Gilpin, Leechburg offices closed, but services still available

More Alle-Kiski Valley communities have closed their municipal offices to the public due to coronavirus, but residents can still contact officials by phone or email.

Gilpin’s office will remain closed through the end of the month.

Gilpin Secretary Sharon Long can be reached at secretary@gilpintwp.com or by phone at 724-845-0981.

Leechburg’s office will remain closed until further notice. Leechburg’s secretaries can be reached by phone at 724-842-8511. Any payments that need to be made to the borough can be dropped into the boxes that are to the right of the office door in the front of the building.

The Leechburg Recycling Plant also will be closed until further notice, Leechburg Mayor Wayne Dobos said. The plant will not accept, pickup or allow anyone to drop off any recyclables, Dobos said.

Police services remain available in both communities.

Gilpin police can be reached at 724-845-7979. Police in Leechburg can be reached at 724-842-8531.

Gilpin Supervisors Chairman Charles Stull said the board held an emergency meeting Monday night, during which they voted to declare an emergency in the township.

By declaring an emergency, the township can receive state and federal funding related to the pandemic, Stull said.

Stull said the township is able to apply for 75% reimbursement for all expenses related to the emergency, such as wages for police officers and road crew workers.

“We voted to shut down our road department to emergency calls only through the rest of March,” Stull said. “The crew will still be paid for their normal week, and we will apply for the 75% reimbursement of the wages.”

The board also voted to institute 24-hour police coverage in Gilpin through the end of March. “Again, we can apply for 75% reimbursement of additional wages used,” Stull said.

Leechburg had not declared an emergency as of Wednesday morning, Dobos said.