Lansford Councilwoman Michele Bartek thinks neighbors should look out for neighbors, and proposed forming a home-alone safety chain for residents.

Bartek, who heads public safety, suggested a committee or a grassroots, volunteer effort in which residents called to check on their neighbors, especially the elderly or those living alone.

Other council members didn’t believe this was a borough function, but encouraged people to check on their neighbors to make sure they’re OK.

Council President Bruce Markovich noted that Summit Hill had a similar neighborhood check system in which volunteers would call people every day at the same time to check on them. Those interested would request their name be added to a list.

Bartek suggested the check-in system after she was stricken with carbon monoxide poisoning while alone in her home in early June. Contractors could not reach her and police gained entry, finding her unresponsive.

Bartek said she came around, but was “goofy.” She was hospitalized for five days with the carbon monoxide poisoning and pneumonia, she said.

Other matters

In other business, council:

• Heard from Anna Shigo, Carbon County open space coordinator, who invited borough representatives to attend a workshop on the county‘s open space grant program. The date has not been set, but Shigo sought a contact person as they move forward.

• Heard from councilwoman Jennifer Staines about a number of online training sessions available for borough employees and council members through the state Association of Boroughs. The borough will post the offering, and employees can request to take the training.

• Approved renewing certificates of deposit for four accounts at Jim Thorpe Neighborhood Bank. The CDs will be for six months at 4% for these accounts: Second Railroad Proceeds, $32,131.12; Sani-Investors, $53,925; sewer investors, $56,970.89; and Second Sewer Proceeds, $54,647.

• Approved a resolution setting the police pension contribution at 3.5% for 2025. Councilman Jack Soberick abstained.

• Tabled a fee schedule resolution.

• Awarded a contract to Billiter Electric to provide electrical power to the security camera system installed at Ashton Park at a cost of $2,771, pending verification that PPL approval was granted.

• Passed a resolution to file a Local Share Account grant application for $38,337 for new portable radios for the police department. Markovich and Councilwoman Gwyneth Collevechio will administer the gaming grant.

• Approved the purchase of 15 cubic yards for certified playground mulch at a cost of $717.75.

• Approved a special event request from the Carbon County Hotwheels Club to use Ashton Park from 1 to 5 p.m. on July 26.