Frequently Asked Questions: Public Works Department

Street cleaning on Main Street is scheduled every Friday morning, from 6-8am. Vehicles parked along the marked route are subject to citation.

During a snow emergency, all vehicles should be removed from the street and the Borough’s snow emergency procedures must be followed.

Snow Emergency Class A Route (PDF)
Snow Emergency Class B Route (PDF)

Sometimes, only one lane is plowed because the driving lane has the highest priority during the storm. During a long, drawn out storm, the driving lane is the priority. When we do our final cleanup, we will clear the entire roadway.

The driver must adjust his or her vehicle speed according to various conditions such as heavy or wet snow, ice, or plowing in residential areas.

The normal safe following distance between two vehicles (“2-second rule” or two car lengths) should be doubled during inclement weather. When following a truck, your headlights should be on low beam. Remember every truck has blind spots, which are areas to the sides and rear not visible by the driver of the vehicle. In addition, following too closely increases your chances of loose material flying up and striking your vehicle.

Generally, the Borough is not held responsible for damage caused by the application of winter maintenance materials (such as anti-skid).

While the Borough makes every effort to avoid damage to private residences, if damage does occur; it is usually during very heavy snowfalls that require the use of loaders or other specialized equipment. If damage occurs, it is usually limited to the legal right-of-way and repairs are not necessary. If property owners feel that damage occurred beyond the legal right-of-way, they may contact the Borough to discuss the issue.

In all cases, we try to avoid damaging property. However, mailboxes are often placed in the right-of-way, which means that the Borough is not liable for damages to mailboxes caused by snow removal operations. We suggest property owners ensure their mailbox rests on a firm support so it will be better able to withstand snow moved aside by the plow.

The Borough makes every attempt to minimize depositing snow onto sidewalks and driveways and its operators are instructed to reduce speed when plowing in residential areas. However, to keep traffic moving, roads must be cleared, and in many cases, the operator has no option but to push the snow off the roads and onto sidewalks and driveways.

Homeowners have a few options to help minimize the impact to driveways. The first is to remove snow only to approximately 10’ from the end of the driveway until the final cleanup plowing is complete. The final cleanup plowing typically happens at the end of the plowing event to get the snow back as far as possible. Another method is to clean a 10’ area on the right side of your driveway facing it from the roadway, which allows the snow to be deposited from the plow before it reaches your driveway.

This is what happens when the plow trucks have to swing out around parked cars. It is recommended that cars are removed from the road during a storm. Not only will it allow for the widest possible plowing, but it will also help keep your car safe by keeping it out of the way while the roads are slick.

Clean snow and ice from your windows and mirrors before traveling. Make sure all lights are working and always use your headlights during a storm. Keep wiper blades in good condition and keep all fluid levels full. Check tires for tread and proper inflation and add weight to the rear of rear wheel drive vehicles. Carry emergency equipment in your car such as flares, a shovel, chains, flashlight, jumper cables, sand, a hat, boots and gloves.

Because the air below the bridges tends to cool the bridge faster than the normal road surface. Also, be cautious of shaded areas that don’t receive sunlight and drifted areas along the road.

For more information, please visit http://www.justdrivepa.org/traffic-safety-information-center/winter-driving/.

Routine refuse collection days for the North side of Main Street are Tuesdays and Fridays. Collection days for the South side of Main Street are Mondays and Thursdays. The current refuse collection schedule can be found on the Refuse & Recycling page.

Refuse MUST be at your regular collection point by 7:00am on your scheduled days, but no earlier than the night before. Bags and/or containers must not exceed 50 pounds and must be a manageable size (containers cannot be larger than 32 gallons). Up to three bags/containers may be left on collection days; when refuse collection is cancelled, you may leave up to three extra bags at the curb on your next collection day at no charge.

Recycling is collected every other week. The current recycling collection schedule can be found on the Refuse & Recycling page.

Recycling containers MUST be at your regular collection point by 7:00am on your scheduled days. Containers must not exceed 50 pounds and must be a manageable size (containers cannot be larger than 32 gallons).

Items collected at curbside include newspapers, magazines, computer paper and cardboard; aluminum cans, glass bottles and jars; plastic soda bottles, water and milk jugs, and detergent bottles (no bleach bottles). Please separate glass by color, aluminum and plastic into individual recycling buckets, and bundle paper items. Detailed preparation can be found on the current recycling schedule on the Refuse & Recycling page.

