MR 6500 BC Servicesdirectory2010fnl

User Manual: MR 6500 BC

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Berks County Government DIreCtory InDeX

County Department Building Fl. Phone No. Fax No. page

Adult Probation Services Ctr 7 610-478-3400 610-478-3451 28

Aging (Office of) Services Ctr 8 610-478-6500 610-478-6886 33

Agricultural Coordinator Ag Center 1 610-898-5482 610-378-7961 17

Ag Land Preservation Ag Center 2 610-378-1844 610-378-7983 16

Assessment/Mapping Services Ctr 3 610-478-6262 610-478-6261 13

Berks Heim Berks Heim 610-376-4841 610-376-4168 34

Budget Services Ctr 13 610-478-6190 610-478-6206 7

CareerLink CareerLink 610-988-1360 610-988-1301 40

Children & Youth Services Services Ctr 11 610-478-6700 610-478-6799 37

Clerk of Courts Courthouse 4 610-478-6550 610-478-6570 29

Commissioners Services Ctr 13 610-478-3374 610-478-6139 5

Community Development Services Ctr 14 610-478-6325 610-478-6326 22

Conservation District Ag Center 2 610-372-4657 610-478-7058 18

Controller Services Ctr 12 610-478-6150 610-478-6890 7

Coroner 610-478-3280 610-478-3289 46

Court Reporters Courthouse 14 610-478-6467 610-478-4949 29

Court Administration Courthouse 7 610-478-6208 610-478-6366 25

District Attorney Services Ctr 5 610-478-6000 610-478-6002 46

DA Detectives Services Ctr 15 610-478-7171 610-478-6060 47

Domestic Relations Services Ctr 6 610-478-2900 610-478-6585 28

Election Services Services Ctr 1 610-478-6490 610-478-6218 8

Emergency Services Direct Link 1 610-374-4800 610-374-8865 48

Fire Training Center Fire Trng Ctr 610-378-5509 610-378-5568 49

Facilities & Operations Services Ctr 16 610-478-6201 610-478-3378 9

Family Court Administration Services Ctr 7 610-478-6208 610-478-6995 25

GIS Services Ctr 14 610-478-6283 610-478-3470 10

Human Services Services Ctr 13 610-478-6194 610-478-0206 39

Human Resources Service Ctr 8 610-478-6118 610-478-6084 9

Information Systems Services Ctr 12 610-478-6175 610-478-6909 10

Judges (all) 610-478-6208 25

Juvenile Probation Services Ctr 10 610-478-3200 610-478-3251 28

Law Library Courthouse 10 610-478-6370 610-478-6375 29

Library System Library System 610-378-5260 610-378-1525 12

Mail Room/Print Shop Services Ctr 1 610-478-6245 610-478-6247 12

Magisterial District Judges Courthouse 1 610-478-6456 610-478-6608 27

MH/MR Services Services Ctr 15 610-478-3271 610-478-4980 39

Parks & Recreation Gring’s Mill 610-372-8939 610-373-7066 52

Planning Commission Services Ctr 14 610-478-6300 610-478-6316 10

Prison Prison 610-208-4800 610-376-0956 45

Protection from Abuse Services Ctr 1 610-478-6208 610-478-6397 29

Prothonotary Courthouse 2 610-478-6970 610-478-6969 29

Public Defender Courthouse 12 610-478-6650 610-478-6673 50

Purchasing Services Ctr 13 610-478-6168 610-898-7474 7

Recorder of Deeds Services Ctr 3 610-478-3380 610-478-3359 14

Security Courthouse 1 610-478-6352

Sheriff Courthouse 3 610-478-6240 610-478-6222 50

Solicitor Services Ctr 13 610-478-6105 610-478-6139 6

Solid Waste Authority Services Ctr 14 610-478-6362 610-478-3470 31

Special Courts Adm. Courthouse 1 610-478-6456 610-478-6608 26

Telecommunications Services Ctr 610-478-6175 610-478-6909

Treasurer/Tax Claim Bureau Services Ctr 2 610-478-6640 610-478-6621 15

Veterans Affairs Veterans Affairs 610-378-5601 610-378-5627 41

Youth Center Youth Center 610-396-0310 610-376-7136 51

County Related Agencies

BARTA 610-921-0601 34

Berks Connections/

Pretrial Services Courthouse 16 610-478-6920 610-478-6921 43

Cooperative Extension Ag Center 1 610-378-1327 610-378-7961 18

Council on Chemical Abuse 610-376-8669 36

Farm Service Agency Ag Center 2 610-478-7158 17

Berks County Housing Authority 610-370-0822 42

City of Reading Housing Authority 610-775-4813 42

Industrial Development 22

Authority (IDA) Services Ctr 14 610-478-6069 610-478-6331

Municipal Authority 610-376-4000 X223 23

Reading Area Community College 610-372-4721 41

Reading & Berks County Visitors Bureau 610-375-4085 53

Redevelopment Authority Services Ctr 14 610-478-6325 42

Solid Waste Authority Services Ctr 14 610-478-6362 31

USDA Natural Resources 19

Conservation Service Ag Center 2 610-372-4655 19

County Department Building Fl. Phone No. Fax No. page

The dynamic and storied cultural, environmental

and industrial heritage of Berks County continues to

craft a progressive and vibrant community as it has

for over 250 years. Berks County remains an afford-

able, family-friendly community in which to live,

work and recreate. Nestled comfortably in the heart

of the Schuylkill River valley, Berks County offers all

the verdant charm of its agricultural legacy balanced

by the urban environs of the City of Reading and the

nearby major metropolitan amenities of Philadelphia,

New York and Baltimore

As elected stewards of the public trust, the Board

of Commissioners strive to maintain an open and

efficient government, and as guardians of the public

treasury we are acutely aware of the sacrifices our

taxpayers make to fund our county government. We

know that significant budgetary challenges remain,

mostly due to high unemployment and the decline in

the real estate tax base. In addition to those factors,

we face the likelihood of continuing state funding cuts

for mandated services that Counties are required to

provide. Considering these important factors we con-

tinue to thoughtfully prepare for lean financial times

ahead. For 2010, we have determined it to be more

prudent to utilize fund reserves rather than increase

property taxes. The 2010 budget will allow us to

continue to maintain our current services and capital

infrastructure requirements as well as our commit-

ment to agricultural land preservation and a commit-

ment to developing high quality economic growth.

While economic concerns continue to influence

policy and decision-making throughout the year to

come, Berks County remains poised to emerge as a

leader in developing and cultivating jobs and industry

despite the challenges we face. Berks County is in

the comparatively unique position to be able to boast

improved transportation infrastructure, two proposed

industrial parks, a commercial airport and an award-

winning corps of economic development agencies,

plus five institutions of higher learning that routinely

graduate young minds of the highest quality and skills.

Further, the continuing growth of amenities that en-

hance the overall quality of life, such as entertainment,

preservation of open spaces/greenways, and passive

and active recreational opportuni-

ties has and will continue to attract

a well-educated populace to live and

work in Berks.

The Berks County Board of Com-

missioners invites you to join us in

2010 as we continue to draw wisdom

from the past, gather momentum in

the present and look forward with

resolve.

BERKS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

2008 - 2011

Mark C. Scott, Esq.

Kevin S. Barnhardt

Christian Y. Leinbach

The Board of County Commissioners

in cooperation with the Reading Eagle

and Keystone Health Plan Central has

partnered to produce this informative

County Guide at no cost to our tax

payers. We hope you will keep this

publication in your home as a handy

reference guide. For more information

and updates on other County related

information please visit our web site at

www.countyofberks.com

Berks County Government GuIDe

Administrative

Services

The Board of Commissioners constitutes the chief governing

body of the County. The three elected at large members perform

the executive and legislative functions of county government.

The Commissioners serve four-year terms. The Commissioners

serve on the Salary, Prison, Retirement and Election Boards. In

carrying out the management of County finances and property,

they appoint a board for the assessment of real property in the

County; formulate and approve the annual budget; fix the an-

nual County tax rates, and authorize expenditures. They must

also supervise the conduct of elections, provide for the care and

maintenance of prisoners, and maintain county roads, bridges

and buildings.

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Services Center – 13th Floor www.countyofberks.com

Commissioner

Mark C. Scott 610-478-6136 Ext. 6130

Commissioner

Kevin S. Barnhardt 610-478-6136 Ext. 6133

Commissioner

Christian Y. Leinbach 610-478-6136 Ext. 6127

Chief Operations Officer 610-478-6136

Services Center - 14th Floor

Manages day-to-day operations directed by the Board of County Commissioners

Chief Clerk / County

Open Records Officer 610-478-6136

Services Center - 13th Floor

Provides administrative support for Board of County Commissioners

Performs public information duties for Commissioners and organization

Administers the County Open Records Policy

Solicitor 610-478-6105

Services Center - 13th Floor

Advises Commissioners and represents County in legal matters

Berks County

servICes DIreCtory

Berks County Fiscal Plan

The Berks County Board of Commissioners has

adopted both a budget and a fiscal plan to assure that

all County service needs are met while addressing

the biggest challenge to contain the rate of budget

growth so that we do not outrun our future projected

revenues.

Significant budgetary challenges continue, exacer-

bated by such things as negligible growth in assessed

property values and federal and state budget cuts. Our

projections indicate that in future years the County

budget will not experience enough revenue growth to

pay for the services we currently provide and accord-

ingly we have successfully identified inefficiencies,

made cuts from existing budgets, and identified

increases that we can avoid. While the entire organi-

zation continues to make good progress in redirect-

ing savings to cover most cost increases, this alone is

simply not enough to cover projected cost trends in

2010 and beyond.

Like most Counties in Pennsylvania, Berks County

has few options for generating additional revenue.

We are largely dependent on the property tax as our

primary source of revenue; therefore, generating ad-

ditional revenue above that which we receive through

normal growth means a tax increase. This Board of

Commissioners has committed to not raising taxes in

their term of office, so we must look to other strate-

gies.

The challenge is to strike a balance between what

is responsible, sustainable and affordable. Our goal is

to reduce or eliminate service costs to the level needed

to balance the budget at the current tax rate of 6.935

mills. This has been done in recent years in large part

by redesign of departments and programs, a strategy

that will continue to play a major role in our balanc-

ing efforts.

In August of 2008, the Board of Commissioners

completed an aggressive reduction in the County’s

total debt burden. At that time, the

County’s total

general obligation debt service requirements were

$430,417,642 payable in fiscal years 2008 through

2029. In August of 2008 the County Commissioners

made the decision to pay down a large portion of its

outstanding debt. This action resulted in lowering the

County’s total general obligation debt service require-

ments to $376,677,850 payable in fiscal years 2008

through 2029, a total savings of $53,739,792. This

reduction in total debt reduced the net debt per capita

number from $555.05 to $446.70. The County has

also refunded its only variable rate bond to a fixed rate

deal and converted a potential variable rate refund-

ing bond that was executed in 2004 that would have

been effective in 2009 to a fixed rate issue. Refunding

or converting the variable rate debt has assisted the

County with reducing its overall debt payments and

reduced uncertainty for the future.

In addition, the County’s credit rating was signifi-

cantly upgraded in August of 2008 by both Standard &

Poor’s and Moody’s Investor Services to ratings of AA

and Aa2 respectively. This credit rating increase allows

the County to sell its debt at lower absolute interest rate

levels and without bond insurance, both of which have

saved and will continue to save the County significant

dollars.

Budget & Finance 610-478-6190

Services Center – 13th Floor

•PreparesCountybudgetandmonitorsactualperformancetoplan

•PlansandmanagestheCounty’scashflow

•Monitorsstateandfederalreimbursementgrantprograms

•MonitorsCountyinvestmentperformance

•PreparesCountypayroll

Purchasing 610-478-6168

Services Center – 13th Floor

The Purchasing Department operates and manages centralized procurement for the County of Berks.

It is responsible for economical acquisition of quality goods and services for all County agencies/de-

partments in accordance with procurement law and that which is consistent with the quality needed

for proper and effective operation of the agency/department. The County of Berks Purchasing Depart-

ment works diligently to ensure the County will receive the best quality, in the most cost-effective

manner. Please visit the website at www.countyofberks.com/purchasing to learn more about the opera-

tion and responsibilities of the Purchasing department as well utilizing iSupplier to enter and review

business transaction across the procure-to-pay life cycle (purchasing, receiving & payment) for greater

efficiency in transaction between the County of Berks and your business.

Controller

Sandra Graffius 610-478-6150

Services Center - 12th Floor www.countyofberks.com/controller

The Controller’s Office pays all County bills; Performs internal auditing of other County

departments; Is responsible for maintaining the accounting records for the County of Berks.

Direct Connection to Your Local Government

It is the goal of the Office of the Controller to pro-

vide financial information on a timely basis, to con-

tinually improve the pre- and post-audit functions, to

better use technology to increase productivity, to work

collaboratively to improve County operating efficien-

cies, and to improve internal controls throughout

County operations.

Mission Statement:

It is the goal of this office to administer Voter

Registration and conduct Elections in accordance with

Federal and State voter registration and election laws.

Municipal Election Year

The office of Election Services will distribute

petitions to candidates to run for County-wide Office,

Municipal Office, City Office and local Election

Boards. Candidates are required to file Campaign

Expense Reports with the office unless waived on their

petition. Depending upon the office, filing fees are

due upon receipt of petition. The office will send out

a notice of offices to be elected to each municipality to

confirm.

Federal Election Year

Petitions to run for office are handled at the State

Level, other than the year local Party Committee

Offices run; petitions for these offices would be filed

in the Local Election Services Office. This is typically

a heavy voter registration year. In 2008 this office

processed 35,000 voter registration applications for

the General Election and 9,800 absentee ballots.

The County Commissioners sit as the County

Board of Elections except when running for

any public office, including re-election. The

Commissioners may also not serve as the Board of

Elections when a County Home Rule Charter or

Optional Plan is before the voters. In those cases, the

President Judge of the Court of Common Pleas names

temporary Election Board members. The Director

of Elections does not have a vote on the Board of

Elections, but prepares the agenda and maintains the

records of the Board’s proceedings.

