EXETEREXETER COMMUNITYCOMMUNITY NEWSNEWS Edition 1 First Quarter, 2015 2015 Budget Adopted No Real Estate Tax Increase Your Township Budget has been approved by the Board of Supervisors without a real estate tax increase. The General Fund budget includes revenues of $9,555,653 a 2% increase over 2014; and, expenses of $9,815,661, a 1.9% increase over 2014. The budget will use $260,008 in excess fund balance reserves as well as $242,622 Understanding Your transferred from Sewer Fund income generated through the hauled- Property Tax Bills in waste program. The total tax rate will remain at 2.87 mil which equates to $287 on a property assessed at $100,000. The Of your total annual property tax bills: breakdown of your township tax rate is as follows: 1.815 mil for • 75% goes to Exeter School District general purposes (police, public works, parks & recreation, • 18% goes to Berks County building, zoning & code enforcement, library and administration); • 7% comes to Exeter Township .555 mil for fire services and .50 mil for debt service. The total Township Budget for 2015 (all funds) includes revenues of $19,894,533 and expenses of $22,104,093. The sources and uses of these funds are depicted in the charts found on page 2. The Board and staff have many challenges ahead in managing the Township. With an eye towards increased revenue, the Board will be considering initiatives to promote economic development within the Township and may consider alternative governmental structure in order to have more flexibility with taxing structure. They may also enter into talks with neighboring municipalities to discuss the possibility of intergovernmental cooperation. Your input and participation is always welcome!
Transition to Combined Fire & Emergency Medical Services (EMS) After several months of discussions regarding emergency medical services, the Board of Supervisors has appointed the Exeter Township Volunteer Fire Department as primary provider of 911 Emergency Medical Services effective March 23rd. The Exeter Ambulance Association will cease being the primary 911 provider on this date. Rest assured all 2015 memberships paid to Exeter Ambulance will be honored. The Board of Supervisors appreciates the service provided by both organizations for many years. The Ambulance and Fire Department pledged to continue a dialogue for a smooth transition and collaborative effort. During this transition and in the future, the Fire Department has assured the Township Supervisors and residents there will be no lapse in coverage with an equal or greater level of service. It is the Board’s goal to provide high-quality emergency medical services in the most economically viable way at the least expense to the taxpayers. Additional communication will follow as the details of this transition are finalized. EXETEREXETER COMMUNITYCOMMUNITY NEWSNEWS ...continued from cover page article “2015 Budget Adopted” $ $ , ,
Health & Welfare $ 29,900 Revenue Sources Amount Miscellaneous $ 37,409 Fire Relief Association $20,000,000 $ 175,000 Fines $126,800 $20,000,000 Recycling $ 201,500 Miscellaneous $256,936 Gen Property & Liability Ins $ 237,715 Licenses & Permits $387,950 Interfund Transfers $ 664,677 Interest Received $465,867 General Government $ 760,116 Transfers & Other Sources $843,677 $15,000,000 Highway / Public Works $ 2,677,847 Grants & State Funding $1,514,897 $15,000,000 Culture & Recreation $ 2,957,434 Charges for Services $7,835,081 Wastewater Treatment $ 3,683,215 Taxes $8,463,325 Debt Service $ 3,865,903 $19,894,533 $10,000,000 Public Safety $ 6,813,377
$10,000,000 $ 22,104,093 $5,000,000
$5,000,000 $- 1 Public Safety $6,813,377
2015 Projected Revenues Debt Service $3,865,903 Wastewater Treatment $3,683,215 $0 2015 Budgeted Expenditures 1 Culture & Recreation $2,957,434 Taxes $8,463,325 Highway / Public Works $2,677,847 Charges for Services $7,835,081 General Government $760,116 Grants & State Funding $1,514,897 Interfund Transfers $664,677 Transfers & Other Sources $843,677 Gen Property & Liability Ins $237,715 Interest Received $465,867 Recycling $201,500 Licenses & Permits $387,950 Fire Relief Association $175,000 Miscellaneous $256,936 Miscellaneous $37,409 Fines $126,800 Health & Welfare $29,900
2 EXETEREXETER COMMUNITYCOMMUNITY NEWSNEWS
Spring Book & Bake Sale Reading Country Club The Friends of the Exeter Library is pleased to be a local venue for Spring Book and Bake Sale is scheduled for the following dates: Berks Jazz Fest 2015 For Friends Members only: April 10th to 19th April 28th, from 4-8pm More details available soon! For the Public: April 30th - May 1st, 12-7pm May 2nd, 9am - 1pm WINTER RATES (bag of books for only $5) $35 Non-Resident $30 Exeter We have adult and Resident & Seniors children's books, non- 2015 Memberships fiction, hard cover and Weekday-Only Memberships $1,450 paperback, and all kinds 7-Day Memberships $1,850 of special books. The 2015 Outing dates still available baked goods are all Pro Shop 610-779-1626 homemade by the Friends. Something for everyone!
