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FAQ's/GENERAL INFO
The oldest form of government in the United States dating back to the 17th century, townships represent self-governance in its truest and purest form. The township board of supervisors is directly accessible to the people of the commonwealth with no layers of bureaucracy in between.
Townships are governed by a board of three or five supervisors elected at large by the voters for a six-year term. Three-quarters of Pennsylvania's township governing bodies have three members. Conversion to a five-member board requires the approval of the township's electorate.
Years ago, supervisors were mainly in charge of maintaining roads and bridges and plowing snow in the winter. Today, as the needs of township residents have grown, so has the role of township supervisor. From public safety to emergency services to environmental protection, these volunteer public servants assume an ever-greater role in providing services and facilities to respond to their citizens' needs and, especially, to meet the demands of a constantly increasing array of state and federal mandates.
The board of supervisors serves as the township's legislative body, setting policy, enacting local ordinances, adopting budgets, and levying taxes. Because there is no separately elected executive, except in some home rule townships, the board also performs the executive functions, such as enforcing ordinances, approving expenditures, and hiring employees.
Small townships may have no formal department structure and only one or two full- or part-time employees while larger townships may have separate departments for police, finance, sanitation, and parks and recreation.
PERMITS
For the protection of the public welfare, as well as the individual, the Township utilizes the B.O.C.A. Basic Building Code. If you are planning a project, you should call the Township Office to see if a permit is required. The cost of a permit could avoid significant costs or hazardous situations that may result if code requirements are ignored. In addition, penalty provisions apply to all construction that proceeds without the proper permits and inspections. Applications for permits must be made on forms available at the Township building. Each application must be accompanied by plans drawn to scale to show the work to be performed.
Permits are required by the Township for, but not limited to the following: new construction, additions and structural alterations, in-ground and above ground pools, occupancy - moving in/out, storage sheds, regardless of size and location, signs, fences, patios, decks, repave or enlarge driveways, change of use, temporary uses and structures.
Permits are also required by the Township for repairs or alterations work costing in excess of $500.00, except where in the opinion of the Building Official, public health or welfare may be involved.
Permits are issued after a plan review has been completed. Please allow for up to 15 days processing time.
ALARM SYSTEM PERMITS
In 1996, Hanover Township adopted an Ordinance requiring the registration by property owners and tenants with the Township of alarm systems and/or automatic protection devices in their buildings or structures. This was adopted because of the substantial number of false alarms being reported to the Hanover Township Volunteer Fire Company and Colonial Regional Police Department. Many of these happen because systems are not properly maintained or because people do not know how to turn them off before entering the building.
The fee for registering your alarm system and/or automatic protection device is $10.00, which only partially covers the costs incurred by the Township. After a system is registered, the Fire Company and Colonial Regional Police are informed. The application for registering your system is available at the Township office.
The Ordinance enables us to issue citations if three false alarms occur in a period of 60 days. The Township is assessed by the Colonial Regional Police according to the number of incidents reported, and the high incidents of false alarms has caused our rate to be more than necessary. With this Ordinance, the Township is attempting to cut down on some of these unnecessary and time-consuming incidents and bring the costs down for all Township residents.
TOWNSHIP CODES
All Township codes can be accessed through the following link: Hanover Township Codes
GOVERNMENT
Hanover Township is a Second Class Township governed by a Board of Supervisors which is elected at-large by the qualified voters of the Township. The Board of Supervisors, elected for terms of six years each, serve both legislative and executive functions. Their responsibilities include: care of roads, establish commissions and authorities, and making building and zoning regulations. The Township Secretary/Treasurer, appointed by the Board of Supervisors, is in charge of all Township monies.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
The five-member Board of Supervisors are part-time elected officials who oversee the operations of the Township. If you have any problem requiring their attention, they can be reached at their home during the evening hours and on weekends. If you wish to submit a request for consideration of the Board, they ask that requests be submitted in writing at least one week prior to their meeting. The regular meetings are held at 7:30 P.M. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month in the Township Municipal Building. Workshop meetings are held at 7:30 P.M. on the third Tuesday of each month.
