Information obtained from Suburban Realtors Alliance

Middletown Township bamboo ordinance
Middletown Township has enacted an ordinance establishing regulations for the planting, cultivating and/or growing of certain running noxious plants and grasses, specifically bamboo grasses, and penalties for violations of the ordinance. The ordinance defines bamboo, bamboo owner, existing bamboo regulations – including maintenance and responsibility for encroachment, removal guidelines if applicable and violations and penalties. Existing bamboo shall at all times be located, trimmed and maintained so that no bamboo, or any part thereof, shall be within ten (10’) feet of any property line, curb, and/or sidewalk, or within forty (40’) feet of any roadway, cartway, street, storm sewer, sanitary sewer and/or public water facilities within Middletown Township.Click here for the full ordinance.

Palisades approves preliminary budget
The Palisades school board recently approved a proposed final budget that includes a tax increase for the 2015-16 school year. Residents in the Palisades School District can expect to pay an additional $30 in real estate taxes if the 0.9 mill tax increase is finalized. The $41.7 million spending plan would raise the total millage rate to 111.24 mills. A mill is a tax of $1 for each $1,000 in assessed property value. The proposed 2015-16 budget is higher than last year’s $39.9 million spending plan. The increase is largely due to higher health care and pension costs. The board is scheduled to finalize the budget at the June 3 meeting.
Source: The Intelligencer; 5/18/2015

Centennial considers feasibility study for aging middle schools
The Centennial School District is considering spending up to $37,000 for a feasibility study on its two middle schools. The buildings, Klinger in Upper Southampton and Log College in Warminster, are both more than 50 years old. “We have two aging buildings and a student population that’s dwindling,” school board president Jane Schrader Lynch said. “The questions are what should we do? What can we pay for?” The options for both schools include renovation, creating additions, or building one or two new schools. Lynch was quick to point out that a decision or plan will not be completed any time soon. Lynch also reminded residents that the board is asking for the public’s input in its search for a new superintendent to replace outgoing Joyce Mundy. A link to the survey can be found on the district’s website: www.centennialsd.org.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 5/18/2015

Council Rock to consider elimination of per capita tax
The Council Rock school board will consider elimination of the per capita tax currently levied by the school district. The school board believes the elimination of the per capita tax will reduce inefficiency in the district’s tax collection process. The meeting will be held at its regularly scheduled date and time, June 4, 2015, at 7:30 p.m. at the Chancellor Center, 30 North Chancellor St., Newtown, PA. Click here for the most up-to-date meeting information.