• In 2010
• Highway Department News
• Township Sewer Project
• Schaefferstown Fire Company News
• SEMS News
• 2010 Census
• Storm Water Management
• Police Department News
• Permits for Heidelberg Township
• Recycle, Reduce, Reuse and Re-think!
• Heidelberg Lions News & Info

Under the direction of the Supervisors; with the dedication provided by our employees; and through the support of our residents, the township will continue to provide the highest level of municipal services possible and protect the quality of life so cherished by our community. Providing the highest level of services and balancing an environment of diminishing resources is clearly a challenge. There are many issues still affecting our budget:

• Rising energy cost and upgrades to the buildings and equipment
• Rising health insurance cost and co-pays
• Road repairs and maintenance
• New bridge standards affecting our need to rebuild our bridges
• Upgrades to equipment

We want to assure our residents that we will continue to strive to bring the quality of service our residents deserve.

Supervisors,
Paul Fetter
Don Gettle
Bruce Kramer

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The road crew has been very busy. They have installed new drainage pipe in Albright Road, and overlaid the road.
Hops, Bill, Wayne, Charlie and Alvin completed a huge project on Valley View Road. The project was funded by the County Conservation District's Dirt and Gravel Program with the township contributing in-kind services. Take a drive and look at the great job these guys have done!

The road crew continues to bring us the services that we are used to. They mow along sides of township roads and all the ball fields; keep all the storm drains clean and open; sweep our streets; line paint our roads; maintain signs and signals; and keep our equipment clean and serviced. Make sure you share a "thank you" with these men when you see them and please slow down in all work areas

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The ACT 537 – Sewage Facilities Act Plan (Plan) was adopted by the Board of Supervisors on October 13, 2009 and submitted to PADEP for review and issuance of a permit for the proposed sewer system. The sewer system will collect waste water from the Schaefferstown, Kleinfeltersville, Valley View, Flintville and Juliada Heights areas of the township and will pump the waste water to South Lebanon Township where it will flow by gravity to the City of Lebanon Authority Treatment plant for processing. With the approval of the ACT 537 plan and the issuance of the permit, the Township may begin to secure a funding source to supplement the $8.9 million H20 grant the township has received to help fund the estimated $18 million project. The township has agreed to purchase 800 Equivalent Dwelling Units (EDU’s) or 176,000 gallons per day (gpd). The current allocation of 800 EDU’s will allow for a minimum of 10% growth in the sewer service area. The township is also currently working with South Lebanon Township sewer system. In order to keep the project moving, the sewer service area began survey in November. The initial survey will be a detailed aerial survey. Ground control will be established and survey crews will begin to pick up any additional topography and property monumentation, as necessary, in the future. If you have any questions regarding the status of the sewer project or have questions regarding the potential impact to your property, please contact the township office at 717-949-3885 or the township engineer, Hanover Engineering Associates, Inc. at 717-721-7444.

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The Volunteer Fire Company #1 of Schaefferstown provides fire protection to the residents of Heidelberg Township. We are a 100% volunteer organization which receives its financial support through our yearly fund appeal letter, filling sales, carnival, tractor show and banquets. The Heidelberg Township Supervisors support us by providing the fuel for our emergency vehicles and a $1000 donation annually. we currently operate five emergency vehicles with a dedicated group of twenty-five firefighters who spend time training in firefighting and rescue procedures. We are continually upgrading our equipment so we can be fully prepared when our community needs us. Besides providing emergency services, we maintain land for baseball and soccer fields that are used by the youth through the Heidelberg Township Recreation Association. The old fire hall is maintained for scouting organizations. We also provide a bay in our hall to house the ambulance, which is a separate organization not affiliated with the fire company. When you are asked to support your fire company through monetary donations or to help at one of our fundraising events please say "yes". Better yet, don't wait to be asked, call us at 949-3083 to day and sign up.

