Welcome to Amity Township!

DEWATERED DIGESTED SEWAGE SLUDGE, GRIT & SCREENINGS HAULING & DISPOSAL

Amity Township will accept Sealed Bids until 10:00 A.M., prevailing time, on Friday, April 12, 2024 and will be opened publicly, immediately thereafter.  Consideration of Award will be at the Board of Supervisors meeting to be held April 17, 2024 at 7:00PM. Specifications may be obtained HERE or picked up in the Township Building Monday through Friday from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.  The Bid consists of several removal and disposal options and we reserve the right to enter into a contract for any or all of such options. The quantities listed on the bid sheet are estimates, and are subject to change, depending which removal and/or disposal option(s) are selected.  We are requesting bids for a (3) three-year and (5) five-year term for any or all of the selected options.  The Amity Township Board of Supervisors hereby reserves the right, which is understood and agreed to by all Bidders, to reject any and all Bids and to waive any omissions, errors, mistakes, defects or irregularities in any Bid.  Successful Bidders will be required to execute an Agreement with the Township and provide Certificate of Insurance, naming Amity Township as additional insured.

County/Township Real Estate Taxes now Payable by Credit/Debit

New Online Option to Pay County Real Estate Taxes Rolling Out to Additional County Districts

Amity Township (District 24) has joined Mohnton Borough (District 65), the City of Reading (Districts 01-19), Spring Township (District 80), and Leesport Borough (District 92) on being able to pay outstanding annual and interim real estate tax bills via credit/debit cards.

All outstanding tax bills issued within the calendar year will be combined into one payment.  The bill(s) must be paid in full; no partial payments are permitted.   The option to select and pay only one bill (if more than one bill is outstanding) is not available.

This online option is for county/municipal real estate taxes only.  Delinquent taxes, school taxes, and any other taxes (such as per capita) are not paid through this site.  Delinquent tax payments can be made via the Tax Claim website.  See the link below.

If choosing this option to pay outstanding current year real estate taxes, a service fee will be applied by the vendor for all payments processed.  These fees are not collected by the county or any associated municipality.  The service fee is calculated when the credit card option is selected during the payment process.  The associated fee will display in the “service fee” field on the screen and the total will be adjusted accordingly.  After the total has been updated, if the taxpayer chooses to continue with the online payment, they will enter their payment information and complete the online payment process.

Tax parcels can be searched online to see if there are outstanding annual or interim tax bills.  When searching a parcel, the system will display a listing of any outstanding bill(s) and the current amount due.  The tax amount due reflects the current period of collection and may change as time passes.  Copies of the bills are not provided.  If you wish to request a copy of a tax bill, please contact the appropriate municipal tax collector.  If a tax bill has been paid, the parcel search will respond with a note indicating the current bill has been paid and no data will be displayed.  This search should not be used as a replacement for certifications of taxes paid.  Certification of Taxes Paid should still be requested from the appropriate tax collector.

Access to the online option for tax payments can be found on the Berks County website in the Treasurer section under Government.  The link is also accessible via the municipality websites.  The Berks County website will continue to be updated as additional districts are added to the online payment functionality.

Questions regarding the online payment options should be directed to the Berks County Treasurer’s Office.

Links:

New, online payment option for current annual county/municipal real estate taxes
https://paytaxonline.countyofberks.com/CurrentYearTax/

Delinquent county/municipal property tax payments
https://www.countyofberks.com/departments/tax-claim-bureau/delinquent-tax-search

Emergency Notifications

Want to be informed of Emergency Notifications and or Public Service Announcements? Please register at this link https://swift911v4.swiftreach.com/  You can choose text, email or both. Messages would come from “Amity Twp EOC”  This notification system will be used for road closures, police incidents and other events relevant to our Community.

2024 Recycling Schedule Unchanged

Recycling Collection will follow the same schedule as in 2023. The new flyer with a calendar of collection dates was mailed by JP Mascaro to all residences within Amity Township. If you did not receive it, we have additional copies in the Township office or you can download it here 2024 Recycling Schedule.

Please remember to put your materials out the night before collection is scheduled and secure your bin to prevent spillage or materials from blowing around the neighborhood. Cardboard boxes need to be broken down to a flat state to maximize room in the truck. If JP Mascaro & Sons misses your materials please call us as soon as possible after you notice the miss so we can contact them to return (depending on time of day, this may be the next day). If you miss a collection, there is a large dumpster at the Township building where you can dispose of your recyclables.

Business Registration Notices Issued

In late 2020, the Board of Supervisors adopted an Ordinance establishing a Business registry. The registry will provide Township staff with the required information as may be needed for emergencies as well as code compliance! No Impact Home Based Businesses and Home Occupations are exempt from these requirements. A more detailed description is below along with links to the form of required information and our current fee schedule.

