WEST HANOVER TOWNSHIP, 7171 Allentown Boulevard, Harrisburg, PA  17112
OFFICE - 717-652-4841    FAX - 717-652-8158
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Public Works

Public works has always been, and will remain, on of the most most important functions performed by West Hanover Township.  Historically, the Township has performed this function (road maintenance) exclusively above all other public services.  As the Township has grown over time and other traditional municipal services (e.g. fire protection, sewer service, engineering, etc.) and programs have been expanded.  Even with the growth and expansion of other public services, it is the Township's public works services that receive more attention than other services from local citizens, businesses, tax payers, and property owners.  While emergency services are called upon when needed, citizens and property owners demand that public works services such as roads, storm water systems and similar infrastructure are functioning on a daily or, at least, weekly basis.  The importance of public works services is diminished only to the extent that service levels expected by the local citizens are maintained.  

Few could debate the importance of road maintenance, storm water management, and/or snow removal when a failure to efficiently accomplish these functions cause citizens to experience property damage, to fail in reaching their places of employment, to limit receiving emergency response or care.  Public works are also critical to commercial and industrial operations in support of these entities conducting their daily business activities.  The efficient provision of public works services to residential, commercial, or industrial customers is critical to quality of life and safety of West Hanover Township. 

Park and Recreation Department Staff and Volunteers

PW Director/Road Master: Harold Harman
 717-652-1054
hharman@westhanover.com

Assistant Road Master - Jeffery Morningwake

Road Crew Members (Full Time and Part-time (PT) Seasonal)
Carl Bower (PT)
George Lins
Richard McNeal (PT)
Christopher Mumma
Joseph Marks (PT)
Tom Rothenberger
Melvin Sheets (PT)
David Smith
David Wickenheiser
David Wollerton
Dale Zimmerman


Public Works Services

West Hanover Township's Public Works Department is comprised of the Township Road Master (appointed by the Board of Supervisors) and a professional staff of public works employees engaged in a variety of services to the Township.  Requests for services may be directed to the Public Works Office at 717-652-1054.  Requests for Services Forms are available at the link below:

Request for Services Form (Click Link)

The following table outlines the various services provided by the Township Public Works Department throughout the year in West Hanover Township.  

Services

Description

Brush and Yard Waste

 

 The Township does not pick up your residential leaves, lawn grass, brush and other yard wastes as part of your refuse service. Brush and small limbs (No Grass) may be bundled and/or loaded and dropped of at the Township Compost Center located at 402 North Fairville Avenue.  During the week, residents may self attend to the compost center.  On Saturdays during the spring and summer an attendant is available at the center from 8:00AM to 12:00PM to assist residents with their materials.  

The yard waste collected at the Compost Center is chipped and recycled as "mulch" available free of charge for Township residents.  
  

Brush Overhanging Streets and Public Areas

 

 Trees, hedges and shrubs planted on private property and growing near public sidewalks, alleys and streets can become a hazard to pedestrians and may damage vehicles. Owners are required to trim these trees, hedges and shrubs to a height of seven feet over sidewalks and to a height of fourteen feet over alleys and streets.  Each year, the Township inspect these areas and will remove unsafe brush or notify owners where trimming has not been done. 
  

Compost Center

Compost Specific

 

 

 The Township maintains a Compost Center at 402 North Fairville Avenue for the collection of certain residential yard waste that includes leaf waste, brush, weeds and small limbs trimmings (No cut lawn grass) may be bundled and/or loaded and dropped of at the Compost Center during the week or at specific times on Saturdays.  Residents may self attend to their compost material during the week, but it is recommended to call in advance to assure that the Compost Center is open.  On Saturdays during the spring and summer an attendant is available at the center from 8:00AM to 12:00PM to assist residents with their materials.  All yard waste collected at the Compost Center is sent to the Lower Paxton Township composting facility under a cooperative agreement.  Lower Paxton Township has established policies for the type of materials permitted for composting and mulching, which the Township adheres.  Chipped and recycled material is "mulched" and stored at the Compost Center and made available free of charge for Township residents.
  

Condition Assessments of Public Streets

 To assist the Township Board of Supervisors, the Township staff regularly conducts street surfacing and street drainage inspection and assessments.  Inspections often will originate from citizen telephone calls and requests for services.  The staff internally inventories road issues and catalogues these projects for future improvements.  Please contact the Road Master at 652-1054 to report road condition issues for examination and action.
 

