PLAINS TWP. — An attempt to obtain a 10-year partial property tax break for building on the old Valley Crest Nursing Home site was discussed at the Wilkes-Barre Area School Board meeting. The developer, Valley Crest Real Estate LP, presented the request for a Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance (LERTA) program during the work session before the monthly meeting. The board did not make a decision on this.
During the regular meeting, Solicitor Ray Wendolowski gave the media a printout of the presentation. A LERTA usually allows a developer to pay taxes solely on the property and not on any increase in assessed value after improvements. LERTAs usually last 10 years, which is the time period being requested for this one.
The proposal forecasts an assessed value of $40 million in the first year, $52.9 million in the second year, and $72.5 million from year 3 to 15. The company would pay $73,328 in property taxes in the first year, with the amount increasing most, but not all, of the next nine years until it reaches $531,628 in year 10. After that, the district would receive an estimated $1.33 million annually.
The plans involve creating Valley Crest Commons, a mixed-use center that will feature retail and entertainment businesses.
Approval of a LERTA must be granted by all the governing bodies involved in tax collection. In this case, that includes the School District, Luzerne County, and Plains Township.
The high school will be the site for the annual Field Day organized by the Luzerne Intermediate Unit for special needs students and their families.
At the beginning of the meeting, School Board President Joe Caffrey revealed that the High School campus will hold the yearly Field Day for special needs students and their families, arranged by the Luzerne Intermediate Unit. The event attracts numerous students of all ages as they enjoy food, music, and various other outdoor activities. It has traditionally been hosted by Wyoming Valley West School District in its Kingston stadium, but upgrades are being carried out there.
Field Day replaced the regional Special Olympics, which the LIU coordinated annually until the late Michael Ostrowski, the former LIU Executive Director, cut ties with the organization in order to remove restrictions and allow more students to take part in a greater number of activities.
Personnel Motions
The regular meeting agenda was relatively brief. Apart from routine monthly budget items, it only included personnel motions. The board:
• Accepted the retirements of Colleen Yanora, Margaret Skrypski.
• Accepted the resignations of Courtney Wender, Destiny Cabreja, James Jones, and Nicole Berlew.
• Appointed Shiara Cruz as substitute crossing guard, Rachely Rosa and Nyasha Walters as full-time paraprofessionals for English as a Second Language at 32.5 hours per week.
• Appointed Vincent Breese, Richard Colorusso, Dawn Raggi, and Mary Ann Susek as head custodians. Board Member Arthur Breese abstained from the vote on the first name, while Board Member James Susek abstained from the last name.
• Accepted the resignation of Mandi Zawadzki as junior high assistant softball coach.