Springfield Township - Announcements

Township Offices open 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday

Township Meeting & Special Event Schedule

(All meetings are in the evening and in the main meeting room unless otherwise noted. The Small Meeting Room is located in the front of our building, first door on the right.

Zoning Hearing Board	Monday, February 7 @7:00pm
Board of Supervisors Special Meeting	Tuesday, February 7 @7:00pm
Environmental Advisory Council	Thursday, February 9 @7:30pm
Springtown Water Authority(@ the Springtown Fire Department)	Monday, February 13 @7:00pm
Planning Commission Work Session	Thursday, February 16 @7:00pm
Open Space Committee	Tuesday, February 21 @7:30pm
Historic Commission(Small Meeting Room)	Tuesday, February 21 @7:30pm
Springtown Water Authority(@ the Springtown Fire Department)	Monday, February 27 @7:00pm
Board of Supervisors	Tuesday, February 28 @7:30pm

eNews (email) Mailing List

Several Township eNewsletters went out recently. These are used to send news alerts (temporary outside burning bans, burglaries in Township, special items of interest, etc.) to residents via email. If you want to be added to the list, please forward your name, address and email address to: info@springfieldbucks.org and ask to be added to the eNews mailing list. If you are not a township resident, please provide the reason you are requesting to be on the list (newspaper reporter, local fireman, etc.)

SPECIAL NOTE: If you signed up and did NOT receive the eNews, we became aware that some internet providers block these under various circumstances. We could tell by how many did not get opened and were not returned that there was a problem. We have worked with ptd.net (who blocked the first two eNews editions) and those folks who have ptd.net will receive the newsletters in the future. If you are not ptd.net, and did not receive your eNews, be sure you check your email settings and check with your internet provider to see if they are blocking this type of email for some reason.

Township Newsletters

If you are a township resident and would like to submit a 500-word article of interest for a future newsletter, please send your article in Word format to info@springfieldbucks.org. We are always looking for fresh articles--history, memorabilia of the township, etc.

The 2011 Fall, 2010 Fall, 2008 Spring, 2008 Summer and the 2009 Fall Newsletters are all available online, or you can pick up copies at the Township Building. The Newsletters are mailed to property owners. If you rent and would like to be added to the newsletter mailing list, contact the Municipal Building at 610-346-6700, ext 20.

Keystone Collections Group is the Earned Income Tax Collector for Springfield Township

As part of the tax law changes brought about by Act 32, Bucks County selected Keystone Collections Group as the new countywide earned income tax collector. Although the change iwas not required until 2012, due to significant cost savings, most Bucks County local governments--including Springfield Township--decided to transition to Keystone in 2011.

Employers in Springfield Township should have received information already from Keystone. If employers or residents have questions or need additional information, call 1-888-519-3898. For a 15-min. overview of Act 32 that provides basic information for both employers and taxpayers, click on this link.

Free Transportation for Veterans to Coatesville & Philadelphia VA Medical Centers

The Bucks County Transportation Program has been in existence since 2001 transporting veterans FREE OF CHARGE to Coatesville and Philadelphia VA Medical Centers. Download a schedule for more information!

Seniors Helping Seniors

Seniors Helping Seniors in-home services is a unique program which matches seniors who want to help with seniors who are looking for help. It was founded to provide seniors with the ability to choose an independent lifestyle in their own homes for as long as possible. If you need help, or if you would like to help, download a helpful brochure to learn more.

Volunteers Needed

The following openings currently exist on Township committees/Boards:

2 Zoning Hearing Board Alternates
1 opening on the Environmental Advisory Council (EAC)
1 opening on the Historic Commission
1 opening on Community Day Committee
1 Ag Security Committe member

If you are interested in filling any of these positions, please send or email a letter of interest and a resume (if available) to Richard Schilling, Township Manager, at: rschilling@springfieldbucks.org

If you are interested in serving on any township committee, please complete a Volunteer Form or submit a letter indicating your area of interest and any qualifications you have that would equip you to serve on that committee. Although qualifications are not necessary, it helps the supervisors "fit" the right individuals into the right spots. With no experience, you can learn "on the job" in many of the committees.

If you are not familiar with the various committees available, they are listed in the Township Directory.

