Lower Burrell officials on Monday plan to send a letter to Gov. Tom Wolf asking him to reopen businesses that have been shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The letter, signed by Mayor John Andrejcik and council members Joe Grillo, Rosina Albanese, Rob Hamilton and Chris Fabry, said the city has followed all state orders thus far. But any further delay in opening businesses could threaten the livelihood of local business owners, they wrote.

“The thread of our community is the good people in small business. Your decision to unilaterally rescind licenses and threaten citation to business owners rips the thread from our fabric of community,” the officials wrote in the letter, dated May 15. “Their civil liberties are at stake. Let us not forget about their constitutional rights. Let them be a voice heard around the state.”

Despite the fact Westmoreland County has moved to the yellow phase of Wolf’s reopening plan, businesses such as gyms, hair and nail salons, and theaters, must remain closed; and bars and restaurants are still limited to takeout and delivery only. Businesses could lose their licenses to operate if they violate reopening guidelines.

City officials said local business owners are looking for answers as to when they will be able to open back up.

“Their level of frustration is mounting, day-by-day, week-by-week,” officials wrote.

The letter said businesses will adhere to guidelines set forth by health experts such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“We find no pleasure in writing letters like this, but we feel at this time that we have no choice,” officials wrote. “We all want business to open up as soon as possible, as safe as we can. We believe that is a viable option at this time.”

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)