[Ord. No. 752, § 1 (5-1), 8-9-1976; Ord. No. 1119, § 1, 2-8-1993; Ord. No. 1232, § 1, 6-9-1997; Ord. No. 1590, § 1, 10-13-2014]
(a) 
Established. There is hereby established a Park, Recreation and Shade Tree Advisory Board to advise the Township Council regarding the operation, maintenance and supervision of public parks, playgrounds and recreation areas, the establishment of recreation programs, and to further advise the Council with respect to the preservation, maintenance and planting of shade trees.
(b) 
Number; terms of office; compensation; filling of vacancies; appointments. The Advisory Board shall be comprised of seven (7) members. The members of the existing five-member Advisory Board shall continue in office until their terms of office would expire under prior provision of this Section. Two (2) additional members of the Advisory Board shall be appointed for terms of three (3) years and five (5) years. The successors of all members shall thereafter be appointed for terms of four (4) years. The Advisory Board members shall serve without compensation. Vacancies occurring other than by expiration of a term of office shall be filled for the unexpired term. All appointments to the Advisory Board shall be made by the Township Council.
(c) 
Officers; rules and regulations. The advisory Board shall annually elect from among its membership a Chairman and such other officers as it may deem necessary for the orderly procedure of its business, and may adopt rules and regulations governing its procedure not inconsistent with the laws of the Township.
(d) 
Duties. The duties of the Park, Recreation and Shade Tree Advisory Board shall be the following:
(1) 
Promote the importance of parks and recreation as an essential community service.
(2) 
Evaluate periodically the comprehensive park plan, community center master plan and other planning tools as to both progress and future direction.
(3) 
Promote and assist with special events such as Plymouth Township Day and Community Center Awareness functions.
(4) 
Conduct the annual meeting with sports and youth groups to facilitate communication and cooperation.
(5) 
Make recommendations to Township Council and staff regarding:
a. 
Policies and procedures governing the operation and conduct of Township recreational facilities, including the community center.
b. 
Maintenance and supervision of Township-owned or controlled parks, playfields, community center and recreation areas.
c. 
Recreational programming.
d. 
Rules and regulations as to the planting, removal, maintenance, care and protection of shade trees in the public streets and highways of the Township.
e. 
Other park, recreation and shade tree issues as requested from time to time by Township Council and staff.
(e) 
Meetings. The advisory Board shall hold regular meetings at such times and places as it may designate.
(f) 
Reports. The advisory Board shall make full and complete reports to the Township at such time as may be designated and requested by the Council.
[Ord. No. 1483, § 1, 9-10-2007;[1] Ord. 1510, 2/9/2009, §§ 1-3; 3-9-2026 by Ord. No. 1717]
(a) 
Established. An Emergency Services Board is hereby established to advise the Township Council regarding matters relating to fire, rescue and emergency services within the Township.
(b) 
Number/terms of office/compensation, filling of vacancies; appointments. The Emergency Services Board shall be comprised of eleven members consisting of one fire line and one administrative officer from each fire company, one ambulance company representative, one Council member, one Township staff member, the Township Emergency Management Coordinator, the Fire Marshal, one representative from the Police Department and one resident or business person from a business located within the Township. The initial terms of the three new members shall be one new member for two years; one new member for three years; and one new member for four years. The successors of all members shall thereafter be appointed for terms of three years. The Emergency Services Board members shall serve without compensation. Any vacancy occurring for any reason whatsoever shall be filled for the unexpired term within the period of thirty days after such vacancy occurs. Except for vacancies, all terms of appointment shall commence on the first Monday of the year of appointment.
(c) 
Organization meeting. The Emergency Services Board members first appointed shall organize within twenty days of their appointment and shall elect one of their members as a Chairman, one member as a Vice Chairman and one member as a Secretary. Each Board member shall be notified in writing of each and every meeting. Four members of the Board shall constitute a quorum, and no action of the Board shall be valid unless it shall have the concurrence of a majority of a quorum.
