January 14, 2007

Citizens Service Center Up and Running In the City

The city of Reading Citizen Service Center is now operational.

Calls are being taken at 1-877-727-3234 (or easier to remember: 1-877-PAREADING).

We have three operators from 8-5 Monday through Friday. Call if you have questions about a tax bill, water bill, information to start a business in the city, to report a street light or traffic light out, etc.

You may also report a codes problem, unsafe condition, illegal dumping, or graffiti.

In the past, it was often difficult to get through to a particular department, and callers often got a voice mail recorded message.

The Citizens Service Center is intended to substitute a live operator so you can talk to a real person and explain the problem, and you can expect to receive a timelier response as we are tracking the results of the calls and the action taken.

The operators enter the caller issue or question into a system that alerts the proper department head or unit in the city of the issue, and time lines are set for getting the issue answered or resolved. You may request a call back to get status of your issue and that will also be entered into the system.

I am now using the Citizens Service Center number for reporting of pedestrian lights out, catch basins blocked, etc since they are not always readily visible when city vehicles are driving by.

If you have a trash or recycling question, or want to know what day your street is picked up, call the Citizens Service Center.

Calls for police at the non emergency continue to be taken for law enforcement situations at 610-655-6116.

Let me know your experience with the Citizens Service Center.

We are really trying very hard to have city government run more efficiently and with your help, we can accomplish this goal.

Thanks
Mayor Tom McMahon