A new fee schedule for the Carbon County Coroner’s office now includes a $50 cremation charge.

Commissioners officially passed the ordinance Thursday morning after announcing the proposal several weeks ago.

The charge brings Carbon in line with surrounding counties. Schuylkill County upped its cremation fee from $25 to $50 in 2016. Luzerne County charges $60.

Propane bids opened

Commissioners opened one bid for propane delivery and equipment service at various county locations.

Button Oil and Propane of Mountain Top, the sole bidder, submitted a price of $0.325 per gallon for transport truck delivery and $0.715 per gallon for tankwagon delivery.

The bids represent the profit above the market price on the day of delivery.

Commissioners tabled the bid and turned it over to the county’s purchasing department for a recommendation.

Chamber touts successful 2017

Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corporation representatives gave its annual report to the commissioners.

“We wanted to come and give a few highlights of a great 2017 and a preview of some things we have brewing in 2018,” said Marlyn Kissner, CCEDC executive director.

Kissner showed a two-minute hype video featuring businesses and attractions from across the county.

“When we hired FireRock Productions, I told them to get out there and get to know the people and what makes them tick,” Kissner said. “They found a diverse and bold group who love to live, work and play here.”

April 16 begins the next Restaurant Week in Carbon County. The event started three or four years ago with six restaurants and quickly increased to 20 eateries.

A new chamber initiative in 2018 is called “Be Your Own Hero.”

“It is really driven by our women in business,” Kissner said. “Our first event that we had at Macaluso’s brought in over 60 women. We evaluate programs every year and this has become a great revival for us.”

Chamber membership grew 15 percent in 2017 and the organization boasted an 89 percent retention rate.

It also worked with 20 new businesses coming into the county in 2017.

“I attend numerous ribbon cuttings here in the county and the chamber has definitely come a long way,” said Commissioner Thomas J. Gerhard. “These ladies live and breathe Carbon County.”

Other action

Commissioners authorized the advertisement of all legal notices relative to the 2018 general primary election, appointed Kay Gilbert and reappointed Brendan Lee and Marigrace Heyer to the Environmental Education Center Commission, approved a purchase of service agreement with Catholic Social Services, authorized 80 percent of the Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness grant funds for a Hazardous Material Commodity Flow Study by Cocciardi and Associates, approved a service agreement renewal with PenTeleData for internet access via cable modem at the Carbon County Emergency Management Agency, approved use of the county parking lot for a half-marathon run/walk and 5K walk with free children’s half-mile run/walk on April 29, ratified the adoption of rules and regulations regarding the hotel room rental excise tax, and approved the 2018 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act financial agreement for employment and training and related administrative services between Carbon and Pike counties.