West Rockhill Township 1028 Ridge Road Sellersville, PA 18960

PRST STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID DOYLESTOWN, PA PERMIT NO. 640

Spring 2015 Newsletter

WEST ROCKHILL TOWNSHIP Penn DOT Roads in West Rockhill Township

Spring 2015 Newsletter This Community Newsletter is produced for West Rockhill Township by Hometown Press 215.257.1500 • All rights reserved®

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any residents are not aware that major roads in West Rockhill Township are state roads maintained by Penn DOT. The Township does not plow, repair, or set speed limits on Penn DOT roads. Please call the Penn DOT Bucks County Maintenance Office directly for complaints or concerns about state roads at 215-345-6060. Penn DOT Roads in West Rockhill Township: • Allentown Road • Finland Road • Lawn Avenue from • Bethlehem Pike Ridge Road to • Cat Hill Road Farmers Lane • County Line Road

To Place An Ad Call Denise At Hometown Press • 510-526-1473 • [email protected] Gift Certificates Available

BYOB

• Ridge Road • Ridge Valley Road • South Main Street • State Road

West Rockhill-Sellersville Holiday House Pool Look at the crystal clear water and clear blue skies. The sunny days and warm temps will be here before we realize it! The pool will open Sunday, May 24th.

Come out and See the Renewed Holiday House Pool!

FREE WiFi

Capital Improvements made in 2014 include: Hot water showers, Universal Access improvements to the front walkway and showers, lockers, new umbrellas, new pool coping, deck repair and sandblasting and re-painting the pool.

PIZZERIA & RESTAURANT 215-257-5555 • Sellersville • 218 S. Main St. • Pick Up Window

Skippack

Green Lane

Rt. 73 & 113

Rt. 29

Pennsburg 337 Main St.

610-584-4451

215-234-9222

215-679-6000

Pick Up Window

Sunday-Thursday 11am-10pm Friday & Saturday 11am-11pm

www.chiarospizza.com

During the summer, we will have all types of events: • The favorite Burger and Birch event • A few afternoons with the DJ playing your favorite tunes

215-257-2144

Jeffrey F. Gahman, Supervisor

Applications for season tickets will be available mid-April • Two 2-week sessions of swim lessons at the Sellersville Borough Building and posted at throughout the WI-FI is www.westrockhilltownship.org summer free! Ticket prices are the same as last year. • Flick and Float

Holiday House Pool • 801 Washington Avenue, Sellersville, PA 18960

The 4th Annual Fishing Derby

Bernard Suess Funeral Home, Inc. 606 Arch Street, Perkasie, PA

The pool is also available for parties.

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he West Rockhill Township Fishing Derby will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 25. Cash prizes will be awarded to three children who catch the largest trout and prizes will be awarded in several age groups. Grab your children or grandchildren and your fishing rods and plan to be at the James Memorial Park Pond on April 25!

Funeral Pre-Planning & Pre-Financing Cremation Services & Casket Selection Room

Over 95 years of Service to the Pennridge Community

Considerate, Respectful and Honest Service When You Need It The Most

1028 Ridge Road, Sellersville, PA 18960 • Phone: 215-257-9063 • westrockhilltownship.org

“B” Enterprises/Fast Tags Complete Auto Tag & Licensing Services On-line Messenger 729 Ridge Road Sellersville, PA 18960

215-453-1417 Fax: 215-453-1870 [email protected] PennDOT Authorized Service Center

224 Cathill Road • Sellersville, PA 18960 • 215 257 9425

Call for tour and complimentary lunch

STEPHEN REDDING Arborist

267-429-3931

www.happytreeltd.com

GAS SERVICE Residential and Commercial Propane Sales and Service

FULLY INSURED • REASONABLE RATES

215-257-7650 126 Reller Road • Green Lane, PA 18054

Tree Service, Landscaping, Plant Health Care Quality work and integrity in our business dealings are the hallmarks of Happy Tree.

Professional Caregivers 24/7 Short Term & Respite Stays Available Dementia Care Specialists 340 Farmers Lane, Sellersville www.hiddenmeadowsontheridge.com • • •

O Professional arborist services for all large trees including pruning, shaping, deadwood removal, cabling, bracing, cavity work, storm damage repair, hazard evaluation, and tree removal. O Complete landscaping services from design through installation and maintenance. Design services from our own in-house Registered Landscape Architect. We grow our own trees and shrubs to ensure top quality, hardy installations.

BLUE FLAME

Rockhill Auto Repair Inc. Automobile Repair and Maintenance Mon-Fri 7AM to 6PM 215-257-9764 Sat by Appointment After Hours: 267-265-5886

O Cutting-edge plant health care treatments, including nutritional support, feeding, pest control, and treatment of disease.

www.rockhillauto.com • E-mail: [email protected]

“SATISFACTION THAT GROWS!”

130 Almont Road • Sellersville, PA 18960

• • • • • • • • •

Propane Heating & Air-Conditioning Furnaces & Baseboard Heat Attic Fans, Humidifiers, & Electronic Air Cleaners Installation & Service of All Propane Appliances Gasoline & Diesel Fuel Deliveries Motor Oils & Lubricants Budget Plans & Prompt Payment Discounts Senior Citizen Discounts

359 West Dublin Pike • Perkasie, PA 18944 Toll Free: 1-888-585-BLUE (2583) Phone: 215-249-3575

w w w. b l u e f l a m e g a s . c o m PA HIC #018917

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3 Municipal Primary Election Day is Tuesday, May 19

Township Contact Information Board of Supervisors Jay Keyser – Chairman John Mann – Vice Chairman Don Duvall – Member Administration: West Rockhill Township Building 1028 Ridge Road, Sellersville, PA 18960 Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 am to 4 pm Phone: 215-257-9063 Web: www.westrockhilltownship.org Administrative Staff Manager/Treasurer/Zoning Officer: Greg Lippincott Email: [email protected] Assistant to the Manager/Secretary: Judith E. Decker Email: [email protected] Bookkeeper: Sheri Baringer Email: [email protected] Department Of Public Works Office Hours: Monday-Friday: 7:00 am to 3:30 pm James Chavouz, Seth Albright, Bill Propsner Elected Tax Collector Suzanne Clarke 1028A Ridge Road, Sellersville, PA 18960 Phone: 215-453-1361 Email: [email protected] Pennridge Regional Police Department 200 Ridge Road, Sellersville, PA 18960 Non-Emergency Phone: 215-257-5104 Planning Commission: Jeff Markley – Chair, Chris Derstine – Vice Chair, Frank Szymendera – Secretary, Tim Ruth, Alex Ulmer Conservation Committee: David Collingwood, Michael Schrameyer, Karina Rilling Vera Cole, Elizabeth Branson Park And Recreation Board: Jim Miller – Chairman Bob Strobel, Robert Croissette, Suzanne Clarke, Ebby Schirmer Charles Guenst, David Reiss Denise Lorenz – Assoc. Member Emily Dixon – Youth Member

Twitter handle: @WestRockhill

West Rockhill Township Monthly Meeting Schedule Board of Supervisors: Meets at 7 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month. Planning Commission: Meets at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month. Park and Recreation Committee: Meets at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month. Conservation Committee: Meets at 7 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month.

Mark Your Calendar and Get Out to Vote! Your polling place is determined by your registered address. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. There are two polling places in West Rockhill Township:

Message from the Chairman . . .

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reetings fellow citizens, friends and neighbors.

As I write this letter, we have just had two snow storms back to back along with the coldest temperatures I can remember in a long time. I hope all have made it through this tough winter. We graciously welcome new Planning Commission members Tim Ruth and Alex Ulmer. Thanks to all our volunteers who have given their time; this is what makes West Rockhill great.

Almont West Rockhill Twp Building 1028 Ridge Road Sellersville, PA 18960

Argus St. John’s Lutheran Church 910 Allentown Road Sellersville, PA 18960

Voters who are ill or will be away from their designated voting district on Election Day can download and Absentee ballot from the Bucks County website at www.buckscounty.org/. Check with the Board of Elections for deadline dates at 215-348-6169. Forms for voter registration or an Absentee ballot can be obtained from the Township office, the Bucks County Board of Elections, The Bucks County Voter Registration Office (Courthouse, 2nd Floor, Broad & Court St, Doylestown, PA, 18901), post offices, state liquor stores, libraries, or the League of Women Voters and political parties.

Canines for Clean Creeks

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ogs are great companions for fresh air, exercise, and a wonderful way to enjoy our natural surroundings. However, pet waste has a negative impact on streams, walking trails, and natural areas. Recent studies by Chester Ridley Crum Watersheds Association, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and Villanova University have documented that our local creeks frequently have levels of fecal coliform bacteria three or more times the state recommended maximums for safe water contact. Studies by the Center for Watershed Protection have found that a significant portion of fecal coliform bacteria in residential stormwater originates from dog waste. These levels escalate when stormwater washes contamination from pet droppings into storm drains. One average size dog dropping contains 3 billion fecal coliform bacteria. Multiply that by the fact that 40% of households have a dog, you can see how this problem “piles up”, and adds to the challenge of treating much of our creek water for drinking water. Do your part to make your dog a friend of our creeks, fellow walkers, and our natural environment: • Scoop up after your pet and dispose the waste properly- in a trash can or toilet • Keep your pet on a leash and on trails in natural areas and avoid contact with wildlife • Remain within off leash areas when off leash • Encourage your friends and family to do the same! Source: Center for Watershed Protection, www.cwp.org. This message is brought to you by your municipality and Chester Ridley Crum Watersheds Association, www.crcwatersheds.org.

2014 saw revenues down over $150,000.00. We had to spend $40,000.00 extra for salt due to the bad winter of 2014/2015, plus $60,000.00 to fulfill our police obligation. Your Board is committed to 24 hour police protection for our township and with that, for the first time in 9 years, we had to raise taxes 2 mills: $75,000.00 for Police in 2015 and $25,000.00 for a part-time Public Works employee. Please welcome Bill Proposner to our Public Works crew. We continue to make needed road improvements throughout the Township above our budgeted paving estimates. Example: we had to spend $42,000.00 for Mountain View Road. This spring we will be cleaning up the Township on April 11 and getting the Kids Fishing Derby underway on April 25. The Holiday House Pool opens for the season on May 24. Please try to support our Pool, which has had many improvements made within the last year--see article in this issue. The Board would like to thank the volunteer fire companies that serve West Rockhill Township: Sellersville, Trumbauersville, Telford and Tylersport. Make sure you thank them whenever you have the opportunity. Our Administrative staff and Public Works Department have done a wonderful job keeping West Rockhill Township moving forward. Please continue to give input and ideas at Board of Supervisor Meetings. We welcome and consider all your comments. Yours truly,

Jay Keyser

West Rockhill Township Community Park Expansion

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est Rockhill Township is excited to announce the development of an Athletic Park for the use of our township residents and the Pennridge Yellowjackets Soccer Association. The new parkland will be located on the Township-owned Moore Farm Property. It is composed of 38 acres located on the south side of Ridge Road across the street from James Memorial Park. This will centralize our active park facilities in one area.

