Richmond Township

Richmond Township is a second class township government serving approximately 4,000 residents across roughly 24 square miles in the eastern portion of Berks County, Pennsylvania. The municipal building is located at 11 Kehl Drive in Fleetwood, where the township's administrative offices handle the daily business of local government, from permit intake and tax questions to road maintenance requests and public records inquiries.

The township sits in a largely rural and agricultural stretch of the county. Its land is drained by the Maiden Creek, which flows into the Schuylkill River, and its southern boundary rests along South Mountain. Several small villages fall within township limits, including Kempville, Kirbyville, Moselem, Moselem Springs, Virginville and Walnuttown. Travel through the area is carried primarily by US 222, Route 662 and Route 143, supplemented by local routes such as Crystal Cave Road, Fleetwood-Lyons Road and Park Road.

History

Richmond was among the first townships formed when Berks County was created in 1752, making it one of the oldest municipal units in the county. The name was taken from a place in England by the Quaker settlers who first organized the area. Later waves of settlement brought families from Germany, France and Switzerland, and those influences shaped the farming practices, building styles and family names that still appear throughout the township today.

Through the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Richmond Township was known for its fine farms and grist mills, and it also played a part in the regional iron industry. Iron ore was extracted at the Moselem, Rothermel and Heffner mines, and the Moselem Forge was in operation as early as 1767. Crystal Cave, discovered in 1871, became one of the better known natural attractions in the region and continues to draw visitors to the township.

Township Government and Departments

Richmond Township operates under the second class township code, governed by an elected Board of Supervisors. Day-to-day operations are divided among several departments:

• Administration
• Board of Supervisors
• Emergency Services
• Finance and Taxes
• Planning
• Public Works
• Sewer and Septic
• Zoning

Jen Galomb serves as Manager and Secretary-Treasurer. Robby Rarick is Roadmaster, overseeing the Public Works Department. The public works garage can be reached directly at 610-944-9177.

The Board of Supervisors meets on the second Monday of each month at 6:00 PM in the Municipal Building, with an annual re-organization meeting held in January at 4:00 PM. Meetings are open to the public. Agendas are posted in advance, and archived minutes going back several years are available as downloadable PDFs for residents who want to review past decisions.

Permits and Zoning

All building and zoning permits for Richmond Township are reviewed and issued by Kraft Municipal Group, located in Shillington and reachable at 610-777-1311. Residents with questions about how a property is zoned, what farm animals are allowable on a parcel or how to respond to a notice of violation should contact that office at extension 1.

In all cases the application fee is non-refundable and is credited toward the total permit cost. Applicants should allow two to three weeks for processing. Permits picked up at the township office must be paid by check or exact cash, as credit cards are not accepted.

A downloadable township zoning map is available, along with the Zoning Hearing Board appeal application for property owners seeking a variance or appealing a determination.

Other permitting services handled through the township include:

• On-lot sewage system permits, covering septic and on-lot systems within township limits. The application is available as a downloadable PDF and is submitted with a check or money order payable to Richmond Township.
• Road occupancy permits, required for any work performed within township road rights-of-way. The application form can be downloaded and submitted with payment by check or money order.
• Subdivision and land development review, conducted under the township SALDO ordinance. A dedicated application and fees packet is available, as is a separate Land Development Plan fee schedule.

Public Works and Roads

The township road crew maintains municipal roadways and responds to issues such as trees fallen across township roads. Residents can contact the crew directly at 610-944-9177. Trees or debris blocking state roads fall outside township jurisdiction and should be reported to the PennDOT Temple office.

Waste, Recycling and Tire Drop-Off

Trash collection is not contracted by Richmond Township, so homeowners arrange service with a hauler of their choosing. Local options the township lists for reference include Jax Disposal (610-985-0118), Randy's Trash (484-926-6500), Leck Waste (610-683-7086) and John's Sanitation (610-921-1441).

The township does provide a tire recycling drop-off at the municipal building. Two large blue metal bins accept used light duty truck and passenger car tires from non-commercial Richmond Township residents. Tires must be clean, free of dirt and debris, and have the rims removed. Plastic and cardboard recycling is not offered at the building.

Richmond Township also shares information on Berks County Solid Waste Authority programs, including household hazardous waste collection events, paper shredding, prescription drug collection and the electronics recycling center in Leesport.

Taxes, Code Enforcement and Public Records

Real estate and school tax questions are directed to Tax Collector Norann Warmkessel. The tax collector does not work out of the township building, and payments should not be dropped off there.

Residents who wish to report a potential code issue can file a Code Violation Complaint Form, available for download. Enforcement draws on township ordinances including the 2012 International Property Maintenance Code, the burning ordinance (No. 112) and the stormwater management ordinance (No. 101).

Public records requests are handled under the township Right-To-Know policy, with a request form available. Email is reviewed only during normal business hours, so urgent matters should be handled by phone at 610-944-0348 or in person at the municipal building.

Online Resources

The township hosts permit applications, the zoning map, ordinance documents, meeting agendas and archived minutes, fee schedules and contact information for each department, allowing residents to download most forms before visiting the office.