Welcome to Benner Township's Web site!

    This Web site has been established to provide information to the citizens of the Township and others who are interested in our community. The site will be updated as often as possible to reflect current information. However, the Supervisors of Benner Township do not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein. For the most up-to-date information, contact the Township office at 814-355-1419.       

June 4th at 7:30 p.m. Benner Township Supervisors Meeting.  

May 21, 2012 @ 7:30 p.m.- Township Supervisor, John Elnitski, will have the municipal building open for any residents who would like to discuss township matters with him.

May 24th at 7:00 p.m. Benner Township Planning Commission.  

June 19th at 6:30 p.m. Benner Township Water Authority 

Meetings will be held in the meeting room at the Municipal Building (unless noted otherwise)


Summer Park & Rec:   Dates for the program are June 25th - August 3rd.  The program is for children ages 5 to 12.  Click here for the cover sheet and here for registration forms.  


Upcoming Important Events

Spring Bulk Pick Up - On your regular trash day the week of May 14th.  Guidelines are outlined in your Spring Crossroads newsletter.


2011 Earned Income Tax 

Need tax forms and information on filing your 2011 local taxes?  Centre Tax Agency is the office that you will need to contact.  Their phone number is (814) 278-4709.  Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.   Click here for a blank form and directions.  You may also file your tax return electronically by logging on to: www.STATECOLLEGEPA.US  Tax returns are due by 4/17/12.


Leaf Collection is now over.  We ask residents to please follow the procedures that will be outlined in the 2012 Fall Crossroads newsletter for next years' collection dates and procedures.  Benner Township residents are required to call in and be placed on the pick up list.  This procedure eliminates wasted time and resources by allowing staff to plan an effective pick up route.   


Click here to view the Spring 2009 Crossroads newsletter.

Click here to view the Winter 2009 Crossroads newsletter.

Click here to view the Spring 2010 Crossroads newsletter.

Click here to view the Fall 2010 Crossroads newsletter.

Click here to view the Spring 2011 Crossroads newsletter.

Click here to view the Fall 2011 Crossroads newsletter.

Click here to view the Spring 2012 Crossroads newsletter.


State Prison Emergencies - Notification System

Several years ago, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections began using an automated telephone dialing system to notify citizens on an emergency at any of its state prisons.

The currently used system- called RapidNotify- is instructed by DOC officials to call listed phone numbers within a one to two mile radius of a state prison and play a message regarding a variety of prison emergencies.  This system can literally dial and deliver messages to thousands of phone numbers in a matter of minutes.

NOTE:  Individuals who have unlisted phone numbers and who want to receive the emergency notification can have their phone number added to the system by calling SCI Rockview at (814) 355-4874.

AlertPA - The New System . . . Your Action is Required

In late 2009, the DOC began using a second, additional system to notify citizens.  This second system is called AlertPA.  AlertPA quickly sends emergency messages via text messages to cell phones, pagers and e-mail addresses. Voice notification also is an option.  Individuals can register for AlertPA by going to www.pa.gov and clicking on Alerts & Advisories.   Users can choose the method of notification and select what type of information they would to receive.  The Web site also contains a Frequently Asked Questions page, and citizens should understand that standard texting rates may apply.  To receive text alerts from this system, you MUST allow e-mail messaging to your phone.

Individuals are encourage to sign up for the AlertPA system, because the DOC plans to end its contract with RapidNotify in the future.  However, before ending the contract, DOC officials want to ensure that everyone who wants to be notified will be notified.  Therefore, since you have to opt into this system, we need you to register, which a majority of people can do via the Internet.

The only concern DOC officials have is for those citizens who do not have access to the Internet.  Internet access is required to sign up with AlertPA.

Therefore, citizens who do not have Internet access should contact the Critical Incident Manager at the Rockview State Prison by calling (814) 355-4874.  The Critical Incident Manager will take their information and then enter it into the AlertPA system for them.