The office of Election

Services accurately

performs the following

tasks annually:

• Maintains the registry for 260,000 Berks

County voters

• Administers boundary maps and

descriptions for the 198 voting districts

• Locates accessible and suitable

polling places

•Trains and processes payroll for 1200

polling place officials

• Processes candidate nomination

petitions

• Prepares and packages various election

materials required by polling officials

• Maintains, services and prepares

approximately 500 electronic voting

machines

• Processes Absentee, Alternative/

Provisional and Emergency Ballots

• Certifies Official Election Returns

• Informs candidates, political party

committees, the media and the

general public of the voter

registration and election process.

Election Services 610-478-6490

Services Center - 1st Floor www.countyofberks.com/elections

Berks County

servICes DIreCtory

Poll Workers needed!

A rewarding way to get involved in the democracy on which our nation was founded is to serve as

an election officer in Berks County. The Election Services Office needs over 1,000 poll workers for

each primary and general election. What a great opportunity for voters to support the electoral process,

become a poll worker. Call the Election Services Office at 610-478-6490 for more information.

Facilities & Operations 610-478-6201

Services Center - 16th Floor

Oversees the operation, engineering and construction of all county facilities

Maintains and repairs the County’s 62 bridges

Manages the State Liquid Fuels budget

Responsible for the County’s Sewage Treatment Plant

Responsible for recycling program within County facilities

Ag Center/ Fleet Management 610-373-0776

Agricultural Center

1238 County Welfare Rd., Leesport, 19533

Provides facilities support services

Responsible for the County’s Fleet Management

Human Resources 610-478-6118

Services Center - 8 th Floor www.countyofberks.com/humanresources

Responsible for the employment, health, and welfare of approximately 2,500 County employees

Recruits and provides qualified candidates to be hired by County departments

Evaluates competitive insurance and benefit plans to affect cost savings while maintaining quality coverage

Develops and administers fair and equitable policies and procedures

Develops and conducts professional development and training courses for County employees

Establishes, administers, and maintains a fair and equitable compensation structure throughout the County

The mission of the Human Resources Department is to provide all human resource functions, as approved by

the Board of Commissioners, relative to hiring, staffing, policies and procedures, benefits, compensation,

collective bargaining and labor relations, employee relations, and training and employee development.

Direct Connection to Your Local Government

Information Systems 610-478-6175

Services Center - 12th Floor

Berks County

servICes DIreCtory

Provides all County of Berks governmental agencies

with state of the art communications and technology

solutions; Implements and maintains hardware and

software; Responsible for the County website;

Responsible for maintenance of various law enforce-

ment systems; Responsible for the development,

implementation and support of county wide GIS and

mapping applications and products.

The County of Berks Information Systems (IS) De-

partment is committed to providing world class cus-

tomer service and support to all County Departments.

The IS Department is comprised of 35 talented and

dedicated individuals with diverse skill sets supporting

over 2500 customers. In 2009, the IS Department

focused on enhancing and improving technology ser-

vices and offerings while continuing to reduce costs.

The IS Department focused on providing automation

and improving communications. The IS Department

also continued to stabilize and improve the resiliency

of the infrastructure. With an underlying goal of in-

creased productivity, the IS Department will continue

to introduce and support technologies that meet the

ever increasing need for more secure, creative and ef-

ficient technology based solutions.

Planning Commission 610-478-6300

Services Center – 14th Floor www.countyofberks.com/planning

Prepares a plan for the development and preservation of the County;

The Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code

(MPC), Act 247 of 1968 is the legislation that grants

authority for land planning in Pennsylvania to mu-

nicipalities and counties. The MPC sets the ground

rules that all municipalities must follow for compre-

hensive planning, zoning, and subdivision and land

development.

The Commission prepares the Berks County

Comprehensive Plan, which is adopted by the Board

of County Commissioners. This regional plan uses

demographic, economic and geographic information,

and citizen input to formulate recommendations for

future land use, transportation and community facili-

ties. The plan is a statement of our community goals

and serves as a template for local governments to use

in designing plans and ordinances.

The Berks County Planning Commission serves as

the area-wide planning organization for Berks County

and consists of nine members appointed to four-year

terms by the Board of County Commissioners. The

Commission provides a regional blueprint for land

use, transportation and community facilities. It assists

local units of government with development and

preservation activities and provides guidance to the

Berks County Board of Commissioners and other

departments of county government. The Commis-

sion and its professional staff also serve as community

advisors for modern planning practices and advocates

for sound regional growth management. Finally, since

the Commission is involved with a range of activities

with a number of partners, it plays a very important

coordinating role in community development issues

and projects. In order to accomplish its duties, the

Commission retains a staff of

eleven professional planners, five

office support and technicians, and

the planning director.

The Commission assists local

communities with the preparation

and adoption of joint local com-

prehensive plans that are consistent

with the overall county compre-

hensive plan. To date, 57 out of 73

communities have adopted Joint

Comprehensive Plans with help

from Berks County.

The MPC mandates that if a

local municipality has not adopted

its own land development regula-

tions, then the County’s adopted

ordinances have authority and

the County becomes the approval

agencies for development decisions

in those municipalities. Currently,

only the Boroughs of Lyons and Lenhartsville do not

have their own land development regulations.

The MPC further mandates that if a local munici-

pality has adopted its own land development regula-

tions, the County must be afforded an opportunity to

review all development plans and offer recommenda-

tions to the local governing body. The Commission

conducts from 275 to 400 such reviews per year.

The MPC requires that the Commission review all

proposed zoning ordinances and amendments that

apply in Berks County. The Commission reviews the

ordinances for conformity to the County Comprehen-

sive Plan and modern zoning techniques.

The Commission promotes policies and activities

that encourage balanced growth and preservation. We

play a lead role in cooperative efforts such as the Berks

County Smart Growth Alliance. The staff serves on a

variety of work groups and initiatives in order to fur-

ther the goals of the comprehensive plan. We provide

technical assistance to municipalities on topical plan-

ning issues, training for planning

officials and citizens.

The Commission serves as a

repository of information about

Berks County and is the local

affiliate of the Pennsylvania State

Data Center and the Bureau of

the Census. As such, we provide

assistance and information to

other departments of county

government, the private sector

and the public. We maintain a

website www.co.berks.pa.us/

planning in order to distribute

the information and maps.

The Commission’s staff also

serves as staff for the Read-

ing Area Transportation Study

(RATS), which is the federally

designated metropolitan planning

organization for Berks County.

RATS formulate and adopt the Long Range Transpor-

tation Plan and the four-year Transportation Improve-

ment Program (TIP) in order to qualify for federal

transportation funding for highways and transit.

Public meetings:

The Commission believes that our planning pro-

gram can only be effective with broad public partici-

pation. We are committed to an open and collabora-

tive partnership with all stakeholders. The Planning

Commission’s regularly scheduled public meeting is

the second Wednesday of each month at 3:00 p.m.,

in the Commission’s office on the 14th Floor of the

Berks County Services Center, 633 Court Street,

Reading, PA, 19601. Our office telephone number

is 610- 478-6300. General comments and questions

can be e-mailed at planning@countyofberks.com.

Direct Connection to Your Local Government

Berks County

servICes DIreCtory

Mail/Print Center 610-478-6245

Services Center - 1st Floor

The Mail/Print Center located on the First Floor of the Berks County Services Center was established to

provide efficient and effective services to the employees of the County of Berks and only the employees

of the County of Berks.

Consolidating print requirements and centralizing Print Shop operations allows for efficient and maxi-

mum utilization of printing and copying equipment and resources.

Public Library System 610-378-5260

1040 Berks Road, Leesport, PA 19533 www.berks.lib.pa.us

Both a department of County government and a membership organization of independent public libraries

Board of Directors appointed by County Commissioners

Provides a variety of support services to member libraries

Vision Statement

The public libraries of Berks County are committed

to the provision of consistent, high-quality service to

residents of all ages. Library staff and trustees respond

to changing needs through state-of-the-art tech-

nologies, up-to-date collections, centralized support

services, and an exacting standard of user satisfaction.

Mission Statement

The mission of this federated library system, Berks

County Public Libraries, is countywide develop-

ment, coordination, and promotion of public library

services. The System is an advocate for the library and

information needs of all the people of Berks County.

Operating as a department of county government

and in cooperation with the Reading District Library

Center, the System provides leadership and technical

assistance for improvement of the System’s libraries

and library resources.

Mapping Division 610-478-3360

Services Center - 3rd Floor www.countyofberks.com

Mapping Creates and maintains the boundary land dimensions on the 1409 tax maps which comprise

Berks County. The changes are generated from deeds recorded in the Recorder of Deeds office or

through approved property surveys/subdivisions.

Sells parcel maps to general public

Public can research property lines and landowners

Assessment Division 610-478-6262

Services Center - 3rd Floor www.countyofberks.com

Assessment - appraises real estate within the county for the local property tax levy; administers the

Act 319/Act 156 (Clean and Green) preferential assessment program, allowing for a reduced assessment for

farm, open space, and woodland properties to promote continuing use for these types of properties. Pro-

cesses and maintains all submitted applications for the Homestead program applicable to School Taxes.

Assessment Appeals Board - hears assessment appeals filed by property owners throughout

the year.

Mission Statement:

The function of the Real Estate Office is to main-

tain the mapping/assessment records which consist of

the land size and improvements erected there on for

the 161,700 parcels within the county boundaries.

Major programs also administered by the Assessment

office are the Homestead Property Tax Relief program

and Act 319 Preferential Farmland assessments com-

monly referred to as “Clean and Green”.

Area served:

Berks County covers 864 square miles or 553,000

acres. The Assessment office provides assessment

services to 73 Berks County Municipalities as well as

several parcels located in Adamstown Borough, Lan-

caster County. Assessment services are also provided

to 19 School Districts, some of which are also located

in adjacent counties.

Scope of Work:

Throughout the year the Real Estate Department

processes the following documents:

Recorded Deeds 9,014

All deeds recorded in the Recorder of Deeds office

are forwarded to the mapping/assessment office for

processing, i.e. split or transfer.

Mapping Revisions 1,353

Changes made to the tax maps based on new deeds

or surveys. There were 568 new parcels created and 785

changes made to lot dimensions on existing parcels

Building Permits 6,500

Permits issued from the 75 municipalities are re-

ceived and processed in the office. Permits are the most

important tool used in locating new construction.

Change Notices 18,538

Changes made to assessments are calculated and

owners are notified. All changes affords owners the

right to appeal their assessments.

Homestead Applications 80,265

Homestead application are received and processed

through the assessment office. Currently 80,265 valid

applications are on file in the office. Of the 35,116

applications mailed on Dec.15, 2008 11,123 were

returned for processing.

Assessment Appeals 2,200

State law gives owners 40 days to file and appeal of

their assessment. We must notify each appellant 20

prior to their scheduled appeal date.

Note: all totals are for the 2009 tax year.

Real Estate

Services Center - 3rd Floor www.countyofberks.com

Recorder of Deeds

Frederick Sheeler 610-478-3380

Services Center - 3rd Floor www.countyofberks.com/recorder

Official County Recorder of all Deeds, Mortgages, Leases and all other miscellaneous real estate docu-

ments

Collects Local and State Real Estate Transfer Taxes, Affordable Housing Fees, Judicial Fees and

Writ Taxes

Records all Notary Public Commissions, renewals and changes and also swears in all

Notaries Public

Records all real estate related Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) liens

Records all subdivision, land development and highway plans

Records all commissions and bonds for County Officials

Records and maintains military discharge (DD214) papers free of charge

Maintains an index and copies of all documents recorded in the Berks County Recorder of

Deeds office dating back to 1752 including documents no longer recorded such as

Organization and Corporate Charters before 1977.

Berks County

servICes DIreCtory

Most records are now available on-line at

www.countyofberks.com/recorder. Access to view

records is free of charge and copies can be printed for

.50 cents per page. Our on-line database contains our

deed and mortgage index going back to 1752. All

deed images and most other documents are available

Larry Medaglia 610-478-6600

Marriage License 610-478-6617

Services Center - 2nd Floor www.berksregofwills.com

Responsible for the probate of all estates for decedents dying in the County of Berks

Collects inheritance tax for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Issues marriage licenses

Maintains the docket of all probate proceedings

Serves as Clerk of Orphans’ Court ( an office that can stand independently)

Maintains all records of adoptions and guardianships in the Orphans’ Court division of the Court of

Common Pleas

Serves as presiding officer in all probate hearings (30 – 40 per year)

Under special circumstances, the Register will perform probates and take marriage license applications in

the home, assisted living facility or hospital of the citizen in need of our services. Special arrangements

can be made by calling the office.

to view on this easy to use website. If you are search-

ing for something and cannot find it on our website

please give our office a call between the hours of 8:00

am and 5:00 pm, our staff would be happy to assist

you.

Treasurer

Nelson H. Long, CPA 610-478-6640

Services Center – 2nd Floor www.co.berks.pa.us

The Treasurer is an elected official of the County

and serves as a member of the County Pension Board

and is responsible for receipting all revenue for the

County in excess of $460 million of State and Federal

funds including over $128 million in County Prop-

erty Taxes. The Treasurer manages all funds on deposit

for the county earning interest to extend the value of

all revenue to its maximum including the short term

investment of these funds which may total anywhere

from a low of $115 million to a high of $217 million.

In 2010 The Treasurer anticipates the initiation

of a new, computerized distribution of tax collec-

tor revenue. This system is designed to provide all

participating municipalities the ability to receive

their tax revenue payments via ACH bank transfers

directly into the municipality’s bank account thereby

providing municipalities more efficient access to their

municipal Real Estate Tax revenue.

The Treasurer’s Office is staffed by ten employees

who provide the following services:

Receives and releases all payments made on

•

behalf of the County.

Prints and distributes all bills for county

•

and municipal real estate taxes (except City

of Reading). County tax $128 million.

Municipal $51 million.

Collects the hotel tax which funds the debt

•

service of the Sovereign Center (80%); balance

goes to the Berks County Visitors Bureau.

Annually issues over 60,000 licenses and

•

permits for hunting, fishing, dogs, motorboats

as well as issuing licenses as well as small games

of chance including bingo.

