SMETHPORT — On Wednesday, McKean County President Judge John Pavlock has closed the county courthouse and related offices to visitors until April 13.

Offices will remain open, with only essential employee staffing. County business will be managed through phone calls, email, internet and by appointment only for anyone who must enter the building.

In the McKean County Court of Common Pleas, Pavlock said the court will still process essential business that requires immediate attention.

“What it does mean is that we are limiting certain proceedings, particularly those that require group attendance like trials and sentencing and plea days, until April 13,” he explained. “Further, we are limiting the number of employees at the courthouse. Only essential employees are to report to their offices. However, the employees not reporting are required to be available electronically or via telephone to assist with work operations during normal work hours as needed.”

Essential business includes emergency legal matters, mental health reviews, bench warrants and detainer hearings, emergency and temporary protection of abuse processing, emergency juvenile dependency and delinquency hearings, emergency guardianships, preliminary hearings for jailed defendants, preliminary arraignments and bail hearings.

The judge reiterated, “The court will continue to function.”

Pavlock added that it was “not an easy measure to take.

“However, at this point we are being advised by many governmental organizations and leaders to do all that we can to limit interaction between our citizens; and, we are receiving repeated concerns from our citizens about having to appear, such as for jury duty, and interact with others. Therefore, we, like many other counties across the state, felt compelled to step up to this next level of action.”

County residents can access many services online including securing dog licenses and registering to vote. The county tax claim office can receive payment for delinquent taxes by mail or over the phone by credit card. Anyone with an inquiry about transactions or business related to the county or courts should place a direct call to that department. All county department direct lines are on the county website.

McKean County Commissioner Chair Tom Kreiner said county business will continue.

“We will conduct all necessary and essential county business,” he explained. “Business will go on as usual with limited staff in offices as is deemed by department heads and elected officials. In a crisis, we all must work together to ensure the safety of our community while meeting the needs of the citizens.”

Any visit to the courthouse must be scheduled in advance with a phone call to the department head. Each office will notify courthouse security of the visitor’s name. All approved visitors will be required to check in and out of the building. Anyone who visits the courthouse with an appointment should not bring any other individuals or children with them, unless they are on the list submitted to security.

McKean County Recorder of Deeds will be closed for public access until April 13. Land records are available online at www.landex.com. Documents will be accepted for recording by mail or by E-Recording. Anne Bosworth, Recorder of Deeds, can be reached by email ACBosworth@mckeancountypa.org or direct dial phone at 814-887-3250.

“At this time, we are conducting all meetings by conference call as much as possible,” said Commissioner Cliff Lane. “Conference call technology will be available for the public to participate in next week’s commissioners meeting, scheduled for Wednesday. State employees may not travel and conferences have been canceled. Locally, we are asking that non-essential meetings be canceled or held by telephone. We must utilize technology at every opportunity.”

McKean County Chief Clerk Pamela Burlingame indicated that protocols have been changed by the Office of Open Records regarding Sunshine Laws and Right to Know requests.

“The immediate impact is that we must provide two-way communication access to the public for any meetings where official business will take place,” she said. “The county is well-leveraged to maintain our regular meeting schedule and proceed with essential business.”

In a briefing Wednesday morning of county officials, Burlingame was named as the McKean County Public Information Officer to manage news releases to the media. The county will place a legal notice for information regarding next week’s regular bi-monthly commissioners meeting. The media will be notified on how the public may access that meeting.

Tracy Carl, director of McKean County emergency services, added, “We are in contact with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and are getting updates every day, if not multiple times in one day. We have taken inventory of our equipment and are doing all we can to meet the needs of our first responders and to monitor any incoming 911 calls as they may be related to COVID 19.”

Kreiner added, “The most important thing people can do right now is to work together to reduce the transmission of this virus. We all need to make sure we know the facts, and that we follow the information on social distancing, hand washing and staying home. If you do become ill, you are advised to call your healthcare provider so our hospitals do not get overwhelmed. If we all remain diligent and follow procedures we can ease the burden and preserve our resources.”