Warrington supervisors review $38.3M draft five‑year capital plan, defer major project timelines

Warrington Township supervisors reviewed a draft five‑year capital improvement plan that staff estimated at about $38,300,000 and asked staff to refine costs, timelines and financing before budget season.

Angela, who presented the draft, told the board that potential funding sources — grants, capital leases, bonds and use of reserves such as highway aid — had been identified alongside many projects but are not guaranteed. “Keep in mind that sometimes grants can delay some time‑sensitive projects,” she said, warning that estimates will change once staff obtains bids.

The board discussed two of the largest ticket items: a proposed new firehouse and a full renovation of the Barnes pool. Staff recommended shifting the firehouse from 2027 to 2028 to allow time for alternative designs, public input and outreach to the Bucks County Redevelopment Authority for possible grant or management support. “Our next steps would be to reach out to the Redevelopment Authority to discuss possible assistance and their role in applying for and managing the RCAP grant,” Angela said.

Supervisors pressed for fuller “soft‑cost” estimates — furniture, fixtures, equipment — and for project management sheets that capture design features, phasing and operational costs. One supervisor warned that moving to a full‑time, 24/7 paid fireforce would add substantial recurring expense, estimating salary and benefits in the range of $1.3–1.4 million annually and noting that would require broad resident outreach before committing.

Parks and recreation needs drew major attention. Andy, the parks presenter, said about a dozen pocket parks and tot lots were installed roughly 15–18 years ago and are reaching the end of their practical life. He recommended prioritizing replacements and switching from mulch surfacing to poured‑in‑place safety surfaces where it makes fiscal sense; staff estimated roughly $200,000 per tot lot as an order‑of‑magnitude figure. “A lot of what we put in here for the next couple years was to focus on…maintain and upgrade our existing facilities,” Andy said.

Board members asked staff to examine alternatives — transfers to homeowners associations where appropriate, phased replacements and grant opportunities — and to bring neighborhood‑specific recommendations back to the board. The Shank Tot Lot, which sits on the Neshaminy and is prone to flooding, was highlighted as a candidate for relocation; Andy said he had identified two county‑owned lots that might be leaseable as a lower‑flood‑risk site.

On roads, staff confirmed a $2,000,000 placeholder while the township contracts with Road AI to evaluate roadway condition and develop a master paving program that will help prioritize mobilization and reduce per‑project costs. Staff also updated the board on a design and permitting process for the Route 611/Bristol Road intersection; construction is estimated around $2.3 million and would require permanent easements and a 30% local match for typical state MTF grants.

The board did not vote on major bond or lease financing at the workshop; staff said it will return with refined cost estimates, project management sheets and financing options ahead of the fall/winter budget discussions.