LERTA properties ID’d

Areas located in highway commercial zone along Route 422

The Amity Township Board of Supervisors approved on June 1 to draft a commercial tax-abatement ordinance, called a LERTA.

Township Manager Troy Bingaman said the Berks County Planning Commission has identified and approved township properties that would qualify for the 10year tax abatement program.

The properties are located in the highway commercial zone along Route 422, the shopping center district at Routes 662 and 422, and the planned business/ office/industrial area on north Limekiln Road.

Bingaman said the properties were identified by the county on the Berks County 2030 Plan.

“The LERTA would encourage industry to come into the township,” said Vice Chairman and Su- pervisor Richard L. Gokey.

Board Chairperson Kimberly J. McGrath was absent from the meeting.

Once written, the ordinance would be adopted at a public hearing with the township planning commission and the Daniel Boone School Board.

The board unanimously approved for Amity Township Police Chief Andrew Kensey to hire Patrick Hedgepeth, Douglassville, as a part time police officer for a maximum of 32 hours a week, at $25 an hour.

Hedgepeth will cover for full time officers who are sick, at traffic court, and on vacation.

Kensey is in the early stages of writing a new police department drug and alcohol policy.

The policy will include random, quarterly drug tests for all officers, including himself.

“The current policy is very gray,” said Kensey.

“This will add additional structure and accountability to ensure that the police are at their highest level of fitness.”

“It creates accountability, and adds a layer of professionalism,” said Gokey.

“There is no more doubt,” said Supervisor Terry L. Jones.

Drug tests will include urinalysis, breathalizer, and a hair test.

A urinalysis will be administered to officers involved in a police car accident.

Kensey is also creating an employee assistance program for officers that require treatment for drug and alcohol addictions.

“Right now there is only [police support organization] Berks FOP Lodge 71,” said Kensey, adding, “I want something more direct for the officers.”