This park expansion is the result of long range planning by the Board of Supervisors and was included in the 2005 Comprehensive Plan and is noted in the 2010 Open Space Park and Recreation Plan. Park Expansion will begin with the leveling of the area as dirt becomes available. RoadCon, Inc., has graciously agreed to donate 45,000 yards of dirt including delivery, grading, replacing top soil and seeding. This should give us enough area to consider the first two soccer fields. As we expand, we hope to include 6 fields in total which could be used for soccer, baseball, softball, or lacrosse. The fields would also be available for Township residents to use. A perimeter walking trail is also in the planning and a pedestrian crossing for Ridge Road to connect with James Memorial Park. We are working with the Yellowjackets to firm up a long range plan to include parking lots, a snack stand, restrooms, equipment storage and a clubhouse using existing structures on the property. This will be a multi-year effort, which we hope to fund through the generosity of local building contractors, sports teams, and volunteers. Construction work on the fields will have begun by the time this newsletter is in your hands. Updates will be provided as work progresses.

Jim Miller, Park and Recreation Committee Chairman

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Grasscycling It’s ok to “Let it Lay”

Grand View Health beginning “Get Fit with a Doc” Initiative Walks Scheduled to begin at West Rockhill’s James Memorial Park on April 18 “Get Fit with a Doc” is a new community outreach program that offers opportunities to exercise with Grand View Health physicians and staff. The goal is simple – to give patients and community members an incentive to walk and get fit. “Our goal is to get healthy together!” stated co-chair Diane Roberts, a member of the medical staff team at GVH. The doctors, especially cardiologists Dr. Miroslawa Jablonski-Cohen and Dr. Dave Travis from ATC-GVMP and Dr. Michele Stram, BCA along with Bariatric Surgeon, Dr. Michael Fishman will be participating with other GVH doctors in these community walks. The doctors will lead the program, walk along side of you, offer encouragement, and healthy tips. “Before each walk, GVH staff will provide a brief, informal presentation. The topics will range from proper stretching techniques, controlling blood pressure, nutrition, to reducing your risk of heart disease and improving your health,” commented Dr. Jablonski-Cohen. “We want to work with community members and our patients to learn to live healthier lifestyles,” said Dr. Jane Ferry, CMO and Vice President of Medical Affairs at GVH. The program will be held in West Rockhill’s James Memorial Park on Ridge Road, just minutes from Grand View Hospital. Each of the Get Fit with a Doc events, which will be free to the public, will last between a half hour and an hour. A registration form and waiver will be signed at the beginning of the walks, followed by an informal talk, and a walk around the park. Along with the GVH doctors, there will be at least one other Grand View staff at each of the events. “Ultimately we want a healthcare provider at the end of the line of walkers, so no one is

left behind. Whether you walk from one bench to the next or you take a few brisk strolls around the park, Grand View is committed to meeting their community members and working with them in this health initiative,” remarked Jablonski-Cohen. The first “Get Fit with a Doc” is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 18. Dates, times, and other information about the walks, including registration, will be posted at www.gvh.org/event/get-fit-with-a-doc/. The first 50 people who register and walk on April 18 will also receive a Get Fit with a Doc T-shirt. “Participants can walk whatever distance is comfortable for them,” Roberts said. “Some might lap the trail while others just go from one bench to another. There are plenty of benches, so if people get tired, they can rest. The walkers will be encouraged to go a little further in subsequent walks. We will give them goals and help them improve their health.” “Initial plans are to have Get Fit with a Doc meet twice a month, but that may change, so we encourage everyone to go to gvh.org under Events,” stated Roberts. “We hope participants will be determined to supplement our events and walk on their own or in other groups. We are asking local companies to have teams of participants too,” exclaimed Roberts. The walks are available to anyone of any age, not just Grand View patients. James Memorial Park will remain open for other users at the same time Get Fit with a Doc is happening. Roberts concluded, “It’s a convenient and a beautiful park.” “As the participants increase the amount they walk, there will be new goals and other physical challenges,” Dr. David Travis said. “Maybe we’ll all go run a 5K together.” The goal is to help the community, that Grand View serves, Get Healthy Together.

McELHARES SERVICE CENTER Since 1956

215-257-2726 93 S. Main St.

Auto Repair Service

(Main & Park Ave.) Mastercraft Tires

Sellersville, PA 18960

Hunter Four Wheel Alignment • Inspections New Emissions • General Repairs Brakes • Mastercraft Tires & Most Major Brands

Wholesale - Retail • Subdivision President • Storm Drainage 211 West Broad Street • Site Development Quakertown, PA 18951 • Floodplain Analysis TEL: (215) 536-7336 • Railroad Engineering FAX: (215) 536-5361 • Highway & Bridge Design

C. Robert Wynn, P.E.

PICK-UP OR DELIVERY

DOUBLE GROUND HARDWOOD MULCH WOOD CHIPS • LICORICE ROOT RED/BLACK/BROWN MULCH MUSHROOM SOIL • TOPSOIL TRIPLE GROUND HARDWOOD MULCH

215-257-9040 1828 Old Bethlehem Pike • Sellersville

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id you know that a 1/2-acre lawn in Pennsylvania produces more than three tons--nearly 260 bags--of grass clippings each year? Think of all the time, money and effort it takes to bag all those clippings. Why go through all that hassle when it's not necessary? YOU CAN HAVE A HEALTHY GREEN LAWN BY LEAVING GRASS CLIPPINGS WHERE THEY FALL. It’s simple. Grass clippings left on the lawn decompose and act as a natural organic fertilizer. This lets you reduce the amount of commercial fertilizer you need to apply. Your lawn will remain healthy and green because each time you mow, you will be returning valuable nutrients to the soil. MOWING TECHNIQUES & TIPS Any mower can recycle grass clippings. Just remove the grass catcher. Ask your lawn mower dealer if you need a special safety plug or adapter kit to convert your mower into a “recycling” mower. Installing a mulching blade also is helpful. • Never cut off more than 1/3 of the grass blade in one mowing. Keep grass mowed to 2” in early spring, gradually raise the height to 3-4” by summer, then gradually reduce to 2” by late fall. • Mow when the grass is dry. • Keep your mower blade sharp. Dull mowers tear the grass blade, injure the plant and cause a brownish cast to the turf. • If the grass gets too high, mow over the clippings a second time to further shred and scatter them. • To prevent excess growth between mowings, raise the mower height, mow, then gradually lower it over a span of several mowings. This will help prevent shock to the plants. • When it’s time to replace your mower, consider a mulching, recycling or nonpolluting reel mower. All of them do a good job of shredding and scattering grass clippings. WHAT ABOUT THATCH? Thatch, a matted layer of dead roots and stems, usually is caused by too much water and fertilizer. Clippings don’t produce thatch because they are 80 percent water and decompose quickly. A thatch layer of more than 1/2” should be removed. USES FOR CLIPPINGS • COMPOST. Fresh clippings should compose no more than 1/3 of the compost pile They are an excellent source of nitrogen. Mix thoroughly with “brown” materials such as leaves or straw and turn the pile regularly to aerate it and prevent odors. • MULCH. Pile about 1” of dried clippings on the soil to reduce weeds and moderate soil temperature. Mulching also controls erosion, run-off and evaporation. If using herbicides, wait at least two mowings after treating the lawn to use the clippings. • SOIL ADDITIVE. Mixing fresh grass clippings into the garden improves soil texture, promotes moisture retention and adds nutrients and organic matter. About once a month, turn a 2” layer of grass into the soil to a depth of 6”. FERTILIZER APPLICATION Most grasses need modest amounts of nitrogen for controlled growth and good color. Too much fertilizer increases growth and results in more frequent mowing. It is best to fertilize around Labor Day and again at the end of

October. Fall fertilization promotes a vigorous root system and helps the plant survive winter, but does not lead to the excessive top growth of spring fertilization. Apply only 1/2 pound of nitrogen per 100 square feet of lawn. To calculate how many pounds of fertilizer should be applied per 1,000 square feet, divide 100 by twice the percentage of nitrogen (N) in the fertilizer. This chart calculates some of the common fertilizer rates for you: Fertilizer NPK Rating 12-4-8 16-8-8 20-5-10 10-10-10

100/(2 x N%) 100/24 100/32 100/40 100/20

= = = = =

Lb. per 1,000 Sq.Ft. 4.1 3.1 2.5 5.0

For slower, more uniform growth, use fertilizers that contain slow-release nitrogen such as methylene urea, ureaformaldehyde, sulfur-coated urea, or IBDU. The label may also read “water-insoluble nitrogen” or “slowrelease nitrogen.” WATERING PRACTICES Pennsylvania has enough rain that turf grasses don't have to be watered to survive. Healthy lawns go brown during a drought, but quickly turn green when rainfall resumes. If you choose to water, 1” of water will wet the soil to a depth of 4”-6”. Place an empty can under the sprinkler to determine when an inch has been applied. If water runs off the lawn before reaching an inch, turn off the sprinkler and wait an hour before resuming. • Water deeply and infrequently to encourage deep root growth. Light, frequent watering encourages shallow roots, which increase the risk of disease and stress injury. • Water in the morning. Less water is lost through evaporation and transpiration. • Don’t water at midday or in the evenings. A lawn that remains damp during the night is more prone to disease. ALTERNATIVE LANDSCAPES Consider turf grass alternatives. Increase shrub beds, grow a wildflower meadow, or plant ground covers. They look beautiful, don’t need mowing and will help reduce maintenance and yard waste.

THE KEY WORD IS “LESS” LESS FERTILIZER • LESS WATER • LESS WORK • LESS WASTE Recycling clippings back into the lawn is less work than disposing of them as waste. No one has to handle the clippings--not you, your lawn care professional, or the waste management crew. By not trashing grass, you can reduce your mowing time by nearly 40 percent and spend less money on fertilizer and trash bags. And you'll be doing your part for the environment by reducing waste. If you follow these IT’S OKAY TO “LET IT LAY” guidelines, not only will you have a healthy lawn, you’ll never have to bag grass clippings again. Produced by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection in cooperation with the Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island Departments of Environmental Protection. 2500-PADEP1714 Rev 6/94 Rachel Carson State Office Building P.O. Box 8472 Harrisburg, Pa 17105-8472 Telephone 717-787-7382

For more information please contact us at our recycling e-mail address: [email protected] Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Land Recycling and Waste Management

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12 Giving New Life to “Old Glory”

2015 West Rockhill Township Clean Up Day - Saturday, April 11

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ew at the West Rockhill Township Building you now have the pleasure of being able to retire your US flag! A project called “A Star is Born” is accepting retired flags that are 3’x5’ or 4’x6’ with embroidered (sewn) stars. Each star is lovingly cut out, placed in plastic, and given to or mailed to our Armed Forces, Veterans at home, on base or overseas or at the township building with a card that reads:

“I am part of our American Flag. I have flown over a home in the USA. I can no longer fly for the wind and the rain have caused me to become tattered and torn. Please carry me with you as a reminder – you are not forgotten!” The flag container is located in the lobby of the township building. If you have any questions, please contact Suzanne Clarke @ 215-453-1361 or [email protected]. Your worn out flag can touch 50 lives! www.starsforourtroops.org.

A STAR IS BORN

Passing on the Legacy of the Stars!

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s good citizens, there is a sense of pride that comes with living in a beautiful neighborhood. Please consider joining your friends and neighbors who come out each spring for one morning to clean up the roadsides in scenic West Rockhill Township on Saturday, April 11, 2015, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon for our Annual Clean Up Day.

