Jenkintown Community Newsletter

Important information

As of publication, Montgomery County has a reported 2,423 positive cases of coronavirus with 17 of those cases being in Jenkintown. Governor Wolf has implemented a stay at home order through at least April 30. Pennsylvania schools are closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.

The Montgomery County Covid-19 website is a comprehensive collection of information and resources available during this crisis.

Jenkintown Borough Hall is closed, but Borough employees continue to work. If you have concerns or questions please call the appropriate number below.

  • Jenkintown Borough: 215-885-0700
  • Jenkintown Police Non-Emergency: 610-635-4300
  • Jenkintown Food Cupboard: 215-274-5720

JCA-Jenkintown Community Alliance

The JCA, or Jenkintown Community Alliance, is an all volunteer, non-profit organization that promotes an alliance between residents and business owners, and facilitates projects and events that enhance the Jenkintown community, making it a better place to live, work and shop.

At our annual community meeting in March, we announced the creation of JCA memberships. Membership perks include member only events, early access to Arts Fest registration, and, for business and non-profits, inclusion on the Jenkintown.net website.

We would like to thank everyone who has joined, and invite you to join today! If you would like to join, but are concerned about the cost associated during this crisis, please reach out to our president, Jean, about deferring payment until after the lockdown is lifted. We are working hard to support and promote local businesses and would love to have you join us.

Click here to join the JCA today.

Jump Start Jenkintown!

The JCA is happy to announce the launch of Jump Start Jenkintown, a collaboration to promote Jenkintown businesses during this difficult time. The project will launch with 4 weekly social media contests designed to highlight the ways you can support Jenkintown businesses during the shut down. Follow JCA on Facebook or Instagram for details and to participate.

1 winner, each week, will receive a $50 gift certificate to a local business!

Borough Council

Jenkintown Borough Council sends greetings to you with the hope that you are well and staying physically and socially distant. Please obey the urgent warnings from Montgomery County and State of Pennsylvania officials who urge us to STAY AT HOME except for necessary and life sustaining tasks.

Our borough government and professionals are working to keep providing emergency services, necessary public works services and to share information as it becomes available. The borough manager, our chief of police, chief of the fire department, public works staff and others will continue to lead the way and keep our borough running. Borough emails and phone messages are being received and responded to.

Borough Council is in touch with our professionals by phone and email.
As a Council, representatives from all four wards met in three small groups virtually on Zoom on March 30. Our Borough Solicitor’s office is now advising that because Governor Wolf has declared Pennsylvania in a state of emergency we are permitted to hold virtual Council meetings.
You’ll find information about how to connect on www.jenkintownboro.com.

We are living in unprecedented times. The needs around us are real and we are all working to hang on until solutions become widely available.  We encourage you to check on your neighbors, family, and friends. And reach out for assistance if needed.
Go to www.jenkintownboro.com to find links for information about COVID-19, support agencies, and to learn how you can help.
We urge you to support our local businesses if possible; check each website to find out which services are being offered.
As we all shelter at home, we hope you’ll find what brings you hope and focus on it.
This state of emergency will come to an end.
Stay safe, stay calm, stay connected with family and friends.

Deborra Sines-Pancoe, President, Jenkintown Borough Council

Wednesday, April 22 at 7pm – Full Borough Council will meet.

The meeting will be live streamed on Facebook. You are invited to submit questions during the public comment period of the meeting, or beforehand by emailing Manager Locke at glocke@jenkintownboro.com.

Council is expected to vote on the following resolutions:

  • Resolution to ratify and extend the Emergency Disaster Declaration
  • Resolutions to extend the discount period of Real Estate Taxes, and deadlines for BPT and Mercantile Taxes
  • Resolution to apply for a grant for new covered recycling containers

Mayor's Corner

April 1st was National Census day! And that‘s no joke! At the end of March, The Census Bureau reported that Montgomery County had a 40.1% self response rate so far. That is a great start. In light of the spread of Covid-19, it’s more important than ever to encourage as many households as possible to respond remotely.
Luckily, it’s so easy to respond online at my2020census.gov or by calling 844-330-2020. Let’s all be counted even during this time of social distancing!
You can also make a difference during this trying time by going to votespa.com to register to vote and request a mail or absentee ballot. Stay connected by exercising your rights and meeting civic responsibilities!

Allyson Dobbs

Community Spotlight

There are many ways to support local businesses during the shutdown.

Order a meal to go. Restaurants in the Borough that are offering take out include:

Jenkintown Library

Even though the Jenkintown Library and book drop are currently closed, you can still access books and audio books online. MCLINC and the app, Libby, are both options for accessing the library digitally.

Need a library card? Click here to apply for a virtual card!

Notes

The local food bank - Jenkintown Food Cupboard, is serving more than 100 families per week and is seeing increases in demand due to the coronavirus shutdown. If you are able, please consider a donation of shelf stable foods, or a monetary contribution.  Food can be dropped off at the Jenkintown United Methodist Church in the lobby off of Summit Ave, M-F 8:30am-3pm. Financial contributions can be made Venmo @JenkintownFoodCupboard or PayPal JenkintownFoodCupboard@gmail.com or click below to donate on our website. http://www.jenkintownfoodcupboard.net/do