Current Township Information & News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

Aug. 17, 2009                                                                                                                                      Department of Health

                                                                                                                                                              Department of Education             

                                                                                                                                                              Commonwealth News Bureau

                                                                                                                                                              Room 308, Main Capitol Building

                                                                                                                                                              Harrisburg, PA  17120

                                                                                                                                     CONTACT:    Stacy Kriedeman, Dept. of  Health

                                                                                                                                                               Mike Race, Dept. of Education
                                                                                                                                                                 (717) 983-9802

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH RELEASES GUIDANCE ON NOVEL H1N1 INFLUENZA FOR SCHOOLS K-12

Webinars held with school districts statewide in preparation for the upcoming flu season

HARRISBURG – The Secretary of Health today released guidance on Novel H1N1, also known as swine flu, for elementary and secondary schools in an effort to keep kids and staff healthy and flu-free this school year.

“The most important message for parents is that sick children should not go to school. The same applies to teachers and staff.  If you are sick, the best place to be is at home,” said Secretary of Health Everette James.

“Pennsylvania schools should take steps to prepare for swine flu this fall and winter because this virus has had a significant impact on children between the ages of five and 19 years. The revised guidance provides recommendations to mitigate the impact of influenza in schools, as well as limit the spread once flu is identified among students or staff members,” James added.

The department’s guidance is compatible with recently released recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The guidance is meant to limit the spread of influenza while reducing disruption to schools.

Hand washing, cough etiquette and keeping the environment clean can also significantly help reduce the spread of disease. 

The Department of Health is recommending that those who are sick with influenza-like illness should stay home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever and are no longer taking medication to reduce the fever. In most cases of flu, this means three to five days after the onset of illness.

The Department of Health strongly encourages school districts to work closely with local or state health officials to determine the best course of action should an outbreak happen.

The departments of Health and Education are holding a series of webinars with school districts across the state to talk about the new school guidance and to share what is expected this coming school year.

“We will work closely with schools and child care facilities to help them be on the lookout for children showing signs of influenza and have appropriate response measures in place,” Education Secretary Gerald Zahorchak said. “School district officials should also maintain close contact with their local health departments and make every effort to share flu prevention information to families.”

Symptoms of the new influenza virus are similar to those of regular or seasonal flu and include sudden fever and cough with muscle aches, fatigue, and lack of appetite. Many people with this infection also have runny nose, sore throat, and watery eyes, and some also have nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Individuals with the flu are contagious to others. It is important to take the following steps to prevent spreading the virus to others:

·        Stay home when you are sick to avoid spreading illness to others;

·        Cough or sneeze into the bend of your elbow or a tissue and properly dispose of used tissues;

·        Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand    sanitizer;

·        Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth;

·        Stay healthy by eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water and getting plenty of rest and exercise; and

·        Seek care if you have influenza-like illness.

The Department of Health will continue to provide guidance to parents and the schools, including information on the development and availability of the Novel H1N1 flu vaccine, as the influenza season progresses.

For more information on Novel H1N1, contact the Department of Health at 1-877-PA-HEALTH or visit www.health.state.pa.us.

2010 Approved Budget

The proposed 2010 annual budget for Manheim Township, York County, PA, was adopted by the Manheim Township Board of Supervisors on November 23, 2009, and will be open for public inspection at the Municipal Building, 5191 Wool Mill Road, Glenville, PA, beginning Tuesday, November 24, 2009.  The proposed budget contains a general fund tax millage rate of 1.1, and a .15 fire tax millage rate to be allocated to volunteer fire departments servicing Manheim Township. The 2010 budget was adopted at a public meeting on December 21, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. in the Municipal Building. 

The following is a summary of the expenditures of all township funds for 2010.