Our event is part of the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Great American Cleanup co-sponsored by PA DEP and Penn DOT, who supplies the bags, gloves and vests. We joined 136,500 volunteers who collected Anyone can help: an individual or family, 318,000 bags of trash on 13,600 miles of roads, civic group, scout troop, business group, waterways, shorelines and trails in Pennsylvania hunting or fishing club, or a sports team. 2014. The Commonwealth has the largest cleanup Gloves, bags, and safety vests can be picked program in the nation up at the Township building where morning coffee and doughnuts is provided for WRT resident Peg Chmielewski and all 67 counties Picks It Up participate in this volunteers the day of the event. annual event. Let’s Pick it up, PA! In thanks for your participation, the Board of Supervisors awards four $50 checks to randomly drawn volunteers each year following the event, two for adults and two for youth volunteers.

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Ridge Road. Please thank these generous WRT volunteers for their time when you register.

To get involved, please call North Division Chair Shari Frerichs at 215-257-4277 if you live north of Ridge Road, or Southern Division Chair Rita Cipriano at 215-723-9215, if you live south of

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We would like to thank Bergey’s Tire & Auto Service at 1419 Bethlehem Pike for recycling tires for us at no charge for the past several years. Thank you, Bergey’s!

Bethlehem Pike New Sewer Line erkasie Regional Authority, in conjunction with West Rockhill Township, will be extending water and sewer service along Bethlehem Pike. This extension, in keeping with the Township’s 537 Plan, will extend current services from just north of Ridge Road to the Roy Ann Diner. The Perkasie Regional Authority has been working with the property and business owners for the last several months along Bethlehem Pike and Old Mill Road on the design and scope of this extension.

decommission their sewer treatment plant and connect to the Perkasie Regional Authority sewer mains and pump station. All of the sewer for this area will then be pumped south towards Ridge Road where gravity will eventually take over and flow to the Pennridge Wastewater Treatment Authority plant in Sellersville.

As part of this project, the Perkasie Regional Authority will be constructing a sewage pumping station across the creek from the Roy Ann sewer plant. This will allow Roy Ann to abandon and

Below is a map showing where the sewer pumping station will be located as well as where the water and sewer mains will be extended to.

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...And the Legacy Continues!

Help Us Reach Our Goal for New Playground Equipment

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he Park & Recreation Board is attempting to raise $25,000 to purchase additional playground equipment for James Memorial Park, located across the street from the Township building on Ridge Road. With your generous donations, we plan to install a rock-block climbing wall structure, a whirligig spinning ride, and a seesaw. Fundraising will also cover the installation, mulch, setup and delivery. Our busy playground currently offers swings, toddler animal riders, and an activity center for climbing and sliding. Please consider donating to give our community’s children an exciting place to play. We are focused on growing a community with healthy children. A donation jar is located in the lobby of the Township Building, or any donation, large or small, can be mailed to: West Rockhill Township Playground Fundraiser 1028 Ridge Road Sellersville, PA 18960

Thank you for your support!

The Authority anticipates this project starting in Spring/ Summer of 2015 and the construction being completed by fall/winter with connections being made in the Spring of 2016.

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6 Pennridge Regional Police Department News

When the Bulb Breaks

Reported by Sergeant Rodney Blake, Officer in Charge

Federal agency updates advice on cleaning up broken CFLs

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ompact fluorescent light bulbs, or CFLs, may be much more energy-efficient than their incandescent counterparts, by they have a downside: They are potentially harmful if broken.

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would like to commend the Board of Supervisors for passing the 2015 Budget. By passing the Budget, PRPD was able to transition two part-time employees to full-time status. Please welcome Officer Pedro Ruiz and Officer Richard Dean to the PRPD.

CFLs contain a small amount of mercury in the glass tubing. If the tubing breaks, some of the mercury may be released as a vapor and pose potential health risks.

Officer Pedro Ruiz was hired as a part-time officer in 2011. I am thankful that he agreed to stick around to allow us to hire him full-time. Officer Ruiz comes to us as a trained defensive tactics instructor. He has also been trained in crisis intervention. He is currently assigned to A Squad and is partnered with Officer Harry Hallman.

Not to fear, however. The U.S. Environment Protection Agency has released extensive guidance on how to properly clean up broken CFLs. The agency’s website has links to a new brochure and step-by-step instructions for safely collecting and disposing of busted bulbs.

Officer Richard Dean was hired as a part-time officer in 2014. At this point he is eager to begin his full-time career with this agency. Officer Dean has also been trained in crisis intervention. He is currently assigned to B Squad and is partnered with Officer Maloney. East Rockhill Twp Supervisor Jim Nietupski, Officer Richard Dean, Officer Pedro Ruiz, West Rockhill Twp Supervisors Don Duvall and Jay Keyser

PROTECT YOURSELF!!! AVOID IDENTITY THEFT RICHTER’S MOBILE SHREDDER IS COMING TO WEST ROCKHILL

SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2015 • 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. PRICE $5

WEST ROCKHILL TOWNSHIP BUILDING

per “copy paper box” (12 x 18 x 9) OR EQUIVALENT

The brochure provides the most important steps to reduce exposure to mercury vapor from broken CFLs before, during, and after cleanup. They include leaving and airing out the room where the breakage occurs, shutting off central heating and air conditioning systems, placing all debris and cleanup materials in a sealable container, and placing everything outside in a trash container until it can be disposed of properly. The room must continue to be aired out for several hours with the heating and air conditioning shut off.

Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Township News The guidelines also apply to other mercury-containing bulbs. Because CFLs pose such a risk, the best practice is to minimize the chance of broken bulbs by: • switching off bulbs and allowing them to cool before handling them; • screwing and unscrewing CFLs by holding their plastic or ceramic base, rather than the glass tubing; • not overtightening CFLs in thier sockets; • not installing CFLs in table or floor lamps that can be easily knocked over or in places where thy can be easily broken, such as play areas; • using CFLs that have a glass or plastic cover over the glass tubing; and • using a drop cloth when changing a fluorescent light bulb to catch any debris if the bulb should break. To download the brochure and detailed step-by-step instructions for cleaning up broken fluorescent light bulbs, log onto www.epa.gov/cflcleanup.

District Court reports 15% decrease in criminal caseload for 2014

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ollowing a 10 percent increase the previous year, criminal cases filed in the area’s District Court in Perkasie decreased by 15 percent during 2014, according to Perkasie District Judge Charles W. Baum.

Total criminal cases filed by local and state police for the past year numbered 384, down from 454 in 2013 and 411 in 2012, according to Judge Baum, now in his tenth year as the local magistrate. “The crime rate in our particular area fell more than double the rate in all of Bucks County, which is obviously a good thing,” said the veteran judge. He said court statistics show all other areas of court filings were down, including motor vehicle citations, non-traffic cases, landlord-tenant disputes and civil cases for small claims matters under $12,000 in value.

• SAFELY GET RID OF ALL THOSE PAPERS YOU’RE AFRAID TO PUT IN THE TRASH

• NO NEED TO REMOVE STAPLES, BINDER CLIPS OR PAPER CLIPS

• WATCH AS YOUR OLD BANK STATEMENTS, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CANCELLED CHECKS AND LL BEAN TYPE CATALOGS ARE SHREDDED

• ALL SHREDDED MATERIAL IS 100% RECYCLED • QUESTIONS – CALL 215 - 257 - 9063

– NOT PERMITTED – CARDBOARD • 3 RING BINDERS • HARD BOUND BOOKS • PHONE BOOKS • THICK CATALOGS PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE WEST ROCKHILL HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Thank You To The Business Sponsors The Township Supervisors would like to thank the businesses that advertise in this newsletter and to recognize each of them as supporters and cornerstones of our community. It is with their contributions that this newsletter has been produced at no charge to our residents. In response, the Township would like to request that citizens patronize these businesses first when given a choice, as these businesses are saving tax dollars.

Baum said statistics showed a 40 percent decrease in traffic citations, down from 3950 in 2013 to 2363 this past year. Authorities said severe winter weather last year resulted in a drop in citations with fewer Perkasie District Judge vehicles on the roads and nowhere to pull them over with all the snow. State Police traffic citations also Charles W. Baum. dropped 47 percent for the year, as many troopers were called out of the area in the fall for the Eric Frein search in the Poconos for nearly two months. Several local officers were also out for extended leaves during the past year, resulting in an average 30 percent drop in motor vehicle citations by the local departments. Non-traffic citations for things like disorderly conducts, truancies and municipal violations were down seven percent from 386 to 359. Landlord-tenant filings were down five percent, while civil cases (including numerous credit card delinquencies) were also down a similar amount, possibly a sign of an improving economy. The Perkasie court covers Perkasie, Sellersville and Trumbauersville boroughs, the Bucks County side of Telford Borough, as well as East and West Rockhill and Milford townships. The District Court is located in the Re-Max building, first floor, at Seventh and Market streets in Perkasie. The court receives the majority of its citations and criminal complaints from four local police departments: Perkasie, Pennridge Regional, Telford and Pennsylvania State Police in Dublin. For most citizens, this “grass roots” level of the judicial system may be the only court they will ever encounter. In criminal cases, district judges advise defendants of their rights, set their initial bail and hold preliminary hearings to determine if there is enough evidence to forward the matter to county court. There are 20 district judges in Bucks County and each judge also serves a week of on-call night duty every 10 weeks. The district court is open weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the court phone number is 215-257-5181.

7

10 Preserved Properties

September Fest 20th Anniversary! Save the Date: Sunday, September 27, 2015 Look for updates at www.westrockhilltownship.org and the fall issue of this newsletter.

Fitzgerald Irish Dancers

Mission Statement: to preserve the intrinsic value of West Rockhill Township's open space resources by protecting and preserving its natural, cultural, scenic and historic features that collectively function to enhance the quality of life of its residents. The “scorecard” below identifies the properties and acres preserved in West Rockhill Township that are protected from development by property owners (Conservation Easement), parkland through direct purchase by the Township (Fee Simple), held in trust for the Township, donated by developers as part of a development, or owned by utilities, authorities, and government entities (the largest is the State Game Land). Property

Pennridge Community Center News and Events

W

hen was the last time you danced to a live band? Here’s your invitation! You can have dinner and dance for only $22 per person at the Pennridge Community Center at 145 East Main Street, Perkasie, PA (Route 113 in Silverdale). Dancing only is a $10 cover charge. Come and join us for the following dances or just listen to these great live Bands. You do not need to be a member to come to the dances or many activities. Bring your friends and have a special night out.

2015 Dance Schedule

April 24, 2015

Spring Flowers

Music by Gary Dee

May 29, 2015

Old Fashioned Prom

Kevin Kelton Orchestra

June 26, 2015

Picnic Theme

The Good Times Orchestra

July 31, 2015

Beach Party

The Blue Notes

August 28, 2015

Luau Theme

The Good Times Orchestra

September 25, 2015

Autumn Daze

Kevin Kelton Orchestra

October 23, 2015

Fall Ball

Gary Dee

November 13, 2015

Harvest Dance

The Blue Notes

December 11, 2015

Holiday Dance

The Good Times Orchestra

December 31, 2015

New Year’s Eve

The Blue Notes

Be sure to mark your calendar; Friday night of each month is dancing!! Tickets for the Spring Lottery to benefit your Center are now available. Call Ebby Schirmer at 215-257-7695 for tickets or dinner dance reservations. There are many activities available both during the day, as well as in the evenings. You can participate in any of the activities, regardless of age, and do not have to be a member. All residents, 55 years and older, are invited to join the Center. Membership fee is $14.00 per year. We have many different activities such as: Aerobics, Art Class, Backgammon, Billiards, Bingo, Bunco, Ceramics, Chess Club, Computer Class, Hand & Foot Card Game, Line Dancing, Mahjong, Model Building, Pinochle, Reading, Writing & Research Class, Tai Chi, Zumba, Wii Games and Word Games. There are also AARP Tax Help for IRS Tax Forms, AARP Driving Classes for seniors, and Health Programs for seniors. The Center serves lunch every day at 12:00 noon for only $2.00 per person and $5.00 for special lunches. Please call Pennridge Community Center for information at 215-453-7027. The Center offers trips, too. Casino Day Trips and many other trips to really great locations such as Mackinac Island, Pigeon Forge & Smokey Mountains and a Cruise to New England and Canada are offered. Call the Center at 215-453-7027 for information or call Sara at 215-536-3066 for full details and reservations. Remember… This is YOUR COMMUNITY CENTER, so be sure to take advantage of all the wonderful activities it offers you. Ebby Schirmer, Pat Frank and Paul Clymer are your representatives on the Pennridge Community Center Advisory Board. See you at the PENNRIDGE COMMUNITY CENTER.

