Note: Whitemarsh Township will log all Township coronavirus updates beginning March 16 on this page.
April 3
The Whitemarsh Township Board of Supervisors will hold their meeting on Thursday, April 9, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.
In response to the Governor’s Stay Home Order due to the COVID 19 health pandemic, this meeting will be conducted via Zoom. All members of the Board, staff and public will participate remotely.
Click here for the agenda for the meeting
The public may join this meeting by either telephone using the dial in number or entering the URL on an internet browser. The following are instructions on how to access and participate in the meeting:
Meeting Date: Thursday, April 9, 2020
Meeting Time: 5:00 PM
Meeting URL: https://zoom.us/j/712703629?pwd=Z2Y0Nm10ekMvcFNTVzJwVzAyTFM4QT09
Meeting via Zoom App: if you have the Zoom App on your smartphone, tablet, or computer, open the program, click join a meeting, and enter the Meeting ID: 712 703 629
Meeting dial in number (no video): 1-646-558-8656
Meeting ID number (to be entered when prompted): 712 703 629
Meeting Password: 095011
Public comment by email may be submitted to Township Manager Rick Mellor one hour before the start of the meeting. Email rmellor@whitemarshtwp.org to submit a comment.
Public comment will also be accepted via the Zoom chat button during the meeting. In both cases you will need to provide your name and address for the record.
Persons with a disability who wish to participate in the public hearing and require an auxiliary aid, service or other accommodation to participate in the hearing should contact Whitemarsh Township at 484-594-2601.
Thank you for your cooperation.
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The Township Building will remain closed to the public through Thursday, April 30. The closure is for the health and safety of residents and employees and complies with Governor Wolf’s "stay-at-home" order for the entire state.
Township staff will remain available by calling 610-825-3535 and by email.
Click here for a Township Directory
All Township projects are on hold during this period.
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Construction at the intersection of Joshua Road and Stenton Avenue is planned to begin on or about April 20.
While this work is in progress, a portion of Joshua Road will be closed and a detour will be in place. This work will take approximately 6 weeks to complete
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March 27, 5 p.m.
To our Whitemarsh Community,
On behalf of the Board of Supervisors and our Township staff, I wish you and your family the best. This continues to be a challenging, stressful and uncertain time for us all.
We all know the seriousness of this situation. Sadly, yesterday Montgomery County announced that one of our Whitemarsh residents died from COVID-19. We send our deepest condolences to the resident’s family and friends.
Our Police Department, Barren Hill and Spring Mill Fire companies and Whitemarsh Community Ambulance are fully-staffed and responding to all calls. I want to thank the first responders and health care workers in our community. We deeply appreciate all that you do. Please be safe.
We urge residents to continue to observe Governor Wolf’s stay at home order. If you must go to the store or other public place, please observe social distance. That means leave at least six feet between yourself and others.
The situation changes daily, if not hourly. We recommend you continue to follow updates from the Montgomery County Office of Public Health, the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Our previous newsletters have reminded residents to keep in touch with family, friends and neighbors. I want to reiterate that suggestion. In these trying times, our mental health is important. A text, phone call, FaceTime or email goes a long way toward keeping us connected. Social distancing will end at some point. Let’s not let social distancing put an end to our social contact today.
We are committed to providing essential services to Whitemarsh during this situation. We are even trying some new things, such as the in-home recreation offerings from the Parks and Recreation Department.
We thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
Laura Boyle Nester
Chair, Board of Supervisors
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Acts of kindness and support are happening throughout the community, including residents helping the Colonial Neighborhood Council. Thank you for your efforts.
The Township also wants to thank Five Saints Distilling and Crazy Aaron’s for their donations of hand sanitizer.
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The coronavirus is causing unprecedented interruptions to daily life. Businesses are especially hard it by required closures and new guidelines, such as social distancing.
These steps are necessary to help fight the outbreak but the Township understands the economic impact and has collected these resources for businesses and employees.
During this time, consider helping a small business by ordering takeout or purchasing goods online. Every little bit helps.
Montgomery County
Montgomery County coronavirus employer hub
Montgomery County Workforce Development
Montgomery County Commerce Department
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania CareerLink
Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation
Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development coronavirus resources
Federal
SBA’s COVID-19 Disaster Relief Loan Program
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March 26, 2 p.m.