                                                                                General Fund                State Fund        Fire Tax Fund

                Protection of Property              $291,480.00                   -0-                 $ 33,760.00

            Highways                                   237,764.21                $ 105,383.46          -0-

            General Gov't.                           234,678.00                      56,998.00          -0-

            Buildings                                      18,450.00                  -0-                       -0-

            Contributions                                  9,610.00                  -0-                       -0-

            Culture & Recreation                    42,000.00                  -0-                       -0-

            Planning/Zoning                            10,600.00                  -0-                       -0-

            Insurance                                      19,050.00                 -0-                       -0-

            Capital Reserve                            15,000.00                  -0-                       -0-

            Employee Benefits                        89,260.00                  -0-                       -0-                                              

Total                $967,892.21             $ 162,381.46     $33,760.00

Grand Total of 2009 budget -               $1,164,033.67

Press Release

The Adventure Begins

Manheim Township is elated to announce that the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has awarded a Community Conservation Partnerships Program grant to Manheim Township for development and construction of the community recreation park.  The $200,000 grant award must and will be matched with local funding.  Manheim Township will use their Recreation Fund for land development planning and construction/recreation equipment costs, along with General Fund allocations for equipment rental and payroll costs for municipal personnel performing the earth moving phase in 2009.

Manheim Township acquired a 20 acre parcel of land for a recreation park that is centrally located in the Township in 2002, with a prior DCNR grant award.  Representative Ron Miller authorized a Community Revitalization Program grant in 2003, which covered the cost of the master park design. 

The Manheim Township Recreation Committee held a student contest in 2003 at the Manheim Elementary School to name the park.  Ryan Hertzog submitted the winning entry and the park was dubbed “Manheim Adventure.”  Since then the Recreation Committee has been working diligently on various fund raisers including flocks of flamingos being hosted in yards of recreation fund donors and basket bingo events including the latest “Big Boys’ Toys” event. 

The Recreation Committee members were also key in completing Phase 1A of the park development, which involved installation of a football field to both show DCNR the commitment of Manheim Township to establish the park and to provide a place for the Manheim Vikings football team to practice and play games during the planned construction activity at the Manheim Elementary School where they typically practice.

The current grant funding will be used to install recreational amenities including a baseball field, a playground area, a basketball court, and a cardio exercise walkway.  The development will also include installation of parking areas, storm water facilities, a natural habitat learning area with walking trails and a park sign. 

Manheim Township would like to express their gratitude to Senator Waugh and Representative Miller who supported the grant application and the following companies who have donated some or all of their services: Rettew Associates, Inc., for donated time in preparing the grant application; Hanover Land Services, Inc., for donating the preparation of an erosion control plan for Phase 1A; Osborne Construction, for donated erosion control fence for Phase 1A; Waggoner Construction, McGrew Equipment, James Ambrosious Paving, Wherley Excavating, and Bosley Construction, all donating equipment and/or man hours for the Phase 1A earth moving; Snyder’s Feed Mill, for donated grass seed for Phase 1A.

Manheim Township is extremely thankful too for the many residents who volunteered their time and talent to assist in Phase 1A development activities, and/or made donations of trees, equipment or labor towards the full construction of the park now coming to fruition.  A special thanks to Dan Lucabaugh who donated many hours of his time to operate earth moving equipment during Phase 1A.

Tired of your commute to Maryland? rabbit transit is now offering York County residents transportation between York and Maryland. There are three trips in the morning and afternoon, Monday through Friday. Connections can be made to the MTA Light Rail and other points in northern Maryland. For more details and schedule information, visit www.rabbittransit.org.  

Acceptable Recyclables Information

West Nile Virus

Prevention and control, you can reduce the number of mosquitoes by disposing of any refuse water. The following are mosquito breeding sites: storm drains, clogged roof gutters, window wells, uncovered containers, leaky faucets and standing water, garden ponds, swimming pools, tires and wheelbarrows, birdbaths and children’s toys.

