Butler Township has been recognized as a Banner Community by the Allegheny League of Municipalities for the 10th year in a row. Butler Eagle File Photo

Butler Township has been recognized as a 2022 Banner Community for the 10th year in a row. The citation recognizes municipalities that show a commitment to professional development, prudent fiscal management, transparency, accountability and proactive communications engaging community stakeholders.

Butler Township is one of 80 organizations recognized by the Allegheny League of Municipalities, or ALOM, this year, and Cranberry Township is the only other municipality in Butler County to be recognized. According to ALOM’s website, the nonprofit organization serves local governments in Allegheny County and Southwestern Pennsylvania.

County Executive Rich Fitzgerald also administers the program, which has a list of requirements a municipality must meet to be selected.

Some requirements include municipal officials’ participation in educational training aimed at governmental relations, their participation in at least 50% of county association meetings, conducting an activity for Local Government Week for community outreach, and promoting and implementing long-term sustainable governing practices.

Butler Township assistant manager Cheryl McNeill said township administrators make conscious efforts to follow best practices. Township officials attend annual meetings including the ALOM spring conference, the Public Employer Labor Relations Advisory Service through the Pennsylvania Municipal League and other professional development programs.

“They want you to work with everybody,” she said, “your school districts, your council of governments, interactive engagement with your community and other municipalities.”

Last year, the township also hosted a community day event at the Vagabond Center meant to introduce the community to Butler Township’s commissioners and other administrators. McNeill also said the township has been certified as a gold sustainable community by Sustainable Pittsburgh since 2017.

While these are requirements made by the ALOM to be recognized as a banner community, McNeill said Butler Township’s participation in these efforts are ultimately meant to improve the lives of residents.

“It demonstrates to the residents we are committed to the best practices and always operating the township under transparency and integrity and looking for the highest operation possible,” she said. “So it's nice to be recognized for doing that.”