Washington Township Board of Supervisors on Thursday night voted to reduce township sewer fees from $318 to $300 beginning in the next quarter billing period.  A few years ago Washington Township had one of the highest sewer fees in the state.

            The board of supervisors announced the real estate tax rate will remain at 2.7 mills.  Additionally, the supervisors approved the township's entire 2023 budget of $5,600,000. 

            The reduction in the sewer rate is quite an accomplishment for the township.  A number of years ago the now defunct Washington Township Municipal Authority, Sewer (WTMA, Sewer), an independent entity of the township, expanded the township sewer plant in anticipation of an increase in development.  When the expected development did not occur, the WTMA had acquired a debt of approximately $12 million dollars.

            At the time there was a concern that the WTMA would become bankrupt.  Although the WTMA was a separate entity from the township, the board of supervisors had the right to appoint members to the WTMA or dissolve it.  The board of supervisors chose to dissolve the WTMA and run it themselves. 

The township credit rating was excellent so the board of supervisors renegotiated the $12 million dollar debt.  As the debt has been lowered, sewer rates have been steadily reduced. Township Chairman Dave Moyer stressed that if the township sewer plant is ever expanded, developers will pay to expand it, not township taxpayers. 

Moyer noted, "The elected officials of the township, no one else, makes the decisions for the township."

            In other news concerning sewer, Washington Township wrote to Bally Borough to amend its intergovernmental sewer agreement with Bally to make the agreement consistent with Washington Township's Act 537 Plan.

            Three residents who live near County Line Road expressed their concern about the township plan to install speed humps along the road.  Last month, the board of supervisors determined speed humps were necessary because speeding has become a problem along the road. 

            The elected board of supervisors is responsible for the safety and welfare of all the residents of the township.  Motorists have been caught driving up to 80 miles per hour along the road.  The posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour.  The township is greatly concerned with the safety of children who are picked up and unloaded from school buses on County Line Road. 

Previously, Moyer contacted the local school district transportation office to request school buses be diverted off County Line Road and into the development.  He noted the school bus routes have not changed, despite his request.  Moyer promised to contact the school district transportation office again.

            Representatives of Camp Camino requested an amendment to the settlement agreement mandated by the Berks County Court of Common Pleas for a 37 lot subdivision on a portion of the 173 acre property located on Kutztown Road. 

Camp Camino's representative would like to extend the development plan time frame from April 2023 up to 5 years. The board of supervisors denied the request. 

The development plans for the portion of the property to be subdivided must be submitted to the township by June 6, 2023.  The barn renovation on the property was approved.  However, a building permit will not be issued for the barn renovation until sewage plans for the property are finalized.  Eventually, the farmhouse and barn buildings will be subdivided from the main parcel into 11.5 acres.

            The township passed an ordinance to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the Pottstown Area Regional Recreation Committee.  The intergovernmental agreement will enable Washington Township to acquire grants for the township's future recreation plans.  Supervisor Tom Powanda noted, "This is a big deal for the township."

            In 2023 the Recreation Advisory Committee schedule will change from the third Monday of each month to the second Tuesday of each month to accommodate Open Space and Recreation Planning Committee meetings.

            Bids for the full depth reclamation (FDR) of Meitzler and Washington Roads will be opened on January 26, 2023.

            The supervisors thanked the retiring Christina Orff for her 15 years of excellent service to Washington Township.

            Washington Township reorganization meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.  The next regular Washington Township Board of Supervisors meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 26, 2023 at 7 p.m.

            On behalf of the supervisors, Moyer wished all residents of the township a "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year."