LINK TO THE NORRISTOWN CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE HUB
As of Nov. 13 county officials are reporting 16,125 Coronavirus COVID-19 cases in Montgomery County, including 848 deaths from the virus, which includes 1,410 cases and 57 deaths in 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 c0dc.gov/coronavirus/20… En español aquí: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index-sp.html
Masks must be worn at all times* whenever you leave your house. (*- when out in stores, when being socially distant is not possible, on public transportation) Exceptions granted to persons with medical conditions where wearing a mask may be harmful to their health.
For information at the state/local level, the PA Department of Health can be accessed here: https://www.health.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx
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.
Testing:
The Montgomery County COVID-19 testing site in Norristown is located at 1401 DeKalb St. (Norristown Regional Health Center parking lot) Testing hours are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. Appointments are mandatory! You can sign up for a test here, or by calling 610-970-2937 starting at 8:30 a.m. everyday. Anyone may be tested here, or at the county’s other testing sites.
Resources:
What about unemployment? Please see the state’s Unemployment Compensation website about filing a claim and if you qualify to do so: https://www.uc.pa.gov/COVID-19/Pages/UC-COVID19-FAQs.aspx?fbclid=IwAR3WYHIu7Ueez4CMVywhCGFN7zZzg_R8NfRpd-51s9UgYiK8YHdOQo6VJNU
What about evictions and forclosures? Through Aug. 31 there is a hold on any foreclosures or evictions. Legal Aid of Southeastern PA has provided a list of resources and information about staying in your home during this pandemic.
¿Puedo ser desalojado? ¿Puede un juicio hipotecario ser presentado en contra de mi casa? Leer aquí
Mortgage/rent assistance: The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency has just advertised that they are accepting applications for rent and mortgage relief for those who lost income due to the economic slowdown. If you meet the qualifications you can apply for assistance at https://www.phfa.org/pacares/
Montgomery County has established communication tools to answer your questions about COVID-19. You can call 610-631-3000 (from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) or email COVID19@montcopa.org. Go to http://www.montcopa.org/COVID-19 for local information and to see what communities are affected.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health is tracking the outbreak throughout the state and can be viewed here. The department can be reached at 1-800-724-3258.
COMMUNITY UPDATES!
A disaster declaration for the Municipality of Norristown was issued on March 16 and will be in effect indefinitely. This is a proactive action being taken so the municipality can get access to the resources and tools it needs to keep residents safe.
Montgomery County has established communication tools to answer your questions about COVID-19. You can call 610-631-3000 (from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) or email COVID19@montcopa.org. Go to http://www.montcopa.org/COVID-19 for local information and to see what communities are affected.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health is tracking the outbreak throughout the state and can be viewed here. The department can be reached at 1-800-724-3258.
MUNICIPAL HALL:
Municipal Hall reopened to the public on July 1. Mask-wearing and social distancing is enforced for employees and visitors.
MUNICIPAL COUNCIL:
Meetings will still be held on virtual platforms (and at council’s discretion). Meeting access information will be posted before each meeting. The meeting agenda with public participation information will be posted on our website the Friday before the meeting. Meetings will still be conducted on the first and third Tuesday of every month unless otherwise noted.
MUNICIPAL DEPARTMENTS/SERVICES:
CODE ENFORCEMENT
Starting May 1, permitted construction work may resume in Norristown. Workers at job sites are asked to respect workspace guidance established by the state. The Codes department will be out to ensure that safe working standards adhere to guidance; if not, citations may be issued. Rental Inspections; property transfer inspections; non-emergency housing complaints; and scheduled non-emergency inspections with the fire department have all been suspended until further notice. Please call 610-270-0441 or email codes@norristown.org if you have any questions.
FINANCE/TAXES
NOTICE: The discount period to pay your municipal real estate taxes will be extended to May 31. Taxes are due by Dec. 31. As of March 18, payment of bills or tickets will not be done at the finance office. Full payment of the face value of your tax bill is extended to Dec. 31. Payment should be made with a cashier’s check, money order or personal check and dropped off at the mail slot at the front of the Municipal Hall entrance during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). Cash will not be accepted! Payments can be processed over the phone. Call 610-270-0426 if you have any questions.
Business Privilege Taxes: The deadline to file 2019 final/2020 estimated Business Privilege Tax return and payment has been extended to July 15. The extension does not apply to delinquent taxes.
PUBLIC WORKS
Street sweeping resumed on July 1.
RECREATION
The Norristown Recreation Center and parks reopened on July 1 (an early-August flood further shutdown the Rec Center until Nov. 2). The Rec Center will be open from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. M-F and 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Mask wearing and social distancing will be adhered to.
Parks will be open with social distancing guidelines in place.
TRASH/RECYCLING
Weekly trash and recycling collections will continue.
SEPTA
Service has been restored to most lines in the SEPTA system as of June 20. More information at http://septa.org/
MUNICIPAL EVENT CANCELLATIONS:
Community events are limited.
SCHOOLS AND RECREATION
Norristown Area School District
Schools will open with VIRTUAL instruction through the start of January. Full re-opening plans can be found at the school district’s website: https://www.nasd.k12.pa.us/domain/596
Elmwood Park Zoo
Open, but reserved ticketing is required. www.elmwoodparkzoo.org.
Montgomery County- Norristown Public Library
The main building (at Powell and Swede streets) reopened to the public on Aug. 24. Curbside pickup of materials is available. Some virtual resources are available to cardholders at www.mc-npl.org. All programs are canceled until further notice.
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 for non-payment until further notice. 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.