LGA Lyceum

Introducing Green Tree Borough's Junior Council Member

Submitted by Chandrasekar Muthiah, a junior at Keystone Oaks High School

I like to think of myself as the average high school student; I would rather hang out with friends and play tennis than do schoolwork, would not mind sleeping in every day, and would rather do anything else than mow the lawn. However, I am also a firm believer in making a mark on the world for the better. Throughout my high school career I have put myself in positions where I can make an impact on my school, whether it be as the Junior Class President or Student Senate Vice President. Therefore, it was only natural that when my high school Pprincipal approached me with the opportunity to join my local borough’s council as a junior member, I seized the chance. I was intrigued by the unique task of the position, essentially acting as a bridge between the council, the youth of the community, and the school district. To be entrusted with a responsibility that could affect hundreds of people is very humbling, and a task I look forward to excelling in.

When attending my first Green Tree Borough Council Meeting as the Junior Councilperson, I vividly remember feeling uneasy; being the lone teenager in a room with only adults can be quite unnerving. However, I was quick to find that this anxiety was in vain. The council members were kind and welcoming, helping me ease into the position. The beauty of the junior council member program is that experienced and respected members of the council welcome the suggestions of a teenager with zero prior political experience like myself.

In the past few months that I have been Junior Council Person for Green Tree Borough, I have had opportunities to grace the pages of local newspapers, and have even been asked for an interview. I’m aware that this isn’t Hollywood A-list star publicity, but even this “fame” is new for me; of course, my friends took no time to rag me about this. (Read about Chandrasekar in this article from The Almanac.)

But while the newspapers and interviews are great, it’s the actual meetings that originally attracted me to the position. I sit at a desk with my very own nameplate, listening to the council pass various motions and discuss the happenings of the community. I can honestly say that I do not understand much of these discussions, but my knowledge has increased with each meeting. My contributions to the meetings are reports concerning the activities of the local school district, to which the community has close ties. I always find that I receive positive feedback from the council members who show genuine interest in what I have to say. They offer suggestions to me that I take up with my school’s Student Senate, of which I am vice president. My experience to date in the council has proven to be wonderful, and I am sure this will continue.

Chandrasekar Muthiah is a Junior at Keystone Oaks High School. He will be blogging
occasionally about his experience at a Junior Councilperson for Green Tree Borough.

Mild Effects of Act 13 Impact Fee Funds on Municipal Budgets in SWPA

On November 7, 2012 the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) released the amounts  municipalities received in Act 13 unconventional gas fees. Local Government Academy compared the Act 13 impact fee figures to 2010 revenues by municipality for the 10 counties in southwestern Pennsylvania: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington, and Westmoreland.  

 

Of the 520 municipalities studied: 424 municipalities received less than 5% in impact fees in relation to their 2010 revenues, 35 municipalities received between 5-10 % in impact fees in relation to their 2010 revenues, and the remaining 60 municipalities averaged 26% in impact fees in relation to their 2010 revenues. Hopewell Township, Washington County, had the highest percentage with 110% in impact fees in relation to their 2010 revenues – receiving $500,000 in impact fees and $462,000 in revenues for 2010. Download the complete data spreadsheet below.

 

On average, Act 13 impact fee funds are small in comparison to 2010 municipal revenues. Meaning,  most municipalities will likely not need to make changes to their budget processes. Municipalities that received Act 13 impact fee funds are required to file an unconventional gas well fund usage report with the PUC by April 15, 2013 describing how they used impact fee funds. The report broadly outlines categories of how these fund can be spent. LGA is currently conducting a survey of 428 municipalities in SW PA of how they plan to use impact fee funds and what impacts receiving impact fee funds  has on their budget process.

 



 

Download Comparison of Impact Fees as Percentage of 2010 Revenues by Municipality - Local Government Academy - Managing Marcellus

Local Information: Junior Coucil Person programs promote civic engagement

2013 is a municipal election year, and given the recent focus on national politics, now is a good time for local governments and communities to refocus on the local. During this election year, LGA will be focusing on civic engagement at the local level, starting with Contemplating Governing for potential candidates offered in advance of local primaries, to the Newly Elected Officials Course later this year for winners of the 2013 general election. 

 One way for local governments to promote civic engagement and highlight the workings of local government is to invite young people to become involved.  Pennsylvania Boroughs Association promotes a very successful program at doing just that.  The Junior Council Person program provides guidance to local governments and students on how to participate in local government for the benefit of students and local governments alike.   PSAB shares this story of one Junior Council Person:

 Before Anna Workman was sworn in as Lititz Borough's Junior Council Person (JCP) she says she did not realize how serious this position was. She thought she would just update the borough council on school activities; however, she soon realized it is a privilege being a part of the meetings and receiving the monthly packets. She was very nervous as she walked into the room where the mayor swore her in, but after taking the oath, she became relaxed and began to observe local government at work.

 As the meetings went on, it became easier for her to speak in front of council. She was invited to attend the budget meeting, the longest meeting she attended. She was also given the opportunity to travel to Harrisburg in November and serve as Representative John Bear’s (R-Lancaster) guest page. She soon caught on to her responsibilities as a guest page and felt it was a great opportunity; she got to see the Capitol for the first time and learn the building's history. She was able to see how state government worked and compare it to the local government.

 Before becoming a JCP, she had no idea how complex borough government was, and she could not believe how much effort went into borough events and safety. She feels that local government truly cares about what is best for the residents and does its best to ensure the borough’s safety and history. 

 After her JCP term, a teacher at her school asked her to give a presentation to his class about local government. The Lititz's first JCP was in the borough at the time, and they gave a joint presentation about how local government works along with their personal experiences.

 Anna says this experience has taught her so much and has definitely triggered further curiosity about how the government works. Being selected as the borough's second JCP was amazing for her and she hopes the opportunity for students to participate continues. She believes youth involvement in local government can allow the adults to have a better understanding of what the youth’s concerns are for their community, and the adults and youths can then work as a team to strengthen the community. 

 Anna’s life revolves around Lititz. She attends Linden Hall and works at an ice cream shop on Main Street. Her mother has triggered an interest in her about the town’s government and what must be done to successfully maintain the beauty and history of the borough along with what makes a borough and its residents prosper. Anna hopes to return to Lititz after graduation from college and help make the borough a better place for generations to come.

 PSAB's Junior Council Person (JCP) Program is an outstanding opportunity to reach young people in high school to participate in the governing process of their own community. PSAB believes that the outreach of both the community to the youth and the youth to the community is an effective way to strengthen our boroughs for the future. Please contact Linda Costa, JCP Program Director, at 800232-7722 ext. 1028 or lcosta@boroughs.org for additional information.