DALTON — An easement was requested by Countryside Conservancy at the borough council meeting April 12. Attorney Ty Welles, who works with the conservancy, explained there is a section of land between Cherry Street and Brookside Road which the conservancy would like to use to extend the Trolley Trail.
“We spent a great deal of time looking at the ownership of that parcel of land,” he said. “And we learned that, initially, that property was part of the DLW (Delaware, Lackawanna, & Western) Railroad.”
Welles said that, in approximately 1950, PENNDOT moved this section of land when it realigned Route 6. He said a letter indicated PENNDOT vacated the land and transferred it back to the Borough of Dalton.
Welles then asked the council for an easement of this property.
“A portion of this (land) is in the borough of La Plume,” he said. “So, we would be making a proposal to them, I believe, next week.”
“We have some ideas, and we actually have a study that’s going to be done this year to look how we might get to Brookside (Road) over to Dalton,” added Cheryl Ellsworth, trail coordinator of Countryside Conservancy.
Council president Gus Vlassis suggested to Welles and Ellsworth if they could survey the Novak property (210 Lacakawanna Trail) in exchange for the easement.
Ellsworth replied, “We would be willing to support cost, but as a non-profit (organization) with limited resources, I don’t feel the conservancy would be able to support the cost for a full survey.”
Zoning officer Jared Gard said Christian Dettore, DCNR (Department of Conservation & Natural Resources) regional advisor, told him a survey on this land was performed 10 years ago.
“It may be enough to get started,” said Gard.
Mayor Aaron Holzman added the purpose of acquiring the Novak property is to eventually have a trail go through Dalton.
Vlassis said the council will put this matter on the agenda for the next meeting.
Later during his solicitor’s report, Frank Bolock mentioned that, in order to grant the requested easement, there needs to be legislation authorizing the council president to sign easement documents.
“If we grant the easement, we wouldn’t be giving up ownership,” he said.
In other business …
• Holzman swore in two new Dalton Borough police officers — Christopher Gnall and Tyler Hinkley.
In his health and sanitation report, Kyle Brown mentioned Cub Scouts Pack 175 of Factoryville repaired the trash can holder in front of the Dalton Public Library. Vlassis added Scoutmaster Phil Bishop called him and asked for a project for the Cub Scouts, so he suggested this one.
“They (Cub Scouts) did a nice job,” said Vlassis. “It looks good.”
• In new business, the council voted to approve donating $500 to the upcoming Dalton Fishing Derby, which will be at Streamside Park on Sunday, May 20.
