spring 2019 potter connections · to all ems services within pa. they voted a modest increase to...
TRANSCRIPT
OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF POTTER TOWNSHIP
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Important Contacts…………… 2 Community Information …….. 2 Folders Website Update …..…..……… 3 Penns Valley EMS ……….….. 3 Pennsylvania 811 ……..……... 4 Brush Collection …….………. 4 Riff Raff Collection …….…… 4 New Employee ………..……... 4 Code Enforcement News ...….. 5 Constant Contact ….……….… 5 CodeRED Emergency
Notification …………….….. 6-7 Little Free Library …………… 8 CCATO Scholarships ……….. 8 Household Hazardous
Waste Collection ………….…. 8 Tri-Municipal Park Inc………. 9 Parks & Recreation Board …... 9 Pet Poo ………………………. 9 Tax Collector Reminders ...… 10 511PA -Know Before You Go ……………………... 10 Road Right-Of-Way …...…… 10 Centre County Special Needs Registry ……………....11 Centre Hall Fire Company ..... 11 2019 Calendar of Events …… 12
Connection schedules will be
communicated with property
owners as the treatment plant and
system mains become operational.
It is important for Potter
Township citizens to understand
that the project is being funded by
over $2.3 million in Pennvest and
Community Development Block
Grants and a 1% 30 year PennVest
Loan to be repaid from a portion of
the monthly service fees.
No tax funds were used for the
actual project. Financing
arrangements included funding for
a small treatment system to be
located on Bloom Road. The Bloom
Road system is currently under
design and will be bid as a separate
project in the near future.
The Township greatly appreciates
the support of our citizens during
this long project and our efforts to
protect our water resources for
future generations.
Potters Mills Sewer
Project Update
Spring 2019
Potter Connections
Meetings of the Potter Township
Board of Supervisor are open to
the public and respectful input is
welcomed during the public
comment time.
The meeting schedule can be
found on our website at
www.pottertownship.org
The deadline to enter items
into the official Board of
Supervisors Meeting Agenda is
3:00 PM Thursday, prior to a
meeting.
After over eight years of surveys,
planning, engineering, meeting
regulatory requirements and
obtaining funding, the Potters Mills
Sewer Project is finally under
construction. Project construction
bids came within budget and were
awarded late in 2018. The general
contractor is Sippel Development
Company of Zelienople,
Pennsylvania and the electrical
contractor is Dave Kronenwetter of
Kersey, Pennsylvania. Directional
boring installation of effluent lines
started early this year. Completion of
the Potters Mills “Central System” is
scheduled for the end of August
2019.
We will be scheduling meetings
with property owners in April to
discuss the connection requirements
between dwellings or businesses and
the inlet of the new septic tanks
where the township’s ownership
starts. Those discussions will provide
a listing of contractors approved to
make individual property owner
connections to the system.
During discussions, qualifications
for county “Block Grant” low income
grants will be explained and it will be
determined which property owners
qualify. Information on low interest
loans for those who do not qualify
will also be provided during the
discussions.
MUNICIPAL OFFICE
124 Short Road
Spring Mills, PA 16875
814-364-9176
www.pottertownship.org
ADMINISTRATION
Lisa Kroner, Secretary/Treasurer
814-364-9176, ext. 100
PUBLIC WORKS
Budd Brooks, Road Superintendent
814-364-9314
ZONING AND CODES
ENFORCEMENT
Stan Wallace, SEO
814-364-2456
TAX COLLECTOR
Wendy Nolf
205 Dogtown Road, Centre Hall
814-364-1331
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Sallianne Tanis, EMC
814-280-7000
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Pennsylvania State Police
Emergencies: Call 911
Non-emergencies: 814-355-7545
CENTRE HALL FIRE
COMPANY NO. 4
207 North Pennsylvania Avenue
P.O. Box 470
Centre Hall, PA 16828
814-364-1816
AMBULANCE
Penns Valley Ambulance Assn.
