MARS — Monday night was business as usual for Mars Borough Council. Council members moved on a few local items.

Gregg Hartung, Mars mayor, said the borough was recently contacted by AARP.AARP, a U.S. interest group focused on issues affecting people over age 50, provides free tax preparation services to senior citizens.According to Hartung, AARP in the past has had about 12 tables set up at the Mars Area Public Library to help senior residents. Councilman William Lambert said he's used the AARP services at the library.Going into the 2021 tax season, the organization is looking for a place to operate.“They have no location in Mars right now,” Hartung said. “I think they need an open space.”Hartung asked if the St. Kilian church would be open to having AARP provide services there.Robert Bost, council vice president, said he believes the Pittsburgh Diocese is still restricting public operations in church buildings as a pandemic precaution.Hartung said he'll look into other possible locations.

Bonnie Forsythe, borough secretary and treasurer, reminded council the borough had eased late fees and service shutoffs for water in light of the pandemic.This motion was approved in the spring.Initially, Forsythe said, it took some pressure off families.“This last quarter, we had quite a few people who just decided they weren't going to pay,” Forsythe said. “(They're) taking advantage.”About 5% of borough residents are now late, according to Forsythe.Bost also said none or few of these cases seem to be pandemic-related.Forsythe said the borough did send out a reminder at the same time it customarily would have sent out quarterly late fee notices.“It just didn't get as many responses this time,” Forsythe said.Forsythe said there are some residents who are hundreds of dollars behind on service payments. Forsythe also estimated there are about 12 residents who would now qualify for a service shut-off.“Most of the time, we have none,” Forsythe said.Council unanimously voted to return to normal water billing and collection procedures for the current billing quarter. Councilman Brad Price abstained.