Development News for Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

City Council Honors Long-Time Department Store Employee Elizabeth Becchio Upon Retirement

A resolution was passed to honor Elizabeth Becchio for her 56 years of service at Babcock department store, retiring on May 8th, 2026. She began her career in 1970 at the downtown department store, Palmer Dickinson Walker, known as the Boston store, working in the shoe and misses clothing departments. The resolution also humorously resolved that she should never fold another sweater unless absolutely asked to. Mayor Mayor was unable to attend, but sent a special proclamation.

Residents Raise Concerns Over Utility Work Disruptions, Tree Removal, and Notification Practices

Jamie Smith from Wilkes-Barre inquired about utility work on West Ross Street, specifically regarding the blocking of the street, construction vehicles left overnight, and the removal of trees. Smith questioned the ordinance or plan for tree removal and cited an example from West Pittston where a permit is required to cut down a tree. Smith also described being on-site during UGI work, where a subcontractor stated no permit was needed for their task of opening streets and moving meters. However, a UGI supervisor later indicated permits were required. Smith asked about notification procedures for such work and mentioned a truck blocking a driveway overnight. Administrator Charlie McCormick stated that notification typically occurs for main line work affecting everyone, but this seemed to be a smaller-scale disruption. Council members discussed that while there's no ordinance mandating notification for smaller-scale work, utilities are expected to restore the street within a certain timeframe after the soil settles (approximately 30 days). There's an agreement with utilities from a previous meeting to notify neighbors for disruptive work. It was noted that the onsite guy mentioned the work would take two days, but a large apartment building at River and West Ross with many meters might extend the timeline. Residents expressed that it's common sense for utilities to inform affected residents about street closures and work schedules, suggesting a potential ordinance requiring such notification if utilities do not do it voluntarily.