Acres*

Sopel Farm Shaffer Property Roeder Property Bates Farm Hunsberger Property Berger Farm Lichty Farm Caruso Property Cole/Simon Nature Preserve Collingwood Farm Duvall Property Ackerman Property Gruber Property Furlong Property Underkoffler Property Dresher-Lehman Property Wileman Property Lyons Property Lenape Drive Grubb Property Zimba Preserve Estate of Nahrman James Farm Hafler Farm Sailer Wilderness Preserve Moore Property Manderfield Preserve Village at Rose Cliffe Mill Creek Providence I Providence II Providence II - WRT Herrington Property Meadowbrook I Meadowbrook Condo Wellington Way Luray Circle/Crimson Way Util./Auth./Gov.

63 51 5 79 40 74 36 24 12 14 8 51 40 66 48 12 19 5 11 1 91 6 22 33 42 38 54 9 6 11 11 12 8 9 1 10 3 695

Type Agricultural Easement Fee Simple Owner Donation Conservation Easement Conservation Easement Conservation Easement Agricultural Easement Conservation Easement Conservation Easement Conservation Easement Conservation Easement Conservation Easement Conservation Easement Conservation Easement Conservation Easement Conservation Easement Conservation Easement Conservation Easement Conservation Easement Fee Simple Fee Simple Fee Simple Fee Simple Fee Simple Fee Simple Fee Simple Fee Simple Developer Contribution Developer Contribution Developer Contribution Developer Contribution Developer Contribution Developer Contribution Developer Contribution Developer Contribution Developer Contribution Developer Contribution Fee Simple

Total Acres Preserved 1,720 *rounded to whole acre If you are interested in protecting your property from development or preserving your property as open space, please contact the Township Manager, Greg Lippincott at 215-257-9063 for further information.

Township Seeks Properties to Preserve

W

est Rockhill Township has 1,720 acres preserved as open space with plans to preserve that much more! It is halfway to the goal of preserving 1/3 of the township as open space. The township welcomes more property owners interested in preserving their land. Township residents, committed to preserving West Rockhill’s Delighting those before natural treasures, voted in 2004 and again in 2008, to approve small us and now preserved increases in our earned income tax rates to preserve open space. It is for future generations, these funds that are used to preserve and protect open space in our the magnificent boulders of Ridge Valley township. Creek, early 1900s. Oh, if The township generally acquires open space properties through those rocks could talk! conservation or agriculture easements (often involving a 3rd party), fee simple transactions (outright purchase) or donations. In an easement, the property owner enters into a legally binding agreement that limits the use (development potential) of a designated portion of the property. The property owner retains ownership of the property but the easement reduces the market value of the property. The owner may be reimbursed for the decrease in value or may donate it as a charitable donation. In a fee simple acquisition, the Township purchases the property outright and then manages it in a manner best fitting the needs of the township and within the terms of the agreement. Each situation varies, depending on the property and wishes of the property owner. For more information about these options, please see the township’s award-winning booklet, Conservation Options for Private Landowners, available on the township web site and in the office. If you think you may be interested, contact the Conservation Committee ([email protected]) or the Township Manager ([email protected]), 215-257-9063) to convey your interest. And, plan to come to a Conservation Committee meeting. The committee meets on the third Thursday of January, March, May, July, September & November. Meetings start at 7 p.m. at the West Rockhill Township building and are always open to the public. The committee would like to learn more about your property and conservation interests and to talk with you about conservation options and next steps. There is no commitment and no cost to you, throughout the process including all steps described below. If you are interested in pursuing the options presented, the Conservation Committee will make a visit to your site and perform a detailed property evaluation. This includes photographs, notes and completion of a detailed Property Evaluation Worksheet where a property’s “Priority” and “Features” are scored, relative to the township’s documented open space goals and plans. Based on the site visit and Worksheet scores, the Committee writes a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors regarding if and how it believes public funds should be used to preserve the property. The Committee takes this work very seriously and follows all guidelines closely to be sure that the township’s open space funds are used fairly, effectively, efficiently and in keeping with the township’s agreed upon goals and plans. In making this determination, the Conservation Committee will share all findings, including the Worksheet and letter of recommendation, with the property owner. At this point, the Committee’s work is done and the Township Manager and Board of Supervisors take over to manage all appraisals, negotiations and transaction details with the property owner. The Board of Supervisors makes the final decision about if and how township funds will be spent to preserve the property and notifies the property owner of the decision. For full details about the process (including the Property Evaluation Worksheet), please see the “West Rockhill Township Open Space and Park & Recreation Plan,” available on the township's website. (It’s beautiful, interesting and full of pictures!) Open space provides many benefits to the community—environmental, quality of life, lower service requirements, and improved property values. For the individual or family, benefits can be even greater--the peace of mind and happiness that come with knowing a cherished piece of family land will remain a treasure to be shared for future generations. We hope you will consider exploring the possibility of conservation for your piece of the little paradise we call West Rockhill Township. Next meeting of Conservation Committee is Thursday, March 19.

9

8 West Rockhill Historical Society News est Rockhill Historical Society agriculture and industrialization were moving rapidly throughout the Meetings are held on the second Northeast. Farmers and industrialists needed bridges to move Monday of each month. Prepare to be commerce, animals and people over the rugged landscape. During entertained and informed from a lineup of experts. this time period, Penn’s Woods was a major lumber producer for the country; as a result early bridges were made of wood. It was found The following is an example of the last few months. Ellen Schroy, appraiser and author of antiques and collectables that if the bridge was covered, the structure was strengthened and the guidebooks focused on glass and pottery items. She made a several decking and sides on the bridge would last. Between 1830 and 1880, important points. Please make sure that you write down the story 1,500 bridges were built in Pennsylvania. Today PA still has the most behind that heirloom item. Jelly glasses are very collectable. Milk bridges in country, 189. Bucks County retains glass will shatter if exposed to extremes of temperature. A good 12 of the original 54 bridges. If you want to learn more or want directions source to go to if you need replacement dishes, glassware or to visit Bridges of Bucks County, use the QR, silverware or just want to check the value or history of your aunt or go to Bucks County Covered Bridge Gertie’s dish is www.replacements.com located in Greensboro NC. Society Website www.buckscountycbs.org. Marty Steely held our attention with “Sellersville, the Town Thru You are also invited to join the Bucks Time”. Using old pictures and postcards from the Sellersville Museum collection, she told the story of the 275-year-old town. County Covered Bridge Society to help protect, preserve and Settled by the early Germans, Sellersville was located on one of the promote these iconic structures. One perk is our exclusive few major roads used to travel north and south through Bucks County membership tour of selected Bucks County Covered Bridges in the and was named for Seller, owner of the local tavern. The highway, spring. Membership forms are on the website. railroad and trolley helped to move merchandise, people and ideas. Shelby Splain, a professional Historic Preservationist talked about Few of the very many highlights: Sellersville High School, 1895, was “Historic Sites”. What makes each community unique? Perhaps it is the first in the county; the very that old inn on the corner, the stone popular, nationally known magazine farmhouse and barn along the road, or The Poultry Item was published there cultivated fields, that tell of the from 1911 -1941; Michener mentions traditions and stories of those who came Sellersville in his Fires of Spring before us. Preservation gives a book. For those who grew up and live community identity, pride, a sense of in this area, Steely helped recall many place, environmental sustainability, and pleasant memories of stores, stabilizes property values. Preservation businesses and personalities. For more ultimately brings in millions of dollars in depth information, visit the in Historic Tourism. Sellersville museum or read Just because a house is old that in Sellersville: A Tapestry Through Time itself does not qualify to be on the Cottage Lane at Highland Park by Timothy Hufnagle. National Register. In the West Rockhill Bill Wilson discussed Bucks County Covered Bridges. Survey of over 300 structures that were 100 years old or older, only Pennsylvania has often been called the Bridge State. Major rivers 3 were suggested as possible candidates. They were the Clymer such as the Delaware, Susquehanna and Schuylkill River flow in a Avenue stone arched bridge, already on the National Register, the north and south pattern and the Appalachians cut across the state in a North Pennsylvania Railroad, already on the Register and Highland diagonal swath, creating a rugged terrain. In the early 1800’s, Park Camp Meeting. West Rockhill Historic Society, with the patient

W

Cut along this line

West Rockhill Historical Society Membership Application Date: __________________________ Name: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Phone: __________________________________________________  Individual: $15.00

 Family: $20.00

guidance of Shelby, is working though the maze of forms, research and writing to place Highland Park on the National Register. One last point, if a home or building is placed on the National Register the owner can if they wish, tear it down the next day. In other words, the National Register designation does not place any regulations on the owner. Of course, we ended our year with the traditional West Rockhill Historical Society Christmas Party, and everyone’s favorite musical family, Emil Klinger and the Jolly Rangers. As spring-cleaning rolls around, the income tax season is over and you need to find a place to safely get rid of all your confidential papers, think of the Mobile Shredder rolling into West Rockhill Township. Date is Saturday, May 16, Saturday 11:00 am – 1:00 pm in the Municipal parking lot. A Mobile shredder truck, provided by Richter’s Office Supplies, permits you to watch as old bank statements, financial statements, cancelled checks, and any other papers you are afraid to put into the trash are safely turned into 100% recycled material. This event is designed to help township residents protect themselves from identity theft and at the same

Suzanne Clarke’s TAX COLLECTOR TALK [email protected] • bctaxes.org (click on #52) • 215-453-1361

2

015 Bucks County/West Rockhill Township real estate tax bills were mailed March 1, 2015. A 2% discount is offered if paid by April 30th. The face amount is good until June 30th and if paid after a 10% penalty is added. All calculations are done on your tax bill for your convenience. Please notify me of any address changes. The office is open every Tuesday for tax collection. Additional hours are provided during the discount period. New this year, a different payment company if you wish to pay your real estate taxes with a credit or debit card. The new company is named Value Payment Systems. Their rates are lower than the other company (officialpayments.com). The credit card fee is 2.49%, debit card fee is 1% and if you want to pay with an E check the flat cost of $1.95. You may go online at http://paylocalgov.com/ westrockhilltwp or you can call directly at 1-888-877-0450. Also, I will be able to process a credit card payment in the office. The accepted cards are Visa, Master Card and Discover. A drop box has been installed on the building next to my office door for your convenience. Please feel free to drop off your tax payment anytime. Checks only no cash. As always I do accept postmarks for all tax payments. I do monitor my email address of [email protected] while out of the office you can email me anytime.

