North Heidelberg Township

North Heidelberg Township is a Second Class Township in Berks County, Pennsylvania, with its municipal building located at 928 Charming Forge Road in Robesonia. The township recorded a population of 1,214 in the 2010 census, placing it among the smaller rural municipalities in western Berks County. Residents are served by the Conrad Weiser Area School District, and the township carries a Robesonia mailing address despite functioning as an independent municipal entity with its own elected officials, ordinances and administrative staff.

As a Second Class Township under Pennsylvania law, North Heidelberg is governed by a Board of Supervisors rather than a mayor or council. The supervisors hold responsibility for road maintenance, zoning administration, budgeting, ordinance adoption and the general oversight of municipal operations. Day to day administrative work is handled through the township office, which also functions as the point of contact for permits, tax questions, right to know requests and meeting information.

Governing Body and Public Meetings

The township is led by a three member Board of Supervisors consisting of Chairman Mitch Wolfe, David Pool and Robert C. Klinger. Tanya Taatjes serves as Secretary and also holds the designated role of Open Records Officer.

Board of Supervisors meetings take place on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the township building. These meetings are open to the public and cover budget matters, road and infrastructure business, ordinance consideration, correspondence and resident concerns. Agendas are posted at least 24 hours before each meeting, and archived minutes are maintained online covering the period from 2017 forward, which gives residents and researchers a continuous record of municipal decision making.

The Planning Commission meets on the third Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. and is chaired by James Tomanelli, with members John Gibbel, Rodney Cimbalista, Tom Jones and George Ferrero. The commission reviews subdivision and land development proposals and advises the supervisors on planning and zoning matters. Downloadable agendas and minutes for the commission are archived from 2023 onward.

The Zoning Hearing Board hears variance requests, special exceptions and appeals of zoning determinations. It is chaired by Randall Lutz and includes members Matt Felbeck and Jeff Schlaybach, with Chris Blatt serving as alternate. Hearing agendas are posted 24 hours in advance of any scheduled hearing date. The township also maintains an online community calendar listing all public meeting dates, times and any cancellations, which is useful for residents planning to attend or for applicants tracking a submission through the review process.

Codes, Zoning and Engineering

Zoning administration, building code enforcement and municipal engineering services are provided to the township through Kraft Municipal Group, Inc., which was formed in 2023 through the merger of Kraft Code Services, LLC and Kraft Engineering, LLC. The firm can be reached at 610-777-1311, and permit holders scheduling inspections use a dedicated line at 610-775-7185. Fees for 2023 were held at 2022 levels. This arrangement is common among smaller Pennsylvania townships, allowing North Heidelberg to provide professional code review and inspection services without maintaining a full time in house department.

On lot sewage matters are handled by Sewage Enforcement Officer Brian McFeaters, who can be contacted directly at 717-813-6492 or by email. His responsibilities include septic system permitting, site testing and inspections, which are significant functions in a rural township where many properties rely on individual on lot systems rather than public sewer.

Taxes and Collections

Municipal tax millage was set at 1.0 for 2018, with school tax millage for the 2017/2018 year at 28.0. Real estate and per capita taxes are collected by Tax Collector Kloma Kalbach, who can be reached at 610-698-5248. Payments may be mailed to P.O. Box 134, Robesonia, PA 19551, or made in person at the township building during posted sitting times, which are generally scheduled in April and August.

Local earned income tax is administered through the Berks Earned Income Tax Bureau, and the township provides downloadable local tax information for residents and employers.

Ordinances, Records and Public Access

North Heidelberg Township makes a range of governing documents available as downloadable PDFs, including the signed Solar Ordinance, the Board of Supervisors Amended Compensation Ordinance, the Tax Collector Compensation Ordinance and Resolution 2016-02 establishing the township open records policy.

Right to Know requests are processed under Pennsylvania's open records law, with Tanya Taatjes serving as Open Records Officer. The township provides a downloadable request form along with its policy and resolution documents. Completed requests may be submitted at the township office or sent by fax to 610-488-9738.

Roads and Seasonal Operations

The township road crew is responsible for maintaining local roadways, including winter snow removal and ice control. Seasonal plowing is a significant part of the township's public works effort, and North Heidelberg periodically recruits part time seasonal snow plow drivers, directing interested applicants to contact the township office for details on availability and requirements.

Office Hours and Contact

The township office at 928 Charming Forge Road is open Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., with additional hours available by appointment for residents who cannot visit during the regular schedule. The main office number is 610-488-1619.

For emergencies, residents should dial 911. The non-emergency police number for the area is 610-378-4011.

Practical Notes for Residents and Applicants

• Meeting agendas are posted 24 hours in advance for the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission and Zoning Hearing Board.
• Building permits, zoning questions and inspection scheduling go through Kraft Municipal Group rather than the township office directly.
• Septic and on lot sewage questions should be directed to the Sewage Enforcement Officer.
• Real estate and per capita tax payments are handled by the elected Tax Collector, not by the township secretary.
• Meeting minutes, ordinances and request forms are available for download.