Current Township Information & News

Southwestern Regional Police Department is pleased to offer new interactive and cutting edge technology on our redesigned web site - that is now available.  This new site will provide the public and the media with information regarding our department and news for this community; and will allow these groups an easy way to provide information to us.

The remodeled web site has many features that include:

1) Press Releases are now listed here as soon as they are written; no longer will press releases be emailed or faxed out to the media as in the past.

2) The public and the media are encouraged to sign up on the web site for “Nixel.”  Nixel is a free program that when the user signs up for the service, the recipient will receive a text and/or e-mail message whenever there is a news item that the department generates.  The messages will be a wide variety of items to include new press releases on crimes issues, road closures when there will be a substantial impact on the motoring public, alerts such as the description of lost or missing persons, or general information such as our latest release that talks about a Child ID program that will be offered at this year’s Spring Grove SeptemberFest.  This information will also automatically be placed on the department’s new Facebook page.

3) The web site contains a section called a “Daily Log” that has a listing of every call that we respond to in our four (4) communities.  Rather than just wonder what happened in your neighborhood, this is an easy way to get the basics of the call and why officers were there.

4) There is a listing of all officers and their phone and email addresses.

5) There is an e-mail address called “ask an officer” to ask the department general questions about the laws and their communities.

6) There is a way to e-mail us information about crimes or disorder and to remain anonymous.

7) There is interesting and current information on the web that will allow residents to learn how to avoid being the victim of a crime. 

8) There is a way to e-mail us that the resident is going away and to provide us information in case we need to contact the homeowner while they are away. 

When we decided a year ago that a new site was needed, we, like most other municipal organizations, didn’t know where the funding would come from for the site.   Businesses and

residents responded with the $3,000 needed and this site has been made possible due to their generosity – at no expense to the tax payer.

The contributors are listed on the web site and as follows: John & Patricia Warehime, Paul Miller Trucking, W.H. Cooke & Co., Exchange Club of Hanover, Kinsley Construction, Loyal Order of Moose, Stock & Leader Attorneys, F&S Yamaha & Marine, Legacy Athletic, and for his assistance in this project, web designer Joe Drahusz of BIG (Business Information Group of York).

We invite you to view our web site at www.swrpd.org

West Nile Virus

Prevention and control, you can reduce the number of mosquitoes by disposing of any refuse water. The following are mosquito breeding sites: storm drains, clogged roof gutters, window wells, uncovered containers, leaky faucets and standing water, garden ponds, swimming pools, tires and wheelbarrows, birdbaths and children’s toys.

Protect yourself from bites, even though your property may be devoid of mosquito breeding sites, mosquitoes can travel 2 to 3 miles. You may protect yourself by do the following: make sure window and door screens are bug tight, use proper type of light outside, stay indoors at dawn, dusk and in the early evening, use insect repellents (follow directions on label).

Helpful Hints For Hiring a Contractor

When hiring a contractor please consider the following tips:

Construction Code Information

The Manheim Township Board of Supervisors chose to pursue "Opting In" to provide local control over the administration, cost of inspections, prompt scheduling of inspections, and appeal procedure. They also chose to form a regional municipal cooperative. At this time we are working with the Townships of Codorus, Heidelberg, and Jackson . A third party inspection agency will be retained and an appeals board will be formed by appointing residents from these municipalities.

When is the UCC effective? The UCC became effective in Manheim Township  July 1, 2004 .

What does the UCC cover? The regulations cover any construction that makes structural changes or changes the means of egress, meaning doors and windows.  It is best to contact Manheim Township to determine whether a UCC Permit will be required. Manheim Township will still be issuing Zoning Permits and can determine UCC requirements at the same time.

Specific Exemptions:

1.  Agricultural buildings  provided structures are utilized to store farm implements, hay, feed, grain or other agricultural or horticultural products or to house poultry, livestock or other farm animals and a milk house. The term includes a carriage house owned and used by members of a recognized religious sect for the purposes of housing horses and storing buggies. The term shall not include habitable space or spaces in which agricultural products are processed, treated or packaged and shall not be construed to mean a place of occupancy by the general public. 

2. Manufactured housing

3. "Utility and miscellaneous use structures."  Buildings or structures of an accessory character and miscellaneous structures not classified by the Building Officials and Code Administrators International, Inc., in any specific use group. The term includes carports, detached private garages, greenhouses and sheds having a building area less than 1,000 square feet. The term does not include swimming pools or spas.  Again, please contact Manheim Township for final determination. We will provide media and website updates on the final effective date.

Here is a suggested process for any construction project :

1.  Contact Manheim Township to discuss your idea.

2.  Determine extent of detail necessary for property plot plan and building plan.

3.  Determine order to acquire permits such as Zoning (3-5 days, local review), Sewage (5-7 days, local review but State required), Erosion & Sedimentation (15 – 30 days, local cooperation but State reviewed), UCC (15 days maximum, local review, but State required) and any other required permits.

