ATTENTION: THE MONTHLY MEETING WILL BE PRECEDED BY A PUBLIC HEARING ON VACATING A SECTION OF ANTIETAM ROAD IN THE VICINITY OF THE SCHOOL. ALL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND, LEARN, AND COMMENT. THIS HEARING IS SCHEDULED FOR 6:00 P.M.

TOWNSHIP OF LOWER ALSACE
SUPERVISORS’ MEETING AGENDA
July 11, 2024

John Theodossiou, Supervisor, Chair
Todd Weikel, Supervisor, Vice Chair
Ann Sellers, Supervisor
Kelsey Frankowski, Esq., Township Solicitor
Don Pottiger, Manager/Secretary-Treasurer

I. CALL TO ORDER- 6:30 P.M.

Pledge of Allegiance to the flag

II. PRESENTATIONS

A. None scheduled.

III. PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS

A. Administering the Oath of Office for new Fire Police.

IV. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

A. Motion to approve the minutes of the June 13, 2024, Lower Alsace Township Supervisors’ Meeting.

V. ROAD CREW FOREMAN REPORT

VI. SUPERVISOR LIAISON REPORTS

A. Central Berks Regional Police Commission – Supervisor Theodossiou.

B. Lower Alsace Fire Company – Supervisor Weikel.

C. Lower Alsace Ambulance Association – Supervisor Weikel.

D. Antietam Valley Recreation Commission – Supervisor Sellers.

E. Antietam Valley School District – Supervisor Sellers.

VII. SOLICITOR’S REPORT

A. Solicitor’s report to be presented.

VIII. ENGINEER’S REPORT

A. Engineer’s report to be presented. Discussion of the results of the bids received for the 2024 Road Projects.

IX. BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS REPORTS

A. Planning Hearing Board:

1) No new meetings of the Planning Commission have been scheduled at this time. The most recent meeting of the Planning Commission was held on May 1, 2024.

B. Zoning Hearing Board:

1) No new meetings of the Zoning Hearing Board have been scheduled at this time. The most recent meeting of the Zoning Hearing Board was held on May 20th, 2024.

C. Antietam Valley Recreation Commission – no report.

X. TREASURER’S REPORT / LIST OF BILLS

A. Motion to accept the June 30, 2024, Treasurer’s reports.

B. Motion to approve the payment of the list of bills as presented.

XI. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL

A. Central Berks Police Department

1. June 2024 reports.

B. Central Berks Regional Codes Enforcement Department

1. No report at this time.

C. Sewage Enforcement Officer

1. June 2024 reports.

D. Zoning and Building Code Officer

1. June 2024 reports.

E. Lower Alsace Township Fire Company

1. June report.

F. Lower Alsace Ambulance Association

1. June report.

XII. OLD BUSINESS

A. Update on the status of the bid specifications to be used for the paving project at the Lower Alsace Township Fire Company.

B. Update on the status of a Letter of Support to the City of Reading to allow the City of Reading to construct a gating system across Skyline Drive in the vicinity of List Road, including an agreement covering repairs, maintenance, and replacement of the gate equipment and all related equipment.

C. Update on the status of property on 700 block of Brighton Avenue – issues with residents living on site. No current issues have been received by the Township. A phone conference call with representatives of the organization took place to discuss issues and schedule regular follow up discussions.

D. Update on the status of property on 1500 block of Friedensburg Road – number of vehicles on property. Meeting with owner of property and operator of business to discuss zoning issues. It was agreed to give the owner until July 31 to make significant changes to get into compliance.

E. Update on the status of the use and occupancy permit application for property on 1300 block of Friedensburg Road – ongoing construction and conversion into apartments. All necessary permits have been applied for and approved at this time. Work progresses.

F. Update on the status of property on 100 block of Midland Avenue.

G. Update on the status of property on 800 block of Penndale Avenue.

H. Update on the status of vehicles parked along the 900 block of Carsonia Avenue.

I. Update on the status of vehicles parked along the zero hundred block of Cornell Street.

J. Discussion of staffing – update on codes administrator position and road crew position.

K. Township Manager to provide an update on the status of LSA grant applications for the Lower Alsace Ambulance and for Lower Alsace Township. No updates have been received by the Township from the state.

L. Update on the status of discussions on potential project for use of American Rescue Plan Local Funds – a discussion is being scheduled to review projects and outside funding sources which will impact the use of funds. The deadline for these decisions is December 31, 2024.

XIII. NEW BUSINESS

A. Discussion and Motion to Approve Ordinance 2024-2 – Ordinance of the Township of Lower Alsace Authorizing the Execution of a Cable Franchise Agreement between the Township and Comcast of New Mexico / Pennsylvania, LLC.

