County to hold open house on NorLack comprehensive plan

The Lackawanna County Planning Department will hold an open house on its Northern Lackawanna Comprehensive Plan on Thursday, Jan. 15, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Hotel Anthracite, 25 S. Main St., Carbondale, according to a county announcement. The county is seeking input from Upvalley residents.

The Northern Lackawanna Planning Association, or NorLack, is a zoning collaborative involving Carbondale, Carbondale Twp., Greenfield Twp., Jermyn and Mayfield.

The goal is for these municipalities to share resources, minimize duplication of effort and collaboratively tackle regional challenges regarding planning and development.

The joint effort promotes sustainable growth, enhances public infrastructure and strengthens the economic base for all involved communities.

The NorLACK Comprehensive Plan is a compilation of policy statements, goals, standards and maps for guiding the physical, social and economic development of the municipalities and recommendations for future development.

It is “a master document for metropolitan growth, resiliency, and coordination,” according to a 95-page draft of the plan.

Lackawanna County to host kickoff celebration for nation’s 250th anniversary

Lackawanna County will host its kickoff celebration for the country’s 250th anniversary on Sunday, Jan. 18, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Lackawanna County Courthouse Square, 200 N. Washington Ave., Scranton.

America 250PA, the state commission for the semiquincentennial, will kick off celebrations starting Friday, Jan. 16, in Philadelphia and continuing for two weeks in all of the state’s 67 counties.

The Lackawanna County celebration will be held on the last day of the Downtown on Ice festival in Scranton. The festival begins Friday, Jan. 16, from 6 to 9 p.m., continues Saturday, Jan. 17, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and wraps up Sunday, Jan. 18, from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

County library system eliminates late fees

Those wishing to borrow materials from libraries in the Lackawanna County Library System won’t have to worry about a financial penalty for late items in the new year — a move officials hope will bring more people to the libraries.

The system went “fine free,” not imposing fines on late items on Jan. 7. Under the change, which is effective at the seven libraries in the system, patrons won’t incur a fine on their account for overdue items, and existing fines will be forgiven.

Sandy Longo, the system’s executive director, said the initiative was something library officials thought about for a long time, but had to consider its impact on member libraries and their revenue. They also had to ensure each library was on board with the change.

Officials decided to drop fines in an effort to give everyone access to the libraries and allow people to borrow items without the fear of being financially penalized. The system’s board approved the change at its November meeting.

Longo said embarrassment about carrying fines or lack of extra funds to pay them deters some people from visiting a library.

“We’re hoping that having a fine-free initiative will remove those barriers,” Longo said. “If they feel uncomfortable or if they just don’t have the funds, they would come back and use the library without any worry.”

The library system members are the Abington, Carbondale, Dalton, North Pocono, Taylor, Scranton and Valley Community libraries. The Scranton Public Library has three buildings: the Albright Memorial Library, the Nancy Kay Holmes Branch, the Lackawanna County Children’s Library and the Lackawanna County Bookmobile.

System officials are still asking the public to return borrowed items by their due date, and patrons will receive reminders as due dates approach. Items will also automatically renew.

Patrons will still be charged for lost or damaged items, and there are fees still in place for printing and scanning.

Dickson City Decorative Light and Banner Association to hold reorganization meeting

The Dickson City Decorative Light and Banner Association will hold its annual reorganization meeting Wednesday, Jan. 28, at the Dickson City Borough Building, 901 Enterprise St., at 4:45 p.m.

The meeting will focus on plans for the upcoming year, including decisions on new seasonal banners, the Hometown Hero banner program and participation in community-based events.

All residents of Dickson City, along with current members, are invited to attend and participate in the association’s continuing efforts to enhance the beautification of the Main Street /Boulevard Avenue corridors.

For inquiries, to express interest in committee participation or for new members seeking information about how to get involved, call 570-881-3697 and leave amessage.