"The PSAB represents the interests of the Boroughs of Pennsylvania. As we move forward, count on your association to assist you in addressing the challenges of local government. Contact PSAB, we are ready to assist you."
Sincerely,
Thomas A. Klaum
Executive Vice President
Representative Bob Freeman’s (D-Northampton) House Bill 2018 moved out of the House Local Government Committee this week. PSAB endorses HB 2018, known as the Tax Exempt Property Municipal Assistance Fund, as the mechanism can help alleviate fiscal constraints placed upon municipalities across the Commonwealth. Fountain Hill Borough, Gettysburg Borough and Clarion Borough recently testified about their circumstances before the Committee. PSAB is committed to the passage of HB 2018 on behalf of all boroughs and municipalities.
The Affordable Housing Forum is designed to provide participants with an understanding of the key elements of the development process and cutting edge techniques to revitalize and manage assets. Two workshop series are scheduled: the first track, designed for novice community developers, will focus on identifying and analyzing opportunities, the development process, financing options, and roles of housing authorities. The second session is for experienced developers and managers seeking public housing revitalization strategies, approaches to serving an aging demographic, and redeveloping or preventing foreclosures. The Affordable Housing Forum is being sponsored by LISC, NEF, Fannie Mae and MARC-NAHRO and takes place from May 13-14, 2008 at the Pittsburgh Hilton. For complete registration information and a schedule of events, click here.
The Source Investigation Project is hosting a one day event focused on best practices for addressing underage and dangerous drinking at the community and/or university level. Any law enforcement agencies currently using or interested in using the nationally recognized SIP strategy are encouraged to attend. The event is scheduled for April 25 at the Atherton Hotel, State College. For more information, including registration, visit the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board before the registration deadline of April 18.
Each year, PSAB, the Pennsylvania Highway Information Association (PHIA) and PennDOT recognize the best road safety or bridge improvement projects submitted by boroughs across the state. Eligible projects are those for which most or all of the safety improvements were completed in 2007 and comply with PennDOT Publication 408 standards. The competition recognizes not only major, high-cost projects, but any improvements that have increased public safety. Applications are due May 9.
Act 8 of 2008 amends the Borough Code to confirm the authority of borough officials to plan and budget for fire and EMS services for their communities.
Have you heard about a great new training opportunity offered exclusively through PSAB? The PSAB Training Department is now offering Webinars, interactive courses offered online. Save money, time and travel with PSAB’s Webinars. Visit the training page for the most up to date topics and schedule.
Protecting Pennsylvania's Historic Resources is coming to Harrisburg from May 12-16. Sessions include a Certified Local Government workshop, transportation and land and community preservation issues, the links between the transportation funding crisis and community and environmental preservation, the land use effects of the proposed NIETC power lines, and community preservation issues in transportation planning. The schedule, registration and directions are available on the conference web site.
Signed by Governor Rendell on February 14, Act 3 of 2008 provides significant changes to Pennsylvania's Right to Know Law. Although the Act will go into effect on January 1, 2009, the definitions set forth in Act 3 will be implemented beginning on July 1, 2008. In an effort to help officials begin to understand the open records changes, PSAB prepared an information sheet and Q&A. Member questions can be directed to the Research Department at 800-232-7722.
Do you want to know how many boroughs have a dog officer or what kind of accounting software is used in boroughs? Does your borough want to know how other boroughs handle citizen participation at a council meeting? The Borough Discussion Group (BDG) has an answer for you. The BDG is an online forum open to current council members, mayors, and the borough-appointed secretary and appointed borough manager. Click here to enroll.
The Pennsylvania Rural Development Council and the Pennsylvania Rural Leadership Program (RULE) recently released the revised version of the Pennsylvania Leadership Program Directory. The Directory contains information about 53 rural leadership programs that exist throughout the Commonwealth.
PEMA recently released a directive providing direction for updating local emergency management plans. The Emergency Management Services Code mandates that each municipality prepare, maintain and keep current an emergency operations plan, and PEMA is now encouraging municipalities to address the process in a more comprehensive manner.
The Planning Guide for the Emergency Operations Plan will assist the process of understanding and completing the various aspects of the Plan.
The Emergency Operations Plan Template addresses command, operations, planning, logistics, and administration responsibilities along with other issues such as training and maintenance.
The Functional Checklist is intended to supplement the EOP by establishing a detailed list of emergency response actions to be performed by elected officials, the emergency management coordinator and other emergency response personnel during a disaster event.
The Notification and Resource Manual is also intended to supplement the EOP as well as the Functional Checklist by providing contact information for those who need to be notified during an emergency, and by establishing a comprehensive list of emergency response personnel, equipment, supplies and other resources that can be mobilized and used during an actual or potential disaster emergency.
Since 1911, the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs (PSAB) has represented the interests of boroughs and has helped to shape the laws that have laid the foundation for boroughs and other municipal governments.
Today, PSAB represents over 900 boroughs and more than 9,100 borough officials. Thanks to their efforts and the educational & representational goals of the association, borough officials daily deliver quality leadership and service to the more than 2.1 million borough citizens across the Commonwealth.
Read about how the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs empowers borough officials through an understanding of the many services the association makes available to their communities. In addition, gain a real respect of your role as a public official bolstering local government democracy, the bedrock of Pennsylvania's Commonwealth. PSAB is Pennsylvania's Borough Government Advocate, a legacy dating back to 1911. Be sure to read more about the PSAB Story, not only is it compelling, but dedicated borough officials are its foundation as well as future.
Still have questions? Call 1-800-232-7722 x10!