4.  Be aware that the UCC requires a construction plan review in order to issue a UCC permit.

5.  Complete applications and get necessary permits.

6.  Complete required inspections (typically 12 –14 inspections for all permits on a new home).

7.  Obtain all final certificates required to use and occupy the structure.

                     HOUSE NUMBERING

On July 1, 1999. the Manheim Township Board of Supervisors adopted a House Numbering Ordinance requiring  all principal buildings to display the assigned house number according to guidelines set within the Ordinance.

The number of your new address should be properly posted according to these guidelines:

1.    If your mailbox is single and separate and located by your access drive, three inch numbers should be displayed on the mailbox or post, visible from both sides, at least three (3) feet above the surface of the ground. This method is permitted even if the mailbox is on the opposite side of the road, as long as there are no other mailboxes that would cause confusion. Please be sure that the numbers are clearly visible from both directions of travel, and that the flag, paper box, or decorative plantings don't hinder the visibility.

2.    If the building being addressed is within seventy-five (75) feet of the road that the address is assigned from, and clearly visible from the road, four (4) inch numbers may be posted on the building in a conspicuous location. Please be sure that visibility of the numbers are not hindered by trees or plants.

3.    If you mailbox is not located singles and separate, and the building is more than seventy-five (75) feet from the road, then a sign with four (4) inch number should be placed by the access drive. This sign should be visible from both direction of travel and the number display should be at least three (3) feet above the surface of the ground.

4.    If you share an access (common drive) with another dwelling, four (4) inch numbers for both dwellings should be posted at the common entrance, then four (4) inch numbers placed at the individual driveways. (or on the building if visible and within 75 feet of the common drive).

Please be sure that the numbers are posted on a contrasting background. Gold or Silver numbers on natural wood are difficult to see. If you have any questions please call the Township office.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT FLOOD INSURANCE

For most of us, our home is by far our most valuable possession. But every year, more homes in the U.S. Are damaged by floods than any other natural disaster. People who live near water are not the only ones who experience flooding. Floods move, and can spread for miles. They can have strong currents that , in a few moments, can sweep away everything that took a lifetime to accumulate, leaving a thick residue of mud and debris behind. It's not just high risk areas that are flooded. Between 20 and 25 percent of flood insurance claims come from a medium or low flood-risk areas.

The fact is, a flood could happen to YOU.

Fortunately, you can protect yourself and your future from the crippling financial losses often caused by flooding through a program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Under FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), federally backed flood insurance is available in communities that adopt and enforce regulations to reduce flood losses. Flood insurance provides coverage that you homeowners insurance doesn't - coverage for damages caused by floods. The good news is that about 20,000 communities in the United States and its territories that are faced with potential flooding participate in the NFIP, so the chances are excellent that flood insurance is available to you.

Flood insurance vs. Disaster Assistance.

Flood insurance is far better protection than depending on Federal disaster assistance, which is available only if a disaster is Federally declared. If you have a flood insurance policy, you can be reimbursed for all your covered losses, even if a disaster is not Federally declared. In contrast, Federal disaster assistance is often a loan - repayable in full - with interest! With a flood insurance policy, all you pay is one annual premium. Then, if you suffer losses due to flooding, you will be reimbursed for your covered losses and never have to pay a nickel back. Flood insurance is affordable. The average flood insurance premium costs approximately $400.00 a year for an average of $100,000.00 of coverage. However, paying back a $50,000.00 disaster home loan, for example, will cost an average of $240.00 a month - for an average repayment period of 30 years! And of course, if you are not insured, and a Federal disaster is not declared, your home and belongings may be ruined with no hope for recovery.

Protect yourself, your family, your home, and your financial future.

York County Solid Waste and Refuse Authority

HOME IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS OF YORK COUNTY

The York County Planning Commission has several programs that assist homeowners in maintaining their homes in a safe, sanitary and healthy environment.

These programs are for owner/occupant residents only. The three programs are: Home Improvement Program; Sewer Hook-up Program and Water Line Hook-up Program. The programs are 0% interest deferred loans. A mortgage is placed against the property with no monthly payment. Payment of the mortgagee becomes due and payable when the owner is no longer owner/occupant of the premises, due to the sale of the property, transfer of title, or owner moves from property.

The types of repairs that are eligible for the program, are things such as roof; heating system; electrical, and plumbing. Other home repairs may be made if they are a health or safety issue. For example, sidewalk repairs may be allowed when the municipality is requiring either new sidewalks of the homeowner is cited due to their sidewalk being unsafe. No remodeling or cosmetic work can be completed on homes.

Also, below you will find a paper concerning the "York County Weatherization Program". This program is for both homeowners and renters. Any questions concerning this program may be directed to Marcella Marshall at 717-771-9870. The income limits for this program are different from the owner programs.