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PUBLIC HEALTH
Public Health
policy remains an important priority of the
Board
of
Commissioners, the Board of Health and the community.
Lori Devlin, BA, RTT is
responsible for advising
the Springfield
Township Board of
Health and for promoting
public health issues
in the community. The Health
Office is
responsible for inspecting
and approving licenses for
all
eating and
drinking establishments,
retail food
stores,
public schools and
public swimming pools in the
township.
The Health Office provides
food safety training to food
handlers by conducting in service or
instruction during on-site
inspections. Additionally, the office
investigates
complaints
relating to health and sanitation,
including
animal bites,
foreign
substance in waterways, insect
and rodent infestation and
unhealthy
or unsanitary
conditions in public facilities or
private residences.
Because the serious threat of rabies persists in the
Township,
residents are advised to make sure their pets
are vaccinated
regularly and to avoid
unnecessary contact
with wild animals.
To this end, the Board
of Health
sponsors a free rabies vaccination
clinic annually. This is
a free service to animal owners who reside
in
Springfield.
Springfield Animal Hospital provides the services in
late
October.
If your pet bites or attacks someone, or you have been
bitten or
attacked by an animal you must contact the
Springfield Township
Police and the Springfield Township
Health Department. All
victims
of animal bites should be
examined and if necessary,
treated by a physician.
All animals involved in biting
incidents must be
examined by a licensed veterinarian within
48 hours
after the
bite occurs. This procedure is
required
regardless of the
vaccination status of the animal.
If the
animal is in satisfactory
health, the veterinarian will
issue
a health certificate. A copy of
this certificate
must be
submitted to the Township Health Officer
and the
Police
Desk at the Township Building, 50 Powell Road,
Springfield,
PA.
The animal must be confined for (10) days
following the
bite then
returned to the veterinarian for a
second examination.
A copy of
the second health
certificate must
also be submitted to the
Township. The
health certificate
should be submitted as soon as
they are
received. Do not
wait for the second certificate before
you send in the first certificate.
The animal may not be outside
unattended and must be
leashed at
all times. Failure to
comply with above instructions
may result
in the removal of your
animal
and/or fines up to
$300 plus court
costs.
Effective January 2008, Springfield Township is working
with
Delaware County Animal Control to handle all domestic
and
wildlife
issues throughout the township.
Delaware
County Animal Control
will be responsible for capturing
and impounding licensed/unlicensed,
stray, or unhealthy animals.
Delaware County Animal Control is responsible for
removing
"wildlife" dangerous and or diseased,
living or
dead from
"outside" private residences, private streets or
public
highways in the township. These would include foxes,
skunk, opossum, etc. Dead deer must be reported to the
PA GAMING COMMISSION DISPATCH IN READING AT
610-926-3136 for
removal. Delaware County Animal
Control can be contacted
directly at
610-522-1113 or
www.delawarecountyanimal.com. Delaware
County
Animal Control
will respond to residents that have animals
found
"inside"
a private residence at the
owner's
expense.
Every
effort will be made to respond
same day or
within
24 hrs. Residents
are under no
obligation to utilize the
services of Delaware County
Animal
Control. Reports
regarding
dog bites or cruelty to animals
should be reported
to Springfield Township Police Department,
610-544-1100
and to Lori Devlin at
610-544-1300.
Springfield Township is a leader in recycling in
Pennsylvania.
This can be attributed to the conscientious
effort of many
of the
residents of Springfield. Every week, mixed papers
and
commingled materials (including
glass, steel, aluminum,
plastics #1-2)
are picked up at curbside.
The containers
that hold the recyclables
are available, free of
charge, at
the Township or Public Works Buildings.
By actively participating in the recycling program, you are
helping
to increase state grant money, which supports our
recycling program.
On a larger scale,
you are participating
in an effort to improve the
community in
which we live.
Please continue to
REDUCE, REUSE AND
RECYCLE AS MANY MATERIALS AS POSSIBLE.
Thank you to all
residents for
your cooperation.
If you have questions about how to dispose of a particular
item,
please call Lori Devlin, 610.544.1300. For other environmental
inquiries, please contact
The Pennsylvania Resource Council at
610-353-5199.
The following is a partial list of Ordinances frequently
referenced by
the Health Office, they all involve common
sense, and more
importantly, being considerate of your neighbor:
I enjoy working with the community and appreciate your feedback
and
suggestions on any health related issues.
If you would like to
invite the Health Officer Lori Devlin
to speak to your school or
organization, please contact her
at 610-544-1300 or email
ldevlin@springfielddelco.org.
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Health Department