VVooted as a ““FavFavorite” Senior Living in the St. Joseph Health Network Reading Eagle “P“People’’ss Choice Awards
Exeter/Shelbourne Square **Veteran Benefits & You** 5438 Perkiomen Avenue 610-404-2230 Tuesday, March 24th, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. EKG* For Veterans, Widows of Veterans Lab Services* & their Families Digital Mammography Call for info or to register. Physical Therapy Sports Medicine ** Casino Bus Trips** Medical Fitness Jan. 20th & Feb. 17th – Hollywood & March - TBA X-ray* Leaves Berkshire at 9am & Returns 6pm *No Appointment Required Cost $27 (receive $25 slot play & food credit) Photo ID needed, call to R.S.V.P. Please visit our website at TheFutureOfHealthcare.org 5485 Perkiomen Avenue for a complete listing of outpatient locations, services and hours. 610-779-3993
3 SEASONALSEASONAL NEWSNEWS Let It Snow... Let It Snow... Mailbox Replacement Policy Let It Snow... Unfortunately, during snow storms, sometimes mailboxes and mailbox posts become victims of As the snow falls this year, the snow thrown from snow plows. remember that, as property owners, In order to be fair, the Township developed a you are required, by ordinance, to policy for the replacement of damaged items. keep 3 feet of sidewalk clear of snow The Township will replace a damaged mailbox for pedestrians and also 3 feet and post with a standard mailbox and post, or will around fire hydrants. Note that it is unlawful to pay the homeowner $15 to replace a damaged deposit the snow or ice onto public streets. mailbox and/or $20 to replace a pressure treated As usual, Exeter’s highway crews will be ready post for a total of $35 if both are damaged. to clear the streets. Since plows push snow to the Installation of the replacement mailbox and post sides of the streets and can block the entrance to will be the responsibility of the homeowner. driveways, residents are advised to wait to clear the Residents with damage can purchase the items end of their driveways and walkways until after the and bring the bill to the Township for plow has cleared their street. Residents living on reimbursement or can request a new mailbox cul-de-sacs will have to wait longer to have their and/or post by calling (610) 779-5660. section of the road cleared because often they require loaders and smaller trucks for clearing and there are only three loaders available for this purpose and we have 85 cul-de-sacs! Residents are asked to please be patient as the crews will work as fast as they can.
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4 SEASONALSEASONAL NEWSNEWS
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5 PARKSPARKS ANDAND RECREC Get Ready for the “Egg-citing”Easter Egg Scramble The Easter Bunny will be hopping and dropping eggs filled with treats all over Community Park for the kiddie residents of Exeter Township. We also have a special scramble for adults only! This annual event has been scheduled for Saturday, March 21st beginning at 11am. The rain date is Saturday, March 28th. Children ages 1-2 will begin first, followed by children ages 3-4; then 5-6 year olds; and finishing with children ages 7-9. Adult scramble to follow. No pre-registration is necessary. We are always in need of sponsors/donations for both the kid prizes and adult prizes. Contact Joe Seltzer at 610-406-0263 or [email protected] if you can help.