Equipment Maintenance and Seasonal Retro-fitting

 

 The Township Public Works facility is supplied with a variety of vehicle maintenance equipment and projects.  Dump trucks, earth moving equipment, storage vehicles and equipment all need to be maintained throughout the year.  The Public Works garage is where the Township staff work to maintain and keep in good working order all Township equipment.  Major equipment failures are sent to appropriate venders for assistance, but much of the day-to-day maintenance is handled by the Township staff.  Before and after each winter and spring, it is necessary to conduct routine maintenance on all Township road equipment and retrofit all the equipment (e.g. remove or install plows, cinder spreaders, chains, service mowing equipment, and tools, etc.) for the coming seasons roadwork and winter maintenance.  Similarly, prior to road construction season, the Township equipment is prepared for these type services. 
   

Hazards or Drainage Problems

 

 

The Public Works Department is responsible for addressing road hazards and drainage problems.  If you see a potential hazard or drainage problem in the Township on Township streets, call the Public Works Department at 717-652-4841.  For State Highways and roads, please call the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's local maintenance office at District 8-0 at 717-???-????
 

Sidewalks

 West Hanover Township has neighborhoods with and without sidewalk systems.  Sidewalks in the new residential areas are inspected at the time of installation and on a periodic basis to insure that they are in good condition. If there is a problem, a notice may be mailed to the owner of the property.  Three criteria are used when inspecting the walks: horizontal alignment, vertical alignment and surface deterioration.  The Township has specifications for repairing or replacing sidewalk block.  If a sidewalk is deemed a sidewalk is unsafe is repaired or replaced, a re-inspection is made.
 

Snow Removal

 

 

The Public Works Department is responsible for removal of snow and ice from all public streets in the Township.  Currently there is approximately 55 miles of roads and streets in the community.  The Township mans a fleet of snow removal vehicles and similar equipment to handle bad weather conditions in the winter and early spring.  The Township also maintains a complete weather monitoring system for staying ahead of bad weather and planning for methods to address bad weather conditions.  Snow removal involves the use of plows and loaders to clear streets of snow.  During icy conditions, the Township is equipment with salt and anti-skip equipment to apply onto streets to protect Township residents and travelers.

Residential and business property owners and tenants are required to clear sidewalks and make them safe for pedestrians. Snow must be removed from the full width of all public walks within 24 hours after the snow has stopped falling. Anti-skid materials must be placed on icy walkways.  If the walks are not cleared of ice and snow, the Township may have the walk cleaned and bill the property owner for the cost of the work. Failure to pay for work done will result in a lien against the property.
 

Storm Water Management

 

 The Public Works department monitors Storm Water Management isseus and works with the Township Engineer and under the Township's Storm Water Ordinance and under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II Permit. For more information on NPDES and storm water management issues, read over the "When it Rains, It Drains" brochure and Construction Factsheet, or visit the Pennsylvania DEP's website at http://www.dep.state.pa.us, keyword "stormwater." If you observe illegal discharging to the storm sewer system, please call the Public Works Department at 717-652-4841 or the Township Municipal Building 717-652-4841.
  

Street/Right-of-way Mowing and Trimming

 The Public Works Department is responsible for mowing the edges of public roads and banks along all road segments where grasses and similar vegetation line the street.  Street mowing is a two-week process involving two (2) men.  During the spring, summer and fall growing season, all roads are mowed 4 to 5 times per year, which is dependent on weather conditions.  Tree trimming and drainage trimmer involves selective use of the Township equipment to cut back tree branches and brush that may encroach on the right-of-way, in the sight triangle at intersections, and in drainage areas.
  

Street Lights

 Street lights are installed in new developments for pedestrian and motorists' safety.  West Hanover Township leases from street lights on dedicated public streets from PPL, Inc.  Street lighting is not the direct responsibility of the Public Works Department.  When a street light is not illuminating at night or "flickering" you can contact PPL directly  the Public Works Department directly at 717-652-1054, or contact PP&L Inc. for service assistance.  Please note the location of the light, pole number or street intersection location to ensure efficient response.
  

Street Maintenance - Base Repair

 The road base is the most important component of the road.  Where water damage or underground springs have softened the road based on a road, the road surface and service will eventually degrade to the point of needed repair.  Base repair is the process of (1) removing the top-coat and the damaged road base, (2) replacing the removed materials with new stone, (3) providing drainage relief to the spring as needed, (4) compacting the new based material, and (5) applying the new base course and wearing course to the road surface.  The Township Public Works Department staff conduct base repair projects as maintenance on select sections of road as needed.  Base repair is also an essential component of any new road improvement project.
 

