Penn Township

Penn Township is the municipal government serving a rural community in northwestern Berks County, Pennsylvania. The township building sits at 840 North Garfield Road in Bernville, PA 19506, and the office can be reached at 610-488-1160. Township business, including permits, meeting records, ordinances and public information, is also handled through the municipal office.

History and Setting

Penn Township was created on November 5, 1841, formed from portions of Bern Township and Upper Bern Township. The area was first settled by German farming families in the late 1700s, and agriculture shaped the landscape and economy for generations. Growth in the nineteenth century centered on the Union Canal and the village of Mt. Pleasant, which served as a local hub for commerce and community life.

The township's character today still reflects that agricultural history, though a significant portion of its land is now held in public conservation and recreation use. Roughly 26 percent of the township's land area falls within the Blue Marsh Project and Pennsylvania State Game Lands, which limits development across a sizable share of the municipality while providing open space, wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation opportunities for residents and visitors from across the region.

The 2023 population was recorded at 1,978. Students living in the township attend schools in the Tulpehocken School District.

Government Structure

Penn Township is governed by a three member Board of Supervisors. The Board meets on the last Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Penn Township Building. Agendas are posted at least 24 hours in advance of each meeting, and archived minutes are maintained for public review.

Several appointed bodies support the Board:

• The Planning Commission, which meets the second Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. and reviews subdivision, land development and planning matters
• The Zoning Hearing Board, which hears variance requests and zoning appeals with solicitor Alex Elliker
• The UCC Appeals Board, which handles appeals related to building code decisions under the Uniform Construction Code
• The Board of Elected Auditors
• The Agricultural Security Area Advisory Committee

Minutes for the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, Board of Elected Auditors and Agricultural Security Area Advisory Committee are archived back to 2021 and are available to the public.

Permits and Code Administration

Engineering, zoning and building code services are provided to the township through LTL Consultants, LTD, reachable at 610-987-9290. Zoning questions are directed to Cheryl Franckowiak at extension 263, and building code questions to Eddie Patton at extension 257. Sewage enforcement is handled by JB Environmental LLC, which can be reached at 484-662-3910 or by email at jbenviros@gmail.com.

Zoning and building permit applications are submitted directly to the township with three complete copies, all supporting documents and payment due at the time of filing. Applicants are encouraged to contact the appropriate LTL Consultants staff member before filing to confirm requirements for their particular project.

Other permits administered by the township include:

• Short-term rental permits. A downloadable application is available and is submitted to the township office along with the applicable fee established in the omnibus fee resolution.

Parks and Recreation

The township maintains a community park that includes a multipurpose court, a softball field, a soccer field, two age appropriate tot-lots, a footpath, benches and a rest facility. The soccer and softball fields are available to organized teams for games and practices through a written application submitted to the township office, which allows the township to coordinate scheduling and avoid conflicts between user groups.

A newly built pavilion is also available for reservation. Picnic tables were added recently, and the site has ample parking. Residents and groups reserve the pavilion by submitting the pavilion rental agreement form to the township office.

Taxes

Local real estate taxes are collected by tax collector Carmen Chiumento, who can be reached at 610-488-0460. Earned income tax for township residents is administered by the Berks Earned Income Tax Bureau at 610-372-8439. The municipal millage rate is 2.0. Property owners should note that school district taxes are levied separately through the Tulpehocken School District.

Public Safety and Emergency Services

Emergency management for the township is coordinated by Emergency Management Director Christy Flaherty, reachable at 610-488-1160, working in conjunction with the Berks County Emergency Management Agency. Fire protection is provided by two volunteer companies serving the area: Mt. Pleasant Fire Company, which can be reached for non-emergency matters at 610-488-1379, and Bernville Fire Company at 610-488-6592. As always, emergencies should be reported by calling 911.

Roads

Township roads are overseen by Roadmaster Kyle Loder and Assistant Roadmaster Kris Koenig. Road maintenance duties include surface repairs, snow removal, drainage work and routine upkeep of the township road network. Residents with road concerns or questions about winter maintenance can contact the township office.

Public Records and Resident Services

Penn Township accepts public records requests under its Right-to-Know policy. A downloadable request form is available on the township's Forms page, along with the various permit and rental applications residents commonly need.

A Lost and Found is maintained in the Municipal Building vestibule, which remains open at all times. Residents who have lost an item, or who wish to turn in something they have found, can stop by or call the office during business hours.

Contacting the Township

The Penn Township Building at 840 North Garfield Road in Bernville serves as the center for municipal administration, permit intake, public meetings and records access. Residents, property owners, contractors and prospective developers can call 610-488-1160 for general questions. For technical zoning and construction questions, LTL Consultants staff are available directly at 610-987-9290.