A new form is now available on our website that will make it easier for law enforcement and emergency services personnel to support residents in our township and throughout the county.
Find the new House Watch Information Form from the Carbon County Communications Center by clicking here.
Fill out the form and mail it back to Gary Williams, 9-1-1 Director at the Center, 1264 Emergency Lane, Nesquehoning, PA 18240 (the address is also on the form).
Completing this form will make it easier for those who serve us so well to do their jobs.
It's that time of year again and soon residents in Penn Forest Township will be receiving spring tax bills in the mail. This year, residents will receive tax bills for both Carbon County and Penn Forest Township. There will be a number of different tax bills arriving in your mailbox. Don't assume that these are duplicate bills as each one is for a different tax.
While the supervisors have worked to keep our taxes as low as possible, you can keep your own bill low by making a prompt payment. You'll notice on your tax bill that you will receive a discount if you pay your bill by the first date listed. Taxes are due by the second date listed and penalties will accrue if you pay after that date.
Our tax collector is Barbara Ahner. Please return payments to her promptly at 21 Unionville Road, Jim Thorpe, PA 18229. Also please make checks payable to: Barbara A. Ahner, Tax Collector.
Thanks for doing your part to keep our township working.
Township Supervisors presented residents with an image of a check the township recently received from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources in the amount of $225,000. The check is an award for a grant that the supervisors applied for last year for the construction of a new park on State Route 903 near Penn Forest Volunteer Fire Company No. 1.
Supervisors were initially told that grants would be capped at $150,000. After reviewing the application, which was submitted in conjunction with Kidder Township, the Borough of Jim Thorpe and the Jim Thorpe Area School District, the cap was removed. This grant will be used to create a usable park that all area residents can enjoy. It will include a childrens playground, a concession stand, restrooms and a walking path, as well as a parking lot.
Supervisors have already begun the grantwriting process for phase II, which will allow for the construction of some sports fields.
Pictured above (l. to r.): Supervisors Harry Connolly, Paul Montemuro, Judith Knappenberger, Alan Katz and Warren "Butch" Reiner.
Penn Forest Supervisors will host a public meeting on Monday, November 23 at 7:00 pm at Penn Forest Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1 on State Route 903 to discuss a possible Fire Tax to be levied next year.
The supervisors will convene the meeting but then turn it over to spokespeople from the two fire companies to explain to township residents why the money is needed and how it will be spent. The proposed fire tax would be one-half mil, which would mean an additional $50 per year per $100,000 assessed value of the home.
Supervisors had initially hoped to introduce the new fire tax via ballot referendum, but missed the deadline to get the issue on the ballot. This public meeting is an alternative method of allowing the public to comment on the issue.
If the new tax is levied, the township will seek to put an agreement into writing that will specify how the fire companies spend the money. This is not uncommon. Emergency services personnel are often forced to accept requirements along with funding. For instance, Fire company No. 1 recently received a grant for over $600,000 to finance renovations to its building, but those funds were not available for operating expenses.
All township residents are encouraged to attend this important meeting.
A new moving permit is now available on the Penn Forest Township site. If you are a new resident or planning to move elsewhere within the township, please download the form or come into the office to complete one. It is a requirement that everyone moving into or within the Township complete this form and return it to our office.
There are many reasons that it is important for the Township to know who lives here. Making certain that emergency services have good contact information required to keep everyone safe is one of the most important reasons we need this form completed for each move.
There is a new $10 fee associated with this form and it is now administrated by the Township's Zoning Office. Please call us with any questions you might have and thank you for complying with this important regulation.