(d) 
Duties. The duties of the Emergency Services Board shall be the following:
(1) 
Advise the Plymouth Township Council on any matter relating to fire, rescue and EMS services.
(2) 
Recommend to the Township Council the adoption of appropriate policies, procedures, standards and plans that would be applicable and binding to all fire and EMS services, including:
a. 
Volunteer recruitment, retention and promotion programs and policies for members of the fire and ambulance companies;
b. 
Paid staffing;
c. 
Integrated operational chain of command;
d. 
Budget accounting and auditing policies and procedures;
e. 
Purchasing policies and procedures; and
f. 
Standard operating procedures.
(3) 
Establish such committees and task forces deemed appropriate to develop and implement Township fire and EMS programs.
(4) 
Establish communications and dispatch policies and procedures to be followed by the emergency dispatch center for the Township fire and rescue service.
(5) 
Establish requirements, guidelines, curriculum and programs for training of fire and rescue personnel.
(6) 
Review and recommend annual operating and capital budget submissions for the fire and rescue services as part of the Township's budget process.
(7) 
Establish fire station response areas based on travel time projections.
(8) 
Assist the Township Council in assuring that a strategic or service plan is updated at regular intervals.
(9) 
Such other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Township Council.
(e) 
Meetings. The Emergency Services Board shall hold at least one meeting every quarter.
[Amended 6-12-2023 by Ord. No. 1691]
(f) 
Reports. The Emergency Services Board shall make full and complete reports to Township Council on a bimonthly basis or as may be designated and requested by Township Council.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 2-171, Health Advisory Board, derived from Ord. 752, was repealed 4-11-1994 by Ord. No. 1154.
[Ord. No. 752, § 1 (5-3), 8-9-1976; Ord. No. 1455, § 1, 1-12-2006]
(a) 
There is hereby established a planning agency pursuant to the provisions of Article II, Planning Agencies, Section 201 et seq., of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Act of 1968, P.L. 805, No. 247, as reenacted and amended ("MPC").
(b) 
The planning agency shall consist of seven (7) members, all of whom shall be appointed for four-year terms, or until their successors are appointed. All members of the planning agency shall be residents of the Township.
[Ord. No. 1596, 3-9-2015; Ord. No. 1614, 12-14-2015]
(c) 
The planning agency shall annually appoint from among its membership a Chairman, vice Chairman and such other officers as it may deem necessary for the orderly procedure of its business.
(d) 
The function of the planning agency shall be to review zoning proposals, subDivision and land development applications, and to perform such other functions as are set forth in Section 209.1 of the MPC. In the performance of its powers and duties, any act or recommendation of the planning agency which involves engineering considerations shall be subject to the approval of the Township Engineer, who shall serve as a consultant to the planning agency.
(e) 
Any member of the planning agency may be removed from office for malfeasance, misfeasance or nonfeasance in office or for other just cause by a majority vote of Plymouth Township Council taken after the member has received fifteen (15) days' advanced notice of the intent to take such a vote. A hearing shall be held in connection with the vote if the member shall request it in writing. Any appointment to fill a vacancy created by removal shall be only for the unexpired term.
[Ord. No. 1504, § 1, 9-8-2008]
(a) 
Established. An Environmental Advisory Board is hereby established to advise the Township Council on matters relating to the protection, conservation, management, promotion of the natural resources of the Township and for the protection and the improvement of the quality of the environment within its territorial limits.
(b) 
Number/terms of office/compensation, filling of vacancies; appointments. The Environmental Advisory Board shall be comprised of seven members who are residents of the Township. The two additional members authorized by the amendment to Ordinance 1504 on May 11, 2015, shall be appointed to terms as follows: One member shall be appointed to a one-year term and one member shall be appointed to a two-year term. The successors of such members, and the existing members, shall thereafter be appointed for terms of three years. The Environmental Advisory Board members shall serve without compensation. Any vacancy occurring for any reason whatsoever shall be filled for the unexpired term within the period of thirty days after such vacancy occurs. Except for the initial appointments and for vacancies, all terms of appointment shall commence on the first Monday of the year of appointment.
