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New on DVD: ‘Saint,’ silliness top picks for new DVDs May 26

Northeastern Land Bank Authority still waiting on gaming grant, preps for award dispersal with motion

PITTSTON &#8212; The Northeastern Pennsylvania Land Bank Authority passed the motion to approve the LSA Subgrantee Agreement between West Pittston Borough, the Pittston Redevelopment Authority and the Land Bank at a meeting Wednesday.The motion relates to the Local Share Account grant, or gaming grant, that would have been rewarded to West Pittston had the Land Bank Authority been approved for the grant as anticipated.West Pittston was the applicant on the LSA grant, but the grant will be used by all four municipalities involved in the Land Bank to purchase and refurbish any blighted properties within their communities. Executive Director the Land Bank Authority Joe Chacke said the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) was supposed to make a decision earlier in May, but now talks amongst the CFA about the grant will be tabled until sometime in the summer months.&#8220;We approved the agreement to cooperate based on if they award the grant,&#8221; said Chacke. &#8220;(If awarded), then we have a mechanism in place to enable to administer the grant.&#8221;Other business discussed at the meeting was the possible additions of Avoca and Dupont boroughs into the Land Bank Authority.Representatives from both municipalities were in attendance of the meeting, expressing their desire to have voting privileges within the authority, which Chacke said will happen.&#8220;The board has agreed to amend our policy and bylaws to allow for additional boarding members,&#8221; said Chacke, who also said that will be done within the next 30 days.The Land Bank Authority consists of representatives from four members of municipalities including Pittston City, Jenkins Township, Duryea and West Pittston. The purpose of the Land Bank Authority is to assist municipalities by purchasing blighted properties and either rehabilitating or demolishing them.The next meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 23 at Pittston City Hall, 35 Broad St. and is open to the public.