Upcoming Events, Area Workshops & Webinars
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 31, 2019
Bringing Digital Transformation to Local Government with GIS Web Maps When was the last time you pulled out your comprehensive plan and looked at the mapped data? Is it only available to you as a 2D paper map? Do you need to flip through pages in your comprehensive plan to read about the information illustrated on the map? Why not consider adopting GIS technology – software designed to capture, manage, analyze and display geographically referenced information in-house? If it appears to be a daunting and expensive task, join us in this webinar as we demystify GIS Web-based maps and discuss digital mobile field data collection applications that support the business of local governments and replace clipboards, paper and spreadsheets. This webinar will show examples of web-based maps and applications that align with local government planning needs, data resources freely available to local governments and introduce tools for mobile field data collection. In this webinar you will learn about: · Digital Web Maps and Applications · How to access free Web-based GIS software (ArcGIS Online) · Mobile field data collection solutions · Free GIS technical assistance available from PennDOT Connects August 7, 2019
Workers Compensation (and More) for Volunteer Fire Companies This webinar will review workers’ compensation benefits and how and how they apply to volunteer firefighters who provide fire service to your townships. Other topics to be addressed by the presenter, Andrew DiProspero of H.A. Thomson Co., include the powers of special fire police, junior firefighters, cost sharing for services, and the challenges presented by the Cancer Presumption Act. August 8, 2019
Creating an Affordable Retirement Plan (MEMBERS ONLY) 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. August 13, 2019
Insurance Services Available through PSATS (MEMBERS ONLY) One of the best ways to retain good municipal employees is to offer a competitive benefit package. The Trustees Insurance Fund of PSATS offers a variety of insurance policies to township employees. As we approach the annual renewal time, PSATS would like to help match your township employees with the right benefit package. August 14, 2019
Community Recreation- Turn Township Assets into Recreation Offerings This presentation details the planning and financing process for turning your township's unused or underused assets into recreational lands and facilities that boost the quality of life for your residents. Speakers include architecture professionals who have completed numerous parks, trails, greenways, active & passive recreation areas, and recreation centers. Many of these projects received grant money that helped to finance these recreational developments. August 21, 2019
Township Websites: Ensuring Accessibility for All Residents This webinar is designed to provide participants with up-to-date information regarding how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and its nondiscrimination requirements apply to municipal websites. In this webinar, Sam Mastovich of GovUnity Websites will review the technologies that people with disabilities use to access the Internet and your municipality’s website, how poorly-designed websites can restrict the use of residents with disabilities, the ADA requirements and best practices that municipalities can implement to ensure appropriate website accessibility. August 28, 2019
ABC's of Liquid Fuel Tax Funds In this webinar, you will learn the basics of liquid fuels funding, including how the monies are allocated, what can be purchased with the funding, and where townships can turn for support and assistance. PennDOT staffers will also review some of the more common audit findings and explain what your township can do to avoid similar mistakes. September 18, 2019
How to Identify and Stop Workplace Bullying Not every HR problem encountered by townships is a legal one. There is plenty of advice on how to respond to discrimination or sex harassment at work, but what can a manager do when there are problems that do not rise to that level? Employees can make life difficult for others without sexually harassing or discriminating against one another. What about common bullying, intimidation, or other types of difficult behavior? How can those issues be handled? Workplace bullying can create tension and divisions in the office, hurt morale, make good employees leave and lead to a host of other problems. This webinar will give practical advice for identifying workplace bullying and getting it stopped. September 25, 2019
Filing Your UC Quarterly Reports This webinar will focus on the UC quarterly report filing process for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the PSATS UC Group Trust. Course content is geared toward the secretary and UC Processor who is new to the filing process or for those who simply need a refresher course. September 25, 2019
Managing Truck Traffic on Local Roads Managing truck traffic on local read is a difficult balancing act for many municipalities in Pennsylvania. While trucks need access to pick and deliver goods, many local roads are not suitable for truck travel. Recent changes in state law, including Act 31 of 2018, add more complications and the potential for more truck traffic. In this webinar, you will learn about: (1) current state laws and regulations on truck access and restrictions, (2) traffic study requirements and options for restricting truck traffic, and (3) local truck traffic issues, problems and solutions. October 2, 2019
Insurance Services Available through PSATS (MEMBERS ONLY) One of the best ways to retain good municipal employees is to offer a competitive benefit package. The Trustees Insurance Fund of PSATS offers a variety of insurance policies to township employees. As we approach the annual renewal time, PSATS would like to help match your township employees with the right benefit package. October 9, 2019
Tapping into the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Technical Assistance Programs Is your township looking for funding or other assistance to address issues like flooding, stormwater and comprehensive planning? If so, then make sure to attend this webinar, where you will learn about the many cost-sharing technical assistance programs that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has to offer municipalities to address these issues and more, including GIS mapping and community outreach. Amy Guise, Chief, Planning Division, Baltimore District, US Army Corps of Engineers will review case studies of recent projects in Pennsylvania and surrounding states and highlight available resources. October 15, 2019
Creating an Affordable Retirement Plan (MEMBERS ONLY) 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. November 13, 2019
Economic Ecology™ Community Based Compliance for Floodplain Restoration Economic Ecology™ is a comprehensive approach to meeting regulatory compliance by effectively utilizing resources. Case studies will reveal how a strategic floodplain restoration project can maximize pollutant reductions, create numerous environmental benefits and provide financial incentives for communities. Included is an overview of a proven approach to achieving PRP compliance, actual measurable results and a how-to on leveraging partnerships to create opportunities and fund projects. November 26, 2019
Creating "Green" Public Works Facilities This presentation focuses on case studies of newly designed and renovated public works facilities that incorporate "green" technologies that conserve energy and costs, even as they help the buildings harmonize with their surrounding communities. Gone are the days of "unsightly" garages! |
2019 BRC Grant WorkshopThis video will guide the applicant through the grant process for the 2019 DCNR C2P2 Grant Portal.
