the municipal secretary desktop reference manual - Southwestern ...

Board of Health. First class townships and boroughs may establish a board of health
composed of five members, or appoint a health officer or officers who have the same powers and
duties as prescribed for the board of health. 7 The board may be delegated with the authority to
quarantine, establish rules and regulations for drainage and seepage beds, establish emergency
hospitals, make sanitary inspections, disinfect quarantine areas and enforce other health laws of the
Commonwealth, regulations of the State Department of Health and Department of Environmental
Resources and any ordinances of the political subdivision relating to health.
Townships of the second class are not authorized by the Township Code to establish boards
of health. However, a unit in this class can create a five member sanitary board, or appoint a sanitary
officer or officers who have the same powers and duties as prescribed for the sanitary board .* The
board may be delegated with the authority to establish rules and regulations for drainage and seepage
beds, make sanitary inspections, disinfect quarantine areas and enforce other health laws of the
Commonwealth, regulations of the State Department of Health and Department of Community and
Environmental Development and any ordinances of the township relating to health.
Civil Service Commission. Any first class township or borough which employs three or
more full-time police officers or five department members must have a civil service commission.
Townships of the second class are not authorized to create a civil service commission, even though
they may employee three or more police officers or fire-persons.
The commission consists of three members who have the power to provide for the
examination of applicants for positions and promotions, establish minimum qualifications for
positions, test applicants for appointments and provide hearings in cases of dismissals or reductions
in rank for those employed under civil service status.
Shade Tree Commission. A township or borough may appoint a shade tree commission and
give it exclusive custody and control of the shade trees in the jurisdiction. Shade tree commissions
have the authority to plant, remove, maintain and protect shade trees on public streets and highways.
Appointed Manager/Administrator
Local government is becoming more complex every day. Residents are demanding more
services and federal and state governments are placing more responsibility at the local level. The
administration of local government has reached the point where it is extremely difficult for a
governing body to handle all of the day-to-day administrative functions without help. Most
townships have delegated extensive administrative powers to the appointed officials. Large
municipalities have generally appointed a manager for this purpose, while many smaller jurisdictions
utilize the secretary to perform administrative tasks.
Whenever a municipality has a manager or administrator, there should be a definite
separation of functions and responsibilities between the governing body and the administrator.
7 If a borough or township is part of a county health department operation, they do not
have the above health or sanitary boards or offices.
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