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Notices

Prepare for Hurricanes & Summer Storms

Prepare for Hurricanes and Summer Storms

For many, warm weather means enjoying the outdoors with picnics, swimming and gardening. But summer isn’t always a day at the beach. As temperatures increase, so do the chances for thunderstorms and hurricanes.

Although hurricane season began in May, late summer and early fall are when we typically experience the most hurricanes as ocean waters warm. Remember, hurricanes are not just a coastal problem, so it’s important to know the risks where you live since rain, wind and flooding could happen far from the coast. No matter where you live, thunderstorms can also be a threat. Lightning injures 243 people and kills about 20 people on average each year in the United States (see Weather.gov for more information). Heavy rain from thunderstorms can lead to flash floods and power outages. In addition, tornadoes can form during some thunderstorms.

Here are some tips to prepare for storms this summer:

For all storms

  • Download the free FEMA app to receive real-time alerts from the National Weather Service and to stay informed about watches and warnings. You can also sign up to receive Emergency Alerts in your area.
  • Make an emergency plan. Be sure to have extra water and nonperishable foods at home. Get started by having enough supplies for your household, including medication, disinfectants and pet supplies. Make sure you consider your family’s unique needs, including anyone who needs medicine or medical equipment. If there’s a chance you will need to evacuate, create a smaller “go bag” to take with you or keep in the trunk of your vehicle. Remember that after certain severe weather events like a hurricane or tornado, you may not be able to buy some essential items for days or even weeks.

Hurricanes

  • Know your risk for hurricanes and take action to prepare by visiting FEMA’s Protective Actions Research website. Hurricanes are not just a coastal concern. Rain, wind, flooding and even tornadoes can strike far inland from where a hurricane or tropical storm makes landfall.
  • If you live in an area that’s affected by hurricanes, practice your evacuation route with household members and pets, and identify where you will stay. Local emergency managers can provide the latest recommendations based on the threat to your community.
  • Make sure to clear storm drains and gutters and bring outside furniture indoors. Consider installing hurricane shutters if you need added protection against the storm.

Thunderstorms

  • Be prepared for thunderstorm, lightning and hail by planning to move inside a sturdy building or a metal vehicle with a roof. Remember the saying, “When thunder roars, go indoors.” Moving under a tree to stay dry is especially dangerous because lightning often strikes the tallest object in its path.
  • There is no safe space outdoors. If you are caught outside with no safe shelter anywhere nearby the following actions may reduce your risk:
    • Immediately get off elevated areas such as hills, mountain ridges or peaks.
    • Never lie flat on the ground.
    • Never shelter under an isolated tree.
    • Never use a cliff or rocky overhang for shelter.
    • Immediately get out and away from ponds, lakes and other bodies of water.
    • Stay away from objects that conduct electricity (barbed wire fences, power lines, windmills, etc.).
  • Unplug appliances and plan to avoid running water or using landline phones. Electricity from lightning can travel through plumbing and phone lines. Stay off corded phones, computers and other electrical equipment that put you in direct contact with electricity. Avoid plumbing, including sinks, baths and faucets.
  • Stay away from windows and doors and stay off porches. Do not lie on concrete floors, and do not lean against concrete walls.

Tornadoes

  • Be prepared for a tornado by understanding that they can happen anytime, anywhere so it’s important to know where to stay safe. If a tornado warning is issued for your area, immediately find a place such as a basement or storm cellar where you can safely shelter in place. If you can’t find a basement or storm cellar, locate a small, interior room on the lowest level where you are, and shelter there until it is safe to come out of your shelter location.
  • If you are outside and can’t get to a sturdy building, do not shelter under an overpass or bridge. You’re safer in a low, flat location.
  • Use your arms to protect your head and neck. Watch out for flying debris that can cause injury or death.

Build Business in Bucks Grants Available

According to CWIA data (3rd Quarter 2023), Bucks County has 17,962 businesses under 50 employees. Those 17,962 businesses make up 86% of all businesses in Bucks County. One of the many challenges of a new, small business is the capacity to incorporate professional services like accounting, marketing, and human resources and create plans to sustain and grow the business.

The Bucks County Department of Workforce and Economic Development (WED) Build Business in Bucks Grant will provide 65 businesses in Bucks County up to $3,000 (per applicant) in services and training to develop critical entrepreneurial skills. Applicants awarded funding will be paired with a qualified Bucks County business that can provide the aforementioned support after an intake evaluation and needs assessment conducted by Bucks County WED staff. Priority consideration for the Build Business in Bucks County will be given to Veteran-owned, Minority-owned and Woman-owned businesses. Potential grantees will need to provide a narrative on why they have been negatively impacted by the pandemic and how assisting with Accounting and Financial Training, Fiscal Consulting, Marketing and Customer Development and/or Human Resources Training/Human Resources Handbook Development will help them build their business in Bucks County. Qualified experts in a wide range of industries, including accounting and financial training, marketing and networking, customer development, and human resources will provide support. This support has the potential to lead to business growth and employee retention.

Eligibility:

Must be a Bucks County based for-profit business, established within the last five years, having 50 employees or fewer. Build Business in Bucks Grant recipients will need to provide Employer Identification Number (EIN), W-9 and proof of business or business ownership with the application.

