Bally Borough Council, on Tuesday night, passed two resolutions that determined how its one mill tax increase to benefit its emergency services would be handled. 

            The .5 mill tax increase for the all-volunteer Eastern Berks Fire Company and the .5 mill tax increase for Bally Ambulance would be placed into two interest-bearing bank accounts that would be disbursed to the emergency services once a year.  A reserve of $8,000 would be kept for each emergency service to avoid bank fees.  If either the fire company or the ambulance service needs funds prior to the annual disbursement, a request must be made for the funds with the approval of the borough council.

            Eastern Berks Fire Company reported it will begin its membership and donation drive next month.  The very popular Eastern Berks Fire Company chicken barbecue will be continued to raise funds.  The fire company warned residents to use caution when burning because it is very dry.  The fire company has had 110 calls thus far in 2025. There were 54 calls alone in February. 

            The Bally Ambulance has had 232 calls for ambulance service to date in 2025.  There were roughly the same amount of ambulance calls in 2024.  The report lists the various calls in Berks, Montgomery, and Lehigh Counties to which the ambulance must provide service. 

            In Berks County Washington Township had 69 calls, Hereford Township had 44 calls, Bally Borough had 25 calls, District and Douglass Townships had 12 and 13 calls each, Bechtelsville had eight calls, Boyertown had five and Colebrookdale Township had six calls.  Pike Township had five calls. 

            In Montgomery County Bally Ambulance, located in Berks County, had six calls in East Greenville, seven in Pennsburg, 10 in Red Hill, and 14 in Upper Hanover Township.  In Lehigh County Lower Milford and Upper Milford Townships, and Macungie each had one call. 

            The report noted Bally ambulances are in good mechanical shape.  The ambulance company hopes to revamp its 2014 ambulance by the end of 2026.  The box on the ambulance is in good shape.  A remount of the ambulance can save up to 50% of the cost of a new ambulance. 

            Recently, the Bally Ambulance staff completed its skills review.  The ambulance staff attended an educational seminar on upcoming protocol changes and medication reviews.  The seminar included scenarios using simulation and advanced airway skills.

            The borough council will approach the Bally Municipal Water Authority to replace its water meters with Census meters that must be manually read.  Some of the current water meter batteries must be replaced frequently.  Although there is a warranty on the current water meters it is difficult for the borough to request property owners to admit the borough to replace the batteries.  The borough must replace 50 to 100 meter batteries that are under warranty each year. 

            Borough Manager Wendy Mutter was authorized by the borough council to sign an application for a grant that will enable the borough to complete its municipal building extension.  The borough council engaged its Engineer, Systems Design Engineering (SDS), to begin work on the engineered drawings.   

            The borough will purchase an embankment slide for the community pool for $8,295.  If there are funds remaining from a recreational grant the borough received, a sand digger will be purchased along with new playground equipment.  As the new playground equipment is purchased, the old playground equipment will be removed.

            Bally Area Recreational Development Society (BARDS) will purchase a new water fountain for the community park.  A dog waste station will be added.

            On April 19th there will be an Easter Egg Hunt.  On May 17th the Community Yard Sale will be held along with a bake sale and car wash.