Tax Claim Bureau 610-478-6625

Services Center - 2nd Floor www.countyofberks

Administers collection of all delinquent real estate taxes owed to County local taxing authorities

Direct Connection to Your Local Government

The Tax Claim Bureau is responsible for the collec-

tion of delinquent Real Estate taxes. To do this, and

to remain compliant with the PA Real Estate Tax Law,

we send notices to those taxpayers who have not paid

their taxes. On January 15, 2010 the 2009 unpaid

Real Estate taxes liened to our office was approximate-

ly 11,000 accounts totaling to $21 million. We allow

those taxpayers to set up agreements, make partial

payments or pay the account in full. In the event those

2009 Real Estate taxes remain unpaid, the real estate

would be exposed to an Upset Tax Sale on September

21, 2011. Payments are applied and the monies col-

lected are disbursed to the respective taxing districts

on a monthly basis. We collect these delinquent Real

Estate taxes for 72 Berks County municipalities and

17 Berks County School Districts.

Berks County Government GuIDe

Agricultural Land Preservation 610-378-1844

Agricultural Center www.co.berks.pa.us

1238 County Road Suite 260, Leesport, PA 19533

Agriculture

Berks County

servICes DIreCtory

Mission Statement:

As agriculture continues to be Berks County’s num-

ber one industry, the mission of the Berks County

Agricultural Land Preservation Board to protect viable

agricultural land in perpetuity by acquiring agricul-

tural conservations easements, serves as its foundation.

Agricultural lands are under constant threat from ur-

ban sprawl and population pressures. The Agricultural

Conservation Easement (ACE) Program, administered

by the nine-member Board, protects and maintains

our region’s fertile non-irrigated soil for production

agriculture while keeping the costs of development at

bay.

Eligibility:

Farms are ranked by the Land Evaluation Site

Assessment (LESA) system, which scores each farm

based upon four factors, including: soils - the avail-

ability of prime agricultural soils located on the farm;

clustering - the farm’s proximity to land protected by

effective agricultural zoning, and agricultural security

enrollment, which ensures that a contiguous land

mass, or clusters of farmland are protected to support

the farming community; farmland - the economic

viability of the farm; and development - the farm’s po-

tential to be converted to a non-agricultural use. Farm

selection generally occurs in March and the number

of acres selected in any given year is determined by the

amount of funds available.

As of 3/17/10

Number of Farms Preserved: 582

Total Acres Preserved: 60,399

County Funds Dedicated: $65,523,487

State Funds Contributed: $64,741,439

Federal Funds Contributed: $2,634,475

Landowner Donation Value: $30,849,167

PA State Ranking (Act 43): 1st

National Ranking: 3rd

Farm Service Agency 610-478-7158

Agricultural Center, Suite 240 www.fsa.usda.gov/pa

1238 County Road, Leesport, PA 19533

Part of U.S. Department of Agriculture

Provides direct or guaranteed loans to farmers for operating expense or ownership

Agricultural Coordinator 610-898-5482

Agricultural Center www.co.berks.pa.us

1238 County Road Suite 110, Leesport, PA 19533

Plans directs and coordinates agricultural business development and marketing of the

agricultural industry and related business in the County of Berks

Conservation District 610-372-4657

Agricultural Center www.co.berkscd.com

1238 County Welfare Road, Leesport, PA 19533

The Berks County Conservation District is a political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and was

formed at the request of a group of conservation-minded farmers on August 13, 1946. There are currently seven

Board of Directors and eight Associate Directors.

Berks County

servICes DIreCtory

Mission Statement

The Berks County Conservation District is dedicated

to the encouragement and education in the wise

stewardship of soil and water, so that present and future

generations in Berks County and surrounding watersheds

may have healthy land on which to live and work, and

clean water for drinking and recreation.

Programs

Erosion and Sediment Control

PA Chapter 102 Erosion and Sediment Control •

Program compliance

PA Chapter 105 Waterway Encroachment Permit •

Review and Processing

National Pollution Discharge Elimination System •

(NPDES) Permit Review and Processing

Dirt and Gravel Roads Program Administration•

Agriculture

Conservation Planning Assistance•

PA Act 38 Nutrient Management Plan Review and •

Approval

Chesapeake Bay Program Administration•

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) •

– Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

PL-566 Watershed Program Assistance

Watershed

Stream Improvement and Pollution Prevention •

Projects Support

Watershed Associations Support•

Technical Support for Municipal Environmental •

Advisory Councils

Environmental Education Through the Coastal •

Zone Non-Point Pollution Program

Education

Environmental Education for Local Schools and •

Organizations

Coordination and Sponsorship •

for Envirothon and Don Hartman Conservation

Leadership School

Scholarship Sponsor via Annual Tree Seedling Sale •

and Conservation District Banquet

Entomology

West Nile Virus Program Administration•

USDA Natural Resources 610-372-4655

Conservation Service (NRCS)

Agricultural Center, Suite 220 www.nrcs.usda.gov

1238 County Road, Leesport, PA 19533

Berks County Field Office 610-372-4655 ext. 3

Technical agency of Federal Government who works closely with Farm Service Agency, Berks County Conservation

District and Agriculture Land Preservation Department

Assists farmers with the development of conservation plans

Assists farmers with the implementation of conservation practices

Contracts Federal Government Farm Bill programs providing cost share

assistance to farmers and other private landowners.

Provides education and outreach in the area of soils, soil mapping, and

land capabilities

Direct Connection to Your Local Government

Cooperative Extension 610-378-1327

Agricultural Center, Suite 110 berks.extension.psu.edu

1238 County Welfare Road, Leesport, PA 19533

An extension of Pennsylvania State University’s College of Agriculture Sciences

Provides research-based informal educational programs to the public, including:

Increasing agricultural profitability

Nutrition and health and weight control

Food preparation, safety and preservation

Youth development through 4-H

Consumer issues

Water quality

Strengthening community leadership

Home and commercial horticulture

Overall program is determined by the local Board of Directors,

Penn State Specialists, and a professional staff lead by the Extension Director

Berks County Government GuIDe

The I-78 Industrial Park @ Bethel is a 323 acre

warehouse/distribution center that is being developed

by the Berks County Industrial Development Authority

(BCIDA). The BCIDA has owned the 323 acre property

since September 24, 2004. The property is located near

exit 13 which is the Bethel interchange for 501 and

Interstate 78. Over the past five years, the BCIDA has

spent over $1 million in engineering and legal fees for

pre-development costs. In a few weeks (approximately

April 2010) the site will be fully entitled (all permitting

will be approved and final plan approval will be received

and the plan recorded). The permitting will make the

site “ready to go” or “shovel ready” (start of construction

within sixty days). The approved plans will accommodate

the construction of 2.75 million square feet of warehouse

distribution space. The land will be subdivided into 3 lots

that will accommodate buildings of the following size:

Lot #1 – 1,002,000 sf; Lot #2 – 1,035,154 sf; and Lot #3

– 707,945. These, of course, can be further subdivided

to accommodate smaller building sizes. Attached is a plan

for the property.

Full development of the site has the potential to create

from 800 to 1,000 full time permanent jobs. Those jobs

will go to residents of Berks, Schuylkill, Lebanon and

Dauphin counties. Hundreds more of short term con-

struction jobs will be created in completing site improve-

ments and building construction. Based on an estimate

of assessed valuation for land and buildings, $2.2 million

in new annual real estate tax revenue would be produced

for the three taxing bodies (Tulpehocken School District,

Bethel Township and Berks County). A complete fiscal

impact statement has not been prepared but significant

state taxes and non-real estate taxes can also be expected.

The next phase of the project will be to begin the con-

struction of the following infrastructure: Phase I Access

Road; On-Site Fire Protection System; Sanitary Sewer

System; Route 501 Improvements; and Electric Service

to the Site

If you live in the eastern part of the County you should

be enjoying new road improvements at 422 and Perkio-

men Avenue. You might also have shopped at the new

$75M, 500,000 square foot Exeter Commons shop-

ping center. Maybe, you have one of its 800 jobs. The

Center won for its developers, Goldenberg and Ironwood

Property an award from the Mid Atlantic Real Estate

Journal. The traffic design by Traffic Planning and Design

has won for TPD and Exeter Township the 2009 Road

and Bridge Safety Improvement Award. Not asking for

any awards but jobs, infrastructure, and tax base were the

Berks County Commissioners, Berks County Industrial

Business

Development

Jeremy Fogel, Principal at Ironwood Property Group;

Kathy Foster, Investment Real Estate Manager at Cabe-

las; Judy Romig - Vice

Chairwoman

of the Tilden Town-

ship Board of

Supervisors; Mark

Scott - Chairman-

Berks County Com-

missioners

Development

Authority , PA

Department of

Community

and Economic

Development,

PennDOT,

Senator Mike

O’Pake, Exeter

Township Board of Supervisors, and the Exeter School

Board, who worked tirelessly to make the financing and

development work possible. Both the road project and

the center were completed this year.

The BCIDA made substantial progress on their

research park last year. Since September 12, 2006, it

has had under agreement 187 acres of land located at

the Reading Regional Airport. The land is owned by

the Reading Regional Airport Authority (RRAA). For

the past 18 months the property has been proceeding

through the FAA release process so that the land can be

declared non-aviation land. A legal subdivision plan of

the property is also making its way through the Bern

Township planning approval process. It is expected that

both will conclude with approvals by June 30, 2010 with

settlement occurring shortly thereafter.

If a build-out of laboratory and office space were to

occur the site could accommodate up to 850,000 sf.

Increased assessed valuation from buildings and land is

estimated to be $195 million which would provide ap-

proximately $5 million per year to the local taxing bodies.

An early estimate of the number of direct jobs that would

be produced is 2000, many of which will be high-paying.

Each core job in a science park creates an additional 2.57

jobs according to the Battelle Institute for a total employ-

ment impact of 5000 jobs.

The next step for the project will be to complete a detailed

market analysis, feasibility study and engineering work.

In June of 2009, an initial planning group composed

of the Berks County Industrial Development Author-

ity, Berks County Planning Commission, Berks County

Workforce Investment Board, Berks Economic Partner-

ship, City of Reading, Greater Berks Development Fund,

Greater Reading Chamber of Business and Industry and

the Greater Reading Convention and Visitors Bureau

began meeting to formulate the Greater Reading Com-

petitive Economic Development Action Plan. The group

hired as its consultant, Erik R. Pages of EntreWorks

Consulting. Five key areas of focus have been selected.

They are: Entrepreneurship and Innovation; Workforce

Development; Quality of Place; Sites and Infrastructure;

and Clusters Revisited. The plan is short term and more

of a bridging effort that will lead to a complete revision of

the county’s current economic development strategy some

time in the future. The group expects to issue the plan in

April 2010.

In the northern park of the county A $75 million

shopping center anchored by a Wal-Mart Supercenter and

a Lowe’s broke ground. Ironwood Property Group LP,

is building a 400,000-square-foot project on 63 acres in

Tilden Township along U.S. Route 61 and near Interstate

78. The mall, to be known as Tilden Ridge, is scheduled

to open in fall 2010. It has been in the planning-and-

design phases for five years.

A key part of the project is Tilden Ridge’s close proxim-

ity to a Cabela’s, a 250,000-square-foot store selling gear

for hunting, fishing, camping and the outdoors. Cabela’s

attracts 6 million shoppers a year, according to Historic

Hamburg.

“We are very excited to have Tilden Ridge as our next-

door neighbor,” said Kathy Foster, investment real estate

manager at Cabela’s. “Our Hamburg store continues

to be the No. 1 store of our 30 retail stores ever since it

opened in 2003. The addition of Tilden Ridge will attract

even more people to the area, complementing our store

by offering more goods and services to the community.”

The County Planning Commission, Tilden Township

and the BCIDA played important roles in making the

project a reality.

Berks County

servICes DIreCtory

Berks County Industrial

Development Authority 610-478-6330

Services Center – 14th Floor

Berks County

servICes DIreCtory

The Berks County Industrial Development Author-

ity (BCIDA) was created May 7, 1969 by the County of

Berks in compliance with the Pennsylvania Industrial and

Commercial Development Authority Law of August 13,

1967 for the purpose of promoting and developing com-

mercial, industrial and manufacturing enterprises and en-

couraging employment within the County of Berks. The

Authority is authorized to issue Industrial Development

Bonds (IDB’s) to manufacturing companies for qualified

capital projects. A five-member Board, appointed by

the County Commissioners for staggered terms, governs

the BCIDA. The County Commissioners have given

the BCIDA the additional responsibility of developing

brownfields. This action follows a recommendation in

the Industrial Site Assessment, and is a key activity in the

implementation of the County’s economic development

strategy. The BCIDA meets publicly once a month.

Objective:

Berks County Industrial Development Authority

provides a variety of services to assist in the creation and

retention of employment opportunities. BCIDA has au-

thorization over financing options and provides technical

assistance to developers, industries, and other economic

development organizations.

Community Development 610-478-6325

Services Center - 14th Floor www.co.berks.pa.us

The Community Development Office administers the following federal, state, and local programs directed towards hous-

ing and community development.

Affordable Housing Program (AHP) Approximately $750,000 per year.

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Approximately $2,700,000 per year.

Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG) Program Approximately $120,000 per year.

Home Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program. Approximately $700,000 per year.

Goals:

• Retention &

Strengthening

of Existing

Businesses

• Improved

Utilization &

Development

of Local

Infrastructure

• Creation of

Investment,

Employment &

Wealth in the

Community

• Recruitment of

New Business

• Workforce

Development

610-376-4237

201 Penn Street, Suite 502, Reading, PA 19603 www.GreaterReading.com

Berks Economic Partnership’s (BEP) formal mission is to

attract, retain, and grow business by vigorously promoting, fos-

tering, and coordinating economic development in the Greater

Reading region.

BEP has been very fortunate to receive significant finan-

cial support from the County of Berks, and is also very grate-

ful to have received sizable Private Sector support as well.

According to Jon Scott, President and CEO of BEP,

the individuals and organizations involved with commu-

nity and economic development in the Greater Reading

region are working together in a positive and collaborative

fashion. We have come together to speak with one voice

in terms of prioritizing overall community and economic

development projects, and that has had a positive impact

on Berks County receiving significant funding from both

Harrisburg and Washington, DC.