2015 Annual Events Schedule
March 21st “Easter Egg Scramble” 11am at Community Park (Rain Date - March 28th) May 14-16th “May Days” from 3pm to 10pm at Exeter High School May 30th “Playground Registration” from 10am to 1pm at the Dunn Community Center on Prestwick Drive June 1st “Basketball-Players League” ages 12-15 at Community Park June 2nd “Basketball-Instructional League” ages 7-11 at Community Park June 15th “Playground Programs Begin” at Exeter Parks June 15th “Tennis” for ages 6-14 begins at Community Park June 15th “Field Hockey” for ages 8-14 at Community Park June 16th “Street Hockey” for ages 9-14 at Lorane Hollow Park June 16th “LaCrosse” for ages 9-13 at Community Park September 12th “8th Annual Exeter Games” 12pm at Pineland Park (Rain Date - September 13th) September 25th “14th Annual Exeter Golf Tournament” at RCC October 9th-11th “14th Annual Hayride” from 6:30pm to 9:30pm at Trout Run December 7th “Festival of Lights” 6pm at the Reading Country Club
For More Information Registration forms for all events can be found on Exeter’s Website at www.exetertownship.com Forms can also be picked up at all Exeter Elementary and Middle Schools; at the Township Building, 4975 DeMoss Road; and information can be found on Exeter’s page on Facebook or by calling Joe Seltzer, Parks & Recreation Superintendent at (610) 406-0263.
6 CREATION CREATION NEWSNEWS DISCOUNT SKI TICKETS AVAILABLE! Discount ski tickets are now available for the following resorts: Bear Creek, Big Boulder/Jack Frost, Blue Mt., Camelback, Elk Mt., Montage Mt., Roundtop/Liberty/Whitetail, Seven Springs and Shawnee Mt. Tickets can be picked up at the Exeter Township Building. For prices please see the list on the parks & recreation page of our website at www.exetertownship.com Discount amusement park tickets will be available this summer as well.
FARMING RIDGE PARK TO OPEN PLAYGROUND PROGRAM THIS SUMMER Farming Ridge Park, and its brand new pavilion and play area, will have a playground program for children ages 8 to 11. The program will run Monday thru Thursday from 9am to 2pm. Every Friday the playground program will go on a special trip and times will vary. More information about the program will be available in the spring newsletter and our website when available.
CHANGES TO PLAYGROUND PROGRAM THIS SUMMER Due to safety concerns, and the opening of the Farming Ridge Park playground program, we will be changing the age groups at our Tot-Lot Program and our Sports Camp. The Tot-Lot program, held at Community Park, will now be available for children ages 4 to 7. Our Sports Camp will now be available to children ages 11 to 15. The times for each camp will remain the same. More information will be given in our next newsletter and on our website when summer approaches.
ALCOHOL PERMITS AT TROUT RUN The Exeter Township Board of Supervisors has allowed the purchase of alcohol permits for the Trout Run picnic area for select gatherings and special events. Permits will be granted on per/application basis. The Trout Run Pavilion is available for rental from March until the first weekend in August. We are still working out all of the details. More information on how the process will work will be available in our next newsletter and on our website when available. Group Exercise Classes at the Dunn Community Center Classes are ongoing and you can register anytime. Flyers and registration forms can be obtained on our website at www.exetertownship.com or at the Township Building at 4975 DeMoss Road. More information is available by contacting Joe Seltzer at 610-406-0263 or [email protected], Mary at 610-334-9287, or Kristen (for zumba) at 484-824-2205. The cost is $40 for one 10-week session; $75 for two; and, $115 for three. Cardio Sculpt and Tone- Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30pm to 6:20pm. This is a total infusion class using bars and weights with combined short cardio intervals for a maximum calorie and toning burn. Zumba - Tuesdays and Thursdays (zumba toning) from 6:30pm to 7:20pm. Get in shape and have a blast. Zumba toning targets body sculpting using light weights and combines Zumba moves to great music for a high calorie-burning dance fitness class. Bums and Tums - New class! Tuesdays from 5:30pm to 6:20pm. This class will focus on abs and bottoms through a variety of exercises by toning and tightening these sometimes stubborn areas. Gentle Yoga - New Class! Thursdays from 5:30 to 6:20pm. A gentle mix of Hatha and Asana Yoga which can be modified for all skill levels. Relaxing and invigorating!
