Spotted Lanternfly Informational Meeting

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The Spotted Lanternfly is an invasive insect that has been identified in areas of Berks County, Bucks County, Montgomery County and in South Coventry Township. Native to China, India and Vietnam, this invasive species has the potential to greatly impact the viticulture (grape), tree fruit, plant nursery and timber industries in Pennsylvania. Early detection is vital for the protection of Pennsylvania businesses and agriculture.

Warwick County Park will be hosting an information session on Saturday, April 16, 2016 at 11:00am about the life cycle of the Spotted Lanternfly and quarantine information. The speaker for the session will be Dana Rhodes, State Plant Regulatory Official from the PA Department of Agriculture. This session is open to the public but will be limited to 45 participants. Please contact the Warwick County Park Office at (610) 469-1916 to register. For more information and directions, please visit www.chesco.org/ccparks.

For additional information on identifying the Spotted Lanternfly and how you can help, please visit the Department of Agriculture’s Spotted Lanternfly page.

Local Income Tax Due April 18

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It’s that time of year again. The 2015 local earned income tax return filing deadline is approaching. The due date is extended to Monday, April 18, 2016 because Washington DC is commemorating Emancipation Day on Friday, April 15, 2016.

The quickest way to get your refund is to file online. If you live and work in Pennsylvania, you can e-file on our tax administrator’s secure website, which is available 24/7 at www.KeystoneCollects.com. You will need your W-2, your Social Security Number and any other income documents that may apply (such as a PA-UE or a Schedule C).

If you have questions regarding local income tax filing, visit Keystone’s Frequently Asked Questions or call Keystone’s Taxpayer Helpline at 1-888-328-0565 to speak with a local, knowledgeable Taxpayer Service Agent. You can also email your questions 24/7 to Taxpayer Support. Taxpayer Service Agents try to respond to all online inquiries within three business days.

PECO New Alert System

PECO customers can visit peco.com/alerts to sign up and receive information regarding power outages, energy usage, billing, payments and more via text, email or phone. In addition to this new system, PECO has also launched a two-way texting program for outages. By texting “ADDOUTAGE” to MYPECO (697326), customers can enroll in the program, report outages, and check the status of their outage through text. To use this service, a customer’s mobile number must be registered with their account.

PECO also launched a new enhanced mobile website earlier this year which allows customers to report an outage or view the interactive outage map which provides additional information including cause of the outage, if a crew has been dispatched and the estimated time service is expected to be restored. Please visit peco.com/outagecenter for more information.

Spotted Laternfly – Pest Alert

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The Spotted Lanternfly is an invasive insect that was discovered last year in Berks County, PA. Native to China, India and Vietnam, this invasive species will congregate on Tree-of-Heaven and fruit trees. The Spotted Lanternfly has the potential to greatly impact the grape, fruit tree and logging industries. Early detection is vital for the protection of Pennsylvania businesses and agriculture.

South Coventry Township was notified on November 5, that a small stand of trees was found to have an infestation of the Spotted Lanternfly. As a result, the entire Township has been added to the Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine. The Spotted Lanternfly lays egg masses of 30-50 eggs wherever there is a flat surface – meaning that many easily transported home items can harbor this pest and help it spread quickly.

For more information on the Spotted Lanternfly and the Quarantine, please follow the links below:

Spotted Lanternfly – PA Department of Agriculture
Spotted Lanternfly Press Release – November 5, 2015
What the General Quarantine Means
Spotted Lanternfly – Pest Alert
Checklist for Residents Living in Quarantine Areas
Tips for Handling Yard Waste is Quarantine Areas

Toys for Tots Toy Collection

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The South Coventry Township Office is a 2015 drop-off location for the US Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program.  If you would like to donate a new, unwrapped toy to a child in need in our community, please drop it off at the Township Office during normal business hours. For more information about Toys for Tots, please visit www.toysfortots.org.

Final day for toy collection is Thursday, December 10, 2015.

Vegetated Bioswale Installed

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On September 23, 2015, almost 3,000 plants were installed at Connie Batdorf Park to create a vegetated bioswale. Many thanks to the twenty four students from the Owen J Roberts Horticulture Department who assisted Township employees and volunteers to plant this new bioswale!

The project was funded by a grant won this summer by South Coventry Township as part of Pottstown Health and Wellness Foundation’s “On Your Park, Get Set, Go” Park Contest.

For more information and pictures from the planting, check out the Owen J. Roberts News blog post – Bioswale Hands-on Learning.

TS Elliott Walking Trail Public Meeting

South Coventry Township will host a community discussion about the TS Elliott Walking Trail on Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at 7:00pm at the South Coventry Township Building.

The TS Elliott Trail is located on an eight acre parcel of land at the corner of Ridge Road and Stauffer Road. The Township is working to create a Stewardship Plan for the site which will include a trail system integrated with natural vegetation and recreation areas. Your participation will help to craft a plan that reflects the interests and needs of our community.

If you plan to attend, please RSVP by contacting the Township Office at (610) 469-0444.

Community Day at Warwick County Park

Warwick County Park will host Community Day in partnership with South Coventry, Warwick and East Nantmeal Townships on Saturday, September 26, 2015 from 10:00AM to 2:00PM. Come learn about activities and services you may not realize exist “in your own backyard”.

Designed as a fun-filled, interactive and educational day, learn, play and explore with craft vendors, local artists, entertainers, educators, non-profit organizations and school groups. Scheduled events and activities include a juggler, archery demonstration, animals, music, wagon rides and more!

Visit the Community Day at Warwick County Park page for more information including a schedule of events and directions to the park.