Protect yourself from bites, even though your property may be devoid of mosquito breeding sites, mosquitoes can travel 2 to 3 miles. You may protect yourself by do the following: make sure window and door screens are bug tight, use proper type of light outside, stay indoors at dawn, dusk and in the early evening, use insect repellents (follow directions on label).

Helpful Hints For Hiring a Contractor

When hiring a contractor please consider the following tips:

Construction Code Information

The Manheim Township Board of Supervisors chose to pursue "Opting In" to provide local control over the administration, cost of inspections, prompt scheduling of inspections, and appeal procedure. They also chose to form a regional municipal cooperative. At this time we are working with the Townships of Codorus, Heidelberg, and Jackson . A third party inspection agency will be retained and an appeals board will be formed by appointing residents from these municipalities.

When is the UCC effective? The UCC became effective in Manheim Township  July 1, 2004 .

What does the UCC cover? The regulations cover any construction that makes structural changes or changes the means of egress, meaning doors and windows.  It is best to contact Manheim Township to determine whether a UCC Permit will be required. Manheim Township will still be issuing Zoning Permits and can determine UCC requirements at the same time.

Specific Exemptions:

1.  Agricultural buildings  provided structures are utilized to store farm implements, hay, feed, grain or other agricultural or horticultural products or to house poultry, livestock or other farm animals and a milk house. The term includes a carriage house owned and used by members of a recognized religious sect for the purposes of housing horses and storing buggies. The term shall not include habitable space or spaces in which agricultural products are processed, treated or packaged and shall not be construed to mean a place of occupancy by the general public. 

2. Manufactured housing

3. "Utility and miscellaneous use structures."  Buildings or structures of an accessory character and miscellaneous structures not classified by the Building Officials and Code Administrators International, Inc., in any specific use group. The term includes carports, detached private garages, greenhouses and sheds having a building area less than 1,000 square feet. The term does not include swimming pools or spas.  Again, please contact Manheim Township for final determination. We will provide media and website updates on the final effective date.

Here is a suggested process for any construction project when the UCC becomes effective:

1.  Contact Manheim Township to discuss your idea.

2.  Determine extent of detail necessary for property plot plan and building plan.

3.  Determine order to acquire permits such as Zoning (3-5 days, local review), Sewage (5-7 days, local review but State required), Erosion & Sedimentation (15 – 30 days, local cooperation but State reviewed), UCC (15 days maximum, local review, but State required) and any other required permits.

4.  Be aware that the UCC requires a construction plan review in order to issue a UCC permit.

5.  Complete applications and get necessary permits.

6.  Complete required inspections (typically 12 –14 inspections for all permits on a new home).

7.  Obtain all final certificates required to use and occupy the structure.

                     HOUSE NUMBERING

On July 1, 1999. the Manheim Township Board of Supervisors adopted a House Numbering Ordinance requiring  all principal buildings to display the assigned house number according to guidelines set within the Ordinance.

The number of your new address should be properly posted according to these guidelines:

1.    If your mailbox is single and separate and located by your access drive, three inch numbers should be displayed on the mailbox or post, visible from both sides, at least three (3) feet above the surface of the ground. This method is permitted even if the mailbox is on the opposite side of the road, as long as there are no other mailboxes that would cause confusion. Please be sure that the numbers are clearly visible from both directions of travel, and that the flag, paper box, or decorative plantings don't hinder the visibility.

2.    If the building being addressed is within seventy-five (75) feet of the road that the address is assigned from, and clearly visible from the road, four (4) inch numbers may be posted on the building in a conspicuous location. Please be sure that visibility of the numbers are not hindered by trees or plants.

3.    If you mailbox is not located singles and separate, and the building is more than seventy-five (75) feet from the road, then a sign with four (4) inch number should be placed by the access drive. This sign should be visible from both direction of travel and the number display should be at least three (3) feet above the surface of the ground.