5% 14%

Email:______________________________________________________

 Single Lifetime membership $500.00

 Couple Lifetime membership $700.00

Circle: Renewal Membership or New Membership Total amount enclosed ____________ ________

Make check payable to West Rockhill Historical Society (non profit group) Return money and this receipt to: West Rockhill Historic Society, PO Box 282, Sellersville, PA 18960-3004

time, support the Historical Society. Cost $5.00 for file drawer sized box. Learn more about the history and culture of the Rockhills. You are welcome to attend West Rockhill Historical Society meetings on the second Monday of the month at the West Rockhill Township Building at 1028 Ridge Road. To make sure you don’t miss any of our programs, be sure to check the local papers, the Penny Power, or our website www.westrockhillhistoricalsociety.org/ Don’t forget, Limited Edition sketches by Fred Diseroad of historic buildings in West Rockhill Township (matted and framed) are available from the Historical Society as well as packs of note card sets depicting the same scenes. If you wish to have a drawing of your home, church or business contact the Historic Society. Membership is open to anyone interested in the history of the Rockhill, East and West Township. Members can participate as “active” or “contributing” members. Annual dues are $15 payable each September ($20 Family Membership) however, membership is encouraged at any time during the year.

HOW YOUR TAX DOLLARS ARE SPENT The chart illustrates how your real estate taxes are allocated between West Rockhill Township, Bucks County and Pennridge School District

81%

9

8 West Rockhill Historical Society News est Rockhill Historical Society agriculture and industrialization were moving rapidly throughout the Meetings are held on the second Northeast. Farmers and industrialists needed bridges to move Monday of each month. Prepare to be commerce, animals and people over the rugged landscape. During entertained and informed from a lineup of experts. this time period, Penn’s Woods was a major lumber producer for the country; as a result early bridges were made of wood. It was found The following is an example of the last few months. Ellen Schroy, appraiser and author of antiques and collectables that if the bridge was covered, the structure was strengthened and the guidebooks focused on glass and pottery items. She made a several decking and sides on the bridge would last. Between 1830 and 1880, important points. Please make sure that you write down the story 1,500 bridges were built in Pennsylvania. Today PA still has the most behind that heirloom item. Jelly glasses are very collectable. Milk bridges in country, 189. Bucks County retains glass will shatter if exposed to extremes of temperature. A good 12 of the original 54 bridges. If you want to learn more or want directions source to go to if you need replacement dishes, glassware or to visit Bridges of Bucks County, use the QR, silverware or just want to check the value or history of your aunt or go to Bucks County Covered Bridge Gertie’s dish is www.replacements.com located in Greensboro NC. Society Website www.buckscountycbs.org. Marty Steely held our attention with “Sellersville, the Town Thru You are also invited to join the Bucks Time”. Using old pictures and postcards from the Sellersville Museum collection, she told the story of the 275-year-old town. County Covered Bridge Society to help protect, preserve and Settled by the early Germans, Sellersville was located on one of the promote these iconic structures. One perk is our exclusive few major roads used to travel north and south through Bucks County membership tour of selected Bucks County Covered Bridges in the and was named for Seller, owner of the local tavern. The highway, spring. Membership forms are on the website. railroad and trolley helped to move merchandise, people and ideas. Shelby Splain, a professional Historic Preservationist talked about Few of the very many highlights: Sellersville High School, 1895, was “Historic Sites”. What makes each community unique? Perhaps it is the first in the county; the very that old inn on the corner, the stone popular, nationally known magazine farmhouse and barn along the road, or The Poultry Item was published there cultivated fields, that tell of the from 1911 -1941; Michener mentions traditions and stories of those who came Sellersville in his Fires of Spring before us. Preservation gives a book. For those who grew up and live community identity, pride, a sense of in this area, Steely helped recall many place, environmental sustainability, and pleasant memories of stores, stabilizes property values. Preservation businesses and personalities. For more ultimately brings in millions of dollars in depth information, visit the in Historic Tourism. Sellersville museum or read Just because a house is old that in Sellersville: A Tapestry Through Time itself does not qualify to be on the Cottage Lane at Highland Park by Timothy Hufnagle. National Register. In the West Rockhill Bill Wilson discussed Bucks County Covered Bridges. Survey of over 300 structures that were 100 years old or older, only Pennsylvania has often been called the Bridge State. Major rivers 3 were suggested as possible candidates. They were the Clymer such as the Delaware, Susquehanna and Schuylkill River flow in a Avenue stone arched bridge, already on the National Register, the north and south pattern and the Appalachians cut across the state in a North Pennsylvania Railroad, already on the Register and Highland diagonal swath, creating a rugged terrain. In the early 1800’s, Park Camp Meeting. West Rockhill Historic Society, with the patient

W

Cut along this line

West Rockhill Historical Society Membership Application Date: __________________________ Name: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Phone: __________________________________________________  Individual: $15.00

 Family: $20.00

guidance of Shelby, is working though the maze of forms, research and writing to place Highland Park on the National Register. One last point, if a home or building is placed on the National Register the owner can if they wish, tear it down the next day. In other words, the National Register designation does not place any regulations on the owner. Of course, we ended our year with the traditional West Rockhill Historical Society Christmas Party, and everyone’s favorite musical family, Emil Klinger and the Jolly Rangers. As spring-cleaning rolls around, the income tax season is over and you need to find a place to safely get rid of all your confidential papers, think of the Mobile Shredder rolling into West Rockhill Township. Date is Saturday, May 16, Saturday 11:00 am – 1:00 pm in the Municipal parking lot. A Mobile shredder truck, provided by Richter’s Office Supplies, permits you to watch as old bank statements, financial statements, cancelled checks, and any other papers you are afraid to put into the trash are safely turned into 100% recycled material. This event is designed to help township residents protect themselves from identity theft and at the same

Suzanne Clarke’s TAX COLLECTOR TALK [email protected] • bctaxes.org (click on #52) • 215-453-1361

2

015 Bucks County/West Rockhill Township real estate tax bills were mailed March 1, 2015. A 2% discount is offered if paid by April 30th. The face amount is good until June 30th and if paid after a 10% penalty is added. All calculations are done on your tax bill for your convenience. Please notify me of any address changes. The office is open every Tuesday for tax collection. Additional hours are provided during the discount period. New this year, a different payment company if you wish to pay your real estate taxes with a credit or debit card. The new company is named Value Payment Systems. Their rates are lower than the other company (officialpayments.com). The credit card fee is 2.49%, debit card fee is 1% and if you want to pay with an E check the flat cost of $1.95. You may go online at http://paylocalgov.com/ westrockhilltwp or you can call directly at 1-888-877-0450. Also, I will be able to process a credit card payment in the office. The accepted cards are Visa, Master Card and Discover. A drop box has been installed on the building next to my office door for your convenience. Please feel free to drop off your tax payment anytime. Checks only no cash. As always I do accept postmarks for all tax payments. I do monitor my email address of [email protected] while out of the office you can email me anytime.

5% 14%

Email:______________________________________________________

 Single Lifetime membership $500.00

 Couple Lifetime membership $700.00

Circle: Renewal Membership or New Membership Total amount enclosed ____________ ________

Make check payable to West Rockhill Historical Society (non profit group) Return money and this receipt to: West Rockhill Historic Society, PO Box 282, Sellersville, PA 18960-3004

time, support the Historical Society. Cost $5.00 for file drawer sized box. Learn more about the history and culture of the Rockhills. You are welcome to attend West Rockhill Historical Society meetings on the second Monday of the month at the West Rockhill Township Building at 1028 Ridge Road. To make sure you don’t miss any of our programs, be sure to check the local papers, the Penny Power, or our website www.westrockhillhistoricalsociety.org/ Don’t forget, Limited Edition sketches by Fred Diseroad of historic buildings in West Rockhill Township (matted and framed) are available from the Historical Society as well as packs of note card sets depicting the same scenes. If you wish to have a drawing of your home, church or business contact the Historic Society. Membership is open to anyone interested in the history of the Rockhill, East and West Township. Members can participate as “active” or “contributing” members. Annual dues are $15 payable each September ($20 Family Membership) however, membership is encouraged at any time during the year.

HOW YOUR TAX DOLLARS ARE SPENT The chart illustrates how your real estate taxes are allocated between West Rockhill Township, Bucks County and Pennridge School District

81%

7

10 Preserved Properties

September Fest 20th Anniversary! Save the Date: Sunday, September 27, 2015 Look for updates at www.westrockhilltownship.org and the fall issue of this newsletter.

Fitzgerald Irish Dancers

Mission Statement: to preserve the intrinsic value of West Rockhill Township's open space resources by protecting and preserving its natural, cultural, scenic and historic features that collectively function to enhance the quality of life of its residents. The “scorecard” below identifies the properties and acres preserved in West Rockhill Township that are protected from development by property owners (Conservation Easement), parkland through direct purchase by the Township (Fee Simple), held in trust for the Township, donated by developers as part of a development, or owned by utilities, authorities, and government entities (the largest is the State Game Land). Property

Pennridge Community Center News and Events

W

hen was the last time you danced to a live band? Here’s your invitation! You can have dinner and dance for only $22 per person at the Pennridge Community Center at 145 East Main Street, Perkasie, PA (Route 113 in Silverdale). Dancing only is a $10 cover charge. Come and join us for the following dances or just listen to these great live Bands. You do not need to be a member to come to the dances or many activities. Bring your friends and have a special night out.

2015 Dance Schedule

April 24, 2015

Spring Flowers

Music by Gary Dee

May 29, 2015

Old Fashioned Prom

Kevin Kelton Orchestra

June 26, 2015

Picnic Theme

The Good Times Orchestra

July 31, 2015

Beach Party

The Blue Notes

August 28, 2015

Luau Theme

The Good Times Orchestra

September 25, 2015

Autumn Daze

Kevin Kelton Orchestra

October 23, 2015

Fall Ball

Gary Dee

November 13, 2015

Harvest Dance

The Blue Notes

December 11, 2015

Holiday Dance

The Good Times Orchestra

December 31, 2015

New Year’s Eve

The Blue Notes

Be sure to mark your calendar; Friday night of each month is dancing!! Tickets for the Spring Lottery to benefit your Center are now available. Call Ebby Schirmer at 215-257-7695 for tickets or dinner dance reservations. There are many activities available both during the day, as well as in the evenings. You can participate in any of the activities, regardless of age, and do not have to be a member. All residents, 55 years and older, are invited to join the Center. Membership fee is $14.00 per year. We have many different activities such as: Aerobics, Art Class, Backgammon, Billiards, Bingo, Bunco, Ceramics, Chess Club, Computer Class, Hand & Foot Card Game, Line Dancing, Mahjong, Model Building, Pinochle, Reading, Writing & Research Class, Tai Chi, Zumba, Wii Games and Word Games. There are also AARP Tax Help for IRS Tax Forms, AARP Driving Classes for seniors, and Health Programs for seniors. The Center serves lunch every day at 12:00 noon for only $2.00 per person and $5.00 for special lunches. Please call Pennridge Community Center for information at 215-453-7027. The Center offers trips, too. Casino Day Trips and many other trips to really great locations such as Mackinac Island, Pigeon Forge & Smokey Mountains and a Cruise to New England and Canada are offered. Call the Center at 215-453-7027 for information or call Sara at 215-536-3066 for full details and reservations. Remember… This is YOUR COMMUNITY CENTER, so be sure to take advantage of all the wonderful activities it offers you. Ebby Schirmer, Pat Frank and Paul Clymer are your representatives on the Pennridge Community Center Advisory Board. See you at the PENNRIDGE COMMUNITY CENTER.

