Lansford council unanimously voted to adopt a resolution to support the School Tax Reform initiative written by Summit Hill Councilman David Wargo. This resolution supports litigation that will hold the state accountable to provide equitable funding under Article 14.

According to Wargo, Panther Valley School District has not received “its fair share” while “wealthier areas who don’t need the money always get it.”

Wargo said that the lack of funding for small districts “violates their own policies.”

Council discussed many projects and requests.

A request for handicap parking for a man with renal disease was denied because the request violates the current ordinance limiting the number of reserved spots available on each street as well as the fact that the resident doesn’t own his own car.

Mayor Michele Bartek advocated for a change in the policy based on the resident’s health condition, but the board unanimously voted to uphold the ordinance and denied the request.

Lansford is the newest Carbon County municipality to adopt a resolution declaring Second Amendment sanctuary status. The vote was unanimous.

In her monthly report, Bartek presented striking overdose statistics for Lansford. She broke down the report by age group and types of drugs. The highest age group, 30-39, saw nine overdoses. In 2021, 22 people have received Narcan and less than 50% of all people who overdosed survived. Bartek wanted “to make council aware of how bad drugs are here.”

Council unanimously voted to extend the deadline for sewer transmission bills. The new date in April 1.

The American Legion Easter Egg Hunt will be held on March 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The American Fire Co. No. 1 will host a food and vendor event on May 8 between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.