EAST MARLBOROUGH: How is the township coping?

At their April 6 meeting, the East Marlborough Township supervisors discussed how the township is coping with the pandemic.
Board of Supervisors chairman Robert McKinstry said East Marlborough started the year with a $750,000 surplus, so it is "well placed" to deal with the economic downturn. He said the township may see reduced income from the state liquid fuels tax because people aren't driving as much, as well as reduced fees from building permits and real estate transfer taxes. But, he said, the surplus gives the township "quite a bit of wiggle room" compared to many harder-hit municipalities without such a cushion. 
Police Chief Robert Clarke said his officers have seen an increase in domestic disputes, which they try to handle over the phone. He said the department has added weekend patrols to increase their visibility.  
Jeff Simpson, public works director, said his four staff members were alternating weeks so that if one person became ill, the entire department wouldn't have to be shut down. He said no part-time or seasonal workers would be hired until the emergency was over. He said the restrooms at Unionville Community Park, which were shut down for the winter, would stay that way for the time being, and the playground equipment was closed so as not to spread the virus. He said the park was being well used and his staffers were frequently sanitizing the dog-waste stations.
Township manager Neil Lovekin said township office employees were working remotely and alternating their time in the office. He said building permits were still being accepted but no new construction was allowed.