Robbi L. Lane – Chair email: rlbethelbos@comcast.net
Michael C. Graby – Vice-Chair email: mgbethelbos@comcast.net
Jay A. Bicksler – Member email: jbbethelbos@comcast.net
The Second Class Township Code specified that the governing body of a township of the Second Class be made up of three (3) elected Supervisors. The Supervisors are elected from the Township at large to six (6) year terms with one (1) member elected every two (2) years in the odd year to begin serving January 1st of the even year. To qualify to serve as a Township Supervisor, an individual must be a registered voter of and maintain residency within the Township during the term of office.
The Board’s responsibilities are derived from the Second Class Township Code. The Second Class Township Code places the general supervision of the affairs of the Township in the hands of the Board of Supervisors. As such, Supervisors are required to assume many of the roles found in separate branches or levels of state and federal governments. Specifically, Supervisors serve in legislative, executive, and administrative capacities.
Some of the responsibilities of the Supervisors, to name a few are as follows:
- General care, improvement and maintenance of Township roads and bridges.
- Infrastructure.
- Regulation of building and construction.
- Street Lighting.
- Signing and Signalization of Township roads.
- Approving the Budget.
- Enacting regulations to promote the welfare of the community.
- Establishing Township policy.
- Meet with residents to obtain input on Township programs and policies.
- Meet with other elected officials and Township staff on issues of general government.
- Review of technical reports from engineers, planners and other professionals.
- Attend county association and the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors meetings and conferences.
- Participate in the inspection of specific problems or proposals within the Township.
- Report on the status of local government affairs to the many concerned citizens of the Township.
DELEGATION OF BOARD FUNCTIONS
The administration of townships and other forms of municipal government has become very complex. As such, most townships delegate some administrative responsibilities to appointed officials or firms. The Second Class Township Code allows the Board of Supervisors to appoint individuals who possess a specific expertise to employed administrative positions. In this regard, Bethel Township has appointed a Township Solicitor, Township Engineer, Zoning and Building Professionals, although appointment of other specialized professionals is also permitted.
The township code also permits the Board of Supervisors to enlist the capabilities of its citizenry through formation of authorities, boards and commissions. This allows the governing body to draw upon citizens with particular expertise and to directly involve citizens in their government. Some of the more common authorities, boards and commissions operating in Second Class Townships are planning commissions, recreations committees, environmental advisory councils, zoning hearing boards, municipal authority and agriculture security advisory board.
SUMMARY
Local government is becoming more complex every day. Citizens expect effective and efficient services, and federal and state governments are placing more and more responsibilities at the local level. The successful operation of a township requires the time and effort of many people. Bethel Township offers several educational and information services, such as minutes which are provided through this web site to the Board of Supervisors meetings, and the other township committee meetings.
Township meetings will be held in the Bethel Township Office Meeting Room at 60 Klahr Rd.; generally the second Thursday of each month at 6PM. (Check calendar on home page for meeting dates.)