Robeson Township

Robeson Township is the municipal government serving a largely rural portion of southern Berks County, Pennsylvania. The township building is located at 8 Boonetown Road in Birdsboro, and administrative staff can be reached at 610-582-4636. Established in 1729, the township takes its name from either Andrew Robeson, Jr. or his son Israel Robeson, placing its founding among the earliest municipal organizations in the county.

Structure of Township Government

Robeson Township operates under a five member elected Board of Supervisors. The Board holds authority over the township budget and expenditures, approves subdivisions and land development plans, and makes appointments to the various boards, commissions and authorities that carry out specialized functions. This structure distributes the technical and quasi judicial work of local government across a number of volunteer and appointed bodies, each with its own meeting schedule and area of responsibility.

The supporting bodies include:

• Planning Commission
• Zoning Hearing Board
• Board of Auditors
• Robeson Township Municipal Sewer Authority
• Board of Parks and Recreation
• Environmental Advisory Council
• Geigertown Area Joint Authority
• Vacancy Board

The Planning Commission is a volunteer body that reviews subdivision applications, land development plans and proposed ordinances, then forwards recommendations to the Board of Supervisors. It meets on the first Monday of every month at 7:00 PM. The Zoning Hearing Board functions as a judicial board under the authority of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code. It schedules hearings on zoning applications and appeals, takes evidence from applicants and objectors, and issues written decisions supported by findings of fact. Because its work depends on filings, Zoning Hearing Board meetings are held on call rather than on a fixed calendar.

The Environmental Advisory Council is a volunteer group that advises the Board of Supervisors on environmental matters affecting the township. Recent work has included review of a draft Data Center Ordinance along with a resident interest survey. The council meets the first Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM and can be contacted at eac@robesontownship.com.

Police Protection

The Robeson Township Police Department operates from 2689 Main St. in Birdsboro. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and the non-emergency telephone line is (610) 655-4911. The department publishes alerts, incident information and community notices through Crime Alert Berks on the CrimeWatch PA platform, which gives residents a direct channel for following police activity in the township.

Public Works and Road Maintenance

The Public Works Department consists of a superintendent and four crew workers responsible for roughly 80 miles of township roads. In addition to roadway duties, the crew maintains Gibraltar Park, the Municipal Park and the former township building on White Bear Road. Routine responsibilities cover paving, drainage work, signage, mowing and snow plowing. The department also handles emergency response situations such as clearing downed trees and addressing clogged storm sewers, work that becomes significant during storm events in a township with substantial wooded and hilly terrain.

Sewage Management and Sanitary Sewer Service

Robeson Township administers an on lot Sewage Management Program (SMP) mandated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The program has been in effect since January 1, 2015 and requires property owners with on lot septic systems to have those systems cleaned and inspected on a three-year cycle. The requirement is intended to identify failing systems before they create groundwater or surface water contamination problems, a concern in areas not served by public sewer lines. Sewer billing inquiries are handled by PAMS at (800) 828-0101.

Sewage enforcement duties are carried out by Technicon Enterprises Inc., located at 200 Bethlehem Drive, Suite 201, Morgantown, PA. The Sewage Enforcement Officer can be reached by phone at (610) 286-1622 or by fax at (610) 286-1679.

Public sanitary sewer service is provided through the Robeson Township Municipal Sewer Authority, which was formed in 1985. The Authority owns the sanitary collection system serving the Gibraltar and Seyfert area along with the treatment plant situated between the township offices and the Schuylkill River. Operation and administration of the system are leased to the Township, an arrangement that keeps day to day management in township hands while the Authority retains ownership of the infrastructure.

Codes, Permits and Engineering

Building codes administration, permit processing and inspections are handled on the township's behalf by TECHNICON Enterprises Inc. II of Morgantown, PA. Homeowners and contractors schedule inspections by calling (610) 286-1622, extension 100. Permit applications are available for download on the township resources page.

Township engineering services are provided by Kraft Municipal Group of Shillington, PA, with engineer Ryan Rhode serving the Board of Supervisors, the Planning Commission and the Zoning Hearing Board. Engineering inspections can be scheduled at (610) 775-7185. Using outside professional firms for codes and engineering is a common approach among Pennsylvania second class townships, allowing access to licensed specialists without maintaining those positions on staff year round.

Parks and Recreation

The Board of Parks and Recreation coordinates recreation activities in the township using public parks, school facilities and church related playgrounds. Residents and groups seeking to reserve pavilions or ball fields can find use applications on the township resources page. The Board meets quarterly, on the fourth Monday of every third month, commencing in February.

Fire and Emergency Medical Services

Fire protection in Robeson Township is provided by two companies: Friendship Fire Company No. 1 of Geigertown and Gibraltar Fire Company. Emergency medical service coverage is shared among Western Berks Ambulance, Southern Berks Regional EMS (Tower DIRECT) and Elverson-Honey Brook Area EMS. The multi agency arrangement reflects the township's geography, with different sections of its territory closest to different stations and mutual aid partners.

Practical Information for Residents

Residents contacting the township generally begin at the main office at 8 Boonetown Road in Birdsboro or by calling 610-582-4636. Many routine matters, including permit applications, park facility use forms and meeting schedules, are posted on the township website at robesontownship.com. For items handled by contracted professionals, such as building inspections, sewage enforcement or engineering review, the township directs inquiries to the appropriate firm.

Because the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, Environmental Advisory Council and Parks and Recreation Board all meet on published schedules, residents interested in land development proposals, ordinance changes or recreation planning have regular opportunities to attend and comment. Property owners should note the three-year septic inspection cycle under the Sewage Management Program, as compliance is a standing obligation rather than a one time requirement.