Wernersville Borough

Wernersville Borough is the municipal government serving the residents and property owners of Wernersville, a small borough in Berks County, Pennsylvania, located west of Reading along the Penn Avenue corridor. Borough Hall sits at 100 North Reber Street and functions as the administrative center for the community, handling permits, utility and trash billing, code matters, public works coordination and the public meetings of the governing bodies. The office can be reached at 610-678-1486.

History

The settlement that became Wernersville traces back to the 1850s, when William Werner took control of 52 acres within Lower Heidelberg Township. Working with surveyor Aaron Albright, Werner laid out building plots in 1855, establishing the street pattern that still defines the older sections of town. Growth accelerated after an 1860 conveyance of land to the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Company, a transaction that carried a condition requiring all trains to stop in Wernersville. That stipulation connected the community to regional passenger and freight traffic and helped the town develop into a destination, particularly during the era when the surrounding hills drew visitors to area resorts and springs. After more than half a century as part of the surrounding township, the community was officially incorporated as the Borough of Wernersville on January 13, 1914.

Government and Public Meetings

The Borough operates under Pennsylvania borough code with a Mayor and a seven member Borough Council. Carl Reidler serves as Mayor. Council is supported by a Secretary/Treasurer, a Roadmaster and street crew, an elected Tax Collector, and a roster of professional consultants: Great Valley Consultants as Borough Engineer, Michael J. Gombar, Jr., Esq. as Solicitor, Kraft Municipal Group as Zoning and Code Inspector, and Cherry Bekaert as Auditor.

Borough Council meets the first Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm at Borough Hall, which is handicap accessible. Residents who wish to address Council should call 610-678-1486 by noon on the Monday prior to the meeting to be placed on the agenda. The Planning Commission meets the third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm when business requires it, with agenda requests due at least ten days before the meeting date. The Recreation Board, a volunteer body that plans community events, meets the first Monday of each month at 6:30 pm. Residents interested in volunteering for the Recreation Board can contact the Borough office.

Permits, Inspections and Code Enforcement

Permits are issued at Borough Hall during office hours. Projects that typically require a permit include sidewalks, driveways, swimming pools, fences, sheds, plumbing work and any addition or structural change to a home. Property owners who are unsure whether a permit applies to their project can call the office for confirmation before starting work.

• Rental registration and inspection: Ordinance No. 559 requires all rental properties in the Borough to be registered and inspected once every two years.
• Zoning and code enforcement: Administered on the Borough's behalf by Kraft Municipal Group, with Zoning Hearing Board matters handled through the Borough office.

Trash, Recycling and Yard Waste

Curbside collection is provided every Thursday by Casella, the Borough's contracted hauler effective January 1, 2025. Each home or unit may set out up to two 64 gallon cans. Single stream recycling is collected on the same Thursday schedule; glass is no longer accepted in the recycling stream and should be placed with regular trash. During holiday weeks, pickup shifts to the following day.

Bulk items such as sofas, mattresses, desks and dressers are scheduled directly with Casella at 570-668-4515 or 570-305-2125 for an additional charge. Trash bills are paid in person at Borough Hall by cash, check or money order. Under Ordinance #422, every property is required to pay for trash service whether or not a pickup occurs, with exceptions for businesses and apartment buildings containing more than eight units.

Curbside yard waste collection is offered twice a year, generally in June and October. Residents may also use the South Heidelberg drop off site on Point Road with a purchased access card, available by contacting South Heidelberg Township at 610-678-9652.

Recycling obligations extend to commercial properties as well. Ordinance #583 and Pennsylvania Act 101 require all borough properties to recycle. Large apartment, commercial, industrial and institutional properties must maintain private recycling programs that include, at minimum, aluminum cans, corrugated paper and high grade office paper, and must submit periodic reports to the Borough.

Utilities, Streets and Stormwater

The Borough administers municipal water and sewer service for properties within Wernersville. Public works crews handle street maintenance and snow plowing. When the Mayor declares a snow emergency, the declaration is announced on WEEU and Channel 69 News, and takes effect three hours later. Parking is prohibited along designated snow emergency routes, which include North and South Church Road, Elm Street, Furnace Road, Hill Road, Lincoln Drive, Mountain Boulevard, Penn Avenue, Stitzer Avenue and Werner Street.

Through its MS4 stormwater program, the Borough conducts public education and illicit discharge prevention for the municipal storm sewer system. Outreach focuses on common pollutants that reach local waterways, including motor vehicle fluids, household hazardous waste, grass clippings, leaf litter and animal wastes.

Taxes

Tax Collector Debra Pierce accepts property tax payments by mail at PO Box 255, Wernersville, PA 19565, through the Borough Hall drop box, which is emptied daily, or in person during posted sitting hours. Appointments can be arranged by calling 610-678-5480. Taxpayers who want a receipt should enclose both copies of the bill along with a stamped, self addressed envelope.

Additional Services at Borough Hall

• Gun permit applications: Accepted the third Wednesday of every month from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Applicants should first contact the Berks County Sheriff's Office at 610-478-6240 regarding requirements.
• American flag drop box: A free drop off point for worn or damaged American flags so they can be retired respectfully.
• Feral cat Trap Neuter Return assistance: The Borough helps residents trap, neuter and return feral cats as a means of controlling the local population. Call 610-678-1486 for assistance.

Staying Informed

Wernersville Borough uses the Savvy Citizen app to distribute news and emergency alerts at no cost to residents. The Borough also publishes quarterly newsletters.