Board of Supervisors Budget Workshop Meeting

The Board of Supervisors held a budget workshop to review capital requests from advisory boards and departments. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board presented three goals from the Moon Park Master Site Plan: improving safety, creating a gathering place with indoor recreation, and expanding outdoor space. They proposed an $8–10 million bond issue to fund these projects, with a top priority of an indoor recreation center combined with basketball courts and restrooms. The township manager noted that the master plan is seven years old and recommended involving other user groups—athletic organizations, senior citizens, and trail users—in prioritization. She also stressed the need to divide spending between new amenities and critical infrastructure repairs, particularly the park office and maintenance building, which she described as unsafe for employees and the public. The Board directed staff to obtain bond issue figures from Janney Montgomery Scott for a potential $10 million bond, which would require $750,000 in annual repayments over 20 years.

The Library Board was unable to attend, but the township manager presented their request for a $9,000 increase in general fund allotment, clarifying a discrepancy in the budgeted amount. The Library currently receives $184,000, plus a $20,000 challenge grant. They also requested $30,000 for new carpeting and $20,000 for engineering and architectural costs related to an addition.

The finance director reviewed the capital reserve report, totaling approximately $4.7 million in requests from 2012 and 2013, with only $685,000 currently in capital reserve and $1.327 million available to transfer from the general fund. Departmental requests included two police SUV interceptors, traffic speed advisory machines, Mooncrest security camera upgrades to high-definition, dispatch center workstation upgrades over 2–3 years, and in-car wireless lease payments. The Fire Department requested refurbishment of the snorkel truck, a new epoxy floor for the apparatus bay, and an exhaust system to address diesel fumes, citing a new Firefighter Cancer Presumption law. Public Works’ top priority was a $75,000 mini-excavator, with additional requests for a paver, a message board and barrier trailer for the Emergency Operations Center, and $50,000 set aside toward a new tandem axle Mack truck in 2015. The Parks Department requested playground equipment replacement, a Jacobsen mower, and entrance gates and security cameras, with $20,000 already in capital reserve for playground equipment. MCA-TV requested $91,000 for studio equipment replacement, including three cameras and audio mixers.

The Board agreed that the traffic signal at Beaver Grade Road and Montour Run Road is a top priority, and staff noted that Grant Drive work has already begun. A supervisor emphasized the maintenance barn and park restrooms, while another supervisor stressed the park office. The township manager urged the Board to consider all township buildings and facilities together, including the Carriage House and the Carnot Road garage, to avoid overlapping programs. The meeting adjourned at an unspecified time.