Bedford Borough Council Archives

THE MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY OF THE BOROUGH OF BEDFORD
DECLARES LOCAL EMERGENCY, ADOPTS PROCEDURES

The Municipal Authority of the Borough of Bedford has declared a state of emergency, allowing staff to implement temporary special procedures for the conduct of authority business during the Coronavirus outbreak.

Bedford Borough employees are continuing to work during the emergency; however, the borough office is closed to the public. Payments for utility bills, permits and other purposes can be made at a drop box at the office door (new temporary office location in Ambulance Building/Lower Level/Vondersmith Avenue), and on-line, through the mail or by telephone. All contact with the borough staff is to be done by telephone or email.

The Declaration curtails the established practices for public attendance and participation at meetings. Municipal Authority meetings during the Declared State of Emergency will be done by teleconference. Access to each teleconference will be provided to all media outlets, and residents can also join the teleconference by utilizing the telephone number and access code published on the borough’s website for each meeting.

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, but only by teleconference. If the public wishes to submit issues or questions to Borough Council or any board, authority or commission, it must be submitted to the Borough Manager by mail, email or telephone prior to the meeting. If it is desired or necessary for any person to speak or actually participate during the meeting, arrangements can be made through the Borough Manager’s office for joining the teleconference.

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!

BEDFORD BOROUGH DECLARES LOCAL EMERGENCY

BEDFORD BOROUGH DECLARES LOCAL EMERGENCY, ADOPTS PROCEDURES

Bedford Borough Council has declared a state of emergency, allowing borough staff to implement temporary special procedures for the conduct of borough business during the Coronavirus outbreak.

All borough employees are continuing to work during the emergency; however, the borough office is closed to the public. Payments for utility bills, permits and other purposes can be made at a drop box at the office door (new temporary office location in Ambulance Building/Lower Level/Vondersmith Avenue), and on-line, through the mail or by telephone. All contact with the borough staff is to be done by telephone or email.

The Declaration curtails the established practices for public attendance and participation at meetings. Future meetings of Borough Council and all boards and commissions will be done by teleconference. Access to each teleconference will be provided to all media outlets, and residents can also join the teleconference by utilizing the telephone number and access code published on the borough’s website for each meeting.

Bedford Borough is approximately fifty percent (50%) through the large water and sewer replacement project. All work being done through Kukurin Contracting and Continental Construction has been suspended.

“It is impossible to predict how long this emergency will last. We urge all residents to abide by the directives issued by state and Federal governments, and to follow the borough’s website and Facebook page for changing local conditions. The borough’s website, www.bedboro.com, contains a wealth of information about borough operations during this emergency” said Council President Weaverling.