State College Borough E-Newsletter 

June 2009

Arbor Day 2009

Children at the State College Friends School participated in the Borough's 2009 Arbor Day Celebration.  Borough Council President, Elizabeth Goreham; Borough Arborist, Alan Sam; and Tim Cole, Forester from the Bureau of Forestry had fun with the children playing games and telling tree related stories. 

Tim Cole presented President Goreham with the 25th Consecutive Tree City, USA award from the National Arbor Day Foundation.  This award recognizes communities around the country that have put forth significant effort in managing their urban forest.  To qualify, communities must spend at least $2 per capita on urban forest management, maintain a group responsible for tree care (Tree Commission), have a tree ordinance, and hold an annual tree celebration (Arbor Day).

Alan Sam told the children a story about what one person was able to do to change the environment, one tree at a time.  This story provided the real meaning of Arbor Day and was meant to empower the children to do what they could to improve our environment.   President Goreham reiterated the importance of trees to our environment and even told a few environmental jokes for the crowd.  Special guest, Smokey The Bear, took a break from fighting forest fires and told the kids to be careful with fire in his own quiet sort of way.    

Water Authority Project Update on the South Allen Street Water Line Installation - Traffic Alert

The contractor is continuing to install the water line on South Allen Street. He has completed the installation from Foster Avenue to Fairmount Avenue.  The paving and curb restoration in this area will be completed by June 30, 2009. He is currently working from Fairmount Avenue to Prospect Avenue. This section of South Allen Street will be closed to traffic weekdays from 7:00am to 5:00pm.  This contractor will be closing one block of South Allen Street at a time as he progresses. Motorists may prefer to take an alternative route to avoid delays.  Your cooperation will insure the safety of our workers, other motorist and pedestrians. 

Neighborhood Planning/Sustainability

The State College Borough Council recently received a staff report on neighborhood planning/sustainability.  The report focused on what has been done in the past and goals for the future that would help neighborhoods remain residential in character and be both affordable and attractive for single-family homeowners. The report focuses on strategic initiatives that would contribute to sustainable and livable neighborhoods in State College.  A series of recommendations are included that are geared around community building and quality of life, education and regulatory initiatives.

Council will be discussing these objectives over the next few months by working through specific actions as recommended in the report.   The community is encouraged to participate in this discussion.  In addition to participating in Council meetings, the Borough has posted this topic on the Peak Democracy web site.  To see a copy of the report, click here .

New Web Tool Allows Pennsylvanians to Check Status of Property Tax/Rent Rebates

Eligible older adults and residents with disabilities can now check the status of Property Tax/Rent Rebate applications online at www.papropertytaxrelief.com

Six weeks after submitting a Property Tax/Rent Rebate application, the applicant may visit www.papropertytaxrelief.com and check the status of the rebate by entering his/her Social Security number, anticipated rebate amount and birth date. Applicants may use the Web site to confirm claim status, rebate amount and the date a rebate is expected to be mailed or direct-deposited. Rebate checks will begin being distributed to early applicants on July 1.  Through a similar automated phone service, Property Tax/Rent Rebate applicants can check rebate status by calling, toll-free, 1-888-PATAXES.

The rebate program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. A 2006 program expansion increased the income limit from $15,000 to $35,000 (which excludes half of Social Security income) for homeowners and raises the maximum standard rebate for both homeowners and renters from $500 to $650. The income limit for renters is $15,000.

The program expansion also provided for supplemental property tax rebates of up to $325, on top of the standard rebates to homeowners in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Scranton and to those in other parts of the state who pay more than 15 percent of income on property taxes.

Property Tax/Rent Rebate claim forms (PA-1000) and information are available online at www.papropertytaxrelief.com and by calling 1-888-222-9190. Forms and assistance also are available at Department of Revenue district offices (listed in the government section of local telephone directories), local Area Agencies on Aging, senior centers and state legislators' offices.

The deadline to apply for a rebate on property taxes or rent paid in 2008 is Dec. 31.

It's Yard Sale Season!

Just a reminder that you do not need a permit to hold a yard sale.   However, please keep in mind the Borough sign ordinance does not allow signs to be placed in the public right-of-way (grassy area) between the sidewalk and curb.  You also cannot tack or tape signs to street signs, lamp posts, electric poles or trees. 

 Borough Design Guide Receives Merit Award

The Pennsylvania Delaware Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects recognized the Borough of State College during its annual conference, which was held in May, with a Merit Award in the category of Communications for the Borough's Design Guide. The Guide was written and produced by the Design Review Board and the project was completed in 2008. Board member Kelleann Foster orchestrated the submission and received the award on behalf of the Borough and DRB while attending the conference. Kelleann, who has been on the Board since 2006, is a professor of landscape architecture at Penn State and is presently serving as Department Head of the Landscape Architecture Department. 

H1N1 (Swine Flu) Prevention

Borough residents should take the following precautions to avoid getting sick:

• Take care to eat well, get plenty of sleep and exercise, and drink lots of liquids.
• Carefully wash your hands with soap and water, or use alcohol-based hand cleaners often.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.  Discard used tissues and wash hands.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• If you feel ill, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others.

The seasonal flu vaccine does not protect against H1N1 influenza.  Individuals who are experiencing flu-like symptoms should make an appointment with their health-care provider. Infected individuals may be treated with an antiviral medication.  At this time a vaccine for the H1N1 influenza is not available.

For more information about H1N1 flu in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency website at: www.pema.state.pa.us/.  Individuals traveling internationally may visit http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/ for updated information concerning their travel destination.

General information about H1N1 flu is available at the CDC website: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/general_info.htm.

Reasons to Make Your Home Smoke-free for you and your family.

1.     Breathing smoke from someone else's cigarette, pipe, or cigar can make you and your children sick.

2.     Smoking inside a home or car is more dangerous because smoke gets trapped inside, even fans and open windows don't help.

3.     Children who live in homes where people smoke get sick more often with coughs, breathing problems such as asthma, and ear infections.

4.     Secondhand smoke is also linked to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

5.     Secondhand smoke can cause lung cancer in adults and is also bad for the heart.

Take the Smoke-free Home pledge at: http://www.cleanair.org/smoke-free