Colebrookdale Township

Colebrookdale Township is the municipal government serving an 8.7 square mile area of southeastern Berks County, Pennsylvania, surrounding the Borough of Boyertown. The Township office is located at 765 W. Philadelphia Avenue, Boyertown, PA 19512, and can be reached by phone at 610-369-1362.

The Township operates as a Township of the First Class, a classification adopted after residents voted for the change in November 1965. First Class townships in Pennsylvania are governed by a board of commissioners rather than supervisors, and Colebrookdale's five member Board of Commissioners sets policy, adopts the annual budget, enacts ordinances and oversees Township departments and appointed professionals.

History

Colebrookdale is one of the older municipal districts in Berks County. The district was established by the court of quarter sessions in December 1741, predating the formation of Berks County itself. Over the following century, portions of the original territory were separated to create new municipalities. Washington Township was formed in 1839 out of land taken from both Colebrookdale and Hereford Townships. In 1866, the Borough of Boyertown was carved out of Colebrookdale, creating the arrangement that exists today, with the borough functioning as a separate municipality geographically surrounded by Township land.

That history continues to shape daily life in the area. Many addresses carry a Boyertown mailing address while falling within Colebrookdale Township limits, which is a common point of clarification for residents, contractors and prospective buyers dealing with permits, taxes and municipal services.

Public Works and Road Maintenance

The Public Works Department is responsible for the largest share of the Township's day to day field operations. The crew maintains more than 45 miles of roadway in total, including 35.59 miles of Township owned roads, while 11.13 miles within the Township are State roads under PennDOT jurisdiction. Under a winter maintenance contract with PennDOT, Township crews also plow approximately 5.88 miles of those State roads.

Routine and seasonal work handled by Public Works includes:

• Road repair and resurfacing of Township roads
• Snow plowing and cinder spreading during winter storms
• Street gutter cleaning and drainage maintenance
• Mowing weeds and clearing roadside vegetation
• Installing and replacing road signs

The Township also maintains 84 streetlights, concentrated in the more densely populated sections of the municipality.

Governance and Public Meetings

Colebrookdale Township conducts its public business through regularly scheduled meetings that residents may attend:

• Board of Commissioners: five members, meeting the first and third Monday of each month at 7:30 pm
• Planning Commission: meets the third Thursday of the month at 7:00 pm to review subdivision and land development applications
• Zoning Hearing Board: five resident members who hear appeals of the Zoning Officer's decisions, with advertised hearings scheduled as applications and appeals are filed

The Planning Commission reviews sketch, preliminary and final plan applications and makes recommendations to the Board of Commissioners. Property owners should note that approval is required before dividing a lot or conveying part of an existing lot. The Zoning Hearing Board has authority to grant relief from literal enforcement of the Joint Zoning Ordinance in certain hardship situations, in addition to deciding appeals.

Permits, Zoning and Code Enforcement

Code enforcement, zoning administration, building permits and sewage enforcement are handled for the Township by LTL Consultants, LTD, based at One Town Centre Drive in Oley, Pennsylvania. The firm processes residential building permit applications, performs inspections and administers sewage enforcement duties on the Township's behalf.

For residents and contractors who prefer in person assistance, Code Enforcement Officer Paul E. Labe III holds office hours at the Township building every Monday from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. Appointments are made in advance by calling 610-987-9290. Anyone planning construction, additions, accessory structures, signage or a change in land use is generally advised to confirm permit and zoning requirements before beginning work.

Recycling, Yard Waste and Stormwater

Under Pennsylvania Act 101, the Township administers a mandated recycling program. Curbside residential collection is coordinated through Whitetail Disposal, with color coded zone maps and published annual pick up dates so residents can confirm their collection schedule.

A separate yard waste drop off arrangement is available through Hopewell Farms, Inc., located at 172 Fancy Hill Road. Accepted materials include branches, wood chips, typical yard waste, small stumps without dirt attached and clean lumber. Materials that are not accepted include bamboo, grass clippings, dirt, rocks, soil, edging, painted wood, old mulch and pressure treated wood.

Colebrookdale Township also holds an NPDES MS4 permit for stormwater management and carries out a Pollution Reduction Plan along with public education efforts. An online form allows residents to report illicit discharges or illegal dumping into local streams. As a condition of the permit, Township staff may inspect swales, pipes and inlets located on private property.

Additional Services for Residents

• Dog licensing information and applications under Township Dog Ordinance 1-2009
• Right To Know Law requests, with standard request and appeal forms available for public records
• Liberty Park pavilion rentals, with applications available through the Township office and fees set in the annual Fee and Rate Schedule
• Landlord and tenant registration, including the annual letter and reporting form filed under the Township's rental reporting ordinance
• Concealed carry permit appointments, with the Berks County Sheriff's Department visiting the Township building the third Friday of every month (appointments must be scheduled in advance by calling 610-478-6240)

Taxes

Township taxes are collected by Tax Collector Ursula L. Gamler, who can be reached at 610-369-1721 or by mail at P.O. Box 228, New Berlinville, PA 19545. Residents with questions about bills, due dates or payment methods should contact the Tax Collector directly rather than the Township office.

Visiting the Township Office

The Township building at 765 W. Philadelphia Avenue serves as the central point of contact for permits, forms, meeting records, recycling questions and general municipal inquiries. Because several functions, including code enforcement and sheriff's appointments, are offered on specific days, residents are encouraged to call ahead at 610-369-1362 to confirm hours and schedules before visiting.