Centre Township

Centre Township is a second class township in Berks County, Pennsylvania, with its municipal building located at 449 Bucks Hill Road in Mohrsville. The township office serves as the administrative center for local government functions including zoning, building permits, subdivision and land development review, on lot sewage management, road maintenance, tax and sewer authority coordination, and emergency management. Residents and property owners can reach the office by phone at 610-926-8833.

Situated in the rural northern portion of Berks County, Centre Township covers a mix of working farmland, open space, wooded areas, and residential properties. Much of the township's administrative activity reflects that character: agricultural land preservation, on lot septic system oversight, floodplain information, and the maintenance of township roads are recurring items on the municipal agenda.

Governance and Administration

Centre Township is governed by a three member Board of Supervisors. The board currently consists of Jason Troutman serving as Chairman, James Fitterling as Vice Chairman, and Melissa Krishock. The supervisors meet monthly in the evening, with meetings beginning at 7:00 P.M. and following a standard order of business that includes a public hearing of visitors, reports from the township solicitor and engineer, zoning and road department updates, and action on pending business. Agendas are posted in advance and approved minutes are published afterward, giving residents a record of decisions on budgets, ordinances, contracts, and infrastructure projects.

Several appointed boards and committees support the supervisors. The Planning Commission reviews subdivision and land development proposals and makes recommendations to the board. The Zoning Hearing Board considers variance and special exception requests under the township zoning ordinance. The Centre Township Municipal Authority handles sewer related matters. The Land Protection Council, which also serves as the Agricultural Security Area Advisory Committee, works on farmland preservation. An Emergency Management office, coordinated by Emergency Manager Jarrod Emes, handles preparedness and response planning.

Day to day administration is carried out by Secretary/Treasurer Deborah P. Scull. The township also retains professional services from outside firms and individuals:

• Township Solicitor: Elizabeth A. Magovern, Esquire, of Hartman, Valeriano, Magovern & Lutz, P.C.
• Township Engineer: Ryan Rhode, PE, of Kraft Municipal Group
• Zoning Officer and Building Inspections: Jeff Fiant of Kraft Municipal Group, reachable at 610-775-7185
• Sewage Enforcement Officer: Jeremy Bentz of JB Environmental, reachable at 484-662-3910
• Sewer Engineer: Jason Coyle of Spotts, Stevens & McCoy

Zoning, Permits, and Land Development

Property owners planning construction, additions, accessory structures, or changes in use generally need to file a zoning and building application with the township. Certificate of occupancy applications are also handled through the office. Application forms are available as downloadable documents, and questions about permit requirements or scheduling inspections are directed to the zoning officer at Kraft Municipal Group.

The township publishes its zoning materials, including a township zoning map, an updated zoning ordinance map, and the consolidated zoning ordinance with amendments incorporated. Making these documents available in PDF form allows residents, contractors, surveyors, and prospective buyers to confirm district boundaries and permitted uses before beginning a project.

Larger projects fall under the township's Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO). The SALDO text, the plan review application, and fee schedules for both the township and Berks County are posted for applicants. One practical scheduling detail worth noting: plans must be submitted by the last day of the preceding month in order to appear on the following month's Planning Commission agenda. Applicants who miss that deadline wait for the next cycle, so early submission is advisable for projects on a timeline.

Sewage Enforcement and the Septic Pumping Program

Because much of Centre Township relies on on lot septic systems, the township administers a sewage pumping management ordinance. Under the program, on lot systems must be pumped at least once every three years. To spread the workload and keep records manageable, the township is divided into three pumping districts, with roughly one third of properties due in any given year. Property owners submit pumping receipts to the township so compliance can be tracked. The program is overseen by the Sewage Enforcement Officer, who also handles permitting and inspection related to new and replacement septic systems. Residents with questions about which district they fall into or when their system is next due can contact the township office or the sewage enforcement officer directly.

Roads, Public Works, and Services

The township road department maintains local roadways, with activity reported at each monthly supervisors meeting. Routine work includes surface maintenance, drainage, and seasonal winter operations carried out in part through winter maintenance agreements. Capital projects are handled as needed, including infrastructure work such as the Railroad Road retaining wall.

Information on trash, recycling, and yard waste disposal is published for residents. Yard waste may be taken to Berks Soil & Stone in Leesport; because the township does not hold a contract with that facility, a fee applies to residents using the drop off, and grass clippings are not accepted there.

The township also maintains tax collector contact information and details for the Centre Township Municipal Authority, which handles public sewer matters. Earned income tax administration is handled through Berks EIT, with the township represented in that arrangement.

Land Protection and Farmland Preservation

One of the more distinctive aspects of Centre Township's municipal work is its long running land preservation effort. The Centre Township Land Protection Foundation was started in 2002 with a stated goal of permanently preserving 5,000 acres of farmland and open space within the township. As of recent reporting, approximately 4,400 acres have been preserved, placing the effort close to its original target.

The preservation work is carried out in partnership with the Berks County Conservancy, the Berks County Agricultural Land Preservation Program, and the township's own Land Protection Easement Program. Preserved parcels are protected through conservation easements, which restrict future development while leaving the land in private ownership and, in many cases, in active agricultural production. The Land Protection Council and Agricultural Security Area Advisory Committee support this work alongside the foundation.

Public Records, Forms, and Communication

Centre Township provides several avenues for residents to interact with the municipal office. A printable resident complaint form allows property owners to formally report local issues to the township. A Right-To-Know request form, kept in updated form, is available to anyone seeking access to public township records under Pennsylvania's open records law.

The township publishes the Township Times, a newsletter covering municipal news, program reminders, and announcements. FEMA flood plain information is also made available for property owners who need to determine flood zone status for insurance, lending, or construction purposes. Together with posted agendas, minutes, ordinances, and maps, these resources are intended to let residents handle common questions before, or in place of, a trip to the office.

Visiting the Office

The Centre Township municipal building is located at 449 Bucks Hill Road, Mohrsville, PA 19541. Residents are encouraged to call ahead at 610-926-8833 to confirm office hours, meeting dates, or the appropriate contact for a specific matter, since permit inspections, sewage enforcement, and engineering questions are each handled by designated professionals rather than at the front desk.