New Resident Page-Middlesex Township

Download Informational Packet for your convenience

TO: New Residents of Middlesex Township

FROM: Scot E. Fodi, Township Manager

DATE: January 2011

SUBJECT: WELCOME TO MIDDLESEX TOWNSHIP!

On behalf of the Board of Supervisors for Middlesex Township, I would like to welcome you as a resident to the Township of Middlesex. A Township of the Second Class established in the late 1700’s, Middlesex is characterized by its rural-residential atmosphere, conservatism, and controlled growth patterns. We’re glad you chose Middlesex to make your home. We believe you will find this Township to be an enjoyable community in which to live.

In order to assist you in becoming familiar with your new community, we have provided a list of informative items. We hope these basic comments will be useful to you. The Township’s website, www.middlesextownship.org, is also a source of information regarding township events, meetings, and other topics of general information.

The Township staff invites you to become a self-reliant part of our community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Township office. It is our pleasure to serve you.

The Township Building is located at 133 Browns Hill Road, off of State Route 8 in the Cooperstown Area of the Township. The mailing address is 133 Browns Hill Road, Valencia, PA 16059. Regular business hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Middlesex Township is a zoned community and has a number of ordinances regulating subdivision, zoning and building. It is suggested that you inquire at the Municipal Building prior to initiating any expansion or building on your property. There are requirements for driveway construction, placement of articles in the right-of-way, erection of signs, and various other regulations. To avoid a citation, please contact the Township Manager at (724) 898-3571.

In addition to the elected positions, there are a number of vacancies each year on the following volunteer advisory boards and commissions: Planning Commission, Zoning Hearing Board, Parks & Recreation Board, and the UCC Building Board of Appeals. Interested citizens are encouraged to apply.

The principal sources of income for the Township are: the Real Estate, Earned Income, Debt Service, Realty Transfer, Emergency and Municipal Services, and Fire Protection Taxes.

Multiplying the assessed valuation of your property by the real estate tax (Millage) rate established annually by the Township derives the Real Estate Tax. The assessed valuation of a property is not determined by market value or recent sales. The Butler County Department of Property and Revenue determines the valuation for properties in Middlesex.

Township: 12.00 mills

School District: 99.0 mills

Butler County: 23.628 mills

Contact the Township and School District Real Estate Tax Collector, Jane Roth, by dialing (724) 443-2862.

The Earned Income Tax is a levy of one percent (1%) on all salaries, wages, commissions, bonuses, incentive payments, fees and net profits of businesses, professions, and other activities.

Office hours for the Earned Income Tax Collector at the Municipal Building are provided on the fourth Tuesday of each month, between 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

New residents are to obtain the earned income tax (wage tax) forms by calling:

Central Tax Bureau of PA, Inc. (724) 752-3350

438 Line Avenue, Suite 2.

Ellwood City, PA 16117

www.centaxgroup.com

Middlesex Township, like a majority of the Townships in Butler County, contains approximately 23.1 square miles of land area.

Five (5) postal zones serve residents of the Township; most of the Township is within the Valencia, 16059 postal zone.

The municipality share borders with six (6) other communities.

Middlesex’s population, according to the 2000 Census is 5,586.

The Township maintains 53.99 roadway miles.

There are 12.33 miles of state maintained roads; those roads include State Route 8, State Route 228, and West Cruikshank Road.

The handling of road related problems can be expedited by contacting the proper agency:

Township-maintained roadways: 724-898-3571

State-maintained roadways: 800-FIX-ROAD (349-7623)

It is illegal for the Township to maintain or remove snow from State-maintained roads as well as private or non-accepted roads.

The Middlesex Township Police Department patrols all public roads.

Residents of Middlesex Township are served by Middlesex Volunteer Fire Company.

Emergency Medical Services are provided to residents by Quality Emergency Services.

Both of these groups provide front line fire fighting, first response rescue, basic and advanced life support, and emergency medical care.

Currently, the Township does not hold a contract with a specific company for waste disposal services, therefore, it is the responsibility of all residents to contact and contract these services individually. Several companies operate in the area and contact information can be located in the telephone directory.

Trash should be at curb (within 6 feet of the road where truck travels past) on your collection day by 6:00 a.m.

ALL trash should be bagged, boxed, bundled or contained in some manner. Each parcel should weigh no more than 40 – 50 lbs. Cans or bags cannot exceed 45 gallons.

Dirt, sod, rocks, bricks, cement, building material, remodeling materials, Freon (refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers, or air conditioners) are not included in your regular service. Please contact the hauler of choice for information on disposal of these items.

Trash not out on time or not prepared properly will be picked up on the next scheduled pickup day.

Municipal Maps are available at the Township Municipal Building. A fee of $2.00 is assessed for each map purchased.

Municipal Road maps are provided to new residents of the Township free of charge.

Recycling is BI-WEEKLY on the same day as your regular trash collection.

The following items are to be recycled: clear and colored glass, aluminum and bi-metal cans, newspapers (placed in paper bags), and plastics #1 & 2. Most small mouthed plastic bottles and jugs such as milk jugs, soda bottles, detergent and shampoo bottles, etc. are acceptable recyclables.

It is not necessary to wash your recyclables but PLEASE rinse all food and residue from items set out for collection

Recycling bins are the property of Middlesex Township and every residence is required to purchase one. The fee is $5.00 per bin. When you move, please make sure the bin is left at the residence for the new owner or tenant. Bins are available at the Township Building at 133 Browns Hill Road

Scroll down to review information on:

¨ Local Government

¨ Local Tax Structure

¨ Demographic Information

¨ Fire and Ambulance Service

¨ Trash Collection

¨ Recycling

¨ Township Maps

¨ Postal Zones

¨ Voting

¨ Parks

¨ Dog Laws

Residents within the municipal limits may be served by one of five (5) different post offices: Valencia {16059}, Mars {16046}, Gibsonia {15044}, Butler {16002} or Saxonburg {16056}.

You are encouraged to register to vote. Pre-stamped mail-in registration forms are available at the township building, post offices, and banks.

The Middlesex Township Community Park, a 21-acre park, located behind the Township Municipal Building on Browns Hill Road, was designed for active recreation such as, baseball fields, soccer fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, picnic areas, playground equipment, and a pavilion/gazebo which can be scheduled for family reunions, company picnics, etc. The Community Park also provides a half-mile walking trail around a natural wildflower field.

Pennsylvania State Law prohibits dogs running at-large throughout the Township.

The owners of all dogs must keep them either on a leash or in a pen or similar enclosure. Violations of this law may subject the dog owner to a fine of up to $300.00.

All dogs in Butler County must be licensed. Licenses, either annual or lifetime, must be obtained through the County Treasurer’s Office at the County Office Building in downtown Butler.

The Township cannot issue the license, although applications for the County license are available at the Township office.