Sellersville and Upper Makefield are among the growing list of Bucks County municipalities to have made local disaster declarations amid the turmoil of the novel coronavirus outbreak.
At a meeting March 17, the Upper Makefield Board of Supervisors passed a resolution that authorized Township Manager Dave Nyman to issue a disaster emergency declaration.
“Emergency management measures are required to reduce the severity of (this) significant event which (could) seriously affect the health, safety or welfare of a substantial number of citizens of the municipality,” the Upper Makefield resolution states in part.
The resolution continues: “The Upper Makefield Township Emergency Management Coordinator is directed to coordinate the activities of the emergency response in coordination with Bucks County emergency management officials, and to take any other emergency response action deemed necessary to respond to this public health local disaster emergency.”
Sellersville Borough Manager David Rivet said the Upper Bucks borough was following the lead of President Donald Trump, Gov. Tom Wolf, Bucks County Commissioners and other municipalities within Bucks County by issuing a disaster declaration. “This declaration will allow the borough to take advantage of any disaster aid, if it becomes available,” Rivet noted.
In a notice to residents, Sellersville said it is limiting gatherings in its park system in light of COVID-19. Officials noted that there are no planned interruptions to trash, recycling, police or fire department services.
Additionally, officials have temporarily closed Sellersville Borough Hall to the public. The borough’s administrative staff continues to work, and can help the public by phone, fax and email from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
“Limiting access to borough hall is a pre-emptive move meant to help slow the spread of the virus and keep staff healthy and able to provide service to the public,” Sellersville officials said in a statement. Learn more at sellersvilleboro.org.
Upper Makefield took similar steps. “Township playgrounds, tennis courts, bathrooms and pavilions are closed until further notice,” officials said in a statement. “The parks and walking paths remain open at this time. Please practice appropriate social distancing recommendations.”
Upper Makefield officials have also temporarily closed township buildings. They recommend that members of the public contact department heads – such as township manager, superintendent of public works, planning/zoning director – by email. Learn more at uppermakefield.org/.
“Please be assured that in the event of an emergency, police and emergency services will continue,” Upper Makefield said in a statement. “Call 9-1-1 for emergencies. For non-emergency police matters during business hours, call 215-968-3020. For non-emergencies at other times, call 215-598-7121.”
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