The Bucks County Association of Township Officials (BCATO) is requesting support for the its Act 537 resolution passed at the 2015 Pennsylvania State Association of Township Officials (PSATS) conference.

This resolution supports legislation mandating that the legislature budget sufficient funds to reimburse townships for 50% of the costs incurred during the previous five years to prepare or update their Sewage Facilities Plans (Act 537 Plans) as mandated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and that it budget sufficient funds to pay 50% of the costs that are incurred by townships in 2015 and subsequent years to prepare such plans when mandated by DEP.

Explanation of Need for Resolution:

Years ago the legislature recognized the importance of sewage planning for public health, safety and welfare. It passed a law that said municipalities had to do it. It offered to pay 50% of the costs to create plans, presumably to provide an incentive for municipalities to act. It hasn’t put enough money in the pot for several years. We are merely suggesting the legislature do what it said it would do.