TEXAS TOWNSHIP, PA — In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Honesdale Borough Council voted last month to cancel all July 4 celebration events within the borough, including the traditional fireworks display atop Irving Cliff. That event’s sponsor, Greater Honesdale Partnership (GHP), didn’t give up the idea of getting Americans together to celebrate their patriotism. Instead, at the Texas Township Board of Supervisors’ June 1 meeting, it asked permission to move the fireworks display to a central location visible from the three largest parking lots in the area: Walmart, K-Mart and Home Depot.

The supervisors saw no reason not to give the event their blessing, noting that they have no authority over parking lots owned by big-box retailers, all of which are currently open and operating. After receiving assurances from GHP that the setup, display and cleanup will be managed by Zachary Yeager of Sky Shooters Display, Inc. in conjunction with the White Mills Fire Department, the board voted to approve the event.

Certain restrictions will apply. Like a drive-in movie, the display should be viewed from inside vehicles parked at the retailers’ lots. In accordance with the Wayne County reopening plan, people should not be congregating together outside their vehicles or engaging in any behavior not sanctioned by the reopening plan.

In other business, the vacancy left by zoning officer Devin Ott, who resigned last month to accept full-time employment elsewhere, has been filled temporarily by township secretary Joann Hancock. Hancock will perform that role on a part-time basis at a compensation rate of $18 per hour until a new zoning officer is appointed.

Roadmaster Don Doney mentioned that Bear Swamp Road Bridge, a concrete tee beam one-lane bridge spanning the Lackawaxen River, has deteriorated to unsafe conditions and is scheduled for rehabilitation by its owner, Wayne County. Sealed bids for that rehab work, to include deck resurfacing, barrier replacement and substructure concrete repair will be opened at the Wayne County Commissioners June 4 meeting.