Officials want to ensure that citizens are utilizing the AlertPA system before ending it contract with RapidNotify. Don't delay, please sign up today.


The Township's trash hauler is Veolia Environmental Services.  They can be reached by calling (814) 237-3713.

Rate Schedule 2012  

Level of service

Monthly Trash Rate

Monthly Recycling Rate

Monthly Total

Quarterly (billing) Total

Curbside Unlimited Service

$12.35

$2.95

$15.30

$45.90

Curbside Low-Usage Service

$9.30

$2.95

$12.25

$36.75

Door Service (Unlimited) (+$2.50/mo.)

$14.85

$2.895

$17.80

$53.40

Door Service (Low-Usage) (+$2.50/mo.)

$11.80

$2.95

$14.75

$44.25

Below is the ordinance that was adopted by the Board of Supervisors meeting to be held on December 7, 2009.  

       Ordinance 105  


Zoning Ordinance Adopted

Benner Township's new  Zoning Ordinance was adopted on April 20, 2009. Click here to view the ordinance. (this is a very large file and will take a few minutes to download)

We encourage all residents with any questions to call the Zoning Officer, Vaughn Zimmerman on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 355-1419.


Rockview Land Divestment News

The Spring Creek Canyon Conservation Strategy: A Master Plan and Management Plan for the Spring Canyon, completed by the consulting firm of Environmental Planning and Design of Pittsburgh, is available for review and download.

Spring Creek Canyon Overlay Ordinance

The Benner Township Board of Supervisors in conjunction with the Benner Township Planning Commission and consultants, Environmental Planning and Design have written an Overlay Ordinance for the Spring Creek Canyon Property and some surrounding properties.  Ordinance 108 was adopted on February 7, 2011. To review this ordinance click here.   To review the overlay map, click here.


Real Estate Taxes

Benner Township's real estate tax collector is Janet Houser.  Janet will have office hours each Wednesday evening from 5 to 7 in her home.  Her address is 1101 Valley View Road, Bellefonte, PA  16823.  The tax office phone number is (814) 355-2441

Earned Income Taxes

Need earned income tax forms?  Please call the Centre Tax Agency at (814)278-4709.  Starting January 2011, Benner Township has decided to opt in early with the Act 32 tax collection changes.  What this means is that our taxes will begin to be collected by the Centre Tax Agency instead of the Bellefonte Area School District.  If you would prefer to email the Tax Agency, their email address is: centretaxagency@statecollegepa.us   Their mailing address is P.O. Box 437, State College, PA  16804-0437  

2012 Local Service Taxes

Benner Township's LST Tax (Previously known as the Occupational Privilege tax) is now $52.00 beginning January 1, 2009.   Five of the fifty-two dollars is retained by the Bellefonte Area School District. The Centre Tax Agency office acts as the tax collector for this tax.  Their office can be reached at (814)278-4709.


Looking for a unique gift?  There are still a number of  the Benner Township History Books available.  This hard bound book titled: 

Benner Township 150 Years of Families, Forging, Farming, Fishing and Flying 

is now available at the cost of $15.00.   This book is filled with pictures and lots of stories about the families that settled here in Benner Township and the industries that followed.  Stop by the office during regular business hours or call 355-1419 for a list of evening hours for your copy.


Nittany Valley Comprehensive Plan

 


Need to file a complaint?


BAC

Benner Township's BAC (Boards, Authorities, and Commissions) Bank is seeking interested people who reside in the Township and have a concern for the well-being of the community to be available to give service by volunteering for positions that become open on the various Boards, Authorities, and Commissions/Committees that are appointed by the Supervisors. The Township needs dedicated people who are willing to serve in many different capacities. If you have any particular talents, concerns or interests that you feel would be appropriate, please contact the Township Office at 355-1419 for more information.

   


This site has been developed and is maintained by Benner Township. This page was last updated on May 3, 2012.