106 Ross Hill Road, Spring Mills
Scott Weaver, Office Manager
814-422-8015
Emergencies: Call 911
CENTRE HALL-POTTER
SEWER AUTHORITY
Nancy Mitcheltree, Manager
2940 Penns Valley Pike
Centre Hall, PA 16828
814-364-2710
CENTRE HALL BOROUGH
WATER AUTHORITY
134 North Hoffer Avenue
P.O. Box 54
Centre Hall, PA 16828
814-364-1772
CENTRE HALL PUBLIC
LIBRARY
109 West Beryl Street
Centre Hall, PA 16828
814-364-2580
PENNDOT DISTRICT 2-1
1000 E Bishop St
Bellefonte, Pa. 16823
814-355-4731
WEST PENN POWER
To report customer power outages:
1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877)
Drop Box Available
Residents who wish to drop off their utility
payments or permit applications after hours
can use the drop box. The box is located
next to the front door of the Administration
Office entrance.
Please clearly mark the envelope to indicate
who the item is for.
Important Contacts Welcome
to Our Community! We are excited to
provide our citizens
with this
informational guide
created exclusively
for our beautiful
community.
The folders are
distributed to new
residents and property owners as a
community outreach. The folders
are perfect for establishing
communication and providing a
permanent reference guide.
Information about our community
as well as advertisements from
local businesses are included in the
folders. These advertisements
introduce residents to businesses
and encourage consumers to shop
locally, as well as establish new
relationships and strengthen current
associations with our residents.
To obtain a folder full of
information, please contact us by
calling our office at 814-364-9176
or send us an email at:
If you are new to Penns Valley,
stop by our office and say hello!
We would love to meet you, answer
any questions you may have and
welcome you to our wonderful
community!
Potter Township
Website Has a New Look
Potter Township’s website has changed to a
new design. The new website features easier
navigation menus, township forms, and a fluid
design that will adjust to most portable
devices. Township Ordinances are also
accessible using e-codes.
Visit us at
WWW.POTTERTOWNSHIP.ORG
PV EMS 2019 Board Report It has been 2 years since the PV EMS has made
our public appeal, that we were in need of financial
support, in order to continue serving our
community. And, our community and
municipalities have responded with their
commitment to our EMS.
Through education, work, and giving,
YOU have helped us achieve our goal.
More is planned to assure that your EMS, PV EMS,
will continue to be a viable part of our community.
The Municipalities are committed to assuring that
our community has a reliable, dedicated EMS,
providing emergency services to our community.
The reality is that PV EMS, and the Municipalities
will always need each other benefiting our
community through the cooperation and support of
everyone.
The 2019 membership drive has been a success
and resulted in over 300 new memberships. Many of
you sent donations in addition to your annual
membership renewals.
This was made possible through the generous
donation from the Centre Hall American Legion, the
churches of our community, organizations, and
private donations, from all of you. We truly Thank
You for your support.
In the last year, we have seen movement in PA
Legislation recognizing the need of increase funding
to all EMS services within PA. They voted a modest
increase to reimbursement, and to allow EMS
services to receive compensation for treatment when
a transport was not involved. These changes will
become effective in 2020.
NEWSWORTHY
The PV EMS Auxiliary is committed to two
fundraising events each year, as well as running the
Annual Membership Drive.
The recent Book Sale by the Brungard Family, in
Memory of Mary Brungard, was very much
appreciated. Over 4,000 books, dozens of cookies,
and 400 sandwiches were sold.
The 2nd Annual Mr. Sticky/ Hoagie/ Soup Sale is
scheduled for April 6th at the EMS Building. Please
plan on dropping by. Last year we sold over
1,300 sticky buns and 1,000
hoagies by noon.
It is important to remember that
PV EMS is a lifesaving service.
It is an essential part of
providing our community with
the health care support it needs,
along with the quick response
time only a local service can
provide. Last year, there were 804 calls (although
not all resulted in transport). If you see an EMT,
please tell them “thank you” for being there 24/7.
Thank you, for helping us help you!