Ready Montco is Montgomery County’s official source for notifications of emergencies, severe weather, crime alerts and disasters.
The service is administered by the Montgomery County Department of Public Safety. Registering takes less than 10 minutes. Ready Montco is free although voice and text rates may apply.
Click here to sign up for Ready Montco alerts
The Township Parks and Recreation Department is sharing a daily activity for home fun. So far, a key wind chime, a cotton ball maze and a blanket fort were suggestions.
More activities can be found on the Department’s new In-Home Recreation resource page.
Click here for fun, adventures and tips
There has been no change to the trash, recycling, or yard waste collection schedule in the Township.
Any changes to Mascaro’s normal schedule will be announced on the Township’s website, social media and in the Weekly.
Residents who live in communities with private waste haulers should check with their management or HOAs regarding changes to their normal collection schedule.
March 23, 5 p.m.
Governor Wolf this afternoon issued a "stay-at-home" order for Montgomery County along with Bucks, Chester and Delaware counties in our area.
All schools will also remain closed through at least Monday, April 6, the governor said. People should ask themselves if they have to make a trip before leaving home, Wolf said at a briefing.
"I am asking everyone to participate to their fullest extent," the governor said. "These restrictions are unlike anything we have experienced."
Click here for the governor’s order, the secretary of health’s order and a press release on the action
To comply with the governor’s order, the April 1 Zoning Hearing Board meeting is cancelled.
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Virtual Field Trips With Parks and Recreation
To help during these challenging times, the Township Parks and Recreation Department has compiled a list of great virtual field trips than can take you or your child anywhere around the globe - or even further.
Trips to the San Diego Zoo, the Louvre, the Great Wall of China or even Mars are just a few clicks away.
Click here to see where you can go from the safety of your home
The Parks and Recreation Department is diligently working on additional recreation and leisure opportunities that will respect social distancing in accordance with all state and CDC guidelines.
Watch for resources including online programs such as Facebook Live events and webinars and health and wellness initiatives on nutrition, mental health, nature, education and exercise. Resources can be found here.
Parks and Recreation hopes the opportunities from its creative programming team will bring some cheer and stress reduction to the community.
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March 20, 6 p.m.
Social distancing remains an important part of stopping the spread of the coronavirus. The Township recommends you continue to follow the guidelines of health agencies and practice social distancing along with hand washing and sneezing into a tissue or your sleeve.
But social distancing does not mean losing touch with family, friends and neighbors. Thanks to technology, your phone can put you (...or at least an image of you) in a loved one’s kitchen. We encourage you to keep in touch by phone call, text, email or FaceTime. A short hello or an offer to assist a neighbor is a great way to be social from while social distancing.
The Township Building will remain closed to the public through Friday, March 27.
The Township is continuing to provide all essential services. Township staff will remain available by calling 610-825-3535 and by email.
Click here for a Township Directory
The Township will not be conducting building inspections until further notice. All construction activities are to stop to comply with Governor Wolf’s order to close all non-essential businesses.
Click here for more information on Governor Wolf’s order
March 19, 4:30 p.m.
The Spring edition of Whitemarsh Living will soon be hitting mailboxes.
It’s filled with helpful information on Township operations, services, programs and events. Unfortunately, some of those programs and events, such as Township Day, have been cancelled due to the coronavirus. Whitemarsh Living went to press before the Township could make changes. We appreciate your understanding.
As a reminder, all Parks and Recreation programs, special events, and rentals of facilities are cancelled through April 30. If you have a question about a specific event, please call Parks and Recreation at 610-828-7276.
We hope you will still take time to read Whitemarsh Living when it lands in your mailboxes.
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March 18, 4:30 p.m.
In accordance with State, Montgomery County, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) directives to avoid mass gatherings to assist in stopping the spread of the coronavirus, all Whitemarsh Township Parks and Recreation programs, special events, and rentals of facilities are cancelled through April 30.
Note that with a heavy heart and out of an abundance of caution for the community, Township Day, scheduled for April 25, is cancelled. The Parks and Recreation team will contact those who have registered for these activities regarding credits or refunds. You can reach the team at 610-828-7276.
