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.

TOWNSHIP OF LOWER ALSACE

SUPERVISORS’ MEETING AGENDA

February 8, 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

PRESENTATIONS

No presentations scheduled.

PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS

None scheduled.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

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

ROAD CREW FOREMAN REPORT

SUPERVISOR LIAISON REPORTS

Central Berks Regional Police Commission – Supervisor Theodossiou.

Lower Alsace Fire Company – Supervisor Weikel.

Lower Alsace Ambulance Association – Supervisor Weikel.

Antietam Valley Recreation Commission – Supervisor Sellers.

Antietam Valley School District – Supervisor Sellers.

SOLICITOR’S REPORT

Solicitor’s report to be presented.

ENGINEER’S REPORT

Engineer’s report to be presented.

BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS REPORTS

Planning Hearing Board:

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.

Zoning Hearing Board:

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 17^th, 2023.

Antietam Valley Recreation Commission – no report.

TREASURER’S REPORT / LIST OF BILLS

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

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

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL

Central Berks Police Department

January 2024 report.

Central Berks Regional Codes Enforcement Department

January 2024 report.

Sewage Enforcement Officer

January 2024 report.

Zoning and Building Code Officer

January 2024 report.

Lower Alsace Township Fire Company

No new report.

Lower Alsace Ambulance Association

No new report.

OLD BUSINESS

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.

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.

Update on the status of property on 700 block of Brighton Avenue – issues with residents living on site.

Update on the status of property on 1500 block of Friedensburg Road – number of vehicles on property.

Update on the status of discussions with the property owner and lessees on 700 block of Friedensburg Road – parking issues.

Update on the status of property on 1800 block of Friedensburg Road – rental property concerns.

Discussion of staffing – road crew and codes personnel staffing.

Update on the status of property on 700 block of Friedensburg Road – to potentially be used by Antietam School District.

NEW BUSINESS

The state audit of the Liquid Fuels Report MS-965for the years 2021 and 2022 was conducted. No findings were reported.

The elected internal audit was conducted. No issues were noted in their review.

The external audit and preparation of the 2023 financial reports by Herbein & Company has begun.

FINAL PUBLIC COMMENT

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Executive session if necessary.

ADJOURNMENT

The next monthly meeting of the Lower Alsace Township Board of Supervisors will be held on March 14^th, 2024.

TOWNSHIP OF LOWER ALSACE

SUPERVISORS’ MEETING AGENDA

January 11, 2024

John Theodossiou, Supervisor, Chair

Todd Weikel, Supervisor, Vice Chair

Ann Sellers, Supervisor

Kelsey Frankowski, Esq., Township Solicitor

Don Pottiger, Manager/Secretary-Treasurer

                CALL TO ORDER- 6:30 P.M.

Pledge of Allegiance to the flag

1. PRESENTATIONS

 No presentations scheduled.

PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS

None scheduled.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

Motion to approve the minutes of the December 14, 2023, Lower Alsace Township Supervisors’ Meeting.

 SUPERVISOR LIAISON REPORTS

Central Berks Regional Police Commission – Supervisor Theodossiou.

Lower Alsace Fire Company – Supervisor Weikel.

Lower Alsace Ambulance Association – Supervisor Weikel.

Antietam Valley Recreation Commission – Supervisor Sellers.

Antietam Valley School District – Supervisor Sellers.

SOLICITOR’S REPORT

Solicitor’s report to be presented.

ENGINEER’S REPORT

Engineer’s report to be presented.

BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS REPORTS

Planning Hearing Board:

• The most recent meeting of the Planning Commission was held on November 2, 2022. No new meetings of the Planning Commission have been scheduled at this time.

Zoning Hearing Board:

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

Antietam Valley Recreation Commission – no report.

TREASURER’S REPORT / LIST OF BILLS

Motion to accept the December 31, 2023, Treasurer’s reports.

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

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL

Central Berks Police Department

December 2023 report.

Central Berks Regional Codes Enforcement Department

December 2023 report.

Sewage Enforcement Officer

December 2023 report.

Zoning and Building Code Officer

December 2023 report.

Lower Alsace Township Fire Company

No new report.

Lower Alsace Ambulance Association

No new report.

Lower Alsace Road Crew

Carl Weikel, Road Foreman, will present his report.

OLD BUSINESS

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.

Update on the status of discussions on potential project for use of American Rescue Plan Local Funds – timeline to be discussed after the reorganization meeting in January. First allocation to Central Berks Police, Lower Alsace Fire Company, and Lower Alsace Ambulance was approved, and reservation of funds has been set aside. The total revenue of $496,985.88 has $346,985.88 remaining for additional projects.

Update on the status of property on 700 block of Brighton Avenue – issues with residents

Update on the status of property on Angora Road – parking of trailer.

Update on the status of property on 1500 block of Friedensburg Road – number of vehicles on property..

Update on the status of discussions with the property owner and lessees on 700 block of Friedensburg Road – parking issues.

Update on the status of property on 1800 block of Friedensburg Road – rental property concerns.

NEW BUSINESS

Discussion of staffing – road crew and codes personnel

FINAL PUBLIC COMMENT

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Executive session if necessary.

ADJOURNMENT

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

TOWNSHIP OF LOWER ALSACE

SUPERVISORS’ WORKSHOP MEETING AGENDA

November 30, 2023

James Oswald, Supervisor, Chair

John Theodossiou, Supervisor

Todd Weikel, Supervisor

Kelsey Frankowski, Esq., Township Solicitor

Don Pottiger, Manager/Secretary-Treasurer

CALL TO ORDER- 6:30 P.M.

Pledge of Allegiance to the flag

PRESENTATIONS

No presentations scheduled.

PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS

None scheduled.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

The minutes of the November 9, 2023 Lower Alsace Township Supervisors’ Meeting will be approved at the December 14, 2023 meeting.

