A Great Place to Live, Work and Play

The Borough of Orwigsburg is small town America. One of our major strengths as a community is our small-town charm in a fast-paced environment. With only 3106 residents, many families have known each other for generations. The local economy is strong, and local crime is low. Infrastructure is maintained and operational with a proximity of a roads network to PA Route 61, Interstate 78 and Interstate 81. 

Orwigsburg is a great Pennsylvania community. It has a strong and dedicated workforce, the residents are caring and supportive of each other, and it seems that even Father Time moves at a more relaxed pace.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Be notified that the Orwigsburg Borough Zoning Hearing Board will convene on Wednesday, September 24, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. at 209 N. Warren Street, 2nd Floor, Orwigsburg, PA 17961. There will be a hearing and/or decision rendered on the following zoning applications at that time and location:
(1) A application for special exception and variances filed by Ralf Bzura on behalf of Bzura Family Revocable Trust relating to the property at 0 E. Liberty St., Orwigsburg, PA 17961 (parcel no. 56-01-0046.000), located in the R-1 Residential District, seeking variances and a special exception to build a Cluster Development consisting of 9 attached dwellings on a site less than 25 acres and with more than 20% impervious coverage in the R-1 District, and implicating Sections 10.27B., 11.06A.2., 10.28A. and 6.22I.10. of the Orwigsburg Borough Zoning Ordinance (Ordinance 400);
(2) An application for special exception and variances filed by Kevin Kraft relating to the property at 123 W. Market St., Orwigsburg, PA 17961 (parcel no. 56-05-0300.000), located in the Village (V) Zoning District, seeking to convert the old carriage house barn in the rear of the property into a 2-unit accessory apartment and repaving the parking lot to create 1 additional parking space giving it 15 spaces without increasing the impervious coverage, and implicating Sections 7.01M.11., 7.02, 10.07.C. and 10.26 of the Orwigsburg Borough Zoning Ordinance (Ordinance 400);
(3) An application for variance filed by Supreme Estates Limited relating to the property at 119 N. Perry Street, Orwigsburg, PA. Applicant requests to construct off-street parking and separate utility lines located on the property and seeks a variance from Section 6.33 of the Orwigsburg Zoning Ordinance

Fall Newsletter

Embracing the Season of Change

Welcome to our Fall Newsletter, where we celebrate the vibrant hues of autumn and the crisp air that heralds a season of transformation. As the leaves turn and the days shorten, we invite you to take a moment to savor the beauty of this time of year and discover the exciting happenings within our community.

Special recognition to the Orwigsburg Lions Club who recently celebrated their 90th anniversary.  The club remains a strong part of our community.  Their generous support can be found throughout our community.  Most recently the club donated $5000 to both the OABPA Center Square beautification project and to the Fire Departments Capital Campaign.   The club remains firmly committed to the Lions Slogan – We Serve.  Thank you to the Lions for all you have done and continue to do to support our community.

Community Events

Fall is a season of festivities, and our community is bustling with events that bring us together. From festivals to Halloween parades, there are numerous opportunities to enjoy the season with family and friends.

Sponsored by OABPA

Heritage Day

Join us for the annual Heritage Day Festival on September 6th at the Town Square. This event features fun activities for all ages. It's a perfect way to support local vendors and artisans while enjoying the bounties of the season.

Festival of Lights

December 6th – music, refreshments, trolly rides and activities including an early visit from Santa Claus

Sponsored by Orwigsburg Lions

Halloween Parade

Get ready for a spooktacular time at our Halloween Parade on October 22nd. Dress in your favorite costume and march with fellow ghosts, goblins, and superheroes.

Trick-or-Treat October 30th

Shop Small Business Day – November 29th

Visit one of the many shops and restaurants in our community and support our local small businesses.

Sponsored by the Historical Society – events are held at 7PM at the Historical Society Building

September 18th – History of the Grange – presented by Rachel Brobst

October 16th – Haunted Tales from the Anthracite Region – presented by Haunted Anthracite Tales

Sponsored by Orwigsburg Library

Fall Book Bingo October 4th at Zion’s Red Church – from 1-3

Seasonal Activities

Fall offers a plethora of outdoor activities that allow us to relish the crisp weather and stunning landscapes. Here are some ideas to make the most of the season:

• Leaf Peeping: Take a scenic drive or hike to admire the vibrant fall foliage. There are many areas for you to enjoy the changing leaves on foot as well as on wheels.  In addition to personally driving, you can take advantage of the Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad or the Kempton Railroad to view our beautiful mountains in full color. Don’t forget to bring your camera to capture the breathtaking views.
• Apple Picking: Visit a local orchard to pick fresh apples. It's a delightful activity for families.  If picking your own is not for you – visit one of our local farm stands for pre-picked apples and seasonal fruit. You can use your harvest by making delicious homemade pies and cider.
• Pumpkin Patch Visits: Explore pumpkin patches and find the perfect pumpkins for carving jack-o'-lanterns. Many patches also offer hayrides and corn mazes.

Safety reminder

There are an estimated 25,000 chimney fires every year in the United States.  Fall is a great time to have your chimney cleaned/inspected before the heating season starts.

