Carbon, boroughs make changes

Carbon County and area municipalities are making changes to their daily operations in hopes of slowing the spread of COVID-19.

Commissioners’ Chairman Wayne Nothstein said this morning that the board is meeting with judges and departments today to talk about the next steps that should be taken to keep county employees and the residents safe.

Operations at all county departments was happening today, but changes are expected moving forward.

The problem, Nothstein said, is how quickly news is changing, sometimes by the hour.

One thing that the commissioners plan on doing today is drafting and signing a disaster declaration to help make services easier.

Additional updates will be made later in the day as things are decided, Nothstein said.

In municipalities, Summit Hill, Jim Thorpe and Lehighton have announced they are limiting their exposure to the public.

Lehighton Borough Manager Nicole Beckett said that due to the COVID-19, borough hall is closed to the public until March 30 and functioning with limited staffing and operations.

Beckett said a plan for consistency was coordinated between state Rep. Doyle Heffley and the other three borough managers in the county.

“We’re attempting to lead by example and hoping to get our public to stay at home,” Beckett said.

“We are making the proper concessions to make it OK that they stay at home.”

All public meetings are canceled, as are any events held on borough properties.

“With the CDC, the Department of Health, and the federal government, we are listening to their recommendations following suit,” she said.

“We’re working on an action plan and will continue to evaluate. We have to offer continuity of government services, and this approach will assist us in doing so despite the inconvenience.”

Essential services such as police, fire, electric and public works will remain operational.

Borough administration can be reached at 610-377-4002 and the utility billing office can be reached at 610-377-4004.

All customers are encouraged to pay their utility bill by check by mail or utility drop box on North Street side of the building or online by E-Check.

The borough will reimburse the $1.50 for paying via E-Check.

In Summit Hill, the borough, police and water authority offices will be closed to the public until March 30.

Anyone needing to contact Summit Hill police should call 570-645-7429; the borough office, 570-645-2305 or the water authority, 570-645-3223.

Customers should pay their water and garbage bills by mail.

In addition, all meetings at the Hill Top Community Center are canceled until further notice and a decision on the upcoming borough council meeting will be announced in the future.

“We ask for the public’s cooperation and understanding as we attempt to limit public exposure in an effort to rein in the spread of the COVID-19 virus,” the borough posted on Facebook.

Anyone needing to contact Summit Hill police should call 570-645-7429.

Both Lehighton and Summit Hill said additional information will be posted on the borough’s Facebook pages.

Jim Thorpe Borough will be functioning with limited operations until further notice.

Essential services such as police, fire and public works will remain operational. Borough Hall, the police station service window, borough water and sewer plants, and borough garage are closed to the public until further notice.

Borough administration and the utility office can be contacted by telephone at 570-325-3025. For nonemergency police, call 570-325-9111.

Borough parks are closed until further notice. All public meetings are canceled and will be re-evaluated on March 30.

The Eldred Township board of supervisors have ordered the closure of the Eldred Township Community Center until further notice.

This closure includes the areas of the thrift store, the reading room, the music room and the restrooms.

During this closure, no donations of clothing or other items will be accepted.

“With this, we want our residents to look out for each other, their family members and in particular their neighbors. This could be as simple as just calling them or reaching out to them in any way possible. If there is a suspicion of a problem related to the COVID-19 signs or symptoms they should immediately follow their personal health care providers guidance,” Supervisor Gary Hoffman said.

He added though that people should not panic. “There is no reason to do so. We just want them to be safe and use good judgment when and if they’re considering traveling, shopping or any other situation where they would normally be in the company of large groups of people,” Hoffman said.

Nesquehoning borough and borough authority released the following statement just after deadline Monday.

“The health and well-being of our customers, employees and community is our top priority. We understand the concern you may be experiencing surrounding the coronavirus and are committed to being responsive to the needs of our customers and employees as the situation evolves.

“The Borough Offices will continue with normal business hours. However, we are recommending bills be paid by mailed check or online as available. If you must visit the borough office, please be aware that we have taken measure to minimize our employees’ exposure to the public.”

Borough council are monitoring the recommendations made by the governments and will act accordingly.

If you need to do business with the Nesquehoning Police, Borough or Water Authority, contact them at the following numbers

• Nesquehoning Police Department: 570-669-9111 (If it is an emergency call 911)

• Nesquehoning Borough office: 570-669-9588

• Nesquehoning Water Authority: 570-669-6124

“We are asking for the public’s cooperation and understanding as we attempt to limit public exposure in an effort to rein the spread of the COVID-19 virus.”