B. Discussion and Motion to Approve Ordinance 2024-3 – Ordinance of the Township of Lower Alsace Authorizing the Vacating and Removing from the Topographical Survey of Lower Alsace Township a Portion of Antietam Road as shown on Exhibit A.

C. Discussion and review of a proposed addition to the Township’s Traffic Ordinance concerning enforcement and the appeals process for motorized devices and all-terrain vehicles.

D. Approval of a motion to advertise the proposed addition to the Township’s Traffic Ordinance concerning enforcement and the appeals process for motorized devices and all-terrain vehicles.

E. Discussion of damages incurred to a stone wall along List Road which may have resulted from the traffic detoured during the construction work performed by PennDOT.

XIV. FINAL PUBLIC COMMENT

XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION

Executive session if necessary.

XVI. ADJOURNMENT

The next monthly meeting of the Lower Alsace Township Board of Supervisors will be held on August 8th, 2024.

Attention Residents of Lower Alsace Township:

 The Township office will be closed Thursday, July 4^th for the holiday.

The Township office will also be closed on Friday, July 5^th due to a shortage of staff as a result of prior commitments.

The office will reopen on Monday, July 8^th at 8 A.M.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

If there is an emergency, please contact the Township Manager by email at [email protected] or by cell phone at 610-334-0006.

TOWNSHIP OF LOWER ALSACE
SUPERVISORS’ MEETING AGENDA
June 13, 2024

John Theodossiou, Supervisor, Chair
Todd Weikel, Supervisor, Vice Chair
Ann Sellers, Supervisor
Kelsey Frankowski, Esq., Township Solicitor
Don Pottiger, Manager/Secretary-Treasurer

I. CALL TO ORDER- 6:30 P.M.

Pledge of Allegiance to the flag

II. PRESENTATIONS

A. Representatives from Herbein and Company will present the results of the 2023 external audit of the Township.

B. Representatives from the City of Reading will make a presentation on the proposed gating project on Skyline Drive near List Road.

C. Representatives from the Antietam School District will be presenting information on the modular units to be constructed near the site of the Antietam Middle / Senior High School and to discuss the abandonment of a section of Antietam Road at Myrtle Road to the Exeter Township line.

III. PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS

A. None scheduled.

IV. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

A. Motion to approve the minutes of the April 11, 2024, Lower Alsace Township Supervisors’ Meeting.

V. ROAD CREW FOREMAN REPORT

VI. SUPERVISOR LIAISON REPORTS

A. Central Berks Regional Police Commission – Supervisor Theodossiou.

B. Lower Alsace Fire Company – Supervisor Weikel.

C. Lower Alsace Ambulance Association – Supervisor Weikel.

D. Antietam Valley Recreation Commission – Supervisor Sellers.

E. Antietam Valley School District – Supervisor Sellers.

VII. SOLICITOR’S REPORT

A. Solicitor’s report to be presented.

VIII. ENGINEER’S REPORT

A. Engineer’s report to be presented. Discussion of the results of the bids received for the 2024 Road Projects.

IX. BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS REPORTS

A. Planning Hearing Board:

1) No new meetings of the Planning Commission have been scheduled at this time. The most recent meeting of the Planning Commission was held on May 1, 2024.

B. Zoning Hearing Board:

1) No new meetings of the Zoning Hearing Board have been scheduled at this time. The most recent meeting of the Zoning Hearing Board was held on May 20th, 2024.

C. Antietam Valley Recreation Commission – no report.

X. TREASURER’S REPORT / LIST OF BILLS

A. Motion to accept the April 30, 2024, and May 31, 2024, Treasurer’s reports.

B. Motion to approve the payment of the list of bills as presented.

XI. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL

A. Central Berks Police Department

1. April 2024 and May 2024 reports.

B. Central Berks Regional Codes Enforcement Department

1. April 2024 and May 2024 reports - unavailable at this time.

C. Sewage Enforcement Officer

1. April 2024 and May 2024 reports.

D. Zoning and Building Code Officer

1. April 2024 and May 2024 reports.

E. Lower Alsace Township Fire Company

1. May report.

F. Lower Alsace Ambulance Association

1. May report.

XII. OLD BUSINESS

A. Update on the status of the bid specifications to be used for the paving project at the Lower Alsace Township Fire Company.

B. Update on the status of the Comcast franchise fee agreement.

C. Update on the status of property on 700 block of Brighton Avenue – issues with residents living on site. No current issues have been received by the Township.

D. Update on the status of property on 1500 block of Friedensburg Road – number of vehicles on property. Please see letter included in packet.

E. Update on the status of property on 1800 block of Friedensburg Road – rental property concerns. No new complaints have been received. No additional follow up required at this time.

F. Update on the status of the use and occupancy permit application for property on 1300 block of Friedensburg Road – ongoing construction and conversion into apartments. All necessary permits have been applied for and approved at this time. Work progresses.

