Latest PSATS News:
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Townships Today is a quarterly newsletter designed to help PSATS members reach out to their residents and educate them about townships and issues affecting their community.
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A quarterly review of news and information about Pennsylvania State Roads. Articles include: ARLE Grants can improve road safety, Understanding Temporary Traffic Control fro Special Events, Transportation News Briefs, STIC Spotlight, and Roundabouts, a Proven Safety Countermeasure. LTAP Quarterly Newsletter Click on image to open newsletter |
CCATO is seeking eligible youth organizations
Purpose: To recognize youth groups that make valuable and lasting contributions to improve life in Pennsylvania’s townships of the second class. The awards program encourages greater youth involvement in township government.
Eligible Entrants: All youth groups, such as 4-H clubs, Scout troops, school groups, and civic service club youth organizations from elementary school through grade 12, are eligible. The association of township officials in the entrant’s county must nominate the group for the award. The county association may initiate the nomination or the youth group may ask to be nominated.
Eligible projects must have been undertaken during the contest year, August 1 to July 1. Multi-year, ongoing projects also are eligible provided part of the project occurred during the contest year.
The project must have a major impact on townships of the second class and should provide youth group members with the opportunity to increase their knowledge of township government as well as develop a sense of personal and group achievement. Projects also should enhance the group members’ communication skills, their understanding of the decision-making process, and citizenship responsibilities.
The following is a list of some eligible projects and ideas:
How to Enter: Official entry forms are mailed to county associations, Boy and Girl Scout troops, schools, and 4-H clubs statewide in May. Forms can also be obtained by calling PSATS at (717) 763-0930.
To enter, a group should complete the official form and have it signed by the group’s youth project or activity chairman, the group’s volunteer leader, and the chairman of the township board of supervisors.
Entrants should then submit the entry form along with documentation of the project to the county association of township officials.
Deadline for Entry: All youth groups must submit their entry form to the president of their respective county association of township officials by July 2, 2018.
County associations of township officials must submit the entry form to PSATS by July 16, 2018.
For more information:
Eligible Entrants: All youth groups, such as 4-H clubs, Scout troops, school groups, and civic service club youth organizations from elementary school through grade 12, are eligible. The association of township officials in the entrant’s county must nominate the group for the award. The county association may initiate the nomination or the youth group may ask to be nominated.
Eligible projects must have been undertaken during the contest year, August 1 to July 1. Multi-year, ongoing projects also are eligible provided part of the project occurred during the contest year.
The project must have a major impact on townships of the second class and should provide youth group members with the opportunity to increase their knowledge of township government as well as develop a sense of personal and group achievement. Projects also should enhance the group members’ communication skills, their understanding of the decision-making process, and citizenship responsibilities.
The following is a list of some eligible projects and ideas:
- Community beautification, clean-up and fix-up of buildings, and litter clean-up projects;
- Direct services to residents of the community, such as the elderly, children, the disabled and hospitalized, and the underprivileged;
- Fund-raising projects for worthy causes;
- Soil and water conservation, environmental protection, and recycling;
- Voter registration and assisting in the election process;
- Safety and recreation projects;
- Blood donation and first aid projects; and
- Projects that help to finance local government programs.
How to Enter: Official entry forms are mailed to county associations, Boy and Girl Scout troops, schools, and 4-H clubs statewide in May. Forms can also be obtained by calling PSATS at (717) 763-0930.
To enter, a group should complete the official form and have it signed by the group’s youth project or activity chairman, the group’s volunteer leader, and the chairman of the township board of supervisors.
Entrants should then submit the entry form along with documentation of the project to the county association of township officials.
Deadline for Entry: All youth groups must submit their entry form to the president of their respective county association of township officials by July 2, 2018.
County associations of township officials must submit the entry form to PSATS by July 16, 2018.
For more information:
- Click here for the 2018 guidelines and entry form.
- Contact Brenda Wilt, PSATS Assistant Editor, phone (717) 763-0930, ext. 123, email bwilt@psats.org.
Upcoming Area Workshops
PSATS' Webinar Wednesdays fit your busy schedule!
