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Berks County commissioners debate $12 million funding agreement for Coalbrookdale Railroad
Summary
Commissioners discussed a proposed $12 million funding agreement to the Redevelopment Authority for upgrades to the Coalbrookdale Railroad and consolidation of prior debt (total principal cited as $19,293,908). Commissioner Dante Santoni said he could not support the appropriation citing budget strain; the agenda including the item was approved but the specific resolution was not voted on at this meeting.
Chair Leinbach presented a proposed funding agreement that would provide $12,000,000 from Berks County to the Redevelopment Authority to finance improvements to the Coalbrookdale Railroad and consolidate prior debts, producing a total principal sum the agenda cited as $19,293,908. He said the funding would be used to upgrade tracks, ties, and bridges and serve as a local match for large federal grants. "If this money isn't appropriated to the redevelopment authority, the railroad will shut down," Leinbach said, arguing the county's earlier purchase preserved freight operations and that one grant alone exceeds $16 million and the combined projects could total about $30,000,000 in investment.
Commissioner Dante Santoni registered the meeting's lone recorded objection to the item. Santoni said he respects the railroad but added that "the amount that we're appropriating, I don't think it jives with the economic development," and that the county faces competing priorities and tight budgets: "I can't in good conscience support it." He asked for supporting data and said he would be a no on item c under the commissioners.
Commissioner Michael Rivera said he would vote in favor, calling the railroad "an economic driver" that has helped revitalize Boyertown and the surrounding area. The board took a voice vote to approve the meeting agenda; Leinbach called the question specifically on the agenda with Santoni recorded as a no on item c, and the motion to approve the agenda carried. The meeting did not record a separate roll-call or final vote adopting the redevelopment authority funding resolution itself during this session.
The matter remains on the commissioners' agenda for formal action at a later time; the chair indicated the funding agreement and related documents would be subject to final review and approval by the Berks County Solicitor's Office before any execution. No formal vote adopting the funding agreement was documented in the transcript of this meeting.
