Local News

Eight Hurt in New Hanover Crash

Written by Kelly Chandler, Staff Writer Wednesday, 16 June 2010 12:05

Eight people, including six women returning from a birthday party, were taken to area hospitals following a collision in New Hanover Township Sunday.

According to New Hanover Township Police, at 3:51 a.m., the women were inside a 2010 Lincoln Navigator limousine which was backing into a driveway to drop them off at 3383 Church Road, one half mile south of Route 73, when a northbound 1988 Ford Mustang, driven by Sean Lawrence, 25, address unknown, collided with their vehicle.

The impact reportedly ejected one of the female occupants of the limo and forced the vehicle into a wooded area just north of driveway. The driver, Robert Heimovitz, 65, of Gilbertsville, was trapped inside. The remaining six female occupants had to be helped out of the vehicle when police arrived.

Lawrence was also trapped in his vehicle for about 20 minutes until New Hanover Township Fire and Rescue personnel could remove him from the wreckage. Heimovitz remained trapped for about 30 minutes until rescue personnel removed a large amount of brush and the driver’s door to get him out.

Eight people were transported to either Lehigh Valley Hospital or Reading Hospital with a variety of injuries by Gilbertsville, Goodwill of Pottstown, Upper Perk, Lower Frederick, Green Lane, Trappe, and Boyertown ambulance companies. One passenger in the limousine refused treatment. All medical helicopters were grounded due to the weather.

Police said as of Wednesday morning, all the occupants of the limousine, including Heimovitz, have been released from hospitals. Lawrence is still in Lehigh Valley Hospital, listed in critical condition.

Authorities said no charges have been filed to date.

New Hanover Police and New Hanover Township Fire and Rescue were assisted at the scene by Sass-amansville Fire Company, Gilbertsville Fire and Rescue and Upper Frederick Fire Company, along with Douglass Township Police.

Church Road was closed between Route 73 and Lutheran Road for about five hours while the accident was being investigated by the New Hanover Township Police accident reconstruction team.

An investigation is ongoing.

Berks County to End Free Recycling for Municipalities

Written by Candace Perry, Correspondent Wednesday, 16 June 2010 11:58

Hereford Supervisors Consider Options

With Berks County about to pull the plug on free recycling for its municipalities, Hereford Township officials are exploring their options to continue to provide the service to their community.

The supervisors discussed the new fee that will be attached to county recycling services and possible alternatives at their June 15 workshop meeting.

In a letter dated May 24, 2010 from the Berks County Solid Waste Authority, authority Executive Director Jan Meeks notified the township that “each participating municipality budget $1.00 per resident in their 2011 budget” to offset the county costs.

The letter indicates that the county spends $91,000 on collection and receives revenue of $15,000, leaving a burden of $76,000 to the county. The municipalities’ potential contributions would cover 40 percent of these costs.

The total cost of Hereford’s services is $6,825; if Hereford participated in the county program, the contribution would be $3,174 based on the most recent census figures for township population.

However, the supervisors determined it would be better to shop around. Assistant township secretary Maryjean Sell reported on a meeting with a representative from trash removal and recycling company A.J. Blosenski.

Sell indicated the she is still waiting on a quote, and that she would be looking at other companies also, but the Blosenski representative had stated that they would provide a 30’ to 40’ foot container that would be available onsite all the time. The cost would be per haul, and the company could pick on demand if necessary.

The company would also take electronics every so often and could provide a paper container.

Nearby municipalities will most likely be adding their recycling to Hereford’s, as Longswamp does not have a program and Topton abruptly terminated theirs recently.

“Topton just chose not to deal with it,” commented Chairman John Membrino.

The research on recycling options will continue as the supervisors seek an economical solution for the community.

The supervisors voted to purchase a used John Deere 240 mower from Rockland Township for $1,500 to replace an ailing mower presently used by the road crew. Rockland Township is providing the mower at a bargain price to Hereford because of the existing co-operative agreement between the two townships.

Additionally, the supervisors approved the purchase of two new trashcans not to exceed $380 and a picnic table not to exceed $1,000 for Tollgate Park.