Most, if not all, of the executive and legislative powers allocated to Hanover Township in the State Second Class Township Code are vested in the Board of Supervisors. The Board of Supervisors is empowered to appoint professionals to assist them in the operation of the Township and to furnish advice and counsel on technical matters. Additionally, the Board appoints all of the members of the various advisory boards and commissions, as well as the Zoning Hearing Board.
The levying of Township taxes and the appropriations to the various departments and subsidiary boards and commissions are also the responsibility of the Board of Supervisors.
TOWNSHIP MANAGER
The Township Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Township and to make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on operations, policies, resolutions, ordinances and to keep the Supervisors informed as to the Township affairs. Day-to-day operations of the Township are carried out by full and part-time employees.
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
The Hanover Township Public Works Department has various duties and responsibilities. Regardless of weather conditions, every effort is made to accomplish our list of tasks. Residents' cooperation is essential to the effectiveness of the department. Some of our work is part of a master plan for the year dealing with capital improvements. The remainder of our activities are dictated by conditions within the Township, and the complaints and concerns that are generated by you, the residents.
The seven-person Public Works Crew patch potholes; erect street signs, regulatory signs and other Township identifications; maintain storm sewers; remove fallen trees and limbs from the roads; remove snow from roads; spread salt and abrasive for ice control on roads; clean up litter on Township roads, right-of-ways and easements; and maintain Township buildings, parks, vehicles and equipment.
The Public Works Crew is responsible for the maintenance of 52.90 miles of Township owned roads. County and state owned roads are maintained totally by those entities. You may call the Township office to ascertain the responsible governmental unit for specific roads.
PLANNING COMMISSION
The Hanover Township Planning Commission consists of seven residents who serve as volunteers appointed by the Board of Supervisors for staggered terms of four years. The Planning Commission works toward providing for the coordinated development of the Township and the general welfare of its people.
The functions of the Planning Commission are to review subdivisions, land development plans, conditional use applications and lot line changes, and to make recommendations regarding those to the Board of Supervisors. As a guide in such a review the following are used: Comprehensive Plan - a long range general statement of the amount, intensity, and character of land use; Zoning Ordinance - a precise, short range, legally binding regulation on property use; Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO) - provides for the coordination of design and construction of streets, storm water drainage, sewers and utilities. It includes protective requirements for the health and welfare of the Township citizens.
Because planning is a continuous process which shapes and guides the physical growth of Hanover Township in harmony with its social and economic needs, the Planning Commission urges all members of the public to attend its meetings and make known their views.
Regular monthly meetings are held in the Township building at 7:30 P.M. on the first Monday of the month.
ZONING HEARING BOARD
The purpose of the Zoning Hearing Board is to help assure fair and equitable application and administration of the Zoning Ordinance by hearing appeals of the Zoning Administrator's decisions and by granting relief from the literal enforcement of the ordinance in certain hardship situations. Since the board has no legislative power, it can neither make nor modify zoning policy. It is a quasi-judicial body, that is, its powers are to a great extent judicial in nature and is acknowledged as a first step in the judicial system. Appeals from its decisions may be taken to the County Court of Common Pleas. The Board schedules hearings on applications and appeals that come before it, takes evidence, and issues written decisions or findings of fact. Its hearings are public and formal with testimony being taken under oath and all proceedings recorded by a court stenographer.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Asa Packer Elementary School
1605 Kenwood Drive |
610-865-0660 |
Hanover Elementary School
3890 Jacksonville Road |
610-691-3210 |
East Hills Middle School
3149 Chester Avenue |
610-867-0541 |
Nitschmann Middle School
909 West Union Boulevard |
610-866-5781 |
Freedom High School
3149 Chester Avenue |
610-867-5843 |
Liberty High School
1115 Linden Street |
610-691-7200 |
Bethlehem Area School District
Administrative Office-Education Center
1516 Sycamore Street |
610-861-0500 |
BETHLEHEM AREA PUBLIC LIBRARY
Bethlehem Civic Center
Main and Church Streets
All Township residents are eligible to obtain a free library card.
