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Lincoln Institute

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Main Office:
453 Springlake Road
Harrisburg, PA 17112

(717) 671-0776 Voice
(717) 671-1176 FAX


SE PA Regional Office:
King of Prussia Inn
101 Bill Smith Blvd.
King of Prussia, PA 19406

(610) 265-0757 Voice
(610) 265-0473 FAX

Summer 2004 Pennsylvania Township Officials Survey

Analysis

Total Respondents: 106

1. Estimate the square miles of your township?
Response Percent Response Total
Under 10
6.9% 7
10 to 20
18.6% 19
20 to 30
34.3 % 35
30 to 40
16.7% 17
50 to 100
21.6% 22
100+
2% 2
Total Respondents 102
(skipped this question) 4
2. What was the range of your township's fiscal 2003 general fund budget?
Response Percent Response Total
Under $1 million
55.7 % 59
$1 to $5 million
30.2% 32
$5 to $10 million
8.5% 9
$10 million to $15 million
3.8% 4
Over $15 million
1.9% 2
Total Respondents 106
(skipped this question) 0
3. How long have you served as a township official?
Response Percent Response Total
Less than 6 years
37.7 % 40
6-12 years
28.3% 30
More than 12 years
34% 36
Total Respondents 106
(skipped this question) 0
4. What political party do you belong to?
Response Percent Response Total
Democrat
27.7% 28
Republican
67.3 % 68
Independent
5% 5
Total Respondents 101
(skipped this question) 4
5. Which county is your township located in?
 Total Respondents  
106
(skipped this question) 0
6. What is the range of your earnings as a township official?
Response Percent Response Total
Less than $2,500
33.3% 35
$2,500 to $5,000
13.3% 14
$5,000 to $10,000
5.7% 6
Over $10,000
47.6 % 50
Total Respondents 105
(skipped this question) 1
7. What is the population of your township?
Response Percent Response Total
Under 10,000
78.3 % 83
10,000 to 20,000
16% 17
20,000 to 30,000
4.7% 5
30,000 to 40,000
0.9% 1
50,000 to 100,000
0% 0
100,000 +
0% 0
Total Respondents 106
(skipped this question) 0
8. What is the biggest problem facing your township?
Response Percent Response Total
Low Commercial Tax Base
14.7% 14
Aging Infrastructure
10.5% 10
Affordable Housing
3.2% 3
Lack of Medical Facilities
0% 0
Emergency Medical Services
1.1% 1
Sprawl
15.8% 15
Roadway Conditions/traffic problems
30.5 % 29
Trash Collection/disposal
0% 0
Law Enforcement/police protection
4.2% 4
Lack of Parks/recreational activities
2.1% 2
Concentrated Animal Feeding (CAFOs)
0% 0
Other (please specify)
17.9% 17
Total Respondents 95
(skipped this question) 11
9. How would you best describe your township?
Response Percent Response Total
Predominantly Rural
68.4 % 65
Predominantly Residential
29.5% 28
Predominantly Commercial
2.1% 2
Total Respondents 95
(skipped this question) 11
10. During your tenure how would you describe business growth in your township?
Response Percent Response Total
Significant Decline
1% 1
Some Decline
5.2% 5
No Change
30.2% 29
Some Growth
51 % 49
Significant Growth
12.5% 12
Total Respondents 96
(skipped this question) 10
11. If your township experienced growth during your tenure in office how would you describe your township's efforts to maintain adequate services to residents?
Response Percent Response Total
Excellent
32.5% 27
Good
48.2 % 40
Fair
16.9% 14
Poor
2.4% 2
Total Respondents 83
(skipped this question) 22
12. If your township experienced residential, commercial or industrial growth during your tenure in office what would you say is the biggest problem associated with that growth?
Response Percent Response Total
Traffic
38 % 30
Crime
5.1% 4
Flooding/run-off
11.4% 9
Sewage
24.1% 19
Trash Collection/disposal
2.5% 2
Other (please specify)
19% 15
Total Respondents 79
(skipped this question) 26
13. Is open space preservation a high priority in your township?
Response Percent Response Total
Yes
52.6 % 50
No
29.5% 28
No opinion
17.9% 17
Total Respondents 95
(skipped this question) 11
14. If bringing new business to your township is a high priority, what type of business would you like to see develop?
Response Percent Response Total
Manufacturing
29.3% 22
Retail
9.3% 7
Tourism
6.7% 5
Office
10.7% 8
Service & Technology
30.7 % 23
Other (please specify)
13.3% 10
Total Respondents 75
(skipped this question) 30
15. Is development of new residential housing a high priority for your township?
Response Percent Response Total
Yes
16.8% 16
No
69.5 % 66
No opinion
13.7% 13
Total Respondents 95
(skipped this question) 11
16. Is development of new affordable housing a high priority for your township?
Response Percent Response Total
Yes
16.8% 16
No
70.5 % 67
No opinion
12.6% 12
Total Respondents 95
(skipped this question) 11
17. Is development of new retail shopping centers a high priority for your township?
Response Percent Response Total
Yes
12.6% 12
No
76.8 % 73
No opinion
10.5% 10
Total Respondents 95
(skipped this question) 11
18. Does your township have any inter-municipal agreements or inter-municipal authorities?
Response Percent Response Total
Yes
85.3 % 81
No
14.7% 14
Total Respondents 95
(skipped this question) 11
19. If your township does have inter-municipal agreements, how would you rate their effectiveness?
Response Percent Response Total
Very Effective
51.9 % 42
Somewhat Effective
39.5% 32
Not Very Effective
4.9% 4
Very Ineffective
3.7% 3
Total Respondents 81
(skipped this question) 25
20. Do you favor having your township enter into inter-municipal agreements?
Response Percent Response Total
Yes
82.1 % 78
No
3.2% 3
No opinion
14.7% 14
Total Respondents 95
(skipped this question) 11
21. If you favor inter-municipal agreements for your township, which type do you think would be most beneficial?