Washington Township's highly anticipated traffic signal at the intersection of Route 100 and Barto Road will not be constructed in 2015. 

        Last Thursday night at the Washington Township board of supervisors meeting, township officials announced they will first seek a state grant from the Pennsylvania Multimodal Transportation Fund that will significantly reduce the cost of the light to the township if the grant application is successful.

        Township officials decided to wait to see if the grant application is successful before they proceed with construction.  Currently, the signal is going through the PennDOT permitting process.  Township officials expected the light would be completed this year at a cost of approximately $375,000, they previously said. 

        The grant for the light will not be awarded until November 2015.  If awarded to Washington Township, it will provide 70 percent of the funds for the light or approximately $260,000.  The township must contribute 30 percent of the cost of the light.

        Officials said they will continue to pursue the necessary permits for the light because, if the permits are in place, it will put the township in a good position to receive the grant.  Once the necessary traffic light permits are obtained they are good for one year and can be renewed.  The grant money is valid for two years.

        It is hoped if the township is awarded the state grant, bids for the construction of the light will be awarded in late December 2015 or early January 2016 with construction to follow soon afterward. 

        In other business, Eastern Berks Fire Chief, Matt Bakes, informed supervisors the township's proposed false fire alarm ordinance was no longer necessary because the state has a law that penalizes false fire alarms.  The fire company will use the state code to enforce penalties for false fire alarms. 

        For approximately six months, Bally, Bechtelsville, and Washington Township have discussed and planned to enact an ordinance that would penalize property owners for the third false fire alarm at the same address.  The three municipalities, all served by the Eastern Berks Fire Company, agreed to draft an ordinance that would be consistent throughout.  The state law makes the municipalities' ordinance redundant. 

        In other matters, Washington Township intends to take measures to prevent vandalism at its parks and township owned open spaces.  Recently, graffiti has been sprayed on the township's park pavilion floor and a port-a-potty was damaged.  Township Manager Chris Bashore noted Berks County has a "robust graffiti abatement" program to report the crime. 

        Additionally, Berks County has a crime alert program that provides an award to a tipster when a crime is committed.  Township Supervisor, Dave Moyer, requested the public call state police or the township when they spot vandalism.  Moyer said, "It only takes one bad apple to spoil it for everybody."  The township requested the state police increase patrols in the vicinity of the township parks. 

        Residents continue to attend meetings and request that Washington Township reduce its sewer fees.  Sometimes, they offer suggestions on how the $1,324 per year sewer fee can be lowered.

        Last month, township resident, John Wynne, presented a proposal that the township reduce sewer fees by $50 per quarter.  Wynne suggested the township add a note to the bill that the reduction is at the discretion of the board and can be removed at any time.  Supervisors implied they might consider the suggestion at a later time.  Joe Noll, a resident of Washington Township, inquired when the township would implement Wynne's idea. 

        The board responded the township is unable to reduce fees at the present time.  Peg Stuart requested the township lower sewer bills to residents who live in their homes only part of the year.  Township Solicitor, Dan Becker, explained if a resident uses any sewer capacity the resident must pay for the entire year.