Unity supervisors extend curtailed operations, mull meeting format amid covid-19 pandemic

The Unity Township supervisors have extended through the end of June a disaster declaration upholding their decision to curtail operations and access at the township building.

The declaration was extended for 90 days on Wednesday to encourage social distancing and help protect against the local spread of coronavirus infections.

Just six chairs were available for audience members at Wednesday’s 8 a.m. special meeting in order to maintain the 6 feet of separation advised by health officials. Also, the three supervisors and township secretary spaced themselves far apart on the meeting room dais, with two other township officials seated in the audience.

The supervisors have yet to decide how they will handle their regular April 9 meeting.

As the coronavirus pandemic unfolds, Pennsylvania has adjusted guidelines and directives for public and business activities.

“This is a fluid situation,” said township Solicitor Gary Falatovich. “Everybody is doing the best they can under the circumstances. Everybody is just going to be looking for some cooperation and understanding from the general public with respect to how public meetings are conducted.

“There is some thinking that you can comply with your open meeting requirements by having everyone call in remotely, shutting down this (meeting) room to the public and just broadcasting your meeting through Facebook Live or Zoom or something along those lines.”

Supervisor Michael O’Barto said new operating procedures and restricted access at the township office building are meant to protect the public as well as township employees.

The office staff is working from home as much as possible, though supervisors Chairman John Mylant said, “someone is always here taking phone calls. We have a communication circle — as long as we keep that going, we’ll get through this.”

Under a policy that went into effect March 17, the public can no longer enter the township building to conduct business, though access remains to an outer vestibule where public notices are posted. No new building permit applications are being accepted, and planning commission and zoning hearing board meetings have been cancelled.

The township tax office also is closed, but it may be reached by phone. Cash payment won’t be accepted for tax bills. Payment may be sent by mail or placed in a drop mail slot at the tax office entrance.

Township emergency management coordinator Tom Schultheis Jr. said the volume of emergency calls answered by local volunteer fire departments has dropped — perhaps by 30% — over the last few weeks. Since Gov. Tom Wolf has ordered non-essential businesses to close and Westmoreland County residents to stay home and forgo non-essential travel, “there are a lot less people on the roads,” Schultheis said.

“When the calls come in, we still respond,” he said. “In some cases, we have even more of a (firefighter) turnout because people have been laid off or furloughed temporarily.”

He said local first responders are taking precautions to help prevent coronavirus spread when heading out on emergency calls.

“Everybody’s got a family to go back to, and they don’t want to contaminate themselves or their family,” Schultheis said of emergency crews. “We will get through this, but everybody has got to be vigilant and keep their distance.”