Scheduled for Wednesday, January 20th at 7:30 pm
will be held on-line at zoom.us
Pike Township
810 Hill Church Road
Boyertown PA 19512
Phone: 610-987-6023
Fax: 610-987-0116 Email: piketownship@juno.com
Office Hours: Tuesdays 10 am - 3 pm Wednesdays 8 am - 1 pm Thursdays 10 am - 3 pm |
Welcome to the Pike Township Website
I am pleased to welcome you to the Pike Township website. Our website provides a central location to obtain draft agendas for regular meetings, copies of ordinances, lists of members of the various committees, contact information, Township background and history, and information on “happenings” in Pike Township. I encourage residents to visit the site frequently and to get involved in their areas of interest.
Jeffrey E. Gorrin, Chairman,
Pike Township Board of Supervisors
PIKE TOWNSHIP,
BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
PROCLAMATION OF LOCAL DISASTER EMERGENCY
WHEREAS, a novel coronavirus (now known as “COVID-19”) emerged in Wuhan, China, began infecting humans in December 2019, and has since spread to eighty-nine (89) countries, including the United States; and
WHEREAS, the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) have declared COVID-19 a “public health emergency of international concern,” and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) Secretary has declared that COVID-19 creates a public health emergency; and
WHEREAS, Donald J. Trump, President of the United States, by authority of the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including Sections 201 and 301 of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601, et seq.) and consistent with Section 1135 of the Social Security Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1320b-5), declared that the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States constitutes a national emergency, beginning March 1, 2020; and
WHEREAS, Thomas W. Wolf, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (“Commonwealth”), pursuant to the provisions of Subsection 730(c) of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Services Code, 35 Pa. C.S. § 7101, et seq., proclaimed the existence of a disaster emergency throughout the Commonwealth on March 6, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the Commonwealth, in collaboration with the CDC, HHS and local health agencies to monitor and plan for the containment and subsequent mitigation of COVID-19, activated its Department Operations Center and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency’s headquarters to conduct public health and medical coordination for COVID-19 throughout the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, on March 4, 2020 the Director of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency ordered the activation of its Commonwealth Response Coordination Center in support of the Department of Health’s Department Operations Center, to maintain situational awareness and coordinate the response to any potential COVID-19 impacts across the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, as of March 20, 2020 there are two hundred sixty eight (268) confirmed and/or presumed positive cases of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, while it is anticipated that a high percentage of those affected by COVID-19 will experience mild influenza-like symptoms, COVID-19 is a disease capable of causing severe symptoms or loss of life, particularly to older populations and those individuals with pre-existing conditions; and
WHEREAS, with two hundred sixty eight (268) presumed positive cases of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth as of March 20, 2020, the possible increased threat from COVID-19 constitutes a threat of imminent disaster to the health of the citizens of the Township; and
WHEREAS, this threat of imminent disaster and emergency has the potential to cause significant adverse impacts upon the population throughout the Township; and
WHEREAS, this threat of imminent disaster and emergency has already caused schools, including but not limited to Oley Valley School District, to close and will likely prompt additional local measures, including the declaration by other local municipal governments to declare local disaster emergencies because of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, it is critical to prepare for and to be ready to respond to cases of COVID-19 in Pike Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania (“Township”) by implementing measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and to permit the Township to be eligible for any and all federal, state and county disaster emergency funds that may become available; and
WHEREAS, this threat of imminent disaster and emergency situation throughout the Township is of such magnitude and severity as to require the activation of the and all applicable Township emergency management and emergency response plans.
NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to Subsection 7501(b) of the Pennsylvania Emergency and the Pennsylvania Management Services Code, 35 Pa. C.S. § 7101, et seq., as amended, I do hereby authorize Jeffrey Gorrin, Chairman of the Township Board of Supervisors (“Chairman”), or his designee, for a period of seven (7) days from the date of this Declaration, which period of time may be extended by resolution of Township Board of Supervisors, to assume command and control of all Township emergency operations and authorize and direct that the Township utilize all available resources and personnel as is deemed necessary by the Chairman from time to time to cope with this emergency situation, for such length of time as may be necessary to response to this emergency situation, in order to activate the response and recovery aspects of applicable local emergency management and emergency response plans and to authorize the furnishing of aid and assistance thereunder.
