Maidencreek Township

Maidencreek Township is a municipal government serving a community in central Berks County, Pennsylvania, with offices located at 1 Quarry Road in Reading, PA 19605. The township was established in December 1746 by order of the Court of Quarter Sessions at Philadelphia, placing its origins nearly three decades before American independence. Today it encompasses the villages of Blandon, Maiden Creek, Molltown, Evansville and Buena Vista, and recorded a population of 9,169 residents in the 2020 Census.

Despite steady residential growth, roughly 60 percent of the township's land remains in agricultural use, a balance that continues to shape local planning and land development decisions. The township's central position in Berks County places it within a short commute of Reading, Allentown and Lancaster, which has made it attractive to households that want access to regional employment centers while living in a largely rural setting.

Government Structure

Maidencreek Township is governed by a three-member Board of Supervisors. Supervisors serve staggered six-year terms, with one seat up for election every two years, a structure designed to maintain continuity on the board. Regular Board of Supervisors meetings are held monthly at 6:00 pm, and agendas, resolutions and archived minutes dating back to 2021 are posted for public review.

Several appointed bodies support the board's work:

• Planning Commission: a five-member body that meets monthly at 6:00 pm to review land development and subdivision applications, with published agendas and minutes.
• Park and Recreation Board: oversees park facilities, programming and recreation planning.
• Environmental Advisory Council: advises on the protection and conservation of local natural resources, influences township policy, and focuses on outreach and education intended to build a lasting culture of environmental stewardship.

Current priorities identified by the Board of Supervisors include improving stormwater management, expanding recreation space usable by residents of all ages and abilities, and supporting local emergency services.

Public Safety, Utilities and Schools

Police protection is provided by the Northern Berks Regional Police Department. Fire protection comes from the Blandon Volunteer Fire Company, and emergency medical response is handled by Northern Berks EMS. Public water and sewer service in Blandon and Maiden Creek is provided by the Maidencreek Township Authority. The township falls within the Fleetwood Area School District and is home to Andrew Maier Elementary School.

Permits and Code Administration

Permit applications are reviewed by LTL Consultants, Ltd., reachable at 610-987-9290. Household permits are typically returned within about two weeks. Permit types handled through the township include zoning and building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, driveway, home occupation, street access, solicitor's and yard sale permits. Payment for permits is accepted by cash or check only.

Yard sale permits are free of charge and require only a completed form, and multiple participating households may be listed on a single form.

Recycling and Waste Programs

Curbside recycling is collected twice monthly for all residential dwellings except apartment buildings with more than four units. Collection is divided into Red and Blue zones. Accepted materials include plastic bottles numbered 1 through 7, steel and aluminum cans, unbroken glass, newspaper, magazines, paper and cardboard. Materials must be placed in a township-issued bin, or a resident-owned bin bearing a Maidencreek sticker, the evening before collection. Bins, lids and stickers are available at no cost at the township building. The township does not dispose of old or damaged bins.

A keycard-access yard waste drop-off site operates at 61 Lakeshore Drive, next to the township building, open daily from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm and monitored by camera. The site accepts logs, shrubs, brush, leaves, branches, grass clippings, stumps, trimmings and Christmas trees.

Curbside brush and leaf pickup is offered in spring and fall at designated times, accommodating branches up to 18 inches in diameter. Ornamental grasses and garden plants should be set out with leaf collection rather than brush collection.

An annual fall clean-up drop-off is held on a weekend day in September at the township building. Accepted items include furniture, clothing, lumber scraps, carpet, metal, household items, mowers, tires without rims, batteries, dried latex paint, water heaters, hot tubs and appliances with Freon removed and tagged. Electronics, hazardous waste and yard waste are not accepted at this event.

Parks and Recreation

The township maintains eight park and playground sites. Community Park at 753 Park Road offers pickleball and basketball courts, ball fields, restrooms and a walking trail. The Cornerstone Drive site features a multipurpose court and a gaga pit. Willow Creek Dog Park provides separate fenced areas for large and small dogs. Additional neighborhood sites include Faith Drive, Wyatt Drive, Tree Tops and Ontelaunee Heights.

Renters should confirm dates by phone first, then deliver the application and check in person.

Parks and Recreation is in early planning stages for a Veterans Memorial at Community Park and is gauging resident interest in donated engraved commemorative bricks honoring loved ones. Pricing has not yet been set. The office also welcomes inquiries about Eagle Scout projects, Gold Award projects and group service work benefiting the township.

Stormwater, Septic and Public Records

The township administers its stormwater and MS4 program under an NPDES permit issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Program components include a Public Education and Outreach Plan, a Pollution Reduction Plan, a TMDL Plan and annual MS4 reports. Suspected illegal discharges can be reported to the office at 610-926-4920. The township also provides guidance for owners of the 396 septic systems recorded in the township as of 2023, recommending inspection and pumping every three years along with careful record keeping to help avoid costly system failures.

Right to Know Law requests are handled by Open Records Officer Christina Hafer under Act 100 of 2002. Requests must be submitted in writing; verbal and anonymous requests are not accepted. The township responds within five business days. The fax number for records requests is 610-926-6314.

Staying Informed

Residents can submit concerns through an online Report a Concern form, which routes submissions directly to township email and creates documentation so staff can track progress, respond and direct issues through the proper channels. The township also publishes a seasonal newsletter and a yearly calendar listing recycling dates, holidays and township events, both available as downloadable PDFs. General inquiries may be directed to 610-926-4920.