Washington Township Municipal Building is located at
14 Creek Rd East Berlin PA 17316
30 DAY BURN BAN ENACTED
RESOLUTION 2024-29 RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, DO HEREBY ESTABLISH A TEMPORARY 30-DAY COUNTY-WIDE BAN ON ANY AND ALL OPEN BURNING. THIS BURN BAN SHALL SUPERSEDE ANY MUNICIPAL ORDINANCE TO THE CONTRARY.
WHEREAS, the County Commissioners are responsible for providing for the health, safety and welfare of the people of York County; and
WHEREAS, because of record low stream levels, very low ground water levels, drier than normal conditions, with no significant rain fall being forecast, low nominal rain fall over recent weeks, thereby keeping the wildfire potential very high throughout York County; and
WHERAS, the Forest Fire Warden #4381 of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the fire chiefs of York County's fire departments have expressed concern that this fire potential poses a serious and imminent threat to the life and property within York County; and
WHEREAS, emergency measures are required to reduce the severity of this danger in order to protect the health, safety, welfare and property of the residents of York County.
NOW, THEREFORE, we the undersigned Commissioners of York County, pursuant to the provisions of Act 1995-52 and Section 7501 of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Services Code, as amended, do hereby establish a temporary 30-day county-wide ban on any and all open burning. This burn ban shall supersede any municipal ordinance to the contrary. Open burning is hereby defined as the ignition and subsequent burning of any combustible material (garbage, leaves, grass, twigs, litter, paper, vegetative material involved with land clearing or any sort of debris) out-of-doors either in a burn barrel (screened or unscreened), in a backyard fire pit, or on the ground. The use of propane or gas stoves, charcoal briquette grills, or the use of tobacco in any form is not prohibited by this resolution. All fireworks are prohibited under this burn ban, unless approved through written authorization by the municipality having jurisdiction. Campfires, in designated state, federal, or Department of Environmental Protection licensed campgrounds, are allowed in fire rings that confine and contain the campfire. Enforcement of this ban shall be the responsibility of any sworn police officer, in accordance with the provisions of Act 1995-52. Specifically, any sworn police officer, when available, including the Pennsylvania State Police, shall be responsible for enforcing the provisions of this resolution. Also, whenever a violation of this resolution occurs in a city, borough, incorporated town or township, which has in effect an ordinance prohibiting open burning, the police officer may cite the violation under either the municipal ordinance or the county resolution. Under no
circumstances shall any person be cited for violations of both the county resolution and the municipal ordinance for the same violation.
PENALTY, A person who violates this resolution commits a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to a fine of not more than $100.00 for the first offense, $200.00 for the second offense and $300.00 for the third and subsequent offense.
DURATION, the ban shall continue for 30 days from the effective date set forth unless terminated earlier. This ban will be reviewed periodically during the 30-day effective period to determine whether weather conditions are such that it can be terminated prior to the date set forth herein. The York County Commissioners hereby grant authority to the Chief Clerk to rescind this resolution upon recommendation of the York County Office of Emergency Management and the Fire Chief’s Association.
FURTHER, we direct the York County Office of Emergency Management:
1.To ensure the widespread publication and distribution of this burn ban resolution.
2.To distribute notice thereof to all local radio, TV, and newspapers.
3.To maintain proof of distribution and of the manner and frequency of publication.
4.To coordinate the enforcement of this ban with all law enforcement agencies inaccordance with Act 1995-52, i.e., to encourage filing or issuance of a citation whereappropriate.
5.To take all appropriate action needed to coordinate response to the dangers posed bythe unusually dry conditions.
6.To take any other emergency management actions deemed necessary to respond tothis imminent threat to the health, safety, and welfare of the people of York County.
EFFECTIVE, this 30th day of October, 2024, by the York County Board of Commissioners
ATTEST: Gregory E. Monskie
Chief Clerk
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS:
______________________________
Julie Wheeler
President Commissioner
_______________________________
Scott Burford
Vice-President Commissioner
_______________________________
Doug Hoke
Commissioner
The beginning of every year, you need to verify the correct information, if you are a Landlord.
If you are a Landlord, please make sure you notify the office with your tenant information. If there is a change you need to contact the office within (20) days.
There is an ordinance requiring this information to be given to the Secretary within twenty (20) days from the date of such occupancy, of ANY RESIDENT, eighteen (18) years of age or older.
If you are a new resident to Washington Township welcome. Please contact the office to make sure we have your correct information for our files.
If you have been a resident and have any changes such as a different phone number or a child who has reached the age of 18, please contact the office to make sure we have the correct information.
Remember to check with the Zoning Officer to see if you need a building permit.
Pre-built storage sheds do need permits.
Swimming Pools do require permits.
As we are all aware, the Pennsylvania Bank barns in our area are quickly disappearing. We are attempting to catalog as many pre1900 barns in Northern York County as possible. Ultimately, the pictures and research will be held in the archives of the Northern York County Historical and Preservation Society(NYCHAPS). We would like to come out and, with you present, take pictures of the barn inside and out. We would also like to meet with the current owners and document as much history as possible concerning former owners and ideally who built the structure and when. If you want your pre1900 barn to be part of this project, please contact Richard Conley preferably at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
. If you can’t do email, please leave a message at (717) 503 8821.
YORK COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE CENTER
28 EAST MARKET STREET
YORK, PENNSYLVANIA 17401
The York County Recorder of Deeds, Laura Shue, would like to announce a public service to all York County Homeowners:
The Recorder of Deeds Office has been receiving a growing number of calls concerning deed and record safety.
As of October 1st, our office has implemented a “Records Notification Service” for all homeowners in York County.
The service is designed to provide security and assurance, no document is recorded without the homeowner’s knowledge.
Sign up is “FREE” at the York County website, Recorder of Deeds, webpage.
There will never be a charge to sign up.
You will need to provide a valid email address and your property ID number found on your county tax bill or look up on the website. Your email address and property ID number
are protected and not shared with any other sources through this program.
The homeowner will be alerted by email, when a document is recorded with their Property ID Number attached.
This service can identify fraudulent activity that may have occurred without the homeowner’s knowledge.
If you receive an alert, the program will guide you to another website to view the document.
Should you choose to print from this website, there will be a small charge.
Please take advantage of this important safety service. It is easy to sign up and easy to unsubscribe at any time.
There is no risk to the homeowner by signing up, only the benefit of peace of mind.
Laura Shue
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