INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATION:
The standard, go-to complaint from some
Harrisburg legislators and the occasional
newspaper editorial, is that Pennsylvania
has too many local governments. They claim
all those “fiefdoms”, working in their own
little worlds, are costing taxpayers way too
much.
What most of those critics are not
aware of, or simply ignore, is that the vast
majority of the municipal governments
in Pennsylvania share resources
regularly. There are nearly 50 Councils of
Governments (COG’s) throughout the State,
whose primary mission is the expansion of
intergovernmental cooperation. The COG’s,
and County associations representing
boroughs, towns and townships, have
for decades been helping facilitate joint
purchasing, equipment sharing and training
for local municipalities.
In Erie County, the Erie Area Council
of Governments represents eleven
governments. Formed in 1993, the EACOG
began as a way for local officials to purchase
road salt in bulk and share ideas. The joint
purchasing aspect is still a key element of
the EACOG, but many other benefits have
been made available. Classes for municipal
employees and training for elected and
appointed officials have been offered for
members and non-members. Grant writing,
website development and lobbying for
vital legislation have all become part of the
services provided by the EACOG.
The Erie County Association of Township
Officials is another organization that allows
municipalities the chance to share ideas and
services. New and better road maintenance
products and processes are regularly
discussed by members. Presentations by
county, state and federal agencies keep
local officials updated on new regulations
and services.
These regional organizations also give
local officials the opportunity to get better
acquainted with their municipal neighbors.
Should a township’s piece of heavy
equipment be out of service, borrowing a
replacement might be a phone call away.
The extension of public water lines or joint
maintenance projects on border streets are
subjects easily tackled when strong working
relationships are the norm.
Neighbor Helping Neighbor
18
MILLCREEK
Supervisors in Millcreek Township have
been fortunate to have had exceptional
relationships with their neighboring elected
officials for many years. In the mid 1990’s,
the then mayor of the City of Erie,
Joyce Savocchio, approached the
Millcreek Supervisors regarding a combined
effort to improve a border street, East
Grandview Boulevard. The project involved
drainage work and paving. The two
municipalities completed the project with
their own employees, resulting in a much
improved roadway.
Mayor Savocchio recently commented,
“That project was a great example of what
can be accomplished when two municipal
governments work together. It saved time
and money.”
Years later, a similar project was
undertaken on Millfair Road, the border
between Fairview and Millcreek. Fairview
employees installed storm sewers and then
Millcreek completed the paving work.
In September of last year, the City of
Erie was doing some paving work on
Cherry Street. An area encompassing the
border with Millcreek was in particularly
poor condition. The City, owners of an
asphalt milling machine, and Millcreek,
owners of an asphalt plant, agreed to
reconstruct that portion of the road. The
project was completed quickly, saved both
municipalities money and gave motorists a
smooth roadway.
A WIN/WIN
As part of Millcreek’s annual paving
program, several miles of township roads
have the deteriorated asphalt surfaces