Dickinson Township supervisors start LST process and review 2026 budget, five-year capital plan

At a Dickinson Township Board of Supervisors meeting on Oct. 14, 2025, township officials reviewed a draft 2026 budget and agreed to begin the process to continue the Local Services Tax (LST), Township Manager Jill Lovett said.

Lovett presented a budget draft that anticipates higher medical benefit costs and wage increases next year, ongoing staffing vacancies carried into 2026, and the end of a rental-land lease at the close of 2025. She told the board that if the township elects to continue the LST, the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) must be notified by Dec. 1 and a resolution will be prepared for the board’s November meeting.

The supervisors directed staff to start the LST process and place a resolution on the November agenda. The board’s decision at the meeting was to begin that process; no formal vote to adopt an LST resolution occurred at the Oct. 14 meeting.

Manager Lovett reviewed fund-level details, noting that road construction amounts will be shifted into the capital reserve account to support multi-year planning. Public Works Director Glenn Kelso reported that the Coldspring bridge received a repair grant and that the township’s bridges rank high on the priority list; the grant program allows one bridge award per township. Kelso recommended continued use of flex base pavement for road repairs and identified several roads proposed for 2026 work. He also explained the process and considerations when a road is turned over to a resident.

On emergency services funding, Lovett said she consulted Rob from Robb Consulting on a recent fire study; the study’s data will inform recommended funding levels for the township’s fire companies. She noted that the fire companies submitted funding requests and that one company also needs a new roof, creating uncertainty about how that expense will be addressed. Vice Chairperson Jennifer DeGaetano said she preferred waiting for further detail before changing allocations.

Park and recreation needs factored into the discussion: Kelso outlined repair and maintenance work at Lindenwood Park and the board agreed to leave funds available in the budget for park repairs, with the condition that supervisors be notified before purchases are made. Kelso and Lovett discussed equipment replacement needs in public works, including a proposed new dump truck and a new zero-turn mower; Kelso said several tools and pieces of equipment have been carried in the budget for multiple years. Lovett raised the possibility of outsourcing mowing as park maintenance demands increase.

Lovett presented the township’s 2026–2030 capital plan framework, which bundles equipment replacements and park funding into the capital reserve. She said Barnitz Mill was omitted from the current plan because its funding and business plan remain uncertain. Supervisor Line suggested setting aside money proactively for Barnitz Mill; Vice Chairperson DeGaetano recommended waiting for the mill’s business plan and budget before allocating funds.

Next steps: Lovett will meet individually with each supervisor to refine capital items and prepare finalized budget materials for the next regular meeting. The meeting opened at 5:00 p.m.; Vice Chairperson DeGaetano moved to approve the Oct. 14 agenda (seconded by Supervisor Robert "Bob" Line III) and the board adjourned at 6:28 p.m. after a motion by DeGaetano and second by Line.

Votes at a glance

• Motion to approve the Oct. 14, 2025 agenda — Mover: Vice Chairperson Jennifer DeGaetano; Second: Supervisor Robert "Bob" Line III; Outcome: approved unanimously.

• Motion to adjourn at 6:28 p.m. — Mover: Vice Chairperson Jennifer DeGaetano; Second: Supervisor Robert "Bob" Line III; Outcome: approved unanimously.