GRANT FOR PLANNING, TRAIL-GREENWAYS, & ZONING

An opportunity exists to plan for walking/bicycling trails throughout the Slate Belt region and to update sections of local zoning ordinances to provide a common or consistent set of definitions, procedures, and standards.  Local municipalities would continue to own their own zoning ordinance and determine the individual zoning districts.  We are asking whether two or more municipalities would like to participate in this planning grant application.  There is a local share of 20% of project costs.  CDBG grant funds could be used as the local share.  Let us know if your municipality would like to consider participating.

E-CYCLING AND HASARDOUS HOUSEHOLD WASTE

We continue to need your help – local officials.  Please mark your calendar.  Reserve Saturday June 5, 2010 for our Slate Belt region E-cycling event to be held at the Washington Elementary School on State Route 191 south of Bangor from 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon.  We need volunteers.  We need publicity and most of all we need electronic equipment.  There will be a small charge to defray the cost of proper disposal:  Here are some of the items accepted:

PROPOSED SLATE BELT YMCA

Our SB-COG supports a proposed regional YMCA in the Slate Belt region.   Please participate in a May 22^nd walk-a-thon fund raiser at the Blue Valley Farm Show Complex from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM to register for a one or three mile walk to support the YMCA.  Walk starts at 9:00 AM.

BI-COUNTY HEALTH BOARD RECOMMENDATION                 During our April 28^th SB-COG Board of Director’s meeting, three representatives of the Bi-county Health Board made a presentation advocating our support to the Northampton County Council for them to approve the Bi-county Heath Board’s recommendation to form a permanent Bi-County Health Board and take over all services recommended for the new Health Board.  PLEASE READ THE ATTACHMENT TO THIS NEWSLETTER FOR A ONE-PAGE PRO & CON INFORMATION SHEET TO CONSIDER.   PLEASE DISCUSS THIS AT YOUR LOCAL MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT/SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS.

RECREATION & PEER TO PEER STUDY IMPLEMENTATION  We have all required signatures on our final version of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) except for a signature by Washington Township – The Township Supervisors canceled their April 28^th meeting and rescheduled the final MOU approval to May 12^th.  In the meantime, Again, as a brief reminder, the MOU agreement establishes a Bangor Area Recreation Committee (BARC) under the Slate Belt Council of Governments, discusses finances and outlines terms for a part-time BARC Recreation Coordinator to be hired for a summer 2010 multi-municipal program for children, AND A PROGRAM for adults & seniors as well.  The BARC Committee agreed to divide the first year staff position into two.  The BARC committee narrowed the options to two people and offered the position to both.  Both candidates accepted.  We will now schedule a special meeting of the SB-COG Executive Committee to ratify the action…      Our progress in the Pen Argyl Area School District municipalities is running a little slower.  However, we will be meeting in that part of our region as well.    

   Our progress in the Pen Argyl Area School District municipalities is running a little slower.  However, we will be meeting in that part of our region as well.   

SB-COG ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT & BY-LAWS (A&B-L)

We are asking that Chief Executive Officer of your municipality to sign 13 copies of our A&B-L so that at the end of this process, everyone will have an originally signed copy.

JOIN US IN OUR SOLID WASTE, JOINT BIDDING & MEETINGS

1.        Managers/secretary meeting May 19th-LMBT 9:00 AM