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Five Luzerne County assistant district attorneys promoted

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<p>HANOVER TWP. &#8212; The Hanover Area School Board approved a tax break, known as Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance (LERTA), for the site where a new state police building is planned.</p><p>The board on Tuesday also took preliminary steps to fix the high school pool, largely unused for seven years.</p><p>An investment group has submitted a public proposal to the state to build a 55,000-square-foot building to be leased to the state as the headquarters for the Pennsylvania State Police Northeast Regional Headquarters, at a projected cost of $16 million. The LERTA forgives real estate taxes on new construction for 10 years, but not the taxes for the property itself. Hanover Township has already approved the plan. Luzerne County must also sign off.</p><p>Regarding the pool, the board authorized district engineer Borton-Lawson to develop an estimated cost of pool renovations. Drawing up the estimate is not to cost more than $2,500. Superintendent Nathan Barrett said the district has an estimate from three years ago of about $200,000. He said the pool has been little used for about seven years thanks to cracks and other problems in the gutter system.</p><p>If the estimate is low enough, the district will look for money to repair it. The board also authorized Hanover Township to apply for a grant to pay for the pool through the state&#8217;s Local Share Account. That money comes from legalized gambling revenue the state receives each year. School districts cannot apply for the money directly, but can apply through municipalities.</p><p><strong>Praise for Barrett</strong></p><p>Board President John Mahle cited the initiative on the pool repairs in a list of achievements he credited to Barrett&#8217;s short tenure since taking his post Sept. 1. Mahle also said Barrett:</p><p>&#8226; Obtained a washer and dryer for Lee Park and Memorial elementary schools, and obtained a donation of Tide laundry detergent from Procter &amp; Gamble Company.</p><p>&#8226; Is starting an artist-in-residence program in the elementary schools.</p><p>&#8226; Arranged flu shots for staff through Rite Aid Pharmacy.</p><p>&#8226; Partnered with Lamar Advertising to highlight perfect attendance students.</p><p>&#8226; Is working on a possible partnership to reopen the high school greenhouse</p><p>&#8226; Has worked with central administration and a local instructor to provide yoga/mediation for special needs students.</p><p>&#8220;In my 22 years on the board, I&#8217;ve never seen someone so energetic,&#8221; Mahle said after the meeting.</p><p>The board also approved a contract with Reliable Transportation to provide service for some special needs students.</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Mark Guydish</p><p>mguydish@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Mark Guydish at 570-991-6112 or on Twitter @TLMarkGuydish</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Hanover Area OKs tax break for state police HQ project, eyes pool fix