PSATS is offering a series of webinars on Wednesdays from noon to 1 p.m. Each month, the topics will rotate among the four tracks of the PSATS Municipal Government Academy (PMGA): public safety, planning, administration, and public works. PMGA enrollees can earn one secondary credit per webinar. UPCOMING TOPICS July 5, 2018:
Using Excel for Emergency Management Purposes Using Excel spreadsheets can help emergency management coordinators (EMCs) keep a variety of data all in one place: special population notification lists, a log of municipal equipment, and tracking expenses during emergencies. Register for this webinar and learn how to not only use the provided sample Excel spreadsheets, but also how to modify them for your specific purposes. July 10, 2018:
Post-Budget Breakdown Tune in to find out what is in and what is out of the recently adopted 2018-19 state budget and what to expect for the fall legislative session
July 11, 2018:
The Land Development Approval Process What happens when an application for new land development is submitted to your township office? Whether submitted by a resident for a new house or by a local business looking to expand operations, the applicants expect a professional response. This webinar will review helpful strategies your township should take to ensure a timely and adequate response while providing the necessary involvement of all those who have a role in reviewing such applications. July 18, 2018:
Helping Residents Finance On-lot Sewage System Repairs Whether municipal officials are implementing septic management plans or public sewer expansions, they face technical and social challenges. Homeowners can be one of the challenges, often because they are not financially prepared to pay for the work they need to have done. Or, they just don’t know how to find a contractor and a safe contract. This webinar will share information about the Pennvest Homeowner Septic Loan needed by homeowners and contractors, and discuss how municipalities and PHFA can work together to make sure homeowners have program information when they need it. July 25, 2018:
Soil Stabilization & Pavement Preservation Techniques This webinar will discuss how townships can benefit by using High Density Polyurethane to help stabilize the soil and preserve pavements from the damages of settling. The speaker will review applicable case studies, discuss the costs and benefits of use (including savings in labor and other costs), and how Liquid Fuels Funds can be used to pay for these projects. August 1, 2018:
How to Apply for FEMA's Public Assistance and Individual Assistance Grants When your township sustains damage from a disaster, FEMA’s public assistance (PA) grants are there to help the township rebuild, while Individual assistance (IA) grants help homeowners rebuild. Local emergency management coordinators are often relied on to help with both grant programs. This webinar, presented by staff from PEMA’s Bureau of Recovery and Mitigation, will review the recent changes to these programs so that EMCs can quickly get the ball rolling for those needing to apply for either grant program to help your township get back on its feet. August 8, 2018
Township Regulation of Wireless Facilities: Making Sense of a Changing Landscape The Commonwealth Court's recent decision in Crown Castle v. PUC means a reset in the area of municipal regulation of wireless communications facilities. In this webinar, Dan Cohen of Cohen Law Group will explain about what steps municipalities can (and cannot) take to regulate this use and provide an overview if potential legislative changes that are afoot in this area. August 8, 2018
457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan The Trustees Insurance Fund, through PSATS, is offering a webinar to provide an introduction to our 457 Plan and help your township officials determine if this is a valuable benefit to offer to the employees. This benefit can be offered to both full-time and part-time employees for a nominal annual administrative fee. The Plan can be set-up for “employee-only” contributions and includes a Roth feature that allows for post-tax contributions. Participants can choose either the Roth or traditional “pre-tax” option – or use a combination of the two. Also, participants in the plan can choose from a wide variety of investment options and enjoy the flexibility of managing their own retirement account. Township officials can offer this Plan as an “employee-only” contribution and pass the low annual administrative fee costs on to the employees, making the plan a “no-cost” retirement benefit for your township. August 15, 2018
Environmental Rights Amendment: New Role for Townships? The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has recently dramatically expanded the scope of Environmental Rights Amendment (“ERA”) to the Pennsylvania Constitution. The Court has made it clear that the ERA imposes obligations on municipalities, but it has not clearly defined what those obligations are. This webinar, presented by Martin Siegel, now with Stock and Leader and previously the assistant regional counsel in DEP's Southcentral Regional Office, will review the evolving case law interpreting the ERA, with a focus on what this all means for Pennsylvania local government. August 22, 2018
Visual Review of Recent Dirt, Gravel, and Low Volume Road Activities Each year, the Pa. Center for Dirt and Gravel Road Studies compiles a photo review of recent dirt and gravel road projects as a way to easily share these projects with other municipal officials across the state. If you want to see (and hear) how other municipalities address their dirt, gravel, and low-volume road issues, then join us for this instructive and informative webinar led by the internationally-renown team from the Center for Dirt and Gravel Road Studies at PSU. If a picture of a dirt and gravel road project is worth a thousand words, then 45 minutes of such pictures must be priceless! Join us for what we call “dirt road TV”! August 29, 2018
SNAP, GOOGLE, TWEET - The Constant Noise of Social Media The constant noise of social media presents many issues, challenges and opportunities for all employers. In this webinar (FREE to PSATS members), join Cory Iannacone and John Martin of Pillar+Aught and learn about how your township can best address employee use of social media on township and personal time, ways in which townships can protect themselves when using social media to communicate with their residents, and much more. |
This three-session event was created just for you: newly elected (or veteran) supervisors, other newly elected officials, and new secretaries/ managers. Learn the everyday tasks to running a township, explore the tools and resources available to help you do your job successfully, and experience real-life scenarios through discussion with experienced PSATS members. Click on link below for more information.
