On Monday Schuylkill Township held their first in-person township meeting since the COVID-19 outbreak began, following standard social distancing procedures set by Gov. Tom Wolf.

Township police Chief Frank DiMarco discussed the approval of the John E. Morgan Foundation grant providing the department $28,500 to upgrade police vehicle equipment.

DiMarco said, “It should not cost us or the public anything for the install.”

These vehicular upgrades include an improved GPS system, computer screen and better data logging capabilities. “We’ll be able to see things on our screen. Instead of going over the radio, it will be dispatched by the computer,” DiMarco said. “Another good thing about it is it’s a data log. The reports will tell you every call you’ve had independent of the computer system we have. It’s already logged. Everything we did, it’s recorded on that computer in the car.”

The township is grateful for the grant as it could greatly improve productivity and effectiveness within the police force.

DiMarco also informed the board of the recent ordinances regarding the quality of life violations within the township. These violations include uncut grass and garbage visible in residents’ yards.

Originally, major violators were mailed letters informing them of the violations, yet this did not bring a notable response. This led to an official ordinance being enforced including fines for quality of life violations.

“This is what it (the ordinance) was designed to do. Let people know they’re getting fined if they don’t cut their grass or clean their garbage up,” DiMarco said.

“What happens is we’ll write the ticket, put it on the door, tape it, and record it to our computer system. They have so many hours or days to rectify it. If they don’t, they get another ticket. If the third time they don’t and it’s after 30 days, then they get a citation.”

So far, the township has already seen homeowner improvements due to the ordinances.

“I mean it’s gonna be a slow start, but we think we’re in the right direction with it,” DiMarco said.

One of the final orders of business of the meeting was in regard to the township extending the Declaration of Disaster Emergency until July 6 due to the COVID-19 outbreak. This extension serves as a precaution as the township adjusts to the yellow phase of Wolf’s reopening plan.