Patton Township

Question:
The municipality has reviewed ordinances, resolutions, and other policies to remove impediments to the use of alternative energy (wind, solar, geothermal) installations or green buildings.

Question:
Municipality purchases energy for municipal facilities from renewable energy sources (or has installed renewable energy sources) such that at least 10% of all municipal energy comes from renewable sources.

Question:
Municipality purchases energy for municipal facilities from renewable energy sources (or installed renewable energy sources) such that at least 40% of all municipal energy comes from renewable sources.

Question:
The greenhouse gas inventory has been expanded to include the entire community (not just the municipality) and a mitigation plan has been developed.

Question:
The municipal comprehensive plan contains an energy conservation element.

Question:
The municipality has recently completed an energy audit of all municipal buildings and operations. The audit includes findings and recommendations and establishes a baseline of energy usage

Question:
Municipality works with schools and local nonprofits/community organizations to engage students about community issues such as waste reduction and recycling, public safety, wellness, conservation, nature, etc.

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

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

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

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

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

Question:
A natural resource inventory has been developed for the community within the last 7 years as part of the comprehensive plan.

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

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:
The municipality and its municipal waste hauler service are exploring ways to reduce emissions from vehicles and trucks beyond anti-idling.

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

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

Question:
A program is in place to encourage businesses to be aware of innovate sustainable business approaches and to recognize achievement.

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

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 a PA Dept of Agriculture Agricultural Security Area (ASA).

Question:
The zoning ordinance has inclusionary housing provisions/incentives

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:
Bicycle lanes or shared roadways are being developed and a ?Share the Road? education campaign is being advanced

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

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

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

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

Question:
Trails for walking and bicycling are being developed or maintained

Question:
The municipality utilizes a system for collection of delinquent taxes and fees in order to mitigate blight and abandonment.

Question:
Staffing is in place sufficient to enforce building and maintenance codes.

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

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

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

Question:
Green vehicle fleet assessment has been initiated toward: using greener fuels and/or vehicles, vehicle right?sizing for the job/trip, retrofit or replace older diesel trucks or equipment with cleaner technology, or driver education about driving techniques for fuel economy

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

Question:
A revenue-expenditure trend analysis is conducted annually.

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

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

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

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:
Municipality has or is in the process of retrofitting street lights and traffic signals to LED bulbs.

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:
Intergovernmental Cooperative Agreements include conflict resolution provisions.

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:
A program exists to actively pursue and match residents and local businesses to volunteer opportunities to better the community and assist the local government.

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

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

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

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