In order that the Township may best perform its services for the benefit of the community and the businesses therein, a centralized registry of all businesses is hereby established. Every person who shall first commence to engage in or conduct any business within the Township at any time after the first day of January of any year shall register such business within 30 days of the commencement of such business and pay the full registration fee as set by Resolution of the Board of Supervisors, provided that, when such initial registration shall take place in the month of December of any year, such registration also shall be applicable for the calendar year ensuing; provided, further, that every person who shall continue to engage in or conduct any business within the Township, at any time after the first day of January of any year shall have reregistered said business no later than the first day of March of said year and shall pay the full re-registration fee as set by Resolution of the Board of Supervisors. The initial registration or subsequent registration of a business shall be upon a form furnished by the Township, and the person shall pay the registration or re-registration fee, as the case may be, at the time of the registration or re-registration.

When any person registered under this article shall change their place of business within the Township, shall remove such business to a place outside the Township, shall discontinue such business, or shall transfer the business to any person, they shall furnish the information of such change, removal, discontinuance, as the case may be, within 10 days after the same, to the Zoning Officer, so that the register of businesses may be changed accordingly. Upon any change of ownership of any business which shall have been registered under this article, the new owner thereof, within 10 days after the acquisition thereof, shall furnish such information to the Zoning Officer, so that the register of businesses may be changed accordingly.

Fire & EMS Review and Recommendations

Last November, the Board of Supervisors entered into a contract with VFIS to conduct an Emergency Services Assessment. As a result of this assessment, the report linked within this post outlines their analysis of the current status of Fire and Emergency Medical Services within Amity Township. Included within the report are various recommendations for the Fire Departments, EMS provider and Township to consider.  The Supervisors established a Committee to work through the report findings and to make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors for the improvements/enhancement of emergency services being provided in Amity.

Amity Township Report – FINAL

Strategic Planning Actions by Year   This is directly from the report. Note, due to the timing of finalizing the report and holding our review meeting with the Fire Departments, the associated years are delayed, ie: 2021 becomes 2022, etc.

A five (5) year recap of the sources and uses of the Townships Fire Tax can be viewed here:   Fire Tax Sources and Uses

Changes to Election Code Makes Voting More Convenient

The Election Services Office would like to inform you about some very significant changes to the Election Code.

Act 77 Makes Historic Changes to PA Election Code

On October 31, 2019, Governor Wolf signed Act 77 of 2019 into law.  The Act is an historic election reform bill that makes the most significant improvements to Pennsylvania’s elections in more than 80 years. Act 77 allows more convenient and secure voting.  Most voters can now vote by mail-in ballot, and voters will have more time to register to vote and to return their absentee or mail-in ballots. There are a number of other improvements, click on the following link to learn more: http://www.co.berks.pa.us/De…/Elections/Pages/Act%2077.aspx…

PA voters can skip the lines on election day. Voters have two options for mail ballots, mail-in voting and absentee voting. If the voter does not qualify for an absentee ballot, they can apply for a mail-in ballot without a reason.
Absentee Ballot Application – http://www.co.berks.pa.us/…/Absentee_Ballot_Application%201…
Mail-In Ballot Application – http://www.co.berks.pa.us/…/ap…/PADOS_MailinApplication.pdf…

Don’t Forget to License Your Dog

The Department of Agriculture is reminding dog owners to be sure they get a license.

All dogs three months of age and older are required to be licensed. The fee for an annual dog license is $8.70.  Lifetime licenses are available for dogs that have permanent identification such as a microchip or tattoo ($52.70). Discounts are available for qualifying older adults and persons with disabilities (Annual $6.70, Lifetime $36.70).

Licensing dollars support the work of the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement, which inspects Pennsylvania’s kennels and ensures the health and well-being of the dogs that spend their lives there; investigates and prosecutes illegal kennels and bad actors; protects the public by monitoring PA’s dangerous dogs and investigating dog bites; and reunites licensed lost dogs with their families and helps unlicensed lost dogs find shelter.

Pennsylvania dog licenses are available for purchase through Pennsylvania’s county treasurers. To ensure you’re purchasing a legitimate license and not being scammed, skip the search engine  and type www.licenseyourdogpa.pa.gov into your browser’s address bar find your county treasurer’s information.

Yard Waste / Brush Disposal / Christmas Tree Collection

The Yard Waste dumpsters, located at the Township Building have been relocated to the back of the parking lot across from the new Salt Shed.  Follow the new signage as staff will begin chipping evergreens and branches in the near future.  Beginning January 2nd, Christmas trees will be collected curbside and chipped for reuse at Monocacy Hill or other Township properties.  Our new chipper was purchased through a PA DEP Recycling Grant.

LOST or FOUND PETS

If you find or lose a pet within Amity Township, please call the Township at (610) 689-6002 or after hours, (610) 655-4911. We will do our best to reunite the pet with its owner(s).  The Township has invested in a chip reader and we have established a short-term licensed holding pen.  We have a few resident volunteers helping us as well.  It is important to not only chip your pet; but to register the chip as well – please be a responsible pet owner!  If you use Facebook and are able to hold the found animal for a period of time, please post dogs to @BerksDogSearch as well as @Amity Township, Berks County, PA  For cats, please post to @BerksCountyCatSearch and @Amity Township, Berks County, PA  If none of the above are successful, we have entered into a contract with Safety Net Sanctuary – they will only accept animals from Amity Township’s designated representatives – so again, please call US.

