Palmerton extended its emergency declaration on Thursday for another 90 days.

Borough Manager Donna McGarry told council this week that the declaration, which was last renewed in March, was set to expire before their next scheduled meeting. The declaration, similar to ones put into effect by other municipal bodies because of COVID-19, temporarily gives the borough more room when it comes to responding to emergencies such as the novel coronavirus.

It was signed by Mayor Chris Olivia.

Residing in a county that has now moved to the yellow phase, McGarry said Thursday that the lobby of the borough office on Delaware Avenue has reopened after closing in mid-March, though the rest of the building remains taped off.

Arrows and line markers on the floor remind visitors in the office to social distance, and masks are a requirement for entry.

McGarry added that the Palmerton Volunteer Fire Department, which is set to resume trainings, will be cleaned ahead of Tuesday’s primary election, readying it to serve as a polling place on June 2.

Community Development Block Grant funds received by the county will give Palmerton around $64,000 to use for coronavirus-related measures, McGarry said. How those funds will be used in Palmerton has yet to be decided.

As operations in Palmerton, and the rest of Carbon County, begin to become somewhat normal, McGarry asked residents to make sure they complete the 2020 census.

In other business

Palmerton Borough Council also decided Thursday:

• To award a paving project on Fourth Street to Gaver Industries Inc. doing business as Barker & Barker Paving. The bid totaled just over $96,000, and it will be paid for using liquid fuels funds, Councilwoman Holly Sell, who chairs the streets and sidewalks committee, said.

• To pass resolutions honoring five graduating seniors from Palmerton Area High School. Though the students were not in attendance Thursday, the resolutions adopted recognized them for their academic achievement and community involvement.

The students recognized this year were Grace Costenbader, Mitchell Hourt, Erica Messics, Margaret Morgan and Andrew Sabo.