4.    If you share an access (common drive) with another dwelling, four (4) inch numbers for both dwellings should be posted at the common entrance, then four (4) inch numbers placed at the individual driveways. (or on the building if visible and within 75 feet of the common drive).

Please be sure that the numbers are posted on a contrasting background. Gold or Silver numbers on natural wood are difficult to see. If you have any questions please call the Township office.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT FLOOD INSURANCE

For most of us, our home is by far our most valuable possession. But every year, more homes in the U.S. Are damaged by floods than any other natural disaster. People who live near water are not the only ones who experience flooding. Floods move, and can spread for miles. They can have strong currents that , in a few moments, can sweep away everything that took a lifetime to accumulate, leaving a thick residue of mud and debris behind. It's not just high risk areas that are flooded. Between 20 and 25 percent of flood insurance claims come from a medium or low flood-risk areas.

The fact is, a flood could happen to YOU.

Fortunately, you can protect yourself and your future from the crippling financial losses often caused by flooding through a program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Under FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), federally backed flood insurance is available in communities that adopt and enforce regulations to reduce flood losses. Flood insurance provides coverage that you homeowners insurance doesn't - coverage for damages caused by floods. The good news is that about 20,000 communities in the United States and its territories that are faced with potential flooding participate in the NFIP, so the chances are excellent that flood insurance is available to you.

Flood insurance vs. Disaster Assistance.

Flood insurance is far better protection than depending on Federal disaster assistance, which is available only if a disaster is Federally declared. If you have a flood insurance policy, you can be reimbursed for all your covered losses, even if a disaster is not Federally declared. In contrast, Federal disaster assistance is often a loan - repayable in full - with interest! With a flood insurance policy, all you pay is one annual premium. Then, if you suffer losses due to flooding, you will be reimbursed for your covered losses and never have to pay a nickel back. Flood insurance is affordable. The average flood insurance premium costs approximately $400.00 a year for an average of $100,000.00 of coverage. However, paying back a $50,000.00 disaster home loan, for example, will cost an average of $240.00 a month - for an average repayment period of 30 years! And of course, if you are not insured, and a Federal disaster is not declared, your home and belongings may be ruined with no hope for recovery.

Protect yourself, your family, your home, and your financial future.

York County Solid Waste and Refuse Authority

The YCSWA is prepared to begin an ongoing recycling program for electronics. The Authority will continue to work with ECO International to collect and manage the electronics generated in York County.

The Authority will start having acceptance hours every 3rd Saturday at the Yard Waste Transfer Site off of Flour Mill Road in Manchester Township. The first day will be open for acceptance of electronics will be Saturday, July 18th from 9:00 to 1:00. YCSWA is in the process of considering weekday hours as well. Weekday hours may start in the fall. The YCSWA web site http:www.ycswa.org/waste/MSW_1/Electronics/e-recycling/ has been updated with program specifics including the Saturday acceptance dates.

HOME IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS OF YORK COUNTY

The York County Planning Commission has several programs that assist homeowners in maintaining their homes in a safe, sanitary and healthy environment.

These programs are for owner/occupant residents only. The three programs are: Home Improvement Program; Sewer Hook-up Program and Water Line Hook-up Program. The programs are 0% interest deferred loans. A mortgage is placed against the property with no monthly payment. Payment of the mortgagee becomes due and payable when the owner is no longer owner/occupant of the premises, due to the sale of the property, transfer of title, or owner moves from property.

The types of repairs that are eligible for the program, are things such as roof; heating system; electrical, and plumbing. Other home repairs may be made if they are a health or safety issue. For example, sidewalk repairs may be allowed when the municipality is requiring either new sidewalks of the homeowner is cited due to their sidewalk being unsafe. No remodeling or cosmetic work can be completed on homes.

Also, below you will find a paper concerning the "York County Weatherization Program". This program is for both homeowners and renters. Any questions concerning this program may be directed to Marcella Marshall at 717-771-9870. The income limits for this program are different from the owner programs.