G. Discussion of staffing – update on codes administrator staffing search.

H. Township Manager to provide an update on the status of LSA grant applications for the Lower Alsace Ambulance and for Lower Alsace Township. No updates have been received by the Township from the state.

I. Update on the status of discussions on potential project for use of American Rescue Plan Local Funds – a discussion needs to be scheduled to review projects and outside funding sources which will impact the use of funds. The deadline for these decisions is December 31, 2024.

XIII. NEW BUSINESS

A. Approval of a Resolution adopting the Berks County Hazard Vulnerability Assessment and Mitigation Plan Update for Lower Alsace Township. The County authorized the preparation of the update on behalf of all municipalities of the County. The update is a non-binding, policy-oriented document.

B. Approval of an award of bid for the 2024 Road Paving Project List to CMS Construction in the amount of $176,825.75 in accordance with the recommendation of Great Valley Consultants.

C. Update from the solicitor on the renewal of the Exemption from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Noise Ordinance.

D. Discussion and motion to approve a Letter of Support to the City of Reading to allow the City to construct a gating system across Skyline Drive in the area of List Road. The gate and all supporting equipment will be funded, owned, and maintained by the City of Reading.

E. Discussion and approval of special event permit applications for:

1) Pagoda Hillclimb.
2) Romanian Community Center Events.
3) Celtic Fest.
4) Aldine Avenue 2024 Block Party.

XIV. FINAL PUBLIC COMMENT

XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION

Executive session if necessary.

XVI. ADJOURNMENT

The next monthly meeting of the Lower Alsace Township Board of Supervisors will be held on July 11th, 2024.

LOWER ALSACE TOWNSHIP

1200 Carsonia Avenue

Reading, PA 19606

Phone (610)779-6400

May 31, 2024

RE: Trimming of overgrown vegetation along Friedensburg Road

To the owners and residents of properties along Friedensburg Road,

The Township officials want to inform all property owners along Friedensburg Road that the Township road crew will be performing its 1st mowing cycle (as per the contact the Township has entered into with PennDOT) beginning next week. The road crew will be trimming the vegetation using trimming equipment in areas where the boom mower may not be the best equipment to use in that location. If you want to have more control over the trimming of plants on your property, please contact the Township office at 610-779-6400 and the road crew can discuss the matter with you prior to cutting. You may wish to cut the vegetation yourself. If you choose to do so, please contact the office so the road crew can inspect and let you know the trimming meets the needs of PennDOT guidelines. The Township wants to reach out to you, the property owners, to work with you in providing the best visibility along Friedensburg Road for drivers, while also doing as much as possible to lessen the impact on the plant life located at your property, and also performing the tasks required by the PennDOT contract requirements. The Township appreciates your cooperation in working with us to make Friedensburg Road as safe as possible. Feel free to contact the Township office at 610-779-6400 if you have any questions.

Thank you for your attention to this matter!

Update from the Mount Penn Borough Municipal Authority

Dated 5/8/2024 at  1:50 pm -

The Boil Water Advisory has been lifted. We were notified by our lab that there is no contamination in the drinking water. The water is safe to drink. Thank you for your patience.

Thank you to both municipal offices for your help and patience during this difficult this situation.

Due to the lack of a quorum as a result of unplanned scheduling conflicts, the monthly Township Supervisors' meeting for tomorrow (Thursday, May 9th, 2024) has been cancelled.

Call the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Pledge to the Flag.

Re-organization of Planning Commission.

Approve Minutes

Address visitors & reason for attending.

Application Review - 919 Brighton Ave – Irma Keller

The Board will review the Application of Irma Keller for a variance and/or special exception under Section 1113(A) of the Joint Zoning Ordinance for Lower Alsace Township and Mount Penn Borough of 2011, as amended, to allow the property located at 919 Brighton Avenue to be used as a Boarding House (PIN 23532714226780) in the R-3 Medium Density Residential Zoning District.  A Zoning Hearing date to be determined.

Old Business discussion

Adjournment - Next Meeting will be held as needed.

EARTH DAY CLEANUP

Lower Alsace Township Residents Only (Proof of Residency Required – Driver’s License, etc.)

Saturday, April 20, 2024

8:00 am to noon

at the Lower Alsace Township Municipal Building

The Lower Alsace Township Supervisors will be hosting a Spring Cleanup program for the benefit of Lower Alsace Township residents and property owners on Earth Day weekend. You will need to show proof of residency. Please plan to take advantage of this one day to conduct your neighborhood cleanup programs or just to bring junk you’ve been hoping to get rid of for some time. You may even want to drop in and volunteer your time to help the Township Supervisors with this community cleanup effort.