Additionally, BEP continues to spend extensive time

and energy touting the competitive advantages of doing

business in the Greater Reading region to the outside

world. It is BEP that has done a significant amount of

the positioning for Berks County as a very positive geo-

graphic option for new business expansion and growth as

well as working with local companies to assist them with

their existing expansion needs.

610-376-6766

201 Penn Street, Suite 501, Reading, PA 19601 Fax 610-376-4135

The Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce & Industry is leader in business assistance. They connect businesses to resources;

provide marketing and networking opportunities, and training to develop the skills of our local workforce.

Municipal Authority 610-376-4000 ext. 223

PO Box 1298, Reading, PA 19603

Formerly the Hospital Authority, this board provides both tax-exempt and taxable financing to all eligible institutions such as hospi-

tals, nursing homes, universities and colleges

Direct Connection to Your Local Government

Berks County Government GuIDe

Courts

23rd Judicial District of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s judicial branch of government is orga-

nized into a unified system headed by the Chief Justice of

the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and assisted by the State

Court Administrator of Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania

Supreme Court, Superior Court and Commonwealth

Court are the appellate courts to the trial courts, which

are organized as Courts of Common Pleas in 60 judicial

districts across the Commonwealth. Our minor judi-

ciary is comprised of Magisterial District Justice courts

organized by magisterial districts across the county. Berks

County’s Court of Common Pleas, Magisterial District

Justice courts, and court services departments make up

the 23rd Judicial District of Pennsylvania.

The President Judge of the Berks County Court of

Common Pleas is the head of the 23rd Judicial District

and is directly assisted by Administrative Judges of the

Family, Civil, Criminal, Juvenile and Orphans Courts

and the Court Administrator of Berks County. A Board

of Judges meets regularly to review issues and establish

administrative policies and procedures for the courts.

Common Pleas Court Judges

Court Services

Court Information 610-478-6402

Services Center 4th Floor, Court Administration www.co.berkscourts.pa.us

Information and referrals

Common Pleas Court Judges 610-478-6208

Courthouse - 7th Floor, District Court Administrator

23rd Judicial District Administration 610-478-6208

Courthouse – 7th Floor – District Court Administrator

District Court Administrator and Deputy Court Administrator Executive and resource management services

Strategic planning Project/initiative facilitation

Berks County Executive Branch Chief Liaison Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts Liaison

Court Open Records Office

Family Court Administration 610-478-6208 ext. 5770

Services Center – 7th Floor, Family Court Administration www.co.berks.pa.us/familycourt

Unified Family Court Administration, Caseflow Management Dependency Master Supervision

Child custody, child support hearings Dependency Parent’s Attorney Supervision

Family Law Mediation Coordination Detention Master Supervision

Custody/Support Masters Supervision Guardian ad Litem Supervision

Family/Civil Court Calendar Protection From Abuse Office Supervision

Berks County

servICes DIreCtory

President Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl

Judge Scott D. Keller

Judge Linda K.M. Ludgate

Judge Peter W. Schmehl

Judge Jeffrey K. Sprecher

Judge Stephen B. Lieberman

Judge Scott E. Lash

Judge Mary Ann Campbell

Judge Thomas G. Parisi

Judge James M. Bucci

Judge Paul M. Yatron

Judge John A. Boccabella

Judge Timothy J. Rowley

Senior Judge Thomas J. Eshelman

Senior Judge Albert A. Stallone

Senior Judge Arthur E. Grim

Berks County

servICes DIreCtory

Criminal/Civil Court Administration 610-478- 6208

Services Center – 4th Floor, Court Administration

Criminal Court/Civil Court Information, Caseflow Management

Civil Arbitrations Program Administration

Common Pleas Court Daily Schedule Coordination

Jury Administration 610-478-6402

Services Center – 4th Floor, Court Administration

Requirements, Summons, Recall, Reception, Orientation and Trial Support

Magisterial District Judge System/

Special Courts Administration 610-478-6456

Courthouse - 1st Floor,

Reading Central Court

Magisterial District Judge Court Administration

Reading Central Court Administration

Berks County Central Arraignment Court

(Night Court) Administration

Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts

Special Courts Liaison

Magisterial Districts

Magisterial District 23-0-01 (Central Arraignment Court - Night Court) ...................................... 610-478-6456

Magisterial District 23-0-02 (Reading Central Court - City Preliminary Hearings) .................. 610-478-6456

Magisterial District 23-1-01 (M.D.J. Ann L. Young) ................................................................................. 610-678-6721

Magisterial District 23-1-02 (M.D.J. Michael J. Leonardziak) .............................................................. 610-374-9288

Magisterial District 23-1-03 (M.D.J. Wally Scott) ....................................................................................... 610-378-5101

Magisterial District 23-1-04 (M.D.J. Thomas H. Xavios) ....................................................................... 610-373-4424

Magisterial District 23-1-05 (M.D.J. Alvin B. Robinson) ........................................................................ 610-373-2127

Magisterial District 23-1-06 (M.D.J. Dean R. Patton) .............................................................................. 610-929-4440

Magisterial District 23-2-01 (M.D.J. Stuart D. Kennedy) ....................................................................... 610-375-7101

Magisterial District 23-2-02 (M.D.J. Timothy M. Dougherty) ............................................................ 610-374-7721

Magisterial District 23-2-03 (M.D.J. Phyllis J. Kowalski) ........................................................................ 610-779-5137

Magisterial District 23-2-04 (M.D.J. Nicholas M. Bentz) ....................................................................... 610-777-3885

Magisterial District 23-3-01 (M.D.J. David E. Glass) ................................................................................ 610-582-8615

Magisterial District 23-3-02 (M.D.J. Michael G. Hartman) .................................................................. 610-367-2357

Magisterial District 23-3-03 (M.D.J. Victor M. Frederick, IV) .............................................................. 610-987-3344

Magisterial District 23-3-04 (M.D.J. Gail M. Greth) ................................................................................. 610-944-7202

Magisterial District 23-3-05 (M.D.J. Thomas M. Gauby, Sr.) .............................................................. 610-916-4496

Magisterial District 23-3-06 (M.D.J. Kim L. Bagenstose) ....................................................................... 610-562-4364

Magisterial District 23-3-07 (M.D.J. Andrea J. Book) ............................................................................... 610-488-6224

Magisterial District 23-3-09 (M.D.J. Deborah P. Lachina) ..................................................................... 610-478-3291

Direct Connection to Your Local Government

Berks County

servICes DIreCtory

Adult Probation and Parole 610-478-3400

Services Center - 7th Floor, Adult Probation

Court-Ordered Probation Plan Supervision Court-Ordered Parole Plan Supervision

Alcohol Safe Driving Programs Administration

DUI, Addictions and Mental Health Treatment Courts Liaison

Restrictive Intermediate Punishment Plan Supervision Court-Ordered Community Service Supervision

Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole Liaison

Juvenile Probation / Juvenile Court 610-478-3200

Services Center – 10th Floor, Juvenile Probation

Juvenile Court Administration Juvenile Court Victim/Witness Services

Juvenile Offender Supervision Balanced and Restorative Justice Programming

Competency Development Program Coordination School-Based Probation Services

Community Youth Aid Panel Programming Magisterial District Judge Alternative Sanction Program

Operation Night Light Participant Juvenile Justice Agency Liaison

Domestic Relations 610-478-2900

Services Center - 6th Floor www.drs.berks.pa.us

Child/Family Support Order Establishment, Modification, Enforcement

Child Support Enforcement Court Liaison

Paternity Establishment

Berks County Sheriff’s Department Liaison for Domestic Relations Fugitives

Domestic Relations Association of Pennsylvania Liaison

Court Interpreters 610-478-6208

Services Center 4th Floor, Court Administration

Foreign Language Simultaneous Interpretation

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services/Americans with Disabilities Act Liaison

Freelance and Contracted Language Services Agency Liaison

Court Interpreter/Administrative Interpreter

Qualification Services

Written Product Translation

Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts

Interpretation/Translation Liaison

Court Reporters 610-478-6467

Courthouse – 14th Floor, Court Reporters

Courtroom Stenographic Services Transcript Production

Evidence Control and Storage Videoconference Schedule Coordination

Pennsylvania Court Reporters Association Liaison

Law Library 610-478-3370

Courthouse - 10th Floor, Law Library

Pennsylvania Judicial Code-directed judiciary library services

Public Accessible, Sole Public Source in Berks County for Legal Research

Protection From Abuse 610-478-6208 ext 5701 or 5702

Services Center - 1st Floor www.co.berks.pa.us/familycourt

Domestic Violence Protection Requests/Petitions Protection Order Coordination

Clerk of Courts

James P. Troutman 610-478-6550

Courthouse - 4th Floor www.co.berks.pa.us

Prepares and maintains the records for the Criminal Division of the Court of Common Pleas

Collects fines and costs for criminal convictions of Court of Common Pleas

Maintains road dockets and Liquor Control Board appeals

Maintains the road docket for all municipal subdivisions

Prepares all commitments for defendants taken into custody

Provide courtroom clerks for judges of the criminal division

Prothonotary

Marianne R. Sutton 610-478-6970

Courthouse - 2nd Floor www.co.berks.pa.us

Chief Clerk of the Civil Division of the Court of Common Pleas

Handles Family Court filings (Protection from Abuse, divorces and custody matters)

Chief Notary for County of Berks in civil cases Records and maintains records for all civil cases

Records judgments and liens (Local, State and Federal) Agent for application of passports

Distributes immigration information Prothonotary archives

Direct Connection to Your Local Government

English Hotline 610-372-9540

Español Hotline 610-372-7463

Berks County Government GuIDe

Environment

Solid Waste Authority and Recycling Coordinator 610-478-6362

Services Center, 14th Floor www.co.berks.pa.us/swa

The Berks County Solid Waste Authority was established by the Berks County Commissioners on August 19, 1992.

The Authority is responsible for the development and implementation of the County Solid Waste Management Plan.

The County Solid Waste Management Plan is required to be revised every 10 years and meet the following requirements:

Ensure adequate disposal capacity for county-generated waste for a period of ten years.

Evaluate the county’s recycling program and achieve the statewide goal of 35% recycling.

Provide assistance to municipalities.

Develop and administer collection programs for special wastes.

Household Hazardous Waste:

April 10, 2010

Exeter Township Municipal Building

October 16, 2010

FirstEnergy Stadium - Reading

Electronic Waste:

April 16 & 17, 2010

Exeter Township Municipal Building

September 24 & 25, 2010

FirstEnergy Stadium – Reading

Pharmaceutical Waste:

April 24, 2010

Exeter Township Municipal Building

October 2, 2010

FirstEnergy Stadium

Tire Collection & Paper Shredding:

May 1, 2010

Exeter Township Municipal Building

October 9, 2010

FirstEnergy Stadium - Reading

2010 Collection Schedule:

The Authority operates a full-time recycling

center at 1316 Hill Top Road, Leesport.

The facility accepts Cardboard, mixed paper,

aluminum and tin cans, plastic bottles and

containers and glass jars and bottles. The

facility is open 7 days a week, 24 hours a

day. In addition, the Authority operates twelve

recycling centers that move location each

week. On the next page is the 2010 schedule

for this program. These facilities accept mixed

paper, aluminum and tin cans, plastic bottles

and containers and glass jars and bottles.

Berks County

servICes DIreCtory

RURAL RECYCLING SCHEDULE FOR 2010

Recycling Containers are available at the following locations from Wednesday through Sunday.

The dates listed below are the first day that the containers are available.

Boyertown/

Hereford/

Topton

January 27

February 24

March 24

April 21

May 19

June 16

July 14

August 11

September 8

October 6,

November 3

December 1

December 29

Greenwich/

Richmond/

Albany

January 6

February 3

March 3

March 31

April 28

May 26

June 23

July 21

August 18

September 15

October 13

November 10

December 8

Windsor/

Centre/

Tulpehocken

January 13

February 10

March 10

April 7

May 5

June 2

June 30

July 28

August 25

September 22

October 20

November 17

December 15

Bethel/

Upper

Tulpehocken

January 20

February 17

March 17

April 14

May 12

June 9

July 7

August 4

September 1

September 29

October 27

November 24

December 22

RECYCLING DROP-OFF LOCATIONS:

Boyertown Borough Garage Rear of South Reading Ave.

Topton Borough Park West Barkley and South Cherry St.

Hereford Township Building 3131 Seisholtzville Rd.

Richmond Township Building 11 Kehl Dr. off of S. R. 662

Greenwich Township Garage 775 Old Rt. 22

Albany Township Building 2451 S.R. 143

Windsor Township Building Haas Rd.

Centre Township Building Bucks Hill Rd.

Bethel Township Garage 81 Klahr Rd.

U. Tulpehocken Township Building 6501 Old Rt. 22

Tulpehocken Township Building 22 Rehrersburg Rd.

Contact the Berks County Solid Waste Authority for more information:

610-478-6362 / swa@countyofberks.com

Direct Connection to Your Local Government

Office of Aging 610-478-6500

Services Center - 8th Floor www.berksaging.org

Established in 1974 under provision of the Older Americans Act

Develops and administers county-wide community support system for older citizens including the following:

In-home services alternatives to institutional placement that include personal care, assistive

Socialization, recreational and educational programs

Information and referral

Housing assistance

Home-delivered meals

Specialized transportation

Nursing home assistance

Benefit programs

Senior Centers

Protection from abuse & exploitation

Counseling

Legal services

Assessment / Care management

Ombudsman

Congregate meals

Family caregiver support

Volunteer services

Adult day services

Insurance counseling

Employment services

Foster Grandparent program

Berks County Government GuIDe

Human Services

BARTA 610-921-0601

(Berks Area Regional Transportation Authority)

11th & Exeter Streets, Reading, PA 19604 www.bartabus.com

Operates Public Transit System

Funded by a combination of fares and federal, state and county contributions

BARTA Special Services 610-921-2361

Provides specialized transportation to those who are unable to use the fixed route buses

Berks County Home - Berks Heim 610-376-4841

1011 Berks Road, Leesport, PA 19533 www.berksheim.com

Licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and certified by both Medicare and Medicaid

Accepting applications for private pay, Medicare, and Medicaid eligible residents

Berks Heim is governed by the Board of County Commissioners and managed by a full-time licensed Nursing

Home Administrator and Director of Nursing

Berks Heim is an elderly community

providing long-term care services with

an emphasis on quality care. We have an

individualized approach to healthcare and

all staff are dedicated to provide for the

social, emotional, and physical well-being

of our residents.

