Fleetwood Bank Honors Former Secretary of the Board of Directors

From Fleetwood Bank

On Tuesday, June 3, Fleetwood Bank commemorated Peter Merkel for his 27 years of service as a board member of Fleetwood Bank and Fleetwood Bank Corporation.

The Bank purchased a bench and plaque “in recognition of Peter Merkel for his dedication to Fleetwood Bank and the Merkel family for their commitment to the Borough of Fleetwood and the community.” The bench and plaque will be permanently placed on display by the Fleetwood Borough at The Fleetwood Reservoir, a 190-acre property of forest land located in Ruscombmanor Township.

His wife, two daughters, and two granddaughters joined members of the Board of Directors to honor and recognize him. Pete was also joined by his two dogs, Indy and Lizzy, whom he walks on the trails of the land daily.

“Pete was an integral part of Fleetwood Bank’s Board of Directors from 1997 to 2024. His unwavering dedication to our community has also been evident in the numerous ways he has gone above and beyond to make a positive impact on the Fleetwood Borough throughout the years,” said Timothy Snyder, CEO and President of Fleetwood Bank. “In addition to his time served on the Bank’s board, he was also heavily involved with the Fleetwood Borough Council, of which he was elected to in 1994. Since then, he has been the Chairman of the Sewer / Water Department, working tirelessly for 30 years to maintain and preserve the land of The Fleetwood Reservoir for our community.”

From 1891 to 1994, water from springs on the land was fed into two ponds, serving as the borough’s water source. In 1994, a 1.5-million-gallon concrete tank was constructed to serve as Fleetwood Borough’s new water source storage, with a second 500,000-gallon steel tank added in 2010. Since the borough’s water source was now being pumped from underground, the 190-acre woodland was no longer needed as a water source. With the help of Pete Merkel and Berks Nature, the Fleetwood Borough Council was able to secure a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. A $275,000 grant received by DCNR in 2024 secured the development rights for the land, so the 190 acres of forest will remain protected forever.

“Today, I am working with Craig Conrad from the Borough to upgrade the walking trails, which the Fleetwood Borough Council officially named ‘The Peter Merkel Walking Trails’ in 2024,” said Merkel. “I have been hiking, riding my horse, and enjoying this land since a very young age, so being able to not only protect the land, but have it named with a bench in my honor is a true gift. It meant a lot to me to have everyone there with my family and my dogs to honor me. I had no clue so many people would be there, and it was a total shock.”

About Fleetwood Bank

Founded in 1907, Fleetwood Bank specializes in delivering the highest quality products, service, and convenience in financial services with a friendly and familiar face. With over 100+ years as a community bank, they pride themselves in being the only bank based in Berks County, PA. Fleetwood Bank offers online and mobile banking, business and personal deposit accounts, loans, cash management services, mortgages, and more. Manage all of your individual and business financial needs at the intersection of convenience and personability with Fleetwood Bank. They employ over 60 educated and motivated team members to improve the quality of life in the communities they serve. Fleetwood Bank is a member of the FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender. Exceptional service is consistently provided across all seven branches located in Blandon, Fleetwood, Kutztown, Lyons, Oley, Shoemakersville, and Wyomissing. For more information, and to see for yourself why Fleetwood Bank was voted Berks County Living’s Best Financial Institution and the Reading Eagle’s Readers Choice for Best Bank in 2023 and 2024, visit fleetwoodbank.com.

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Source: bctv