Police Make 5 Arrests at DWI Checkpoint, Food Pantry Seeks Holiday Donations and More Department News

Councilman Justin DiPisa, police commissioner, stated in his report Tuesday night that the police department conducted a  DWI checkpoint earlier this month which resulted in the issuance of 27 summonses and 5 DWI arrests, two of which were transported to HUMC under ATRA by Lt. Thomas Archer, who had coordinated the event.

In other police news, the D.A.R.E. program for the fifth graders has begun for the new school year as Sgt. Joseph Rinke has begun visiting the fifth grades at all the schools.

DiPisa also have the year to date figures in violations for 2011 compared with 2010.  Parking violations year to date:  2700 (2011) - 2058 (2010); Moving violations year to date:  975 (2011) - 894 (2010)

In other news around town:

Public Library – The library has seen an increase of 3 percent in its numbers over last year, reported Councilwoman Sonya Buckman, who serves as liaison to the public library.   Over the summer months of June, July and August, the library had 34,000 people walk through the doors. Number of new cards issued totaled 201, with 124 issued to adults and 74 to children. A total of 5,270 library cards have been issued to date.

Food pantry – Councilwoman Pamela Link reported that the food pantry is now seeking donations for the holidays which include thanksgiving dinner items, toys as well as clothing donations appropriate for the holidays. Items such as canned fruit, juices, paper plates, paper products, cleaning and shampoo items, jellies, snacks can be brought to the Borough Clerk’s office. In September, the pantry helped 71 people in need. The pantry is open from 9 to 11 a.m. Mondays. Those in need should contact the recreation department to register.

Tax office – The final 2011 tax bills, which are due Nov. 1, have been mailed, Link reported. The tax office will have Saturday hours at the end of the month in addition to the regular business hours on weekdays. The office will be open on Saturday, Oct. 29 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.