South Heidelberg Township - South Heidelberg Township Chairman Tom Byrne received the Richard C. Trostle Intergovernmental Cooperation Award on Thursday March 16, 2023 as part of the Albright Center for Excellence in Local Government's 15th Annual Municipal Officials Dinner. The Richard C. Trostle Award is presented annually to the elected municipal official who successfully demonstrates an outstanding commitment to bringing about cooperation among communities.
Mr. Byrne received the Richard C. Trostle Award for his work in helping to provide police services to the Borough of Robesonia, Borough of Wernersville, Heidelberg Township and the Conrad Weiser School District. As background, in 2019, the Western Berks Regional Police Department was dissolved by the Boroughs of Robesonia and Wernersville. Chairman Byrne discussed his concern over police coverage for the adjoining municipalities and the impact on South Heidelberg and the surrounding communities. Chairman Byrne and his fellow Board Members initiated discussions with Borough Officials regarding the South Heidelberg Police Department providing Police Service. Chairman Byrne also enlisted the help of Police Consultant and Northern York Regional Police Chief Mark Benztel to fully review and scope out how to provide police services to the Boroughs while maintaining the high quality service citizens of South Heidelberg Township have come to expect for the SHPD. The mutual collaboration which included Borough Council Members resulted in a 3 year contract which started in 2019 with both Boroughs renewing the contracts for an additional 5 years starting in 2023.
In addition to the Boroughs, Chairman Byrne worked with Supervisors in Heidelberg Township to provide police services and a School Resource Officer (SRO) for the Conrad Weiser School District. Heidelberg Township was served by a one full time police officer and did not provide 24/7police coverage, relying on State Police for a portion of its coverage. In addition, the Conrad Weiser School District was seeking a School Resource Officer that was NASRO Certified. Chairman Byrne along with the Supervisors of Heidelberg Township worked together to initiate a 3 year contract in 2019 which renewed for an additional 5 years in 2023. Heidelberg Township is provided 24/7 police coverage with the Conrad Weiser School District provided a NASRO Certified School Resource Officer.
Chairman Byrne, through is efforts has provided consistent and professional police services to an entire region. The work Chairman Byrne and the municipal Officers of the Boroughs of Wernersville and Robesonia, Heidelberg Township as well as the Administrators of the Conrad Weiser School District demonstrate that elected officials can collaborate and coordinate for the betterment of citizens and the community. Congratulations to Chairman Byrne on receiving the Richard C. Trostle Intergovernmental Cooperation Award!
From Left: Robesonia Borough Council President Harvey Marshall, Robesonia Borough Council Member Matt Miller, Wernersville Mayor Melissa Dean, South Heidelberg Township Manager Sean McKee, South Heidelberg Township Chairman Tom Byrne, Wernersville Borough Council Member Linda Dapcic-Angst, Heidelberg Township Supervisor David Randle, Robesonia Borough Council Member Mike Martin, Solicitor Andrew George. 