PV EMS Board Chair, David Braucht
New Face John Wells joined Potter Township as a member
of the road crew on December 7th. He began his
employment just in time for a long winter with
many significant snow storms and icy road
conditions. John currently resides in Spring Mills
with his wife, Kathy.
Welcome to our team, John!
PUBLIC WORKS
The ID colors are as follows:
Red—Electric
Yellow—Gas and Oil
Orange—Communications
Blue—Water
Green—Sewers and Drain Lines
White—Proposed Excavation
Pink—Temporary Survey Markings
Call Before You Dig
Did you ever wonder what those fluorescent painted markings on the
road are? These painted lines are color-coded surface markings for
the location of underground utility lines.
Before you begin any excavation over four inches deep, property
owners are required by state law to notify utilities by calling the
Pennsylvania One Call System at 1-800-242-1776 or simply call 811.
The call will notify involved utilities, so they can mark their lines to
avoid accidental damage. There is no cost to residential property
owners for this service.
BRUSH COLLECTION - 2019
Residents must call the Township Office prior to
12 NOON on May 2nd to schedule their pickup.
Resident should comply with the following:
No shrubs, hedges, vines, firewood or lumber
Pile all cut ends in the same direction, toward
the road. Brush not piled properly will not be
picked up.
Nothing over 6 inches in diameter can be
chipped.
Place branches next to the Township road or
curb.
Time restriction of 15 minutes per household
applies. Keep piles to a minimum.
Collection will be one time around the
Township only
This collection is for tree trimmings only—
NOT tree removal.
Equipment limitations require that brush must be
separated from leaves and other debris.
Leaf collection is not an available service.
RIFF RAFF COLLECTION—2019
Items will be accepted at the Township maintenance
building only on these dates.
Collection for Senior citizens 65 or older & physically
disabled residents will take place on May 9th. This
special collection requires registration with the Township
office no later than Tuesday, May 7th.
Items that will be accepted:
*appliances *TV’s and computers
*furniture *mattresses
*radiators
*heavy metal items the refuse collector will not take
*tires off the rims (limited to 6 per household).
The following items will not be accepted -No exceptions.
*paint cans *household refuse
* *hazardous wastes *yard waste
*lumber and wood *building & roofing materials
*No items that your refuse hauler can pick up
In order to continue to offer this free service, we must
restrict this collection to Township residents only.
The loads will be checked at the gate.
FALL COLLECTION: Oct. 11th & 12th
Collection for Seniors: Oct 10th
(age 65 and older)
Fri. May 10th, 7 AM to 3 PM
Sat. May 11th, 7 AM to 12 Noon
Spring—May 6th & 7th
Fall—October 7th & 8th
Your On-Lot Sewage Disposal System is Not a Trash Can
The on-lot sewage disposal system serving your property is designed to dispose of human waste and toilet paper
only. On-lot systems work entirely differently than public sewers as they rely on bacteria to break down the
organic material in the septic tank. Putting anything into the septic tank the bacteria cannot break down must be
avoided at all times to avoid premature failure of the absorption area. A recent trend is to use “wet wipes”.
Although the manufacturers claim these to be bio-degradable, they do not break down in a septic tank. Should
you wish to continue to use these products, they should be disposed of in your trash can. If you insist on
flushing them, please plan on having your tank pumped yearly.
In short, if it does not pass through your body or is not toilet paper... DON’T FLUSH IT.
Powered laundry products should be avoided as well. Depending on the
type of washer in use powered detergents may not dissolve completely
and may cause problems in long term use. Follow the manufacturer
recommendation on the use of chlorine as well; excess use may kill the
needed bacteria in the tank.
Remember that routine maintenance of the on-lot sewage disposal system
is imperative to the longevity of the system. Potter Township, through
ordinance, requires an inspection of the system and pumping of the septic
tank every six (6) years.
