We are nestled in the southern part of Adams County in south-central Pennsylvania.

   This site features information about the Germany Township municipal government and the different township committees. Within these pages, you will find information that will explain the township operations, important dates for meetings, recent accomplishments and answers to frequently asked questions. A comprehensive list of the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission and Auditors' meeting minutes and documents are found within. Notices of special meetings will be posted on an as needed basis, so be sure to check back often. Agendas will be available here to better serve those planning to attend upcoming meetings. An archive is also included for review of older committee documents.

   For those new to the township or planning to build within the township, a comprehensive list of resource personnel including contact information is available here. Multiple reference documents are available for downloading, including the latest Ordinances, the Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance and the Joint Comprehensive Plan, to name a few. Please visit the web site often to read the latest news of what's happening within the township government and committees.

Here is the Germany Township office contact information:

• January 18, 2010 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday
• February 15, 2010 - Presidents Day
• May 31, 2010 - Memorial Day
• July 5, 2010 - Independence Day
• September 6, 2010 - Labor Day
• November 11, 2010 - Veterans Day
• November 25, 2010 - Thanksgiving Day
• December 23, 2010 - Christmas

Ban on open burning to be lifted for Adams County
   The Adams County Fire Marshal, Glenn k. Herring will lift the ban on open burning for the County of Adams on August 17, 2010 at sunrise.
It also restricts that all open burning shall be performed by a person 18 years of age or older. That person shall be present to regulate and control such burning from the time it is ignited and commenced until it is finally extinguished. In addition, Mr. Herring advises, that the person have present; water in containers or a garden hose or tools to control and contain the fire to keep it from extending into nearby fields or woods. Please do not burn on windy days. Should you not desire to use the procedure for open burning, you may burn in a barrel or large metal container. If you do this, place the container away from structures and your neighbor’s property. Have an area 10 feet around the container cleared of all vegetation. Put a 3“mesh wire on top of the container to keep sparks from emitting from the container and landing in dry grass and leaves nearby and thereby extending into fields and woodlands. Watch the fire to be sure there is no extension of fire in the area. Our volunteers will appreciate your efforts.
You should also make note that "some municipalities, have greater restrictions concerning open burning; such as, burning permits, inspections, or even a total ban on burning,” Mr. Herring said. Therefore it is also just as important to check with the municipality (borough or township) where you live to find out their regulations.
Any person(s) wishing to conduct an open burn shall first call the Adams County Emergency 9-1-1 communications center via the non-emergency numbers (334-8101, 677-8101 and 624-2101) before you burn! "It is very important to have your burning registered and posted, eliminating emergency personnel and emergency vehicles being dispatched to a false alarm. "Due to the unnecessary movement of vehicles, more firefighters are injured each year going to false alarms than injured during actual fires", Mr. Herring said.
(Ref Doc: Release Of Open Burn)

Proposed new Ordinance regulating farm structures
   Up for adoption is a new ordinance requiring a building permit in compliance with the Uniform Construction Code for all storage and agricultural buildings with a building area in excess of 250 square feet. The new Ordinance number 44 will be up for adoption at the next Board of Supervisors meeting on August 9, 2010. See the full text of proposed Ordinance 44.

Complete & return the 2010 Census forms.
   By now you should have received your 2010 Census forms. Please remember to fill the forms out and return by April 1, 2010. For those that do not return the form, expect a visit from an official Census Taker between April and July of 2010. This data will be used to provide Federal monies to Germany Township. In December 2010, the Census Bureau provides the population information to the President for apportionment, followed by full delivery of redistricting data in March of 2011 to every state. Read the Census 2010 flyer.

Check cashing scam occurs in Township
   It has come to the attention of the Supervisors that a check cashing scam is happening within Germany Township. Residents should beware of any checks that arrive in the mail that are not expected. The scam may require the receiver of the check to cash said check thus forwarding payment to the scam person/organization. Although these checks may look real with your correct name, address, account number etc, they could give the scammer access to funds in your account. Any check that seems suspicious should be verified by contacting your local banking institution. Further action may be necessary by notifying law enforcement officials, and/or the postal service. Also be alert to any anonymous phone calls demanding action on your part related to the bogus check.

Residents of Germany Township, please check your phone bill
   It has come to the attention of the Supervisors that phone cramming may be happening within the township. Don't get billed for services you do not want, review your phone bill often. Carefully read sweepstakes entries or other junk mail/phone solicitations before signing up, they may be ruses that allow a switch of telephone providers or addition of services. Link to Federal Communications Commission article.

Codification Begins
   Codification of Township Ordinances has begun; the Board of Supervisors has hired General Code to review all township ordinances. The current Township ordinances will be converted to electronic format and reviewed with recommendations to bring them up to date.

   The Germany Township Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission will meet during the year on the dates listed below. Any Special Meetings will be posted and advertised on an as needed basis with the date, time, location, and topic(s) to be discussed provided in the notice.

The Board of Supervisors will conduct their meetings at 6pm in the small pavilion at Eagles Park, 427 Mengus Mills Road, unless otherwise posted. Work Session meetings will be held at the Township Office, 103 South Queen St in Littlestown at 10am, on an as needed basis.

The Germany Township Planning Commission will conduct their meetings at 7pm in the township office, 103 South Queen St in Littlestown, unless otherwise posted.

The Germany Township Board of Auditors will conduct their reorganization meeting on January 4, 2011 at 7pm in the small pavilion at Eagles Park, 427 Mengus Mills Road.

   Germany Township consists of approximately 10.9 square miles of land in the southern portion of Adams County, Pennsylvania. The area is mostly rural residential and farms with a scattering of businesses throughout. The main travel corridor of Baltimore Pike (Route 97) will take you north to Gettysburg or South to Westminster Maryland. The main east-west thoroughfare, Frederick Pike (Route 194) cuts across the township on its way to Hanover from Taneytown Maryland. A 2000 census of Germany Township puts the population at 2,269 people, including 773 households and 660 families.

   Recreation is available within the township at the local golf course and our residents have access to the Littlestown Borough pool and the YMCA. Be sure to taste the local flavor at the restaurants within the township to savor some good home cooking. Other businesses exist throughout including the family farm, veterinary services, unique shops, vehicle sales/service and many more.

   The township does not have its own municipal police force and relies on the Pennsylvania State Police to provide protection to the area and its residents. Fire and Emergency Service coverage is by Alpha Fire Company, which is located within the Borough of Littlestown. As always dial 911 for emergencies.

   Education is provided by the Littlestown Area School District with bus service throughout the township.

   An elected Tax Collector collects all local municipal taxes on income and real estate. The tax collector resides within the township and can assist you in reviewing, paying or updating tax bills.

   A Board of Supervisors that consists of three elected officials, who oversee the day-to-day operations, governs the township. An advisory board, the Germany Township Planning Commission, is established to review and provide information about development within the township. An elected Tax Collector collects all local municipal taxes on income and real estate. The tax collector resides within the township and can assist you in reviewing, paying or updating your tax needs.

   The township is currently under Adams County Zoning regulations as well as the Township Ordinances. Construction within the township requires a permit. When any form of construction is planned within the township, please contact the township office to discuss your plan. A review of the zoning regulations and ordinances can determine what can and cannot be done in the township.

   Be sure to stop by the township office to meet the friendly staff, supervisors, auditors and planning commission members.