At Monday night’s council meeting of the whole, a supporter of the Cherry Street Guest Home located at 223 Chestnut Street sought assistance from the Borough to help the guest home become compliant with Department of Public Welfare inspection requirements.

A listing of the guest home’s recent inspection violations is shown here.

Cherry Street Guest Home is one of 53 Lancaster County facilities.

The Lancaster County Office of Aging Website includes this Personal Care Home List.

The owners of record of the property at 223 Cherry Street are Paul C. and Judith C. Mahala; the Mahala’s live in York. The administrator is Roxanne Simonson. The Mahala’s also are listed as the owners of properties at 225 Cherry Street and 232 Avenue I.

It was suggested that many of the guests at the personal care facility have low incomes and “receive support from the Social Security Income program.” According to the Social Security Administration, these are the definitions for some of the programs:

“The Social Security disability insurance program pays benefits to you and certain family members if you worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes.

“The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program pays benefits to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources.”

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Welfare Website, “Personal Care Homes are inspected and licensed by the Department of Public Welfare under the requirements contained in 55 Pa.Code Chapter 2600. These regulations include requirements for fire safety; staff training and education; nutrition and meal preparation; resident health and medical care; personal care service delivery; physical site conditions; and other factors effecting the health, safety and well-being of residents.”