News

 

Vehicle Descriptions
Car 489 - This 1997 former police car is used for transportation to school, training and other fire duties.

485 - 1987 Chevy 4-wheel drive pick up from the DCNR Department of Forestry (former military vehicle) on a grant/use agreement. We took a water tank, pump and hose reels, a lot of labor and made a brush truck.

486 - 1994 Chevy 4-wheel drive crew cab brush truck/people mover. Unit has 250 gallons of water, a pump and a 4000-watt generator with floodlights.

488 - 1987 GMC Van - This aluminum-bodied van was a former Snap-On-Tool Truck which we refurbished into a vehicle which carries breathing air, equipment and people.

483 - 1983 R-Model Mack Pumper with a 1250 GPM pump and 1250 gallons of water and Class A and AFFF foam.

481 - 2005 Smeal Cirus Pumper on a Spartan Chassis with a 200 GPM pump and 1000 gallons of water (this is the first engine with an automatic transmission owned by the department).

Website Updated
We updated the website to include 2006 official minutes, as well as forms and permit applications (see the Forms and Applications page), election information (not yet available), census and demographic statistics, and Ordinances 363 and 364.

Street Lights
If you notice a street light that is not working properly, please call the Township Office to report the pole location.

Your Invited
On the third Wednesday of every month at 6:00 p.m. the Harmony Township Board of Commissioners meets .for a regular meeting. Public attendance is welcome. Stop in - see and hear what is going on in your community. Meet the people who are making local government work for all residents. Bring your ideas and complaints - we will try to accommodate both! Each meeting has open time for floor discussions. We, the Commissioners, are here to serve you. We welcome your participation!

Code Enforcement Officer / Building Inspector
David Finch: 724-266-1910
It is important to know there are various federal, state and local laws designed for public health and well-being. Knowing which regulations and permits that apply can be very confusing. Please feel free to call Mr. Finch if you have any questions. Whether small or large, it is easier and less costly to identify and prevent problems during planning than to correct them later. Building Permits are required for most work on a home or business prior to the replacement, erection, or construction of a building, structure, fence or swimming pool. Zoning Permits are required for most activity that requires a Building Permit. We want to work with you and can give you valuable assistance.

Animal Ordinance
Dogs and cats are NOT permitted to run at large to the annoyance of the residents of the Township. Any dog or cat may be seized or taken by the Animal Control Officer (Beaver County Humane Society) or police officers and impounded in the Beaver County Humane Society shelter and owners may be charged fines and costs. Please be sure your pet is wearing identification tags and is properly licensed.

Landslides
The September and October 2004 storm events caused several roads in the Township to slide as a result:

Valley Road - The Township made a single lane emergency roadway repair on Valley Road, but will need to make permanent repairs this year.

Lower Ridge Road - The Township rented the necessary equipment and the Harmony Township Road Department employees made the necessary fill repairs. This project was completed in April 2005.

Forest Road - Again, the Township rented the necessary equipment and the Township Road Department employees made the necessary repairs in April 2005.

GOOD JOB!

Due to these slide problems, a great deal of the normal maintenance work done by the Road Department has either been delayed or not even done. We ask the residents to be patient while the Road Department Chairman works with the Road Department in scheduling work for the remaining year.

Truck Fire!
The Township was very fortunate that no employee was injured as this Township Road Department truck caught fire and was completely destroyed. It was replaced with a 2005 Ford F-450 Dump Truck.

Illegal Dumping and Property Cleanup
Please join in the fight against illegal dumping of trash and litter. It is against the law to improperly dispose of household garbage, metal, tires, automobile parts, appliances, vehicle batteries or hazardous waste on any property in the Township. Dumping areas negatively affect our Township by attracting rodents and mosquitoes and also lower property values.

Property owners must comply with the property maintenance codes regarding weeds and high grass. Help us keep the Township clean.

Sanitary Sewer Project
On March 8, 2005 the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) presented a check to highlight USDA Rural Development’s investment of $2,347,750.00 in Harmony Township’s sanitary sewage collection and conveyance system. USDA provided a $838,750.00 grant and a $1,509,000.00 loan to provide a sanitary sewage collection and conveyance system that will serve the Woodland Road and Ridge Road areas and Cedar Avenue. Approximately 261 units will be served within the proposed project areas with a $1,500.00 tap fee.

The members of the Harmony Township Board of Commissioners and Harmony Township Municipal Authority are very thankful for the grant and loan funds. This project has been evolving for several years and with the continued cooperation of these Boards, sanitary sewers will finally be a reality.

A joint Board of Commissioners and Municipal Authority meeting was held April 28, 2005 at the Township Fire Hall to update residents, discuss and present easement papers and answer questions regarding fees, sewer line locations and lateral connections. The meeting was very informative and both the Board and the Authority would like to thank those residents that were able to attend the meeting for their questions, comments and concerns.

Residents will continue to be informed of meetings and updates regarding the project. If any resident has a question, please call the Township Office. We will be glad to discuss any questions or concerns you may have.

Plans are available at the Township Office for residents to review. The project was advertised for bids in August and September, 2006. Bids will be opened in October, 2006.