FURTHER, I hereby transfer to the Chairman, or his designee, such amounts of Township unused funds as may be approved by the Board of Supervisors from time to time during this emergency situation for Emergency Management Assistance expenses related to this emergency, as conditions require. The aforementioned funds shall be used for expenses authorized by the Board of Supervisors and incurred related to this emergency. I hereby direct that any funds transferred herein that remain unused after all costs related to this emergency have been satisfied shall be returned to the Township’s general fund. This Proclamation shall serve as the written determination of the basis for such emergency.
FURTHER, I hereby suspend all or any provisions of any Township ordinance or resolution if strict compliance with the provisions thereof would in any way prevent, hinder or delay necessary action in coping with this emergency. The Chairman may implement emergency assignments without regard to procedures required by other Township ordinances or resolutions, except mandatory constitutional requirements, pertaining to performance of public work, incurring of obligations, employment of temporary workers, rental of equipment, purchase of supplies and materials, and expenditures of Township public funds, as may be necessary to meet this emergency, all without regard to those time consuming procedures and formalities normally prescribed by law, mandatory constitutional requirements excepted.
FURTHER, I hereby authorize the Chairman to use all available Township resources and personnel in whatever manner the Chairman reasonably deems necessary during this emergency to assist in addressing the consequences of this emergency for such length of time as may be necessary to respond to this emergency and as authorized by this Proclamation, as may be extended by the Board of Supervisors.
FURTHER, I hereby direct that any and all applicable Township emergency management and emergency response plans be activated and that any and all actions be taken as may be necessary to implement such plans, including but not limited to implementing curfews and closing Township-owned properties and Township parks, all of which shall be coordinated and implemented through the Chairman.
Board of Supervisors Regular Monthly meetings: 7:30 pm, 1st Tues, as follows:
Feb 2 Mar 2 Apr 6 May 4 June 8 Jul 6 Aug 3 Sep 7 Oct 5 Nov 2 Dec 7
Environmental Advisory Council monthly meetings: 7:30 pm, 2nd Mon, as follows (as necessary):Planning and Zoning Commission meetings: 7:30 pm, 3rd Wed, as follows (as necessary):
Jan 20 Feb 17 Mar 17 Apr 21 May 19 June 16 Jul 21 Aug 18 Sep 15 Oct 20 Nov 17 Dec 15
Zoning Hearing Board: as advertised
Emergency Preparedness Special Needs Survey
The East Central PA Counter Terrorism Task Force (ECPCTTF) is a cooperative effort of Berks, Columbia, Luzerne, Montour, Northumberland, Schuylkill, and Wyoming counties. The task force is organized to assist member agencies with tools, strategies and guidance in their efforts toward an all hazards approach to emergency preparedness. This project, the ECPCTTF Special Needs Survey, is an example of these efforts. For the purpose of this project, a special needs individual is someone who is likely to require assistance in excess of that provided to the general public in a time of disaster, particularly in the event that large scale evacuation is necessary. These special needs could include, but are not limited to, requiring specialized medical equipment, difficulty walking, blindness, deafness, or being bedridden. They could also include having limited access to transportation, not understanding directions public safety officials will provide due to language barriers, and not being able to receive those directions due to not having access to television, internet or radio.
