June 4, 2013

Property Tax/Rent Rebate Application Deadline Extended to End of Year

Harrisburg – The deadline for older adults and residents with disabilities to apply for Pennsylvania’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program has been extended from June 30 to Dec. 31.

“Each year we take a look at the program as the statutory June 30 application deadline approaches, and if the funds are there, as they have been each year in recent memory, we extend the deadline to ensure everyone who is eligible for the program has time to apply for the tax relief they’re owed,” Secretary of Revenue Dan Meuser said.

The rebate program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The income limit is $35,000 a year for homeowners and $15,000 annually for renters, and half of Social Security income is excluded.

The maximum standard rebate is $650, but supplemental rebates for qualifying homeowners can boost rebates to $975.

As of May 31, the Revenue Department had received 506,518 rebate applications.  About 600,000 households are expected to benefit from the program.  As specified by law, rebate distribution will begin on July 1. After June 30, rebates  will be distributed as claims are received and processed.

Applicants may obtain Property Tax/Rent Rebate claim forms (PA-1000) and related information online at www.revenue.state.pa.us or by calling, toll-free, 1-888-222-9190.

It costs nothing to apply for a rebate. In response to continued inquiries and complaints regarding fee-based application filing services offered privately, the department reminds residents that free filing help is available at hundreds of locations across the state. Application forms and assistance are also available at no cost from Department of Revenue district offices, local Area Agencies on Aging, senior centers and state legislators’ offices.

Claimants who already applied for Property Tax/Rent Rebates may check the status of claims online at www.revenue.state.pa.us or by calling, toll-free, 1-888-PATAXES.

The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program is one of five programs supported by the Pennsylvania Lottery. Since the program’s 1971 inception, older and disabled adults have received more than $5.4 billion worth of property tax and rent relief. The expanded portion of the rebate program is paid for with revenue from slots gaming.

Media contact: Elizabeth Brassell, 717-787-6960

REFRIGERATOR & AIR CONDITIONER RECYCLING PROGRAM
May 3, 203
http://www.jacoinc.net/

Program Requirements

• The refrigerator or freezer must be clean, empty, defrosted, and in working condition.
• The refrigerator or freezer unit must be between 10 and 30 cubic feet.
• You must be a Pennsylvania residential customer of Met-Ed, Penelec, PennPower or West Penn Power.
• There is a limit of two refrigerators or freezers and two room size air conditioners per household per calendar year.
• If you are recycling one side-by-side refrigerator, it will be considered as one appliance for recycling. It will not be counted as two separate units.
• AC units must be included with a qualifying refrigerator or freezer to qualify for pickup.
• The customer must own the unit(s) being recycled.
• An adult, 18 years of age or older, must be present to sign and release the unit at the time of the pickup.
• Recycling appliance must be disconnected from waterlines prior to the pickup crew's arrival.
• The unit needs to be plugged in and running on the day of the pickup.

You must provide clear and safe access to your appliances for the removal team. JACO will not risk injury or be able to move personal effects or modify your home(e.g.: remove door or railings) to remove the unit(s)

Why participation is important to you

1. Old refrigerators and freezers are not bio-degradable and contain many materials that can be recycled and some that are harmful to the environment.
2. The rebate you will receive for a working refrigerator or freezer will be $50.
You can also receive $25 for a working air conditioner. Checks should be received approximately 4 to 6 weeks after pick up.
AC units must be included with a qualifying refrigerator or freezer to qualify for pickup.
3. Old refrigerators and freezers typically use two times more electricity than newer models that are being produced today. If everybody tries to do their part to conserve energy and to recycle responsibly, this could help manage our energy resources well into the future.

The Appliance Turn In Program.

Again, for your efforts to recycle responsibly, you will receive a $50 check for your working refrigerator or freezer - and a $25 check for a working room air conditioner approximately 4 to 6 weeks after pick up.

By participating in this program, Customer agrees to allow the local utility to take ownership of the Energy Efficiency resource credits associated with the measures generated through this program. Your local utility may at its sole discretion then aggregate your credits with other similarly situated customers and bid the credits into the PJM market through an auction. Any proceeds from any such bids accepted by PJM will be used to offset the costs charged to the utility’s customers for compliance with state mandated energy efficiency and/or peak demand requirements.

