West Mahanoy code enforcer resigns; township receives notification of Comcast effort to receive broadband grant
SHENANDOAH HEIGHTS – West Mahanoy Township is seeking a new code enforcement officer, and could eventually have a new provider of broadband service.
Township supervisors accepted the resignation of David Zaleski as code enforcement officer at Tuesday’s regular meeting.
His last day will be August 25.
“Thank you, DJ, for stepping up when we needed you,” Chairman Paul “Pepper” Martin said during the meeting. “We hope for the best for you in the future.”
In other business, the township received a letter from Comcast noting that they plan to submit an application for a state grant to extend broadband service to unserved locations in the township.
That application will seek funding from the COVID-19 ARPA PA Broadband Infrastructure Program, a $200 Million competitive grant program which will target locations that do not currently have access to 25/3 Mbps reliable service. Grants to be awarded will range from $500,000 to $10 Million.
According to the state’s broadband service availability map, the only area of the township where service is not available is Lost Creek #2, although the map is missing data in the area of Lost Creek proper, from the soccer field west to Connerton.
William Penn, Lost Creek, Raven Run, Shenandoah Heights, Brownsville, Altamont, and Laurel Ridge all have access to high speed service through Service Electric Cablevision.
According to the map, only 32 locations in the western section of the township, where most unserved buildings are shown, are unserved, versus 233 locations that are served. Again, the data in that area is incomplete compared to more populous areas of the county, and some locations displayed as “unserved” have access to high speed service, according to their residents.
If Comcast receives the grant, the company will seek a franchise agreement with the township.
In other business, the township approved a motion to lower the interest rate for the Police Pension plan to 5.75% with a 4.5% salary scale.
The township also approved a letter confirming their intentions to participate in the Schuylkill County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update.
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