The information entered in this database will be used by emergency responders to better identify and assist those individuals in our community who may be least able to help themselves in times of disaster. For more information and to register, you can access the survey using this link: Special Needs Survey
If you would prefer completing this survey offline, you can download a copy of the survey with this link: Downloadable Special Needs Survey
In the summer, Spotted Lanternfly become more mobile and increase in size and strength, specifically around the month of July. This means that these insects will be more visible and able to travel further distances. This year, improved control methods have been introduced for property owners, with the release of modified circle traps. Sticky bands are still effective, however circle traps are better at catching the adult Spotted Lanternfly and assist in minimizing the ecological impact on non-target species. The circle trap is made of mesh and wraps completely around the tree. As Spotted Lanternfly climb the tree, the mesh guides it up into a collection bag in which it is unable to escape. The bag can be replaced as it fills up, while the rest of the trap remains in place throughout the season. To purchase a trap, visit: https://www.greatlakesipm.com/product_search/?q=spotted%20la To make your own trap, visit: https://extension.psu.edu/how-to-build-a-new-type-of-spotted-lanternfly-trap-called-a-circ le-trap When you leave your home this summer, don't forget to take precautions that prevent Spotted Lanternfly from traveling with you from place-to-place. Egg masses look like a splash of mud and can be hidden on any flat surface while easily blending in and moving with you anywhere that you go. Be sure to check all vehicles, trailers, campers, and other equipment including around front and rear windshield wipers, grills, roof racks, wheel wells, and truck beds. With this, a Spotted Lanternfly permit is required for all businesses, agencies and organizations, agricultural and non-agricultural, working within a quarantine zone, which move regulated articles, such as products, vehicles, and other conveyances, within or from a quarantine zone. The goal of the permitting process is education. Through the permit course, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences explain the risks to Pennsylvania's economy and residents' quality of life, how to identify the insect in all stages of its life, and how to prevent the spread. You can contact the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture team with questions on permitting and assistance with quarantine compliance at slfpermit@pa.gov or 717-787-5674. Contact the Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences' team for help with questions on Spotted Lanternfly management or to report SLF sightings at extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly or 1-888-422-3359. |
The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today urged all Pennsylvanians to test their homes for radon, a deadly radioactive gas thats the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers in the United States. DEP also urged residents to take action to reduce radon levels in their homes if they are high.Due to our geology, radon is found everywhere in Pennsylvania. For that reason, we urge residents to test their homes to protect themselves and their family's health, said DEP Secretary John Quigley. Winter is the best time to test your home for radon because doors and windows are typically closed and tightly sealed, producing the most accurate results.January is Radon Action Month, and a great time to test. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sets the action level for radon at 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) of air. Residents with levels at or above that figure should take steps to lower them.Testing for radon is the only way to know if a home, school, workplace or other structure has elevated concentrations of radon. Test kits can be purchased at most hardware or home improvement stores at an average cost of $15 to $25 per test. If you are uncomfortable doing the testing yourself you can hire a state-certified radon tester, or if you are selling your home and want a radon test, it is best to hire a certified tester. The cost of a mitigation system typically ranges around $1,000.Pennsylvania law requires all radon service providers, such as radon testers, radon mitigators and radon laboratories to be certified by DEP. The list of Pennsylvania-certified radon service providers is updated monthly and available on DEP's website. You can also obtain a hard copy of the directory or verify a company's certification by calling 800-23RADON.In 2014, the highest radon level ever recorded in the U.S. was found in a home in Lehigh County.The concentration measured was 3,715 pCi/L, more than 900 times EPA's action level of 4 pCi/L. DEP recommended the owners vacate their home until it could be remediated to safe levels.Approximately 20,000 lung cancer deaths per year are attributable to radon exposure so the threat is very real,†said Secretary of Health Dr. Karen Murphy. Radon exposure combined with smoking is a particularly lethal combination so we encourage everyone to take steps to reduce their risk.If you are building a new home, DEP recommends installing a passive radon system during construction. If high radon levels are found when the home is completed, a fan can be readily installed. There are good reasons to install a radon system during construction:There is no reliable way to test the ground in advance for radon.The average residential radon level in Pennsylvania is 7-8 picocuries per liter.The cost of installing the radon system during construction should be less than installing one after the fact.Building the radon system internally should keep aesthetics of the home intact. If radon is not addressed during construction, an outside radon system may be required if the radon test comes back greater than 4 picocuries per liter.For people buying or selling a home, Pennsylvania's Real Estate Seller Disclosure Act requires sellers to disclose the results of any known radon testing. DEP's website lists radon testing options for real estate transactionsDEP, in cooperation with Commonwealth Media Services, has produced a public service announcement about the importance of radon testing. The PSA is currently airing on Pennsylvania, television and radio stations during January. The PSA is available on DEP's YouTube Channel.For more information about radon testing and radon resistant construction, visit DEP's website at www.dep.pa.gov/radon.MEDIA CONTACT: Susan Rickens, 717-787-1323
