Township Government

 

Board of Supervisors

Duties and responsibilities and term expirations of current Board
Washington Township is one of 1,459 townships of the Second Class in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Second Class Township Code specified that the governing body of a township of the Second Class be made up of three (3) elected Supervisors. The Supervisors are elected from the Township at large to six (6) year terms with one (1) member elected every two (2) years in the odd year to begin serving January 1st of the even year. To qualify to serve as a Township Supervisor, an individual must be a registered voter of and maintain residency within the Township during the term of office.

The Board’s responsibilities are derived from the Second Class Township Code. The Second Class Township Code places the general supervision of the affairs of the Township in the hands of the Board of Supervisors. As such, Supervisors are required to assume many of the roles found in separate branches or levels of state and federal governments. Specifically, Supervisors serve in legislative, executive, and administrative capacities.
Some of the responsibilities of the Supervisors, to name a few are as follows:

• General care, improvement and maintenance of Township roads and bridges.
• Infrastructure
• Regulation of building and construction.
• Street Lighting
• Signing and Signalization of Township roads.
• Approving the Budget.
• Enacting regulations to promote the welfare of the community.
• Establishing Township policy.
• Meet with residents to obtain input on Township programs and policies.
• Meet with other elected officials and Township staff on issues of general government.
• Review of technical reports from engineers, planners and other professionals.
• Attend county association and the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors meetings and conferences.
• Participate in the inspection of specific problems or proposals within the Township.
• Report on the status of local government affairs to the many concerned citizens of the Township.

DELEGATION OF BOARD FUNCTIONS:
The administration of townships and other forms of municipal government has become very complex. As such, most townships delegate some administrative responsibilities to appointed officials or firms. The Second Class Township Code allows the Board of Supervisors to appoint individuals who posses a specific expertise to employed administrative positions. In this regard, Washington Township has appointed a Township Manager, Township Solicitor, Township Engineer, Code Enforcement and Zoning and Building Professionals, although appointment of other specialized professionals is also permitted.

The township code also permits the Board of Supervisors to enlist the capabilities of its citizenry through formation of authorities, boards and commissions. This allows the governing body to draw upon citizens with particular expertise and to directly involve citizens in their government. Some of the more common authorities, boards and commissions operating in Second Class Townships are water and sewer authorities, planning commissions, park and recreations committees, environmental advisory councils, zoning hearing boards, transportation committees, etc.

SUMMARY
Local government is becoming more complex every day. Citizens expect effective and efficient services, and federal and state governments are placing more and more responsibilities at the local level. The successful operation of a township requires the time and effort of many people. Washington Township offers several educational and informational services, such as minutes which are provided through this web site to the Board of Supervisors meetings, and the other township committee meetings, the bi-annual newsletter to all residents entitled “The Washington Connection” and of course, this web site.

SUPERVISORS

• David D. Moyer, Chairman Term Expires 1 of 2026
• Thomas Powanda, Vice Chairman Term Expires 1 of 2024
• Romnie S. Long, Supervisor Term Expires 1 of 2028

VACANCY BOARD

Members:
Duane R. Clemmer

Per the Second Class Township Code, Section 407, should a vacancy occur in the Board of Supervisors by death, resignation, removal from the Township or otherwise, the Board of Supervisors may appoint a successor who is an elector of the Township and has resided in the Township for at least one (1) year prior to their appointment. If the remaining two (2) Supervisors fail to make an appointment within thirty (30) days after the vacancy occurs, the vacancy shall be filled within fifteen (15) additional days by the Vacancy Board. The Vacancy Board shall consist of the two (2) remaining Supervisors and the Vacancy Board appointment (above) who will act as the Chairman.

 

Certified Public Accountants

Township employs Herbein and Company, Reading, Pa. as Certified Public Accountants

The Township employs a Certified Public Accounting firm who is responsible for annually auditing the books and accounts of the Township to ensure that all the moneys are accounted for and that all financial matters are handles in a responsible manner. The audit is made in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards.

Herbein and Company, Inc.
2763 Century Blvd.
Reading, Pa. 19610

 

Zoning Hearing Board

Membership of Zoning Hearing Board and duties/responsibilities
The Zoning Hearing Board is a quasi-judicial body consisting of three (3) members and three (3) alternates. These individuals are appointed by the Board of Supervisors to interpret the zoning ordinance to assure fair and equitable application and administration, by hearing appeals on the Zoning Officer’s decisions, and by granting relief from the literal interpretation of the Zoning Ordinance, and certain hardships in various situations.

Decisions of the Zoning Hearing Board are final and cannot be overruled by the Board of Supervisors. The Board of Supervisors and the applicant both have the right to appeal the decision of the Zoning Hearing Board to the Berks County Court of Common Pleas. Zoning Hearing Board members are appointed for three (3) year terms. Alternate Zoning Hearing Board members serve when a regular member of the Board if not available for a particular hearing. There are currently two vacancies on this board.

Members:

Regular Members

• Fred Isett
• Shawn Hester
• Michael Ewing

Alternate Members

• Craig Morder
• VACANT
• VACANT

Richard J. Sichler, Secretary
Non-Member of the Board

 

Uniform Construction Code Board of Appeals

The Board of Appeals meetings are called as they are needed and are properly advertised.
Members are appointed to three (3) year terms. Alternates are also appointed. There are currently two vacancies on this board.

