Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
Middletown Township is looking to assist businesses as they prepare to reopen after having their physical locations closed since mid-March.
This coming Friday, Bucks County will move from the “red” phase under Gov. Tom Wolf’s reopening plan to the “yellow” phase, which will ease restrictions on businesses.
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The Middletown Township Economic Reopening Task Force has been set up by the municipality with the aim of “formulating and distributing information and resources to area businesses as the township transitions into the yellow and green phases.”
In a statement, Middletown Township officials said multiple government agencies releasing regulations and guidelines can be confusing.
“Our business community makes Middletown Township a vibrant place to live and work, and they need our help,” said Board of Supervisors Chairperson Mike Ksiazek. “We are working together to help our local economy create a safe environment for our businesses, workers, and consumers—business by business, industry by industry.”
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The 13-person Middletown Township Economic Reopening Task Force has been tasked with creating standards and guidelines to assist local businesses in reopening and keeping employees and customers safe amid the pandemic.
“Our residents and local businesses are looking for specific guidance on how to open safely and how quickly that can be accomplished. We can’t take a one size fits all approach, the needs of a restaurant and the needs of a hair salon are different” said Supervisor Amy Strouse. “Our small businesses are the life blood of our community, and we are fortunate to have a number of large businesses as well those that are major employers here in Middletown that are committed to supporting the Economic Reopening Task Force and the local economy as we navigate the next weeks and months.”
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As the township moves to the yellow phase, officials will begin considering ways to temporarily loosen local restrictions on businesses to help them recover.
“Allowing for more temporary signage and expanding outdoor dining restrictions are two of the many possible ways local ordinances can be eased as businesses are forced to find new ways to deliver goods and services,” the township said in a statement.
The Middletown Township Economic Reopening Task Force is made up of:
- James Bayer, Organizer/Field Representative, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 269
- Paul Bencivengo, President & Chief Operating Officer, Visit Bucks County
- Rachel Bullene, Owner, Mam’Zelle Hair Salon
- Jason Green, Owner, Jay’s Steak and Hoagie Joint
- Gwen Karpf, Mall Manager, Oxford Valley Mall
- Robin Kemmerer, Owner/Broker, Robin Kemmerer Associates, Inc.
- Missy Kitzmiller, Agent, Robin Kemmerer Associates, Inc.
- Mike Ksiazek, Chairperson, Middletown Township Board of Supervisors
- Jim Merrill, President & Chief Executive Officer Inspire Federal Credit Union
- Amy Strouse, Vice Chairperson, Middletown Township Board of Supervisors
- Stephanie Teoli Kuhls, Township Manager, Middletown Township
- Cathy Valeriano, Park President, Sesame Place
- Nick Valla, Management Analyst, Middletown Township
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Additionally, Bencivengo, a Middletown resident, and Supervisor Tom Tosti are representing Middletown Township on the Bucks County Economic Recovery Task Force that is performing a similar function on a county-wide level.
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