In an effort to maintain social distancing and Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf’s orders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Moore Township Board of Supervisors held a virtual meeting via telephone April 7.

Township Manager Nick Steiner, Chairman Daniel Piorkowski and Police Chief Gary West were at the municipal building during the meeting. Throughout the meeting, they reportedly kept their distance as required by the governor.

The virtual meeting, attended by an estimated 10 people, lasted about 20 minutes.

Steiner said supervisors tried their best to hold a meeting to attend to some matters needing attention.

“This was our first time doing this, so it was not perfect,” Steiner said.

On balance, he expressed satisfaction that the goals and meeting agenda were completed as best as possible under the circumstances.

Moore Township followed a number of municipalities and school districts - for example, Catasauqua Borough, Whitehall-Coplay School District and others - who started meeting virtually to attend to business.

At the meeting, board members extended their disaster declaration for an additional 60 days. This declaration is important to underscore the urgency and seriousness of the pandemic. The declaration also allows for the streamlining of meetings, thereby excluding some reports, such as from the police and fire departments and various other township committees.

In other matters, supervisors chose to not extend any real estate tax deadlines. Minutes of the March meeting, payroll and bill payment were approved.

Three Moore Estates lot bids were reviewed for purchase and were awarded to three different township residents.

Two police pension ordinances, one for nonuniform staff and the second for uniformed police, were passed.

The next board of supervisors meeting was expected to be held 7 p.m. May 5.