Ruscombmanor Township

Ruscombmanor Township is a second-class township in Berks County, Pennsylvania, with its municipal offices located at 204 Oak Lane in the village of Pricetown, which carries a Fleetwood, PA 19522 mailing address. The township office serves as the administrative center for local government functions including zoning and building permits, sewer service billing, tax collection, road maintenance, park reservations and public records requests. Residents and property owners can reach the office by phone at 610-944-7242 ext. 1.

History

The township traces its name to the Manor of Ruscomb, a tract named after a district in Wales. European settlement in the area began around 1749, when the land was still part of Philadelphia County. In 1752, following the creation of Berks County, the area was formally incorporated as Ruscombmanor Township, placing it among the older municipalities in the region.

Several landmarks reflect that long history. The Dunkard Meeting House, erected in 1807, remains a point of interest for visitors and local historians. Wagner's Head, at an elevation of roughly 1,150 feet, is the highest point in the township and a recognizable feature of the local landscape.

Township Government

Ruscombmanor Township is governed by a three-member Board of Supervisors: Brian Hart, Don Miller and David Bleiler II. Julie Mull serves as Secretary/Treasurer, handling day-to-day administrative matters from the Municipal Building, and Nancy B. Bleiler serves as Tax Collector. LTL Consultants, Ltd., based in nearby Oley, is contracted to act as the township's code official, engineer and Sewage Enforcement Officer, a common arrangement among smaller Pennsylvania municipalities that allows for professional technical review without maintaining full-time staff in those roles.

Zoning, Building Permits and Plan Review

Permit administration is one of the office's most frequently used services. The township issues zoning and uniform construction code permits, along with permits for plumbing, electrical, wells, driveways and stormwater management. Applications are dropped off and picked up at LTL Consultants, Ltd. in Oley rather than at the Municipal Building, and checks are made payable to Ruscombmanor Township.

• Non-residential construction requires three sets of drawings sealed and signed by a registered architect or engineer.
• LTL Consultants performs all plan reviews and inspections, including accessibility review. The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry is not involved in these projects.

Stormwater management is handled as part of the permitting process. New impervious areas exceeding 1,000 square feet on a cumulative basis require stormwater facilities. Projects under 5,000 square feet may use the calculation forms included in the permit package. Building permits are not released until stormwater approval has been granted, so applicants planning additions, garages, driveways or outbuildings are advised to account for that step in their project timeline.

Ordinance administration also falls to the township office, including the 2025 Zoning Ordinance and the burn ordinance. Property owners with questions about setbacks, permitted uses or open burning rules can direct inquiries to the office.

Public Sewer and Sewage Enforcement

Ruscombmanor Township operates a public sewer system and waste treatment plant. The township asks customers to avoid pouring grease down drains and to keep wipes out of the system, both of which contribute to clogs and added expense at the pump stations.

For properties outside the public sewer service area, LTL Consultants serves as the township's Sewage Enforcement Officer, handling on-lot septic permitting and related inspections.

Parks and Recreation

The township maintains two municipal parks along Route 662, also known as Memorial Highway. Facilities include regulation-sized Little League baseball fields, soccer fields, children's play areas and several pavilions. The parks are patrolled by the State Police and the Fleetwood Police. A donation from Levan Machine Shop funded repairs to the playground steps at Seidel Park, one example of local businesses contributing to township facilities.

Reservations can be made by phone at 610-944-7242 or by email. Rental terms include:

• Hours of use from sunrise to sunset.
• No alcohol permitted on park property.
• Music must cease by sunset.
• Renters are responsible for litter cleanup and for the condition of the restrooms.

Roads and Public Works

The township road crew handles paving, sign cleaning and general upkeep of township roads, with line painting completed through an outside contractor. Equipment purchases are made periodically to keep the fleet serviceable; a 2025 Ford F600 truck was delivered in July 2025 for crew use.

Tax Collection

Tax Collector Nancy B. Bleiler can be reached at 610-944-7242 ext. 2, or by mail at PO Box 135, Fleetwood, PA 19522. Sitting hours, when the Tax Collector is available in person, are posted on the township news page during collection periods.

Public Meetings

All meetings are held at the Township Building at 204 Oak Lane:

• Board of Supervisors regular meetings: 4th Wednesday of each month at 7PM.
• Supervisor workshop meetings: the day before the regular meeting, at 9:30AM.
• Planning Commission: 2nd Thursday of each month at 7PM.
• Zoning Hearing Board: scheduled as applications are filed.

Auxiliary aids and accommodations are available on request by calling 610.944.7242. The township also posts Fleetwood Police information reports and Ruscombmanor Volunteer Fire Co. incident reports for residents who want a record of local emergency activity.

Reporting Concerns and Public Records

Residents who believe a township ordinance or regulation may have been violated can submit a complaint form documenting the issue. Completed forms, which require all fields to be filled in, may be returned to the Municipal Building during normal business hours or emailed to JMull@Ruscombmanor.org. Right-to-know requests for public records are administered through the township office.