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

Act 537 Plan meeting April 7, 2010.
   The Act 537 Plan is an inter-municipal agreement between Germany Township, Union Township and Littlestown Borough for an upgraded and expanded sewage treatment system. The Plan covers the current and future needs, brought on by development, and have been mandated by Pennsylvania DEP to comply with Chesapeake Bay Initiative standards. The proposed cost to Germany Township could be $741,000. The next meeting will be held at the Littlestown Borough Office, 10 South Queen St., Littlestown on April 7, 2010 at 2pm.

Adams County offers free water testing
   The Adams County Conservation District will be providing a free workshop for county well owners. The workshop will be held at the Ag Center, Wednesday, March 24, 2010 at two different times 1-3pm and 6-8pm. It will be taught by Adam McClain, Conservation District, Tom McCarty, Penn State Extension, and George Hurd, Penn State Extension. You will learn how to protect your well from pollution, get tips on managing your septic system, and learn how to interpret a water test report and get tips on water treatment equipment. A free test kit will be given to attendants the day of the workshop. Water samples must be returned on Thursday, March 25, 2010 between 7am and 4pm to be tested for total coliform and E. coli. Testing will be done through a DEP certified lab and will be free to people who attend the workshop (limited to one per household). The first 90 people to register with the Conservation District will be invited to the workshop and will be eligible to receive the free water test.
   A similar workshop was provided last October. Over 60% of the workshop attendants found that their drinking water exceeded the drinking water limit established by the US Environmental Protection Agency and was considered bacteriologically nonpotable. Coliform bacteria is a group of both harmful and harmless bacteria that are abundant in the feces of warm-blooded animals, but can also be found in the aquatic environment, in soil and on vegetation. E. coli is a familiar coliform bacteria that can cause consumers to become very sick. By protecting your wellhead area and managing your septic system, you may reduce your chance of polluting your drinking water.
   The Agriculture Center is located at 670 Old Harrisburg Road, in Gettysburg. Registration is required. To register, please contact the Adams County Conservation District at (717)334-0636.

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.

Winter Weather Alert
   Winter is here, and the snow is falling in the Township. Your township road crew is out plowing snow so remember not to push the snow back onto the township roadway.

   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.