News & Announcements
Trick or Treat October 31
Board of Commissioners Meeting 9.28.2026
The Harrison Township Board of Commissioners will hold its monthly meeting on September 28, 2026, at 6:00 PM at the municipal building located at 1 Municipal Drive, Natrona Heights.
The agenda can be found here.
Harrison Township Awarded LSA Grant
Why is there a new tax on my tax bill?
Why is there a Fire Tax on my Real Estate Bill?
Beginning in 2026, Harrison Township has enacted Ordinance No. 2026 creating a dedicated .55 mill Fire Tax for the purpose of purchasing, maintaining, and operating fire apparatus. This tax appears as a separate line on your real estate tax bill to provide greater transparency about how funds are collected and used. This money will be in a separate interest-bearing township capital fund and will only be utilized for the purposes outlined in the Ordinance.
Why was the Fire Tax Created?
Like many communities across Pennsylvania, Harrison Township is experiencing increasing costs associated with fire apparatus. Under Pennsylvania law, townships are permitted to levy a tax specific to fire protection services, including equipment. Citizens Hose Fire Company approached Township Commissioners in 2024 regarding their aging 1995 Ferraro Fire Engine. The engine is well past the National Fire Protection Association recommendation of replacing frontline apparatus after 15 years. This is credited to a robust maintenance program instituted by Citizen Hose.
Discussions were held in 2025 on how best to address the need for the new engine, how to fund the new engine, and how to create a structured funding model to ensure long-term stability for the fire departments. The fire tax was identified as providing stability through predictable equipment replacement. Rather than waiting for a truck to break down and then scrambling for funds, the township now maintains a replacement schedule based on the age of the apparatus.
How will the funds be used?
All revenue generated from the Fire Tax is restricted for the purchase of purchasing, maintenance, and operation of fire apparatus. These funds are in a separate capital account and cannot be used for general Township operations, ensuring they directly benefit emergency services.
Why is it listed separately?
The Fire Tax is listed as a separate line items on your tax bill to provide transparency, clearly show how funds are allocated, and ensure accountability of how fire service funds are managed.
Why is this important?
Fire and emergency services are among the most critical services a Township provides. A Fire Tax helps ensure reliable emergency response, reduces reliance on fundraising for essential services, and provides long-term financial stability for fire protection.
As volunteerism declines and costs increase nationwide, dedicated funding has become essential to maintaining service levels. Costs for front-line equipment have skyrocketed, and lead times continue to increase, the need for a plan was imminent. The Township owns, insures, and maintains a first-line piece of apparatus at each station.
IMPORTANT REMINDER
THE CART/BIN PROVIDED BY NOBLE ENVIRONMENTAL IS ONLY FOR RECYCLABLE MATERIALS
Trash collection at the curb options are as follows:
1. continue to use trash cans previously used
OR
2. bagged trash (no shopping bags, cardboard boxes or paper bags)
Garbage will not be collected from the recycling cart/bin.
COMPOST MATERIAL
The Township composting site is available for Harrison Township Residents personal use ONLY.
NO COMMERCIAL CONTRACTORS MAY USE THIS FACILITY
Safe Roads to School – Help Students Stay Safe
Help Students Stay Safe…
Pay attention to drop-off and pick up zones.
- Park inside the designated zone
- Stay in your car
- Go as soon as you’ve dropped off or picked up your child
Slow Down. Follow the posted speed limits in the school zones.
Schools have many volunteers, especially crosswalk patrollers which keep everyone safe on the road. Show your appreciation and be respectful.
Watch for no parking signs. Don’t park in bus loading zones, disabled parking zones, or near crosswalks.
Don’t be *that* driver. Don’t speed past crosswalks, block lanes of traffic or other cars, make u-turns or use drop-off lane as a parking lot.
Reporting a Streetlight Outage
If you observe a streetlight outage, please contact FirstEnergy/West Penn Power: call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) and say “streetlight” after the greeting. You can also go to the web and file a report. When reporting an outage, please list your name and phone number, address where the streetlight is located (nearest house or business address and the nearest street); number on the utility pole; what is wrong with the streetlight (damaged pole, broken light fixture, light is off at night, flickers).
TOWNSHIP ORDINANCE FOR DEPOSITING SNOW, LEAVES AND GRASS ON STREETS
Please do not rake fall leaves or shovel winter snow onto the street. The Public Works street sweeper cannot pick up fall leaves. Township snow plows cannot effectively clear the Township streets with residents putting their snow to the street.
Harrison Township ordinance: Chapter 21. Streets and Sidewalks – Part 4. Material on Streets and Sidewalks § 401. Depositing Snow, Leaves and Grass on Streets
“No person when removing snow, grass or leaves from private property shall be permitted to throw snow, grass or leaves into Township streets.”
Brown leaf bags should be used for leaves and Public Works will pick them up to compost.
Failure to comply with this ordinance can result in up to a $300 fine. Your compliance is appreciated.