Carbon County Weekly Brief

Tracking taxes, policy, and power.

Week of February 2, 2026

• County officially kicked off its year-long celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary with an America250PA event at Jim Thorpe Area High School. Officials, including America250PA Director Leo Malsky and County Commissioners’ Chairman Mike Sofranko, highlighted the county’s historical contributions—from early railroads and coal mining to conservation—and encouraged community participation in upcoming events. Local representative Kim Werley emphasized the excitement around the many planned celebrations, such as heritage activities, a passport program, regattas, and performances, and urged residents to take part in honoring the nation’s semiquincentennial.

• At a recent Carbon County Planning Commission meeting, a technical review of Penn Forest Township’s proposed amendment to its zoning ordinance regarding data centers sparked lively debate. The amendment, part of Chapter 240, aims to define data centers and their accessory uses more clearly, establish standards for permitting and operation, and use overlay districts to tailor development rules for certain areas. County planner Ivan Meixell Jr. described the changes as consistent with state planning code and a proactive way to balance economic development with environmental and community considerations, and the commission voted to recommend the amendment.

• The Weatherly Borough Council has finalized its 2026 budget, reopening the roughly $7.8 million plan in January and adopting it in early February following an executive session. The approved budget includes a 1.25-mill increase in property taxes, raising the rate to 11.55 mills, and adds $25,000 to account for a larger tax anticipation loan. Residents will also face higher utility charges in 2026, with electricity and water rates rising about 20 % and the sewer rate increasing by $5 a month to help cover rising costs and fund upgrades to aging infrastructure. Council scheduled a special meeting for Feb. 10 to formally adopt the budget after a required public review period.

• Penn Forest Township officials have approved beginning the grant application process for a new multi-use walking and biking trail, a project that has been discussed for several years. The proposed path, to run along Route 903, would be built in four phases and designed to be 10–12 feet wide so pedestrians, cyclists and strollers can travel safely without cars. The initial phases include segments connecting the park with Bear Creek Estates and Bear Creek Lake, with estimated material costs outlined for each section. Township equipment would be used for construction and upkeep, and a groundbreaking is anticipated within about two years.