Bookmobile Schedule
Every Monday
3:00-4:00 P.M. - Community Center, Jacksonville Road
4:15-5:45 P.M. - Stonewood Drive & Belaire Road
6:45-8:15 P.M. - Lord Byron Drive & Stoke Park Road
Every Thursday
1:45-3:00 P.M. - Westgate Mall Parking Lot
4:30-5:45 P.M. - Southland Drive & Grace Avenue
DOGS
It is unlawful for any person to permit any dog to run at large upon any public thoroughfare, upon any public ground, or to run at large on any private property other than that of the owner. It is further unlawful to permit any dog on Township park property. Owners are responsible for immediately removing and properly disposing of all dog excreta from any public property or any private property.
SNOW
During snowstorms, cars must not be parked on Township streets. Snow plows cannot be operated safely and efficiently with cars parked in the street.
Property owners are responsible for clearing sidewalks of snow within 36 hours after the end of a storm.
LEAF COLLECTION
Please do not park cars near piles as our equipment cannot get close enough to collect the leaves.
BURNING
Burning is not allowed in the Township by Township Ordinance and by Pennsylvania DEP order.
FIREARMS
It is a violation to fire any gun, rifle or pistol in the Township. Air rifles and shotguns with barrels longer than 15 inches are permitted to be fired, only in unpopulated areas. Hunters with allowed shotguns are required to keep well away from populated areas. Residents who observe unsafe firearm use should contact the Colonial Regional Police Department.
DUMPING
It is unlawful to dump any trash on Township streets, sidewalks, foot paths, vacant lots, yards, public parks, playgrounds, and around public buildings.
TREES-FENCES
Be aware that specific ordinances exist in regard to the planting or cutting down of trees and the erecting of fences on Township easements (generally in front of your property). If you have any questions, please call the Township Office.
NUMBERS ON MAILBOXES
The Fire Company and Police ask that you have clearly visible house numbers (no names) on your mailbox and house so that addresses may be located more easily in case of emergency.
TREES
If you are planning to remove, plant, trim or cut down any shade or street trees within the Township right-of-way or easement, you will need a permit from the Township. Be sure to contact the Township Office for more information.
CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT
Do you have any interest in serving your community? The Township is often looking for volunteers to serve on various boards and commissions. If you have any expertise or interest in any of the above areas and would like to serve on a particular board or commission, please forward a letter to the Township Secretary expressing your interest.
HANOVER TOWNSHIP VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY NO. 1
Your volunteer fire company and ambulance corps stands ready to help the citizens and businesses of Hanover Township. Available services include: fire fighting, rescue operations, fire hazard inspections.
There are several ways that you can help us, help you. Volunteer your services in any capacity. For more information, contact Robert VanWhy at 610-868-1723.
Be generous in your contribution during the annual fund drive. The fire company rents its meeting room (with kitchen) at a reasonable rate. The room seats up to 150 people and is suitable for wedding receptions, family parties, and other special occasions. For further information, contact Phyllis Rheiner at 610-867-3832.
President, Robert VanWhy
1st Vice President, Mindy George
2nd Vice President, Joe Moser
Secretary, Dick Fink
Treasurer, Pete Garland
Fire Marshal, Robert VanWhy
Fire Chief, Mark Rheiner
1st Asst. Fire Chief, Mike VanWhy
2nd Asst. Fire Chief, Mark Trumbore |
Rescue Captain, Pete Garland
Fire Captain, John Ralston
Safety Captain, Skip Rheiner
Ambulance Captain, Karen VanWhy
1st Ambulance Lieutenant, Beth Wallace
2nd Ambulance Lieutenant, Brad Cohen
Fire Police Captain, Frank Almer
1st Lieutenant Fire Police, Pete Garland
2nd Lieutenant Fire Police, Sue Garland |
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