7 EMERGENCYEMERGENCY SERVICESSERVICES NEWSNEWS The Exeter Township Voluteer Fire Department in OUR COMMUNITY!
In October and November 2014, the Exeter Township Volunteer Fire Department Fire Prevention and Safety Team, performed over 20 fire prevention classes and taught over 300 students the importance of fire prevention and safety! This outstanding group of people is truly making a difference in our community by teaching our youth the importance of fire prevention and safety. If you would like to join our team, please contact Chris Jordan at [email protected].
Making Spirits Brighter... On Thursday, December 18th over 30 members of the Exeter Township Volunteer Fire Department got together at Boscov's East in Exeter for the inaugural "Making Spirits Brighter with a Firefighter" event!! With the help of donations from our members, the community, and local businesses, twenty one local children were chosen to Shop with a Firefighter. Each child was given a $100 Boscov's gift card and got to shop with an ETVFD firefighter for gifts for the holiday season.
JOIN NOW and possibly earn $2,000 or more in incentives to help offset expenses when you join the Exeter Township Fire Department. Email [email protected] for details!
Thank you to everyone that supported our Annual ExeteretxE er Medical CCentererent Christmas Tree Sale and our Annual Operations Fund 4885 DeMoss Road, Reading, PPAA 19606 Drive! Without your support, we would not be able to provide the excellent fire protection to the residents.
Reading Health Physician Reading Health Physician Network, Internal Medicine Network, Women’s Health Suite 200 Suite 101 EXETER John C. Heisey, MD Deborah P. Consoli, MD Bertrand J. High, MD Thomas M. Ebersole, MD Alan P. Levine, MD William J. West, Jr., MD 610-898-5660 Jeffrey C. Zerby, MD Rebecca McClure, CRNP Ashley A. Williams, PA-C 610-898-7000 For more information, call 484-628-HELP (4357) 3209 Oley Turnpike Road • St. Lawrence, Reading, PA 19606 or visit www.readinghealth.org. p6107797609• fax 610 779.8053 • email: [email protected]
8 POLICEPOLICE NEWSNEWS Long-Time Police Sergeant Retires The Exeter Police Department is proud to announce the honorable retirement of Sergeant George “Dave” Johnson. Sgt. Johnson was hired as an Exeter Township Police Officer in 1984. In the years prior, he served in the United States Air Force before working as a Borough of Mt. Penn Police Officer for five years. Sgt. Johnson has devoted 31 years of faithful service to Exeter Township—25 of those as Sergeant. He has served in many capacities, including as a crime prevention officer, traffic unit supervisor, evidence processing technician, and high-risk patrol supervisor. Additionally, Sgt. Johnson is a graduate of the F.B.I. Investigations School. His numerous areas of expertise and knowledge have been very beneficial and have assisted in transforming the Police Department into the professional organization it is today. During his years of dedicated service, Sgt. Johnson has responded to and investigated many diverse situations and crimes. He has enjoyed the daily variety that police work offers—from basic traffic duties such as issuing parking tickets—to the extensive, detailed responsibilities such as investigating homicide scenes. The unsung incidents of helping the public in a time of need—the widow without power on Christmas Eve, for example—are the accomplishments of which he is most proud. He is extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to serve the public for so many years. When asked what he will miss most about police work, Sgt. Johnson responded, “The camaraderie among officers, and the excitement of responding to the unknown.” Although there are many things that Sgt. Johnson will miss, he will not miss the long hours, missed family time, and stress that police work places on families. Having provided faithful and dedicated service to the residents of Exeter for over three decades, Sergeant Johnson looks forward to travelling and spending more time with his wife Pat and their family. He has been a valuable asset to the Police Department and will be greatly missed. On behalf of the Exeter Township Police Department, we would like to extend our utmost gratitude to Sergeant Johnson for his many years of service and wish him a long, healthy, and happy retirement.
