The early morning commissioners’ meeting, a custom since the 19th century, will be starting later

The Pike County Commissioners will have a new meeting time starting on Sept. 1.

The commissioners will begin their regular meeting at 11 a.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of the month to meet the requirements of a Senate Bill amending the Sunshine Act.

Commissioners’ conferences will take place on the second, fourth, and fifth Wednesdays of the month at 11 a.m. Pike County Retirement Board meetings will be held the third Wednesday of the month at 11 a.m. and as needed at any regularly scheduled meetings or conference.

The Pike County Salary Board and the Election Board will continue to meet as needed at any regularly scheduled meeting or conference.

Senate Bill 554, sponsored by Patrick J. Stefano, amends the Sunshine Act to require agencies make their meeting agendas available to the public 24 hours in advance. Stefano wrote in a March 17 memo that once the agenda has been finalized and posted for the public, the agency may not take any official action on any item not listed, except in emergencies.

“This is a big change for Pike County,” Commissioners Chair Matthew Osterberg said. “I think they’ve been meeting at 9 since, maybe, 1860.”

Meetings and conferences will continue to be held in the Pike County Administration Building in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room, 506 Broad St., Milford.