The Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Act (the “Act”) gives municipal authorities in Pennsylvania the ability to do a number of things, including the authority to provide water service, sewer service, and storm water management; the power to operate incinerator plants and landfills; and operate several kinds of public transportation networks. One item not found on the list of items that a municipal authority can do is operate an emergency medical services (EMS) provider. Over the last several years, many municipalities have seen a precipitous drop in the number of volunteers that have traditionally provided both fire and EMS services to these… read more »
Congratulations to Our 2023 Super Lawyers!
Attorneys Evan M. Gabel, Hunter B. Schenck, and Larry Young have all been selected to Super Lawyers in 2023. Attorneys Evan M. Gabel and Hunter B. Schenck have been selected to Rising Stars and Attorney Larry Young has been selected to Super Lawyers. This year marks Evan’s second consecutive year as a Rising Star (2022-2023), Hunter’s third consecutive year as a Rising Star (2021-2023), and Larry’s seventeenth consecutive year as a Super Lawyer (2006-2023). Attorneys named to the Super Lawyers list must have attained “peer recognition and professional achievement” before undergoing a patented selection process. This selection process is influenced… read more »
To-Do List for PA Municipalities Before the Calendar Flips
As we get near the end of 2022, it is time for local municipalities in Pennsylvania to begin thinking about everything that needs to be accomplished before the calendar flips to 2023. Four of the major items that every municipality needs to accomplish before the end of the year are the passage of a budget, adoption of a tax resolution or ordinance, making necessary appointments or re-appointments to boards and commissions, and advertisement of meetings for the following year. Once a tentative budget has been ironed out, the board or council must approve advertisement of that tentative budget. This action… read more »
CGA Law Firm Elects Evan M. Gabel, Esq. to Shareholder
CGA Law Firm is pleased to announce the election of Evan M. Gabel, Esq. to shareholder. Evan provides legal services in the areas of municipal law, business and corporate law, real estate law, and estate planning and administration. “He is a hard-working and affable attorney.” CGA Law Firm Executive Committee member, Craig Sharnetzka, stated. “Evan has substantial knowledge in his specific areas of law and keeps the legal team apprised of trends and changes in legislation.” Evan assists clients in residential and commercial real estate matters, and with their estate planning and administration needs. He also has considerable experience representing… read more »
COVID-19 Municipal Update: ACT 15 of 2020 — A Primer for Municipalities
On Monday, April 20th, 2020, Governor Tom Wolf signed Act 15 2020 (the “Act”), which, among other things, has significant implications for the administration of local government in Pennsylvania for the duration of the Disaster Emergency that was declared on March 6th, 2020.Specifically, the Act addresses three issues relevant to local government: The Act allows municipalities, for the duration of Disaster Emergency, to conduct business through telecommunication devices, provided that public participation is permitted to the maximum extent possibleThe Act tolls the time limits for applications received by a municipality or pending before the municipality for a period of 30… read more »
COVID-19 Update: Guidance Regarding Memo on House Bill 1564
As some of you may be aware, a memo has been circulating regarding Pennsylvania House Bill 1564, which proposes to allow municipalities to conduct fully electronic meetings, as well as suspending some permit application deadlines, among other things. The memo that indicates that the Pennsylvania municipal codes have been amended by House Bill 1564. This, unfortunately, is simply not true. The Bill has passed the House of Representatives unanimously, but no action has been taken by the Pennsylvania Senate. As we all know, a bill does not become a law unless passed by the both the House of Representatives and the Senate,… read more »
Special Events Permits and Planning for Municipalities
Article by: Evan Gabel, Esquire Nearly every municipality has some type of special event throughout the year on property owned by the municipality – whether that event is a fundraiser, arts and crafts show, fair, parade, or fireworks show. While these events are often great ways for the community to come together and to show visitors positive aspects of the municipality, it is important that the municipal body be prepared for the types of issues that these special events can present. One of the most important items that a municipality must consider when an organizer proposes an event in the… read more »
Formation of a Stormwater Authority
By Evan M. Gabel On July 9, 2013, Governor Tom Corbett signed into law Act 68, which amended the Pennsylvania Municipalities Authorities Act (the “Act”) to allow local governments in Pennsylvania to form stormwater authorities. Specifically, Act 68 amended 53 P.S. § 5607, adding “stormwater management planning and projects” as purpose and power for which a municipal authority may be incorporated. Since the passage of Act 68, stormwater authorities have gained traction in large part because of upcoming changes to the requirements of the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer (MS4) Program, which has been administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental… read more »