The following is a non inclusive list
of items that should never be flushed into
your septic tank:
Feminine hygiene products
Flushable wipes
Condoms
Plastic products
Cotton products
Food scraps
Drugs
Paints
Grease and oils
Prescription Medications
CODE ENFORCEMENT NEWS Stan Wallace, Zoning Officer & SEO
Zoning Permits
Potter Township requires permits for most types of
construction. Some projects may only require a zoning
permit; other projects may require both a zoning permit
and a building permit. Please contact the Zoning Office
to determine what permits are required for your project.
Planning on having timber removed from you property?
A permit is required for that
as well. Certain Potter
Township roads have
maximum weight limits.
These roads must be bonded
before hauling heavy loads.
Questions can be directed to
the Potter Township Zoning Office at (814) 364-2456.
Zoning Office hours are:
Tuesdays—8:00 AM until 12:00 NOON
Thursdays—1:00 PM until 5:00 PM
Other times by appointment. Please call the Zoning
Office for scheduling.
Looking for updates on the latest projects, upcoming
events, or volunteer opportunities?
To share the latest news in the fastest and most
accurate manner, we offer email notifications
through a system called Constant Contact. Each
time our website is updated, email notices are
delivered right to your inbox.
To subscribe to this free service, simply visit our
website at (www.pottertownship.org) and select the
“Public Interest” tab at the top of the home page.
Scroll down the drop box and click on “Sign up for
Updates By Email”. This will
take you to the subscription
registration page.
One more way to strengthen
connections with our residents
and build a better community!
IN OUR COMMUNITY
To a Park Near You….
A “Little Free Library” located at
Potter Run Park! The books and reading
material at this location will be geared
more toward children.
Do you know a full-time or part-
time student who is attending
vocational technical training,
community/business colleges, or
universities? CCATO (Centre
County Association of Township
Officials) awards scholarships to aid
residents of Centre County
townships in meeting necessary
educational expenses. At the post-
secondary level, support is provided
for a first undergraduate degree only.
Candidates must have completed
at least one academic year of study
and have achieved a passing grade
point average. Based on available
funds, the Executive Board of
CCATO determines the amount of
award(s) and selects the recipient(s).
At the discretion of the Board and
based on a qualified applicant pool,
scholarships may not be awarded
each year.
Each scholarship is awarded for a
period of one year. Recipients may
reapply annually.
CCATO is pleased to have
awarded $8,300 in scholarships to
22 applicants for 2018. Scholarship
Recipients included three students
from Potter Township.
Congratulations to:
Rebecca Bierly, Abigail Henning,
and David Keller.
Scholarship applications may be
obtained at the Potter Township
office or at www.pottertownship.org.
The deadline to submit applications
is June 1st.
A “Little Free Library” is up and running
on Mountain Back Road in Colyer.
Resident, Debbie Peterson, encourages all
to “Take a book, Leave a book”. If you see
a book you would like to read, feel free to
take it with you. Return it to the Little Free
Library when you are finished. There is a
variety of books for both children and
adults.
Give Books…. Keep the Little Free Library
operating by leaving books for others.
Debbie & Jim Peterson, of Colyer, constructed and maintain the
Little Free Library in Colyer. Special recognition and Thank You
goes out to our residents, Debbie & Jim Peterson, whose creativity
and talent added a unique touch of “community” for our residents.
Check it out and keep on reading!
Things are happening at
Penns Prairie! The Tri-Municipal Park has been
moving a lot of dirt to get two
multi-use fields ready for limited
use possibly as early as next fall!
The Tri-Municipal Park is now a
corporation with its own Board of
Directors! Yes, although it is still
working in conjunction with the
three municipalities, it is now an
independent 501C(3) charitable
organization in its own right!
There are plenty of volunteer
opportunities for all. Donations to
the park are now tax deductible and
committees are being formed for
work that will soon need to be done
to get the park ready for use.
Limited walking trails are
available now with more to open
once the construction work that
began is completed this spring.
The rain of last summer set the
work schedule back, but finish
grading and the planting of grass
will be underway as soon as the
ground thaws and is dry enough to
work.
