January 2022
Recently Elected Officials Sworn In 

At this year’s annual Reorganization meeting, the Board of Supervisors welcomed two newly elected members, Yvette Taylor and Ben Weldon, as well as Tom Cino, who was re-elected to a position he has held since 2010. Following administration of the Oaths of Office by Judge Michael “Mick” Petrucci, the supervisors elected officers for 2022: Chair Tom Cino, Vice Chair Ed Ford and Treasurer Tim Thomas. 
 
 Supervisor Tom Cino 
Tom Cino works in the finance industry and has lived in the Township since 1976. He was re-elected to a six-year term and will serve this year as supervisor liaison to the Fire Company, Jointure and Park & Recreation Board. Read Tom’s bio here. 

Supervisor Yvette E. Taylor 
Yvette E. Taylor is an attorney and a 25-year Bucks County resident. She was elected to a six-year term and will serve this year as supervisor liaison to the Council Rock School Board, Non-Union Employees and Public Works Department. Read Yvette's bio here.
 
Supervisor Ben Weldon  
Ben Weldon is a life-long Bucks County resident and small business owner. He was elected to a two-year term and will serve this year as supervisor liaison to the Financial Advisory Committee, Historic Architectural Review Board and the Historical Advisory Commission. Read Ben's bio here.  

Also sworn into office were newly elected Tax Collector Rich Krollman and Auditor Alison Strobel. 

Tax Collector Rich Krollman 
Rich Krollman is a retired CPA and 35-year resident of Bucks County. He was elected to a four-year term. Visit the Taxes page of our website for contact information, deadlines and payment details. If you are new to the Township, please review the Tax Reminders article below for a summary of what taxes are due in Upper Makefield Township.
 
Auditor Alison Strobel  
Alison Strobel is a 23-year resident of the Township and was elected to a six-year term. She was named chair of the Board of Elected Auditors at their annual meeting. Upper Makefield also has independent auditors who annually audit Township finances.  Visit the Auditors page. 
 
The Township welcomes and thanks our elected officials for their service to our community.  
Tax Reminders

As you start to receive your tax documents in the mail, it’s a good time to review what taxes residents pay in Upper Makefield. 
 
New residents sometimes don’t know what taxes are assessed by their new municipality. However, you are responsible for a tax bill whether or not you receive it, so review the deadlines to avoid a penalty.  
 
In Upper Makefield, residents and those employed within the Township are required to pay four kinds of taxes: Real Estate (Township, County, School), Earned Income, Occupation and Real Estate Transfer. The first of the bills are mailed in March. Due dates, early payment discounts and penalties differ by the type of tax collected.  
 
April 15—Earned Income Taxes are due to Keystone Collections Group. 
 
June 30—Real Estate Tax bills for Bucks County and Upper Makefield Township are issued March 1 each year. Payment is due to the Upper Makefield Township Tax Collector. 
 
October 31—School District Real Estate and Occupation Taxes are paid to the Upper Makefield Township Tax Collector. Here is a summary of the 2021-2022 Council Rock School District tax obligation.  
 
Check the Taxes page for details, payment schedules and contact information for Tax Collector Rich Krollman. 
 
Please note these deadlines and contact the appropriate tax collector if you have not received a tax bill in the month before its due.  
Tragic Fires Prompt These Safety Reminders
 
Research by the UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute (FSRI) shows that we now have an average of three minutes or less to escape a house fire. Just 40 years ago, that averaged 17 minutes. Why?  
 
Modern synthetic construction materials, home furnishings and contemporary open home layouts allow fires to develop, spread and become more toxic than ever before. Recent fatal fires in Philadelphia, Quakertown, New York and New Jersey prompted our Fire Marshal John C. Kernan to issue these fire safety reminders:  
 
  • Sleep with your bedroom doors closed. See the photo above for an example when a closed door bought time in a house fire, and the open door did not.  
  • Use hard-wired, interconnected smoke alarms with continuous electrical power and battery backup in case of power failures. 
  • Place enough alarms throughout your home, routinely confirm that they are working and have fresh backup batteries. 
 
Close Your Bedroom Doors   
About half of all house fires occur between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., when most people are sleeping. Research by the FSRI shows that closing bedroom doors helps prevent a fire from spreading, lessens fire/smoke damage and increases survivability in a fire.  
 
Opt for Interconnected, Hard-wired Smoke Alarms  
Since 1989, new homes have smoke alarms that are interconnected, have continuous electrical power and battery backup in case of power failures. If one alarm goes off, all of them do. These systems dramatically improve the chances of surviving a house fire. If you live in an older home without a hardwired, interconnected system, the Fire Marshal strongly recommends installing a new system.  
 
Consider Adding More Smoke Alarms  
First, confirm that your alarms are properly placed and working. Minimum requirements call for smoke alarms to be located on each level of the home and in the hallways adjacent to sleeping rooms. The Fire Marshal recommends interconnected installation in these areas as well: 
  • Attic 
  • Garage 
  • Rooms with HVAC equipment 
  • Near your washer and dryer 

If you have any fire safety questions, please call Fire Marshal John Kernan at 215-968-2868 or email him at jckfm272@aol.com.
Submit Plans Early for Home Improvement Permits

The Planning & Zoning Department typically has a spring rush for permits related to home improvements. We encourage you to plan ahead and contact us early in your planning process to discuss what permits and documents are needed. Reviews and approvals can take several weeks, so submit well in advance of your construction date to avoid delays. 
 
Not sure if you need a permit? Check the Permits and Applications page for common permits, and review the Planning & Zoning webpage for more information. Then call the Township to get started.  
Order Free COVID Tests

Every home in the United States is eligible to receive four free COVID test kits from the federal government. Order yours now, so you'll have them when you need them.
Register to Vote and Note These 2022 Primary Election Dates

Register to vote with the the Bucks County Board of Elections. May 2, 2022, is the last day to register for the May 17 Primary.


Upper Makefield Township | uppermakefield.org | 215-968-3340