EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
- Is Your Family Prepared for an Emergency Evacuation for 3 Days or More?

Home Emergency Supplies
Car Mini-Survival Kit
No-perishable food – store in clean coffee cans
Bottled water
First aid kit and book
Flares
Fire extinguishers – a-b-c type
Blanket or sleeping bag
Sealable plastic bags
Flashlight – fresh and spare batteries and bulbs
Essential medication
Tools – screwdriver, pliers
Short rubber hose – for siphoning
Small package of tissues
Pre-moistened towelettes
Local maps
Extra clothes, jeans, sweater
Sturdy shoes or boots

Storage of Emergency Supplies
Some families prefer to store their emergency supplies in one location. Choose a place in your home which would be relatively safe in a time of an earthquake (such as a closet or under a bed). The perishable supplies will remain stable longer if stored in a cool, dark location.

One suggested method for storing emergency supplies is to place them in a large, covered trash container. They can be layered as shown and all kept together in the large covered container.

* Note: It is best to store plastic water containers on top of the contents rather than on the bottom where they could possibly crack and leak from the weight of heavy objects placed on top of them.

TDD/TTY FOR THE HEARING & SPEECH IMPAIRED:
Warminster Township Administration Offices, Parks & Recreation, L&I Department, Public Works, & Five Ponds can be reached directly by contacting the Pennsylvania Telephone Relay Service at 1-800-654-5984 or via messages at the TDD/TTY machine at the Warminster Police Dept. at (215) 443-2973.

LEAF COLLECTION
Warminster Township does not offer a leaf collection program, other than what is offered by the trash company. The trash company has a schedule in place for the collection of grass and tree clippings. Please click here to download the PDF file for your collection times and days.

FALLING LEAVES OUTSIDE YOUR WINDOW?
With the leaves beginning to fall and the grass still growing, please remember to keep the curb areas in front of your property clear of grass and debris as per Township Ordinance #537. Please do not rake leaves or grass into the street or you risk being fined. Call the Township Administration @ (215)443-5414 or Police Department at (215)672-1000 to report anyone dumping debris on Township property or in the creeks.

TREE TRIMMING
In response to requests from Emergency Services to trim trees along the streets in Warminster, the Public Works Department will continue trimming all trees back to the curb edge on streets in Warminster Township. If you do not wish to have your limbs cut by the Public Works Department, you are advised to hire an arborist or tree company to perform this work at your expense as soon as possible. Public Works will trim trees as time permits. Please remember to keep sight distances at intersections free from bushes or trees, as this could cause a dangerous intersection. Residents whose property back up to the parks may trim any park tree limbs that overhang their property. The Parks Department will not perform work on private property unless our professional arborist determines that a hazard is present.

POOPER SCOOPER ORDINANCE #565
Ordinance #565 regulates animal defecation on public and private property and the disposal of animal feces. In short, pet owners are now required to clean up after their animals, not only in the parks, but on all public and private property throughout the Township, or face the possibility of a fine up to $1,000.

VOTING DISTRICTS
The following are a list of District Polling places and their locations. However, if you are unsure of your voting location, feel free to call Bucks County Voter Registration at 215-348-6169. Click here for a link to the Bucks County Voter information.

STREET CLEANING
We clean your streets! The Township performs an annual street cleaning on all streets under the care of Warminster Township. The schedule varies as to when the "sweeper" will be in your neighborhood. For a list of streets that are cared for by PennDOT and not the Township, please click here

. . . Old Computer Recycling Program
All sites are open 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM / Rain or Shine

• May 3: Lower Makefield Corporate Center, South Campus (770 Township Line Rd, Lower Makefield Township)
• June 21: Upper Bucks County Area Vo-Tech School (3115 Ridge Road, Bedminster Township)
• July 19: Middle Bucks Institute of Technology (2740 Old York Road (Rt. 263), Warwick Township)
• August 16: Bucks County Technical High School (610 Wistar Road, Bristol Township)
• September 27: Quakertown Community Pool (Mill Street, Quakertown Borough)

Things you can bring:
CPUs, monitors, printers, scanners, mice, keyboards, laptop computers & peripherals-including cords, power supplies & cables, portable TVs, oil-based paint, paint thinner, varnish, kerosene, gasoline, oil, pesticides, mercury, pool chemicals, ammonia, auto batteries, weed killer, rechargeable lithium batteries, propane tanks (20 lbs. or less) or “button-type” batteries.

Things you CAN NOT bring:
LATEX PAINT, appliances (with or without freon), asbestos, explosives, biological waste, household batteries (Alkaline), radioactive waste, tires, gas cylinders (greater than 20 lbs.), pressurized CFCs (greater than 1 lb.).