Harmony Township Taxes
2006 Township Real Estate Tax 19.28 mills
2006 Beaver County Real Estate Tax 17.7 mills
2006 Ambridge Area School District Real Estate Tax 56.0 mills

Township and School taxes are collected by: Paula Winne, 16 Lenzman Court Ambridge, PA 15003 Please call Paula at 724-266-5890 for office hours or to schedule an appointment. A note from Paula Winne: As a courtesy, Paula mails real estate tax bills to mortgage companies for homeowners with escrow accounts. If any homeowner refinances, changes mortgage companies or pays off a mortgage, please contact Paula with the updated information to determine if property taxes have been paid.

Both the School District and Township portions of Harmony Township taxes are collected by the Ambridge Area Wage Tax Office, 740 Park Road, Ambridge, PA 15003 (telephone 724-266-2833 ext. 1245).
-1Wage Tax
-1.5Mercantile Tax
-$52.00 Emergency and Municipal Service Tax (Formerly Occupation Tax)

On February 15, 2006, the Township passed an ordinance to enact the Emergency And Municipal Services Tax. This replaces the $10.00 Occupation Tax. The new tax rate is $52.00. For more information regarding Governor Rendell’s economic stimulus package. and programs, the web site www.newpa.com.

Other Township Funding
The Township has been very fortunate to have received federal, state and local grant awards. Some grant sources are DARE, COPS Universal Hiring Program, Beaver County Community Development Block Grant Program, Department of Homeland Security and The Department of Community and Economic Development. Funding has been provided for body armor for police officers, computers, lap tops, computer equipment, digital camera and lens, photo printer, Township Building renovations, traffic studies, speed devices and police vehicle equipment. The Township also participates with the Beaver Valley Council of Governments commodities purchasing program. These funding of these items and projects allow the Commissioners to budget remaining funds to budgets vital to the Township’s continued operation and maintenance. The Board will continue to explore possible funding sources.

Burning
As of June 16, 2004 all burning has been banned in Harmony Township.

Garbage Collection
Please remember it is unlawful for people to bring garbage into the Township, residents or nonresidents. The contract with Waste Management allows unlimited garbage and trash removal. Two (2) large appliances or furniture pieces are also permitted each year at no additional cost. Prior to pickup of a refrigerator or small air conditioner, the proper tag must be placed on either item from a certified plumber indicating the freon has been removed. Microwave ovens are not permitted in landfills, therefore cannot be taken by Waste Management.

Please remember it is unlawful to permit garbage containers to remain at curbside or along a public right-of-way for periods longer than ten (10) hours prior to or following regularly scheduled collection time. Pickup dates are changed for certain holidays. Please contact the Township Office with any questions.

Waste Management is the current refuse collector Residents pay a $25.98 quarterly fee and there is a 10discount for all citizens over the age of 60. You can pay your quarterly bill at the Township Office for a limited time only due to collection and payment requirements by Waste Management, so please call the Township Office for collection dates.

House Numbers
Please be sure that your house numbers are in a visible location to better assist the police, fire and ambulance personnel.

Sewage Billing and Collection
he sewage bills are mailed quarterly and the current residential rate is a flat fee of $70.00. Payments should be mailed to the Township Office or payments can be made in person at any time. Please remember to make your payments by the due date to avoid penalty and interest charges. If you have any questions, please call the Township Sewer Clerk, Rachelle Roberts at 724-266-1910, Monday through Friday 8:30AM to 4:00PM. The Township has entered into an agreement with the Borough of Ambridge Water Authority which permits the Township to terminate water service in cases of sewer users who are delinquent. Delinquent customers will also be charged a water shut-off and start-up fee if the water service is terminated.

Protecting Water Quality from Urban Runoff
EPA 841-F-03-003 The most recent National Water Quality Inventory reports that runoff from urbanized areas is the leading source of water quality impairments to surveyed estuaries and the third-largest source of impairments to surveyed lakes.

Clean Water is Everybody's Business In urban and suburban areas, much of the land surface is covered by buildings and pavement, which do not allow rain and snowmelt to soak into the ground. Instead, most developed areas rely on storm drains to carry large amounts of runoff from roofs and paved areas to nearby waterways. The stormwater runoff carries pollutants such as oil, dirt, chemicals, and lawn fertilizers directly to streams and rivers, where To protect surface water quality and groundwater resources, development should be designed and built to minimize increases in runoff.

Storm Water Runoff
Increased Runoff The porous and varied terrain of natural landscapes like forests, wetlands, and grasslands traps rainwater and snowmelt and allows them to filter slowly into the ground. In contrast, impervious (nonporous) surfaces like roads, parking lots, and rooftops prevent rain and snowmelt from infiltrating, or soaking, into the ground.

Most of the rainfall and snowmelt remains above the surface, where it runs off rapidly in unnaturally large amounts.

Storm sewer systems concentrate runoff into smooth, straight conduits. This runoff gathers speed and erosional power as it travels underground. When this runoff leaves the storm drains and empties into a stream, its excessive volume and power blast out streambanks, damaging streamside vegetation and wiping out aquatic habitat. These increased storm flows carry sediment loads from construction sites and other denuded surfaces and eroded streambanks. They often carry higher water temperatures from streets, rooftops, and parking lots, which are harmful to the health and reproduction of aquatic life.

