Worcester Township among first in county to deal with virus
As cases of COVID-19 continue to rise in Montgomery County, township leaders continue to implement policies for general operations. Some of those leaders had to respond more quickly than others as the first cases were reported the weekend of March 7-8.
Worcester Township had one of the first presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 in the county.
Township Manager Tommy Ryan said officials quickly worked to take precautions.
“We had a plan and that allowed us an opportunity to get ahead of the curve and to make some decisions very efficiently,” he said.
Some of those policies included limiting the workforce at the township building on 1721 S. Valley Forge Road. Half of the township’s full time employees, and all of the part time employees are working remotely, according to Ryan.
“The balance of the employees are the essential employees needed to see the day-to-day operations,” Ryan said.
Additionally, while the facility is open from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the public can access services from 12-4:30 p.m. Ryan also said he’s “the only one in the township building” during the second half of the day.
Ryan called this staffing plan “a farm team,” which allows the township to have adequate coverage “in the event that one of our employees falls ill and needs to be replaced.”
He clarified this could also apply to an employee who might have “care for a sick loved one, or for any other reason they’re out of the office … [another employee can] come in and fill that position so we can continue providing the services.”
However, he clarified the public works department is working normal hours. Worcester Township has “essential services,” which includes the volunteer fire company.
Ryan encouraged anyone in need of assistance paying a utility bill or applying a permit to do so by phone or email.
“We can do a lot electronically but there are some essential services that require in person assistance and we’re here for that, specifically me,” he said.
He added that effective communication is key. An update detailing “the impact of township operations” is posted at 7 a.m. each day on the township’s website.
In neighboring Skippack Township, precautions are also being taken to keep employees safe, according to Township Manager Chris Heleniak.
For now, the facility on 4089 Heckler Road in Skippack,
is “closed to anyone walking in,” and township employees are “trying to limit as much contact with the public as possible.”
Workers are also completing tasks via phone, email and mail, according to Heleniak.
Could Skippack Township increase protocols as cases of COVID-19 rise elsewhere?
“The only thing I could see maybe happening in the future is if we completely close the township where no one is here at all and everything is done from home,” he said.
As for outside precautions, Skippack Township’s playground and recreational courts are closed, but the area’s trails are still open, according to Heleniak.
Heleniak added his staff is following the lead of county and state officials as the situation develops. He’s also looking to the Center for Disease Control on health-related information.
His message for the residents in his township: don’t panic, but take necessary precautions.
“I would say just stay calm, and follow all the different resources from the C.D.C., the county and the state Department of Health, and stay home, and do as much as you can to stop the spread of it,” Heleniak said.
For more information and resources on the coronavirus disease in Montgomery County, visit montcopa.org/covid-19.