Who does the policing in Harris Township?
The Township purchases police services from State College Police Department. The non emergency line for the police department is 814-234-7150.
Where Do I Pay My Earned Income Tax?
Earned income tax is collected by the Centre Tax Agency. Centre Tax is located inside the State College Borough Office.
Residents can reach them by phone at 814-234-7120 or by visiting: www.statecollegepa.us.
Who is the Township’s Sewage Enforcement Officer?
The Township’s Primary Sewage Enforcement Officer is the Centre Region Code Office. You can reach them by phone at 814-231-3056 or by email at crcog.net.
How do I reach the Boalsburg Fire Company?
You can reach the fire company by phone at 814-466-7367 or by email at info@boalsburgfire.com.
For hall rentals, please call 814-466-7781 or email rentals@boalsburgfire.com.
Do I Need A Permit?
Summer is a busy time for home improvement projects. Before you start your project, here’s some guidance on permits:
1. If you plan to repave your driveway, you may need a roadway occupancy permit from the Township. The Township requires this permit when your project will enter our right of way. Before you start your project, please call the Township office and speak with Todd Shea, our zoning officer, to determine if your project will require a permit. Todd can be reached by phone at 466-6228 or by email at zoning@harristownship.org. You can download a roadway occupancy permit off of our website here: https://harristownship.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Road-Occupancy-Driveway-Permit.pdf
2. If you are installing a shed on your property, you need a zoning permit from the Township. You may also need a building permit from the Centre Region Code Office. The Zoning Officer can help you determine if you need a building permit when you submit your zoning application to the Township. You can download the zoning permit application here: https://harristownship.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Zoning-Permit1.pdf
3. If you are planning any construction work to your home (building a deck, adding an addition, etc), you will likely need both a zoning permit from the Township and a building permit from the Centre Region Code Office. You should schedule an appointment with the Zoning Officer to discuss your project prior to beginning any work.
People are speeding on my street. Help!
The Township contracts police services from the State College Borough Police Department. If you have concerns about speeding on your street, we encourage you to reach out to the Township office. We work closely with the police on speed enforcement and try to do speed details throughout the Township. You can send an email directly to the Township Manager at manager@harristownship.org or you can call the office at 466-6228, Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
What is a right of way?
Every road in the Township has a cartway and a right of way. The right of way is the land over which the road was installed and generally includes a larger area than just the road surface. The cartway consists of the travel lanes (in most cases, this is a paved surface).
Cartway and right of way widths are determined by our street standards. Local streets are required to have a 50 foot right of way and a 20 foot cartway. The right of way is measured from the center line of the road, meaning the right of way would extend 25 feet from the center of the road on each side. The area in front of a home in the right of way usually includes the front yard and the driveway.
This affects a resident in the following ways:
1. Residents own the right of way in front of their homes. Residents are responsible for maintaining the grass within the right of way.
2. The Township has the right to enter the right of way to perform repairs or maintenance work without first obtaining permission from a property owner.
3. If you plan to pave your driveway and a portion of it falls within the right of way, you will need to obtain a permit from the Township before beginning work.
4. If there is a tree located in the right of way, the Township owns and maintains that tree. If you notice a dead or diseased tree in the right of way, please contact the Township Office at 466-6228 or by email at manager@harristownship.org.
5. Please refrain from leaving brush piles in the right of way after collection ends. These piles become a hazard to our crew as they perform road maintenance and snow removal duties.
Please note that right of way widths vary throughout the Township, as our street standards have changed over time. To find out what the right of way width is on your street, please call the office.
My Trash/Recycling Wasn’t Collected. Who do I call?
The Township is part of the Centre Region COG’s refuse and recycling contract. Refuse in the Township is collected by Burgmeier’s Hauling Inc. (BHI). You can reach them by phone at 814-826-2722. Recycling is collected by the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority. Residents with recycling questions can contact the Authority at 814-238-7005.
More Questions
If you have more questions or would like additional information please contact us below or at manager@harristownship.org.