Berks Heim - Yesterday and Today

The history of Berks Heim extends back to a time

when communities had the need for a place where the

local citizenry could go to during times of need due to

circumstances that threatened their ability to survive in a

day and age where support services were either provided

by family and friends or didn’t exist at all. The year was

1824 when Berks County like many other counties began

to address the needs of people who were unable to take

care of their needs because of conditions that ranged from

sickness to poverty, mental illness to personal disaster. Of-

ten times temporary in nature, people needed a safe place

to live until they could rebuild their lives, their homes or

Berks County

servICes DIreCtory

find a living arrangement that suited their needs. The resi-

dents of this agrarian community that was first located in

the Shillington area consisted at times of young families

who may have been displaced by a fire in their homes, a

spouse that might have been seriously injured or killed in

an accident at work or on the farm, transients they called

hobo’s , the chronically ill who had no one able or willing

to attend to them and, of course, the indigent.

Originally known as the “Alms House” or Poor House,

this community was embraced by those who had the

immediate need to seek refuge and assistance, but at the

same time it also became the scourge of those who feared

living with the stigma of having been associated with

residing there. The Alms House existed and evolved for

many years until September of 1952 when, after much

fanfare, the existing Board of County Commissioner’s

introduced a brand new state of the art facility located in

Bern Township which was designed to take care of the

needs of two basically different population groups, one

being those who actually had a need for physical care

and the other for those who were unable to take care of

themselves on their own in the community who needed a

place to live.

To change the stigma of the Alms House / Poor House

moniker the county sponsored a contest in the local

school districts to rename this new building. The intent

was warranted and well intended when the announce-

ment was made and the name was changed to Berks

County Home - Berks Heim or just Berks Heim, but the

reputation remained. It wasn’t until after the enactment

of Medicare in 1965 and the promulgation of an industry

providing oversight and regulation that nursing homes

began a journey that has resulted in the transformation

that we all know today.

Berks Heim continued to grow over those years and

with the addition of the Annex in 1975 became the

second largest nursing home in Pennsylvania with a

licensed capacity of 799 beds. The quality of care steadily

improved as did the training of the staff and the legal

requirements to provide care. Little by little there became

alternatives to long-term care and commencing in May

of 1998 Berks Heim began yet another transformation

focusing on higher acuity residents. It was determined

that there indeed existed a need to construct a “ New “

Berks Heim to accommodate all of the requirements for

care of a totally different kind of resident population than

had existed before. Acknowledging that there were now

other options for those needing some personal assistance

but not necessarily at the level of long-term care, Berks

Heim started downsizing in anticipation of its new build-

ing project eventually lowering the capacity of the facility

to 420 licensed dually certified skilled beds.

It was a beautiful fall day on the 1st of October 2005,

when all of the residents of Berks Heim started their

migration from their home of over 53 years to the brand

new building, located on the North Campus adjacent to

the former Main and Annex buildings, to start a new be-

ginning in the third generation in the ongoing evolution

of our Berks County Home - Berks Heim.

Today Berks Heim is no longer the choice of last

resort, but in fact is a wonderfully modern, well equipped

nursing facility providing quality care to 420 residents.

Provisions of the new building include a dementia unit

designed with the intent to service the needs of those resi-

dents who exhibit challenging behaviors and who are un-

able to meaningfully fully participate in the programs as

offered on a typical nursing unit or neighborhood as we

prefer to call it. Residents are able to participate in a wide

variety of activities, experience the ambiance of a Beauty

and Barber Shop, called the Berk-Shear, just as they had

enjoyed throughout their lifetime in their communities,

all the while having their individual needs attended to by

a professional care team.

Of course, experience has demonstrated to us over all

of these years that providing care will continue to change

as we adjust to new expectations brought forth by new

generations, as well as ever changing regulations and

creative reimbursement.

The Berks Heim that we know is actually comprised

of 21 individual departments that represent 500 employ-

ees working in such diverse careers as Nursing, Dietary,

Maintenance, and Laundry, as well as Human Resources

and the Business Office, just to mention a few. The pro-

fessional staff include, but are not limited to, RN’s, LPN’s

and a licensed Nursing Home Administrator.

Financially Berks Heim endeavors to be self sustaining

and has an operating budget approximating $35,000,000

which is funded by a revenue base provided primarily by

Medicaid, Private Pay and Medicare. These payor sources

represent funds provided by either the individual resident

Direct Connection to Your Local Government

or the subsidy source that they qualify for. Medicaid is

always the payor of last resort, although it does represent

the largest majority of reimbursement received by Berks

Heim and these dollars are provided through the Depart-

ment of Public Welfare, funded by a 55 % Federal / 45

% State split. Medicare is funded by Federal monies and,

of course the Private Pay portion comes directly from

residents. Frequently residents, during the course of their

stay, may qualify at different times for each of the avail-

able funding sources, each resident / applicant’s financial

circumstance is reviewed individually and regularly, as

their eligibility may be subject to change, based upon acu-

ity and financial resources.

Berks County

servICes DIreCtory

Council on Chemical Abuse 610-376-8669

601 Penn Street, 6th Floor, Reading, PA 19601 www.councilonchemicalabuse.org

Plans, coordinates and monitors all drug and alcohol programming supported by public monies

Provides prevention and intervention services

Provides funding for treatment services through contracted arrangements with licensed providers

Resource center, including library and videos, open to the public

Tobacco cessation and in-school prevention activities

The Council on Chemical Abuse is a private, nonprofit

501(c)(3) corporation that was formed in 1972 and has

a contractual agreement with the County to serve as the

Single County Authority (SCA) for drug and alcohol

services in Berks County. As the SCA, the Council on

Chemical Abuse administers and manages publicly

funded prevention, intervention, and treatment services

to the Berks County community. Our volunteer board of

directors oversees and directs all aspects of the Council’s

activities.

The Council on Chemical Abuse also provides leader-

ship in the development of policies and programs that

prevent the onset of illegal alcohol and drug use, and

tobacco use. Prevention programs to both adults and

youth focus on a clear message of drug-free, alcohol-free,

and tobacco-free living. The Council staff works with all

public and parochial schools in Berks County offering

evidence-based, age appropriate educational curriculum

and peer mediation/conflict resolution training services.

The Council also supports youth intervention services by

coordinating the Underage Drinking Program of Berks

County and providing funding and technical assistance to

support Student Assistance Program Services.

Addiction treatment services are contracted through

the Council to licensed facilities that provide services

ranging from hospital based services to community based

residential and outpatient services. All treatment services

begin with a comprehensive assessment to determine

the most appropriate service to best address the addicted

individual’s needs. Treatment provides an opportunity to

stop destruction caused by addiction and enter long term

recovery. For individuals with unstable living arrange-

ments and in the early stage of recovery, the Council

funds several transitional houses where clients can live in a

drug free environment to stabilize/enhance their recovery.

To monitor treatment progress, individuals are typically

required to undergo random urine testing. All clients that

enter treatment services are offered HIV risk-reduction

counseling as well as HIV testing services.

As the addiction is being addressed through treatment,

intensive case-management is provided to help with other

life areas (i.e. housing, medical, employment, educational,

etc.) that many times interfere with the person’s long term

recovery. Such services are offered to any client entering

public funded treatment. The Council works in tandem

with numerous county human service agencies to help

break the cycle of addiction that many times is the driving

reason why people are on agency caseloads.

The Council’s tobacco prevention efforts concentrate

on educating the public, training youth advocates, and

partnering with local law enforcement departments to

conduct enforcement of current tobacco regulations.

Future Plans

The Council’s future plans include continuing efforts

to increase prevention opportunities to prevent the onset

of addiction as well as increase treatment capacity for

those individuals suffering from addiction. Both areas

of increase are predicted on examination of the cost ef-

fectiveness of current approaches and our ability to secure

an expanded base of financial support so the individuals

in need of treatment are not turned away.

Children & Youth Services 610-478-6700

Services Center - 11th Floor www.berkscys.org

Services include:

Adoption

In-Home Services

Investigation of Child

Maltreatment

Out-of-Home

Placement

Truancy

Foster Care

Direct Connection to Your Local Government

Berks County

servICes DIreCtory

Berks County Children and Youth Services is assigned

to protect children, up to eighteen years of age, from

abuse and neglect. The staff investigate all reports of

child maltreatment in Berks County. For families at risk

of future abuse or neglect, services and monitoring are

implemented to ensure child safety and allow the children

to remain in their homes. For some cases, placement out-

side the family’s home is warranted. When this happens,

the parents participate in services to allow the childrens’

safe return. For situations in which a safe return is not

able to occur, the Berks County Children and Youth

Services staff requests that the Court terminate parental

rights. A permanent adoptive situation is located, often

within the child’s family and/or community.

Berks County Children and Youth Services is man-

dated to provide care for children who must be moved to

out-of-home placement. The agency maintains a group of

foster parents to assist in caring for these children. These

valued families must be able to work not only with the

child, but also with the court, the family of origin, county

caseworkers and variety of agency personnel.

There are several requirements that a

foster parent must satisfy, and you should be

familiar with them before taking on the responsibility of

caring for a foster child.

The agency also will consider other matters such as

each person’s attitude toward his or her own children,

towards parent/child relationships in general, how the

applicant can meet the special needs of children, and how

many children are suitable for the home environment.

(Foster homes are limited to a total of six children, both

foster and natural, under the age of 18 yrs.) Foster parents

cannot use physical discipline; children must be directed

by praise and encouragement.

The Foster Parent applicants must

meet certain minimum requirements:

Be at least 21 years of age

Pass a medical examination that states that he and/or she

is physically able to care for children and be free from

communicable disease

Pass screening requirements related to child abuse and

criminal history clearances

Completion of an intensive home study

Attendance at a variety of training related to foster care

issues

The county children and youth agency must make an assess-

ment of each person’s foster parent capacity. The agency

will consider the following when assessing each applicant:

The ability to provide care, nurturance and supervision for

the child

A demonstrated stable and emotional adjustment

Ties with family, friends and the community

Ability to work with natural families

Human Services/Grants Coordinator 610-478-6194

Services Center - 13th Floor www.co.berks.pa.us

Administers Human Service Grants including:

Human Service Development Fund Homeless Assistance Program

Medical Assistance Transportation Temporary Emergency Food Assistance

Family Center/Fatherhood

Subcontracts to provide rental assistance to the homeless and/or near-homeless and funding for adult services not

covered under MH/MR, Aging, D&A

Works with other Human Services providers/agencies to eliminate duplication of services within the County

See Human Service website for additional grant information www.co.berks.pa.us

Mental Health/Mental Retardation 610-478-3271

E-mail: mhmr@countyofberks.com Fax: 610-478-4980

Services Center- 15th Floor After Hours Emergency: 610-236-0530

Provides quality care as well as the delivery of efficient public services and supports for individuals with mental

illness and mental retardation so that they can increase their opportunities and abilities to lead lives of dignity

and independence. Acknowledging that recovery is an ongoing process, MH/MR is committed to promoting

personal growth, choice, and inclusion of consumers in their community.

Authority:

Established by the Mental Health/Mental Retardation

Act of 1966 MH Procedures Act of 1976.

Berks County MH/MR Program:

Subcontracts with Service Access and Management to

provide mental health and mental retardation services for

individuals eligible for services.

Provides Administrative oversight of the contract with

SAM to ensure: individuals with serious mental illness

or mental retardation receive services and provides fiscal

oversight for funds allocated by the Office of Mental Re-

tardation and the Office of Mental Health and Substance

Abuse Services.

Additional information can be found under the MH/

MR Program on the county website at www.co.berks.

pa.us or Service Access and Management’s website at

www.sam-inc.org. Contact SAM at 610-236-0530.

Berks County MH/MR

Health Choices Program:

Subcontracts with Community Care Behavioral Health

to provide mental health and drug and alcohol services

for individuals eligible for benefits under the Medicaid

Program.

Provides administrative oversight of the contract with

Community Care to ensure that there is an adequate

provider delivery network and services are accessible, there

is fiscal accountability for the program, there is continu-

ous quality improvement and all unexpended funds are

reinvested back into the behavioral health system.

Additional information can be found under

the MH/MR Program on the county website at

www.co.berks.pa.us or Community Care’s

website at www.ccbh.com.

Contact CCBH at 1-866-292-7886

for assistance with locating a provider.

Direct Connection to Your Local Government

Berks County

servICes DIreCtory

PA CareerLink® Berks County Berks County Workforce Investment Board

610-988-1300

501 Crescent Avenue, Reading PA 19605 www.bccl.org

County of Berks staff who are involved in workforce development-related activities are split into two separate and distinct

operations – those who are included as part of a multi-partner organization called PA CareerLink

Berks County and

those who staff and support the Berks County Workforce Investment Board (WIB).

PA CareerLink® Berks County

PA CareerLink® is the brand name used to identify PA’s

one-stop workforce development centers. Locally, a variety

of public and private workforce development organizations

joined to form PA CareerLink® Berks County.

For businesses: screening and referral of applicants to

employer specifications; information on hiring incentives

such as tax credits and new-hire training programs; special-

ized recruitment, including management of large recruit-

ment campaigns; WorkKeys® Functional and Personal

Skill Assessments for applicants and incumbent workers;

WorkKeys® Profiling to better assess skill needs of specific

jobs; statewide @ www.cwds.state.pa.us.

For individuals: public resource room with internet

accessible computers for workforce development activities;

job search and resume preparation assistance; job search

related workshops; acquisition of the WorkKeys® Career

Readiness Certificates; access to training opportunities

through On-the-Job Training (OJT) or Individual Training

Accounts (ITA) for eligible individuals for whom training

is a viable part of their individualized employment plan.

PA CareerLink® is open to the public from 8:30 a.m. to

4:30 pm. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and

from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays.

Berks County

Workforce Investment Board (WIB)

The purpose of the Berks County Workforce Invest-

ment Board is to identify the long-term, strategic work-

force development needs of the community; propose

strategies to meet those needs; set priorities; build partner-

ships to align resources in support of those strategies; test

specific initiatives to advance those ends, and measure and

evaluate results.