Grantees are eligible for one award per Employer Identification Number (EIN). They will get to choose partnering businesses from a list supplied by WED. These partnering organizations will provide an electronic narrative to the grantees on why they are an expert in Accounting and Financial Training, Fiscal Consulting, Marketing and Customer Development and/or Human Resources Training/Human Resources Handbook Development. They are required to have a physical location in Bucks County and be a member of a Bucks County Chamber of Commerce, business association or networking group based in Bucks County. Partnering organizations will also need to provide a W-9.

Click HERE to apply for the grant as a business.

Click HERE to apply as a partnering business.

Bucks County Home Repair Program

The Bucks County Home Repair Program (BCHRP) will begin accepting applications July 1. Pronounced like “bee-chirp,” BCHRP is a resource available to low-moderate income Bucks County homeowners that provides qualifying households with up to $50,000 for home repairs and modifications.

Bucks County aims to bring necessary repairs to between 120 and 150 owner-occupied homes. Common eligible repairs include roofing, plumbing, electrical systems, heating and accessibility modifications such as ramps and grab bars.

Applications will be accepted online until 11:59 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15. Mailed applications must be postmarked by that date.

To assist with the application process, BCHRP will host two in-person application sessions:

  • Thursday, July 11, from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, July 13, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

These sessions will take place at Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County, 539 Jacksonville Road, #100, Warminster.

For more information about the program, including the in-person events, eligibility criteria and how to apply, visit the official Bucks County Home Repair Program website at BucksCounty.gov/BCHRP. Prospective applicants can also call the BCHRP Helpline at 267-899-6544.

Save the Date for State Services Day on August 9

Save the date for State Services Day with PA State Treasurer Stacy Garrity on Friday, August 9th sponsored by State Senator Frank Farry and State Representatives K.C. Tomlinson, Kristin Marcell, and Joe Hogan.

The FREE event is offered to all residents of the 6th Senatorial District and will take place at Neshaminy Activity Center from 1:30 – 3:30 PM.

PA Treasury staff will be on-site to help find unclaimed property and submit claims, as well as provide information on the PA 529 College and Career Savings plan.  Other state services will also be available, such as processing senior SEPTA passes, help with PennDOT, birth certificates, property tax/rent rebate applications, and more.

PECO Announces 2 Electric Reliability Improvement Projects Set to Begin

This project is part of PECO’s Reliability & Resiliency Plan to invest $1.36 billion through 2025 on targeted reliability-focused infrastructure investments. These accelerated investments will help strengthen the local electric infrastructure to better withstand more frequent and damaging storms, deliver enhanced reliability for our customers, and enable the adoption of clean energy resources. This plan is part of the company’s overall system investment of approximately $6 billion during the next five years across our electric and natural gas systems to inspect equipment, complete targeted system enhancements and corrective maintenance, invest in new equipment, and perform vegetation management.

About the Byberry 184 Project:

  • We are investing more than $3.2 million to enhance the local electric infrastructure in your area.
  • This work includes upgrading and installing new cable and equipment.
  • This work will help to improve reliability – reducing the frequency of outages and minimizing the duration of them
  • Work will occur along Bustleton Pike from County Line Rd to Pinehill Drive and from Forge Ln to Ruth St and along Street Rd from Bustleton Pike to Fairview Ave.
  • Construction will be resuming in June, 2024. The project is expected to be completed by the end of
  • Work will be performed by qualified PECO contractor Henkels & McCoy.

Crews may need to temporarily interrupt service to safely complete some of this work. We will work with local residents to ensure they are informed in advance of our activities and any planned interruptions. To ensure you receive all outage updates, please confirm that your phone number is accurate in our system through MyAccount at peco.com/myaccount or by calling PECO at 1-800-494-4000.

We will also work closely with local officials to minimize the impact on traffic and pedestrians whenever possible. Access for services such as trash removal, student transportation and emergency vehicles will be maintained during construction.

At PECO, we are committed to providing safe and reliable energy for our customers and the communities we serve. As part of our work, we will be upgrading and installing new equipment to enhance the local electric infrastructure in Lower Southampton Twp.

This project is part of our overall system investment of $6 billion during the next five years to inspect equipment, complete targeted system enhancements and corrective maintenance, invest in new equipment, and perform tree work. This also includes PECO’s Reliability & Resiliency Plan, which will help to prevent customer outages, modernize the electric grid, reduce the impact of extreme weather on electric infrastructure, and support the adoption of clean energy resources.

About the Project:

  • PECO is investing more than $1.5 Million on this project in your area.
  • We will be upgrading and installing new, innovative equipment, including new poles and tree-resistant aerial wires to provide you with safe and reliable service and meet the evolving needs of our customers.
  • In addition, advanced devices will be installed that can stop the flow of electricity on the line if a problem occurs and automatically restore electricity where possible.
  • As part of this work, we will begin an enhanced tree work program across the region to reduce the number of outages caused by trees and other vegetation
  • Work will occur along Street Rd, E Street Rd, Sterner Mill Rd, Bruce Rd, Fay Dr, David Dr, Steele Rd, Lacebark St, W Pine St, E Pine St, Redcone St, Loblolly St, Carol Dr, Jerome Rd, Ponderosa Rd and Ann Dr.
  • All work will be performed by PECO crews and qualified PECO contractors.

