A limited number of produce vouchers are still available to Weatherly area senior citizens.

During the Carbon County Commissioners' meeting on Thursday, the board talked about the Senior Farmers' Market Program, which offers $20 vouchers to county seniors over 60 years old and who meet income guidelines.The problem, Commissioner Thomas J. Gerhard said, was that a glitch with getting the word out in one area newspaper that serves Weatherly caused the seniors to miss the distribution dates.Commissioner Wayne Nothstein, chairman, said the number of seniors who received the vouchers was extremely low, so the county wants to make sure they can still take part in the program.He said the vouchers are available to Weatherly seniors who have not yet received them.Vouchers can be picked up at the Carbon County Area Agency on Aging office in Palmerton, but the commissioners are planning to speak with the agency about setting up another distribution day in the borough so seniors don't have to travel a distance.The purpose of the program is to encourage older adults to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables from local growers who make their produce available at farmers markets.To be eligible, seniors must be a Carbon County resident age 60 or older with a total gross annual income at or below $21,590 for a single person and $29,101 for a couple. A couple is entitled to $20 each.Proof of age and residency is required by showing a driver's license or photo ID.For those who are not able to get to the office to pick up the voucher, a representative can pick up the vouchers for them, as long as the representative brings a completed proxy form signed by the person who the vouchers are for. The proxy form is needed for those picking up for their spouse as well.Proxy forms are available at the senior center or at the Area Agency on Aging office.The Senior Farmers' Market Program is made possible through the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Food Distribution.For more information, Weatherly seniors can also call the Area Agency on Aging at 800-441-1315, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.In other matters, the board discussed the following items:• Gerhard said that the Carbon County Animal Shelter yard sale, held July 5 and 6, netted $1,613.97 for the shelter. He thanked the employees, volunteers and community for making it a success. The yard sale will now be held annually the weekend after the Fourth of July.• Nothstein reported that the state has extended the Acts 56 and 78 laws for another year. This will allow legislators to rewrite the laws that deal with wired and wireless telephone lines and funds for communication centers.• Accepted the resignation of Daniel Salas of Jim Thorpe as a corrections officer at the prison, effective July 2.• Hired Mary E. Donnelly of Nesquehoning as a part-time cleaning person for buildings and grounds, effective July 14.• Hired Kassandra E. Gray of Lansford as a lifeguard at Mauch Chunk Lake Park, effective July 11.• Accepted the change of status of Thomas B. Wassil of Weatherly from part-time dispatcher to 911 operator at the communications center, effective July 21.