News/Events



Notice

04/02/2026 by Steve Sawyer

PUBLIC NOTICE
 
The Ephrata Township Board of Supervisors will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, April 7,  2026 at 7:00 PM at the Ephrata Township Municipal Building, 265 Akron Road, Ephrata, PA 17522.  If you need special assistance to attend this meeting, please contact the Township Office.
 
                                                                                                                                Steven A. Sawyer
                                                                                                                                Ephrata Township Manager
April 7,  2026 Agenda                          

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Public Hearing

03/31/2026 by Steve Sawyer

Notice is hereby given that the Ephrata Township Board of Supervisors at its meeting on Monday, April 7, 2026, at 7:00 p.m., at the Ephrata Township Office, 265 Akron Road, Ephrata, Pennsylvania, shall conduct a public hearing on and, at the conclusion of the public hearing or a subsequent public meeting held within 60 days of the date of second publication of this advertisement, if appropriate, shall enact an ordinance, the caption of which is as follows:
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE EPHRATA TOWNSHIP ZONING ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE REGULATIONS FOR DATA CENTERS AND THEIR ACCESSORY USES AND TO REVISE THE REGULATIONS FOR ANIMALS AND ANIMAL SHELTERS.
 
The proposed ordinance may be summarized as follows.  Section 1 of the proposed ordinance amends Section 1002 of the Zoning Ordinance to add definitions for acoustical barriers, data centers, data center accessory uses, screening (audible) for data centers, and screening (visual) for data centers. Section 2 of the proposed ordinance amends Section 407.B.2 of the Zoning Ordinance by adding data centers and data center accessory uses as uses permitted by special exception in the I-Industrial Zone.  Section 3 of the proposed ordinance amends the Zoning Ordinance, Article VI, Criteria for Special Exceptions, Conditional Uses and Other Selected Uses, by adding a new Section 662, data centers and data center accessory uses.   Section 662 of the Zoning Ordinance sets forth specific requirements and regulations for data centers and data center accessory uses, including area regulations, required yard regulations, height regulations, screening requirements, lighting and noise regulations, access and security regulations, and environmental requirements.  Section 4 of the proposed ordinance amends Section 512 of the Zoning Ordinance by amending setback requirements for areas used to house or contain animals and by adding provisions regarding the keeping of chickens for egg laying purposes only and the prohibition of the keeping of roosters on any lot in a residential zoning district.  Sections 5-7 reaffirm all other parts and provisions of the Zoning Ordinance, provide for severability of any invalid provisions, and set forth the effective date.  A copy of the proposed ordinance may be examined without charge at the offices of this newspaper and at the Ephrata Township Office, 265 Akron Road, Ephrata, Pennsylvania, Mondays through Fridays from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.  A copy of the proposed ordinance may be obtained for the cost of reproduction at the Ephrata Township Office during the above hours.
                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                Steven A. Sawyer, Township Manager

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Public Notice

03/25/2026 by Steve Sawyer

PUBLIC NOTICE
 
The Ephrata Township Sewer Authority will hold a public meeting on Monday March 30, 2026 at 7:00 A.M. at the Ephrata Township Municipal Building, 265 Akron Road, Ephrata, PA.  If you need special assistance to attend this meeting, please contact the Township Office.
 
                                                                                        Steven A. Sawyer
                                                                                        Ephrata Township Sewer Authority
March 30, 2026  Agenda

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Notice

02/18/2026 by Steve Sawyer

PUBLIC NOTICE
 
The Ephrata Township Planning Commission will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 7:00 P.M. at the Ephrata Township Municipal Building, 265 Akron Road, Ephrata, PA.  The purpose of the meeting is a regular monthly meeting of the Planning Commission.   If you need special assistance to attend this meeting, please contact the Township Office.
 
                                                                                                                       EphrataTownshipPlanning Commission


Planning Commission Agenda - 02/24/2026

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Zoning Hearing Board

01/27/2026 by Steve Sawyer

 
 
PUBLIC NOTICE
 
 
The Ephrata Township Zoning Hearing Board will hold a public hearing on February 17, 2026, at 7:00 P.M. at the Ephrata Township Municipal Building, 265 Akron Road, Ephrata, PA 17522.  The purpose of the hearing is to consider the following request:
 
  1. A request for a Special Exception under Section 403.B.2.e for an apartment use and Variances under Sections 403.C.1.g & Section 1002 (minimum lot width) and 521.C.1.b (screening of apartment buildings) of the Ephrata Township Zoning Ordinance.  In addition, the applicant requests zoning relief from Section 803.G to allow two years from the date of the written zoning decision to obtain a building permit, and an additional two years to complete construction.  The applicant and property owner is Lincoln Heights Holdings, LLC, 422 North Academy Drive, Ephrata, PA, who is seeking approval to subdivide the property into two lots.  The proposed lot 1 would have access from Reagan Drive and would be improved with a single-family dwelling and proposed Lot 2 would have access from Lincoln Heights Avenue and would be improved with a 12-unit apartment building.  The property is located at 1522 Lincoln Heights Avenue, Ephrata, PA in the Residential Medium Density Zoning District.
 