PSATS Municipal Government AcademyToday's elected and appointed local government officials must have a well-rounded understanding of a host of subjects to provide strong, effective leadership. Rapidly evolving technologies and ever-changing state and federal regulations add to the ongoing challenges. The PSATS Municipal Government Academy provides the educational opportunities and tools officials need to better understand and carry out all aspects of local government administration. For more information and registration go to the following link: PSATS Municipal Government Academy DCED Offers Free, Downloadable Tutorial on E-Filing ProcessNeed a refresher on how to e-file forms with the state Department of Community and Economic Development? The Governor's Center for Local Government Services has a free tutorial on the e-filing process available. Click on file below.
The tutorial is a PDF document that covers accessing and logging into DCED's e-filing system, as well as how to file the following documents:
If you have any questions, please contact the Governor's Center toll-free at (888) 223-6837. 
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Supporting Government: Serving People
CCATO helps Clarion County PA Township Officials succeed in local government
Here at CCATO, we believe that communities are better when we build them together. That’s why we’ve developed an informative website filled with relevant, up-to-date information that can benefit all 22 of our area townships. As an umbrella organization supporting Clarion County’s township officials, CCATO facilitates training and provides resources for leaders in our region’s local government. So take a look around, we think you’ll find that our website is the centralized place you need to help serve your local community.
CCATO helps Clarion County PA Township Officials succeed in local government
Here at CCATO, we believe that communities are better when we build them together. That’s why we’ve developed an informative website filled with relevant, up-to-date information that can benefit all 22 of our area townships. As an umbrella organization supporting Clarion County’s township officials, CCATO facilitates training and provides resources for leaders in our region’s local government. So take a look around, we think you’ll find that our website is the centralized place you need to help serve your local community.
Keeping Government Local
“Because it works.” – a Clarion County township official
Like you, CCATO believes that a localized government is a more effective means of serving our citizens. We feel that the needs of our residents can be better heard and understood by local officials who share the same community.
Your Voice Matters
Communicating your needs in our local, county and state government
Together we can influence our county and state officials to support legislation that is beneficial to each of our townships. Through lobbying, we can help make sure that your local needs are heard and understood.
Your voice matters to us. CCATO helps you join forces with other townships in our county who may be experiencing the same issues you are. It’s good to know that you are part of something bigger that can help get your township’s needs met.
Workshops That Work For You
Sharing key information with our township officials
“Because it works.” – a Clarion County township official
Like you, CCATO believes that a localized government is a more effective means of serving our citizens. We feel that the needs of our residents can be better heard and understood by local officials who share the same community.
Your Voice Matters
Communicating your needs in our local, county and state government
Together we can influence our county and state officials to support legislation that is beneficial to each of our townships. Through lobbying, we can help make sure that your local needs are heard and understood.
Your voice matters to us. CCATO helps you join forces with other townships in our county who may be experiencing the same issues you are. It’s good to know that you are part of something bigger that can help get your township’s needs met.
Workshops That Work For You
Sharing key information with our township officials
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As part of our commitment to local government, CCATO
believes that keeping township officials abreast of changes in state
regulations, technology and other areas of pertinent information is
crucial. That’s why we provide workshops
on subjects like:
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Tax Collectors Workshop - Held during our Clarion County Convention
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