Hawley Police warns of telephone scam
Chief Daniel Drake, at the May 11 Hawley Borough Council meeting, warned the public of a telephone scam using the name of the Hawley Police Department. This was one of several matters before council that evening, another being the swearing-in of a new police officer.
"We have received recent reports of someone calling for Hawley Police Department and also telling people to go get gift cards," Drake said. "This is a scam. Do not give any information out and if this happens to you, please notify us."
He said as of the time of the council meeting they have had three reported incidents so far, with one individual who went to buy the cards, under the belief the person was helping the Hawley Police.
The number to call Hawley Borough Police is 570-226-4868.
Mayor John Nichols conducted the oath of office for Lee Rowan, who has returned to serve on Hawley Police Department. Chief Drake said that Rowan will be a "great asset" to their department having been in law enforcement since 1985 and on Hawley Police in 2004-2007.
Parking issues in Hawley
A parking problem has been noticed recently on River Street by the Skier office building where it meets Main.
Council member Elaine Herzog said that it has become difficult for motorists on Main coming from the Middle Creek bridge towards downtown and making a right onto River Street to be able to safely make the turn.
The Police Committee discussed enforcing the "no parking" restriction alongside Skier's on River Street where people have been parking, and to eliminate the designated parking space on Main in front of Skier's (across from the new location for Joe & Lorenzo's restaurant). She stressed having the borough engineer investigate that as soon as possible before an accident occurs.
Settlers' Inn laundry department
Following a hearing, the council approved an after-the-fact curative amendment zoning request of Settlers Hospitality to conduct their laundry department at the former Hawley Ambulance Hall at 219 River Street. Justin Genzlinger, company CEO, explained that staff does laundry there for their nearby lodging and dining establishments including The Settlers Inn, Ledges Hotel and Silver Birches Resort/The Dock on Wallenpaupack, as well as their vacation rental houses.
The borough has had an ongoing zoning violation complaint concerning the laundry operation at that site in the Residential-1 (R1) Zone. Anthony Waldron, solicitor for Settlers Hospitality, said that approval of the zoning modification request at this time does not say the company had not been compliant and is therefore subject to a fine, but they are seeking to come into compliance.
Genzlinger stated that the location will not be open to the public. Laundry deliveries would be limited to between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Laundry won't be done for other parties.
Council member Mary Sanders expressed reservation about extending this use of the zoning district throughout the R-1 zone.
The council approved the zoning request, 4 to 3.
Waterline plans
Ron Bates, representing Environmental Resource Management, a consulting firm for Aqua Pennsylvania, the water company serving Hawley, briefed counsel on a proposed water line project.He stated that the project involves installing a new water line from the Hawley Public Library property at 103 Main Avenue, passing underneath the Lackawaxen River and Park Place and coming out near the first baseball field in Bingham Park (opposite Borough Hall). This will replace a "very old" water line and attach it to an existing water main, he said. A new hydrant would also be installed. The borough will be formally asked for a subterranean easement.
Council member Michael Dougherty asked that the project be timed to avoid when ball games are scheduled, so that pipes left on site do not become an "attractive nuisance."Bates said that the library officials prefer that the work be done in the autumn. The project is proposed to be completed in 2023.
Coming up
Hawley's Memorial Weekend Parade is set for Sunday, May 29 at 1 p.m. The next borough council meeting is set for Wednesday, June 8 at 7 p.m., at Borough Hall, 94 Main Avenue.
This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Hawley Police warn residents of telephone scam
