Successful Workshop For Townships/Boroughs

With townships and boroughs facing increasingly complex responsibilities, many of them have been calling for help. They received some recently when the Potter County Planning Department sponsored a daylong workshop. Municipal officials gathered to learn about stormwater management, tax assessment, building codes, environmental regulations and related topics. More than 60 township and borough officials from 21 municipalities attended.

Planning Director Charlotte Dietrich and the Potter County Board of Commissioners pulled together representatives from the Pa. Dept. of Environmental Protection, Potter County Conservation District and other agencies in one place to work directly with township and borough officials. These are among the topics that were covered:

• Northcentral Pa. Regional Planning and Development Commission, explanation of GIS database being compiled for the region; “GIS 101” education; new rules affecting signs, pavement markings and traffic signals.
• Tax Assessment, identifying new construction, permit requirements and coordination between the county and municipalities to assure accurate tax records.
• Potter County Conservation District, erosion and sedimentation control plan requirements, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits, and municipal responsibilities/available resources for development issues.
• Planning Commission, implementation of stormwater management ordinances and building code permits.

(Photo, courtesy of Endeavor News, shows building code inspector Jay Erb, left, speaking with Keating Township Supervisor Mike Tumas)