If you have any questions about the program, or if you would like to schedule your pick up date by phone, please feel free to contact JACO's customer service center toll free at 877-270-3521. This program will continue until further notice or until funding is exhausted. Program is subject to change or termination without prior notice.

April 9, 2013

The Township Bulk Disposal has been established to relieve the pressures of storing unwanted bulk items for Delaware Township residents only.  In order to prevent non-residents from using our bulk disposal, please fill out the Resident Bulk Disposal Sticker Application, and provide proof of residency.  The Township will provide stickers to display on resident vehicles.  Each household member is required to complete the form. 

Bulk Disposal is available the first and third Saturdays of each month from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm (click here for Schedule).  Please make payment via cash or check.  Checks are to made payable to "Delaware Township."  Prices have remained the same.  Click here for more more information.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Township office. 

Being Prepared
April 4, 2013 

Learn how to store water properly for emergencies, droughts

In the wake of severe weather that has plagued different areas of the country in recent years, the federal and state governments have urged citizens to prepare emergency kits containing enough food, water, medication, and other necessities for several days. Now is a good time to brush up on the guidelines as we enter the time of year that often brings severe storms and droughts.

Surveys have shown that although people are willing to save water for emergencies, many do not know how to do so properly. Townships should share the following water storage methods with their residents as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Two easy methods

Standard emergency guidelines suggest storing one gallon of water per day for each person and pet for at least three days or up to two weeks. A normally active person generally needs to drink at least two quarts of water each day. Water is also needed for washing dishes, personal hygiene, etc. Family members’ individual needs and habits may affect how much water should be stored, as well.

There are two easy methods for storing water that has not been commercially bottled, depending on the water source and whether it is contaminated. If the water comes from a public supplier or has been disinfected, store it in clean, sanitized plastic soda bottles or milk jugs with screw-on tops. The bottles or jugs should be washed thoroughly with warm, soapy water. Do not

use hot water, as it may start to break down the plastic in the bottles and cause a leak or cause you to ingest some of the plastic.

Sanitize the containers by adding one teaspoon of household bleach to a quart of water. Pour it into the container, shake it well, and let it sit for two minutes. Empty the container and rinse it out with potable water.

Fill the bottles or jugs with water from the tap, cap tightly, and label each container with "Drinking Water" and the date it was filled. Store the water in a dark, dry, cool place.

If the water has not been used within six months, empty the containers and use the water for plants or other nondrinking purposes. Repeat the steps to clean and sanitize the bottles and fill them with fresh water. Make sure to update the label with the new storage date.

(For commercially bottled water, follow the bottler’s recommended expiration date.)

Purifying contaminated water

If your water comes from a contaminated source, it must be disinfected or purified before it can be used. This is often the case after widespread flooding. Before disinfecting water, however, it sometimes must be filtered. If the water contains visible particles, let them settle to the bottom, then strain the water through a clean cloth, paper towels, or a coffee filter before disinfecting.

One way to disinfect water is by boiling it. Boiling is the surest method to make water safer to drink by killing disease-causing organisms, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Bring the water to a full, rolling boil for one to three minutes. After it has cooled, fill containers that have been cleaned and sanitized as described above.

Keep in mind, however, that boiled water will taste "flat" because much of the oxygen has been removed. To put oxygen back into the water, pour it back and forth between two clean containers several times and allow it to stand for several hours.

The second way to disinfect water is by adding household bleach. Do not use bleaches that are scented, color-safe, or have added cleaners. Add eight drops or about 1/8 teaspoon of plain liquid bleach per gallon of water. Mix it thoroughly and allow it to stand for at least 30 minutes before using it.

The water should have a slight bleach odor. If it does not, repeat the dosage and allow it to stand for another 15 minutes. Fill clean containers and store as described above.

For more information about safe drinking water, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Web page for Personal Preparation and Storage of Safe Water at

www.cdc.gov/healthywater/emergency/safe_water/personal.html