Last Thursday night, the Washington Township board of supervisors agreed to employ professional services to remove the dead trees that are in the township right of way.  The township is expected to pay approximately $120,000 to remove the trees. A professional arborist has not yet been retained.

            Recently, Washington Township did a survey of dead ash trees along its roadways.  The township determined there are over 100 trees that need to be removed to prevent danger to the public. The township right of way is 16.5 feet from the center of the road.

            Dead ash trees infected by a wood-boring insect called the emerald ash borer, Latin name Agrilus planipennis, are the bane of municipalities and property owners throughout Pennsylvania. 

             Residents who do not want the wood should let the township know so that the timber can be removed.  The cost of the project includes tree removal. 

            However, Chairman Tom Powanda stressed the township will encourage property owners to dispose of the wood themselves to keep the cost down for the township. 

            The board of supervisors explained to a resident who has made the township aware of the danger posed by speeders along County Line Road that the township is   unable to position speed humps or stop signs along the road, as the supervisors would like, due to PennDOT regulations. 

            The supervisors held a discussion concerning alternative methods to control speeding that included lowering the speed limit to 25 mph, positioning electronic speed signs along the road, and installing an island in the center of the road. 

            The supervisors will consider approaching neighboring municipalities such as Bally and Douglas/Montgomery Township, which have police departments, to request patrols to monitor speed along the road.

            The danger of speeding along County Line Road is compounded because school buses pick up children along the street.  The Boyertown School District transportation service will not enter cul-de-sacs to pick up children.  The supervisors recommended parents with children living on County Line Road contact Boyertown School District.

            Township Engineer John Weber, LTL Consultants, noted plans for straightening Barto Road are progressing.  The Saint Padre Pio Center has agreed to a construction easement to allow correction of the dangerous curve along the road.

            In sewer news, Sewage Engineer Tom Unger, System Design Engineering, informed the supervisors that work on the intergovernmental sewage agreement with Bally is progressing. 

            Unger expects a first draft of the agreement will be ready by next month. 

            The township has approximately 81 Equivalent Dwelling Units (EDUs) available.  However, most of the EDUs have been purchased.  The cost is $9,700 per EDU. 

            If an EDU is purchased, but not used, Washington Township charges $400 per year to hold the EDU for the purchaser.  Vice Chairman Dave Moyer noted the purchase of the few remaining EDUs is on a first-come, first-served basis. 

            Recently, Richard Mingey purchased four EDUs, Prestige Properties purchased three EDUs, and Spring Valley Village purchased one EDU.

            The township agreed to request water service for 48 age-restricted housing units from Bally Municipal Water Authority.  The property located at 1606 Main St. is sited in Washington Township but will receive water service from Bally.

            The supervisors discussed uses for the former railroad right of way owned by the township.  It is possible grant money will be available to convert the railroad track into a walking trail. 

            Residents of the township are urged to complete and return a survey to the township concerning their views on open space and uses of the township park system. 

            Moyer said, "This survey is very important." 

            If a resident does not have the internet, the survey can be filled out at the township municipal building.

            Matt Rhoads provided an update from the Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) on the recycling center finances from 2022.  Cougles Recycling, Inc. hauling expenses were calculated with revenue from recycling materials for a net of $296.90.  Based on the marketing demand for recycling materials, financial projections for 2023 may vary. 

            Rhoads noted the contract with Cougles for hauling the recycled material was on a month-to-month basis.  The EAC suggested the township sign a yearly contract with Cougles. 

            Rhoads informed the supervisors that residents who use the recycling center appreciate that it will remain open.

            The board of supervisors adopted the updated emergency operations plan for Bally, Washington Township, and Bechtelsville.  Moyer explained the fire department and emergency management personnel are volunteers. 

            Moyer said, "It takes lots of hours of training for fire, ambulance, and emergency personnel and it gets taxing.  Anyone who has ever watched emergency drills for the Limerick Power Plant gets an appreciation for what they do.  They are all professionals and they are volunteers." 

            Moyer urged residents to donate generously to the Eastern Berks Fire Department annual fundraising appeal.

            The next Washington Township Board of Supervisors meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 23 at 7 p.m.