Residents may pick up 6 gallon buckets at the Public Works building (105 Railroad Street, Kutztown, PA), Monday through Friday, between 7am-3:30pm. They may also pick them up at the Borough Hall (45 Railroad Street, Kutztown, PA), Monday through Friday, Between 8am-4:30pm.

The Borough of Kutztown does not pick up hazardous materials, however we recommend you call the Berks County Recycling Center at 610-478-6362 for more information, including dates for the annual “Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program,” held in the early fall and sponsored by the Berks County Solid Waste Authority.

The Borough of Kutztown does hold two electronics recycling events at the Train Station 110 Railroad Street, Kutztown, PA. Those collections items and dates can be found on the Refuse & Recycling page. Also the Solid Waste Authority has a full-time electronic waste collection center located at 1316 Hilltop Road in Leesport, open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 8am-12pm (or by appointment). Cost is $2 per item, $20 per television. For details, visit http://www.co.berks.pa.us/swa.

Yes, our rate sheet and schedule can be found on the Refuse & Recycling page. To schedule pickup, please call the Public Works department at 610-683-3202.

Each spring the Borough of Kutztown collects tree limbs at curbside; in the fall the Borough collects leaves. No grass or garden/yardwaste will be collected.

Dates will be publicized on the Refuse & Recycling page as well as in the Kutzonian newsletter. If you have any yardwaste after the advertised collection has occurred, please take it to the Yardwaste Depot on Roeller Alley, right behind the Kutztown Municipal Building. (Leaves or tree limbs left curbside after collection dates may lead to enforcement actions by the Community Development Office.)

Borough residents may dispose of their Christmas trees in the grass dumpster at our Yardwaste Depot on Roeller Alley, right behind the Kutztown Municipal Building.

Businesses or individuals have the option of purchasing a dumpster or renting one on a monthly basis. Dumpster rental fees are listed on the Refuse & Recycling page. For more information or to rent/buy a dumpster, please call the Borough Hall at 610-683-6131.

The Kutztown Park is located at 440 East Main Street, Kutztown, PA 19530.

Although the park can be enjoyed year-round, the park officially opens in mid-April through the end of October, 9am-10pm. Restrooms/facilities are open during this time. Alcohol and gas grills are not allowed in the park.

An interactive, printable map of the park can be downloaded from the Parks & Recreation page.

Accessible restrooms are located by the Scooter Building, Legion Field, Brick Pavilion and Babe Ruth Field. Restrooms are only available when the park is open, mid-April through the end of October, 9am-10pm. Download park map from the Parks & Recreation page.

Dogs (or other domestic animals) must be on a chain or leash not exceeding six feet in length at all times. They may NOT be allowed to urinate or defecate within any play area or baseball/athletic field within the park, and must be cleaned up after.

There is a dog park located at the south end of the park. The park map, rules and registration can be found on the Parks & Recreation page.

The Brick Pavilion, Ceres Pavilion, Flora Pavilion, and Pomone Pavilion are available for rental from May through the first Friday in November. Reservations should be made through the Public Works department at 610-683-3202, Monday through Friday, 7am-3:30pm.

Reservations for next year may be made beginning on the first business day in October, at the Public Works building, 105 Railroad Street, Kutztown, PA between 7am-3:30pm or by calling 610-683-3202. A deposit must be made within 5 days to finalize your reservation. Download the Parks Facility Rental Agreement PDF on the Parks & Recreation page.

Pavilions may be utilized free of charge on a first come, first serve basis. However, if there is a reservation scheduled for the pavilion, you may not use it on the day of the reservation. A reservation sign is normally posted; however if a sign is not posted, it does not mean that there isn’t a reservation at the pavilion. If a group shows up for the pavilion and has a paid reservation form, you would have to leave the pavilion. Electric will not be turned on unless the pavilion is reserved.

The Ceres Pavilion is closest to the Tot Lot and swings.

A letter of request must be submitted to the Public Works Committee at least 30 days in advance for consideration. All letters of request can be mailed to Brian Bailey, Public Works Superintendant, 105 Railroad Street, Kutztown, PA 19530, or emailed to.

