Category Archives: News and Event Blog

The Arbor Day event that was scheduled for April 18th in New Britain Borough (on the grassy island near the post office) has been cancelled due to Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, and will not be rescheduled.

PECO management acknowledges these are challenging times for New Britain Borough residents and business owners.  PECO is working diligently to keep electric and natural gas distribution systems operating safely.  PECO’s field forces are operating around the clock to make sure facilities are operating.  If there are outages, PECO is maintaining  adequate staffing to dispatch to these outages, and make the necessary repairs to restore service.  This preparedness also extends to storm response.

PECO is classified as a public utility, performing life-sustaining services and work.  As such, will continue to perform electric and gas construction in order to ensure that natural gas and electric distribution systems continue to operate.  In many cases, PECO can perform a lot of work without interrupting customers.  If PECO does need to schedule an interruption, they will notify customers in advance.  Scheduled interruptions usually take about 6 hours.  Often times they can be completed in less time.  Occasionally, it takes longer due to field conditions.  In the case of electricity, if you keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed, your food will not spoil within the period of the interruption.

If a PECO or PECO contractor crew arrives at a residence or business, PECO asks that customers refrain from making contact with the crews.  Crews are there to perform work, and a customer who approaches them can distract them causing an unsafe situation for the crew and the customer.  Customers should direct their questions to PECO at 1-800-494-4000.  If customers are having financial issues affecting their ability to pay their bills, they can contact PECO at 1-800-494-4000 or by going to PECO’s website at peco.com/help.   PECO is keeping the need to enter homes and businesses to a minimum, and PECO’s personnel will never enter without permission and the proper identification.  Thank you for your cooperation.

Community health and safety is the borough’s first priority.   Borough staff members are closely monitoring the situation regarding the novel coronavirus COVID-19 and are continuing to follow recommendations made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local health officials.

The Wilma Quinlan Nature Preserve, Covered Bridge Park, and Orchard Park remain open to the public as places to engage in outdoor activity, such as walking, hiking, or running, which are considered allowable individual activities as part of the stay-at-home orders for Pennsylvania. The borough is pleased to offer these open spaces as a small but valuable public service at such a challenging time, but please remember, social distancing must be maintained.

Please note, according to CDC guidelines to preserve health and safety, the playground equipment, pavilion, and restrooms at Covered Bridge Park are closed to the public until further notice, but the trails remain open.  That said, the borough asks our visitors for their cooperation in ensuring safety for all, and their understanding as we must make certain modifications to public access.

The borough welcomes your visit to its parks & preserves, but require the following:

• Practice social distancing. This includes keeping six feet of space between you and others.
• Keep your dog on a leash and away from others at all times, and clean up after your pets.
• Pick up after yourself. Bring a bag and carry out your trash.
• If the parking lot is full, you must leave and visit another time. The police may enforce this by ticketing and towing cars parked beyond our parking lot to help all visitors, community members, staff, and neighbors stay safe. If local authorities observe crowded roadways and trails, we might be forced to close.
• To help avoid exposure to COVID-19 and still enjoy the outdoors:
• Don’t hike or recreate in groups; only walk or hike with those under the same roof.
• Take hand sanitizer with you, and use it regularly.
• Avoid touching your face, eyes, and nose.
• Cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with a tissue or flexed elbow.
• If you are sick, stay home.

Mayor David Holewinski has declared a state of emergency in New Britain Borough relating to the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic.  Please CLICK HERE to read a copy of the declaration.

In other local news, due to growing concerns with COVID-19, Bucks County is postponing the household hazardous waste collection event that was scheduled for April 4, 2020 in Newtown at the campus of Bucks County Community College.  Please visit the county’s website, www.buckscounty.org/recycle for the most up-to-date information as any additional potential cancellations or rescheduled dates will be promptly added to the site.

Delaware Valley University announces that its physical campus is closed to visitors and guests from the community as the University does its part to limit the spread of COVID-19.  For everyone’s health and safety, only essential personnel of the University are permitted on the grounds.  For community members using the Bike and Hike Trail, which remains open, University officials ask that you please remain on the trail, and do not step off onto the campus.  Thank you for your cooperation.