Acres*

Sopel Farm Shaffer Property Roeder Property Bates Farm Hunsberger Property Berger Farm Lichty Farm Caruso Property Cole/Simon Nature Preserve Collingwood Farm Duvall Property Ackerman Property Gruber Property Furlong Property Underkoffler Property Dresher-Lehman Property Wileman Property Lyons Property Lenape Drive Grubb Property Zimba Preserve Estate of Nahrman James Farm Hafler Farm Sailer Wilderness Preserve Moore Property Manderfield Preserve Village at Rose Cliffe Mill Creek Providence I Providence II Providence II - WRT Herrington Property Meadowbrook I Meadowbrook Condo Wellington Way Luray Circle/Crimson Way Util./Auth./Gov.

63 51 5 79 40 74 36 24 12 14 8 51 40 66 48 12 19 5 11 1 91 6 22 33 42 38 54 9 6 11 11 12 8 9 1 10 3 695

Type Agricultural Easement Fee Simple Owner Donation Conservation Easement Conservation Easement Conservation Easement Agricultural Easement Conservation Easement Conservation Easement Conservation Easement Conservation Easement Conservation Easement Conservation Easement Conservation Easement Conservation Easement Conservation Easement Conservation Easement Conservation Easement Conservation Easement Fee Simple Fee Simple Fee Simple Fee Simple Fee Simple Fee Simple Fee Simple Fee Simple Developer Contribution Developer Contribution Developer Contribution Developer Contribution Developer Contribution Developer Contribution Developer Contribution Developer Contribution Developer Contribution Developer Contribution Fee Simple

Total Acres Preserved 1,720 *rounded to whole acre If you are interested in protecting your property from development or preserving your property as open space, please contact the Township Manager, Greg Lippincott at 215-257-9063 for further information.

Township Seeks Properties to Preserve

W

est Rockhill Township has 1,720 acres preserved as open space with plans to preserve that much more! It is halfway to the goal of preserving 1/3 of the township as open space. The township welcomes more property owners interested in preserving their land. Township residents, committed to preserving West Rockhill’s Delighting those before natural treasures, voted in 2004 and again in 2008, to approve small us and now preserved increases in our earned income tax rates to preserve open space. It is for future generations, these funds that are used to preserve and protect open space in our the magnificent boulders of Ridge Valley township. Creek, early 1900s. Oh, if The township generally acquires open space properties through those rocks could talk! conservation or agriculture easements (often involving a 3rd party), fee simple transactions (outright purchase) or donations. In an easement, the property owner enters into a legally binding agreement that limits the use (development potential) of a designated portion of the property. The property owner retains ownership of the property but the easement reduces the market value of the property. The owner may be reimbursed for the decrease in value or may donate it as a charitable donation. In a fee simple acquisition, the Township purchases the property outright and then manages it in a manner best fitting the needs of the township and within the terms of the agreement. Each situation varies, depending on the property and wishes of the property owner. For more information about these options, please see the township’s award-winning booklet, Conservation Options for Private Landowners, available on the township web site and in the office. If you think you may be interested, contact the Conservation Committee ([email protected]) or the Township Manager ([email protected]), 215-257-9063) to convey your interest. And, plan to come to a Conservation Committee meeting. The committee meets on the third Thursday of January, March, May, July, September & November. Meetings start at 7 p.m. at the West Rockhill Township building and are always open to the public. The committee would like to learn more about your property and conservation interests and to talk with you about conservation options and next steps. There is no commitment and no cost to you, throughout the process including all steps described below. If you are interested in pursuing the options presented, the Conservation Committee will make a visit to your site and perform a detailed property evaluation. This includes photographs, notes and completion of a detailed Property Evaluation Worksheet where a property’s “Priority” and “Features” are scored, relative to the township’s documented open space goals and plans. Based on the site visit and Worksheet scores, the Committee writes a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors regarding if and how it believes public funds should be used to preserve the property. The Committee takes this work very seriously and follows all guidelines closely to be sure that the township’s open space funds are used fairly, effectively, efficiently and in keeping with the township’s agreed upon goals and plans. In making this determination, the Conservation Committee will share all findings, including the Worksheet and letter of recommendation, with the property owner. At this point, the Committee’s work is done and the Township Manager and Board of Supervisors take over to manage all appraisals, negotiations and transaction details with the property owner. The Board of Supervisors makes the final decision about if and how township funds will be spent to preserve the property and notifies the property owner of the decision. For full details about the process (including the Property Evaluation Worksheet), please see the “West Rockhill Township Open Space and Park & Recreation Plan,” available on the township's website. (It’s beautiful, interesting and full of pictures!) Open space provides many benefits to the community—environmental, quality of life, lower service requirements, and improved property values. For the individual or family, benefits can be even greater--the peace of mind and happiness that come with knowing a cherished piece of family land will remain a treasure to be shared for future generations. We hope you will consider exploring the possibility of conservation for your piece of the little paradise we call West Rockhill Township. Next meeting of Conservation Committee is Thursday, March 19.

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6 Pennridge Regional Police Department News

When the Bulb Breaks

Reported by Sergeant Rodney Blake, Officer in Charge

Federal agency updates advice on cleaning up broken CFLs

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ompact fluorescent light bulbs, or CFLs, may be much more energy-efficient than their incandescent counterparts, by they have a downside: They are potentially harmful if broken.

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would like to commend the Board of Supervisors for passing the 2015 Budget. By passing the Budget, PRPD was able to transition two part-time employees to full-time status. Please welcome Officer Pedro Ruiz and Officer Richard Dean to the PRPD.

CFLs contain a small amount of mercury in the glass tubing. If the tubing breaks, some of the mercury may be released as a vapor and pose potential health risks.

Officer Pedro Ruiz was hired as a part-time officer in 2011. I am thankful that he agreed to stick around to allow us to hire him full-time. Officer Ruiz comes to us as a trained defensive tactics instructor. He has also been trained in crisis intervention. He is currently assigned to A Squad and is partnered with Officer Harry Hallman.

Not to fear, however. The U.S. Environment Protection Agency has released extensive guidance on how to properly clean up broken CFLs. The agency’s website has links to a new brochure and step-by-step instructions for safely collecting and disposing of busted bulbs.

Officer Richard Dean was hired as a part-time officer in 2014. At this point he is eager to begin his full-time career with this agency. Officer Dean has also been trained in crisis intervention. He is currently assigned to B Squad and is partnered with Officer Maloney. East Rockhill Twp Supervisor Jim Nietupski, Officer Richard Dean, Officer Pedro Ruiz, West Rockhill Twp Supervisors Don Duvall and Jay Keyser

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The brochure provides the most important steps to reduce exposure to mercury vapor from broken CFLs before, during, and after cleanup. They include leaving and airing out the room where the breakage occurs, shutting off central heating and air conditioning systems, placing all debris and cleanup materials in a sealable container, and placing everything outside in a trash container until it can be disposed of properly. The room must continue to be aired out for several hours with the heating and air conditioning shut off.

Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Township News The guidelines also apply to other mercury-containing bulbs. Because CFLs pose such a risk, the best practice is to minimize the chance of broken bulbs by: • switching off bulbs and allowing them to cool before handling them; • screwing and unscrewing CFLs by holding their plastic or ceramic base, rather than the glass tubing; • not overtightening CFLs in thier sockets; • not installing CFLs in table or floor lamps that can be easily knocked over or in places where thy can be easily broken, such as play areas; • using CFLs that have a glass or plastic cover over the glass tubing; and • using a drop cloth when changing a fluorescent light bulb to catch any debris if the bulb should break. To download the brochure and detailed step-by-step instructions for cleaning up broken fluorescent light bulbs, log onto www.epa.gov/cflcleanup.

District Court reports 15% decrease in criminal caseload for 2014

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ollowing a 10 percent increase the previous year, criminal cases filed in the area’s District Court in Perkasie decreased by 15 percent during 2014, according to Perkasie District Judge Charles W. Baum.

Total criminal cases filed by local and state police for the past year numbered 384, down from 454 in 2013 and 411 in 2012, according to Judge Baum, now in his tenth year as the local magistrate. “The crime rate in our particular area fell more than double the rate in all of Bucks County, which is obviously a good thing,” said the veteran judge. He said court statistics show all other areas of court filings were down, including motor vehicle citations, non-traffic cases, landlord-tenant disputes and civil cases for small claims matters under $12,000 in value.

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Thank You To The Business Sponsors The Township Supervisors would like to thank the businesses that advertise in this newsletter and to recognize each of them as supporters and cornerstones of our community. It is with their contributions that this newsletter has been produced at no charge to our residents. In response, the Township would like to request that citizens patronize these businesses first when given a choice, as these businesses are saving tax dollars.

Baum said statistics showed a 40 percent decrease in traffic citations, down from 3950 in 2013 to 2363 this past year. Authorities said severe winter weather last year resulted in a drop in citations with fewer Perkasie District Judge vehicles on the roads and nowhere to pull them over with all the snow. State Police traffic citations also Charles W. Baum. dropped 47 percent for the year, as many troopers were called out of the area in the fall for the Eric Frein search in the Poconos for nearly two months. Several local officers were also out for extended leaves during the past year, resulting in an average 30 percent drop in motor vehicle citations by the local departments. Non-traffic citations for things like disorderly conducts, truancies and municipal violations were down seven percent from 386 to 359. Landlord-tenant filings were down five percent, while civil cases (including numerous credit card delinquencies) were also down a similar amount, possibly a sign of an improving economy. The Perkasie court covers Perkasie, Sellersville and Trumbauersville boroughs, the Bucks County side of Telford Borough, as well as East and West Rockhill and Milford townships. The District Court is located in the Re-Max building, first floor, at Seventh and Market streets in Perkasie. The court receives the majority of its citations and criminal complaints from four local police departments: Perkasie, Pennridge Regional, Telford and Pennsylvania State Police in Dublin. For most citizens, this “grass roots” level of the judicial system may be the only court they will ever encounter. In criminal cases, district judges advise defendants of their rights, set their initial bail and hold preliminary hearings to determine if there is enough evidence to forward the matter to county court. There are 20 district judges in Bucks County and each judge also serves a week of on-call night duty every 10 weeks. The district court is open weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the court phone number is 215-257-5181.

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12 Giving New Life to “Old Glory”

2015 West Rockhill Township Clean Up Day - Saturday, April 11

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ew at the West Rockhill Township Building you now have the pleasure of being able to retire your US flag! A project called “A Star is Born” is accepting retired flags that are 3’x5’ or 4’x6’ with embroidered (sewn) stars. Each star is lovingly cut out, placed in plastic, and given to or mailed to our Armed Forces, Veterans at home, on base or overseas or at the township building with a card that reads:

“I am part of our American Flag. I have flown over a home in the USA. I can no longer fly for the wind and the rain have caused me to become tattered and torn. Please carry me with you as a reminder – you are not forgotten!” The flag container is located in the lobby of the township building. If you have any questions, please contact Suzanne Clarke @ 215-453-1361 or [email protected]. Your worn out flag can touch 50 lives! www.starsforourtroops.org.

A STAR IS BORN

Passing on the Legacy of the Stars!

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s good citizens, there is a sense of pride that comes with living in a beautiful neighborhood. Please consider joining your friends and neighbors who come out each spring for one morning to clean up the roadsides in scenic West Rockhill Township on Saturday, April 11, 2015, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon for our Annual Clean Up Day.