Tree Work:

  • PECO will invest an additional $320 million on tree work across approximately 600 miles of aerial electric lines during the next 10 years.
  • This will include tree trimming, tree removals and may involve your backyard.
  • We will notify customers if any tree work must occur on their property and will work directly with those customers to develop a plan.
  • PECO works with certified arborists and professional foresters and adheres to national ANSI A300 standards when managing tree trimming and removal.

Timeline:

  • Tree work is scheduled to begin in early July and work on electrical equipment, including poles and wires, is scheduled to start once tree trimming work is complete.
  • The project is expected to be completed in late February, 2025.

Crews may need to temporarily interrupt electric service to safely complete some of this work. We will work with customers to ensure they are informed in advance of our activities and any planned interruptions. To ensure you receive all outage updates, please confirm that your phone number is accurate in our system through MyAccount at peco.com/myaccount or by calling PECO at 1-800-494-4000.

We will also work closely with local officials to minimize the impact on traffic and pedestrians whenever possible. Access for services such as trash removal, student transportation and emergency vehicles will be maintained during construction.

Message from PECO about Preparing for Summer

Summer is almost here, and that means hot days and warm summer nights are upon us. But as you prepare for summer, don’t forget to also plan ahead for weather’s impacts on your energy bill and usage.

Use the tips below to manage your account so you can kick back and enjoy the summer.

  • Automate your Bills: Enroll in eBill for access to your bill 24/7, no more waiting for the mail. Then take the worry out of making payments with AutoPay to have payments automatically deducted on your due date.
  • Monitor Usage: Through MyAccount you can track your energy use and set up high usage alerts, get tips on how to reduce costs, and more.
  • Increase Energy Efficiency: Visit Ways to Save to learn about energy assessments and how to qualify for rebates and incentives.
  • Check and compare rates: Compare PECO’s current Price to Compare with any supplier offers or rates and educate yourself on energy supplier options.
  • Be Ready for Potential Outages: We encourage customers to prepare now in case they are impacted by any weather events this summer.
    • Download the PECO mobile app for outage reporting and updates.
    • Bookmark PECO’s outage webpage to report online and sign up for updates.
    • Enroll in our two-way texting program by texting “ADDOUTAGE” to MYPECO (697326). Once enrolled, if you experience an outage simply text “OUT” to 697326 to report your outage.

As you look forward to enjoying the new season, please take advantage of these programs to help minimize impacts on your bill from warmer temperatures and higher usage.

New Distracted Driving Law Bans Use of Handheld Devices

A new law prohibits the use of handheld cellular and other devices while operating a vehicle on a Pennsylvania highway or traffic way. Drivers may still use their phone if they are using hands-free technology, such as a docking station, Bluetooth or speaker technology.

For the first year, only warnings will be issued for violations. After that, there will be a $50 fine.

Distracted driving fatalities in Pennsylvania surged to a decade high in 2022, claiming 80 lives. The AAA Traffic Safety Culture Index found that the majority of drivers believe distracted driving has outpaced all other traffic-related issues as a growing safety concern. All of Pennsylvania’s border states and 28 others have enacted hands-free laws.

Bucks County Medical Reserve Corps (BC-MRC)

Working directly under Bucks County’s Public Health Preparedness department, the BC-MRC is a volunteer group comprised of both medical and non-medical volunteers dedicated to improving the health and safety of Bucks County communities.

The BC-MRC has been instrumental in public health preparedness trainings, exercises, and community events both in Bucks County and in the Southeastern Pennsylvania region. BC-MRC volunteers have been deployed in response to local and national emergencies. Our unit has also participated in community vaccination clinics and preparedness drills and exercises, staffed emergency shelters, and provided education at community events and expos.

Their volunteers were heavily involved in Bucks County’s COVID-19 response activities, including staffing a call center, conducting case investigations & contact tracing, and supporting vaccination clinics.

Proposed Ordinance – Legal Notice

NOTICE is hereby given that the Board of Supervisors of Lower Southampton Township, Bucks County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, will hold a public hearing on the following ordinance on June 12, 2024, 7:30 P.M., at the Township Administration Building, 1500 Desire Avenue, Feasterville, PA, 19053, and may consider adoption of the ordinance after the hearing:

AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF LOWER SOUTHAMPTON TOWNSHIP, COUNTY OF BUCKS, COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, AMENDING CHAPTER FIFTEEN, PART FOUR OF THE LOWER SOUTHAMPTON TOWNSHIP CODE OF ORDINANCES RELATING TO PARKING RESTRICTIONS ON TAX MAP PARCEL NO. 21-011-138; REPEALING ANY PRIOR INCONSISTENT ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES; PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE

The full text of the proposed ordinance may be examined or obtained at the Lower Southampton Township Administration Building, 1500 Desire Avenue, Feasterville, PA, 19053 or by clicking HERE.

My Lower South App Graphic