LANSDALEÂ â A second spring of living with COVID-19 has brought a new set of questions for Lansdale's officials:
When should they consider lifting the moratorium put in effect last year on penalties, interest charges, and disconnections of borough utilities for those who have been unable to pay?
"Interest and penalties are a significant source of revenue, but we're not heartless. We understand these penalties may not be affordable," said councilman Leon Angelichio.
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"When you look at what we have outstanding, there's a reason why it's outstanding: People can't afford it," he said.
In March 2020, just after the arrival of COVID-19 in the county and the resulting business shutdowns, borough officials stopped all disconnections and waived new late charges for all customers of the borough's electric department, while working to arrange payment plans with those able to do so. Talks continued over the summer on ways council could help set up an emergency local block grant program to assist those in need, and last October the borough heard details of the "Your Way Home" program administered via local nonprofit Manna on Main Street to disburse federal CARES Act COVID stimulus funds to those in need of help paying rent or utility bills.