Jackson Township supervisors waived a business privilege tax for 2020 due to the economic impact of the coronavirus.

The tax normally levies an $800 charge to all businesses in the township with gross receipts of more than $150,000 per year, but will not be charged for 2020 after many businesses in the township were closed by Gov. Tom Wolf's order to shutter non-essential industries.

The three-person board voted unanimously to waive the tax during a virtual meeting Thursday attended by a small number of residents and business owners in the community.

However, the resolution passed by the board does not cease collection of the tax in future years.

“Thank you. I do appreciate you taking the tax off of the businesses,” said Sherry Cepek, owner of The Enchanted Olive. “I just hope you don't bring it back.”

Emergency declared

Jackson supervisors also approved a resolution declaring a disaster emergency, joining other municipalities passing similar declarations in the county.

Disaster declarations make possible the bypass of regulations with which the township is normally tasked, such as opening up bids before entering contracts, as well as making the municipality eligible for state and federal disaster relief funds, should they become available.

The township further authorized the application for a grant from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for Phase 2 of the township's Reservoir Park.