Girardville plans to leave Northern Schuylkill Council of Governments

Trick-or-Treat plans discussed

GIRARDVILLE – The borough of Girardville is moving forward with its plans to leave the 13-municipality Northern Schuylkill Council of Governments.

Council approved a motion Wednesday evening to take any steps necessary to withdraw from the COG.

The idea was first raised at August’s council meeting, when the borough received notice of delinquent dues in total of $100.

The idea was tabled at last month’s meeting, pending research into the benefits of the borough’s membership.

Councilman Ed Burns made a motion Wednesday for council to do “whatever you have to do to get out of the COG,” which was approved unanimously.

The Council of Governments includes, along with Girardville, Shenandoah, Ashland, Mahanoy City, Ringtown, Frackville, Gilberton, Delano Township, Mahanoy Township, Rush Township, Ryan Township, and Schuylkill Township.

Trick-or-Treat planning

In other business, borough council discussed plans for trick-or-treat night.

Mayor Michael Zangari said that the tentative plan is to host a trunk-or-treat event near the borough hall in the early afternoon on Halloween, Saturday, October 31.

He said that attendees would be asked to wear a mask, and that the timing would be safer than the usual nighttime trick-or-treating.

Additionally, Zangari said that residents of neighboring communities are asked not to attend Girardville’s event to minimize the risk related to the coronavirus pandemic.

The trunk-or-treat would replace door-to-door trick-or-treating this year, council president Charles Marquardt said.

In other business, borough council

  • Approved Ordinance 2020-1, adopting the Uniform Construction Code,
  • Approved pursuing an interim loan with Mid Penn Bank in advance of a USDA grant and loan totalling $207,500 ($158,000 grant) for a new backhoe and roof,
  • Approved opening an account with Mid Penn Bank to track the grant funds, as per USDA recommendations,
  • Approved advertising for part-time police officers,
  • Approved the use of the borough building for a meeting spearheaded by Joe Wayne and the Ancient Order of Hibernians to organize a clean-up,
  • Approved holding a town-wide yard sale on Oct. 10 from 8am to 3pm.
  • Approved Fire Chief Frank Zangari hosting a town-wide fire safety drill on Sept. 11.

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