Now is the time to make your
ideas known to the board to make
the park the kind of park you
would like to see in Penns Valley!
PET POO… a dirty business! Keeping pet waste off of the ground is an important
responsibility held by all pet owners. When taking your dog
for a walk, always keep a couple waste pickup bags with you.
Keeping this waste off of the ground is not just about being considerate
to your neighbors and their lawns– it’s also about protecting the
environment, your family, and your community.
PARKS AND RECREATION
The Potter Township Park and Recreation Board is seeking resident
volunteers to serve on our board! This board has been created to serve
the community of Potter Township by enhancing and developing public
spaces and creating outdoor recreational opportunities for all ages.
Seeking community members who:
Reside in Potter Township
Have an interest or knowledge in the area of Parks and Recreation
Would like to help create opportunities for the community in outdoor
recreation
Are interested in enhancing and expanding public recreational space in
Potter Township
The Board meets once each month at the Potter Township Municipal
Building.
Please submit a letter of interest to [email protected] or call
the Potter Township office at 364-9176.
July is Parks and
Recreation Month!
“ Leave all the afternoon for
exercise and recreation,
which are as necessary as
reading. I will rather say
more necessary because
health is worth more than
learning.”
— Thomas Jefferson
Fido says:
*Always pick it up
*Responsibly dispose of waste
*Pick up & dispose of waste
even when in the great outdoors
Just a Few Reminders Regarding Municipal Taxes:
Discount period ends April 30th.
Deadline to pay the face value is June 30th.
A 10% penalty is added to the face value beginning July 1st
If you are mailing your bills, please consider doing so at least two days before the deadline
Postmarks are accepted during discount &face periods. Face value cannot be accepted after the deadline
When paying your Real Estate taxes and/or
Per Capita taxes with a check, the check should be
made payable to: Potter Township, Tax Collector.
Checks cannot be accepted if written
to Tax Collector Wendy Nolf, and
will be returned to you.
Please notify the tax collector of
any address change as quickly as
possible. Tax bills are not
forwarded. Non-receipt of a tax bill does not excuse the
taxpayer from payment responsibility.
A NOTE FROM... Wendy Nolf, Tax Collector
TAX OFFICE HOURS
April 15th thru 30th —
Tuesdays & Thursdays 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Wednesdays 9:00 AM —12 noon
Friday, June 28th 12 noon-3:00 PM
(Face period deadline is June 30th)
No weekend or holiday hours.
To schedule an appointment, please call
814-364-1331 or email at
Office Location: 205 Dogtown Road, Centre Hall
PennDOT encourages drivers to “Know before they
go” and to check conditions on more than 40,000
roadway miles by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA is
free, available 24 hours a day, and provides traffic delay
warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and
access to more than 860 traffic cameras.
511PA is also available through a smartphone application
for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by
following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA
website.
Subscribe to PennDOT news in Cameron, Centre,
Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Juniata, McKean, Mifflin, and
Potter counties at www.penndot.gov/District2.
For regional updates on Twitter, follow
www.twitter.com\511PAStateCOLL
ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY
The right-of-way width of
most Township roads is 33 feet,
or 16.5 feet from the centerline.
Objects generally are not
permitted in the right-of-way
unless they serve an official
highway purpose (utility poles
and properly placed mailboxes
are exceptions).
Your cooperation is
appreciated in removing any
items within the road
right-of-way. Any object placed
within the right-of-way without
permission may be subject to
removal.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Centre County Special Needs Registry
Do you or someone you know have a special need that would require special
assistance in the event of a major disaster, particularly in the event of a large
scale evacuation? The Special Needs Registry is designed to help emergency
responders locate and safely evacuate people who could find it difficult to help
themselves in the event of a major disaster.
Persons with special needs are defined as, “Individuals who are likely to
require assistance in excess of that provided to the general public in a time
of disaster”. This could include those who are deaf, blind, bedridden, mentally
impaired, without radio or television, or lacking transportation necessary to
evacuate.