For more information contact: Bucks County Planning Commission @ (215) 345-3400 or visit www.buckscounty.org

New Year’s Day – Tuesday, January 1, 2008
President’s Day – Monday, February 18
Good Friday – Friday, March 21 
Memorial Day – Monday, May 26
Independence Day- Friday, July 4
Labor Day-Monday, September 1
Veteran’s Day- Tuesday, November 11
Thanksgiving Day – Thursday, November 27
Day after Thanksgiving – Friday, November 28
Christmas Day – Thursday, December 25, 2008

On April 26, 2007, the Board of Supervisors passed a resolution committing to use 20% clean, renewable energy by 2010 for all municipal buildings and facilities. Making this clean energy commitment is the first threshold necessary for Warminster Township to ultimately qualify as a Clean Energy Community, demonstrating leadership in helping to create a healthier community, solve the global climate crisis and declare energy independence.

As part of this campaign, the municipality will receive a FREE solar energy system worth $10,000 when 200 new customers in our community sign up their home or business for clean energy. Help Warminster Township become a Clean Energy Community by signing up today! Just visit www.cleanyourair.org or fill out a sign up form at the township building. It’s an easy and inexpensive way to make a difference!

The Pennsylvania Clean Energy Communities Campaign is an initiative of the Pennsylvania Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) and SmartPower, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting clean energy. To learn more about the campaign and to see how many people in the township have already signed up, visit the PA Clean Energy Communities Campaign website: http://communities.trfund.com. Clean energy is real, it’s here, and it’s working in Warminster Township.

Parks & Recreation is using the Township website to help improve our programs and activities for the residents. Throughout the year, watch the website for a series of poll questions to improve our winter, summer, and fall programs. Public response can only make our programs better! We hope you will participate.

Starting April 1 - No Plastic Bags for Yard Waste
To collect trash & recyclables more efficiently, JP Mascaro & Sons, the contracted trash removal service for Warminster Township, has broken the Township into eight sections. If you need a trash information brochure to find your yard waste day, call Warminster Township at (215) 443-5414.

• Trash: Mascaro will pick up a maximum of 6 cans or bags per collection day. All trash should be out by 6 AM. No construction or demolition debris is accepted.
• Bulk Items: Picked up on the 2nd collection day each week; one bulk item/week. Twigs and branches should be cut into 3 ft. lengths, bundled and placed out as a bulk item. 10 bundles max. 10 logs or 1 stump as a bulk item. Carpet must be cut into three foot strips, rolled and tied, up to 10 rolls. Freon items (AC units, dehumidifiers, refrigerators, freezers) are a special pick-up item. You must call JP Mascaro at 1-800-432-1616 to schedule a freon pick up.
• Recyclables: #1 & #2 plastic containers, cans & glass bottles can be mixed together in an open container marked RECYCLING. If using a trash can for recycling, it can be no larger than the 20 gallon size. Newspapers should be placed in brown paper bags or tied in bundles and placed on the top of recycling. Untied or un-bagged newspapers will not be collected.
• Yard Waste: defined as leaves or grass clippings, are picked up in biodegradable bags or loose in cans - NO PLASTIC BAGS! Yard waste program is from April 1 to Dec 15. Maximum yard waste collection is 10 bags/week. No branches, stumps or logs. Questions? Call JP Mascaro at 1-800-432-1616 or the Township at (215) 443-5414, Mon-Fri, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM.

Channels 22 & 45 and LED Sign Community organizations who are interested in placing items on Channel 22 (Comcast), Channel 45 (Verizon) or the Township LED sign at York & Street Rds, should send info to administration@warminstertownship.org. Hopefully residents are enjoying the new and informative formats. More changes will take place in the future. Watch for them!

If you are planning a Block Party, please stop in the Parks and Rec. office or download the “party” form @ www.warminstertownship.org/recreation to complete your permit so that you may receive barricades. This ensures a safe and fun event!

Picnic Kits are portable sport bags filled with a variety of sports equipment. They are available with a $30/kit deposit. Half of all deposits will be returned when equipment is returned in good order. To reserve your kit, call (215) 443-5428.

Dog Licenses Required
Attention Township Residents! According to Pennsylvania State Law, all dogs three (3) months of age or older must have a current dog license and a current rabies vaccination administered by a licensed veterinarian***. Dog licenses are available at the Warminster Tax Collector's office located at 401 Gibson Avenue, Suite 1. Dog licenses are also available at the Bucks County Treasurer’s office, Doylestown PA. Or you may contact them directly for other agents at (215) 348-6244.

