Restoring Some Shade To Shillington

Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States with township and municipal boundaries (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Editor’s note:  Sounds like the good folks in Shillington did some research when selecting their curbside trees and chose appropriate trees with the help of a professional arborist, who is also a tree committee member.  Imagine that, Tom.

Despite sunshine and other signs of spring this week, residents of northern Shillington may have found themselves spending a little more time in the shade than usual.

That’s because the borough road crew planted 34 curbside trees on willing residents’ properties as part of an effort by the Shillington’s Tree Advisory Committee.  Volunteers will plant eight more trees today.

A state grant and some borough funds paid for the trees.  This is the committee’s second round of planting since it formed about 11/2 years ago.  The group planted 45 new trees in Shillington Park in October.

The committee now is focusing on different sections of the borough for each round of new trees it’s able to buy. Committee members go door to door to find homeowners willing to accept the trees.

Read more:  http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=468927

Governor Mifflin Administrator Pushes For Maximum Tax Hike

Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States Public School Districts (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The $1.88 million shortfall in the Gov. Mifflin School District’s 2013-14 budget draft could turn into a surplus if the board continues with a proposal to raise taxes the most state law will allow, administrators said Monday.

The district had thought the nearly 5 percent tax hike would fall short of balancing the $64.67 million preliminary budget the school board approved last month.  But Business Manager Mark R. Naylon told the board Monday that the district would be able to save more money than expected.

Even with the rosier financial outlook, Naylon urged the board to continue making budget cuts where it can and to still consider the maximum increase, which would raise the tax rate by 1.186 mills.

“When you have something available, you have to take advantage of it,” he said.

Read more:  http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=463406

West Reading Committee Weighs Police Options

Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States with township and municipal boundaries (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A committee formed by West Reading officials last month is looking into the possibility of consolidating the borough’s police force.

James Gallen Jr., a borough councilman and committee member, said the committee – rounded out by Council President Kevin M. Conrad, Councilwoman Elizabeth Heckler and Mayor Shane J. Keller – will enter into discussions with neighboring municipalities and the state police regarding the future of West Reading’s troubled police department.

“We’re exploring consolidation as a cost-saving measure,” Gallen said, adding that Wyomissing would be “a natural fit.”

The talks will extend to other nearby departments, which could include Shillington, and Cumru and Spring townships, he added.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=420092

Deal Reached On John Updike Home Sale

John Updike giving the 2008 Jefferson Lecture for the National Endowment for the Humanities. Found via USAsearch.gov]. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The John Updike Society has signed an agreement to buy for $200,000 the late author’s childhood home in Shillington, Pa.

James Plath, president of the 250-member society, said in a press release Wednesday that the agreement is contingent upon receiving a zoning variance to operate the house as a historic site.

Updike lived in the two-story home at 117 Philadelphia Ave. for the first 13 years of his life before moving to a family homestead in Plowville.

The author, who died in 2009, was heralded for his literary style and prolific output, including the four “Rabbit” novels, which often evoked Berks County places and geography. The last two, “Rabbit is Rich” in 1981 and “Rabbit at Rest” a decade later, won Pulitzer Prizes for fiction.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=385289