The Salisbury Township Board of Commissioners heard some encouraging words from a leader of a statewide township organization.

"The state association is a good way to help solve problems," said Ed Black, first vice president of the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Commissioners.

Salisbury is a member of the organization.

During his presentation at the Oct. 24 Salisbury commissioners' meeting, Black urged the township board to send a representative to the annual PSATC convention.

"It's where we get a lot of our education," said Black, president, board of commissioners, Lower Allen Township, Cumberland County.

"Now I see why one of us should go to the meeting," township Commissioner Debra Brinton said.

According to the PSATC website, the PSATC 89th annual conference is June 12 to 15, 2014 at Willow Valley Resort, Lancaster.

"I don't remember if anybody from Salisbury has attended [an annual [JUMP]PSATC conference]," Black said.

During his report to the township commissioners, Salisbury Township Chief of Police Allen W. Stiles noted he attended the 120th annual International Association of Chiefs of Police conference, Oct. 19 through 23, in Philadelphia.

Stiles said he attended seminars and expos and obtained many ideas for programs for the township.

"If you folks go to attend your seminar, you will find it very rewarding. It is a great learning tool," Stiles said.

Black gave an example of a cooperative streets line-painting program with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation as one of the sharing services PSATC has put forth for townships.

Salisbury Township Director of Public Works John Andreas said he was aware of the program and similar programs, but noted, "It becomes a little cumbersome in exchanging services."

There are also webinars seminars on the web offered via computers for information and education, it was noted.

PSATC represents Pennsylvania's first class townships and their elected governing officials before the Pennsylvania General Assembly and Commonwealth agencies.

Black said the Pennsylvania Municipal League acts as the lobby organization for PSATC.

PSATC was founded in 1925. Pennsylvania has 91 first-class townships and 1,456 second-class townships.