Now you can receive emergency information direct to your e-mail, cell phone or text pager!  For more information go to this Montgomery County web site: https://montco.alertpa.org

Trees in our cities and towns help clean the air, conserve soil and water, moderate temperature, and bring nature into our daily lives.  Trees are a vital component of the infrastructure in our cities and towns, and provide environmental and economical benefits.  A community, and its citizens, that recognize these benefits and provide needed care for its trees deserves recognition and thanks.

Abington  Township has been named a Tree City USA community by the Arbor Day Foundation to honor its commitment to community forestry.  It is the third year Abington Township has received this national recognition

Abington Township has met the four standards to become a Tree City USA community: a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program, and an Arbor Day observance.

A special thanks to our Environmental Advisory Council and Shade Tree commission, particularly George Mott, for their work in earning this distinction.

If you use "rabbit ears" or a rooftop antenna with your analog television, you must take some action to continue receiving television broadcasts.  After February 17, 2009, all full-power television stations will switch from the analog method of transmitting TV signals to only broadcasting a digital signal which cannot be received by analog TV sets.

Please click here for more information www.dtv2009.gov

Effective January 1, 2008, Abington Township has levied an annual Local Services Tax, which replaces the former Occupational Privilege Tax of Ten Dollars ($10.00).  The tax is assessed upon those who engage in an occupation with a primary place of employment within the Township of Abington.  The Local Services Tax is an annual amount of no more than Fifty-Two Dollars ($52.00) assessed on a pro rata basis in accordance with Abington Township Ordinance 1954.  The full text of the Ordinance and appropriate forms are available on the Township's website.

Forms with instructions are being sent to all employers in Abington Township.  If you fail to receive the mailing, need additional information or have questions on the Local Services Tax (LST) please contact the Township's Tax Collector, Jay W. Blumenthal, at the Abington Township Municipal Building, 1176 Old York Rd., Abington, PA 19001 or by phone 267-536-1024.

Ordinance 1954

The Board of Commissioners of Abington Township will hold a special meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 29, 2007 at the Abington Township Municipal Building, 1176 Old York Road, Abington PA .  The purpose of the special meeting will be to hold a hearing on Ordinance 1954.  The Board of Commissioners will vote on the enactment of Ordinance 1954 at the close of the public hearing on November 29, 2007.

Ordinance 1954 will provide for the enactment of a Local Services Tax on individuals for the privilege of engaging in an occupation in Abington Township.  A summary of the provisions of Ordinance 1954 is as follows: a section setting forth definitions of terms used in the ordinance; a section providing for the levy of the Local Services Tax, commencing on January 1, 2008, upon the privilege of engaging in an occupation with a primary place of employment within Abington Township during the tax year in the amount of fifty-two dollars ($52.00), and limiting the uses of the revenues from the Local Services Tax; a section exempting from the Local Services Tax those persons whose total earned income and net profits from all sources within Abington Township is less than twelve thousand dollars ($12,000.00), as well as certain other persons, and providing for refunds under certain circumstances, and further stating procedures to be followed to claim an exemption or refund; a section imposing upon employers the duty to collect the Local Services Tax, and placing certain limitations on employers liability for failure to withhold the tax; a section requiring employers to prepare and file Local Services Tax returns; a section providing for suits for collection of the Local Services Tax; a section providing for penalties for violation of the ordinance; and certain other miscellaneous provisions.

In the judgment  of the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Abington, the impose of the Local Services Tax is necessary to balance revenues with expenditures for the 2008 budget.

The amount of revenue estimated to be derived from the Local Services Tax is $1,290,000.00

Copies of the full text of proposed Ordinance 1954 may be examined by any citizen at the Abington Township Building, 1176 Old York Road, Abington, PA during normal business hours, and copies of all or portions of the ordinance will be made available for purchase at the cost of reproduction.  A copy of  proposed Ordinance 1954 has been provided to the newspaper and is available for inspection at the offices of the newspaper.  An attested copy of the full text of proposed Ordinance 1954 has been sent to the Montgomery County Law Library and is available for review.

All interested persons are invited to attend.

If you are a person with a disability and wish to attend the special meeting on November 29, 2007 and require an auxiliary aid, service or other accommodation to participate in the proceedings, please contact Mark Penecale, Zoning and Planning Official, to discuss how the Township of Abington may best accommodate your needs.  Mr. Penecale may be reached at 267-536-1017.

Click here for a copy of Ordinance 1954

The Board of Commissioners' Meeting can be viewed on cable Channel 43 Monday through Friday, starting the Monday immediately following the meeting, at 9 a.m., 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. for one week.

In March, I was able to help an Abington resident take advantage of some benefits available to seniors and the permanently disabled.  She did not believe that she would qualify for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate. Not only did she qualify, but she was able to receive other services as well.  A list of services follows.

Property Tax/Rent Rebate Guidelines:

• Claimants or spouses 65 years of age or older, widows or widowers 50 years of age or older and the permanently disabled 18 years of age or older may qualify for this program;
• The household eligibility income limit has been increased from $15,000 to $35,000 and the maximum rebate has been increased from $500 to $650.  The amount you can receive for the Homeowners Rebate & Renters Rebate is based on a sliding scale of income earned.

PACE and PACENET

• Comprehensive prescription coverage to older Pennsylvanians and covers most medications that require prescriptions; including insulin, syringes, and insulin needles.  These programs are administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging and funded by the Pennsylvania Lottery.  Information 1-800-225-7223 or 215-517-6800.

Area Agencies on Aging

• The Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) are the local representatives of the Pennsylvania Department of Aging.  They implement the various programs for older Pennsylvanians.  They are staffed with aging care managers skilled in such areas as geriatrics, social work, and community resources.  
• Montgomery County Aging and Adult Services 610-278-3601 
• Muller Center for Senior Health - Abington Memorial Hospital 215-481-2837
• APPRISE - free health insurance counseling for older adults 1-800-783-7067
• TransNet - senior citizen shared ride program 215-542-7433
• RSVP - The Retired & Senior Volunteer Program  215-576-6337

As you are aware, the Abington Township Flag manufacturer's information was posted in the Fall Newsletter.  Many of you contacted the manufacturer to purchase a flag.  It has come to our attention that if 25 flags are ordered at once the cost falls to $55.00 each from $110.00 each.  If you are interested in this reduced rate, please contact the manufacturer at Flags Over America, 955 East Devon Avenue, Bartlett, IL 60103, Phone: 630-233-0277 or www.FlagsUSA.com and hopefully we will reach 25!

Abington Township residents who have phone service through their high-speed internet cable connection should contact their provider (i.e. Vonage, etc.) and subscribe to "enhanced 9-1-1"   for emergency services.  You should have your PSAP (public safety answering point) reflect your "ALI" (automatic location identification) of Abington (so your call is directed to Abington Police).

Questions should be directed to Steven Keeley, Montgomery County 9-1-1 Coordinator at 610-631-6500.

Residents are reminded that Abington Township Ordinance prohibits open burning of any kind (including portable burners) unless you are cooking food on your barbeque.