With Westmoreland County shifting into the state-designated “yellow phase” with regard to the covid-19 pandemic, Delmont officials are taking steps to slowly reopen the borough.
“With the county moving into yellow status as of Friday, I think you can reopen the office if that’s your desire, with the CDC social distancing and mask situation,” solicitor Dan Hewitt said. “I don’t think you need to take any action, you can just tell Kellie to open the doors again.”
The borough office will reopen on Friday, borough secretary Kellie Miele said.
Newhouse Park will be reopened, subject to health and safety guidelines.
Hewitt said residents with reservations for the park’s pavilion need to be aware of the 25-person limit on public events.
“If anyone wants to get their deposit back, they can do so if they don’t want to follow the restrictions,” he said.
Public works chief Bill Heaps said the park’s restroom facilities will be sanitized, cleaned and ready for use by May 19.
“We’ll plan to keep a paper in the bathroom and date it and sign it every day to note that it’s been sanitized,,” Heaps said.
Councilman Bill Marx was unsure restrooms should reopen yet.
“If we still have these restrictions, it’s too much of a liability,” Marx said.
Councilman Stan Cheyne disagreed.
“I think it allows people a place to wash their hands,” Cheyne said. “I think we need to do it on a trial basis so that if, for some reason, we can’t maintain it in a safe condition, we can close it.”
