News from Upper Makefield

June 2023

Understanding the Township's Stake in Volunteer Fire Service

The need for weekday staffing for volunteer fire departments has become dire. It’s a state-wide problem that Upper Makefield Township chooses to face head-on.

Upper Makefield Township has prioritized hiring Public Works employees who are active firefighters and will join the Upper Makefield Volunteer Fire Department. They can then respond during the weekday when resident volunteer availability is low.

As of June 2023, five UMT Public Works employees are active Upper Makefield Fire Company volunteers. Public Works volunteer firefighters pictured above: Greg Ball, Bill Nariskus, Tom Miller, Foreman Mark Wert and Superintendent Matt Gorman. We thank them for expanding their work and training to include rapid response to daytime fire calls.

These Township employees are granted two hours per month training with Upper Makefield firefighting equipment. In addition, the Township will reimburse employees for fire training sessions that keep them current with UM Fire Company requirements.

The Upper Makefield Fire Company formed in 1967 and has grown to accommodate population spurts through the 2000s. The company responds to 200-250 calls per year, and volunteer firefighters are the Company’s greatest need. However, volunteers with IT, finance, general and facilities management, fundraising, event programming, legal and medical skill experience are also needed.

Do you have skills that could help our Fire Company? Please view the Upper Makefield Fire Company website to learn more.

Did You Know? Of the roughly one million firefighters nationwide, 65 percent are volunteers. The National Volunteer Fire Council Volunteer Fire Service Fact Sheet describes the proud history of volunteer fire companies, as well as its costs and future needs.

UMT Emergency Management

Officer Colin Murphy Promoted to Full Time

The Board of Supervisors join Chief Schmidt in congratulating Colin Murphy on his recent promotion to full time service.

Officer Murphy joined the Upper Makefield Police Department as a part-time officer in April 2023 and is completing his Field Training Program this month. Officer Murphy worked most recently for Yardley Borough Police Department, earned a Bachelor's degree from Temple University in 2019 and is a 2014 Council Rock South graduate.

Shown in photo from left: Supervisors Ed Ford, Tim Thomas and Yvette Taylor; Police Chief Mark Schmidt, Officer Colin Murphy; Supervisors Tom Cino and Ben Weldon.

Upper Makefield Police Department

UMT Earns Eligible Property Owners a 10 Percent Discount on Flood Insurance Premiums

Thanks to continued efforts and initiatives by Township officials and staff to implement improved floodplain management measures, most property owners with National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies are now qualified for a 10 percent discount on their premium.

Since 2017, Upper Makefield Township officials have worked with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the voluntary Community Rating System (CRS) program to qualify residents for reduced flood insurance premiums. Ongoing efforts to educate residents about floodplain management, to guide development activities and to preserve open space in the floodplain resulted in our recently improved classification in the CRS program and a greater premium discount. In recognition of this accomplishment, FEMA presented the Township with a plaque at a recent Board of Supervisors meeting. Pictured from left: Jamie Carpenter, FEMA Floodplain Specialist; Susan Mazzitelli, Floodplain Administrator; Denise Burmester, Director of Planning & Zoning/CRS Coordinator; Terry Barker, Administrative Assistant.

NFIP coverage is available to most property owners in Upper Makefield. Many local insurance agents are participants in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and can help with your flood insurance needs. If you cannot find a local NFIP certified agent, call the NFIP Referral Call Center at 800-427-4661 or view a list of companies online.

Call the Planning and Zoning Department at 215-968-3340 with questions about your property, and visit the Township website for additional resources.

Bucks County Floodplain Viewer

Sixth Grade Students Graduate from D.A.R.E. Program

Upper Makefield D.A.R.E. Officer Lee Crawford and school officials honored sixth grade students at Sol Feinstone Elementary School on June 7 for completing a 10 week Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E) program.

At the graduation, D.A.R.E. essay contest winners Noah Sciortino, Zoe Wiener, Maeve Casey, and Clara Altier (pictured above) earned a callout as well.

The D.A.R.E. program at Sol Feinstone began in 1998. Township officials and the Upper Makefield Police Department thank Principal John Harlan, the teachers and staff who have supported the D.A.R.E. program through the years.

UMT D.A.R.E. Program

Opt-in to Help With Deer Management

The Township has renewed its annual agreement with Big Oak Whitetail Management Association (BOWMA) to help manage the local deer population. The agreement allows vetted and trained bow hunters to hunt on Township-owned property during Pennsylvania’s archery season, which runs from September 16, 2023 – January 27, 2024. BOWMA is a non-profit organization and works with both Upper and Lower Makefield Townships. Each year, they donate a portion of their harvest to local food banks.

To improve overall results, Upper Makefield officials urge residents to grant property access to BOWMA. With access to private property, this annual deer management program is more effective in reducing car collisions, deer ticks and property destruction. There is no cost to the property owner.

All BOWMA hunters must be at least 21 years old, are individually insured and submit a background check. They must also pass a proficiency test and attend the PA Game Commission “Successful Bow Hunting” class. Contact BOWMA directly about deer management on your property.

BOWMA

Tips for Vacationers

Return to a Secure Home

The Upper Makefield Police Department offers these vacation tips to secure your home before you travel.

Double-check the obvious: Are your doors, windows and garage/rear doors locked? Is your home alarm set?
Consider putting your TVs and lights on timers or use smart technology to turn lights and TVs on/off.
Lock and secure jewelry, items of sentimental value and firearms.
Don’t post to social media about your trip until you are back home.
Schedule a lawn service while you are away to give the appearance that someone is home.
Put your mail service on hold.
Consider cameras and exterior motion lights to further deter would-be burglars.
Leave a locked car (with no valuables inside!) in your driveway to indicate someone is home.

Finally, submit a house check request online or download a form at the button below so UMT PD can keep an eye on your home while you are away.

Vacation Form

Property Maintenance Reminders

Please scan this list of common property maintenance reminders that affect your property as well as our community.

Permits Required for Tree Removal—Even if Trees are Dead!

Here is a link to instructions.

Yard Clippings

Please don't dump yard clippings in or near storm drains or waterways. Pollutants from your yard – pet waste, lawn care products, leaves, soil, and trash - trickle into the tributaries of the creeks and groundwater feeding the Delaware River. It’s also prohibited by Township Code.

Spotted Lanternfly Management for Your Property

Between now and July, white-spotted, black-bodied lanternflies will be emerging from egg masses laid last fall. These early-stage nymph lanternflies may be found on any outdoor surface between April and July. Nymphs are less than a quarter inch long. First check your red maple, silver maple and willow trees—these are favorite hangouts for the spotted lanternfly. Also check on and under lawn furniture, decks, fences and other surfaces on your property. If you find them, squish them.

The Penn State Extension offers good guidance on why and how each resident will want to care about managing the Spotted Lanternfly.

Address Signs Available

Help emergency responders find your home with a high visibility, reflective address sign. It’s available from the Township for only $12. Call 215-968-3340 or download an order form from our website.