Township presents $29.1 million five‑year capital plan; $7.18 million proposed for 2025

At a budget work session, township staff presented a five‑year Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) totaling $29,121,074 and said the 2025 portion of the plan is $7,176,137, split between a $3,058,137 general fund share and $4,118,000 in sewer fund requests. "Our total for the 5 years of total items is $29,121,074," said Terry, finance department staff, during the presentation.

Terry said the CIP lists department requests for items over $5,000 and that costs are estimated. The plan covers projects in construction, renovations, repairs and equipment across administration, community development, finance, water quality (MS4), information technology, police, parks and recreation and public works. "The capital improvements plan for 2025, our total for 2025 is $7,176,137," Terry said.

Why it matters: staff emphasized that grant funding and restricted casino revenues are central to the township's financing strategy. Terry described significant grant leverage on several projects, noting the Springettsbury Park lighting and security upgrade carries a $1,000,000 state grant while the township's share would be $470,000. She said the township is tracking casino revenues and expects about $1,850,000 for 2025, up slightly from the current budgeted $1,800,000.

Department highlights included: a boardroom audio upgrade and a proposed electronic sign for the administration building; a final year of work on the comprehensive plan and a multiyear records‑archiving project in community development; routine IT lifecycle upgrades and server/firewall warranties; police vehicle upfitting, a training simulator (seeking an LSA grant) and replacement portable radios whose software support ends in 2025; and a range of public works projects including vehicle and tractor replacements, a wood chipper replacement, material storage bins, traffic signal improvements (design funded by a state grant) and sidewalks at Giant/Loews Plaza (township share now estimated at $169,700).

Wastewater treatment needs were presented as a longer list of multi‑year projects: a biosolids handling study, Mill Creek interceptor and secondary clarifier upgrades, ultraviolet disinfection electronics, diffuser work and subsoil replacement. Those sewer items are to be funded through intermunicipal sewer and Springsbury sewer fund reserves, Terry said.

Board members pressed staff on details and timing. One member asked whether the $10,000 annual archiving entries and the comprehensive plan are capital improvements; Terry responded the archiving is treated as a long‑term project that meets the capital threshold for inclusion. When asked how grant amounts are shown, Terry said the spreadsheet shows the net township share after grant funding is subtracted.

On grant timing, Terry said the township is still awaiting a RACP grant award of $3,500,000 for the Administration Building project and expects those funds in 2025. Mark, a staff member involved in engineering/stormwater, said he expects the Davies Drive PennDOT‑associated funds to arrive by year‑end. The board discussed drawing on capital reserves while awaiting grant reimbursements; Terry said capital reserves currently total about $2,600,000.

Contractor and field issues drew focused discussion: several members raised recurring problems with improperly installed manhole frames on state‑system paving projects (Mount Zion Road and North Sherman Street). JVI Group and public works staff described a corrective approach that places one of the township superintendents full time on paving projects to inspect and instruct on every manhole installation. "Even if a state project comes through ... we can certainly be there and bark at them to do it the correct way," a Public Works representative said.

On stormwater planning, board members asked whether the East Tributary MS4 project is effectively required by the next DEP permit; Mark said DEP previously supported that model but that the township cannot commit until the next draft permit is released because permit parameters might change.

Finance recommendations and next steps: staff recommended establishing a separate restricted account to smooth cash flow for long lead‑time equipment purchases, proposing $500,000 deposits in 2024, 2025 and 2026 with the remaining balance in 2027 for vehicle purchases already approved and on order. Terry also emphasized ongoing grant research and the need for good internal reporting because grants are subject to state or federal audits.

No formal votes or motions were taken at the work session. The chair opened public comment, recorded no online participants and adjourned the meeting.

Sources: Presentation and Q&A at the township budget work session; staff comments and board discussion recorded at the meeting.