North Penn Water Authority Customers:  Annual Hydrant Flushing Notice

Due to the essential function of fire hydrants and the importance of maintaining the excellent water quality in our distribution system, NPWA will commence its annual Fire Hydrant Inspection and Flushing Program on Sunday, March 29, 2020.  Annual inspection and flushing of fire hydrants increase public safety by ensuring that hydrants will function when called upon in the case of a fire. Flushing of hydrants also improves water quality by removing the build-up of materials from the inside of water distribution pipes.

We understand that this is an already very stressful time for everyone in our community with the many limits put in place to protect citizens from COVID-19. NPWA is one of the ‘life-sustaining businesses’ identified by Governor Wolf’s recent order. We are committed to continuing our vital water supply operations to the public without interruption. We will conduct most flushing overnight, in an effort to limit the impact to our customers.

NPWA’s Annual Flushing Program will begin on March 29^th and run through May 25^th, weather permitting.  Tentative dates for New Britain Borough are March 29^th through April 16^th.

Flushing is done between 8:00 PM and 4:00 AM and during the day between 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM.  As a result, some customers may notice discolored water and/or lower than normal water pressure.  If discoloration occurs, run COLD water for about 10 minutes and your water should clear up.

BCWSA:  Shutoffs Suspended Over Next 90 Days

Benjamin Jones, CEO of BCWSA, announced today that none of its customers will face a shutoff of water or sewer services over the next 90 days.

“We want our customers to know that in these trying times they will have the guarantee of clean water and sewer service without interruption,” Jones said. “We are all in this fight together, and we will come out of it together.”

The policy covers all customers in Bucks, Chester and Montgomery Counties.

Additionally, BCWSA is asking residents to refrain from flushing toilet paper “alternatives” like wipes, napkins, etc.  If it is not specifically toilet paper, DO NOT flush it, please throw it in the trash instead.  This will help to prevent sewer line clogs, back-ups, and other service emergencies.  Thank you for your cooperation.

Please CLICK HERE for a copy of the Certified Wildlife Habitat Application that you can print, fill out, and return the last two pages to the borough office by email:  nbboro@newbritainboro.com, or by fax 215-348-5953, or you can send through the mail, or drop off to our outside mailbox (mounted to the left of office front door) located at:  New Britain Borough, 45 Keeley Avenue, New Britain, PA 18901.  Please remember, there is NO COST to you!  A generous, anonymous donor is covering your fee, and our office will apply those donated funds when we submit your application to the NWF on your behalf.  Thank you for making a difference!

ADVANCED DISPOSAL ANNOUNCEMENT:  Dear Residents, as you know cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) are rapidly spreading throughout our area. It has been determined by the CDC that the virus can remain viable lasting from hours on up to days on a variety of waste materials generated by residents. With that said, Advanced Disposal Services will be requiring that ALL WASTE BE BAGGED in order to be collected. Grocery bags containing waste will not be accepted as these are prone to breaking open and are the major cause for windblown trash on collection days. Loose trash will be left at the curb and not collected effective March 30th for all areas. If residents are using plastic trash containers, they must still BAG ALL WASTE prior to depositing in the container. This will eliminate windblown items while dumping the container. Bagging will NOT include recyclables. Recyclables shall remain un-bagged and continue as single-stream. This process is for the protection of Advanced Disposal employees, as well as the residents of New Britain Borough, in order to reduce the spread of the virus.  Thank you for your cooperation.

An Updated PA Business Closure List and information for businesses from Governor Tom Wolf can be found by clicking here.

If after viewing the list, your business would need to apply for a waiver from the state,  an email request can be sent to:  RA-dcexemption@pa.gov.  Questions about whether a business needs to close can be emailed to:  ra-dcedcs@pa.gov.

State officials have also announced an application process for low-interest loans through the Small Business Administration (SBA).  You can contact the SBA’s disaster assistance customer service center by calling 1-800-659-2955 or by emailing:  disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

New Britain Township has assembled a list of businesses in New Britain Borough, New Britain Township and Chalfont Borough that have confirmed they are offering take out / pick up food services during the outbreak.  Some even have discounts available, just ask. Please support your local businesses. For the curbside pick up listing, please CLICK HERE.