Our event is part of the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Great American Cleanup co-sponsored by PA DEP and Penn DOT, who supplies the bags, gloves and vests. We joined 136,500 volunteers who collected Anyone can help: an individual or family, 318,000 bags of trash on 13,600 miles of roads, civic group, scout troop, business group, waterways, shorelines and trails in Pennsylvania hunting or fishing club, or a sports team. 2014. The Commonwealth has the largest cleanup Gloves, bags, and safety vests can be picked program in the nation up at the Township building where morning coffee and doughnuts is provided for WRT resident Peg Chmielewski and all 67 counties Picks It Up participate in this volunteers the day of the event. annual event. Let’s Pick it up, PA! In thanks for your participation, the Board of Supervisors awards four $50 checks to randomly drawn volunteers each year following the event, two for adults and two for youth volunteers.

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Ridge Road. Please thank these generous WRT volunteers for their time when you register.

To get involved, please call North Division Chair Shari Frerichs at 215-257-4277 if you live north of Ridge Road, or Southern Division Chair Rita Cipriano at 215-723-9215, if you live south of

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We would like to thank Bergey’s Tire & Auto Service at 1419 Bethlehem Pike for recycling tires for us at no charge for the past several years. Thank you, Bergey’s!

Bethlehem Pike New Sewer Line erkasie Regional Authority, in conjunction with West Rockhill Township, will be extending water and sewer service along Bethlehem Pike. This extension, in keeping with the Township’s 537 Plan, will extend current services from just north of Ridge Road to the Roy Ann Diner. The Perkasie Regional Authority has been working with the property and business owners for the last several months along Bethlehem Pike and Old Mill Road on the design and scope of this extension.

decommission their sewer treatment plant and connect to the Perkasie Regional Authority sewer mains and pump station. All of the sewer for this area will then be pumped south towards Ridge Road where gravity will eventually take over and flow to the Pennridge Wastewater Treatment Authority plant in Sellersville.

As part of this project, the Perkasie Regional Authority will be constructing a sewage pumping station across the creek from the Roy Ann sewer plant. This will allow Roy Ann to abandon and

Below is a map showing where the sewer pumping station will be located as well as where the water and sewer mains will be extended to.

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...And the Legacy Continues!

Help Us Reach Our Goal for New Playground Equipment

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he Park & Recreation Board is attempting to raise $25,000 to purchase additional playground equipment for James Memorial Park, located across the street from the Township building on Ridge Road. With your generous donations, we plan to install a rock-block climbing wall structure, a whirligig spinning ride, and a seesaw. Fundraising will also cover the installation, mulch, setup and delivery. Our busy playground currently offers swings, toddler animal riders, and an activity center for climbing and sliding. Please consider donating to give our community’s children an exciting place to play. We are focused on growing a community with healthy children. A donation jar is located in the lobby of the Township Building, or any donation, large or small, can be mailed to: West Rockhill Township Playground Fundraiser 1028 Ridge Road Sellersville, PA 18960

Thank you for your support!

The Authority anticipates this project starting in Spring/ Summer of 2015 and the construction being completed by fall/winter with connections being made in the Spring of 2016.

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4

Grasscycling It’s ok to “Let it Lay”

Grand View Health beginning “Get Fit with a Doc” Initiative Walks Scheduled to begin at West Rockhill’s James Memorial Park on April 18 “Get Fit with a Doc” is a new community outreach program that offers opportunities to exercise with Grand View Health physicians and staff. The goal is simple – to give patients and community members an incentive to walk and get fit. “Our goal is to get healthy together!” stated co-chair Diane Roberts, a member of the medical staff team at GVH. The doctors, especially cardiologists Dr. Miroslawa Jablonski-Cohen and Dr. Dave Travis from ATC-GVMP and Dr. Michele Stram, BCA along with Bariatric Surgeon, Dr. Michael Fishman will be participating with other GVH doctors in these community walks. The doctors will lead the program, walk along side of you, offer encouragement, and healthy tips. “Before each walk, GVH staff will provide a brief, informal presentation. The topics will range from proper stretching techniques, controlling blood pressure, nutrition, to reducing your risk of heart disease and improving your health,” commented Dr. Jablonski-Cohen. “We want to work with community members and our patients to learn to live healthier lifestyles,” said Dr. Jane Ferry, CMO and Vice President of Medical Affairs at GVH. The program will be held in West Rockhill’s James Memorial Park on Ridge Road, just minutes from Grand View Hospital. Each of the Get Fit with a Doc events, which will be free to the public, will last between a half hour and an hour. A registration form and waiver will be signed at the beginning of the walks, followed by an informal talk, and a walk around the park. Along with the GVH doctors, there will be at least one other Grand View staff at each of the events. “Ultimately we want a healthcare provider at the end of the line of walkers, so no one is

left behind. Whether you walk from one bench to the next or you take a few brisk strolls around the park, Grand View is committed to meeting their community members and working with them in this health initiative,” remarked Jablonski-Cohen. The first “Get Fit with a Doc” is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 18. Dates, times, and other information about the walks, including registration, will be posted at www.gvh.org/event/get-fit-with-a-doc/. The first 50 people who register and walk on April 18 will also receive a Get Fit with a Doc T-shirt. “Participants can walk whatever distance is comfortable for them,” Roberts said. “Some might lap the trail while others just go from one bench to another. There are plenty of benches, so if people get tired, they can rest. The walkers will be encouraged to go a little further in subsequent walks. We will give them goals and help them improve their health.” “Initial plans are to have Get Fit with a Doc meet twice a month, but that may change, so we encourage everyone to go to gvh.org under Events,” stated Roberts. “We hope participants will be determined to supplement our events and walk on their own or in other groups. We are asking local companies to have teams of participants too,” exclaimed Roberts. The walks are available to anyone of any age, not just Grand View patients. James Memorial Park will remain open for other users at the same time Get Fit with a Doc is happening. Roberts concluded, “It’s a convenient and a beautiful park.” “As the participants increase the amount they walk, there will be new goals and other physical challenges,” Dr. David Travis said. “Maybe we’ll all go run a 5K together.” The goal is to help the community, that Grand View serves, Get Healthy Together.

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id you know that a 1/2-acre lawn in Pennsylvania produces more than three tons--nearly 260 bags--of grass clippings each year? Think of all the time, money and effort it takes to bag all those clippings. Why go through all that hassle when it's not necessary? YOU CAN HAVE A HEALTHY GREEN LAWN BY LEAVING GRASS CLIPPINGS WHERE THEY FALL. It’s simple. Grass clippings left on the lawn decompose and act as a natural organic fertilizer. This lets you reduce the amount of commercial fertilizer you need to apply. Your lawn will remain healthy and green because each time you mow, you will be returning valuable nutrients to the soil. MOWING TECHNIQUES & TIPS Any mower can recycle grass clippings. Just remove the grass catcher. Ask your lawn mower dealer if you need a special safety plug or adapter kit to convert your mower into a “recycling” mower. Installing a mulching blade also is helpful. • Never cut off more than 1/3 of the grass blade in one mowing. Keep grass mowed to 2” in early spring, gradually raise the height to 3-4” by summer, then gradually reduce to 2” by late fall. • Mow when the grass is dry. • Keep your mower blade sharp. Dull mowers tear the grass blade, injure the plant and cause a brownish cast to the turf. • If the grass gets too high, mow over the clippings a second time to further shred and scatter them. • To prevent excess growth between mowings, raise the mower height, mow, then gradually lower it over a span of several mowings. This will help prevent shock to the plants. • When it’s time to replace your mower, consider a mulching, recycling or nonpolluting reel mower. All of them do a good job of shredding and scattering grass clippings. WHAT ABOUT THATCH? Thatch, a matted layer of dead roots and stems, usually is caused by too much water and fertilizer. Clippings don’t produce thatch because they are 80 percent water and decompose quickly. A thatch layer of more than 1/2” should be removed. USES FOR CLIPPINGS • COMPOST. Fresh clippings should compose no more than 1/3 of the compost pile They are an excellent source of nitrogen. Mix thoroughly with “brown” materials such as leaves or straw and turn the pile regularly to aerate it and prevent odors. • MULCH. Pile about 1” of dried clippings on the soil to reduce weeds and moderate soil temperature. Mulching also controls erosion, run-off and evaporation. If using herbicides, wait at least two mowings after treating the lawn to use the clippings. • SOIL ADDITIVE. Mixing fresh grass clippings into the garden improves soil texture, promotes moisture retention and adds nutrients and organic matter. About once a month, turn a 2” layer of grass into the soil to a depth of 6”. FERTILIZER APPLICATION Most grasses need modest amounts of nitrogen for controlled growth and good color. Too much fertilizer increases growth and results in more frequent mowing. It is best to fertilize around Labor Day and again at the end of

October. Fall fertilization promotes a vigorous root system and helps the plant survive winter, but does not lead to the excessive top growth of spring fertilization. Apply only 1/2 pound of nitrogen per 100 square feet of lawn. To calculate how many pounds of fertilizer should be applied per 1,000 square feet, divide 100 by twice the percentage of nitrogen (N) in the fertilizer. This chart calculates some of the common fertilizer rates for you: Fertilizer NPK Rating 12-4-8 16-8-8 20-5-10 10-10-10

100/(2 x N%) 100/24 100/32 100/40 100/20

= = = = =

Lb. per 1,000 Sq.Ft. 4.1 3.1 2.5 5.0

For slower, more uniform growth, use fertilizers that contain slow-release nitrogen such as methylene urea, ureaformaldehyde, sulfur-coated urea, or IBDU. The label may also read “water-insoluble nitrogen” or “slowrelease nitrogen.” WATERING PRACTICES Pennsylvania has enough rain that turf grasses don't have to be watered to survive. Healthy lawns go brown during a drought, but quickly turn green when rainfall resumes. If you choose to water, 1” of water will wet the soil to a depth of 4”-6”. Place an empty can under the sprinkler to determine when an inch has been applied. If water runs off the lawn before reaching an inch, turn off the sprinkler and wait an hour before resuming. • Water deeply and infrequently to encourage deep root growth. Light, frequent watering encourages shallow roots, which increase the risk of disease and stress injury. • Water in the morning. Less water is lost through evaporation and transpiration. • Don’t water at midday or in the evenings. A lawn that remains damp during the night is more prone to disease. ALTERNATIVE LANDSCAPES Consider turf grass alternatives. Increase shrub beds, grow a wildflower meadow, or plant ground covers. They look beautiful, don’t need mowing and will help reduce maintenance and yard waste.

