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.

February 1st and 15th at 7:30 p.m. Township Supervisors 

January  28th at 7:00 p.m. Benner Township Planning Commission - Meeting is cancelled so that the Commission can attend the public meeting on the Spring Creek Canyon at 6:00 p.m. at the Benner Elementary School - 490 Buffalo Run Road, Bellefonte, PA  16823.  

February 16th 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.


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

These prices are $10 to $12 lower than most residents are currently paying.  Service will include two bulk pick up times a year.  The Township would eliminate riff raff week at the Township Building at an approximate cost savings of $11,000.  No more hauling your stuff to the Township Building.  There will be curbside leaf and brush collection twice a year as well as Christmas tree collection at curbside.

Benefits of going to this way of trash collection include:

    *Lower trash bills.

    *Recycling for residents at your curb.

    *Bulk waste collection for residents at your curb.

    *Curbside brush and leaf collection twice a year.

    *Garbage trucks only making one trip in developments per week.

    *Not smelling garbage that people burn that they shouldn't be.

Commercial businesses will not be included in the trash collection contract.  Commercial businesses will choose which company they wish to have collect their garbage.  Businesses will be required to recycle.

The board held a meeting on July 20th to hear from residents on their questions and concerns prior to making their final decision.  Residents were sent notification of this meeting by postcard.   

The Board of Supervisors at their August 3rd meeting approved a motion joining the contract for garbage and recycling with the Centre Region using the contractor of Veolia. 

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.


Regional Waste Management System Evaluation Spring, Benner & Walker Townships

As reported in the last issue of Crossroads, the Benner Township Board of Supervisors is considering adopting a mandatory trash collection ordinance.  We are including a copy of this study, here, on our website with the hope that it will answer some of the questions that we have been receiving.  Please click here to review the study.  It may take a few minutes for the study to load as it is a large file.


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.  

2009 Occupational Privilege Taxes

Benner Township's EMT 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 January 20, 2010.