SUPERVISOR LIAISON REPORTS

Road Department – Supervisor Oswald – no report.

Central Berks Regional Police Commission – Supervisor Theodossiou – no report.

Lower Alsace Fire Company – Supervisor Weikel – no report.

Lower Alsace Ambulance Association – Supervisor Weikel – no report.

Antietam Valley Recreation Commission – Supervisor Weikel – no report.

SOLICITOR’S REPORT

Solicitor’s report – no report.

ENGINEER’S REPORT

Engineer’s report – no report.

BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS REPORTS

Planning Hearing Board – no report.

Zoning Hearing Board – no report.

Antietam Valley Recreation Commission – no report.

TREASURER’S REPORT / LIST OF BILLS

Treasurer’s reports – no report.

Payment of the list of bills – no report.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL

Central Berks Police Department

1. No report.

Central Berks Regional Codes Enforcement Department

1. No report.

Sewage Enforcement Officer

1. No report.

Zoning and Building Code Officer

1. No report.

Lower Alsace Township Fire Company

1. No report.

Lower Alsace Ambulance Association

1. No report.

OLD BUSINESS

1. No updates.

 NEW BUSINESS

Discussion and approval of Resolution to approve the submission of an LSA Statewide Grant Application on behalf of the Lower Alsace Ambulance Association. The grant proceeds will be used to purchase a new ambulance.

Discussion and approval of Resolution to approve the submission of an LSA Statewide Grant Application. The grant proceeds will be used to purchase a new skid steer.

FINAL PUBLIC COMMENT

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Executive session if necessary.

ADJOURNMENT

The next monthly meeting of the Lower Alsace Township Board of Supervisors will be held on December 14^th, 2023.

TOWNSHIP OF LOWER ALSACE
SUPERVISORS’ MEETING AGENDA
October 12, 2023

James Oswald, Supervisor, Chair
John Theodossiou, Supervisor
Todd Weikel, 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 September 14, 2023, Lower Alsace Township Supervisors’ Meeting.

V. SUPERVISOR LIAISON REPORTS

A. Road Department – Supervisor Oswald.

B. Central Berks Regional Police Commission – Supervisor Theodossiou.

C. Lower Alsace Fire Company – Supervisor Weikel.

D. Lower Alsace Ambulance Association – Supervisor Weikel.

E. Antietam Valley Recreation Commission – Supervisor Weikel.

VI. SOLICITOR’S REPORT

A. Solicitor’s report to be presented.

VII. ENGINEER’S REPORT

A. Engineer’s report to be presented.

B. Motion to approve payment #1 to New Enterprise Stone & Lime for the 2023 Road Paving projects in the amount of $127,402.79, which is funded by the 2023 state Liquid Fuels revenues received this year.

VIII. BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS REPORTS

A. Planning Hearing Board:

1) The most recent meeting of the Planning Commission was held on November 2, 2022. No new meetings of the Planning Commission have been scheduled at this time.

B. Zoning Hearing Board:

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

C. Antietam Valley Recreation Commission – no report.

IX. TREASURER’S REPORT / LIST OF BILLS

A. Motion to accept the September 30, 2023, Treasurer’s reports.

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

X. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL

A. Central Berks Police Department

1. September 2023 report.

B. Central Berks Regional Codes Enforcement Department

1. September 2023 report.

C. Sewage Enforcement Officer

1. September 2023 report.

D. Zoning and Building Code Officer

1. September 2023 report.

E. Lower Alsace Township Fire Company

1. No new report.

F. Lower Alsace Ambulance Association

1. No new report.

XI. OLD BUSINESS

A. Update the status of discussions on potential project for use of American Rescue Plan Local Funds – timeline to be discussed. First allocation to Central Berks Police, Lower Alsace Fire Company, and Lower Alsace Ambulance was approved, and reservation of funds has been set aside. The total revenue of $496,985.88 has $346,985.88 remaining for additional projects.

B. Update the status of any activity related to communications with representatives of Mount Penn Borough related to a discussion of a merger between Mount Penn Borough and Lower Alsace Township. Representatives from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development will be on hand on November 1st for a town hall meeting to inform the residents and elected officials of both municipalities of the process. The presentation is scheduled to begin at 6:00 and will be held at the Antietam School District Primary Center Auditorium, 201 North 25th Street, Reading PA 19606. This presentation is not designed for questions on specific details of a merger, but merely an introduction to the process. Public meetings between the elected officials of both Mount Penn Borough and Lower Alsace Township will be scheduled to discuss all details which must be explored and answered before a ballot question can be put to a vote.

C. Update on various discussions on closing Skyline Drive and all access points to vehicle traffic, including timing of closures, and on the proposal by the City of Reading to install guiderail along Skyline Drive.

D. Update on the review of animal control services, and communication with both Safety Net Sanctuary and Animal Rescue League on processes and procedures performed by both entities.

E. Update the status of the use and occupancy permit application for 1383 – 1385 Friedensburg Road. No current changes.

XII. NEW BUSINESS

A. Update on the status of the process for researching the cost and the demand for a Yard Waste Collection program for grass clippings, flowers, and small shrubs.

B. Bids for the Township Recycling program have been advertised and a reasonable acceptable bid is expected to be awarded at the November meeting.

C. Discussion of the preparation of the 2024 budget. Still waiting on a few key numbers. The first draft will be distributed to the Supervisors as soon as these estimates have been received. The budget will be approved at the December 14th, 2023 meeting.

XIII. FINAL PUBLIC COMMENT

XIV. EXECUTIVE SESSION

Executive session if necessary.

XV. ADJOURNMENT

The next monthly meeting of the Lower Alsace Township Board of Supervisors will be held on November 9th, 2023.