WIB staff normal working hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00

p.m.

Future Changes and

Budget Considerations

This will be a critical year for workforce development

with the possibility of reauthorization and/or major chang-

es in Federal legislation, the prospect of a new administra-

tion in Harrisburg and both Federal and State budget

problems. The infusion of additional money through the

“Recovery Act” will be gone by summer of 2010. It is likely

unemployment will remain high at least through 2010 and

by spring of 2011 we could be facing a budget crisis.

Reading Area Community College 610-372-4721

10 South Second Street, Reading, PA 19602 www.racc.edu

Two-year accredited college funded by Government

Over 30 career and college credit transfer programs

Offer customer-designed seminars for businesses and industry

Coordinates financing and grant funding for county related waste management programs

Veterans Affairs, Department of 610-378-5601

1243 County Welfare Road, Leesport, PA 19533 www.co.berks.pa.us

The office assists the Veterans of Berks County, their dependents, widows, and orphans with a

comprehensive array of federal, state, and local government benefit programs.

Obtaining Military Records/Awards, Discharges and Service Medical Records

Claim filing with the Veterans Administration (Phila. Regional Office)

 •ServiceConnectedDisabilities,Pensions,Dependency&IndemnityCompensation.

 •AppealHearingswiththeBoardofVeteransAppeals•BurialAllowanceBenefits

Claim filing with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

 •Veterans’EmergencyAssistanceBlindandParalyzedPensions

 •TaxExemptionandotherbenefitsgratuities/grantsandbonusestheCommonwealthprovides

Claim filing with the County of Berks

 •BurialAllowanceBenefits•CemeteryHeadstoneAllowance•CemeteryFlagHolder

Be sure to view our

Hall of Heroes at

www.berksheroes.com

This site permanently honors

the sacrifice of the brave men and

women of Berks County who died

defending our liberty and freedom.

The Hall of Heroes exists as

an enduring tribute where their

sacrifices are remembered and

forever recognized.

Direct Connection to Your Local Government

Redevelopment Authority

610-478-6325

Services Center - 14th Floor

Administers programs directed at rehabilitation in redevelopment areas within local

municipalities by acquiring private property for private reuse

Participates in tax increment financing projects

City of Reading Housing Authority

610-775-4813

400 Hancock Boulevard, Reading, PA 19611 www.racc.edu/SocialService

Administers Section 8 and public housing assistance to low-income families, the elderly and the disabled

in the City of Reading

Berks County Housing Authority

610-370-0822

1803 Butter Lane, Mt. Penn, PA 19606-1100 www.racc.edu/SocialService

Owns and manages over 200 public housing units in eight developments in the County for low income

non-elderly, elderly and disabled families

Manages the Inglis Cottages in Berks County Development for disabled families

Manages the Tarsus Manor Apartments in Fleetwood for elderly families

Administers the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section8) for low income non-elderly, elderly and

disabled families in the County.

Berks County Government GuIDe

Housing

Berks Connections/Pretrial Services

610-478-6920

(formerly Prison Society) E-Mail: info@BerksConnections.org

Courthouse 16th Floor www.BerksConnections.org

Hours: Office Hours - 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Pretrial Services staff on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year

Founded in 1975, Berks Connections / Pretrial Services

(or “BCPS”) is a 501 c-3 non-profit corporation provid-

ing programming and services to individuals and families

involved in the local Berks County justice system.

Agency Mission Statement:

To assist adult prisoners, former prisoners, probation-•

ers, parolees and delinquent juveniles in rehabilitat-

ing themselves and in making a proper readjustment

to society;

To assist and to answer the needs of dependent and •

delinquent juveniles;

To show a constructive concern for the criminal •

justice system and the juvenile justice system in Berks

County;

To show a constructive concern for the prison system •

and juvenile detention and placement systems in

Berks County; and

To act as the Berks County bail agency as long as •

designated as such by the Berks County Court of

Common Pleas.

BCPS operates via two programming units: BCPS/

BerksConnections and BCPS/Pretrial Services:

BCPS/BerksConnections Programs:

The BCPS Reentry Resource Center provides infor-

mation, assistance and referrals to ex-offenders reenter-

ing our community from the Berks County Jail System

and state and federal correctional facilities.

Successful reentry begins prior to release with

programs at the Berks County Jail that include Ready

to Succeed employment workshops held in collabora-

tion with CareerLink, one-to-one mentoring, fellow-

ship events with community volunteers, educational

mentoring, and conducting intensive needs assessment

Public Safety

Berks County Government GuIDe

interviews that identify specific post-release needs to

connect offenders with community-based programs

and services.

The FUNdamentals program provides educational,

self-esteem building and fun activities and programs for

youth detained at the Berks County Youth Center.

Families and children of inmates detained at the

Berks County Jail are aided by programs such as

Mother’s Voice that connects children at home with

their mother in jail, seasonal gift drives and holiday

meals delivered to families, and the Family & Friends

support group that meets twice each month.

BCPS/Pretrial Services Programs:

BCPS Pretrial Officers conduct post-arrest interviews

of criminal defendants and provide verified assessment

reports to assist the Courts in making informed pretrial

release decisions.

BCPS provides supervision of pretrial-status defen-

dants released by the Courts on bail: improving justice

system efficiency, reducing prison overcrowding and

saving tax dollars by working to ensure that defendants

appear in court and comply with release conditions.

BCPS provides staffing and support for County

diversionary programs such as Treatment Courts

and Intermediate Punishment (IPP) programs, and

leads the Mental Illness Intensive Supervised Release

(MIISR) Team that works to provide appropriate treat-

ment/supervision release plans for inmates at the Berks

County Jail.

BCPS administers the County’s Community Release

(5% Cash Bail) program as Court-appointed Bail

Agency.

Key Program Statistics:

Pretrial Services program supervised over 1,000 pre-•

trial-status defendants in 2009, saving over 109,000

“jail bed days” at the Berks County Jail

Court Appearance rates for defendants under BCPS/•

Pretrial Services supervision were above 98% in 2009

(appearance rates average below 78% nationwide)

BCPS interviewed over 2,300 defendants in 2009 •

and provided over 1,300 assessment reports to the

Courts relating to pretrial release decisions

The Reentry Resource Center at BCPS/BerksCon-•

nections completed 387 individual needs assessment

interviews in 2009 for ex-offenders returning to

communities in Berks County and provided over

1,900 referrals and assistance in key areas such as

employment, housing and immediate needs such as

obtaining a proper ID, transportation and clothing

213 inmates at the Berks County Jail received in-•

depth post-release needs assessment interviews in

2009

30 inmates graduated from the Ready to Succeed •

employment workshops at the Jail conducted by

BCPS and Berks County CareerLink in 2009

Berks County

servICes DIreCtory

Berks County Jail System

610-208-4800

1287 County Welfare Road, Leesport, PA 19533 www.co.berks.pa.us

Responsible for care, management, and rehabilitation of legally incarcerated adults

Current Jail Stats

The Berks County Prison was originally designed to house

288 MALE inmates. 200 prisoners were transferred to the jail

on 1/21/32. The Prison was expanded in 1993 to house 790

inmates

The Berks County Jail System is intended to establish a

secure institutional environment that serves to provide protec-

tion and safety for the citizens, staff and the legally incarcerated

of Berks County, while meeting the standards established for

this purpose by the American Correctional Association and

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This will be accomplished

through the use of a cost-effective organization and procedures

that provide for security, social restoration and (re)habilitation in

the jail environment.

Average Daily Population

500

1000

1500

1993

590

2006

1325

2008

1164

Direct Connection to Your Local Government

2009

1083

Newly opened in 2010 and the first of its kind in PA!

Community Reentry Center 610-208-4800

1040 Berks Road, Leesport, PA 19533 www.co.berks.pa.us

Responsible for care, management, rehabilitation, and community reintegration of

legally incarcerated adults deemed appropriate for a community corrections setting.

Berks County

servICes DIreCtory

Our Mission:

The Berks County Community Reentry Center is dedicated

to improving the quality of our community through effective

and innovative services that instill pro-social behavior, healthy

life choices, and personal accountability, thereby reducing recidi-

vism and its financial burden on the County.

Our Vision:

The Berks County Community Reentry Center will, without

exception, deliver superior services with the highest level of

integrity and professionalism thereby making a noticeable

difference in the lives of our residents, positively affecting the

well-being and safety of our community.

Our Values:

We believe…..

That positive change IS possible & probable, given the •

access to appropriate resources.

That such change begins internally.•

That delivery of services should be done in an honest, •

direct, ethical, consistent, open- minded and supportive

atmosphere.

That responses to behaviors must be immediate, consis-•

tent, individualized, fair and equitable.

In balancing the concern for community safety with the •

needs of our residents.

That all people are equal & diverse, each possessing •

intrinsic worth.

That individuals deserve personal attention, support, •

empowerment and recognition.

In fostering a challenging environment that allows for •

personal growth, exploration and strength.

In being proactive participants in our community•

Newly opened in 2010 and the first of its kind

Coroner’s Office – New Location in the Old Berks Heim Building

Coroner

Dennis J. Hess 610-478-3280

1273 County Welfare Road, Leesport, PA 19533 www.countyofberks.com

The Office of the Coroner serves as an independent investigator in all death investigations and shall determine the identity

of the deceased and notify the next of kin.

The Coroner’s Department is also responsible to investigate and determine the cause and manner of unnatural and unex-

plained deaths occurring within Berks County.

District Attorney

John T. Adams 610-478-6000

Services Center - 5th Floor da@countyofberks.com www.co.berks.pa.us/da

The District Attorney’s Office reviews, investigates, deters, and objectively prosecutes all violations in order to protect the

rights and ensure the safety of the citizens of Berks County, Pennsylvania.

Prosecution

The goal of the Berks County District Attorney’s office is to

review, investigate, deter, and objectively prosecute all criminal

violations occurring in Berks County.

The office also cooperates with all local, state and federal

authorities in the regional effort to aggressively prosecute and

combat crime in Berks County.

Detectives

Chief County Detective

Michael J. Gombar 610-478-7171

Services Center - 15th Floor detectives@countyofberks.com

It is the goal of the Berks County Detectives to investigate

and successfully prosecute offenders for violations of the criminal

statutes of Pennsylvania. The Berks County Detectives are a

branch of the Berks County District Attorney’s Office. The

Detectives work closely with police officers from local, state and

federal law enforcement agencies. The majority of the Berks

County Detectives are seasoned veterans with a vast amount of

police experience and expertise, which they acquired from special-

ized schools and training. These Detectives offer their specialized

services to those departments that do not have the expertise and

the resources to successfully investigate various complex crimes.

Specifically, the Detective Unit concentrates their efforts towards

five investigative disciplines:

1. Narcotics Investigations

2. Child Abuse Investigations

3. Financial Investigations

4. Crimes Against the Elderly

Investigations

5. Forensic Services

Additionally, the Detectives have implemented several new

programs to accomplish the goals of District Attorney. For

example, they have established the Bad Check Program, the

Precious Metals Enforcement and created a county wide Drug

Task Force. Also, the Detectives support local law enforcement

by operating the Berks County DUI Processing Center.

Direct Connection to Your Local Government

Department of

Emergency Services 610- 374-4800

Direct Link Technology Center Fax: 610- 374-8865

2561 Bernville Rd., Reading, PA 19605 www.berksdes.com

The newly formed Berks County Department of Emergency

Services was created in 2008 when the 9-1-1 and Communica-

tions Center was merged with the Emergency Management

Agency. The Commissioners of Berks County finalized the

consolidation in 2009.

The merger permitted the pooling of resources from both depart-

ments to provide improved and more efficient service to the residents

of Berks County.

In December 2008, the Department of Emergency Services

relocated to a new facility in the DirectLink Technology Center

in Bern Township.

The Department of Emergency Services provides three

distinct services to the residents of Berks County.

9-1-1 and

Communications Center Emergency: 9-1-1

Non-emergency: 610- 655-4911

The Berks County Department of Emergency Services’ 9-1-1

and Communications Center answers 9-1-1 calls and other calls

for service for more than 400,000 Berks County residents, and

provides emergency communications for over 150 police, fire,

and EMS agencies throughout the county.

The communications center is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days

a week, 365 days a year to provide communication services to all

emergency service organizations in Berks County. With an au-

thorized complement of 52 full-time Telecommunicators and 26

part-time telecommunicators, these individuals serve the county

residents with the utmost professionalism and experience.

The 9-1-1 and Communications Center also provides public

outreach to community groups and organizations desiring more

information on the county’s Enhanced 9-1-1 system.

Berks County

servICes DIreCtory

Emergency Management 610- 374-4800

& Special Operations

The Berks County Emergency Services Department judi-

ciously plans, assigns and coordinates all available resources in an

integrated program of prevention, mitigation, response, and re-

covery for emergencies of any kind for the County of Berks. The

department, and its associated programs, represents insurance by

coming to the aid of the County of Berks and its citizens when

disaster strikes. The department strives to reduce the county’s

liability for hazards that may strike.

The Berks County Department of Emergency Services serves

the citizens of Berks County by taking an active and managerial

role in the four phases of emergency management:

Mitigation

Includes any activities that prevent a disaster, reduce the

chance of a disaster happening, or reduce the damaging effects

of unavoidable disasters.

Preparedness

Includes plans or preparations made to save lives or property,

help the response, and to coordinate rescue service operations.

Response

Includes actions taken to save lives and prevent property

damage and to preserve the environment during emergencies or

disasters. The response phase involves the implementation of

action plans.

Recovery

Includes actions that assist a community to return to a sense

of normalcy following a disaster.

These four phases overlap, comprising a cyclical process of

emergency management.

The Berks County Special Operations Group (SOG) is the

operational emergency management arm of the Berks County

Department of Emergency Services. The SOG facilitates pro-

fessional and efficient response to incidents involving hazardous

materials at locations within the borders of Berks County, the

East Central Pennsylvania Counter-Terrorism Task Force, and

any other location when requested by the Commonwealth of

Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA). The

SOG works in conjunction with the local emergency response

community to protect the safety of emergency responders and

the public from releases of toxic/hazardous substances, whether

the release is accidental or intentional.

