Shelly Freeman

The meeting commenced with an executive session. Business from the floor addressed new procedures for visitor decorum, including time limits for addressing supervisors and a request for complaints to be emailed prior to the meeting. A resident discussed water pressure in McIntosh and fire flow; it was confirmed that a booster pump is being added, and RAWA assured adequate fire flow. A suggestion was made regarding the fitting of manhole covers after road work. The Board approved the Tax Collector report for January 2026. The Engineer's Report covered several land development matters, including scheduled hearings for Cambridge Lee Industries and Reading Plastics Machining & Fabrication, discussion on the McIntosh Farms III sewer capacity agreement, and updates on the Snyder Business Park and Miele Group Land Development. Engineering updates included progress on traffic signal improvements funded by a grant, the prioritization of road improvements, and updates on the Ashley Pump Station upgrades. Multiple motions were passed related to granting extensions for preliminary plan reviews (Epting Tract and Gasperi Tract), approving a sewer capacity agreement for Full Service Plus, approving a contract time extension for the TASA Project, approving a payment to Met-Ed for traffic signal electrical services, authorizing the Chairman to sign a Highway Occupancy Permit for Snyder Business Center, and authorizing bids for road projects (Mohrsville Road, Ontelaunee Drive, and Willow Creek Road). The Solicitor provided an update on the ZHB case for 161 Bewley Lane and authorized an agreement for upgrading Pump Station #7 at the developer's estimated cost. In Old Business, the animal control issue remained under review, and the plow crew's performance during the recent snow event was commended, resulting in an approved motion to order donated trees for the park area. New Business included the ratification of purchasing two copier/printer/scanners and the hiring of a part-time snow plow driver.

This ordinance establishes the Ontelaunee Township Traffic Impact Fee Program. Its primary purpose is to ensure that the transportation system is available and adequate to support new growth and development by creating an impact fee payable to the Township at the time of building permit issuance. Key provisions include the imposition of impact fees, specific exemptions, detailed calculation methods, administrative procedures for collection and accounting, and policies for credits and refunds. It also clarifies the effect of these fees on zoning, planned residential development (PRD), and subdivision regulations, positioning the impact fee as an additional and supplemental requirement for development.

The meeting included reports from Emergency Services (Fire Department, Police Department for November 2025, EMS for December 2025) and discussions regarding resident concerns, such as water leak alerts and high water bills. A resident presented concerns regarding damage near a bridge on W. Huller, and the board was advised to contact PA DOT. A significant discussion involved the ordinance regarding campers/trailers at Las Cabanas, with the Supervisors voting to stand firm and proceed with enforcement action against unresolved issues, including occupancy violations and unreported employee cash payments. Tax Collector reports for December 2025 were approved. Engineer's reports covered several subdivision and land development projects, including McIntosh Farms III (conditional use hearing scheduled), Schuylkill Valley School District Field House, Snyder Business Park, and Crow Holdings Land Development. Action was taken to approve a sewer facilities planning module exemption for 130 Dries Road, and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU 2) with the Reading Area Water Authority regarding the Ashley Pump Station upgrades and water tank. A new ordinance was adopted to make the intersection of Adams Road and Sunglo Drive a four-way stop. The board also discussed the payment schedule and cost allocation for the Forino McIntosh III sewer capacity agreement, ultimately denying a request to cover pump station upgrade costs from the initial payment. Finally, expenditures for December 2025 were approved, and the Supervisors gratefully accepted an offer from Berks Nature for tree planting in April 2026.

The reorganization meeting included several key administrative actions. The Supervisors appointed Jeremy Hoagland as Chairman and Chuck Grebloski as Vice Chairman. Kim Y. Berger was appointed as Secretary/Treasurer and bonded for $1,000,000. Appointments were made for Solicitor (Hartman, Valeriano, Magovern and Lutz) and Township Engineer (Arro Consulting, Inc.), both terms set to expire at the January 2027 reorganization meeting. Procedures were established, including setting the regular meeting time for the first Thursday of the month and the Planning Commission meeting for the third Thursday of the month. Gas mileage compensation was set according to IRS rates. Other appointments included Berks EIT for tax collection, Ryan Wessner for zoning and code enforcement roles, JB Environmental Services LLC as sewage enforcement officer, Rudy Schmehl as vacancy board chairman, Charles Grebloski and Josh Steingraber for the Northern Berks Regional Police Department roles, Kevin Burns as Emergency Management Coordinator, and Ron Kessler as Fire Marshal. Resolutions were adopted to appoint Long Barrell & Co. Ltd. to audit the 2025 accounts, appoint Ronald Tobias to the Zoning Hearing Board, and approve the building and zoning fees for 2026. The Board also approved participation in the Uniform Construction Code Countywide Appeals Board.

Key discussions and actions during the meeting included addressing a resident's concern regarding mailbox damage from snow plows. The Board reviewed and approved reports for Tax Collection (November 2025) and expenditures for October 2025. Significant engineering updates covered ongoing land development projects, including McIntosh Farms III, Schuylkill Valley School District Field House, Snyder Business Park, and Crow Holdings (CHI) Traffic Signal Upgrade Project, with recommendations for bid awards and extension requests. Water and Sanitary Sewer System Engineering reports noted progress on conduit installation and agreements with RAWA. Operational reports included an SSO event at PS #3 requiring PADEP notification. The Supervisors awarded the bid for the Traffic Signal and School flasher improvements and authorized the solicitor to draft an ordinance for a 4-way stop at Adams Road and Sunglo Drive. Furthermore, the Board adopted a resolution setting the 2026 tax millage, appointed an auditor, and reappointed two members to the Planning Commission. An executive session was held at the end of the meeting.