Bedford Borough Coronavirus Information
TEMPORARY OPERATIONAL CHANGES DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
The Borough’s focus is to work with county, state and Federal officials to limit the spread of this virus. This being the case, the Borough of Bedford is modifying its operations to protect our residents and employees as a response to the current Coronavirus outbreak. All interaction between the public and borough staff will now be conducted by telephone or email.
BOROUGH (OPERATED & OWNED) BUILDINGS ARE ALL NOW CLOSED TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, PAYMENTS FOR BOROUGH WATER/SEWER, PERMITS AND PARKING TICKETS WILL BE ACCEPTED IN A DROP BOX AT THE OFFICE DOOR (NEW TEMPORARY OFFICE LOCATION IN AMBULANCE BUILDING/LOWER LEVEL/VONDERSMITH AVENUE), ON-LINE, THROUGH THE MAIL OR BY TELPHONE.
We are striving to provide a welcoming environment in our Municipal offices. At this time, our offices will remain open for essential Borough business. We are promoting the practice of social distancing. Visitors are not permitted in the building for any purpose. No meetings with visitors will be scheduled at this time, and it is requested that residents call our office, or email Borough staff, to discuss concerns or ask questions before coming to the Borough offices. By working together to limit social contact, we all can aid in protecting the most vulnerable residents in our community.
In order to ensure the safety of all its residents and staff, the following operational changes for the following Borough departments have been implemented until further notice:
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES
The Administrative Offices are working under normal office hours, with the exception of in-person meetings. Any emails, telephone calls, as well as comments through the Borough’s website will be responded to as soon as possible.
Contacting the Borough Departments:
Borough Manager Barbara Diehl 814-623-8192 bdiehl@bedboro.com
Borough Front Office 814-623-8192 bedfordborough@bedboro.com
Tax Collector – Cathy Jones 814-623-9371 cajones7971@comcast.net
Police Department 814-623-1105 bedfordpd@bedboro.com
Building Codes & Permits (PMCA) 814-310-2326 pmca@pacodealliance.com
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Police emergency operations will not be limited, however, the method of communication and service for non-life-threatening calls will be altered. Police Officers may limit their own access to confined areas including homes and businesses. Officers may be requesting callers to meet outside and will maintain a social distance. If and when possible, Officers will be requesting phone numbers to take reports by phone or may request emails for detailed information.
We strongly request that you be honest about any illnesses when requesting assistance from police, fire, and EMS. Our first responders cannot provide the necessary services if they have been exposed to a potential virus. If you believe you are experiencing the symptoms of the Coronavirus, follow the directives of the CDC and communicate with your doctor to determine the best measures.
The police, fire and EMS services are here and will continue to provide the services you need. It may look and feel much different, but they will provide the service regardless.
COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT (RECREATION & PUBLIC WORKS):
Community Parks
The Community parks and playgrounds are still open at this time. Parks are not cleaned on a regular basis, and the public uses those at your own risk. Please take the appropriate steps to social distance and no gatherings more than 10 are recommended.
LAND USE ZONING OPINIONS, LAND DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS, SUBDIVISIONS
Contact the Borough Manager’s office above.
MEETINGS OF BOROUGH COUNCIL AND ALL BOARDS, AUTHORITIES AND COMMISSIONS
Meetings are being held as scheduled.
APPLICATIONS
All applications relating to borough business can be found on-line at www.bedboro.com.
PLEASE MONITOR THE BOROUGH’S WEBSITE AND FACEBOOK PAGE FOR INFORMATION REGARDING THE CORONAVIRUS, CDC AND COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS AS WELL AS BOROUGH OPERATIONS AS WE MOVE THROUGH THIS CRISIS TOGETHER. THANK YOU!
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The Borough of Bedford would like to provide information, as it becomes available, to the public.
Governor Tom Wolf recently announced the closure of “non-life-sustaining” businesses. Please be advised: The list of “non-life-sustaining” businesses has been updated.
Click here to check to see if your business is affected: https://www.scribd.com/document/452553026/UPDATED-5-45pm-March-21-2020-Industry-Operation-Guidance.
Waiver requests for your business are available here: https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/waiver-extension-revised-timing-of-enforcement-monday-march-23-at-800-am/.
Enforcement actions against businesses that do not close physical locations began Monday, March 23, at 8:00 AM.
Additional Resources:
SBA LOAN ASSISTANCE Governor
Tom Wolf announced on March 19th, the availability of low-interest
loans for small businesses and eligible non-profits in all 67 counties in
Pennsylvania through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans offer up to $2 million in assistance
and can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the
temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. These loans may be used to pay
fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid
because of the disaster’s impact.
Businesses may obtain information and loan applications by calling the SBA’s
Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the hearing
impaired), or by e-mailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
Loan applications can also be downloaded at www.sba.gov/disaster.
Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via the
SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
RELATED QUESTIONS Please call 1-877-PA Health and be sure
to hit OPTION 2 for health related questions. You can also email RA-DHCOVIDQUESTIONS@pa.gov.
TAX RELATED QUESTIONS
Please email our Center for Local Government Services at ra-dcedclgs@pa.gov.UNEMPLOYMENT
QUESTIONS Please go to the
Labor and Industry web site and fill out their Contact Us form: https://www.dli.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx.
Also see their service guide: self-service
guide. If you need further assistance, you can email them at uchelp@pa.gov.
