The banished boroughs of Berks County (and a borough that didn't exist back in the day) (Reading: how much)

[Boothwynman]

Since my days at Kutztown State College/Kutztown University in the first half of the 1980's, three boroughs of Berks County have been absorbed out of existence:

Temple (absorbed by Muhlenberg Township)
West Lawn (absorbed by Spring Township)
and
Wyomissing Hills (absorbed by Wyomissing borough)

OTOH since my KU days, the borough of New Morgan has been carved out of Caernarvon and Robeson Townships.

What's the backstory of these banished boroughs and the relatively new borough?

[thedirtypirate]

Every place probably has a different reason for changing their designation, but it's based off of population, and when your area hits a certain population, they can apply for a different status or the reverse.

Explainer: Cities, boroughs, and townships, oh my! Pa. municipalities clarified

[Boothwynman]

Originally Posted by thedirtypirate

Every place probably has a different reason for changing their designation, but it's based off of population, and when your area hits a certain population, they can apply for a different status or the reverse.

Explainer: Cities, boroughs, and townships, oh my! Pa. municipalities clarified

That doesn't really answer my question, though I appreciate the article and its conciseness.

What I'm looking for is... was there pushback? Surely there must be a Berks Countian on C-D who remembers when these consolidations were being debated? How much ink did the Reading Eagle (and the Reading Times before that newspaoer was absorbed into the Eagle) give these processes? How much community input was granted (hearings, etc.)? Were there any Wyomissing Hillers, West Lawners, or Templeites protesting, "Don't take away our borough!" ?

[NewtownBucks]

Originally Posted by Boothwynman

Since my days at Kutztown State College/Kutztown University in the first half of the 1980's, three boroughs of Berks County have been absorbed out of existence:

Temple (absorbed by Muhlenberg Township)
West Lawn (absorbed by Spring Township)
and
Wyomissing Hills (absorbed by Wyomissing borough)

OTOH since my KU days, the borough of New Morgan has been carved out of Caernarvon and Robeson Townships.

What's the backstory of these banished boroughs and the relatively new borough?

I grew up in Wyomissing Hills. I didn't know the borough officially merged with Wyomissing, but I'm not surprised. There really wasn't much of a difference in demographics or culture or identity between Wyo and the Hills. West Reading has a much stronger unique identity vs Wyomissing than the Hills did. If I were still there, I would not have fought to keep Wyo Hills as a separate place.

[Boothwynman]

Originally Posted by NewtownBucks

I grew up in Wyomissing Hills. I didn't know the borough officially merged with Wyomissing, but I'm not surprised. There really wasn't much of a difference in demographics or culture or identity between Wyo and the Hills. West Reading has a much stronger unique identity vs Wyomissing than the Hills did. If I were still there, I would not have fought to keep Wyo Hills as a separate place.

If your take on the Wyos is typical, then it appears there was next to no pushback re the redrawing of the Berks County municipality map. My question appears to have been answered. Thank you.

[toobusytoday]

I just noticed your username, Boothwynman. We lived in Garnet Valley when it was also called Boothwyn and we were forever explaining where we lived by saying, "Not the town of Boothwyn. We live in Garnet Valley School District." Changing names for some areas is very welcomed by residents.

[Boothwynman]

Originally Posted by toobusytoday

I just noticed your username, Boothwynman. We lived in Garnet Valley when it was also called Boothwyn and we were forever explaining where we lived by saying, "Not the town of Boothwyn. We live in Garnet Valley School District." Changing names for some areas is very welcomed by residents.

IIRC Garnet Valley has its own ZIP code now.

[toobusytoday]

Originally Posted by Boothwynman

IIRC Garnet Valley has its own ZIP code now.

I know. That happened soon after we moved and they put the sewer through and replaced all the fields and woods with developments.