ADAMS TWP — Like other companies and organizations, Pennsylvania municipalities are adjusting to pandemic life by reviewing options and proceeding cautiously.

Adams Township is no exception.

“We're trying to see what legally we have to do,” said Gary Peaco, township manager. “It's very confusing.”

The township is looking to federal and state guidelines regarding social activity, according to Peaco. He said first and foremost, township officials are hoping to “minimize” the number of people gathering in groups.

This sentiment is mirrored in steps taken by the township in recent weeks to limit public access to township property.

“We canceled all of our township meetings in April,” said Russell Ford, chairman of the township supervisors. “We have taken an extremely pro-active approach.”

According to the Adams Township website, the municipal and public works buildings are locked down until further notice. Though the community park remains open — with no plans for its closure —the bathrooms and playground are closed.

“Our biggest concern is trying to keep people safe,” Peaco said. “We're still trying to conduct business.”

The township declared a disaster emergency last week, specifically to be able to “purchase emergency supplies.” Ford said the township ordered about 500 face masks with special adaptors from MSA last week.

Ford said the masks, which were a collaborative purchase with Mars and Seven Fields officials, will be issued to Adams and Callery firefighters; Mars, Seven Fields and Adams police; and Quality EMS. The purchase cost about $16,900 and may be reimbursable.

Ford said officials will “figure that out later.”

“We all as community leaders are working well together,” Ford said. “It's been interesting.”

Declaring a state of disaster emergency also allows the township to proceed with business.

Ford said township supervisors have held virtual meetings among themselves the last couple of weeks. Supervisors are meeting every Monday to renew the disaster emergency status, which Ford said must be done every seven days.

“We're talking daily,” Ford said. “There is some other business we attended to.”

Specifically, Ford said supervisors approved township bond issues at a virtual meeting. Officials have also met in executive session for the purpose of employee contracts.

“We're just talking through a lot of those (things),” Ford said.

Though some parts of the township are physically closed to visitors, Peaco said operations remain fully staffed. Township employees remain accessible via phone and email, though a new work-from-home policy is being tested. Peaco said the number of calls received from residents has dropped since the COVID-19 outbreak.

Ford and Peaco said the township is mostly providing information to residents via its website. Updates to township procedures and practices are posted as they develop, Peaco said.