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Community Calendar
Mindfullness Walks at Bowman's Hill
Wednesdays, beginning April 16
9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve
1635 River Road
This is one of many programs at
Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve.
Free E-waste Recycling Event
Saturday, April 19
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Council Rock High School South
2002 Rock Way, Holland, PA, 18966.
Event is conducted by E Waste Experts.
Open House-PECO Resident Meeting
Monday, April 21
7:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Sol Feinstone Elementary School
1090 Eagle Rd, Newtown, PA
PECO officials are hosting a community open house to discuss PECO service. PECO officials will also field questions from residents.
Tree Planting to Honor Paul Greger
Former Planning Commission and Environmental Advisory Council Member
Saturday, April 26, 2014
10 a.m.
Brownsburg Park, River Road
Drug Takeback Event
Saturday, April 26, 2014
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Upper Makefield Police Department
1076 Eagle Road
Last fall, citizens nationwide delivered 324 tons of drugs for safe disposal. It was the second-highest amount in the program's 7 Takeback events.
Please save and deliver any unused medicines (liquids, pills) to the lobby of the Upper Makefield Police Department. This is a national effort and we are proud to participate.
Annual Washington Crossing Brewfest
Saturday, May 3
12:30-4:30 p.m.
Buy tickets now for this adults-only event, which sells out annually.
Upper Makefield Fire Company Carnival
Runs Monday, May 5 through Saturday, May 10
Washington Crossing, PA
Volunteers Needed!
Info and pre-sale discount tickets
Hazardous Waste Collection (no electronics)
Saturday,May 10, 2014
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. , rain or shine
770 Township Line Road
Lower Makefield Township
Download and Print 2014 Schedule
Fun Run to Benefit Drew's Hope
Saturday, May 3
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Two-mile Fun Run at Transcend Fitness in Newtown to benefit Drew's Hope Foundation.
Register and Details
Rev Run
Friday, July 4, 2014
Race day registration 6 to 7:45 a.m.
Join as many as 1600 runners at Washington Crossing State Park for a 1-mile fun run, a 5K race, and a 10K race. Sponsored by the Upper Makefield Business Association, this is the 34th annual Revolutionary Run.
Rev Run Details
Electronics Waste (only) Collection
Saturday, June 28, 2014
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. , rain or shine
Palisades Middle School
4710 Durham Road
Nockamixon Township
Download and Print 2014 Schedule
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Basketball and/or Tennis Courts Planned, as well as Softball Dugouts
More than 150 residents responded to a Park and Recreation Board survey in 2013, and the results prompted community leaders recommend building basketball and or/tennis courts at Brownsburg Park.
Bid specifications for the project are being developed now and are expected to be advertised in the next few months. The number and type of courts built will be determined by the results of those bids. Construction is expected to begin later in 2014.
The Upper Makefield Township Park & Recreation Board recommended and the Board of Supervisors approved $120,000 for the project.
In addition, 2 new softball dugouts at Lookout Park are slated for construction this year. Costs for this estimated $15,000 project, initiated by the Upper Makefield Youth Ball League, will be shared by Upper Makefield Township.
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Brownsburg and Lookout Parks are now Tobacco-Free Zones
Upper Makefield's Lookout Park and Brownsburg Park are now Tobacco-Free Zones. The ban covers all park property, including pavilion and picnic areas.The Upper Makefield Board of Supervisors adopted this ordinance October 1, 2013. Fines are set for between $250 and $400.
Given numerous studies concluding that second-hand smoke is a major contributor to air pollution and impairs the health of adults and children, the Upper Makefield Board of Supervisors wanted to create healthy zones where hundreds of families come for play and to participate in organized sports.
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Outdoor Improvements May Require Permits
Upper Makefield residents are enjoying outdoor living more than ever, with a steady upward trend in permit requests for outdoor kitchens, TVs, and pools. These items were not common even 10 years ago, but they do require permits from the Township's Department of Planning and Zoning.
Also note that pools must be enclosed by fencing that completely surrounds the pool. All fencing requires a permit.
As for that new outdoor kitchen designed to showcase your grilling talents and big-screen entertainment areas? These both require permits.
If you plan spring improvements, you are not alone. Here are the top four improvements that require permits, according to the Township Department of Planning and Zoning.
- Renovating existing decks, pools, and roofs
- Fence installation
- Installation of emergency standby generators
- Removal of any live trees
We hope the spring and summer of 2014 create many happy memories for you and your family. Upper Makefield's Department of Planning and Zoning offers these maintenance and good neighbor tips:
- Remember to clean out drain pipes underneath driveways and walkways (and gutters and downspouts).