If you need special assistance to attend this meeting, please contact the Township Office.
 
                                                                                                   Ephrata Township Zoning Hearing Board


Lincoln Heights Holdings LLC Zoning Hearing Board Application

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Notice

10/22/2025 by Steve Sawyer

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Ephrata Township Planning Commission will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, October 28,  2025 at 7:00 P.M. at the Ephrata Township Municipal Building, 265 Akron Road, Ephrata, PA 17522.  If you need special assistance to attend this meeting, please contact the Township Office.
 
                                                                                                                                Steven A. Sawyer
                                                                                                                                Ephrata Township Manager
October 28, 2025 ETPC Agenda                                                          

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Ephrata Township Community Park - Boating Rules

04/15/2025 by Steve Sawyer

Boating or the use of any device designed for transportation on water is not permitted on the pond on the southern side of the park. 

The use of unpowered canoes, kayaks and rowboats is permitted on the Ephrata Township Park Lake on the northern side of the park subject to the following regulations:

  1. The use of canoes, kayaks and rowboats is permitted on the lake from May 15th to October 15th.  It is unlawful to use a canoe, kayak, rowboat, or any other object propelled by motors or electrical devices on this body of water.  Paddleboards are not permitted.
  2. All individuals shall comply with all rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
  3. Each person in a canoe, kayak or rowboat must have a wearable, USCG-approved life jacket.  Life jackets must be the appropriate type, size and fit for the person intended.  Children 12 years of age and younger must wear a life jacket at all times.
  4. All canoes, kayaks and rowboats must be carried or carted from the main parking lot.  Motorized vehicles are not permitted anywhere in the park beyond the parking lot.
  5. Operating any watercraft under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal.
  6. Canoes, kayaks and rowboats may be launched from designated launching areas only.
  7. Overnight mooring or storage of canoes, kayaks or rowboats on the park property is prohibited.
  8. Swimming is prohibited.
  9. It is unlawful to contaminate, pollute or degrade groundwaters, surface waters or waterways.
  10. It is unlawful to remove or attempt to remove any manmade or natural object except fish taken during the open season per the PA Fish and Boat Commission regulations.

All visitors to Ephrata Township Community Park should be aware that outdoor recreation, especially on or near bodies of water, may result in damage to personal property, and/or serious bodily injury, including, but not limited to hypothermia, sickness from water consumption, and even death from drowning.  Ephrata Township is not responsible for the safety of visitors to the Ephrata Township Community Park and is not able to provide regular monitoring of the activities at the park.  Your use of the Ephrata Township Community Park is done at your own risk, and Ephrata Township specifically disclaims liability for any damages to personal property and/or personal injuries that occur as a result of your use of the park.   
 

 
 

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Sewer Information

04/22/2024 by Steve Sawyer

The flyer below is information on what residents should and should not flush in the toilet to prevent sewer backups and clogs. 

SAVE THE PIPES - DON'T FLUSH WIPES

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Spotted Latternfly

05/01/2018 by

SPOTTED LANTERNFLY

The Spotted Lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula (White), an invasive planthopper, has been discovered in Berks County, Pennsylvania. It is native to China, India, Vietnam, and introduced to Korea where it has become a major pest. This insect has the potential to greatly impact the grape, hops and logging industries. Early detection is vital for the protection of Pennsylvania businesses and agriculture.

QUARANTINE

Currently a quarantine is in place to stop the movement of this pest to new areas and to slow its spread within the quarantine. The quarantine affects a variety of plant, wood and stone products.  Surveys are currently underway to determine the complete spread of this pest in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Efforts are also underway to ensure the Spotted Lanternfly is not present in other parts of the commonwealth.

The following counties are currently under quarantine for Spotted Lanternfly:

Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery
Northampton, Philadelphia, Schuylkill  

The quarantine may be expanded to new areas as further detections of the Spotted Lanternfly are detected and confirmed. Intentional movement of the Spotted Lanternfly is expressly prohibited and is a serious offense. Violations could result in criminal or civil penalties and/or fines.

The quarantine restricts the movement of certain articles. If you are seeking to enter into a compliance agreement to be able to move these materials you can request a permit by contacting Dana Rhodes.  Industries and regulated articles under the quarantine that are not to be removed/moved to a new area are:

  • Any living stage of the Spotted Lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula.  This includes egg masses, nymphs, and adults.
  • Brush, debris, bark, or yard waste
  • Landscaping, remodeling or construction waste
  • Logs, stumps, or any tree parts
  • Firewood of any species
  • Grapevines for decorative purposes or as nursery stock
  • Nursery stock
  • Crated materials
  • Outdoor household articles including recreational vehicles, lawn tractors and mowers, mower decks, grills, grill and furniture covers, tarps, mobile homes, tile, stone, deck boards, mobile fire pits, any associated equipment and trucks or vehicles not stored indoors.

Spotted Lanternfly - Pest Alert

Spotted Lanternfly - Look Before You Leave

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WERT Rail Trail

08/17/2015 by

Warwick to Ephrata Rail Trail 

 

WERT Brochure and Map

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