Updates to PA Fireworks Regulations

sparkler-839806__340

Do you have questions or concerns relative to the New State Regulations reagrding Fireworks selling, purchasing & use?  Please see the summary below prepared by the Township’s Code Officer.  After reading the same, should you have enforcement concerns, please contat the Police Department at (610) 655-4911 – of course, if it is a serious matter, please call 911.

As of October 2017, the Pa State Laws regarding fireworks underwent some significant changes. You are now going to see the availability to purchase and use larger and louder fireworks (i.e. Consumer fireworks). Here are some significant facts about the laws and the new changes:

  • All fireworks licensing is administered and enforced by the Pa Dept. of Agriculture
  • Fireworks are generally categorized in 3 types:
    • Novelty (the small basic stuff that has always been allowed)
    • Consumer (the bigger, louder ones that can go up in the air)
    • Display (the big ones you see at fairs and large events and the fire company is present)
  • The standard Novelty Fireworks and only the following Consumer Fireworks can be sold at the temporary fireworks tents all over the State:
    • Helicopter, Aerial Spinners
    • Roman Candles
    • Mine and Shell Devices (not exceeding 500 grams)
  • All Consumer fireworks can be purchased at permanent licensed facilities in the State. Examples of these are:
    • Sparklers
    • Cylindrical Fountains
    • Cone Fountains
    • Illuminating Torches
    • Wheels
    • Ground Spinners
    • Flitter Sparklers
    • Toy Smoke Devices
    • Wire Sparkler/Dipped Sticks
    • Aerial Devices such as
      • Sky Rockets
      • Bottle Rockets
      • Missile-Type Rockets
      • Helicopter, Aerial Spinners
      • Roman Candles
      • Mine and Shell Devices
      • Aerial Shell Kits
  • Regulations for the Use of consumer fireworks are as follows:
    • A person who is at least 18 years of age may purchase, possess and use consumer fireworks.
    • A person may not intentionally ignite or discharge Consumer fireworks:
      • on public or private property without the express permission of the owner.
      • within, or throw consumer fireworks or sparkling devices from, a motor vehicle or building.
      • into or at a motor vehicle or building or at another person.
      • while the person is under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance or another drug.
      • within 150 feet of an occupied structure
  • Temporary fireworks tents may only sell fireworks between June 15 – July 8 and Dec 21 – Jan 2 of each year
  • Display Fireworks are not permitted to be sold or used in Pa without proper licensing from the Pa Dept. of Agriculture.
  • Any violation of the laws, whether selling or using illegal fireworks, is enforced by the Pa Dept. of Agriculture.
  • Pa State Police and Amity Township Police have the right to confiscate fireworks should a violation of the law be found.

Additional information regarding the new laws can be found at the Pa Dept of Agriculture

Radon Detection

Testing Your Home for Radon

As part of national Radon Action Month in January, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) reminds residents that radon – a colorless, odorless, and radioactive gas — is a known human carcinogen and the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.

Radon occurs naturally from the breakdown of uranium in soil and rocks and enters homes through cracks in the foundation or other openings. Due to its geology, Pennsylvania is prone to high radon levels, and has been detected in all 67 counties, with about 40 percent of homes having levels above national safety standards.

Winter is an ideal time to test, because doors and windows are generally closed, producing the most conservative results. High levels of radon tend to be found in basements, but the gas can be found anywhere in the home. Simple radon test kits are inexpensive and available at home improvement and hardware stores.

Amity Township has Radon testers available for use by Township residents. These units are calibrated prior to each use and left in your home for seven (7) days to ascertain if there is radon and record the level. There is a $200 security deposit to use the unit; and, we also ask for a copy of your driver’s license. Upon return of the unit, we return your check and shred your license copy. Should you be interested in using one of these units, please call Kathie Benson at the Township, (610) 689-6000, ext. #221. Be advised, there may be a waiting list.

For more information on radon, testing and daily tips, visit the Department of Environmental Department website.

Designated Internet Purchase Exchange:

internet-purchase-exchange Amity Township now offers a place for buyers and sellers from Facebook, Craigslist or any other means to meet when you don’t know the other party. The area is under video surveillance so your transaction will be recorded. The area is by the Myron Wheeler ball fields in the back of Police Department.

Pay Sewer Bill Here

NO MORE WRITING CHECKS - PAY YOUR SEWER BILL HERE Current Sewer Rate is $145/quarter/EDU. Apple device users can download the free App from Itunes by searching "Xpress Bill Pay"

Pay Sewer Bill Here

300th ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIVE BOOK

Amity Township’s 300th Commemorative Book is now available and can be purchased for $10 (check, money order or credit/debit card) at the Township Office, 2004 Weavertown Road, Douglassville, PA 19518.

 

 

 

 

Calendar