[Ord. No. 1604, 5-11-2015]
(c) 
Organization meeting. The Environmental Advisory Board members first appointed shall organize within twenty days of their appointment and shall elect one of its members as a Chairman, one member as a Vice-Chairman and one member as a Secretary. Each Board member shall be notified in writing of each and every meeting. Three members of the Board shall constitute a quorum and no action of the Board shall be valid unless it shall have the concurrence of a majority of a quorum.
(d) 
Duties. The duties of the Environmental Advisory Board shall be the following:
(1) 
To identify environmental problems and recommend plans and programs to the appropriate agencies of the Township for the promotion and conservation of the natural resources and for the protection and improvement of the quality of the environment within its territorial limits;
(2) 
To make recommendations as to the possible use of open areas of the Township;
(3) 
To promote a Township environmental program;
(4) 
To keep an index of all open areas, publicly or privately owned, including flood-prone areas, swamps and other unique natural areas, for the purpose of obtaining information on the proper use of those areas;
(5) 
To advise the appropriate Township agencies, including the planning Commission, the park and recreation Board and Township Council, in the acquisition of both real and personal property by gift, purchase, grant, bequest, easement, devise or lease;
(6) 
To promote Township environmental awareness and programs;
(7) 
To undertake such environmental tasks as requested by Township Council;
(8) 
To work with other municipal Environmental Advisory Boards to address issues affecting the sustainable development of multiple Townships, such as watershed issues, forests and aquifer recharge areas;
(9) 
To provide, at the request of Township Council or any of the Township advisory committees, input on programs or projects under review by said Board or committees related to the environment. Notwithstanding the input, the process shall not obviate the need to comply with review deadlines such as but not limited to the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code;
(10) 
To review and comment on solid waste management statutes, rules and regulations affecting the Township;
(11) 
To review and comment on recycling statutes, rules and regulations affecting the Township; and
(12) 
Such other duties and responsibilities as assigned by Township Council.
(e) 
Meetings. The Environmental Advisory Board may hold monthly, bimonthly or quarterly meetings depending upon the Board's workload. All regular and special meetings of the Environmental Advisory Board shall be scheduled, advertised and conducted in accordance with the requirements of the provisions of the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act. The schedule of its meetings shall be advertised annually by the Township Manager in accordance with the requirements of the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act.
(f) 
Reports. The Environmental Advisory Board shall make full and complete reports to Township Council on a monthly basis or as may be designated and requested by the Township Council.
(g) 
Statutory duties and powers. Such powers and duties as are now or may hereafter be provided by the statutes of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or by ordinances of Plymouth Township relating to the creation of the Environmental Advisory Board and the carrying out of its powers and duties are hereby vested in the Environmental Advisory Board, to be exercised by it, subject to any and all restrictions contained in such powers and ordinances.
(h) 
Appropriation of funds. Township Council shall appropriate funds for expenses incurred by the Environmental Advisory Board (excepting legal and professional services passed through to developers pursuant to applicable law). Appropriations may be expended for such administrative, clerical, printing and professional consulting and legal services as may from time to time be required, provided such appropriations are within the limits of the annual budget as approved by Township Council. Prior to the specific expenditure of any funds, the Environmental Advisory Board must obtain the approval of the Township Manager.
(i) 
Overlap in jurisdiction. Nothing herein contained shall be construed as abolishing or limiting any existing Township agency, Board, authority or Commission even though such agency, Board, authority or Commission may have a responsibility related to the responsibilities delegated to the Environmental Advisory Board hereunder; provided, however, that should there occur any overlap in jurisdiction between or amongst any existing Township agency, Board, authority or Commission and the Environmental Advisory Board with respect to any matter or question, then such matter or question shall be referred to Township Council for delegation to the appropriate entity.
