Elected and Appointed Officials

The Township of Washington is governed by an elected body organized under the Second Class Township Code of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. That Board is called the Council and consists of five (5) elected officials, each serving staggered four (4) year terms. During a typical municipal election year either two (2) or three (3) positions will be open for election.

Council is charged with the general government of the Township to secure the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the Community. To accomplish that task Council adopts laws, known as ordinances, that governs various activities within the Township. The Board is restricted in areas in which it can exercise control by both the Second Class Township Code and various other laws of the Commonwealth.

Yearly Council appoints a Township Manager who is charged by Council to implement the ordinances it passes and to manage the annual budget of the Township which is adopted by Council by December 31st for the following calendar year.

The Council meets on a semi-monthly basis (first Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. and the third Tuesday of the month at 4:00 p.m., with a Workshop scheduled on an as-needed basis every fourth Tuesday of the month, in Council chambers) to conduct business on behalf of the Township. All meetings of Council are open to the public with an opportunity at each meeting for public comment. If a resident has a concern he or she feels needs to be addressed by the Township, the individual is encouraged to contact the Township Manager's Office which may be able to address the manner promptly and/or schedule an appropriate time for that individual to present concerns to Council. Residents are encouraged to present their views on Township matters on any of the means that are available, including letters, e-mail, and telephone or voice mail. Council strives to have all means available to facilitate your communication with Township officials.

Washington Township is located within the General McLane School District, 49th Senatorial District, 5th Representative District, and the 6th County Council District.

Manager

Washington Township is managed by David L. Anthony.

Township Council

View the current Township Council Members

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission consists of five members appointed by Council. They serve 4-year overlapping terms. The Planning Commission has the responsibility to review all proposed subdivision/land development plans, conditional use, and non-conforming use applications and to make recommendations to Council.

Under the authority granted by the PA Municipalities Planning Code (Act 247 of 1986, as amended), the Planning Commission's main purpose is to guide land use and development, a responsibility delegated by the State to local municipalities. To accomplish this, the Planning Commission has formalized its goals and policies in a Comprehensive Plan, a Zoning Ordinance, and an official map. All are revised and updated to reflect the evolving ideas about how a community should grow. In these and other activities, the Commission attempts to solve current problems and to present to the community a plan for the future.

When requested by Council, the Commission is responsible for making recommendations concerning zoning in the Township; promoting public interest in, and understanding of, the comprehensive plan and planning in general, plus numerous other matters.

The Planning Commission meetings are scheduled for the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Administration Building.

Sewer Authority

The Sewer Authority consistes of five Members, appointed by Council, for 5-year terms. Meets monthly to attempt to resolve problems related to the community's sewer needs. Assists in planning for and, when feasible, obtaining financing for the acquisition or construction of public water and sewer systems to be leased to and operated by the Township. Also, looks for alternative means for providing such services. The Sewer Authority meetings are scheduled for the second Thursday of each month at 7:30 PM in the Administration Building.

Water Authority

The Water Authority consistes of five members, appointed by Council,  serving 4-year terms. Meets monthly to attempt to resolve problems related to the community's water needs. Assists in planning for and, when feasible, obtaining financing for the acquisition or construction of public water and sewer systems to be leased to and operated by the Township. Also, looks for alternative means for providing such services. The Water Authority meetings are scheduled for the third Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM in the Administration Building.

Zoning Hearing Board

The primary purpose of this 3-member board is to help ensure fair and equitable application and administration of the zoning ordinance by hearing appeals on the zoning officer's determinations and by granting relief from the literal enforcement of the ordinance in certain hardship situations by granting a variance. The board has no legislative power, it can neither make nor modify zoning policy. Neither does the Zoning Hearing Board have enforcement powers. It is a quasi-judicial body; that is, its powers are to some extent judicial in nature. The board schedules hearings on applications and appeals that come before it, takes evidence and issues written decisions with findings of fact and conclusions of law. It must limit its scope of activities to those permitted by the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC) and by the Borough's Zoning Ordinance. The members of the board serve 3-year overlapping terms. Although Council appoints this Board, the Board's decisions can be appealed only through the State Courts.  The Zoning Hearing Board meetings are scheduled for the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM in the Administration Building,  provided that there is business to conduct.

Veterans Memorial Park Committee

This Committee meets the third Thursday of each month at 9:00 a.m. in the Administration Building.