Upper Gwynedd Township Temporary Declaration of Disaster Emergency
In response to the current COVID-19 Health Pandemic, the Upper Gwynedd Township Board of Commissioners have signed a Temporary Declaration of Disaster.
Over the past few weeks, Township staff including our Emergency Management Coordinator and the Board of Commissioners have been closely monitoring the situation regarding the spread of COVID-19. With a heavy heart, earlier this week the Board directed Township staff to close playgrounds, basketball courts and other places within the Township parks where people are likely to congregate. After serious consideration, and following similar declarations from the Federal government, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Montgomery County, and many of our neighboring municipalities, the Board of Commissioners has decided to declare a state of emergency in Upper Gwynedd Township. This decision is not one that has been made easily, but it will open up resources to the Township and, most importantly, our first responders, as we continue to do whatever possible to stop the spread of COVID-19. The coming days and weeks will be difficult and will continue to present new challenges for everyone. We will do our best to continue to provide information as it is available to our residents via social media and the townships website.
In signing this Declaration, the Township is enabled to take advantage of any State or Federal funding opportunities should they become available. This may provide for the potential to assist business owners, renters, and homeowners who may be impacted by the Pandemic. It allows the officials of Upper Gwynedd Township to act as necessary to meet the current demands of this emergency response including: employment of temporary workers, rental of equipment, purchase of supplies and materials and by entering into such contract and agreements for the performance of public work as may be required to meet the emergency. This will allow for officials of Upper Gwynedd Township to take these actions without regard to those time-consuming procedures and formalities normally prescribed by law, mandatory constitution requirements excepted.
I implore each and every resident of Upper Gwynedd Township to follow the advice of Governor Wolf and the CDC. Please, stay home. Practice social distancing. Don’t panic. Check on your neighbors. Wash your hands frequently. We recognize that this dangerous disease will have a significant financial impact on small businesses and their employees. Please continue to patronize small businesses with gift certificate purchases, delivery orders or take-out orders. But please do whatever you can to help flatten the curve.
I also want to take an opportunity to personally thank our Township staff, who have implemented policies that have allowed the Township to continue to serve the residents during this time.
Upper Gwynedd Township will provide more details, as the Township receives additional guidance from Montgomery County, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). We ask for your patience during this time and will provide further information as it is received.
Please check the Upper Gwynedd Township’s website, www.uppergwynedd.org for continued updates. Follow us on our social media pages:
https://www.facebook.com/uppergwynedd/
https://twitter.com/UpperGwyneddTwp
https://www.instagram.com/uppergwyneddtownship/
https://www.facebook.com/UGTEMA/
https://twitter.com/UGTEMA
To view the official declaration, please click here: Upper Gwynedd Emergency Declaration
Stay safe,
Liz K. McNaney
Upper Gwynedd Board of Commissioners President