Senator Bob Mensch's Office Holds Satellite Office Hours in Springfield Township

Senator Mensch is offering satellite office hours in Springfield Township. A representative from his office will be available in the lower meeting room of the Township Building from

1st, *2nd, 4th & 5th Wed of every month 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., and the 3rd Wed. of every month 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

* The second (2nd) Wed. in the months of Feb., April, June, Aug, Oct & Dec 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

The Senator's Office can assist you with state-related matters including:

PACE and PACENET applications for senior citizens
Property tax / rent rebate forms
Absentee ballots and voter registration forms
Status reports on legislation
Copies of House and Senate bills and state laws
Certified copies of birth and death certificates

Additional information about Mensch's offices can be found at www.senatormensch.com or by calling (215) 541-2388. (Check the meeting schedule in chart above for weather/other cancellations.)

Report Potholes for Repairs

Spring has sprung and so have the potholes. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is reminding motorists to call the toll-free number 1-800-FIX-ROAD (1-800-349-7623) to report the location of potholes. Motorists are also encouraged to report other problems and information, including:

- signage issues;

- other maintenance needs;

- animal carcass removal (on state roads--see listing below)*; and

- brush and tree removal.

Since its inception in July 1997, the year-round hotline has received between 500 and 1,000 calls per month statewide. Callers are asked to be as specific as possible when providing locations of maintenance problems. PennDOT requests the report include the county, municipality, street name, and the traffic route or the state route (SR) number to assist Engineering Districts & County Maintenance Offices in making prompt repairs. State Route numbers are located on small black-and-white signs posted along state highways. Callers should also provide a description of any familiar landmarks to further help PennDOT locate the problem area.

NOTE: State roads in the Township are: Routes 212, 309 and 412; California, Flint Hill, Gallows Hill, Lehnenberg, Old Bethlehem, Slifer Valley, State and Stoney Garden Roads; Old Bethlehem Pike and Richlandtown Pike.

* For dead deer on Township roads, call the Game Commission at 610-926-3136.

Act 537 Revision adopted in 2010

Review the Act 537 Plan that the Board adopted and authorized to be sent to DEP for final review on February 23, 2010. DEP approved the plan on November 12. The Supervisors will review the plan for possible final adoption by Ordinance.

Help Emergency Workers Find Your Home

Have you seen those reflective 6" x 18" green signs with white house numbers throughout Springfield and other local townships? They help emergency services locate your home in case of an emergency. This potentially life-saving sign is available from the Springtown Community Volunteer Fire Company for just $10. A post to hang it on is available for $3.

Ordering details are available on the Emergency Response Sign Application.

RECYCLING OPTIONS

Paper Recycling

Get rid of those old phone books, magazines, etc., by bringing them to the township building and put them in the Abitibi recycling bin!

Thank You to everyone in advance for helping Springfield Township turn TRASH into CASH! Remember, the recycling bin in place by the side of our parking lot can be used by anyone--not just residents. You can drop off: Magazines, Shopping Catalogs, Phone Books, Newspapers, Office & School Papers, Mail -- any paper (not cardboard).

Please do NOT include: Cardboard, Plastic, Glass, Metal, Trash in the Abitibi bin.

Cardboard Recycling now available to Township Residents!

Township residents may bring household cardboard to the municipal building. Please flatten all boxes before putting them in the cardboard bin.

All Other Recycling Locations

Check this great website for places in your location where you can take other items to be recycled: www.earth911.com Want more Green info? Sign up for the Earth911.com Weekly email. It provides free facts and easy tips about disposal of the various products in your life. Just drop us a line at greentips@earth911.com.

Another good local information source for recycling is the Bucks County website. Sites are listed for many different types of recycling needs, from oil to freon appliances.

Network of Victims Assistance (NOVA)

Victims of crime can access NOVA (Network of Victims Assistance) for counseling, advocacy, education and a 24-hour hotline. Call our hotline at 1-800-675-6900 or visit our website www.novabucks.org.

Emergency Preparedness for You and Your Family

Check our Downloads page, under Emergency Preparedness for an important posting from Michael Guarino, Springfield's Emergency Management Coordinator, on how to prepare your family for an emergency.

Springfield Township's Appeal of the PUC's Decision in Support of PPL's Proposed Cross-Country Power Route.

See the Bucks County Herald September 29, 2011, issue for an important update on the current status of Springfield Township vs. PUC!

Announcements