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 Hempfield News and EventsGeneral News InformationHempfield Township is a dynamic and growing community. Please visit our news and events page often for the latest updates, or to download our latest Headlining Hempfield Newsletter. Note: Please see the Home Page of this website for emergency announcements, including weather related items. Here you'll find important community updates on a variety of topics.
Message from the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors - Spring 2012
One of the first items on the agenda for 2012 was a measure to improve communication between the Board of Supervisors and all aspects of township government. The Board has incorporated a Supervisor Liaison position to assist with this goal. As chairman, I have identified five areas or departments that Supervisors will be appointed to serve as a liaisons; #1: Public Safety, Municipal Administration; #2: Public Works, Building and Grounds; #3: Fiscal, Revenue; #4: Planning, Code; and #5: Parks and Recreation, Community Outreach. Each Supervisor will act as a liaison with one department and communicate relevant information between the Supervisors and involved parties. It is my hope that this communication tool will assist the Board with decision making and enhance Township government. The Board of Supervisors agenda will include an aggressive Public Works program this year that will entail the replacement of the old route 30 bridge at its intersection with Slate Run Road, neighborhood storm water improvement projects in the West Point, Westwood and Kifer Hill areas, resurfacing of 35 miles of township roadways, Hempfield and Swede Hill Park pavilion improvements, and numerous other annual projects that include catch basin repairs, grass cutting, and retention pond maintenance repairs. These tasks could not be completed without our Hempfield Township Public Works Department. The department is composed of a group of dedicated employees that work tirelessly during all seasons to maintain Hempfield as a high quality community. The consideration to adopt a revised Hempfield Township Zoning Ordinance will also be on the agenda. A citizen committee was created several years ago and tasked with revising our zoning ordinance to reflect the 2006 Multi-Municipal Comprehensive Plan goals. This document will be reviewed by the Township Planning Commission and forwarded to the Board of Supervisors who will conduct a public hearing for citizen comment before a vote to adopt the zoning ordinance. Many long hours by members of the community have been assigned to revising this important document and I want to thank everyone for their dedication. The Board of Supervisors also recognizes the importance of our Hempfield Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services that remain essential to the protection our community. Therefore as another 2012 agenda item, the Board has requested that the Hempfield Fire Chiefs work in conjunction with the Supervisors to update the Hempfield Township Fire Fighter Manuel. This will help incorporate the most current nationally recognized safety protocols and standards to protect our Township fire fighters, citizens, and the community. We can’t thank these community heroes enough for all they do. Without the help of Hempfield residents volunteering to serve our community, dedicated Supervisors and Township employees, an agenda like the one proposed for 2012 could not be undertaken. I close by saying thank you to all those who are putting in the long hours to make Hempfield the best place to call home. -R. Douglas Weimer, Chairman Board of Supervisors Update from Township Manager2012 Budget“The Board of Supervisors passed the 2012 Township Budget on December 27, 2011. The budget retained our current property tax rate of 3 mils. This represents the 22nd year without a tax increase. SupervisorsI would like to thank Supervisors John Bossi and Bob Davidson for their service to the Township. Most people do not realize the sacrifices made by those who serve in such capacities. Hempfield is an extremely large and diverse community. Elected officials are consistently bombarded with problems, requests, and oftentimes individuals extremely unhappy with something. John and Bob spent hundreds and hundreds of hours every year serving all of you. I welcome our two (2) newest Supervisors; Jerry Fagert and Sherry Magretti Hamilton. I thank them for their willingness to serve and look forward to assisting them this year. ProjectsThe Township’s budget continues us on the path that we began several years ago. We continue to set the benchmark of road improvements at 30 miles a year and have budgeted accordingly. Last year we improved 28 miles of local roads. We missed our target, but it was because of weather and some of the unforeseen circumstances that the Township faced in 2011. The tornado this past spring, the subsequent 35 consecutive days of rain, and the collapse of North Greengate Road were the primary culprits causing the Township to just fall short of the 30 mile mark for road improvements. One fact worth mentioning is in the last two (2) years we have improved 59 miles of roads (31 miles in 2010). Township ParkWe will continue to make upgrades at Hempfield Park. We will continue making pavilion improvements and the final three (3) will be completed this year. We will begin planting new trees at the park to add shade, particularly around the soccer field (for those utilizing the track). If you are a walker or runner and you have not been to the park, I encourage you to give it a try. Our track is 8/10 of a mile and has some segments that will challenge you. The up and down nature of the eastern side of the track will give you a good workout. There is a cut through about half way around that allows you to avoid this more difficult portion of the track. There is substantial parking, the park is peaceful, and we hope you will come out and enjoy all it has to offer. Volunteer Fire DepartmentsWe have instituted a new program to assist our Township’s twelve (12) fire departments. The Township will begin a new “matching” program for turnout gear. This is the protective gear worn by firefighters when responding to incidents in the Township. The gear itself consists of a helmet, firefighting gloves, boots, pants, and jacket. This is part of a 10-year plan to assist our local companies. The Township will buy one (1) set of gear each year, provided the local company also buys one (1) set. Because the gear costs about $2,700.00 the Township’s participation will be limited to matching one (1) set per company. The life of the gear is ten (10) years, so this program could generate companies twenty (20) sets of gear over the time span (10 purchased by the company and 10 purchased by the Township). As part of this program the Township will also purchase a gear washer to allow our companies to regularly wash off contaminants that not only will help preserve the gear, but also helps protect the firefighters over time. Please visit www.hempfieldtwp.com where we will provide updates for park improvements, road paving projects, and other happenings in the Township.” ."
-Kurt M. Ferguson, Manager Township Park Gets Lighted FieldsTownship Park Gets Lighted Fields The new lights at Hempfield Park are now installed and operational. We will now be able to have night tennis, soccer and baseball. It is a tremendous improvement to the park and we hope your children get a chance to enjoy it. Remember you can receive updates on Township news by going to our website or for those with Comcast by tuning into Channel 765. -Kurt Ferguson, Hempfield Township Manager
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With
the arrival of spring we leave the short winter days behind and welcome
the additional hours of daylight. Spring is a time when many of us begin
to think about getting busy cleaning around the house in preparation of
the summer season ahead. The 2012 Board of Hempfield Township
Supervisors didn’t wait for spring to arrive; we began working on an
aggressive agenda since reorganizing in January with the addition of two
new members Sherry Magretti Hamilton and Jerry Fagert. I want to welcome
Sherry and Jerry to a Board that has a great track record of looking out
for the residents of Hempfield and making our community a premier place
to live. 
911 Emergency Address
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Township of Hempfield :: Greensburg-Hempfield Business Park :: 1132
Woodward Drive, Suite A :: Greensburg, PA 15601-9310 |
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