Fire Training Center 610- 378-5509

The Berks County Fire Training Center, located at 895 Morgantown Rd. in Reading is

a state-of-the-art training facility designed to provide the emergency responders of Berks

County with current, topical and safe training at a cost that will encourage attendance by

those individuals. The majority of emergency responders in Berks County are volunteers.

Direct Connection to Your Local Government

Sheriff

Eric Weaknecht 610-478-6240

Courthouse - 3rd Floor www.co.berks.pa.us/sheriff

Sheriff’s General Offices:

Real Estate Division 610-478-6240 ext. 3209

Firearms Division 610-478-6240 ext. 3207

Warrants Division 610-478-6240 ext. 3250

Warrants Hotline 610-478-6390

Duties of the Sheriff

• EnforcesallordersoftheBerksCountyCourtofCom-

mon Pleas and provides security for all court related

functions.

• Transportsprisonerstoandfromcounty,stateand

federal institutions for court appearances.

• EnforcesthePennsylvaniaCrimesCodeandMotor

Vehicle Code.

• OperatesthecountyCentralBookingCenter.

• Executeswarrantsofarrestandextraditesfugitivesfrom

justice.

• Assistsotherlaw-enforcementagenciesinBerksCounty

in activities such as the Berks County Drug Task Force,

OperationNightlight,DUIEnforcementCheckpoints,

crowd control, traffic control and security for commu-

nity events.

• Conductleviesandsalesofpersonalpropertyandreal

estate.

• IssuesPennsylvaniaLicensetoCarryFirearmsand

License to Sell Firearms.

Berks County

servICes DIreCtory

Public Defender 610-478-6650

Prisoner Help Line 610-478-6651

Courthouse - 12th Floor www.co.berks.pa.us

Under the Public Defender Act this office:

Represents indigent persons charged with crimes

Represents indigent persons charged with juvenile delinquency

Represents indigent persons subject to mental health commitment proceedings.

Youth Center 610-396-0310

1261 County Road, Leesport, PA 19533 www.co.berks.pa.us

The Berks County Youth Center provides residents a safe,

secure environment that promotes personal accountability,

competency development, and community outreach programs

that offer opportunities for positive change. All programs are

licensed under the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare.

The Youth Center operates the following programs:

Juvenile Detention

Detention is a 48 bed secure program for young males and

females detained by the Juvenile Courts. The program offers

community protection while affording the youth a means

to continue education and build competency development

through integrated program services.

Residential (P.R.E.P.) Priorities, Re-

sponsibilities, Enhancement Program

P.R.E.P. is a 25 bed residential program for young males and

females placed by the Juvenile Courts. The program offers

youth a means to continue education, participate in community

service work, restitution projects, obtain (or maintain) employ-

ment, and strengthen family values through integrating program

services with juvenile probation resources and community

partnerships.

Residential - Shelter Care

Shelter Care is a 16 bed residential program for young males

and females place by the Juvenile Courts or Children and Youth

Services. The program offers youth a means to continue educa-

tion, work on competency development, and strengthen family

values through integrating program services and community

partnerships.

Residential - Family Shelter

Family Shelter is an 84 bed residential program contracted

by the Department of Homeland Security/Immigration and

Customs Enforcement. The program offers families a means

to continue education and strengthen family values through

integrating program services and community partnerships while

awaiting the outcome of their immigration hearings.

Direct Connection to Your Local Government

Berks County Government GuIDe

The Berks County Parks and Recreation Department oper-

ates and maintains nearly 1,000 acres of park land and open

space for the citizens of Berks County and our many visitors.

Facilities include the recent addition of the Antietam Lake

property with numerous trails and fishing opportunities as well

as the Allegheny Aqueduct, Beidler House and Mill, Leesport

Lockhouse, Kaercher Creek Park with lodge, lake and boat

launch area, Youth Recreation Facility sports complex, Camp

Joy and Hunsicker’s Grove,

The 5 mile Tulpehocken Creek Valley Park is a linear green-

way trail that includes the Union Canal Bicycle and Walking

Trail and starts at Stonecliffe Park and Skate Park and continues

north to connect the Berks Leisure Area, Gring’s Mill Recreation

Area, Berks County Heritage Center which includes the C.

Howard Hiester Canal Center, Gruber Wagon Works (Na-

tional Historic Landmark) and Wertz’s (Red) Covered Bridge,

Redbridge Recreation Area, and north to an additional 2 mile

Connector Trail with Blue Marsh Lake. The Tulpehocken Creek

Valley Park is a very popular trail connector and is enjoyed year

round by walkers, bicyclists and anglers.

In addition to operating and maintaining these parks, The

Berks County Parks and Recreation Department offers many

recreational, interpretive and educational programs throughout

the year for park users of all ages. In addition to educational

programs, the department also offers several special events such

as Kite Day, Fishing Rodeo, Triple “B” Competition, Fiddle

Festival, Heritage Festival and a month long Holiday Lights dis-

play and program. For up to date recreation programs and park

information, please visit www.countyofberks.com/parks.

Parks,

Recreation & Tourism

Parks and Recreation

www.countyofberks.com/parks

Gring’s Mill (Administration) 610-372-8939

2083 Tulpehocken Road, Wyomissing PA 19610

Heritage Center (Interpretive Staff) 610-374-8839

2201 Tulpehocken Road, Wyomissing, PA 19610

Berks Leisure Area (Recreation Staff) 610-374-2944

1901 Tulpehocken Road, Wyomissing, PA 19610

Greater Reading Convention

and Visitors Bureau 610-375-4085

GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, 201 www.readingberkspa.com

Washington Street, Reading, PA 19601

The Greater Reading Convention & Visitors Bureau is the official source of tourist information about Berks County:

Responds to over 35,000 inquiries annually

Produce and distribute 290,000 official visitor guides and receive over

270,000 unique website visitors each year

Participates in trade shows, sales missions, press conferences, trade

publications and the Internet to provide the most in-depth information

about what’s available in Berks County to the greatest number of people

Mission:

To positively impact the economy

of Berks County

and Pennsylvania by increasing

travel and tourism business.

Berks County

servICes DIreCtory

Berks County Government Building Locations

Four primary locations of County Government offices:

Berks County Services Center

633 Court Street

Reading, PA 19601

Berks County Courthouse

6th & Court Street

Reading, PA 19601

Berks County Fire Training Center

895 Morgantown Road

Reading, PA 19607

610-378-5509

County Welfare Tract

located in Bern Township along County Road.

The tract consists of approximately 800 acres, making

it the largest property owned and maintained by Berks

County. William Essick donated this land in three parcels

to the County in 1928 in memory of his wife, Susan.

Approximately 450 acres of the tract are in agricultural

use. The remaining are divided among the various public

facilities and includes:

Agricultural Center

1238 County Road

Leesport, PA 19533

Berks County Youth Center

1261 County Road, Leesport, PA 19533

610- 396-0310

Berks Heim

1101 Berks Road, Leesport, PA 19533

610-376-4841

Berks County Prison

1287 County Road, Leesport, PA 19533

610-208-4800

Berks County

servICes DIreCtory

Ag Center

Berks Heim

Berks County Youth Center

Frequently Asked Questions

Information for all county and court related departments may be found on our web site - www.co.berks.pa.us

Where can I register to vote?

Election Services - 610- 478-6490

Where can I request an absentee ballot?

Election Services - 610- 478-6490

Who do I call to see if I have Jury Duty tomorrow?

After 5:00 p.m. on the day prior to your service, you can

telephone Jury Services at 610-478-6400. Long distance

callers may telephone 1-800-848-2080. You can also ac-

cess this information via the internet at www.berksjury.

com.

Where do I pay my Real Estate taxes?

For current School, Municipal and County taxes, check

with the City, Township or Borough in which you

reside for the phone number of your Tax Collector; For

payment of delinquent taxes - Berks County Tax Claim

Bureau - 2nd Floor, Government Services Building -

610- 478-6625

Where can I get Court hearing information?

Go to the web site - ujsportal.pacourts.us, then select E

services and go to public web docket sheets.

Where can I get information regarding

current Birth Certificates?

PA Department of Health, Vital Statistics -

(724) 656-3100, if you have internet connection try

www.health.state.pa.us/vitalrecords and for faster ser-

vice be sure to have your credit card number.

Where are the old birth and death certificates

(prior to 1906), deeds, marriage licenses and

naturalizations stored?

Old Marriage Licenses - Marriage

License Application/Records - 610- 478-6617

Old Naturalizations / Prothonotary’s Office 610- 478-6970

Old Birth Records & Old Death Records /

Old Deed Records / Recorder of Deeds 610- 478-3380

Where can I obtain Naturalization Papers?

US Immigration and Naturalization Service - 1-800-

375-5283 or 1-800-870-3676 and on

the web at www.uscis.gov

Where can I get a passport?

Prothonotary’s Office - 610- 478-6970

Where can I apply for a marriage license?

cords 610- 478-6617

Where are estates and wills filed?

Where can I get a copy of my mortgage or deed?

Recorder of Deeds - 610- 478-3380

Where can I locate the owner of a property?

Assessment Office - 610- 478-6262 and/or

Recorder of Deeds - 610- 478-3380 or go on line for a prop-

erty records search at www.co.berks.pa.us/parcel

Where can I get information regarding

Agricultural Conservation Easements?

Agricultural Preservation Center - 610- 378-1844

or Ag Center

How can I find out about the Clean & Green program?

Assessment office - 610- 478-6262

Where can I get a map of a municipality?

Mapping - 610- 478-3360

Where are adoptions processed?

Orphan’s Court/Register of Wills - 610- 478-6600

Direct Connection to Your Local Government

Where do I apply to become a foster parent?

Children and Youth Services - 610- 478-6700

Where do I complain about

child neglect or abuse?

Children and Youth Services - 610- 478-6700

Where do I apply for Protection from

Abuse and Restraining Orders?

Protection from Abuse Office (1st floor Services Center)

610- 478-6208 x5701 or 610- 478-6208 x5702

Where can I apply for Child Support and Alimony?

Domestic Relations - 610- 478-2900

Where can I get vocational training and

job search assistance?

Berks County Career Link Employment &

Training Center - 610- 988-1300.

Where can I find out if there are job

openings at the County?

Human Resources 610- 478-6118 or go on-line www.

co.berks.pa.us

Where can I apply for a hunting, fishing,

or dog license?

Treasurer’s Office - 610- 478-6640

Where do I pay fines and costs in criminal case?

Clerk of Courts

(also known as Central Collection Bureau)

4th

Floor Berks County Courthouse - 610- 478-6550

Where are criminal records (also fines, costs and

restitution records) filed?

Clerk of Courts Office - 610- 478-6550

Where can I obtain a transcript of a court case?

Court Reporters - 610- 478-6467

Where can I apply for a Public Defender?

Public Defender’s Office - 610- 478-6650

Where are liens and judgments filed?

Prothonotary’s Office - 610- 478-6970

Where do I file a Civil Suit?

All Civil Suits get filed in the Prothonotary’s Office 610-

478-6970

Where can I obtain assistance from

Human Service agencies?

Human Services Grants Coordinator - 610- 478-6194. Also a

detailed directory of Human Service Agencies can be found on our

web site at: www.co.berks.pa.us click on the right side drop down

box for departments and then on Human Services

Where can I find out about home delivered meals

for seniors?

Office of Aging - 610- 478-6500

Where do I record my military separation and

DD214 Documents?

Recorder of Deeds - 610- 478-3380

When is transportation available to the

Lebanon Veteran’s Hospital?

Call Veteran’s Affairs Office to schedule 2 weeks in

advance for non-emergencies 610- 378-5601 X 8152

How do I quality for Veterans Real Estate Tax Ex-

emption status?

Call Veteran’s Affairs Office - 610-378-5601 x8154

How do I get information on Veterans death benefits?

Call Veteran’s Affairs Office - 610-378-5601 x8153

Who handles the bids and proposals and informal

purchases for the County Departments?

Berks County Purchasing Manager - 610- 478-6168

Where can I park when I come to the Courthouse?

Reed and Court Street or Poplar and Walnut Street lots are clos-

est. There is limited metered parking on Court Street.

How do I obtain a concealed weapon permit?

Sheriff’s Dept. - Firearms Division 610-478-6240 x3207

Where can I get forms and instructions to file for

custody or visitation?

