More emergency declarations and municipal closings announced
Area municipalities are beginning to declare emergency status as a result of the coronavirus outbreak in order to allow them avoid bidding requirements and get emergency funding.
• On Tuesday afternoon, Pottstown Borough issued its emergency declaration.
• Phoenixville Borough issued a declaration on March 13.
“This outbreak has the potential to disrupt both borough and social services, and endanger the health and safety of residents,” Mayor Peter Urscheler wrote in his proclamation, which is posted on the borough website.
“It is critical to prepare for and respond to suspected or confirmed cases in Phoenixville, and to implement measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. This requires the activation of our emergency response plan,” he wrote.
• West Pottsgrove Township Manager Craig Lloyd said the declaration there made Wednesday “will allow us to utilize any resources without having to go to bid.”
He said most of the township staff, including public works and police crews remain on the job.
“We’re a small municipality, so we really don’t have any non-essential personnel,” he said.
He also noted that Tax Collector Jeff Kazmierczak has suspended Tuesday and
Thursday office hours at t he township building.
Taxes can be paid by mail or in the drop box in the township building lobby.
“But if people want a stamped receipt, they will have to include a self-addressed stamped envelope,” said Lloyd.
• North Coventry Township announced its state of emergency on the township website.
The declaration also calls for “the closing of township offices to the public, the cancellation of normally scheduled committee meetings.”
• East Nantmeal Township announced its emergency declaration Wednesday morning on its website.
“I direct the East Nantmeal Township Emergency Coordinator to coordinate the activities of the emergency response, to take all appropriate action needed to alleviate the effects of this disaster,” said the declaration signed by Township Supervisors Chairman Edward P. Loomis Jr.
• Schwenksville Borough issued its emergency declaration on March 15, closed its borough hall to walkin traffic and canceled all meetings until at least after March 30.
• Royersford Borough has closed its borough hall, according to an announcement on its website.
“Our office staff will be returning emails, phone calls, and you can still pay bills online at www.royersfordborough.org”
• Spring City Borough has also closed its borough hall and cancelled all meetings “until further notice.”
“Any bills or correspondence may dropped off through the mail slot at borough hall,” according to the announcement.
• East Coventry Township
also announced the closure of its township building until March 30 on its website.
“If you need to drop off sewer payments, or permit applications, please put them in their mailbox,” the statement read.
“If you need to pick up a permit, please call and make an appointment. Essential personnel will continue to conduct business electronically or by phone.”
• South Coventry Township also announced the closure of its township building and cancellation of all public meetings until March 31 on its website.
• The same is true of Warwick Township, where the building is closed and all meetings postponed “until further notice.
“You may contact the office by email or phone and your messages will be answered as soon as possible,” Township Administrator Joan Grimley wrote on the township website.
• Boyertown closed its borough hall in an announcement on its website Tuesday.
“Borough Hall staff will be at borough Hall to respond to your telephone calls or emails between the hours of 8 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday,” according to the announcement.
Also, “in accordance with directives issued by the Governor’s Office, the Park and Recreation Board has decided to cancel the April 25, 2020, Earthfest Event. This event will not be rescheduled.”
“Cancellation of upcoming municipal meetings will be posted on this website and at borough hall.”
• Birdsboro also closed its borough hall on Tuesday.
“Borough staff will be available to help residents via phone and email at 610582-6030 and info@birdsboropa.org,” according to the statement posted on the website.
• Perkiomen Township announced the closing of its municipal building on Wednesday.
• Skippack Township has also closed its township building to walk-in traffic.
• Pennsburg has also announced the closure of its borough hall, with a tentative re-opening date of March 30.
The March 209 tax collection is cancelled as is the March 24 council meeting and trash billing has been extended through April 30, according to the site.
• Upper Hanover has closed its township building through March 20, and all public meetings have been canceled until further notice, according to a message posted on that website.
• Similarly Marlborough Township has closed its office to the public and the police department has suspended lobby hours, according to information posted on the township website.
“All Marlborough township public meetings and tax collection have also been postponed until further notice,” according to the statement.
“The tax collector will not be accepting payments in-person on March 19th. Payments can be made via US Mail and if you are requesting a receipt that you include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.”
• The Limerick Township building remains open, but only for essential services. All parks and recreation events have been closed, along with Manderach Playground and Veterans Park Playground.