Ambridge Borough

Question:
Newly elected officials participate in Local Government Academy or other orientation training for public officials.

Question:
Municipal planning is coordinated with the school district and the two meet together at least once per year.

Question:
The municipality and local public schools cooperate to share facilities and other resources. (For example, the municipality assists with the cost of evening lifeguards for community use of a school swimming pool or for provision of crossing guards.)

Question:
Sufficient investments are being made to the water, sewer, and stormwater systems per real costs and keeping pace with maintenance and operations.

Question:
Cooperation is occurring with neighboring municipalities to manage water and sewer supply, treatment and distribution, sewage and stormwater, in the most cost-efficient way.

Question:
The municipality actively encourages water conservation and efficiency measures in the community and among businesses.

Question:
Drinking water and sanitary sewer rates are based on the real cost of providing service.

Question:
Water provider(s) prioritize improving service to existing developed areas as opposed to opening up new areas to development.

Question:
The municipality has provided diversity training for municipal employees.

Question:
Low impact development and onsite stormwater infiltration is encouraged.

Question:
Written policies exist and ordinances and incentives have been enacted to conserve environmentally and ecologically sensitive places (for example, slopes over 25%, slide prone soils and geology, springs and vernal pools, mature woodlands, Natural Heritage Areas, etc.) in order to protect public safety and natural resources while using green infrastructure for stormwater management.

Question:
Low impact and green development projects, as well as techniques (pervious pavement, bioswales, cisterns, woodland and steep slope protection) are fostered through incentives, ordinances and design guidelines.

Question:
Tree and woodlands protection and management policies are in place (for example, community forestry plan and canopy goal; tree planting programs; tree maintenance programs; tree hazard and health assessment projects; computerized assessment of municipal trees, Tree/woodland replacement criteria in ordinances, etc.).

Question:
Land use and development decisions are assessed to ensure they do not have negative fiscal, stormwater, traffic, infrastructure, or service demands, or quality of life impacts on neighboring municipalities.

Question:
Policies, plans and ordinances protect wetlands and waterways and their buffers.

Question:
PA State anti-idling law is enforced and compliance is promoted.

Question:
A burn ban has been formally adopted and made part of municipal ordinance, and State or County outdoor wood fired boiler construction and operation is in accordance with state law

Question:
The municipality has a written municipal policy prohibiting discrimination and valuing diversity and inclusion.

Question:
Measures are taken to ensure a wide range of candidates are interviewed for all municipal job openings i.e., the Rooney Rule.

Question:
Up-to-date ordinances for zoning and subdivision/land development are in place to implement the comprehensive plan.

Question:
There is a curbside and/or drop-off recycling program.

Question:
Waste and recycling ordinances and regulations are in compliance and enforced per Act 101, or if not a mandatory-Act 101 municipality, a municipal recycling program is conducted.

Question:
The municipality has adopted the International Property Maintenance Code within the last 6 years per good, safe rental housing.

Question:
The municipality maintains and supports an initiative to encourage residents to buy local.

Question:
The municipality has elected to administer and enforce PA's statewide Uniform Construction Code (UCC).

Question:
The Comprehensive Plan includes a parks/recreation and open space component with proposed passive or active greenways, parks and trails and the zoning and subdivision ordinances support the vision.

Question:
The Comprehensive Plan and ordinances protect farmland and/or promotes community gardens and infill green space.

Question:
A program exists (perhaps in partnership with an outside agency) to facilitate home ownership: homebuyer incentives, employer-assisted housing, community land trust, etc.

Question:
Owners and tenants in the retail area are engaged with the municipality to provide attractive sidewalks, trees, and street furniture and make the area safe for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Question:
The municipality has assessed Main Street program options and opportunities for possible applicability and implementation.

Question:
Public transportation and ride sharing are promoted and facilitated, as is transit-oriented development (where applicable).

Question:
All municipal buildings have an active recycling program.

Question:
Professional staff are employed or retained to manage the land use program.

Question:
Comprehensive land use/development plan is current, addresses impacts to neighboring communities, and incorporates sustainability principles.

Question:
Alternate transportation (e.g. transit, inter-modal, multi-modal, bicycle/pedestrian) are accommodated and promoted.

Question:
The municipality contracts for solid waste collection as opposed to individual home owners contracting for the same.

Question:
A multi-municipal comprehensive plan has been adopted as has an official map.

Question:
The comprehensive plan and ordinances promote pedestrian-oriented, dense, walkable, mixed-use development (in existing and proposed development), and redevelopment in the core or town center.

Question:
Traffic calming techniques, "complete streets" projects, access management and congestion management programs have been evaluated and are being implemented.

Question:
The Comprehensive Plan identifies environmentally sensitive, ecologically significant, and civic/historic places.

Question:
Taxation takes a balanced approach applicable to all sectors of municipal services provided and fees satisfy cost recovery.

Question:
5-10 percent of operating funds are carried over year to year.

Question:
Professional staff are employed or retained, in the areas of budgeting and finance.

Question:
Funds for capital-related borrowing are not used for day to day expenses.

Question:
Municipality routinely evaluates ability to ensure that revenue is sufficient to maintain public infrastructure, i.e., road, water, sewer, stormwater (community has an asset management based budget system).

Question:
Obligations for pensions/other post-employment benefits are funded for the long-term to at least 80%.

Question:
Municipality maintains updated public safety mutual aid agreements with neighboring municipalities and shares resources.

Question:
Municipality maintains an updated Public Safety comprehensive plan to be sure staffing and financial resources keep pace with municipal needs for Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical Services.

Question:
Municipality participates in a regional service program or contracts services to or through other municipalities for fire, police, or EMS.

Question:
The municipality is committed to passing a resolution (within six months of enrolling) to affirm participation in the Sustainable Community Essentials Certification Program.

Question:
Professional development for municipal personnel and officials includes participating (at a minimum, per year) in quarterly Local Government Academy, PA DCED or other professional training association programs.

Question:
The municipality utilizes Intergovernmental Cooperative Agreements (ICA) to engage in multi-municipal endeavors.

Question:
Municipality is an active participant in a Council of Governments.

Question:
All municipal-sponsored events have a sustainability-awareness component

Question:
Municipality communicates with the public via a regularly scheduled newsletter or regularly updated web based communications.

Question:
A Historic Review Commission is active.

Question:
Civic engagement, public participation and transparency are regularly assessed and facilitated.

Question:
A program to promote safe walking to school is in place.

Question:
Outdoor recreation opportunities, amenities, and lifestyles are promoted.

Question:
Programs by local government, or in cooperation with the non-profit and private sector, exist to address community health concerns, i.e. exercise programs, feeding programs for children and the elderly, crime watches, accessible health care, exercise away from areas of air pollution, etc.

Question:
A community produce garden(s) is available.

Question:
Education programs are made available for residents on the benefits of organic, locally-purchased food; farmers? markets and farm stands are facilitated.

Question:
The municipality supports a program (or cooperates with neighboring communities) to engage residents in strengthening sustainable food systems to link local foods, farms and people (ex. Buy Fresh Buy Local initiative, Good Food Neighborhood, etc.).

Question:
Incentives exist for establishment of farms and gardens within the municipality.