The Eldred Township Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a declaration of disaster emergency Wednesday night in response to the growing COVID-19 pandemic.

The supervisors made the official declaration Wednesday night during the monthly supervisor meeting. This follows Monroe County Commissioners making a similar declaration.

These declarations are taken as pre-emptive measures in the face of public safety emergencies at the county, state and federal level.

“Tonight we have a declaration of disaster emergency, and the purpose of that document is to go on record with the commonwealth and at the federal level, so that should something happen and any extraneous expenses come up, we would be on record having declared,” Supervisors’ Chairman Gary Hoffman said.

The span of expenses that could be covered range and are dependent on the given need of the township. Medical supplies, testing sites, temporary workers and other relevant costs that contribute to the well-being of the community could be included if necessity arises.

“We’re really dealing with the unknown,” Hoffman said.

“I don’t think anyone has faced this situation ever. I’ve been in emergency management for 42 years and I can tell you we’ve planned, but we’ve never anticipated getting this far in something like this. We are all playing it by ear and trying to do the right thing for the people and do the right thing for our staff.”

The Eldred Township Municipal building will be closed until further notice in order to comply with mitigation efforts to limit potential exposure.

The building will still be operational and township business can be carried out through phone and email.

Chestnuthill

Chestnuthill Township Park on Route 715 in Brodheadsville is closed to deter group activities and use of the basketball courts, volleyball courts and restroom facilities.

The other remaining park properties including the West End Regional Park, Big Woods Natural Area and the Silver Valley Natural Area will all remain open for trail use and passive recreation, although the township encourages maintaining a distance of 6 feet from other trail users and limiting walking groups to under 10 people.

The Board of Supervisors considers the Chestnuthill Township Recycling Center/Transfer Station and Compost Facilities to be essential and therefore it will remain open. Operations will continue unchanged, although people are asked to you avoid contact with other residents and staff as much as possible.

The Chestnuthill Township Municipal Building will remain, but people are asked to call the office if they have business. Check the website at https://www.chestnuthilltwp-pa.gov. Residents can sign up for text alerts or contact individual staff members by email. For information, call 570-992-7247.