Law Library -

610-478-3370

Berks County

servICes DIreCtory

ALBANY TOWNSHIP

2451 Route 143

Kempton, PA 19529

610-756-3973 Fax: 610-756-6452

E-mail: jaab24@ptd.net

ALSACE TOWNSHIP

65 Woodside Avenue

Temple, PA 19560

610-929-5324 Fax: 610-921-0977

E-mail: alsacetwp@comcast.net

AMITY TOWNSHIP

2004 Weavertown Road

Douglassville, PA 19518

610-689-6000 Fax: 610-689-9870

E-mail: jsowers@amitytownshippa.com

BALLY BOROUGH

425 Chestnut Street, P.O. Box 217

Bally, PA 19503

610-845-2351 Fax: 610-845-2023

E-mail: bally@comcast.net

BECHTELSVILLE BOROUGH

Bechtelsville Borough, Box 295

Bechtelsville, PA 19505

610-3678100 Fax: 610-3672167

BERN TOWNSHIP

1069 Old Bernville Road

Reading, PA 19605

610-9262267 Fax: 610-9269028

E-mail: ddejesus@bern.berksco.org

BERNVILLE BOROUGH

P.O. Box 40

Bernville, PA 19506

610-488-1591 Fax: 610-488-6425

E-mail: bernvilleboro@comcast.net

Municipalities

BETHEL TOWNSHIP

P.O. Box 24

Bethel, PA 19507

717-933-8813 Fax: 717-933-4642

BIRDSBORO BOROUGH

202 East Main Street

Birdsboro, PA 19508

610-582-6030 Fax: 610-582-6039

E-mail: Kwillman@birdsboro.berksco.org

BOYERTOWN BOROUGH

100 South Washington Street

Boyertown, PA 19512

610-369-3031

BRECKNOCK TOWNSHIP

889 Alleghenyville Road

Mohnton, PA 19540

717-445-6683 Fax: 717-445-6922

E-mail: dmartin@brecknock.berksco.org

CAERNARVON TOWNSHIP

3226 Main Street, P.O. Box 294

Morgantown, PA 19543

610-286-1010 Fax: 610-286-1001

CENTERPORT BOROUGH

P.O. Box 248

Centerport, PA 19516

610-916-5832 Fax: 610-916-5841

E-mail: centerportboro@comcast.net

CENTRE TOWNSHIP

449 Bucks Hill Road

Mohrsville, PA 19541

610-926-8833 Fax: 610-926-8832

COLEBROOKDALE TOWNSHIP

765 West Philadelphia Avenue

Boyertown, PA 19512

610-369-1362 Fax: 610-367-7538

E-mail: jdisante@colebrookdale.berksco.org

CUMRU TOWNSHIP

1775 Welsh Road

Mohnton, PA 19540

610-777-1343 Fax: 610-777-0850

E-mail: bocandpc@cumrutownship.org

DISTRICT TOWNSHIP

202 Weil Road

Boyertown, PA 19512

610-845-7595 Fax: 610-845-7596

E-mail: districttownship@dejazzd.com

DOUGLASS TOWNSHIP

1068 Douglass Drive

Boyertown, PA 19512

610-367-8500 Fax: 610-367-0360

E-mail: dougberks@comcast.net

EARL TOWNSHIP

19 Schoolhouse Road

Boyertown, PA 19512

610-367-9673 Fax: 610-367-0322

E-mail: earltownship@comcast.net

EXETER TOWNSHIP

4975 DeMoss Road

Reading, PA 19606

610-779-5660 Fax: 610-779-5950

E-mail: tbingaman@exetertownship.com

FLEETWOOD BOROUGH

110 West Arch Street, Suite 104

Fleetwood, PA 19522

610-944-8220 Fax: 610-944-9054

E-mail: fleetwoodboro@fleetwood.berksco.org

GREENWICH TOWNSHIP

775 Old Route 22

Lenhartsville, PA 19534

610-756-6707 Fax: 610-756-6099

HAMBURG BOROUGH

61 North Third Street

Hamburg, PA 19526

610-5627821 Fax: 610-5628461

E-mail: borohmbg@comcast.net

HEIDELBERG TOWNSHIP

P.O. Box 241

Robesonia, PA 19551

610-693-3197

HEREFORD TOWNSHIP

P.O. Box 225

Hereford, PA 18056

610-845-2929 Fax: 610-845-0616

E-mail: pwhite@herefordtownship.org

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP

5 Solly Lane, PO Box 339

Bernville, PA 18506

610-488-7047 Fax: 610-488-0562

E-mail: jtmbc@comcast.net

KENHORST BOROUGH

339 South Kenhorst Blvd.

Kenhorst, PA 19607

610-777-7327 Fax: 610-777-8980

E-mail: becker.kenhorst@comcast.net

KUTZTOWN BOROUGH

45 Railroad Street

Kutztown, PA 19530

610-683-6131 Fax: 610-683-6729

E-mail: bbray@kutztownboro.org

LAURELDALE BOROUGH

3406 Kutztown Road

Laureldale, PA 19605

610-929-8700 Fax: 610-929-4272

E-mail: abeakley@laureldaleboro.org

LEESPORT BOROUGH

PO Box 710

Leesport, PA 19533

610-926-2115 Fax: 610-916-3055

Municipalities

LENHARTSVILLE BOROUGH

PO Box 238

Lenhartsville, PA 19534

610-376-1531 Fax: 610-376-0857

LONGSWAMP TOWNSHIP

341 Woodland Road

Hamburg, PA 19526

610-682-7388 Fax: 610-682-9067

E-mail: jbons@ptd.net

LOWER ALSACE TOWNSHIP

1200 Carsonia Avenue

Reading, PA 19606

610-779-6400 Fax: 610-370-0797

LOWER HEIDELBERG TOWNSHIP

720 Brownsville Road

Sinking Spring, PA 19608

610-678-3393 Fax: 610-678-6626

E-mail: khain@lowerhbtwp.org

LYONS BOROUGH

P.O. Box 230

Lyon Station, PA 19536

610-682-4730 Fax: 610-682-0733

E-mail: borough19536@yahoo.com

MAIDENCREEK TOWNSHIP

P.O. Box 319

Blandon, PA 19510

610-926-4920 Fax: 610-926-6314

E-mail: maidentwp@aol.com

MARION TOWNSHIP

420 Water Street

Stouchsburg, PA 19567

610-589-2860 Fax: 610-589-5312

MAXATAWNY TOWNSHIP

127 Quarry Road, Suite 1

Kutztown, PA 19530

610-683-6518 Fax: 610-683-3518

E-mail: kaps@maxatawny.net

MOHNTON BOROUGH

21 North O’Neil Street

Mohnton, PA 19540

610-775-0660 Fax: 610-775-4419

MT PENN BOROUGH

John A. Becker Muni. Building, 200 North 25th

Street

Reading, PA 19606

610-779-5151 Fax: 610-779-5221

E-mail: mtpennborough@comcast.net

MUHLENBERG TOWNSHIP

5401 Leesport Avenue

Temple, PA 19560

610-929-4727 Fax: 610-921-3764

E-mail: jzettlemoyer@muhlenbergtwp.com

NEW MORGAN BOROUGH

5735 Morgantown Road

Morgantown, PA 19543

610-286-9666 Fax: 610-286-9955

E-mail: cwilliams@newmorganborough.org

NORTH HEIDELBERG TOWNSHIP

North Heidelberg Township

928 Charming Forge Road

Robesonia, PA 19551

610-488-1619 Fax: 610-488-9738

E-mail: nheidelbergtwp@comcast.net

OLEY TOWNSHIP

PO Box 19

Oley, PA 19547

610-987-3423 Fax: 610-987-9010

E-mail: oleytownship@hotmail.com

ONTELAUNEE TOWNSHIP

35 Ontelaunee Drive

Reading, PA 19605

610-9264240 Fax: 610-9265476

E-mail: ontel@epix.net

Municipalities

PENN TOWNSHIP

P.O. Box 130, 840 North Garfield Road

Bernville, PA 19506

610-488-1160 Fax: 610-488-0611

E-mail: penntwp@comcast.net

PERRY TOWNSHIP

680 Moselem Springs Road

Shoemakersville, PA 19555

610-562-2133 Fax: 610-562-9739

PIKE TOWNSHIP

810 Hill Church Road

Boyertown, PA 19512

610-987-6023 Fax: 610-987-0116

READING, CITY OF

City Hall, 815 Washington St.

Reading, PA 19601

610-655-6000

E-mail: mayor@readingpa.org

RICHMOND TOWNSHIP

P.O. Box 474

Fleetwood, PA 19522

610-944-0348 Fax: 610-944-6461

E-mail: richtwp@ptd.net

ROBESON TOWNSHIP

2689 Main Street

Birdsboro, PA 19508

610-582-4636 Fax: 610-582-0032

ROBESONIA BOROUGH

P.O. Box 191

Robesonia, PA 19551

610-6933474 Fax: 610-6935799

E-mail: lstolz@robesonia.berksco.org

ROCKLAND TOWNSHIP

P.O. Box 149

Bowers, PA 19511

610-682-6311 Fax: 610-682-4717

RUSCOMBMANOR TOWNSHIP

204 Oak Lane

Fleetwood, PA 19522

610-944-7242 Fax: 610-944-7265

E-mail: ruscotwp@ptd.net

SHILLINGTON BOROUGH

P.O. Box 247, 2 E. Lancaster Avenue

Shillington, PA 19607

610-777-1338 Fax: 610-777-6172

E-mail: jan@shillingtonboro.net

SHOEMAKERSVILLE BOROUGH

115 East 9th Street

Shoemakersville, PA 19555

610-562-8030 Fax: 610-562-4950

E-mail: shoeyboro@comcast.net

SINKING SPRING BOROUGH

3940 Penn Avenue

Sinking Spring, PA 19608

610-678-4903 Fax: 610-678-5802

E-mail: rshade@sinkingspring.berksco.org

SOUTH HEIDELBERG TOWNSHIP

68A North Galen Hall Road

Wernersville, PA 19565

610-678-9652 Fax: 610-678-9411

E-mail: rseaman@sheidtwp.org

SPRING TOWNSHIP

2850 WINDMILL ROAD, Cornwall Terrace

Reading, PA 19608

610-678-5393 Fax: 610-678-4571

ST. LAWRENCE BOROUGH

3540 St. Lawrence Avenue

Reading, PA 19606

610-779-1430 Fax: 610-779-9148

E-mail: stlawrence.boro@verizon.net

STRAUSSTOWN BOROUGH

P.O. Box 325

Strausstown, PA 19559

610-488-6187 Fax: 610-488-7371

E-mail: strausstown@comcast.net

Municipalities

TILDEN TOWNSHIP

874 Hex Highway

Hamburg, PA 19526

610-562-7410 Fax: 610-562-5490

E-mail: tildentwp@comcast.net

TOPTON BOROUGH

205 South Callowhill Street

Topton, PA 19562

610-6822541

TULPEHOCKEN TOWNSHIP

P.O. Box 272

Rehrersburg, PA 19550

717-933-5747 Fax: 717-933-4593

E-mail: tulpytwp@comcast.net

UNION TOWNSHIP

1445 East Main Street

Douglassville, PA 19518

610-582-3769 Fax: 610-582-4737

E-mail: unionberks@dejazzd.com

UPPER BERN TOWNSHIP

25 North Fifth Street, PO Box 185

Shartlesville, PA 19554

610-488-1191 Fax: 610-488-0444

E-mail: upperberntownship@yahoo.com

UPPER TULPEHOCKEN TOWNSHIP

6501 Old Route 22

Bernville, PA 19506

610-488-7170 Fax: 610-488-6394

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP

120 Barto Road, P O Box 52

Barto, PA 19504

610-845-7760 Fax: 610-845-8499

WERNERSVILLE BOROUGH

100 North Reber Street, P.O. Box 167

Wernersville, PA 19565

610-678-1486 Fax: 610-678-5983

WEST READING BOROUGH

Borough of West Reading, 500 Chestnut Street

West Reading, PA 19611

610-374-8273 Fax: 610-374-8419

E-mail: gtindall@westreadingborough.org

WINDSOR TOWNSHIP

730 Monument Road

Hamburg, PA 19526

610-562-3769 Fax: 610-562-9685

E-mail: clong1019@aol.com

WOMELSDORF BOROUGH

101 West High Street

Womelsdorf, PA 19567

610-589-4470 Fax: 610-589-5344

E-mail: womelsdorfborough@comcast.net

WYOMISSING BORO

Borough Hall, 22 Reading Boulevard

Wyomissing, PA 19610

610-376-7481 Fax: 610-376-8470

E-mail: mheim@wyopd.org

Municipalities

School Districts

ANTIETAM

100 Antietam Road

Reading, PA 19606

610-779-0554 Fax: 610-779-4424

www.antietamsd.org

BOYERTOWN

911 Montgomery Avenue

Boyertown, PA 19512

610-367-6031 Fax:610-369-7620

www.boyertownasd.org

BRANDYWINE HEIGHTS

200 W. Weis Street

Topton, PA 19562

610-682-5100 Fax: 610-682-5136

www.bhasd.k12.pa.us

CONRAD WEISER

44 Big Spring Road

Robesonia, PA 19551

610-693-8545 Fax: 610-693-8586

www.conradweiser.org

DANIEL BOONE

Matthew Brooke Building, Suite 200

321 N. Furnace Street

P.O. Box 490

Birdsboro, PA 19508

610-582-6140 Fax: 610-582-0059

www.dboone.k12.pa.us

EXETER TOWNSHIP

3650 Perkiomen Avenue

Reading, PA 19606

610-779-0700 Fax: 610-779-7104

FLEETWOOD

801 N. Richmond Street

Fleetwood, PA 19522

610-944-8111 Fax:610-944-9408

www.fleetwoodasd.k12.pa.us/

GOVERNOR MIFFLIN

10 S. Waverly Street

Shillington, PA 19607

610-775-1461 Fax: 610-775-6586

www.governormifflinsd.org

HAMBURG

Windsor Street

Hamburg, PA 19526-0401

610-562-2241 Fax: 610-562-2634

www.hasdhawks.org

KUTZTOWN

50 Trexler Avenue

Kutztown, PA 19530

610-683-7361 Fax: 610-683-7230

www.kasd.org

MUHLENBERG

801 Bellevue Avenue

Laureldale, PA 19605-1799

610-921-8000 Fax: 610-921-8076

www.muhlsdk12.org

OLEY

17 Jefferson Street

Oley, PA 19547

610-987-4100

www.oleyvalleysd.org

READING AREA

800 Washington Street

Reading, PA 19601-3691

610-371-5611 Fax: 610-371-5971

www.readingsd.org

SCHUYLKILL VALLEY

929 Lakeshore Drive

Leesport, PA 19533-8631

610-916-0957 Fax: 610-926-3960

www.schuylkillvalley.org

TULPEHOCKEN

27 Rehrersburg Road

Bethel, PA 19507

717-933-4611 Fax: 717-933-9724

www.tulpehocken.org

TWIN VALLEY

4851 N. Twin Valley Road

Elverson, PA 19520-9310

Superintendent’s Office: 610-286-8611

Business Office: 610-286-8652

Fax: 610-286-8608

www.tvsd.org

WILSON

2601 Grandview Boulevard

West Lawn, PA 19609-1324

610-670-0180 Fax: 610-670-9101

www.wilson.k12.pa.us

WYOMISSING

630 Evans Avenue

Wyomissing, PA 19610-2636

610-374-0739 Fax: 610-374-0948

www.wyoarea.org

P.O. Box 730

Kutztown, PA 19530

610-683-4000

www.kutztown.edu

Ten South Second Street

P.O. Box 1706

Reading, PA 19603-170

610-372-4721 or 800-626-1665

Tulpehocken Road

P.O. Box 7009

Reading, PA 19610

610-396-6000

13th and Bern Streets

P.O. BOX 15234

Reading, PA 19612-5234

610-921-2381

Bernardine Street

Reading, PA 19607

1-888-ALVERNIA

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