Rostraver takes care of business via virtual meeting

By KRISTIE LINDEN
klinden@yourmvi.com
Rostraver Township Commissioners held a virtual meeting Wednesday night to meet the needs of social distancing during the current health crisis and to keep residents involved in local government.
Residents and commissioners alike were able to obey the county’s stay-at-home order and participate in the monthly meeting on the computer application Zoom.
The coronavirus pandemic loomed large over the meeting as commissioners approved a resolution declaring a disaster emergency in the township.
The declaration is much like those passed in other municipalities throughout the Valley.
The board also voted to defer the collection of local income tax until July 15, which is in line with the federal government’s decision to delay the deadline to file income taxes until the same date. The resolution also calls for interest and penalties to be deferred until that date.
Board Chairman John Lorenzo said emergency management meetings were held March 20 and 27, to go over protocol, procedures and planning regarding the pandemic.
Emergency Management Coordinator Ron Olschon was given authority at those meetings to get the necessary personal protective equipment, sanitizer, N95 masks, face shields and gloves for township police officers, road department workers and staff members.
Lorenzo said Wednesday the township also approved the purchase of the same protective items through independent vendors to make sure fire departments, EMS, police, staff and road department workers “have enough supplies to last for the foreseeable future.”
Because all those purchases were made until the disaster declaration, they will be reimbursed by up to 75% through federal and state emergency management agencies, he said.
“The safety of these departments are vital and we wanted to make sure they have all the essential necessities and supplies to perform their duties with the greatest amount of protection we can provide,” Lorenzo said.

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