As of March 17 there are 30 presumptive positive Coronavirus cases originating from municipalities in Montgomery County, but none from Norristown. Please refer to the CDC’s website for daily updates about the virus as it pertains to symptoms, treatment and travel information. All of this can be found on their website at cdc.gov/coronavirus/20…
It is important to take proactive steps to protect yourself by simple means like washing your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, covering your cough/sneeze, disinfecting commonly touched surfaces, and staying home if you are not feeling well.
En español aquí: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index-sp.html
COMMUNITY UPDATES!
A disaster declaration for the Municipality of Norristown was issued on March 16 and will be in effect until April 16. This is a proactive action being taken so the municipality can get access to the resources and tools it needs to keep residents safe. Again, no cases of the virus are linked to Norristown.
MUNICIPAL COUNCIL:
The regularly scheduled work session meeting of the Norristown Municipal Council on March 17 has been canceled.
MUNICIPAL DEPARTMENTS/SERVICES:
NORRISTOWN POLICE
Police will be temporarily scaling back parking enforcement operations in our neighborhoods to accommodate the additional number of people who will be home. Street cleaning parking enforcement has been suspended. Window operations at the police department remain open, but the filing of police reports is being limited to phone calls only. If you need to file a report call 610-275-1222..
CODE ENFORCEMENT
Effective immediately, the following activities have been suspended for a period of at least 30 days, this may be extended if needed: Rental Inspections; property transfer inspections; non-emergency housing complaints; and scheduled non-emergency inspections with the fire department.
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
All zoning, subdivision and grant program activities that require one-on-one contact with the public will be conducted through the Planning Department window at Municipal Hall. Small business consultation services shall be done by phone interviews until further notice. Small business seminars are suspended until further notice.
PUBLIC WORKS
Street sweeping has been suspended. Any in-person meetings have been canceled in lieu of phone calls.
TRASH/RECYCLING
Weekly trash and recycling collections will continue.
MUNICIPAL EVENT CANCELLATIONS:
Out of precaution, the following events have been canceled.
Norristown Recreation: Activities scheduled by the recreation department and/or hosted at the Norristown Recreation Center are suspended until further notice.
Norristown Police Department: The department has canceled all of their current and upcoming community events (TAPS at the high school, the citizens police academy) until further notice.
Small Business Finance Lunch and Learn, April 4.
Town Hall, Justice & Mercy: Criminal Justice in Norristown, April 13.
SCHOOLS AND RECREATION
Norristown Area School District
All NASD schools will be closed through at least March 27.
NASD plan for distributing meals during COVID-19 Closure:
On March 18 and March 25th, Grab-and-Go meal bags will be available for pick up at Gotwals Elementary School and Norristown Area High School beginning at 9:30 a.m.
Gotwals will be a walk up pick up site
Norristown Area HS will be set up as a drive through pick up site
- Each Grab-and-Go meal bag will include 5 breakfasts and 5 lunches
- Grab-and-Go meal bags will be available to all students in the district, as well as siblings under the age of 18
- Meals are to be consumed off site and students and families will not be permitted to enter our buildings and/or congregate on site
Elmwood Park Zoo
Closed.
Montgomery County- Norristown Public Library
Closed.
UTILITIES
PAW restores water service to customers
Pennsylvania American Water announced that it is putting a moratorium on service shut offs and reinstating service to previously shut-off customers. More information can be found at amwater.com.
PECO
PECO is suspending service disconnections and waiving new late payment charges through at least May 1, 2020. In addition, PECO will continue to remind customers of existing bill assistance resources and energy assistance programs to support them through temporary or extended financial hardship. Go here for more information: PECO expands customer assistance programs