On Dec. 18, the Washington Township Board of Supervisors adopted its 2026 budget of $3,096,205 that includes the sewer budget of $1,930,977.

            Supervisor Romnie Long opted to vote "No" on the budget. Previously, Long stated she did not like to increase taxes. 

            The supervisors voted a .5 mill tax to benefit the all-volunteer Eastern Berks Fire Company and a .5 mill tax designated for the Bally Ambulance.

            The township real estate tax mills will remain at 1.85 mills per $1,000 of assessed value.  The total tax mill for a property in Washington Township will be 2.85 mills. 

            Like most municipalities in Berks, Bucks, and Montgomery counties, the supervisors recognized the necessity of an emergency services tax to enable the fire and ambulance services to function without going to a paid service.  It is speculated that volunteer fire companies will become a thing of the past unless municipalities assist them to offset their expenses.

            Counties in the region and the state of Pennsylvania provide virtually no financial assistance to volunteer organizations.  It is estimated that a paid fire department can cost a municipality $9 million per year.  Some of the expenses can include five firemen per truck with a day and night shift.

            Maintenance of the equipment and the firehouse, along with   training for fire personnel, is ongoing.  Because it can show a guaranteed source of income, the dedicated tax will enable a volunteer organization such as the Eastern Berks Fire Company to borrow money from a lender if it needs to purchase equipment.

            Mark Beadle, chair of the parks and recreation board, informed the supervisors that the township was awarded a $200,000 grant for upgrades to the Washington Township playground project.  The original grant application was for $345,000.The board will pursue other sources of grant funding for the upgrades to the playground. The master plan for Washington Township Park is moving forward. 

            Beadle will meet with the Brazilian Soccer Club concerning a four-day soccer camp at the park scheduled for June 2026. There will be an Easter Egg Hunt in the spring and a craft fair, as well. The exact dates are not set yet.

            In other matters, repairs to the township administration building are progressing.  The township waste wastewater treatment plant heating unit, a heat pump, will be replaced by Wallace Electric of Zieglerville for $13,000.  The final payment to Barwis Construction for the Barto Road straightening project was $49,592.36.

            Township Engineer John Weber, from LTL Consultants, noted the project was under budget by $1,935.

            Weber informed the supervisors that a pipe that is alleged to drain onto Spring Valley Village will be capped in the near future. 

            The removal of trees and debris near the Heydt School House Road bridge is progressing.  As soon as there is a break in the weather the work will be completed. 

Records for the years 2015 and 2016 will be shredded.

            The township reorganization meeting will be held on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. The next supervisors meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, at 7 p.m.