Township parks remain open with the playground areas being closed for public safety. Please remember to practice social distancing when using park areas.
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March 17, 5 p.m.
The Whitemarsh Township Building will be closed to the public through March 27.
The Township will continue to provide all essential services. Township staff will remain available by calling 610-825-3535 and by email.
Click here for a Township Directory
Please use email or phone to contact Township staff to schedule an appointment for an inspection or permit.
Thank you for your continued cooperation.
Whitemarsh Township has declared a local emergency in response to the coronavirus outbreak. The declaration does not impact the Township’s response to the situation and is not a result of any change in the situation.
The declaration could make the Township eligible for state and federal disaster funding at the conclusion of the outbreak.
The Board of Supervisors will vote on a formal resolution at a future meeting.
The Board of Supervisors March 26 meeting has been cancelled. The Township is evaluating ways of holding the Board of Supervisors next meeting on April 9 to allow for public participation while observing social distancing.
Until further notice, real estate taxes should be paid by mail or at the lockbox at the entrance to the Township Building. A stamped and dated receipt will be mailed to the address on the real estate tax bill.
The discount period for real estate taxes runs until April 30.
The Colonial Neighborhood Council (CNC) is working hard to help needy residents and families during this difficult period. CNC is continuing to provide food and other support as best as possible.
That is where the Whitemarsh community comes in. Please consider assisting the CNC. You can purchase and donate items through the CNC’s Wish List on Amazon. Items can also be dropped at CNC at 107 E. 4th Avenue in Conshohocken.
Click here for the Colonial Neighborhood Council Facebook page
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March 16, 4 p.m.
The Whitemarsh Township Building remains open with reduced staffing to help promote social distancing. We encourage you to conduct any business you might have by calling 610-825-3535 or by email.
Click here for a Township Directory
Real estate tax payments can be made by mail or in the dropbox at the Township Building. These payment methods are recommended for social distancing rather than paying in person.
The Township continues to provide all essential services. That remains the goal during this difficult period.
Earlier this afternoon, Governor Wolf extended the shutdown order for non-essential business to the entire state.
Updates
- Trash and recycling collection continues on schedule.
- The William Jeanes Library is closed until further notice.
- Parks are open but playground areas are closed. Playground equipment is difficult to clean so the areas have been closed out of an abundance of caution. If you visit a park, please use social distancing.
As a reminder, all public meetings and Township activities and programs have been postponed through March 25.
If you have questions about coronavirus, you can call Montgomery County’s COVID-19 Information Hotline at 610-631-3000.
The Township recommends you monitor the websites of the health agencies for the latest information and continue to follow all recommendations from the agencies.
Montgomery County coronavirus updates
Pennsylvania Department of Public Health
CDC coronavirus
The Township will continue to share information through Twitter, Facebook, the Weekly newsletter and the Township website. Please monitor these channels for Township-specific information.
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March 16, 8 a.m.
The Whitemarsh Township Building is open today but residents are encouraged to call 610-825-3535 or email to conduct business.
Click here for a Township Directory
Township staff remain in contact with officials from Montgomery County. The Montgomery County Office of Public Health, the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continue to lead the response to the outbreak.
If you have questions about coronavirus, you can call Montgomery County’s COVID-19 Information Hotline at 610-631-3000.
The Township recommends you monitor the websites of the health agencies for the latest information and continue to follow all recommendations from the agencies.
Montgomery County coronavirus updates
Pennsylvania Department of Public Health
CDC coronavirus
The Township’s parks remain open but playground areas are closed. Playground equipment is difficult to sanitize so we are taking this step out of an abundance of caution and in accordance with state and county guidance. If you choose to visit a park, please avoid playground areas and remember social distancing guidelines.
In accordance with state and Montgomery County directives to avoid mass-gatherings, all public meetings and Township activities and programs have been postponed through March 25. This includes all Parks and Recreation programs and facility rentals. The Parks and Recreation team will contact those who have registered for programs regarding credits or refunds. You can reach the team at 610-828-7276.
The Township will continue to share information through Twitter, Facebook, the Weekly newsletter and the Township website. Please monitor these channels for Township-specific information.
Thank you for your continued cooperation.