Members:

• Dennis Kline
• Richard J. Deskie
• Scott Weller

Alternate Members:

• VACANT
• VACANT

Solicitior For The UCC Board of Appeals

Kozloff Stoudt Attorneys
Joan London, Esquire

2640 Westview Dr., Suite 2

Reading, PA  19610

Phone: 610-670-2552

Fax: 610-670-2591

 

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission is a seven-member body, which is appointed by the Board of Supervisors to serve in an advisory capacity on all Township planning and zoning matters. All applications for subdivisions and land development in the Township and all ordinances and ordinance amendments affecting zoning or subdivision must be reviewed by the Planning Commission. Members of the Planning Commission serve a staggered four-year term.

Members:

• Carl Schaeffer, Jr., Chairman
• Frank Gehringer, Vice-Chairman
• Mark Bedle
• Jennifer Cunningham
• Danny Stauffer
• Romnie S. Long
• Russell D. Drabick

 

Hereford/Washington Township Joint Planning Committee

http://www.co.berks.pa.us/Dept/Planning/Pages/Hereford-WashingtonJointComprehensivePlan.aspx

• Elaine Pennington
• Daniel A. Stauffer
• James P. Roma

Hereford Township Members

• Curtis Kuhns
• Albert Ciccarone
• Karla Dexter

Results of the 2017 JPC Community Survey

• Survey Results
• Survey Results, Question 24

Berks County Planning Commission Project Leader

• Matthew McGough

 

Transportation Committee

Membership of Transportation Committee and duties/responsibilities
The Transportation Committee reviews all pending subdivision plans and gives their recommendations to the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors with regard to the impact of the subdivision/land development plans, etc. on the Township roads. Particular attention is given to transportation flow within the areas being subdivided. This committee also makes recommendations to the Board of Supervisors for the correction of traffic hazards throughout the Township; they also review ordinances pertaining to any traffic matters; and they give their recommendation to the Board of Supervisors with regard to any traffic studies which they feel are warranted and needed. The Transportation Committee is a seven-member board appointed by the Board of Supervisors. Members of this committee serve staggered three (3) year terms. There are currently seven vacancies on this committee.

Members:

• VACANT
• VACANT
• VACANT
• VACANT
• VACANT
• VACANT
• VACANT

 

Agricultural Advisory Committee

Membership of Agricultural Advisory Committee and duties/responsibilities
The purpose of the Agricultural Advisory Committee is to receive proposals from area farmers for the creation of Agricultural Security areas. This committee will advise the Board of Supervisors and work with the Planning Commission in relation to the establishment, modification, and termination of Ag Security Areas within the Township. This Committee will reconvene if another application is made for an Agricultural Security Area or if changes to the existing Area are proposed. Committee members are appointed by the Board of Supervisors on an annual basis. There are currently two vacancies on this committee.
Members:

• Kenneth Ehst
• Richard Nuss
• Wenhuan Qiu
• VACANT
• VACANT

 

Recreation Advisory Committee

Membership of Recreation Advisory Committee and duties/responsibilities
The Recreation Committee is an advisory body to the Board of Supervisors and the Planning Commission in matters regarding development of all recreational areas within the Township. The Recreational Advisory Committee reviews all applications for subdivision and land development and gives their recommendations to the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors regarding open space issues and recreational areas.

The goal of this committee is to preserve as much open space as possible, in order to provide appealing parks and recreational areas for the residents of the community. The Recreational Advisory Committee is a seven-member Board appointed by the Board of Supervisors. Members of this committee serve staggered three (3) year terms. There are currently three vacancies on this committee.

• Marvin Steward
• David Laxx
• Jay Jeffries
• Tara Christman
• VACANT
• VACANT
• VACANT

Richard J. Sichler, Treasurer (Non-Member)

 

Environmental Advisory Council

Membership of Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) and duties/responsibilities
The Environmental Advisory Council continues to do an excellent job of manning the Township’s Red Barn Recycling Center. The Environmental Advisory Council also reviews all subdivisions and land development plans with regard to environmental issues, such as flood plains, wetlands, woodland, etc.
The Environmental Advisory Council is a five-member body, which is appointed by the Board of Supervisors. Members of the Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) serve staggered three-year terms. There are currently three vacancies for this committee.

Members:

• Shannon Delp
• Matthew Rhoads
• Dwayne Henne
• Suzanne Hu
• Tara Christman

Alternate Members:

• VACANT
• VACANT
• VACANT

 

Volunteer Application

Washington Township has a number of Committees, Commissions and Boards that are staffed by volunteers. At various times there is a need to find new members for these positions. Please consult the following form for more information:

Volunteer Application

 

Crime Watch Application

This application is for those Washington Township residents interested in the promotion of security and crime awareness throughout Washington Township.

Crime Watch Application

 

Washington Township Crime Watch By-Laws

The purpose of this committee shall be to promote security and awareness throughout Washington Township

Click here for more information

 

Board of Supervisors Agendas

 

Board of Supervisors Minutes and Reports