West Reading Receives Governor's Award for Excellence

West Reading Receives Governor's Award for Excellence

(West Reading, PA) -- The borough of West Reading has received the 2024 Governor's Award for Local Government Excellence. It's given by the state Department of Community and Economic Development to recognize municipalities who strengthen their communities and better serve residents. West Reading officials were honored Wednesday for their response to the explosion of a R.M. Palmer chocolate factory last March. Officials say the local leaders and the volunteer fire department responded quickly and efficiently to put out the fire and rescue victims. The blast, which was believed to have been caused by a natural gas leak, killed seven people.