2012! May you have a happy, healthy, prosperous New Year!

SNOW REMOVAL REMINDER - We are hoping the early snow hasn't discouraged you. It is assumed, we will see more. Please remember to remove snow/ice off of sidewalks within eight hours after the cessation of snowfall, or if the snowfall ceases during the night, then within eight hours after sunrise. The borough will be enforcing the snow removal ordinance. Senior citizens who have difficulty cleaning off their walks might be interested in a program through the York County Area Agency on Aging called Rent -A- Kid. The recommended payment to the young person is $5.00/hour. Call 771-9103 for details.

Do not throw snow onto streets or alleys when shoveling off your walks. It inhibits snow removal and freezes up, making effective snow removal on streets very difficult. It is also prohibited by Ordinance. Maintenance personnel will conscientiously remove the snow off of the streets as soon as possible, and cinder and salt to provide for traction. State roads are cleared usually before local roads due to the volume of traffic and liquid salt that is applied. Please be patient; we are concerned about your safe passage, and will do our best to keep the streets cleared for you.

YORK COUNTY HOME IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM - The York County Planning Commission has several programs for assisting home owners in maintaining their homes with repairs such as for heating systems, electrical work, plumbing, and new roofs. The programs provide for 0% interest deferred loan payments. You may contact Robin Doll with the Planning Commission at 771-9870 for information, or e-mail her at rdoll@ycpc.org.

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND SUB-DIVISION AND LAND DEVELOPMENT PLAN UPDATES are ready for consideration by Council. A public meeting will be scheduled in April to receive comments from the public. As you will recall, many of you participated in the survey last year. Following this meeting, the plans will be turned over to the Council at a public hearing in May for adoption.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT - The borough was fortunate to receive a $100,000 grant for stormwater improvements to replace a failing pipeline off of N. Main Street. Construction will begin this year.

2012 GENERAL OPERATING BUDGET set at $657,393 is on display at the Borough Office. It reflects a millage increase of .5 mills which has not been raised since 2006.

TAX COLLECTOR - Marcia Stauch is the Borough’s tax collector. You may reach her at (717) 880-3493.

TAX INFORMATION - Individual tax responsibility can sometimes be perplexing, especially to those who have just moved into the area. The Manchester Borough Tax Collector annually collects taxes for the borough, the county, and the school district.

Taxes for York County and Manchester Borough are listed together on the same bill and mailed in February with a due date for discount payment by April 15^th. (There are discounts and penalties depending on when the bill is paid; see your bill for specific information.) If you are a property owner, you will be billed for real estate taxes for both the county and the borough, the amounts based on millage rates. The borough also has a $5.00 per capita tax that all residents over 18 years of age are required to pay unless qualifying for an exemption. The per capita tax will be included with the real estate bill. If you are not a property owner, then you will be billed separately. All borough/county taxes must be paid by December 31^st of the current year. If they are not paid by that date, they will be sent to Tax Claim or G.H. Harris for collection.

Taxes for Northeastern School District will be billed in June for payment in September 1st. They include a tax on real estate and a per capita tax with a special tax. Residents, 18 years or older who do not own property, will be responsible for the per capita tax and the special tax. This is just a brief description. You may always obtain additional information concerning the above referenced taxes from the borough tax collector.

The York Adams Tax Bureau distributes an Earned Income Tax collected by your employee on your wages to your municipality or school district in which you reside, in addition to, the Local Service Tax on those who work in the municipality.

SCHOOL IS IN SESSION - Be observant and cautious while driving. Please respect the crossing guards as they safely cross your children at the signaled intersections in the borough. They have a tough job dealing with traffic, and need your patience and cooperation in seeing the children arrive safely at school.

MAYOR MARTIN KEISTER is actively serving the borough. He will perform marriages.

SUSQUEHANNA LIONS CLUB - A special thanks is extended to members of the Lions Club and friends for weeding and beautifying The Park at the Square! Their volunteer organization reaches out to the community in many ways. The Park at the Square, from inception, was intended to be used by the community-at-large for all residents to come together in friendship. Thanks for helping to keep it that way!

STORM WATER - The Department of Environmental Protection has designated Manchester Borough as an MS4 municipality. As such, Manchester Borough is encouraged to inform its citizens concerning storm water runoff and the effects of pollutants on the water system. Rain by nature is important for replenishing drinking water supplies, recreation, and healthy wildlife habitats. It only becomes a problem when pollutants from our activities like car maintenance, lawn care, and dog walking are left on the ground for rain to wash away. Remember that whatever you put in your drain or on your streets affects our environment and health. "When it Rains, it Drains" publication is available for your perusal.

DEP encourages the public to become involved in related projects to improve our environment. Volunteers will be welcomed. Please contact the borough office for information. The office will be pleased to work with your organization to participate in a project. You may visit Gary Peacock's Way E-News at GPeacock@yccd.org who represents the York County Conservation District and the Watershed Alliance of York at www.watershedsyork.org for York County environmental information. State information pertaining to our environment may be found at www.dep.state.pa.us

STREET TREE COMMISSION - Council has established a Street Tree Commission to oversee the installation and maintenance of trees along the streets in the borough. The committee members are Ken Cole, Carol Hoenstine, and Lorretta Simmons. If you have any concerns about a tree in front of your property, or before trimming a tree, please contact the office or a committee member.

PARKING RESTRICTIONS - Parking signs restricting parking during the hours of 7 A.M. - 4 P.M. “when school is in session” have been installed in the vicinity of the High School on Hartman Street, several blocks of High Street, and portions of Manchester Heights.

Two permits may be obtained per address if home owners need to park on the street in front of their house during the restricted hours. This is an enforceable ordinance. Permits may be obtained at the Borough Office at a cost of $2 per permit.

NORTHEASTERN REGIONAL POLICE DEPARTMENT has a new web site – www.neregionalpd.us.

EMERGENCY SERVICES VOLUNTEERS – THANKS TO YOU ALL FOR YOUR DEDICATION AND SERVICE!

TOWN WATCHES - It has been suggested that a Town Watch program could be organized by members of the community. Interested individuals may contact the borough office if you would like to participate in this group

COMMUNITY DEVELOPEMENT BLOCK GRANTS PROJECTS CDBG PROJECT FOR 2009-2011 - Preliminary paperwork has started on the upgrade of the borough’s Sub-Division/Land Development Plan and the Comprehensive Plan. The borough will be submitting projects to the County this year for the next 2012-2014 CDBG allocation period in hopes of additional funding.

NORTHEASTERN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT VOLUNTEERS - Volunteers are always needed to assist in planning and related activities for the safety and well being of our communities. For more information, please contact the Borough Office at 266-1022.