Robesonia Borough

Robesonia Borough is the municipal government for the Borough of Robesonia, a small community in western Berks County, Pennsylvania, along the Route 422 corridor between Wernersville and Womelsdorf. The borough office is located at 75 South Brooke Street, Robesonia, PA 19551, and can be reached by phone at 610-693-3474. The office maintains walk-in hours Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM.

As a Pennsylvania borough, Robesonia operates under a council-mayor form of government. Day-to-day administration, permits, record keeping, billing coordination and public works oversight are all handled from Borough Hall, which also serves as the meeting place for Borough Council and several appointed boards and commissions.

Government Structure and Officials

Robesonia is governed by a seven-member Borough Council, currently led by Council President Mark Spotts and Vice President Randall Gartner. Amanda McGuire serves as Mayor. The administrative staff includes Borough Manager and Treasurer Elizabeth Miller, Borough Secretary Amanda Sechrist and Roadmaster Harvey Marshall, who oversees street maintenance and snow operations. James Burrus serves as Emergency Management Coordinator.

Borough Council holds its regular public meeting on the first Monday of each month at 7:00 pm at Borough Hall, with a workshop meeting on the third Monday. Standing committees cover Finance, Streets and Sewers, Public Safety, Parks and Recreation, and Personnel, and they meet on their own posted schedules. The Public Safety Committee, for example, is scheduled for the first Tuesday of each month as needed. Agendas, approved minutes archived back to 2023 and the borough's public meeting participation procedures are posted in keeping with the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act.

The borough also supports several appointed bodies: a Zoning Hearing Board, which hears variance and appeal requests; a Planning Commission, which reviews subdivision and land development matters; and a Shade Tree Commission.

Permits, Zoning and Code Enforcement

One of the most common reasons residents and contractors contact the borough is for construction permitting. Downloadable applications are available for a wide range of projects, including:

• Residential one and two family dwelling permits
• UCC commercial building permits
• Demolition permits
• Electrical and MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) permits
• Unroofed deck and patio permits
• Pool, spa and hot tub permits
• Fence and storage shed permits
• Alternative energy source installations
• Sidewalk and curb permits
• Use and occupancy permits

Inspections and code administration are handled by Technicon Enterprises, Inc. II, which can be reached at 610-286-1622. Zoning matters are administered by Zoning Officer Josephine Brown of Technicon under the borough's Joint Zoning Ordinance. Property owners planning a project are generally advised to confirm permit requirements with the borough office or the zoning officer before work begins, since setback, lot coverage and use regulations can affect what is allowed on a given parcel.

Landlords in Robesonia are required to complete and submit a Tenant Registration Form to the borough each year for rental properties.

Trash, Recycling, Water and Sewer

Curbside trash and recycling collection takes place every Wednesday. Service is provided by Casella and coordinated through the WRW COG, the council of governments that brings together Wernersville, Robesonia and Womelsdorf for shared services. Delinquent trash accounts are handled by Portnoff Law Associates, which operates an online payment center. For materials not accepted at the curb, the Berks County Solid Waste Authority operates a drop-off recycling center at 1316 Hilltop Road in Leesport, open daily from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

Water and sewer service in Robesonia is delivered through intermunicipal authorities rather than directly by the borough. The Robesonia Municipal Authority handles sewer service, while the Womelsdorf-Robesonia Joint Water Authority provides drinking water and meets the fourth Wednesday of each month at Womelsdorf Borough Hall. Wastewater treatment is handled by the Robesonia-Wernersville Municipal Authority.

Property Taxes

Tax Collector Ann L. Reynolds collects borough property taxes and can be reached at 610-693-6640. Payments may be mailed, deposited in the dropbox at 276 S. Church Street (located next to the office door rather than the curbside mailbox) or made in person at Borough Hall according to the sitting schedule printed on each tax bill. Taxpayers who need a receipt should include a self-addressed stamped envelope with their payment.

Public Safety

Since January 1, 2020, Robesonia has contracted with South Heidelberg Township for 24-hour police protection. The non-emergency number for the South Heidelberg Police Department is 610-655-4911. Fire protection is provided by Pioneer Hose Co. #1, Station 26, located at 32 W. Penn Avenue in Robesonia. Ambulance and emergency medical service is provided by Western Berks Ambulance, based in West Lawn, which can be reached at 610-678-1545. Emergencies should always be reported by calling 911.

Streets and Snow Removal

Street maintenance, plowing and related public works functions are managed by the Roadmaster. Two local ordinances govern winter weather responsibilities. Ordinance 1977-25 requires property owners to clear their sidewalks within 24 hours after precipitation stops, and Ordinance 2006-4 requires vehicles to be moved off borough streets within 12 hours after a snowstorm so crews can plow, salt and cinder. Residents are encouraged to review these requirements ahead of winter to avoid enforcement issues and to help keep roads passable for emergency vehicles.

Parks and Community Programs

Robesonia Community Park is available for public use, and its pavilion can be reserved for family gatherings, reunions and community events using a downloadable rental form available through the borough. The borough also offers a Buy A Brick for the Park program, which allows residents and businesses to sponsor an engraved brick in support of park improvements. Parks and recreation matters are overseen by a dedicated council committee.

Public Records and Transparency

Residents may request access to borough records under Pennsylvania's Right to Know Law, Act 3 of 2008 (65 Pa.C.S.A. 67.101 et seq.). Requests are submitted using the borough's posted RTK form, and records may be inspected or copied subject to the exemptions provided by state law. Meeting agendas, minutes and ordinance information are also made available so residents can follow council business between meetings.

Visiting the Borough Office

Borough Hall at 75 South Brooke Street serves as the central point of contact for permits, forms, payments, pavilion reservations and general questions about borough services. Because walk-in hours are limited to weekday mornings and early afternoons, residents with time-sensitive matters may find it helpful to call ahead at 610-693-3474.