Noise Ordinance
Pet owners should be aware that Warminster Township has an ordinance in place regarding un-provoked incessant noise made by animals***. For more info regarding this and other Pennsylvania State Dog Laws, contact Craig Claycomb, Animal Control Officer (215) 443-7592 ext. 34. *** Violators are subject to $300-$600 fines for non-compliance***

Building? Get A Permit!
Summer is a great time for renovations! Since 2004, the Licenses and Inspections Department has operated under the Uniform Construction Code (UCC). All building and construction, whether or not a permit is required to be taken from L&I, must meet the minimum UCC requirements. Tool sheds, in-ground and above-ground pools, alterations and additions, fireplaces, woodstoves, and fireplace inserts, concrete replacement, patio roofs, tank removal and installation, HVAC, accessory structures, roofing, siding, fences, decks, and attached/detached garages, are just some of the items that may require permits or zoning approvals.

Please contact the Dept. of Licenses & Inspections, 910 W. Bristol Road or (215) 443-5423, for details on how to secure a permit or zoning approval. Be sure that a reputable contractor is hired to perform work on your property. All contractors who perform any kind of construction work in the Township must have a current license and an updated Certificate of Insurance on record with the L&I Dept. A homeowner may do construction to his property, but like the contractor, is required to have construction drawings, plot plans, paperwork, and fees must be submitted for approval before issuance of the permit or zoning approval.

HOUSE NUMBER DISPLAY
It’s the LAW…the owners of buildings and homes within Warminster Township are required to display the building or house number. The number must be readily seen from the street or highway. Numbers on homes need to be at least 3 inches high and in contrasting color, while commercial, industrial and institutional buildings need to have numbers at least 6 inches high and in contrasting color. If your Emergency Services can’t find you, they can’t help you. Warminster Township Code Ordinance 615, Section 304.3

ADVISORY: Ordinance 635 - Permit required for fences
In the best interest of the health, safety and welfare of the residents of Warminster Township, Supervisors amended the Zoning Code Ordinance to prohibit the construction of fences closer to the street than the front of a house and to require a permit for the erection of any fence. The aesthetic quality of residential neighborhoods, ensuring clear site distance for the traveling public, and the homeowners’ ability to safely enter and exit their driveways are all concerns of the Supervisors.

• Be sure that you or your fence installer comes into the Department of Licenses & Inspections for approval of location of fence to meet the Zoning Code and related amendments.
• Acquire a permit before any fence is installed on your property.
• Fence installers and contractors must be registered and licensed with the Township before any work can begin. The contractor’s up-to-date Certificate of Insurance must be on record at L & I.
• Be sure you know where your property line is located. Survey of the property is not required, but is recommended. Property line disputes are a civil matter between you and your neighbor(s). Warminster Township does not determine property line locations.
Please contact the Department of Licenses & Inspections at 910 W. Bristol Road or 215/443-5423 for details on how to secure a fence permit.

BEWARE OF UNLICENSED CONTRACTORS!
Warning Signs
• Unsolicited phone calls or visits
• High pressure sales pitches or scare tactics
• Large down payments
• No verifiable address or phone number
• Unwillingness to give you a price
• Unwillingness to sign a written contract
• Insurance or licensing info you cannot verify

Thirteen Steps to Hiring a Contractor
• Seek a referral from someone you know who is happy with his or her contractors’ work
• Solicit bids from at least three contractors
• Be wary of proposals that are much lower than any other proposal
• Contact the Better Business Bureau to check out any contractors that submit bids
• Insist on a written contract that outlines your entire agreement including starting and completion dates.
• Have an attorney review any documents before you sign them, include contracts, warranties and plans
• Make sure there are no blank spaces on anything you sign
• Insist upon a written warranty on all materials and work
• Get all building permits and variance before start he project and identify contract on the application
• Inspect all work before signing a completion certificate
• Withhold final payment until the entire project is finished and inspected
• Get a contractors’ affidavit that all subcontractor and material supplied have been paid before making a final payment
• Report any misrepresentations, shoddy work, failure to honor contracts, unlicensed contractors or other problems to the appropriate licensing board.

As summer time fast approaches and everyone is enjoying grilling outdoors, please keep in mind some safety tips to keep you safe.

• When using your grill - either propane or charcoal - position the grill a safe distance away from siding, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
• Keep children and pets away from the grill area: declare a three–foot “safe zone” around the grill.
• Never store propane gas cylinders in buildings or garages. If you store a gas grill inside during the winter, disconnect the cylinder and leave it outside.
• Periodically remove grease or fat buildup on trays below grill so it cannot be ignited by a hot grill.
• Check your propane grill, including tanks and hoses, for any damage. You can use a light soap and water solution applied to the hose and fittings to check for leaks. If a leak occurs have your grill serviced by a professional before using it again.
• Never use propane or charcoal grills indoors, or any enclosed spaces such as tents. They may pose both a fire hazard and the risk of exposing the occupants to toxic gases and potential asphyxiation.

Vacation Safety If you’re planning a vacation and would like some extra peace of mind that your house is safe, please visit the Township website at www.warminstertownship.org to complete a Vacation Notice Form, so that the Police Department is aware that you are away.

National Night Out!
Please join in the fun to help make National Night Out a success! Warminster Township and the United States Navy would like to invite everyone to a night of fun, games and safety displays. Join us on Monday, August 4, 2008 from 6-8 PM for the Pre-“National Night Out” Festivities. Tuesday evening, August 5, 2008
Please join in the spirit of National Night Out by coming outside and meeting your neighbors. Remember, as a sign of participation and unity, we are asking everyone to turn their outside house lights on. For more information about National Night Out, please visit the website: www.natw.org

Citizens and Junior Police Academies
Warminster Township Police Department announces “Citizens and Junior Police Academies”. Come meet the men and women of the Warminster Township Police Department and learn first hand about the complex and satisfying field of law enforcement. Participants will learn about: Accident Investigations; Criminal Investigations; Forensics; Special Operations (SWAT & MIRT); K-9; Patrol Tactics; Bicycle Patrol; Pennsylvania Law and Statutes; Constitutional Law. Look for more information and registration information in the fall of 2008.

If You See It, Report It . . . ON-LINE If you see a downed traffic sign or road hazard on the way to work, let us know when you get there! Visit the Township web site at www.warminstertownship.org and complete a Repair Form. This will help us know what is wrong and how we can fix the problem.

Yard Waste Ordinance #537
Problems with neighborhood flooding prompted the Board of Supervisors to pass an ordinance to reduce yard waste and debris in the street gutters. The ordinance states “it shall be the duty of each owner or occupant of property bordering on a street in Warminster Township to maintain and keep the street and gutter adjacent to the property free and clear of leaves, leaf waste and other yard waste. It shall be unlawful, and a violation, for any person to deposit or otherwise allow the accumulation of leaves, leaf waste or any other yard waste in any street or gutter in Warminster Township.” To help keep our sewer and storm water management system flowing, please be sure that neither you nor your lawn care contractor blow clippings, leaves, etc into the street or you may be fined.

Nine Things You Can Do to Prevent Storm Water Runoff Pollution
When it rains, storm water is collected by the Township’s storm sewer system and carried directly to the nearby streams and creeks. It is Warminster’s responsibility to monitor the storm sewer system for pollutants. In the case of storm water, a pollutant is basically anything other than rain water. Below are 9 simple things every home owner and/or business owner can do to help reduce pollutants in rain water carried to Warminster’s streams and creeks. By making an effort to keep our rain water clean you are helping the township and the environment. For even more information on Stormwater pollution and what you can do to help, check out PA Department of Environmental Protection - http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/ (DEP Keyword: stormwater)

• Use fertilizers sparingly and sweep up driveways, sidewalks, and roads.
• Never dump anything down storm drains.
• Vegetate bare spots in your yard.
• Compost your yard waste.
• Avoid pesticides; learn about Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
• Direct downspouts away from paved surfaces.
• Take your car to the car wash instead of washing it in the driveway or wash it on the grass so car wash waste is filtered naturally.
• Check car for leaks, and recycle motor oil.
• Always pick up after your pet.

a diamond in the rough…or a gem on the green Five Ponds celebrates its twenty year anniversary this golf season. Some well known and some less known facts about Five Ponds are that revenues generated from the golf course operations over the past twenty years have:

1. Helped finance over $1M for construction of the Ben Wilson Senior Center.
2. Paid over $5M towards the Township’s general obligation bonds
3. Contributed over $3M to Township’s general operating funds

Five Ponds also received the Best in Bucks Award for 4 of the last 7 years and was rated among the top 25 golf courses nationally according to Golf.net in 2007

WTHS Summer Volleyball Clinics

• Girls (entering 5th-9th grade)
  Jul. 28-Aug 1 9 AM-2 PM @ Wm Tennent HS. Fee: $100.
  For info, contact BassBr@centennialsd.org
• Boys (entering 5th-10th grade) Aug. 4-8.
  For youth interested in playing competitive volleyball at the high school level by developing core volleyball skills in a fun and supportive environment. Individualized attention through a 5:1 player to coach ratio. Instruction provided by the coaching staff of Wm. Tennent HS and some of the finest recent high school volleyball players from the area. For more information, please call Mike Devitt (215) 441-6181 x3103.

Stadium Grand Opening!
The Grand Opening of the newly renovated stadium at William Tennent High School is scheduled for Saturday, September 6, 2008 at 7:00 PM with a football game against Central Bucks West High School! Although still in the planning stages, this event will be a wonderful kick-off to a new school year - opening ceremonies, a fly-over, dignitaries and fireworks are all possibilities! Watch for more information on their website: www.centennialsd.org