Hilltown Township Administration Buildings Temporarily Closed to the Public, Effective March 13, 2020
Hilltown Township Municipal Building and Hilltown Township Administrative office for the Police Department are temporarily closed to members of the public indefinitely. The move is in response to Governor Wolf's strong recommendations to all counties in the Commonwealth regarding the rapidly evolving (COVID-19) Coronavirus situation.
For the time being, members of staff are continuing to work in the Township Municipal Building and are available to help members of the public via phone: 215-453-6000, fax: 215-453-1024 and email: tspehar@hilltown.org, 8 AM-4:30 PM, Monday thru Friday.
The Police Department will maintain police services and patrols during this crisis.
Hilltown Township is cancelling the Easter Egg Hunt scheduled for March 28, 2020.
The Township reminds everyone that the (COVID-19) Coronavirus situation is rapidly evolving and that things are changing quickly. Please visit the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Bucks Co. Health Department, Bucks Co COVID-19 Information and PA Department of Health websites for the latest bulletins and updates. Hilltown Township will continue to post any local changes for residents on the website at www.hilltown.org.
All scheduled meeting are cancelled until further notice.
The Board of Supervisors of Hilltown Township
Pandemic Updated Letter from the Chief of Police at HIlltown Township
March 27, 2020
An Updated Message from the Chief of Police
I hope you and your family, friends and coworkers are faring well during this unprecedented crisis. I wanted to take a minute to update you regarding the COVID-19 virus outbreak and the status of the Police Department.
The Police Department continues to be fully operational but operating under the revised protocols announced in my March 13, 2020 letter in order to limit our exposure to the public & vice versa.
We are extremely appreciative of the kindness that has been expressed and shown to us as we continue to work under this new environment. We are also extremely appreciative of the donations of much needed sanitizing cleaners to the Police Department. Please remember to show gratitude to other emergency service workers, including fire, EMS, and emergency dispatchers. And let’s not forget all the other workers that are helping keep healthcare facilities, utilities, food stores, gas stations, etc. operating so that we can care for the sick and get the everyday essentials we need for our families.
Rest assured that our dedication to Protect and Serve has never been stronger. We want to make it clear that no one has been given permission to violate any laws during this crisis. Although we are attempting to limit our interactions, we will make arrests and issue summons for offenses throughout this ordeal when necessary. We do not want anyone trying to take advantage of this situation. In addition, residents & businesses should be cautious of potential scams by unscrupulous persons trying to prey on the vulnerable & those scared about an uncertain future. Please, pay particular attention when driving. Drivers tend to get distracted during stressful times which can be hazardous even with less traffic on the streets.
The Police Department can now receive complaints by an on-line incident reporting system via our CRIMEWATCH account. Additionally, a similar on-line reporting platform will be available on the Police Department’s section of the Hilltown Township website within the next week. These are not a substitute for calling 9-1-1 for emergencies or 215-453-6011 when a police response is otherwise required. These additional tools give us the ability to handle non-priority calls when our resources and time permit. Also, remember to follow us on Facebook.
Please keep in contact with your friends, family, neighbors & coworkers throughout this ordeal. Reach out to make sure they are not in need of any supplies & help them when possible. Remember those who may be struggling both emotionally & financially during this time. We also remind everyone to continue to abide by Governor Wolf’s orders pertaining to social gatherings, social distancing, stay-at-home (Call 215-328-8500 to report suspected social order violations) & cease non-life sustaining business activity (Call 1-800-383-0371 & press 2 for consumer protections to report suspected business activity violations). Additional information and resources regarding COVID-19 can be found by visiting the Bucks County COVID-19 web page.
Be kind & respectful. Do not hoard! And share when you can.
When we get through this, and we will, we can get back to our normal routines and celebrate but also remember those that were lost and the lives that were forever changed.
I again thank you for your continued patience, cooperation & support! If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me at any time.
Sincerely,
Christopher Engelhart
Chief of Police
215-453-6000 Ext. 221
cengelhart@hilltownpd.org
Statement Regarding Building Inspections, Building & Zoning Permits During Emergency Declaration
Statement Regarding Building Inspections and Building and Zoning Permits During Emergency Declaration
Due to Governor Wolfe’s March 19, 2020 ordered closure of all business that are not life sustaining, specifically including the mandated suspension of all construction activity, any and all Building Inspections activity is immediately suspended until further notice.
Additionally, processing and issuance of all Zoning & Building permits is fully suspended. As of the writing of this notice, the Township Building is closed to the public; however, the staff is carrying on with some administrative functions:
- Permit Applications may be submitted to the Township Building via US Mail.
- Reviews of submitted permits will continue as long as the Code Enforcement office is staffed, but final issuance of permits will not occur until the Emergency Order is lifted.
- If the Code Enforcement Office ceases to be staffed, either due to a legal order or illness, all review deadlines will be suspended.
Finally, with regard to emergency repairs of buildings and systems, the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code §§ 403.42(b) and 403.62(b) both state: “An emergency repair or replacement of equipment may be made without first applying for a permit if a permit application is submitted to the building code official within 3 business days of the repair or replacement”. Additionally, the Governor’s order identifies REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE (Personal and Household Goods Repair and Maintenance) as a continued permitted activity.
Consequently, a property owner is certainly permitted to repair or replace any system or incidental damage to their dwelling or building, if that repair or replacement is necessary to the continued safe, healthy use of the building and comfort of the occupants. Examples would be:
- Heating and Air Condition repair/replacement
- Water and Sewer repairs
- Cooking Appliance repair
- Repair of incidental roof damage and storm damage.
- If you discover incidental rot or other unsafe condition or property hazard.
- An electrical hazard or perceived gas leak.
A property owner should document the activity to best of their ability and follow up by mailing in a Permit Application along with the required description of the activity that was performed. Building Permit Applications may be downloaded from the Township Website on The Building & Zoning Page.
As with all things, common sense should be exercised; the ultimate goal is always the continued health and safety of the community and individual property owners.
David Taylor
Zoning Officer/BCO
Hilltown Township
Bucks County, Pa.
COVID-19 Information
For information regarding Coronavirus please click the links below:
