Local News

                A 24-year-old Pennsburg woman died Monday afternoon after her car hit an SUV on Route 663 in Milford Township.

                According to state police, Dublin barracks, Tara Golden was driving a green 1992 Honda Accord south on the roadway when, for unknown reasons, her car crossed into the northbound lane of traffic and hit a black 2006 Ford Escape driven by Chandra Bibighaus, 32, of Quakertown.

                Police said Golden was taken to St. Luke’s Quakertown Hospital by St. Luke’s EMS and later succumbed to her injuries. 

                Bibighaus, who suffered serious injuries, was transported to St. Luke’s Bethlehem Hospital by St. Luke’s EMS for treatment.  Her condition is unknown at this time.

                Both vehicles sustained severe damage and were towed from the scene. 

                Police said Golden was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash; Bibighaus was.

                State police were assisted at the scene by Milford and Quakertown fire companies, St. Luke’s EMS and a Jeff-Stat Life-Flight medical helicopter.

                Golden is reportedly survived by her fiancé, a young son and many family members.  A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Mann-Slonaker Funeral Home in East Greenville.   

Township hosting multiple municipalities’ materials 

        Hereford Township is fast becoming one of the few recycling destinations in their corner of Berks County.

                With recycling costs at a premium, and the recent announcement by Berks County officials to impose fees for county-supported recycling in 2011, area municipalities are abandoning their own programs and are instead sending residents to Hereford with everything from plastic to paper.

                Topton Borough recently decided to cease their recycling operation and have been added to the list of Longswamp and Rockland townships who are already telling residents to bring their recyclables to Hereford.

                Their status as regional recycling center is reportedly a source of frustration for supervisors and staff.  Hereford has previously had problems with recyclables being left outside bins, creating a mess, and household trash being put in with the recyclables.     

                At their July 6 meeting, Hereford supervisors voted to add paper recycling to their offerings, hoping to redirect some of the abundance of recyclables filling their bins.  The bins are dropped off monthly by Waste Management and are open from Wednesday through Sunday until they are full.  The next drop-off date is scheduled for July 14.

                The paper recycling, through Abitibi Paper Retrievers, will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week – however, the township’s regular recycling still maintains its once-a-month schedule.

                The supervisors are encouraging residents to gather their waste paper for the bins.  “They want lots of paper,” commented Chairman John Membrino. 

                Abitibi accepts all paper except for cardboard and phone books.

                The township is continuing to research options for recycling companies. 

                In parks and recreation news, the committee reported that township resident Josh Dowzigki and a group of his friends are interested in refurbishing the volleyball court and baseball diamond at the community park on Seisholtzville Road at their own expense to allow for some fun evening and weekend activities.

                The supervisors also approved the construction of a 1000-foot paved walking path in the municipal park to be installed by the township road crew from the parking lot on Township Road.  The materials for the path, at a cost not to exceed $8,000, will be funded by the recreation committee’s capital budget.

                In code enforcement news, enforcement notices were sent to Ralph and Eleanor Derr of Hunter Forge Road for overgrowth of grass and weeds on their property and improper storage of a camper, and to Richard and Kay Kleppinger of Gravel Pike, for an ongoing junk situation on their property.

                The Kleppingers were first notified of the issue over a year ago, and though the supervisors have noted that progress has been made, it is not substantial enough for their satisfaction. They have until August 4 to bring their property into compliance before more severe action is taken.

                Additionally, code enforcement officer Joe Groff is looking into the use and occupancy permits – or lack thereof – for Saeger’s Appliance Repair and Another Man’s Treasures, located on Gravel Pike next to the Hereford Fire Company. The property is owned by Hereford Estates.

                The supervisors approved the widening of Fetterman Road to the right-of-way by the road crew, which will be able to use leftover materials from other roadwork for the project.

                Membrino also cautioned residents to be careful with electrical cords this summer, especially with fans and air conditioners, in light of last week’s fire at Poor Richard’s tavern on Seisholtzville Road.  The fire was apparently caused by a faulty electrical cord.   He also praised the fire companies for their excellent response.