WEST CHESTER, PA – September 14, 2021 – Chester County residents and businesses affected by the remnants of Hurricane Ida can now apply for low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). This service is in addition to the FEMA federal disaster assistance made available to Chester County, as well as Bucks, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia, and York Counties, through last week’s Presidential Disaster Declaration. 

Under the SBA disaster assistance program, certain Chester County homeowners, renters and business owners can apply for loans to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, and to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed personal property. 

Business and private nonprofit organizations of any size that qualify, may borrow funds to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. Mitigation improvement loans may also be available to businesses and nonprofit organizations. 

The SBA federal loans can help with losses not covered by insurance or the FEMA disaster assistance, as well as business operating expenses that could have been met had Hurricane Ida not occurred. 

“The addition of this SBA low-interest loan program is welcome news for those whose homes and businesses have been devasted by Ida, and who are looking at all options to recover financially,” said Mike Murphy, Director of the Chester County Department of Emergency Services. 

“This is another step in moving forward, and in addition to the federal financial support, staff throughout Chester County government will continue to help with the housing, physical health, mental health, and other services needed to ensure complete recovery from this disaster,” he added. 

Chester County residents and businesses that have sustained damage caused by Hurricane Ida can start their application process for all funding assistance options by registering at http://www.disasterassistance.gov, or by calling the FEMA toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362. 

In-person registration for assistance and information will be available at Chester County’s FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC), the location of which will be announced in the coming days. 

For all current and future information related to Hurricane Ida support and recovery in Chester County, including more information on the SBA disaster loan assistance program, go to www.chesco.org/ida. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to supplement commonwealth and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by Hurricane Ida. Chester County is included in the declared area and this will open up Individual Assistance and Hazard Mitigation funding to assist our residents and businesses in recovering.

Residents and businesses can start the process now by either filing a claim online at www.disasterassistance.gov or calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Planning is underway to establish a Disaster Recover Center (DRC) at a physical location in Chester County where residents can visit in person to file claims and meet with state, local, and federal resources. More info will be shared once that is finalized.

As individuals register with FEMA, a FEMA contracted inspector will contact them to set up an inspection of their residence. They will be carrying FEMA or a FEMA contractor badge. The inspector contractor coordinator asked that we notify our county and local law enforcement that these inspectors will have a FEMA ID. If they don’t have a FEMA ID, and they don’t show it when asked, they probably aren’t a FEMA inspector. Unfortunately after disasters there is an increase for potential fraud and we want to make sure everyone is aware of what will be happening in their respective municipalities. We received word that these FEMA contracted inspectors will be hitting the streets as soon as today to start inspections.

A Friendly Notice to All East Nantmeal Dog Owners (and Dog Lovers): 

State law requires that owners must keep their dogs under “reasonable control” at all times.  (Section 305 of PA Dog Law).  This prevents the dogs from running at large and causing injury to themselves or others.  Street traffic and interactions with other dogs are particularly worrisome.

Dogs are personal property, and owners are responsible for damages caused by their dog.

Confining your dog to your property with a fence or attaching your dog to a leash or lead when out for a walk are reasonable and responsible means to establish the required control of your dog .

So dog owners be safe and be a good neighbor:  On your walks, keep your dog under control at all times, preferably with a leash.  This protects everyone: you, your dog and other dogs and their owners.

The election laws have changed and Pennsylvania now allows for mail-in voting.  This may be appropriate for those who wish to maintain social distancing through April.

You now have two options for mail ballots. You may either choose a mail-in ballot or an absentee ballot to request, complete, and return to the Chester County Voter Services.

Absentee ballot – If you plan to be out of the municipality on election day or if you have a disability or illness, you should request this ballot type, which still requires you to list a reason for your ballot.

Mail-in ballot – If you aren’t an absentee voter, you may apply for a mail-in ballot. You may simply request this ballot without a reason.

If you want to vote by mail in this year’s primary just request an absentee ballot at votespa.com.  You do not need to give a reason for requesting a mail-in ballot.

Absentee and mail-in ballot applications for the April 28, 2020, primary election must be received at  Chester County Voter Services by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21, 2020.

At this time the primary election scheduled for April 28, 2020, has not be changed because of the COVID-19 outbreak. Please visit votespa.com for the latest.

In an effort to mitigate the risk of spreading COVID-19, all non-essential commission and committee meetings have been canceled until mid-May. Any organization that would meet in the township building will cancel or move their meeting. The Board of Supervisors, however, will meet as scheduled.

If you have township business, you are requested to contact the office by phone, email or the US Mail, rather than visiting the office in person.

The following resolution was adopted by the Board of Supervisors at their meeting on March 11, 2020.

Motion

In an effort to protect the health of the citizens of East Nantmeal Township, Township employees and officials related to the spread of the COVID-19 virus,  I move to impose the following policies regarding public meetings and the use of the Township building:

1. Except for meetings of the Board of Supervisors, all meetings of Commissions and Committees of the Township and other Township-sponsored groups that utilize the Township building and meeting room are cancelled.

2. Outside groups that are scheduled or utilize the Township building, for example Garden Club, are prohibited from using the building and meeting room.

3. Municipal employees should avoid non-essential meetings and limit their exposure to the public to the extent feasible.

4. Persons having business with the Township should use reasonable efforts to avoid personal visits to the Township office during business hours and communicate by telephone, email and USPS mail.

5. Persons who have health problems, compromised or weak immune systems, recently visited foreign countries with confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus and the elderly should avoid visiting the Township offices and attending Board meetings.

6. The Township website shall be updated and the Township building shall be posted with these policies and recommendations.

7. These policies will remain in effect until the May Board meeting, May 13, 2020, when they will be reevaluated.

 

 

For more information visit https://www.chesco.org/4376/2019-Novel-Coronavirus