LEMC Quarterly Meeting
Townships and boroughs please send your Local Emergency Management Coordinator to the LEMC Quarterly Meeting which will be held on the 16th of October at the Clarion County Administration Building at 330 Main Street. It will start at 6:00 PM and usually last 2 hours. Guest speaker this time is from the Red Cross.
Under Pennsylvania's Emergency Management Service Code (Title 35); each individual township, borough, and city in the state; must have a Local Emergency Management Coordinator (LEMC). These LEMCs, after recommendations from their Township Supervisors and/or Borough Councils, are appointed by the Governor of Pennsylvania and must meet certain training requirements within one year of their appointment. The LEMC is responsible for the emergency management planning, administration, and operations for their township or borough; subject to the direction and control of the executive officer or governing body of said township or borough. When a disaster strikes or an emergency occurs; the LEMCs along with their elected officials, are responsible for the public safety of their residents. By maintaining an Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and Notification and Resource Manual (NARM), the LEMCs are able to prepare their township or borough for almost any type of incident that may occur. If the individual township or borough is overwhelmed by any disaster or emergency; the LEMC and the local elected officials make a Disaster Declaration; then the LEMC will work hand in hand with the Clarion County Emergency Management Agency. LTAP-Safety awareness for road workers
This course provides a basic understanding of common safety factors and practices associated with public works road maintenance operations. Specific operations discussed include trench excavation, crack sealing with hot asphalt, mowing and chain saw use, as well as winter maintenance. It provides and overview of why accidents happen and how to protect personnel through the use of personal protective equipment. Work place awareness is stressed with emphasis on chemical safety, environmental hazards and vehicle and equipment safety issues. The importance of having a formal safety program in place and how to establish an effective program is discussed.
Intended Audience: Individuals who are performing maintenance, construction, or traffic control on municipal roadways including: roadmasters, crew foremen, equipment operators and laborers. Others who would benefit from this course include: municipal managers and elected officials to understand the importance and for budgeting purposes. DATE: Thursday September 5, 2019 LOCATION: Clarion County Clarion University Small Business Development Center 330 North Point Drive #100 Clarion, PA 16214 TIME: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM Registration and More Information click link below: https://www.dot7.state.pa.us/LTAP/Public/AvailableCourses_GenInfo.aspx Developing Your Township Budget
The township’s annual budget is a financial plan that shows how much money your township will have, where it comes from, and how it will be used. Section 3202 of the Township Code requires the board of supervisors to prepare and adopt a budget that best reflects the estimated revenues and expenses of the township for the upcoming year by December 31st.
Budgeting is a basic tool for managing municipal finances, but it can be more than that. Preparation and adoption of the annual budget should be based on careful planning of the township’s activities for the coming year, and making reasoned and balanced decisions on how municipal resources will be spent. The budgeting process should allow the board of supervisors to express its goals for community services for the coming year in a single document that is readily understandable by the citizens. Since the budget allocates revenues among various municipal needs, careful consideration should be given by the board regarding where the limited amount of money available will be spent. This class will provide proven and effective methods and techniques to help new and veteran township supervisors, secretaries, treasurers, managers, road masters and public works officials develop budgets that work. This course is eligible for 2 PMGA Administration Primary credits (or secondary credits if enrolled in a different track). DATE: Wednesday August 28, 2019 LOCATION: Clarion County Ramada by Wyndham 45 Holiday Inn Road Clarion, PA 16214 TIME: 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM Registration and More Information click link below: https://learn.psats.org/products/developing-your-township-budget-82819-clarion-co 99th Clarion County Convention
Officials representing townships of the second class in Clarion County will meet Thursday, September 26, 2019, at the Knox Fire Hall, Knox, PA for their 99th Annual County Convention. The purpose of the annual convention is to provide township officials with up-to-date information to help them better serve their residents and to give them an opportunity to exchange ideas on local government issues.
The convention will feature a wide range of speakers. They will inform the officials about legislation affecting townships of the second class, association programs and services for townships, and issues of major importance to townships and their residents. For more info click following link: 99th Clarion County Convention |