On Monday, April 20th, 2020, Governor Tom Wolf signed Act 15 2020 (the “Act”), which, among other things, has significant implications for the administration of local government in Pennsylvania for the duration of the Disaster Emergency that was declared on March 6th, 2020.Specifically, the Act addresses three issues relevant to local government: The Act allows municipalities, for the duration of Disaster Emergency, to conduct business through telecommunication devices, provided that public participation is permitted to the maximum extent possibleThe Act tolls the time limits for applications received by a municipality or pending before the municipality for a period of 30… read more »
COVID-19 Update: Guidance Regarding Memo on House Bill 1564
As some of you may be aware, a memo has been circulating regarding Pennsylvania House Bill 1564, which proposes to allow municipalities to conduct fully electronic meetings, as well as suspending some permit application deadlines, among other things. The memo that indicates that the Pennsylvania municipal codes have been amended by House Bill 1564. This, unfortunately, is simply not true. The Bill has passed the House of Representatives unanimously, but no action has been taken by the Pennsylvania Senate. As we all know, a bill does not become a law unless passed by the both the House of Representatives and the Senate,… read more »
To Protect & Serve “By Agreement”: Legal Considerations for Municipal Police Services Contracts
Article by: Sean Fields, Esquire Due to the rising cost of providing local government services including law enforcement, many municipalities have sought to consolidate such services by entering into joint agreements to provide police coverage. Some of the reasons for this include increases in the expense of operating a police department for a single township or borough. These rising costs include payroll, health insurance and pension contributions. Additionally, the burden on local taxpayers may undermine the long term financial viability of maintaining a police department that serves a single municipality. The legal authority for consolidation of police departments is supported… read more »
Formation of a Stormwater Authority
By Evan M. Gabel On July 9, 2013, Governor Tom Corbett signed into law Act 68, which amended the Pennsylvania Municipalities Authorities Act (the “Act”) to allow local governments in Pennsylvania to form stormwater authorities. Specifically, Act 68 amended 53 P.S. § 5607, adding “stormwater management planning and projects” as purpose and power for which a municipal authority may be incorporated. Since the passage of Act 68, stormwater authorities have gained traction in large part because of upcoming changes to the requirements of the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer (MS4) Program, which has been administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental… read more »