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9 POLICEPOLICE NEWSNEWS Exeter Detective Wins Law Enforcement Award
On October 1st, 2014 Crime Alert Berks County held an awards banquet to honor individuals who have proven to be vital in the success of the organization. Exeter’s Detective Michael Godshall won the Law Enforcement Award for his contributions. For the past few years, Detective Godshall has volunteered to be the Crime Alert Berks Coordinator to oversee the submissions of “Crime of the Week” that appears in the Reading Eagle and WFMZ Channel 69 News. At the banquet, (left to right) Township Manager Detective Godshall coordinates with all of Berks County Law Troy Bingaman, Det. Michael Godshall, Police Chief Enforcement to obtain special crimes in various municipalities that may Chistopher Neidert, and Event Sponsor Hamid need extra media attention. He sorts through the various submissions Chaudhry from law enforcement, reviews the information and completes the article report that is then forwarded to the media. The “Crime of the Week” submissions have led to numerous “tips” being called into Crime Alert that resulted in arrests for various crimes that have been committed throughout Berks County. To date, Crime Alert is responsible for receiving tips that led to 581 arrests and have paid out $375,324 to Tipsters. For more information on Crime Alert Berks, please visit their website at www.alertberks.org.
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10 POLICEPOLICE NEWSNEWS Exeter Police K9 Teams Win in Competition
On September 28, 2014, officers from the Exeter Township Police Department participated in the 2014 Lehigh Valley Police K9 Trials at the Salisbury High School Stadium in Lehigh Valley. The Officers and K9 partners competed against other teams in the region in various exercises including; obedience, narcotics search, fastest dog, tactical obedience, and call-off (closest to the decoy before obeying the “call-off” command to stop the attack). The event was attended by a crowd interested in seeing the teams in action and, thanks to sponsors, $2,000 was raised to help families of fallen officers.
Officer Terry Reichart & K9 Kaz (at right) earned the top overall winner for the second year in a row! The Reichart/Kaz team took 1st place in obedience, 2nd place in fastest dog & 3rd place in tactical obedi- ence.
Officer Brian Eveland & K9 Nitro (at left) took home 3rd place in call-offs.
The township, Chief Christopher Neidert and the Police Department are very proud of our K9 teams! You can see pictures of the event at http://photodo.smugmug.com/LVHK92014
AllExeterHomes.com The Exeter Specialists We Know Our Neighborhood Chris & Linda Strain 610-670-2770 x3073 See every home available in Exeter with one easy click!
11 EXETEREXETER COMMUNITYCOMMUNITY NEWSNEWS 2015 Meeting Dates Board of Supervisors Second & Fourth Monday of Each Month (except May) at 7pm January 12th, January 26th, February 9th, February 23rd, March 9th, March 23rd, April 13th, April 27th, May 11th, May 26th, June 8th, June 22nd, July 13th, July 27th, August 10th, August 24t, September 14th, September 28th, October 12th, October 26th, November 9th, November 23rd, December 14th, December 28th
Planning Commission Third Monday of Each Month at 7pm January 19th, February 16th, March 16th, April 20th, May 18th, June 15th, July 20th, August 17th, September 21st, October 19th, November 16th, December 21st
EDAC First Monday (except January & September) at 7pm January 7th, February 2nd, March 2nd, April 6th, May 4th, June 1st, July 6th, August 3rd, September 9th, October 5th, November 2nd, December 7th
All Meetings are open to the public and are held at the Township Hall, 4975 DeMoss Road, Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania. Meetings are also posted on our website calendar at www.exetertownship.com, including agendas, which are posted the Friday before the meetings.
PRESORTED EXETER TOWNSHIP STANDARD US POSTAGE 4975 DEMOSS ROAD PAID READING, PA READING, PA 19606 PERMIT NO.477
Office Hours 8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M. Monday thru Friday Contact Phone Numbers POSTAL PATRON Administration (610) 779-5660 Police (610) 779-1490 Parks & Rec. (610) 406-0263 Engineering (610) 779-5702 Treatment Plant (610) 582-8300 Newsletter (610) 779-5660 RCC Pro Shop (610) 779-1626 RCC Restaurant (610) 779-1000