ONTELAUNEE WINS STATE AWARD

Two Berks County townships have been recognized statewide for their efforts to keep residents updated and informed.

Earl and Ontelaunee townships were winners in the Pennsylvania State Association

of Township Supervisors’ 53rd annual Citizen Communication Contest.

The contest recognizes townships that have successfully communicated programs and activities to citizens.

Earl took second place in the category of newsletters for townships with populations of 2,001 to 5,000.

Ontelaunee also took a second-place win in the same category, but for townships with populations of 2,000 and under.

The association usually presents the Outstanding Citizen Communication awards to the winning townships at its annual education conference each spring. However, this year’s conference was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to a PSATS news release.

The townships will receive their award at a later date.

The contest attracted entries from across the commonwealth in eight categories, including printed and electronic newsletters, most improved newsletters, other publications, audiovisual communication, cable TV programs, social media and websites.

In all, 36 townships submitted 104 entries for this year’s competition, and 26 townships won awards.

All contest entries were judged on the usefulness of information presented and how well the information was communicated to township residents. Publications were also judged on their overall attractiveness and readability. Judges included PSATS staff and township officials who volunteered through the Association’s Power of One program.