[Added 2-10-2025 by Ord. No. 1710]
(a) 
Established. A Communication Advisory Committee is hereby established to advise the Township Council on matters relating to the communication practices of the Township, for the purpose of ensuring that Township-related information is easily and readily accessible to all residents, and the broader community.
(b) 
Number/terms of office/compensation, filling of vacancies; appointments. The Communication Advisory Committee shall be comprised of three residents of the Township, three members of Township staff, one member of Council (voting member), and one member of Council (non-voting, optional). The Communication Advisory Committee members shall serve without compensation. Any vacancy occurring for any reason whatsoever shall be filled for the unexpired term within the period of thirty days after such vacancy occurs. Except for the initial appointments and for vacancies, all terms of appointment shall commence on the first Monday of the year of appointment. Upon its initiation, and in order to stagger additions and reappointments to this Committee, the three resident member seats shall include the following terms:
(1) 
One-year term (0).
(2) 
Two-year term (1).
(3) 
Three-term (1).
(4) 
Four-year term (1).
Thereafter, all terms of office shall be four years, with term limits of two consecutive terms.
(c) 
Organization meeting. The Communication Advisory Committee members first appointed shall organize within twenty days of their appointment and shall elect one of its members as a Chairman, one member as a Vice-Chairman and one member as a Secretary. Each Board member shall be notified in writing of each and every meeting. Four members of the Board shall constitute a quorum and no action of the Board shall be valid unless it shall have the concurrence of a majority of a quorum.
(d) 
Duties. The duties of the Communication Advisory Committee shall be the following:
(1) 
To keep an inventory of all forms of communication currently in use by and available to the Township for the purposes of communicating with Township residents and the broader community.
(2) 
To help assess the effectiveness of communication media in use, and to assist in identifying the most effective strategies for communication between the Township, Township residents, and the broader community.
(3) 
To make recommendations as to possible design and use of the Township website, email accounts, newsletters, social media accounts, digital signs and all other forms of communication and/or marketing tools available to the Township and its agencies.
(4) 
Such other duties and responsibilities as assigned by Township Council.
(e) 
Meetings. The Communication Advisory Committee shall hold monthly meetings depending upon the Committee's workload and at the discretion of the Chair. All regular and special meetings of the Communication Advisory Committee shall be scheduled, advertised and conducted in accordance with the requirements of the provisions of the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act.[1] The schedule of its meetings shall be advertised annually by the Township Manager in accordance with the requirements of the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 65 Pa.C.S.A. § 701 et seq.
(f) 
Reports. The Communication Advisory Committee shall make full and complete reports to Township Council on a quarterly basis or as may be designated and requested by the Township Council.
(g) 
Statutory duties and powers. Such powers and duties as are now or may hereafter be provided by the statutes of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or by ordinances of Plymouth Township relating to the creation of the Communication Advisory Committee and the carrying out of its powers and duties are hereby vested in the Communication Advisory Committee, to be exercised by it, subject to any and all restrictions contained in such powers and ordinances.
(h) 
Appropriation of funds. Township Council shall appropriate funds for expenses incurred by the Communication Advisory Committee. Appropriations may be expended for such administrative, clerical, printing and professional consulting and legal services as may from time to time be required, provided such appropriations are within the limits of the annual budget as approved by Township Council. Prior to the specific expenditure of any funds, the Communication Advisory Committee must obtain the approval of the Township Manager.
(i) 
Overlap in jurisdiction. Nothing herein contained shall be construed as abolishing or limiting any existing Township agency, Board, authority or Commission even though such agency, Board, authority or Commission may have a responsibility related to the responsibilities delegated to the Communication Advisory Committee hereunder; provided, however, that should there occur any overlap in jurisdiction between or amongst any existing Township agency, board, authority or commission and the Communication Advisory Committee with respect to any matter or question, then such matter or question shall be referred to Township Council for delegation to the appropriate entity.