Please call the Public Works department at 610-683-3202 for more information.

The Borough of Kutztown Swimming Pool is located at 171 Industrial Avenue, Kutztown, PA 19530.

Our current season ticket and one-day pass rates can be found on the Parks & Recreation page.

Season tickets must be purchased at the Kutztown Municipal Building, 45 Railroad Street, Monday through Friday, from 9am-4:00pm.

KUTZTOWN COMMUNITY BOROUGH POOL SAFETY RULES:

1. ALL CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 6 MUST BE SUPERVISED BY A PARENT OR RESPONSIBLE ADULT OVER THE AGE OF 18

2. ALL CHILDREN 3 YEARS OF AGE AND YOUNGER MUST WEAR A SWIM DIAPER (SWIMMY)

3. ALL SWIMMERS MUST WEAR PROPER SWIM ATTIRE. NO CUT-OFFS, JEAN SHORTS, CARGO SHORTS, UNDERWEAR, ETC.

4. NON SWIMMERS MAY USE ARM WINGS AND APPROVED COAST GUARD LIFE VESTS AND MUST BE WITHIN ARMS LENGTH OF AN ADULT

5. NO RAFTS, INNER TUBES, ETC, ALLOWED IN POOLS

6. NON SWIMMERS ARE NOT PERMITTED IN THE WELL OR DEEP END OF POOL AT ANY TIME

7. NO SITTING ON SHOULDERS OF OTHER SWIMMERS/CHICKEN FIGHTS

8. NO UNDERWATER SWIMMING DEVICES ALLOWED UNLESS APPROVED BY MANAGEMENT PRIOR TO USE (SNORKELS, FINS, SCUBA, ETC.)

9. NO WATER GUNS OR DEVICES THAT SPRAY OR SHOOT WATER ALLOWED

10. POOL BALLS ALLOWED AT THE DISCRETION OF MANAGEMENT

11. NO RUNNING ON CONCRETE POOL DECKS

12. NO DIVING EXCEPT IN DESIGNATED AREAS

13. NO ONE OVER THE WEIGHT OF 250 POUNDS MAY USE THE DIVING BOARD

14. NO PUSHING, SHOVING, THROWING OR EXCESSIVE DUNKING

15. OBEY ALL REQUESTS FROM LIFEGUARDS AND STAFF

RULES FOR DEEP WELL AND DIVING BOARD:

1. NO SWIMMING ALLOWED IN DEEP WELL, UNLESS APPROVED BY LIFEGUARD

2. NO FLIPPING OFF SIDE OF POOL INTO DEEP WELL

3. NON SWIMMERS ARE NOT PERMITTED IN DEEP WELL, ON DIVING BOARD; AND NO FLOTATION DEVICES PERMITTED IN THE DEEP WELL, ON DIVING BOARD

4. GOGGLES MAY NOT BE WORN ON THE DIVING BOARD

5. NO PERSONS OVER THE WEIGHT OF 250 POUNDS PERMITTED ON THE DIVING BOARD

6. NO HANGING OR SITTING ON POOL ROPES

7. SPECIFIC DIVING RULES:

– ONLY 1 PERSON ON THE DIVING BOARD AT A TIME
– ONLY 1 BOUNCE ALLOWED ON DIVING BOARD
– NO RUNNING OFF THE BOARD
– NO DANGEROUS DIVES OR FLIPS PERMITTED
– AFTER DIVE, SWIM IMMEDIATELY TO LADDER OR UNDER ROPE
– WAIT UNTIL PERSON IN FRONT REACHES LADDER OR ROPE BEFORE DIVING

8. NO TAILGATING, GRILLS, ETC.
NO GLASS CONTAINERS/BOTTLES, ETC.
NO LARGE COOLERS

VIOLATION OF ANY RULE MAY RESULT IN IMMEDIATE REMOVAL FROM THE POOL PROPERTY AS DEEMED APPROPRIATE BY MANAGEMENT STAFF WITHOUT REFUND

Generally, the Kutztown Pool will open daily, subject to staff availability and weather permitting, during the following hours:

Opening for the season in late May/early June through July: 12 noon until 8pm

August through closing for the season on Labor Day: 12 noon until 7pm.

All hours, including extended evening hours, are subject to change, weather permitting, and at the discretion of the Borough.