Street Maintenance - Drainage (Minor)

 To add service life to a road or street, it is important to keep drainage ditches, box culverts and cross pipes in good order to ensure the continues flow of water from the street or from gutters through the drainage systems.  Cross pipes and drainage boxes in rural and urban areas collect road material and vegetation.  These facilities also degrade in time and “cave in” over many years causing inefficient flows.  Minor drainage system up-keep and replacement involves activities to keep water moving from the road surface to natural drainage courses in the Township.  Prior to beginning new pavement projects, the Township staff takes care to ensure all drainage facilities in need of replacement are removed..  The Township Public Works Department staff conduct minor drainage system assessment and repair projects as maintenance on select sections of road as needed.  Drainage repair is also an essential component of any new road improvement project.
  

Street Maintenance - Paving

 With the purchase of a used paving machine and roller equipment in 2002, the Township staff will be able expand its maintenance activities to also include complete road resurfacing.  Follow preparation activities related to base repair and drainage, the Township is able to complete resurface roads and streets to finished condition.  Application of asphalt material is more manageable and the Township is able to improve work efficiency around weather conditions, as well as budgetary limitations or opportunities.
 

Street Maintenance - Pot Holes and Patching

 To maintain road conditions and maintain service life to a road or street, it is important to assess and make minor repairs to road segments through moon paving and pothole patching.  Especially in the spring thaw and fall, the Township staff responds to citizen requests for service and addresses potholes identified during routine road assessments.  Moon paving and pothole patching involves the application of “cold patch” and “hot patch” material to the pothole followed by compaction.  This work is needed to improve the service and to keep water from the road surface to get under the road.  The Township staff does this repair work on an ongoing basis in the Township.
 

Street Name Signs

 The Township Public Works Department is responsible for the placement and installation of street name signs on all public and private street.  Street signs are produced by the Township staff or ordered from sign venders.  Signs made by the Township are prepared in the sign shop at the Public Works building.  In 2001, West Hanover Township completed an aggressive street identification sign replacement project that involved replacing over 100 street identification signs per year.  The project involved retirement of the 6” green lettered signs with the larger 9” green reflective street signs which are currently approved by PNNDOT.  To report damaged or missing street identification signs, call 717-652-1054 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 
 

Street Sweeping

 The Township Public Works Department is responsible for annual street sweeping in the Township on all public streets.  During the course of a given year, any Township roads and streets receiving cinders and anti-skid materials during the winter are swept with the Township’s street sweeper.  The machine collects the cinder and where the material is “clean” of sticks and debris it is reused.  When the cinder materials are given to Township residents at the Public Works garage.
  

Street Trees

 

 

Street trees located in the public right-of-way and/or between the sidewalk and curb are planted, maintained and removed by the Public Works Department. If you have questions or concerns about street trees, please call 717-652-1054 during during normal business hours.
 

Traffic Control Signals

 

 The Public Works department monitors all traffic control signals in the Township and works to coordinate all maintenance activities (e.g. cleaning, replacing bulbs, adjusting timing, ect.) for traffic control devices.  If you observe malfunctioning traffic control signals, please contact the Township, PA State Police or 911 to report the malfunction.  Maintenance crews and/or emergency crews will be called to stabilize the situation, correct any issues and property re-start the signals.
  

Traffic Control Signs and Reflectors

 

 

The Public Works Department is responsible for all traffic control signs on Township streets.  Traffic control signs include directional signs, stop signs, speed limit signs, warning signs and reflective markers, signals and markings. To report damaged or missing traffic control signs call 652-1054 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Signs are stored and/or produced in the Sign Shop at the Public Works Building and work orders are organized to correct and maintain deficient signs. 
 

Traffic Control Street Markings and Line Painting

 The Public Works Department is responsible for all traffic control street markings and line painting on Township streets.  Traffic control markings and line painting are conducted each year via public bidding with Lower Paxton Township and South Hanover Township.  Based on a line painting plan, traffic control markings and line painting is conducted once a year to ensure higher volume streets are safe for users.  The Township is equipped to complete small paint jobs (e.g. cross walks, stop bars, etc.).
 
 

 
 

last updated March, 2008