Covid-19 Crisis - May 2020 Update

West Chester Township is working hard to make sure that your government is fully functioning during this crisis.  We are also concerned about our business and employees in the Township that has been affected by this crisis. 

In response to the Governor's orders, the West Chester Trustees passed a resolution asking the Governor to consider reopening businesses in the Township. This Resolution was timely, days after the Governor announced that Ohio would begin to open. Retail, hair salons, barbershops, nail salons, spas and outside dining will open on May 15th.  Inside dining will open slowly on May 21st. 

Read the resolution below. 

With this opening, we must continue to be cautious.  Continue social distancing, keeping clean and being patient. We are all glad that things are getting back to normal, but we need to stay vigilant. 

One of the reasons to stay on guard is to keep our First Responders safe. This week we had a Covid-19 outbreak at our Station 74.  Six of our firefighters tested positive - they are doing well and we continue to pray for a speedy recovery. All of our Township protocols worked to isolate and remove the virus from the Fire Station, but it is a reminder that we are dealing with a deadly virus.

Zoning Permits Waived - If you are planning to improve your home, now is a good time to look at it. In response to the Covid-19 crisis, the West Chester Trustees have moved to waive zoning permits on several improvement projects. Learn more about the projects that qualify here. 

A RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF OHIO AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO ACCELERATE THE OPENING OF OHIO BUSINESSES AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE DATE AND IN THE MOST EXPEDITIOUS MANNER POSSIBLE

WHEREAS, on March 14, 2020, Governor Mike DeWine issued Executive Order 2020-01D, declaring a state of emergency in Ohio due to the COVID-19 pandemic; and

WHEREAS, since the declaration of a state of emergency, Governor DeWine and Dr. Amy Acton, the Director of the Ohio Department of Health, have implemented substantial restrictions governing private individuals, including limiting public gatherings, instituting a stay at home order, closing all but essential businesses, and other such measures; and

WHEREAS, the West Chester Township Board of Trustees values and appreciates the leadership and advice of Governor DeWine and Dr. Acton during the COVID-19 crisis; and WHEREAS, the citizens of Ohio have responded remarkably by reducing the number of total COVID-19 cases far below the expectations reported by public health experts by diligently practicing social distancing, effective hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, and staying at home and will continue to do so as needed; and

WHEREAS, the most vulnerable residents of Ohio must always take extra precautions to prevent exposure to and spread of any contagious disease; and

WHEREAS, most of Ohio’s businesses have practiced patience during this time of crisis and have provided limited services or have been closed for more than four weeks; and

WHEREAS, no business wants their customers or employees to become ill as a result of COVID-19 and many are currently implementing policies regarding social distancing and hygiene; and

WHEREAS, approximately 40% - 50% of West Chester Township’s 3600 businesses are closed as a condition of the COVID-19 response; and

WHEREAS, one of the most important steps to a quick recovery is prioritizing the role of Ohio’s workforce and businesses in the recovery; and

WHEREAS, more than 855,000 Ohioans have filed for unemployment benefits; and

WHEREAS, mental health is as important as physical health and hundreds of thousands of citizens are suffering due to a lack of food, child care and income largely as a result of COVID-19 response orders; and

WHEREAS, the West Chester Board of Trustees recognizes that not all communities have the same vulnerability to COVID-19 and believes State of Ohio reopening polices should reflect this fact; and

WHEREAS, West Chester Township has a substantially lower social vulnerability index (.3499), as published by the Center for Disease Control, which reflects lower levels of vulnerability during a national crisis, including a disease outbreak.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Township Trustees of West Chester Township, Butler County, Ohio, as follows:

Section 1. The West Chester Township Board of Trustees respectfully requests and encourages Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton to accelerate the opening of Ohio businesses, specifically businesses in West Chester Township, at the earliest possible date and in the most expeditious manner possible.

Section 2. In addition, the West Chester Township Board of Trustees specifically encourage Governor DeWine and Dr. Acton to recognize West Chester Township’s substantially lower social vulnerability index and to act accordingly to lift restrictions on the operation of businesses in West Chester Township. To the extent further restrictions are necessary, the Board respectfully requests that these restrictions be implemented in a manner that reflects the specific risk factors of each individual community in Ohio.