Frequently Asked ??

Open Burning

Important Phone #s

Permit Information

Grass Clippings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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.

August 2nd and 16th at 7:30 p.m. Benner Township Supervisors.  

July 22nd at 7:00 p.m. Benner Township Planning Commission 

July 20th at 6:30 p.m. Benner Township Water Authority 

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

Click here to view the Spring 2008 Crossroads newsletter.

Click here to view the Summer 2008 Crossroads newsletter.

Click here to view the Winter 2008 Crossroads newsletter.

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.


Summer Park & Rec - June 28 through August 6

Summer Park and Recreation is scheduled for June 28 through August 6 for children ages 5 through 12.  Children need to be 5 by June 1 and no older than 12 by June 1.  This year’s theme is “Celebrating the Seasons”.   As a special treat this year, we will have a teacher coming to teach the kids the basics of Sign Language.    Camp  entrance fees remain the same this year—$30 per child for Benner Township residents and $120 per child for Non-residents.   Camp registration forms will be distributed to the Benner Elementary School in April.   If you need forms you may download them.  Click here to view the information sheet and here to download the registration forms.


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.


Township Wide Trash Collection Approved - 

For sometime, the Board of Supervisors have considered adopting mandatory trash and recycling collection ordinances.  This topic has been discussed in past issues of the Crossroads. The Township joined the Centre Region in seeking bids for trash collection.  The apparent low bidder for the upcoming contract was Veolia.  The prices quoted were:

        Unlimited Refuse/Recycling:  $15.10 month that will be billed quarterly at $45.30

        Low Usage (one can week)/Recycling:  $12.05/month that will be billed quarterly at $36.15

        Monthly door service, if requested, is an additional $2.50/month

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

The 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, Renee Swancer at 355-1448.


Rockview Land Divestment News

The Spring Creek Canyon Conservation Strategy: A Master Plan and Management Plan for the Spring Canyon has been completed by the consulting firm of Environmental Planning and Design of Pittsburgh and is now available for review and download. The plan can be accessed by clicking here. For additional information on the process, meetings, assessment data and other information, please visit the study's designated website at www.canyonplanning.com. The site will still be functional for a period of time. All information on that site will be moved to this site in the future.

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 been working on an Overlay Ordinance for the Spring Creek Canyon Property and some surrounding properties.  To review this draft document 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?  You can download them at www.basd.net  Go to tax office and then forms.  Pay careful attention to whether you need Benner Township or Benner Independent forms.  The school district tax office acts as the tax collector for this tax.  Their office can be reached at 355-4814 extension 3014.  

2010 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 school district tax office acts as the tax collector for this tax.  Their office can be reached at 355-4814 extension 3014.  


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.

We are currently looking for people to serve on the:

            Fall Festival Committee

            Haunted Halloween Trail Committee

            If you are interested, please call the township office at 355-1419.

 

   


This site has been developed and is maintained by Benner Township. This page was last updated on July 20, 2010.