The loss of infiltration from urbanization may also cause profound groundwater changes. Although urbanization leads to great increases in flooding during and immediately after wet weather, in many instances it results in lower stream flows during dry weather. Many native fish and other aquatic life cannot survive when these conditions prevail.

Did you know that because of impervious surfaces like pavement and rooftops, a typical city block generates more than 5 times more runoff than a woodland area of the same size?

Increased Pollutant Loads Urbanization increases the variety and amount of pollutants carried into streams, rivers, and lakes. The pollutants include:

• Sediment
• Oil, grease, and toxic chemicals from motor vehicles
• Pesticides and nutrients from lawns and gardens
• Viruses, bacteria, and nutrients from pet waste and failing septic systems
• Road salts
• Heavy metals from roof shingles, motor vehicles, and other sources
• Thermal pollution from dark impervious surfaces such as streets and rooftops

These pollutants can harm fish and wildlife populations, kill native vegetation, foul drinking water supplies, and make recreational areas unsafe and unpleasant.

Managing Urban Runoff - What Homeowners Can Do to decrease polluted runoff from paved surfaces, households can develop alternatives to areas traditionally covered by impervious surfaces. Porous pavement materials are available for driveways and sidewalks, and native vegetation and mulch can replace high maintenance grass lawns. Homeowners can use fertilizers sparingly and sweep driveways, sidewalks, and roads instead of using a hose. Instead of disposing of yard waste, they can use the materials to start a compost pile. And homeowners can learn to use Integrated Pest Management (1PM) to reduce dependence on harmful pesticides.

In addition, households can prevent polluted runoff by picking up after pets and using, storing, and disposing of chemicals properly. Drivers should check their cars for leaks and recycle their motor oil and antifreeze when these fluids are changed. Drivers can also avoid impacts from car wash rtinoff (e.g., detergents, grime, etc.) by using car wash facilities that do not generate runoff Households served by septic systems should have them professionally inspected and pumped every 3 to 5 years. They should also practice water conservation measures to extend the life of their septic systems.

Controlling Impacts from New Development Developers and city planners should attempt to control the volume of runoff from new development by using low impact development, structural controls, and pollution prevention strategies. Low impact development includes measures that conserve natural areas (particularly sensitive hydrologic areas like riparian buffers and infiltrable soils); reduce development impacts; and reduce site runoff rates by maximizing surface roughness, infiltration opportunities, and flow paths.

Controlling Impacts from Existing Development Controlling runoff from existing urban areas is often more costly than controlling runoff from new developments. Economic efficiencies are often realized through approaches that target “hot spots” of runoff pollution or have multiple benefits, such as high-efficiency Street sweeping (which addresses aesthetics, road safety, and water quality). Urban planners and others responsible for managing urban and suburban areas can first identify and implement pollution prevention strategies and examine source control opportunities. They should seek out priority pollutant reduction opportunities, then protect natural areas that help control runoff, and finally begin ecological restoration and retrofit activities to clean up degraded water bodies. Local governments are encouraged to take lead roles in public education efforts through public signage, storm drain marking, pollution prevention outreach campaigns, and partnerships with citizen groups and businesses. Citizens can help prioritize the clean-up strategies, volunteer to become involved in restoration efforts, and mark storm drains with approved “don’t dump” messages.

Storm Water Management
Turn Your home into a Stormwater Pollution Solution!
www.epa.gov/nps
This web site links to an EPA homeowner’s guide to healthy habits for clean water that provides tips for better vehicle and garage care, lawn and garden techniques, home improvement, pet care, and more.

National Management Measures to Control Nonpoint Source Pollution from Urban Areas
www.epa.gov/owow/nps/urbanmm
This technical guidance and reference document is useful to local, state, and tribal managers in implementing management programs for polluted runoff. Contains information on the best available, economically achievable means of reducing pollution of surface waters and groundwater from urban areas.

Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Resources
www.epa.gov/owln/onsite   Note: Bad Link
This web site contains the latest brochures and other resources from EPA for managing onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) such as conventional septic systems and alternative decentralized systems. These resources provide basic information to help individual homeowners, as well as detailed, up-to-date technical guidance of interest to local and state health departments.

Low Impact Development Center
www.lowimpactdevelopment.org
This center provides information on protecting the environment and water resources through integrated site design techniques that are intended to replicate preexisting hydrologic site conditions.

Stormwater Manager’s Resource Center (SMRC)
www.stormwatercenter.net
Created and maintained by the Center for Watershed Protection, this resource center is designed specifically for stormwater practitioners, local government officials, and others that need technical assistance on stormwater management issues.

Strategies: Community Responses to Runoff Pollution
www.nrdc.org/water/pollution/storm/stoinx.asp
The Natural Resources Defense Council developed this interactive web document to explore some of the most effective strategies that communities are using around the nation to control urban runoff pollution. The document is also available in print form and as an interactive CD-ROM.

Provided by 3 Rivers Wet Weather.
www.3riverswetweather.org