Centre County Office of Emergency Services developed a website to collect information about persons with
special needs living within Centre County. The information will be kept confidential and only made available to
emergency response personnel during a major disaster. Registration can be completed online at
centrecountypa.gov. If you do not have a computer, you can request a special needs registration form by calling
(814) 355- 6745, or by writing to: Centre County Office of Emergency Services,
Willowbank Building, 420 Holmes Street, Bellefonte, PA 16823
The Centre Hall Fire Company #4 is your
ALL VOLUNTEER fire company with officers and
members who provide fire protection services with
your support. These volunteers are men and women
from our community who are required to attend
trainings, meetings, and respond to emergencies…
They also work, go to school, and have family
obligations of their own. In order for
our volunteers to be safe and
efficient, they need good training,
tools, and equipment. These
volunteers give their all to protect
lives and property within Centre Hall
Borough and Potter Township.
These volunteers cannot do it alone!
The 2019 Officers Are:
President - Davis Araujo
Vice-President - Jake Heverly
Secretary - Bryan Lewis
Treasurer - Beth Araujo
Chief 4 - Harry Hockenberry
Chief 4-1 - Philip Orndorf, Jr
Chief 4-2 - Brian Tice
Chief 4-3 - Shawn Meyer
Chief 4-4 - Fred Harlos
The Fire Company members have worked diligently
over the past few years fundraising towards building a
new fire station that meets NFPA standards and is
large enough to accommodate any future apparatus.
This new building will not only benefit the community
by providing emergency shelter, it will also allow the
fire company to hold events and fundraisers on their
own property. You may view the new building
drawings at the station. The Centre Hall Fire
Company Auxiliary has been organizing fundraisers to
help fund this new building. With your help and
continued generous donations, the
construction of the new fire station will
soon begin.
Residents… please keep your
driveways cleared of overgrowth and
low hanging tree limbs so that your
address is visible and accessible for
Emergency Apparatus responses.
Apparatus is 12 feet in height!
Thank You to those who have made
generous donations in the past. The
Centre Hall Borough Council is in
support of a new fire station and asks you to consider
a donation to the Centre Hall Fire Company #4.
Upcoming Fundraisers:
Grange Fair Themed Bingo - May 19
Town Wide Yard Sale - Mr. Sticky - June 28 & 29
Gun Drawing - September 28
CHFC will be assisting with the Centre Hall —
Potter Twp. Food Pantry Mr. Sticky Fundraiser
on April 27th.
Get Connected with Potter Township! 124 Short Road
Spring Mills, PA 16875
www.pottertownship.org
APRIL 1—10– Township Tax Collector’s Office Closed
APRIL 26-27- Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event—Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority
MAY 2- Deadline to register for Spring Branch & Limb collection
MAY 6 –7 – Spring Branch & Limb collection
MAY 7- Deadline for Seniors/Disabled to register for Spring Riff Raff collection on May 9th (call 814-364-9176)
MAY 9- Senior/Disabled collection for Spring Riff Raff
MAY 10– 7 AM – 3 PM bring your Riff Raff to the Township Building
MAY 11-- 7 AM – 12-noon bring your Riff Raff to the Township Building
MAY 21– Primary Elections (Call Elections Office at 814-355-6703 with any questions)
JUNE 28 & 29 – Centre Hall Town-Wide Yard Sales
JULY- Parks and Recreation Month— HAVE FUN!
AUGUST 16—24 Centre County Grange Fair
OCTOBER 3- Deadline to register for Fall Branch & Limb collection
OCTOBER 7-8 – Fall Branch & Limb collection
OCTOBER 8– Deadline for Seniors/Disabled to register for Fall Riff Raff collection on Oct. 10th (call 814-364-9176)
OCTOBER 11– 7AM – 3 PM bring your Riff Raff to the Township Building
OCTOBER 12– 7 AM – 12-Noon bring your Riff Raff to the Township Building
NOVEMBER 5– General Election Day (call Elections Office at 814-355-6703 with any questions)
2019 CALENDAR OF EVENTS