Stay Active

Fall is a great time to engage in outdoor activities that keep you moving. Consider going for walks, runs, or bike rides to enjoy the fresh air and beautiful scenery.   The Orwigsburg Lions Walking Trail is a great place to stay active.

Eat Seasonal Produce

Incorporate seasonal fruits and vegetables into your diet. Apples, pears, pumpkins, and squash are rich in vitamins and nutrients that support overall health. Try out new recipes that feature these delicious ingredients.  Don’t forget to visit our local farms for fresh fruits and vegetables.

Mental Wellness

The shorter days and longer nights can sometimes impact our mood. Combat seasonal affective disorder (SAD) by spending time outside during daylight hours, maintaining a regular exercise routine, and practicing mindfulness or meditation.

Gardening

Although the growing season is winding down, fall is an excellent time to prepare your garden for next spring. Attend a gardening seminar to learn about composting, soil health, and planting bulbs that will bloom beautifully in the coming months.  Fall is also a great time to overseed your lawn. 

Seasonal Treats

Indulge in seasonal treats at our local bakeries and cafes (Market Street Coffee House or 419 Market Café). Various coffees, donuts, and hearty soups are just a few of the delicious offerings that will warm your soul this autumn.

Veterans Day – November 11th

Don’t forget to say Thank You to a veteran.  We are fortunate to live in a country where we enjoy many freedoms that others envy.  Those freedoms are a result of the men and women who have fought to make America what it is today.

Conclusion

Fall is a season of change, beauty, and community. We hope this newsletter inspires you to embrace the magic of autumn and participate in the wonderful events and activities our community has to offer. Stay connected with us for updates and more exciting news as we journey through this enchanting season together.

Wishing you a joyful and vibrant fall!

Bill Reppy, Borough Manager

Sanitary Sewer: Things you always wanted to know but never asked.

We all have questions about our sewer system, but never ask. We are hoping to share some helpful facts about one of our most important resources.

A sanitary sewer building lateral is the extension from the building sewer outside the inner face of the building wall and extending to the public sewer or other place of disposal. The building lateral belongs to the owner of the property, making it the homeowner’s responsibility to maintain. When a home is constructed, the builders must connect the building lateral to the sewer main which is known as “tapping”. The process of tapping also has an associated fee which is meant to pay for and secure a portion or share of the sewage and/or water capacity needed in the collection, conveyance, and treatment facilities. It is considered a “buy in” to the sanitary sewer system and payment for facility costs not funded by user rates.

The Borough receives several calls annually about sewage back-ups into property owner’s homes. The most common reason for these back-ups can be traced to tree-roots. Roots of plants, shrubs, etc. will seek out a water source, particularly in dry weather, and in many cases will intrude into the building lateral. Significant tree root intrusions can cause sewer back-ups on your property as well as blockages in the Borough’s sewer mains. The Borough maintains these sewer mains, but the building laterals are the homeowner’s responsibility. It is a common misconception that the property owner’s responsibility ends at the house/building trap (a device fitting normally found up to 5 feet outside the inner face of the building wall that prevents circulation of air and/or noxious gases from the building sewer to the building drain). However, this is not the case as the homeowner’s responsibility is on both sides of the trap and extending out to the property line.

Many homes in the Borough have building laterals made of tera-cotta (or vitrified clay) pipes. Tera-cotta was a very common industry standard pipe component used during the time of installation for the Borough’s sanitary sewer system. These pipes, by their very nature, have joints that over time can allow easy access for roots to enter and grow into the pipe. Once the roots enter and become established the “root-balls” grow as more and more water and nutrients are absorbed. Almost anything flushed down a toilet, or disposed of down a sink, can get hung up leading to a clog that could force sewage back into the home.

To prevent these potential clogs from happening there are several items that should never be disposed of down a sink or toilet including tissues, paper towels, sanitary napkins and tampons, baby wipes, personal hygiene wipes, etc. In addition, never pour oil or grease down the sink. While it may go down the drain as a liquid, this grease will thicken and harden as soon as it encounters the cold pipes underground This hardened grease will adhere to the inner walls of your building lateral causing a restriction in flow which could also lead to sewer back-ups.

There are times when the Borough discovers large quantities of grease in the sewer main. This build-up can cause numerous issues within the Borough’s sewage collection system. To help combat this issue, commercial establishments in the Borough are required to install and maintain grease traps. Residents are also asked to do their part to prevent blockages and encouraged not to pour oils and greases down the drain.

Tori Morgan, LO 

Director of Funding, Regulatory Relations & Compliance Entech Engineering

2025 Budgets

2025-01 General Fund Budget Draft.pdf

2025-03 Fire Fund Budget Draft.pdf

2025-04 Recreation Fund Budget Draft.pdf

2025-06 Water Fund Budget Draft.pdf

2025-08 Sewer Fund Budget Draft.pdf

2025-09 Sanitation Fund Budget Draft.pdf

Trash & Recycling Issues

The hauler has changed to Anthracite Waste Management.

The days for pick-up have remained the same except a small portion of Market Street.