Muhlenberg Township

Muhlenberg Township is a first class township in Berks County, Pennsylvania, with municipal offices located at 210 George Street in Reading, PA 19605. The township government can be reached by phone at 610-929-4727. The township serves residents, property owners, renters and businesses located within its boundaries along the northern edge of the City of Reading and the Schuylkill River corridor.

Background and Form of Government

Muhlenberg Township was originally part of Alsace Township before being established as its own municipality. It operates today as a first class township under Pennsylvania law, which means it is governed by an elected Board of Commissioners rather than a board of supervisors. Commissioners set policy, adopt the annual budget, pass ordinances and oversee the administration of township services.

The Board is supported by a number of appointed boards and commissions, each with a defined role in local decision making. These include the Planning Commission, which reviews land development and subdivision proposals; the Zoning Hearing Board, which hears variance and special exception requests; the Civil Service Board, which oversees hiring and promotion procedures for certain positions; the Arts Board; and the Parks and Recreation Board. Agendas, minutes and supporting documents for these bodies are collected in a searchable online portal, and meeting videos are streamed on the township's YouTube channel, which gives residents who cannot attend in person a way to follow deliberations.

Departments and Daily Operations

Day to day work is carried out by 11 departments grouped broadly into public safety, physical services, community programming and administration. That structure keeps most resident questions, from a pothole report to a building permit, within a defined point of contact.

• Public safety: Police Department, Fire and Rescue, and Emergency Management Services
• Services: Engineering, Codes and Zoning, and Public Works
• Community programming: Parks and Recreation
• Administration: Customer Service, Finance Office, Information Technology and Communications, and the elected Tax Office

Police, Fire and Emergency Management

The Muhlenberg Township Police Department handles patrol, investigations, traffic safety and community outreach. The department publishes crime alerts and wanted person listings, maintains public crime mapping so residents can review reported activity in their neighborhoods, and accepts online requests for copies of motor vehicle accident reports, a common need for drivers dealing with insurance claims.

Fire and Rescue provides fire suppression, rescue operations and emergency response for homes and businesses in the township. The division also administers fire code requirements and related licensing. Information on ambulance service and EMS membership is available through the township as well, which is useful for households that want to understand how emergency medical billing and membership programs work locally.

Emergency Management Services handles planning and preparedness functions: emergency operations planning, emergency reporting, resource management, training and public education, and coordination among the agencies that would respond together during a severe storm, flood or other large incident.

Public Works, Engineering, Codes and Zoning

Public Works maintains township buildings and more than 73 miles of roadways. Its responsibilities include snow removal, seasonal leaf collection, road and building repair, and a drop off site for shrubs, trees and brush. The department also manages the township's MS4 stormwater compliance obligations, a federally driven program that governs how municipal separate storm sewer systems control runoff and protect water quality in the Schuylkill River watershed.

The Engineering, Codes and Zoning department issues building, zoning and trade permits, enforces property maintenance and construction codes, administers fire and business licensing, and inspects rental properties. Inspections for fire and rental compliance can be scheduled online. For homeowners planning smaller projects, the township publishes quick guides covering decks, sheds, pools and fences, which outline what is permitted, what requires review and what documentation is expected before work begins.

Parks, Recreation and Community Events

Parks and Recreation runs year round programming. Recurring events include RiverFest and the Summer Concert Series, and ongoing recreational offerings include disc golf, pickleball courts, yoga in the park and organized trips. Program registration and facility rentals are handled through an online rec1 catalog, which lists current sessions, fees and availability. The Parks and Recreation Board and the Arts Board provide additional volunteer input on programming and public art initiatives.

Administration, Billing and Taxes

Customer Service functions as the first point of contact for all departments. Staff accept payments, assist with permits and applications, answer questions about trash, recycling, water and sewer, and maintain the township's Do Not Solicit list. A self serve kiosk at the municipal building allows residents to make payments, reserve facilities and register for programs outside of a staffed transaction.

The Finance Office manages accounts receivable and payable, payroll, pension administration for uniformed and non uniformed employees, business privilege licenses, trash billing, the municipal budget and the published fee schedule. It also processes Right To Know requests submitted under Pennsylvania's open records law through an online form, with accompanying guidance on the request process and on where to research related property records.

The Tax Office is an elected office responsible for billing and collecting school, county and local real estate taxes. It can be reached at 610-921-3216 or by email at taxes@muhlenbergtwp.com. Residents should note that this office is separate from general township billing.

Online bill payment for taxes, trash and other township invoices is handled through the Xpress Bill Pay portal. Water and sewer customers of the Muhlenberg Township Authority use a separate credit card platform that requires a username, a password and the PIN printed on the most recent Authority bill, so it is worth keeping that statement handy when setting up an account.

Information Technology and Communications supports technology for township employees, residents, businesses and vendor partners, and curates township data and electronic files. That department can be reached at 610-929-4727 extension 261.

Digital Tools for Residents

• GoTo Muhlenberg, an online tool for reporting concerns and service issues directly to township staff
• Ask Muhlenberg, a question and answer feature available at the bottom of any page on the website, where residents can ask about trash, recycling, permits, parks and other topics and receive an instant answer, often accompanied by a short video reply from the staff member responsible for that subject
• Online scheduling for fire and rental inspections
• Online permit and license applications, including a New Business Packet for companies opening in the township
• The agendas and minutes portal with meeting video

Other Resident Services

The township coordinates residential trash and recycling billing and pickup, offers a senior citizen discount form, and schedules seasonal events such as paper shredding and household hazardous waste collection days. Voter resources covering registration, polling locations and election details are posted for township residents. Open township positions are listed on the website, with applications submitted through the online form center.