- If branches or trees from your property fall onto your neighbor's yard, please be a good neighbor and remove them from your neighbor's property.
- Please be considerate of your neighbors when watching a late night ball game or movie on your outdoor TV.
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Tree Grant Program Continues through 2014
Upper Makefield Township will reimburse residents who plant Pennsylvania native trees up to $25/tree in a continuing program aimed at:
- Establishing and maintaining riparian buffer areas (properties located near streams/creeks)
- Restoring properties impacted by Hurricane Sandy tree loss
- Promoting wildlife habitat for small wildlife such as song birds and butterflies
These grants are funded through contributions from local developers and not through tax dollars. All property owners are eligible to apply for rebates, according to these guidelines.
Eligible Native Trees
Any trees that appear on these two lists are eligible for reimbursement:
Go Native Tree Farm Price List
This extensive list from a Lancaster, Pa., farm lists dozens of eligible trees, from firs and hawthornes, to magnolias and fruit trees.
This Indiana, Pa., company produces more than 35 million conifers and hardwood seedlings and transplants each year. Their online catalogue features color photos of native plants with extensive descriptions for best use and features.
Nursery Recommendations
The Upper Makefield Township Environmental Advisory Council recommends the following nurseries that supply containerized, regionally native trees.
Carousel Gardens
591 Durham Road, Newtown, Pa.
Carousel offers to "do the dirty work" of planting your trees, which can be purchased from them as well.
The Facebook page to this Manheim, Lancaster County, Pa. nursery's gives a great view of the company's commitment to native plants. They offer Basswood, Sassafras, Hickorys, Native American Chestnut, and Buckeyes and other hard-to-find trees.
Located at 1050 Eagle Road, Newtown, Pa., King's Indian Head provides landscaping services.
Musser Forests, Inc.
Musser began in 1923 as a Christmas Tree farm. Their offerings, grown in Indiana, Pa., are extensive, and the online catalogue is detailed.
Located at 1069 River Road, Washington Crossing, Pa., Season's Garden Center carries native trees and provides landscaping services.
This list is not exclusive: You may purchase from any nursery providing native trees.
Learn More about Selecting Pennsylvania Trees
iConservePA.com, a website from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources, offers a unique native plant data base that helps you select from multiple criteria, including lighting, soil, and desirable tree features.
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Truck Enforcement Team Aims for Safer Roads
As Upper Makefield and Newtown police officers entered their second year of coordinated commercial truck inspections in March, they issued 8 traffic citations and 2 warnings in their first commercial vehicle detail of 2014.
Of the 19 stops made from their March 2014 detail at Lookout Park, The Newtown-Makefield Truck Enforcement Team placed two commercial vehicles out of service due to safety violations.
Because of the high level of through traffic by commercial vehicles, truck enforcement details began last year as a collaboration of police services in Newtown Township, Newtown Borough, and Upper Makefield Township.
In 2013, The Newtown-Makefield Truck Enforcement Team conducted 16 details throughout Upper Makefield Township, Newtown Township, and Newtown Borough. Of a total 268 motor carrier inspections, police issued 13 out-of-service violations, 55 traffic citations, and 125 written warnings.
The top 5 violations were:
- Operating a commercial vehicle while not licensed to do so
- Operating a commercial vehicle while endorsement was suspended or revoked
- Operating a commercial vehicle without a valid license
- Trailer break-away device failure
- Overweight vehicles.
A total of 25-30 details are planned in 2014 by The Newtown-Makefield Truck Enforcement Team, to be conducted between March and November.
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5 Bike Safety Reminders
If you drive or ride a bike in Upper Makefield, it's good to know these tips, provided by the Upper Makefield Township Police Department:
1. Helmets are mandatory. Approved safety helmets are mandatory for anyone under age 12, whether a rider or passenger.
2. Ride with the traffic, in the right-hand lane, or as close as practical to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.
3. Pedestrians have right of way on sidewalks and paths. If you are riding on a sidewalk or public path, yield right-of-way to any pedestrian and give an audible signal before overtaking and passing a pedestrian.
4. New in 2013: Pass giving a 4-foot berth. When you approach a cyclist traveling in the same direction on the road, slow to a careful and prudent speed, and give the cyclist a 4-foot berth as you approach, pass, and complete passing.
5. Yield to a bicyclist traveling straight before you turn.
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Keep the News Coming!
This electronic newsletter is designed to bring residents seasonal news about services and events in Upper Makefield Township.
If you find this eNews publication newsworthy, please forward it to your neighbors who may not already receive it.
We do not publish a print newsletter, so we encourage you to forward this eNews with the recommendation for others to sign up!
By request, we will mail a printout of this eNews to people without computer access.
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