In late 2021, eight Delaware County municipalities filed a motion for a court injunction to keep the county’s pending health department from taking over their health inspections, writes Pete Bannan for the Daily Times.

In March 2022, the Delaware County Health Department became a reality with municipal health inspections included in its mission.

On Thursday, Common Pleas Court Judge Spiros Angelo issued a preliminary injunction to keep the county health department from conducting inspections in the eight municipalities that filed the motion– Springfield, Ridley, Upper Chichester, Aston, Tinicum, Darby Township, Middletown and Marple.

The injunction stands pending a final hearing May 25. 

County health officials say they are required by the state to do the inspections—for environmental health or licensing activities like food establishments.

Joseph Byrne, representing the eight municipalities, said the towns are worried about compromising constituent services.

”The services we are worried about here have been provided by each of these towns for many, many years,” Byrne said.  Businesses and residents are used to a quick response and covering more areas the county isn’t covering, like hoarding.

People could also end up with two inspections, paying for two licenses.

Read more at the Daily Times about a judge’s injunction on county health inspections in eight towns.