Remember, For any and all emergencies
CALL 911

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Schaefferstown Emergency Medical Services (SEMS) is very excited to add four new First Responders to our list of EMS personnel available to meet the emergency medical demands of Heidelberg Township, parts of South Lebanon Township and our neighbors in eastern Lebanon County. Glen Fisher, Michael Hartman, Leonard Martin and Scott Moyer have recently completed the requirements for the position and are now an important part of your EMS program. SEMS continues to support the ELCO EMT program with volunteer time and resources. In 2008 the ELCO EMT program put over 35 new EMT's on the street and five of them came to SEMS. This school year, SEMS will continue its support and we look forward to the new EMT's coming on board with SEMS. This is not to say we don't need more help. We do! We are currently looking for someone who wants to help with our office work and keep all our records current. If you have this desire, please contact Chief Howard Kramer or Deputy Chief Loren Miller at 949-6963. SEMS personnel have logged many hours lately with upgrades to equipment, training and volunteering time for fundraiser's. Ambulance 160 has been splitting time with Myerstown's First Aid unit in covering ELCO varsity football games. This is an event we always enjoy participating in because of the great community spirit and fantastic interaction with the crowd. We also love showing off our rig! SEMS continues to stress "Professionalism" with it's staff. We recently invested in new uniforms and gear for our personnel to provide better protection for providers, a clean, sharp "look", and give our patients a higher level of confidence knowing they will receive the "Best Care, Anywhere"!
It is SEMS goal to increase our subscription rate within our area of operation and bring in new members. Please remember, if you are driving and you hear or see an emergency vehicle approaching from the rear, pull over and stop your vehicle; please do not simply slow down and move toward the shoulder of the road. This does indeed present a problem for the emergency vehicle to pass you. So be safe, be aware.

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The US Constitution requires that a national census be conducted once every ten years to define our nation at that time in history. The census affects political representation and directs the allocation of billions of dollars in government funding. The 2010 Census questionnaire will be delivered or mailed to residents in March, 2010 and, for the first time, every residence will receive a short questionnaire that takes less than ten minutes to complete. This questionnaire will not request wage information or citizenship and is confidential and used only for statistical purposes. Your participation in the census is required by law.
Please note the residency rule…where people are counted is where they live or sleep most of the time. Therefore, college students are counted at school, not home, and military personnel are counted in their barracks. Residents may get duplicate forms as the Bureau never removes an address so please do not forward these duplicate questionnaires as they belong with a structure, not a person.
If missed by mail, questionnaires will be available at the Post Office. The Bureau strongly encourages residents to complete and mail the questionnaires as the census taken house to house is very expensive. Pennsylvania had a response rate of 70% in the year 2000.
It is very important that everyone in our community is counted so that the Township receives its fair share of important services and resources, including community block grants and other funding.
For more information about the 2010 Census, please go to www.census.gov.

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What is Storm Water?
Storm water is water from precipitation that flows across the ground and pavement when it rains or when snow and ice melt. The water seeps into the ground or drains into what we call storm sewers. These are drains you see at street corners or at low points on the sides of streets. Collectively, the draining water is called storm water runoff.

Good Rain Gone Wrong?
Storm water becomes a problem when it picks up debris, chemicals, dirt, and other pollutants as it flows or when it causes flooding and erosion of stream banks. Storm water travels through a system of pipes and roadside ditches that make up storm sewer systems. It eventually flows directly to a lake, river, stream, wetland, or coastal water. All of the pollutants storm water carries along the way empty into our waters, too, because storm water does not get treated.
Rain, by nature, is important for replenishing drinking water supplies, recreation, and healthy wild-life habitats. It only becomes a problem when pollutants from our activities like car maintenance, lawn care, and dog walking are left on the ground for rain to wash away.

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When should I call 911?
The Police Department frequently receives calls at the station that would have been better placed directly to 911. The Department urges residents to call 911 to report any active or recently occurring incident, however minor it may seem. Officers are radio dispatched through 911, and can respond to your call more effectively. If you have any doubt about the urgency of your call, please call 911 to avoid a delay in the response.