The Township will be arranging for several large dumpsters; the purpose of which will be for the easy disposal of your unwanted items, including, but not limited to, furniture, small kitchen & household appliances, mattresses and/or box springs (price is $40 per each mattress or box spring).

Absolutely no vehicle tires, plants, large appliances (such as TV’s, computers, printers, air conditioners, microwaves), paint cans, brush, etc. will be accepted. Many of these items can be disposed at the Berks County Solid Waste Collection Center.

The Township reserves the right to reject any item that is determined to be unacceptable for this cleanup program.

John Theodossiou, Supervisor, Chair
Todd Weikel, Supervisor, Vice Chair
Ann Sellers, Supervisor
Kelsey Frankowski, Esq., Township Solicitor
Don Pottiger, Manager/Secretary-Treasurer

I. CALL TO ORDER- 6:30 P.M.

Pledge of Allegiance to the flag

II. PRESENTATIONS

A. No presentations scheduled.

III. PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS

A. None scheduled.

IV. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

A. Motion to approve the minutes of the March 14, 2024, Lower Alsace Township Supervisors’ Meeting.

V. ROAD CREW FOREMAN REPORT

VI. SUPERVISOR LIAISON REPORTS

A. Central Berks Regional Police Commission – Supervisor Theodossiou.

B. Lower Alsace Fire Company – Supervisor Weikel.

C. Lower Alsace Ambulance Association – Supervisor Weikel.

D. Antietam Valley Recreation Commission – Supervisor Sellers.

E. Antietam Valley School District – Supervisor Sellers.

VII. SOLICITOR’S REPORT

A. Solicitor’s report to be presented.

VIII. ENGINEER’S REPORT

A. Engineer’s report to be presented. Discussion of the proposed list of projects for the 2024 Road Project to be bid.

IX. BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS REPORTS

A. Planning Hearing Board:

1) No new meetings of the Planning Commission have been scheduled at this time. The most recent meeting of the Planning Commission was held on November 2, 2022. There may be a meeting on May 1st, 2024.

B. Zoning Hearing Board:

1) No new meetings of the Zoning Hearing Board have been scheduled at this time. The most recent meeting of the Zoning Hearing Board was held on May 17th, 2023.

C. Antietam Valley Recreation Commission – no report.

X. TREASURER’S REPORT / LIST OF BILLS

A. Motion to accept the March 31, 2024, Treasurer’s reports.

B. Motion to approve the payment of the list of bills as presented.

XI. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL

A. Central Berks Police Department

1. March 2024 report.

B. Central Berks Regional Codes Enforcement Department

1. March 2024 report.

C. Sewage Enforcement Officer

1. March 2024 report.

D. Zoning and Building Code Officer

1. March 2024 report.

E. Lower Alsace Township Fire Company

1. March report.

F. Lower Alsace Ambulance Association

1. March report.

XII. OLD BUSINESS

A. Update on the status of the use and occupancy permit application for property on 1300 block of Friedensburg Road – ongoing construction and conversion into apartments. All necessary permits have been applied for and approved at this time.

B. Update on the status of discussions on potential project for use of American Rescue Plan Local Funds – a discussion needs to be scheduled to review projects and outside funding sources which will impact the use of funds. The deadline for these decisions is December 31, 2024.

C. Update on the status of property on 700 block of Brighton Avenue – issues with residents living on site. No current issues noted.

D. Update on the status of property on 1500 block of Friedensburg Road – number of vehicles on property. Please see letter included in packet.

E. Update on the status of property on 1800 block of Friedensburg Road – rental property concerns. In addition, a resident complaint was received regarding trash. Several site visits took place – no reportable trash issues noted. Spoke to the property owner on Wednesday whose property is adjoined to the property in question - no reports of additional issues reported at this time.

F. Discussion of staffing – update on codes administrator staffing search.

G. Discussion of staffing – road crew personnel staffing.

H. The fieldwork necessary for the external audit and preparation of the 2023 financial reports by Herbein & Company is progressing and nearing completion of fieldwork.

XIII. NEW BUSINESS

A. Approval of a motion to adopt the proposed Ordinance adopting the 2018 International Fire Code and repealing all Ordinances and parts of Ordinances in conflict therewith.

B. Approval of a motion to advertise the bid for the 2024 Road Projects to be financed using Liquid Fuels monies already received.

C. Township Manager to provide an update on the status of LSA grant applications for the Lower Alsace Ambulance and for Lower Alsace Township.

D. Approval of a motion to authorize the Grant Cooperation Agreement between Lower Alsace Township and the Lower Alsace Ambulance Association which is necessary for the grant application which is being reviewed by the state Department of Community and Economic Development.

XIV. FINAL PUBLIC COMMENT

XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION

Executive session if necessary.

XVI. ADJOURNMENT

The next monthly meeting of the Lower Alsace Township Board of Supervisors will be held on May 9th, 2024.