December 2011

Dear Subscriber,

As 2011 comes to a close, we thank you for your support and encouragement during another difficult year. Like most municipalities, we strive to balance the need to provide quality services to our residents with dwindling financial resources. Please let us know how we can serve you more effectively.

The highlight of the year, of course, was the opening of our new Pennridge Regional Police Department headquarters on Ridge Road. It’s a beautiful and efficient facility, which is a testament to the hard work and municipal cooperation by so many dedicated people.

As you’ll see later in this newsletter, our 2012 budget has been approved. It holds the line on sewer rates and street light assessments, and includes a small property tax increase to pay for rebuilding the Rockhill Road Bridge over Three-Mile Run. We trust you agree it is a wise investment to protect public safety.

On behalf of the entire township staff and administration, we wish you and your family a fun, relaxing and safe holiday season.

The Board of Supervisors

Read on for more information about these items and more.

Please forward this issue to your friends and neighbors and encourage them to sign up for eNews!

2012 Budget Approved

Property owners will see a small increase in their real estate tax bills in 2012 to help pay for repairs to the Rockhill Road Bridge. The Board of Supervisors approved a $3.5 million budget  on December 13, with overall spending increasing about 3.5 percent from
the current year.

While sewer rates and the township's streetlight assessment will remain the same, the property tax rate will increase by 0.65 mills, to 8.135 mills. The owner of property assessed at the township average of $40,000 will pay about $325 in municipal property taxes, an increase of about $26.

The township plans to take out a $1 million loan to replace the Rockhill Road bridge over Three Mile Run. Revenue from the tax increase will be used to pay off that loan over the next 20 to 30 years, according to the Board of Supervisors.

The township plans to seek 80 percent reimbursement from the state for the bridge work to help pay down the debt.

Officials hope to begin work on the bridge next year. The double stone-arch bridge, built in 1901, was last rehabilitated in 1988. Pieces of the stonework along its sides have been crumbling into the creek.

The bridge has been reduced to one lane, and the township has placed barricades along its sides for safety, but officials say it will have to be closed unless it is renovated.

Budget Details

Group Seeks to Protect Amphibians

A group of volunteers from the Heritage Conservancy is asking for the township’s help in protecting tiny salamanders during their perilous journey to the Quaketown Swamp. One proposal calls for closing a few roads on the nights when the small critters make their annual migration to vernal pools in the swamp for breeding.

A critical habitat for a variety of birds and amphibians, the 518-acre Quakertown Swamp is the largest inland wetland in the county. It straddles Richland, East Rockhill and West Rockhill townships.

Each winter, several types of salamanders burrow into the ground, waiting for temperatures to reach about 40 degrees and the first rains begin to fall. Then they venture out in large groups for mating.

To reach the temporary pools, the salamanders and other amphibians, including several types of frogs and toads, must cross roads, including Muskrat and Rich Hill in Richland and
Rockhill Road in East Rockhill.

Though not heavily traveled thoroughfares, motorists may not see the salamanders, especially the smaller varieties that are only a few inches long.

“One car going through there at the wrong time could kill 100 of them,” said naturalist Devich Farbotnik, who, for the past few years, has been on a one-man salamander crusade, helping the creatures make the trek.

Farbotnik and several other area volunteers are looking to add more manpower to the operation.

In January, volunteers will meet with residents living near the affected areas to educate them about the process.

Leaf Collection Completed

Despite logistical problems caused by the weather, our annual fall curbside leaf collection is complete for 2011.  We appreciate your cooperation in helping to make the project successful.

Remember, a yard waste collection Dumpster for leaves and other yard waste is available for resident use from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sundays. This Dumpster is behind the Township municipal building on Ridge Road.

Please note: tree limbs, tree stumps, and grass clippings are not accepted, and result in penalty assessments. It is also illegal for commercial businesses to dump yard waste and recycling at the Recycling Center, which is strictly for residents.

Outdoor Burning is Not Permitted

No outdoor burning is permitted in East Rockhill Township by Ordinance No. 239. Burning of recyclable material such as yard waste is prohibited by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for all mandated communities. East Rockhill Township is also mandated to have an enforcement program in place.

Reminder About Trash Collection

By now, residents of the Trash District have been made aware that Republic Services, previously known as Allied Waste and BFI, will be their exclusive trash and recycling hauler starting on January 1, 2012.

On Saturday, December 17, Republic crews will be distributing Recyclebank carts in the district along with a letter letting each resident know what the cart is for and a little information about Recyclebank.

While all 180 households in the Trash District must use Republic, other township residents are free to choose their own hauler. However, Republic has agreed to extend the terms of their winning bid to all township residents willing to sign a three-year contract.

Trash and Recycling Implementation Plan

For more information, call Republic Services at 215-723-0400.

From the West Rockhill Historical Society

The Arcadia Press book, "East and West Rockhill Township" is out in print.  Learn about the people, events and history that have shaped the Rockhills. See old photos of places, friends, neighbors and relatives. The books can be purchased from members of the West Rockhill Historical Society and retail stores.

West Rockhill Historical Society is putting together a collection of recipes and household hints.  We would like copy of your family favorite, the one that everyone asks for on holidays and church dinners. It might be that traditional dish that your grandmother, aunt or mother would make.
  
Did your relatives ever give you a household hint?  For example, this timely one, that  Alice Charles used when moving into her house in 1920's. She said "The best way to get rid of bed bugs is to put each leg of the bed into a tin can filled with kerosene."

Please send your recipes and household hints to West Rockhill HIstorical Society P.O. Box 282,  Sellersville PA 18960.

West Rockhill Historical Society meets on the second Monday of the month, 7 p.m. at the West Rockhill Township Building on Ridge Road. All are welcomed to attend.

How You Can Support the Perkasie Fire Company

With its substation in the Township, the Perkasie Fire Company provides valuable, life-saving services to our residents. Here are a few ways you can help support their efforts:

December 18, 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Breakfast With Santa
The company’s popular "All-You-Can-Eat-Breakfast” in December will include a special visit from Santa Claus. The menu includes eggs, pancakes, sausage, bacon, scrapple, home fries, onions and mushrooms. The cost is $7 for adults and $3.50 for children ages 4-12. Kids 3 and under eat for free.

More information about the Perkasie Fire Company