If you have been Burglarized
If you arrive at home or your business and feel that it has been burglarized, DO NOT ENTER, but go to another location and call the police. Let the police search the property to make sure that no suspect is still present. When you are allowed to enter, do not touch things unnecessarily as you may disturb or destroy fingerprint and other evidence. Inform the police of anything that has been moved from its original position so that it can be checked for prints. Notify the police if you find anything that is not yours, but may have been left behind by the burglar, such as tools, clothing, etc. Be prepared to provide the police with serial umbers and complete description of all missing property.

If you have been Robbed
You've heard it before and now hear it again: NEVER RESIST if you are the victim of a robbery. Do exactly as you are told in order to minimize your chances of being injured and to speed the departure of your assailant before he gets other ideas. The assailant, in most cases, doesn't want to hang around any longer you want them to. Your money and other valuables can hopefully be replaced. If they can't be replaced, don't let that thought cause you to hesitate. You certainly cannot be replaced. Try to obtain a good description of the suspect (s).

At this time, Chief Noll is the sworn member of the Heidelberg Township Police Department. Carlene Bouch is the part-time secretary. Chief Noll has been with the department since 1999. He works varied shifts. When he is not on duty, the Pennsylvania State Police provide coverage for the township. If you are faced with a police emergency, do not hesitate to dial 911 immediately. They will dispatch the nearest available officer to your location.

If you would like to speak with the Chief on a non-emergency basis, you can call the office at (717)949-3885, Monday thru Friday 9am – 3pm. You will most likely have to leave a message and he will return your call. For that reason, please do not leave any messages that may be time-sensitive. If Chief Noll has time off, your message may not be answered until he returns. You can also call the non-emergency phone number for County Control, (717)272-2054. The call-taker will advise you as to what to do next. To speak directly to the PA State Police, you can call 1-866-899-7882

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Zoning Permits, Storm Water Management Permits and Building Code Permits

The following is a general guideline for the types of projects that require permits.

• Building construction, additions and alterations
• New storage sheds, pole barns and garages
• New and Re-surfaced driveways
• Demolition
• New or rebuilt decks
• All earth movement
• All swimming pools
• Fence

Application for permits should be made as far in advance of the projected start date as possible to allow time for inspections and processing of application. At no time shall any construction begin prior to all necessary permits being issued and in the possession of the applicant. If you have questions about permitting, call the Zoning Officer at 949-3885

CALL BEFORE YOU DIG!
PA ONE CALL
1-800-242-1776 or 811

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Voluntary recycling is continuing at the Township Building on the first Saturday of each month from 8am to Noon. Residents may bring glass, aluminum cans and #1 and #2 plastics only.

Unacceptable items:

• Plastic tubs
• cups
• trays
• bags
• broken glass
• windows
• mirrors
• light bulbs
• drinking glasses
• aluminum foil.

The township will again be accepting Christmas trees for recycling. There will be a marked spot at the bottom of the driveway along Mill Road. You may drop off your tree anytime after the holidays and before February 1st, 2009. Please make sure all the decorations have been removed.

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Lion’s Earl Horst Scholarship

Every year the Heidelberg Lions present their Earl Horst Community Service Scholarship to a student that resides in the ELCO district whether they attend Elco, private school, or are home schooled. The Heidelberg Lions Club will grant a $750 scholarship to a senior who has shown a willingness to follow our Lion’s motto, “We Serve”. The scholarship will be based on the individual’s record in providing community service to the ELCO area through formal organizations such as scouting, 4-H, FFA, and Envirothon or done on an individual effort.

The deadline to apply is June 15th.
If you would like information and an application, you can email Lion Jerry Stine at stineje@yahoo.com or call him at 717-949-3837

Schaefferstown Holiday Lights

Many Heidelberg township residents drive through Schaefferstown during the holidays and enjoy the Holiday Lights. Many of those residents really do not stop to think about who installs them, many assume that that Heidelberg Township buys the lights and installs them!
In truth this is one of the projects of the Heidelberg Lions. According to Lion Phil Krall, who is the Lion’s Light Committee Chairman, the Lions have recently spent over $10,000 to replace the original ones. Lion Phil says “ We get a lot of good compliments every year”

So if you really enjoy the Holiday Lights, thank a Lion the next time you see one of them around the township.

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