Times Observer photo by Daniella Langianese Individuals from local municipalities gather on Wednesday evening to discuss upcoming issues and events impacting the area.

While most individuals are out searching for last minute safety glasses to witness Monday afternoon’s eclipse, the Warren County Council on Governments discussed safety procedures and the impending impact of the eclipse on Warren County.

The meeting took place at 7 p.m. at the Sugar Grove Fire Department on Wednesday night to review this month’s agenda.

The most prevalent issue discussed during the meeting was the impending eclipse on Monday afternoon, and how to compensate for any issues which may arise due to the upcoming celestial event.

Concerns range from the way in which the eclipse will affect area locals, jobs, transportation and more. Planning to combat these issues has been underway in each local Warren County municipality. Plans have been made, extensively, with emergency response agencies to help with traffic control and to aid in the main corridors remaining open to public access.

According to COG, the sheriff’s office has changed the shifts of their employees in order to have more cars and officers to police the area, keeping residents and motorists safe. In addition, emergency operations have also made plans to attend to all municipalities in the region.

Although no numbers have been confirmed: Predicted numbers, according to COG representatives, predict that as many as 5,000 people will be visiting the area to witness the unique solar event — which is minimal, as Buffalo, Cleveland, Chicago, and Erie are predicted to have as many as 1 million visitors.

Although there are a multitude of activities scheduled for Monday’s eclipse, Executive Director of the Warren County Visitors Bureau, Casey Ferry mentioned the eCLIPse CLOP event scheduled Monday at the Miracle Mountain Ranch at 101 Rodeo Drive in Spring Creek during the meeting. For more information on this event, call (814) 664-7673.

“In partnership with the Warren County Visitors Bureau, Miracle Mountain Ranch will open its gates in scenic, rural Spring Creek for a variety of activities centered around the natural wonder of the eclipse, making a day packed with activities, food, and the experience of the total solar eclipse,” according to a Pennsylvania Wilds representative.

In other news, Dani Flasher, COG representative for the Warren City Council, announced a Community Day for Warren County high school students from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, April 26 at the First Lutheran Church at 109 West Third Ave. in Warren. According to Flasher, the Hilltop Restaurant will be catering the event while high school students are treated to guided workshops. Monies needed for the event were passed unanimously among the COG members in the amount of $1,944.41.

According to Lasher, “The goal of Community Day is to attract the next generation to get involved in local politics.”

It was reported during the COG meeting that the Emergency Medical Training classes are ongoing currently in Warren and Corry — high scores are anticipated, officials said.

Another piece of notable news from the COG meeting is Resolution 2121, passed March 1, which will have the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation installing signs for the hayride crossing in Carbon County.

In addition, an update was provided on the current status of American Rescue Plan Act Recovery Fund (ARPA) funds to bring broadband internet to the area. According to representatives, beyond the labor code and wage rates, funds for the broadband project are being “summed up right now.”

According to COG representatives, the University of Pittsburgh Bradford is working out building a fiber network to “ban municipalities together — joining together to build out a comprehensive network that will work for almost all residents, eventually.” A big push is coming for local municipalities to be the leader in technology and connectivity. “The end goal is to get Warren County covered by municipal broadband.”

The next meeting scheduled for the Warren County Council on Governments is scheduled at 7 p.m. for Wednesday, May 1 at the Mead Township Building.