The Pottstown Public Library is trying out a new way to fund raise. Called Saturday Shoppes, the event will kick off this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Ten vendors will offer wares to purchase and area residents are encourage to come and reacquaint themselves with the library at this time.

Vendors include Yoga and Massage, Tupperware, Arbonne, Scentsy Candles, Creative Memories Scrapbooking, Stampin’ Up, Tastefully Simple, Priceless Moments Photography, Lia Sophia Jewelry and more. Each vendor will be selling wares as well as donating an item for raffle.

Raffles will be held every hour on the hour starting at 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. All raffle items have a minimum $50 retail value. Raffle tickets will cost $1 each, buy five get one free, and buy 20 and get five free.

The Friend’s of the Library will also be holding a book sale at this time.

****

The new traffic signals at Route 662 and Route 422 west and eastbound at River Bridge Road in Amity will be operational by Memorial Day weekend, said PennDOT officials on May 8. The nearly one-year project includes widening roadways with new right-turn lanes, drainage improvements, and the installation of updated traffic signals aimed at easing traffic congestion and improving safety.

Right-turn lanes were installed for the north and southbound lanes of Route 662.

Traffic signals were installed on Route 422 at north and southbound River Bridge Road.

Current work includes nighttime milling and paving (from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.), line painting and signage installation before the traffic signals are turned on. Minor cleanup work will complete the project.

****

About 400 people attended the 55th Annual Citizen of the Year awards program held at Gilbertsville Fire Company on May 3 to recognize individuals who have made a positive impact on the community. The awards program was hosted by The Boyertown Area Times and The Boyertown Jaycees.

Kevin Zimmers, owner of Zimmers Pets, received the Citizen of the Year Award. Harry Morgan, superintendent of the Boyertown Area School District, was honored as Outstanding Educator; Raymond Strickland III, fire chief of the Sassamansville Fire Company, was the recipient of Outstanding Firefighter/EMS; and Alexandria Hrasok, Boyertown Area School student, received the Outstanding High School Senior award.

Jim Davidheiser, who received Citizen of the Year award in 1988, served as the emcee for the event.

Tim Specht, a former Boyertown resident, gave keynote remarks before Charles Haddad, last year's award recipient, presented Zimmers with the Citizen's plaque.

****

The Amity Township Board of Supervisors unanimously approved on May 6 to cancel the township's summer day camp program for 2009 due to low enrollment. All enrollment monies paid to the township will be refunded.

Amity Parks & Recreation Board Secretary, Risa Marmontello, said the township's camp program had a $2,000 revenue loss last year due to an unexpected decline in enrollment. She said only two of the seven weeks were filled compared to previous years when all weeks filled up quickly and each week had a waiting list.

Marmontello said 45 children are needed each week to keep the program revenue neutral.

This year's registration for township residents opened three weeks early on April 13 and at last year's weekly rate of $40 per child.

The program was opened this year to residents in Union Township and the Borough of Birdsboro. Their registration began on May 1 at the weekly rate of $45 per child.

The day camp program offered local children in grades one through six supervised play and craft activities at Lake Drive Park's pavilion area weekdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The program was conducted by Ozzy's Sports Fun Center, Leesport.

****

Amity Police Chief Kent A. Shuebrook said the police department will soon receive ENRADD, the new speed detection device purchased in February.

ENRADD will replace the currently used VASCAR (Visual Average Speed Computer And Recorder) system that Shuebrook said isn't easy to set up and is also apparent to motorists.

Shuebrook said ENRADD identifies speeding motorists that are within line of sight up to one-quarter mile away.

****

The Amity Board of Supervisors authorized the draft of a letter to the Public Utility Commission stating their opposition to the 13 to 14 percent rate increase by Pennsylvania American Water Company. PAWC is requesting that the rate increase be effective June 23. The PUC may suspend approval for up to nine months for a complete investigation and analysis.

PAWC increased rates statewide in 2007 by 14.73 percent and 30.89 percent for water customers in certain parts of Berks County.

****

The Pottsgrove School Board approved its $54 million tentative budget Tuesday night, according to the Sanatoga Post. The final vote will be taken in June.

Under the budget, taxes would increase 5.2 percent.

Board member Robert Lindgren cast the lone dissenting vote.