In this virtual class, attendees will learn a workable, effective framework for establishing a hierarchy for outfall inspections, a protocol for performing inspections in the field, and method for inspecting documenting and addressing potential illicit discharges.

This webinar will help guide local governments at all levels to develop comprehensive strategies to build high-speed broadband networks in areas where they do not yet exist and help residents subscribe to broadband where it does exist while maintaining public confidence by spending funds wisely and optimally.

In this webinar, you will learn the best practices for using the COSTARS program, which is the statewide cooperative purchasing program administered through the Department of General Services. You will learn more about the deadlines and terms and conditions of the Road Salt program, the importance of your township’s member profile, how to gain the best value during the quote process, and much more.

Weather events can negatively impact all areas of township operations, from emergency management to road crew readiness. There is no reason these days to not be fully prepared for oncoming weather. In this webinar, presenters from the National Weather Service (NWS) in State College will discuss how your township can take advantage of NWS resources to be better prepared for the weather challenges you are sure to face, whether it be severe rainfall, high winds, extreme cold or snowfall. Register your road crew and emergency management teams to attend this webinar so they can be ready to use the cutting-edge resources from the NWS to keep your township safe from whatever weather comes your way.

Attendees will learn about the various Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP) certifications that are available to township officials and public works staff. CBLP, developed by a consortium of cross-Bay partners, teaches best practices for designing, installing, and maintaining the stormwater practices needed to meet MS4 requirements. This presentation will explain the benefits of CBLP, share success stories, and give a sneak peek into some of the class materials and lessons.

Municipal constituents, partners, and other stakeholders are bombarded with communications every day. How do you ensure that your message really reaches the people who need to see it when they need it? This presentation will explore the facets of communication that need to be considered and will touch on the best methods of communication for common types of messages.

Join fundraising master trainer, Chad Barger, CFRE, for a workshop focused on actionable solutions to common fundraising problems. Chad will reveal the most common barriers to effective fundraising at community-based volunteer fire departments and provide tips for overcoming them. Attendees will also be given free access to document samples and templates which will help to fast track the implementation of these solutions. Ample time will be reserved for questions so that attendees can also pick Chad’s brain for solutions to their “not so common” fundraising challenges.

Many infrastructure projects are undertaken through municipal authorities which have been organized for just that purpose-to assist local governments and community development. These projects include sewer, sewer systems and sewage treatment works, and water supply and distribution systems. Although industrial development authorities (IDAs) have historically been used to finance only manufacturing and 501(c)(3) nonprofit projects, IDAs are not limited by law to only those projects. IDAs can be used to finance these water and sewer projects, and also, for example, energy-producing facilities (wind farms), waste disposal facilities, roads and transportation facilities and the development of broadband and other infrastructure projects. In instances in which a township does not have ready access to a municipal authority, or a local IDA does not present a viable alternative, or it wishes to finance a project which is not described in the Authorities Act but is described in the Economic Development Financing Law under which IDAs are organized, the Washington County Industrial Development Authority can provide assistance.

This webinar is designed to provide participants with strategies for ensuring that their Homeowner Associations (HOAs) maintain post-construction stormwater management practices, including tips for educating HOAs on the importance of stormwater management facility operation and maintenance; considerations for municipal acceptance of facilities; facility tracking and inspection; and identifying owners and responsibility.

This webinar will cover a wide variety of roadside tree-related issues faced by townships. The topics will include pruning roadside trees (and who is responsible for doing so), evaluating roadside trees for their potential to fail and hit roads or structures, utility pruning, selecting and planting new roadside trees, finding qualified contractors to work on trees, and creating tree committees under the Second Class Township Code. The Penn State Cooperative Extension’s Urban Forestry Team will also answer any other questions that your township may have.