Red Lion Council discusses $1 million borrowing proposal and road adoption steps

Red Lion Borough Council spent substantial time Aug. 11 considering options to address a backlog of street repairs, including a staff suggestion to borrow up to $1 million to have a single contractor repave the bulk of documented streets.

Public Works chair Dennis Klinedinst outlined a plan to borrow funds and have one contractor complete roughly three‑quarters of the identified streets; interim quotes from banks were reported by Treasurer Amanda Runkle with interest rates starting around 5.4 percent. Solicitor Mike Craley and staff also discussed Pennsylvania Infrastructure Bank and Delaware Valley funding as alternatives to commercial loans.

Council instructed staff to pursue meetings with PennDOT to clarify which roads the borough maintains but has not formally adopted—and therefore which roads might be eligible for liquid‑fuel funds. The list of non‑adopted roads discussed included Weaver Lane, East Elm Lane, Haines Lane, Adams Lane, N. Church Lane and others; staff recommended pursuing adoption regardless of funding eligibility.

Council did not vote to borrow funds at the Aug. 11 meeting. Ms. Runkle said she would continue to obtain financing quotes and that council would consider formal borrowing if financing terms and a scope of work are developed. Brady Greer emphasized the urgency, but several members noted concerns about tradeoffs, citing competing priorities such as the fireworks contract and other capital needs.

Next steps: staff to gather formal loan quotes, meet with PennDOT on adoption/eligibility, and return with a recommended financing plan and cost estimate.