THE KEY WORD IS “LESS” LESS FERTILIZER • LESS WATER • LESS WORK • LESS WASTE Recycling clippings back into the lawn is less work than disposing of them as waste. No one has to handle the clippings--not you, your lawn care professional, or the waste management crew. By not trashing grass, you can reduce your mowing time by nearly 40 percent and spend less money on fertilizer and trash bags. And you'll be doing your part for the environment by reducing waste. If you follow these IT’S OKAY TO “LET IT LAY” guidelines, not only will you have a healthy lawn, you’ll never have to bag grass clippings again. Produced by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection in cooperation with the Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island Departments of Environmental Protection. 2500-PADEP1714 Rev 6/94 Rachel Carson State Office Building P.O. Box 8472 Harrisburg, Pa 17105-8472 Telephone 717-787-7382

For more information please contact us at our recycling e-mail address: [email protected] Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Land Recycling and Waste Management

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3 Municipal Primary Election Day is Tuesday, May 19

Township Contact Information Board of Supervisors Jay Keyser – Chairman John Mann – Vice Chairman Don Duvall – Member Administration: West Rockhill Township Building 1028 Ridge Road, Sellersville, PA 18960 Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 am to 4 pm Phone: 215-257-9063 Web: www.westrockhilltownship.org Administrative Staff Manager/Treasurer/Zoning Officer: Greg Lippincott Email: [email protected] Assistant to the Manager/Secretary: Judith E. Decker Email: [email protected] Bookkeeper: Sheri Baringer Email: [email protected] Department Of Public Works Office Hours: Monday-Friday: 7:00 am to 3:30 pm James Chavouz, Seth Albright, Bill Propsner Elected Tax Collector Suzanne Clarke 1028A Ridge Road, Sellersville, PA 18960 Phone: 215-453-1361 Email: [email protected] Pennridge Regional Police Department 200 Ridge Road, Sellersville, PA 18960 Non-Emergency Phone: 215-257-5104 Planning Commission: Jeff Markley – Chair, Chris Derstine – Vice Chair, Frank Szymendera – Secretary, Tim Ruth, Alex Ulmer Conservation Committee: David Collingwood, Michael Schrameyer, Karina Rilling Vera Cole, Elizabeth Branson Park And Recreation Board: Jim Miller – Chairman Bob Strobel, Robert Croissette, Suzanne Clarke, Ebby Schirmer Charles Guenst, David Reiss Denise Lorenz – Assoc. Member Emily Dixon – Youth Member

Twitter handle: @WestRockhill

West Rockhill Township Monthly Meeting Schedule Board of Supervisors: Meets at 7 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month. Planning Commission: Meets at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month. Park and Recreation Committee: Meets at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month. Conservation Committee: Meets at 7 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month.

Mark Your Calendar and Get Out to Vote! Your polling place is determined by your registered address. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. There are two polling places in West Rockhill Township:

Message from the Chairman . . .

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reetings fellow citizens, friends and neighbors.

As I write this letter, we have just had two snow storms back to back along with the coldest temperatures I can remember in a long time. I hope all have made it through this tough winter. We graciously welcome new Planning Commission members Tim Ruth and Alex Ulmer. Thanks to all our volunteers who have given their time; this is what makes West Rockhill great.

Almont West Rockhill Twp Building 1028 Ridge Road Sellersville, PA 18960

Argus St. John’s Lutheran Church 910 Allentown Road Sellersville, PA 18960

Voters who are ill or will be away from their designated voting district on Election Day can download and Absentee ballot from the Bucks County website at www.buckscounty.org/. Check with the Board of Elections for deadline dates at 215-348-6169. Forms for voter registration or an Absentee ballot can be obtained from the Township office, the Bucks County Board of Elections, The Bucks County Voter Registration Office (Courthouse, 2nd Floor, Broad & Court St, Doylestown, PA, 18901), post offices, state liquor stores, libraries, or the League of Women Voters and political parties.

Canines for Clean Creeks

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ogs are great companions for fresh air, exercise, and a wonderful way to enjoy our natural surroundings. However, pet waste has a negative impact on streams, walking trails, and natural areas. Recent studies by Chester Ridley Crum Watersheds Association, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and Villanova University have documented that our local creeks frequently have levels of fecal coliform bacteria three or more times the state recommended maximums for safe water contact. Studies by the Center for Watershed Protection have found that a significant portion of fecal coliform bacteria in residential stormwater originates from dog waste. These levels escalate when stormwater washes contamination from pet droppings into storm drains. One average size dog dropping contains 3 billion fecal coliform bacteria. Multiply that by the fact that 40% of households have a dog, you can see how this problem “piles up”, and adds to the challenge of treating much of our creek water for drinking water. Do your part to make your dog a friend of our creeks, fellow walkers, and our natural environment: • Scoop up after your pet and dispose the waste properly- in a trash can or toilet • Keep your pet on a leash and on trails in natural areas and avoid contact with wildlife • Remain within off leash areas when off leash • Encourage your friends and family to do the same! Source: Center for Watershed Protection, www.cwp.org. This message is brought to you by your municipality and Chester Ridley Crum Watersheds Association, www.crcwatersheds.org.

2014 saw revenues down over $150,000.00. We had to spend $40,000.00 extra for salt due to the bad winter of 2014/2015, plus $60,000.00 to fulfill our police obligation. Your Board is committed to 24 hour police protection for our township and with that, for the first time in 9 years, we had to raise taxes 2 mills: $75,000.00 for Police in 2015 and $25,000.00 for a part-time Public Works employee. Please welcome Bill Proposner to our Public Works crew. We continue to make needed road improvements throughout the Township above our budgeted paving estimates. Example: we had to spend $42,000.00 for Mountain View Road. This spring we will be cleaning up the Township on April 11 and getting the Kids Fishing Derby underway on April 25. The Holiday House Pool opens for the season on May 24. Please try to support our Pool, which has had many improvements made within the last year--see article in this issue. The Board would like to thank the volunteer fire companies that serve West Rockhill Township: Sellersville, Trumbauersville, Telford and Tylersport. Make sure you thank them whenever you have the opportunity. Our Administrative staff and Public Works Department have done a wonderful job keeping West Rockhill Township moving forward. Please continue to give input and ideas at Board of Supervisor Meetings. We welcome and consider all your comments. Yours truly,

Jay Keyser

West Rockhill Township Community Park Expansion

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est Rockhill Township is excited to announce the development of an Athletic Park for the use of our township residents and the Pennridge Yellowjackets Soccer Association. The new parkland will be located on the Township-owned Moore Farm Property. It is composed of 38 acres located on the south side of Ridge Road across the street from James Memorial Park. This will centralize our active park facilities in one area.

This park expansion is the result of long range planning by the Board of Supervisors and was included in the 2005 Comprehensive Plan and is noted in the 2010 Open Space Park and Recreation Plan. Park Expansion will begin with the leveling of the area as dirt becomes available. RoadCon, Inc., has graciously agreed to donate 45,000 yards of dirt including delivery, grading, replacing top soil and seeding. This should give us enough area to consider the first two soccer fields. As we expand, we hope to include 6 fields in total which could be used for soccer, baseball, softball, or lacrosse. The fields would also be available for Township residents to use. A perimeter walking trail is also in the planning and a pedestrian crossing for Ridge Road to connect with James Memorial Park. We are working with the Yellowjackets to firm up a long range plan to include parking lots, a snack stand, restrooms, equipment storage and a clubhouse using existing structures on the property. This will be a multi-year effort, which we hope to fund through the generosity of local building contractors, sports teams, and volunteers. Construction work on the fields will have begun by the time this newsletter is in your hands. Updates will be provided as work progresses.

Jim Miller, Park and Recreation Committee Chairman

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www.happytreeltd.com

GAS SERVICE Residential and Commercial Propane Sales and Service

FULLY INSURED • REASONABLE RATES

215-257-7650 126 Reller Road • Green Lane, PA 18054

Tree Service, Landscaping, Plant Health Care Quality work and integrity in our business dealings are the hallmarks of Happy Tree.

Professional Caregivers 24/7 Short Term & Respite Stays Available Dementia Care Specialists 340 Farmers Lane, Sellersville www.hiddenmeadowsontheridge.com • • •

O Professional arborist services for all large trees including pruning, shaping, deadwood removal, cabling, bracing, cavity work, storm damage repair, hazard evaluation, and tree removal. O Complete landscaping services from design through installation and maintenance. Design services from our own in-house Registered Landscape Architect. We grow our own trees and shrubs to ensure top quality, hardy installations.

BLUE FLAME

Rockhill Auto Repair Inc. Automobile Repair and Maintenance Mon-Fri 7AM to 6PM 215-257-9764 Sat by Appointment After Hours: 267-265-5886

O Cutting-edge plant health care treatments, including nutritional support, feeding, pest control, and treatment of disease.

www.rockhillauto.com • E-mail: [email protected]

“SATISFACTION THAT GROWS!”

130 Almont Road • Sellersville, PA 18960

• • • • • • • • •

Propane Heating & Air-Conditioning Furnaces & Baseboard Heat Attic Fans, Humidifiers, & Electronic Air Cleaners Installation & Service of All Propane Appliances Gasoline & Diesel Fuel Deliveries Motor Oils & Lubricants Budget Plans & Prompt Payment Discounts Senior Citizen Discounts

359 West Dublin Pike • Perkasie, PA 18944 Toll Free: 1-888-585-BLUE (2583) Phone: 215-249-3575

w w w. b l u e f l a m e g a s . c o m PA HIC #018917

West Rockhill Township 1028 Ridge Road Sellersville, PA 18960

PRST STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID DOYLESTOWN, PA PERMIT NO. 640

Spring 2015 Newsletter

WEST ROCKHILL TOWNSHIP Penn DOT Roads in West Rockhill Township

Spring 2015 Newsletter This Community Newsletter is produced for West Rockhill Township by Hometown Press 215.257.1500 • All rights reserved®

M

any residents are not aware that major roads in West Rockhill Township are state roads maintained by Penn DOT. The Township does not plow, repair, or set speed limits on Penn DOT roads. Please call the Penn DOT Bucks County Maintenance Office directly for complaints or concerns about state roads at 215-345-6060. Penn DOT Roads in West Rockhill Township: • Allentown Road • Finland Road • Lawn Avenue from • Bethlehem Pike Ridge Road to • Cat Hill Road Farmers Lane • County Line Road

To Place An Ad Call Denise At Hometown Press • 510-526-1473 • [email protected] Gift Certificates Available

BYOB

• Ridge Road • Ridge Valley Road • South Main Street • State Road

West Rockhill-Sellersville Holiday House Pool Look at the crystal clear water and clear blue skies. The sunny days and warm temps will be here before we realize it! The pool will open Sunday, May 24th.

Come out and See the Renewed Holiday House Pool!

FREE WiFi

Capital Improvements made in 2014 include: Hot water showers, Universal Access improvements to the front walkway and showers, lockers, new umbrellas, new pool coping, deck repair and sandblasting and re-painting the pool.

PIZZERIA & RESTAURANT 215-257-5555 • Sellersville • 218 S. Main St. • Pick Up Window

Skippack

Green Lane

Rt. 73 & 113

Rt. 29

Pennsburg 337 Main St.

610-584-4451

215-234-9222

215-679-6000

Pick Up Window

Sunday-Thursday 11am-10pm Friday & Saturday 11am-11pm

www.chiarospizza.com

During the summer, we will have all types of events: • The favorite Burger and Birch event • A few afternoons with the DJ playing your favorite tunes

215-257-2144

Jeffrey F. Gahman, Supervisor

Applications for season tickets will be available mid-April • Two 2-week sessions of swim lessons at the Sellersville Borough Building and posted at throughout the WI-FI is www.westrockhilltownship.org summer free! Ticket prices are the same as last year. • Flick and Float

Holiday House Pool • 801 Washington Avenue, Sellersville, PA 18960

The 4th Annual Fishing Derby

Bernard Suess Funeral Home, Inc. 606 Arch Street, Perkasie, PA

The pool is also available for parties.

T

he West Rockhill Township Fishing Derby will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 25. Cash prizes will be awarded to three children who catch the largest trout and prizes will be awarded in several age groups. Grab your children or grandchildren and your fishing rods and plan to be at the James Memorial Park Pond on April 25!

Funeral Pre-Planning & Pre-Financing Cremation Services & Casket Selection Room

Over 95 years of Service to the Pennridge Community

Considerate, Respectful and Honest Service When You Need It The Most

1028 Ridge Road, Sellersville, PA 18960 • Phone: 215-257-9063 • westrockhilltownship.org