park, our local governments would certainly benefit from the tax advantages yielded.”

WMH Upgraded To

Regional Stroke Center

LACKAWAXEN — Wayne Memorial Hospital (WMH) is upgrading its services at its Honesdale facility as a major regional stroke center that would benefit residents in Wayne County and Pike County.

WMH Director of Patient Services James Pettinato, who is an RN, and WMH Public Relations Manager Lisa Champeau, spoke about the upgrade at a regular Lackawaxen Township meeting, held at the township building on Urban Road on Monday.

Pettinato said that WMH has been treating stroke patients for years, but committed to improve its resources and services for stroke patients. WMH is adopting state-of-the-art technology such as Telestroke Video Analysis, and qualifying to be a state designated Stroke Center.

Becoming such a center requires WMH to follow national accrediting standards as defined in state legislation and obtain certifications from the accrediting bodies recognized by the state. Eventually Pettinato believes most hospitals would become certified stroke centers, but WMH expects to be certified in a few months.

Meanwhile, Pettinato said that WMH is opening its Telestroke program in two weeks. The program links WMH Emergency Department staff with Geisinger Health System neurologists 24/7... for complete story, get this week's issue.