This week’s meetings: Towamencin supervisors
November 8
Budget talks ongoing
Towamencin officials have begun talks on their 2018 budget, but still have work to do before it is finalized. Township officials tabled a preliminary approval of the 2018 budget from their Nov. 8 meeting, and will resume talks when the board next meets later this month. “There is no tax increase or sewer rental increase in the draft budget, nor is staff recommending one,” said Township Manager Rob Ford. The township’s 2017 revenues totalled roughly $8.5 million, with budgeted expenses just over $9 million, and the remainder made up by a transfer of roughly $450,000 from general fund reserves. The 2018 budget contains “nothing earth-shattering,” Ford said, and will conform to board policies to keep at least five percent of the total fund balance in the general fund as reserves. More details and a full presentation on the proposed 2018 budget will be available at the supervisors’ next meeting, at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 21.
Brewery gets final OK
Towamencin’s supervisors formally approved on Nov. 8 the written conditional use approval and opinion for Blueprint Brewing Company, a brewery moving into an industrial space on Gehman Road. The Blueprint owners and consultants made their case to the township to approve the brewery use during the board’s Oct. 11 meeting, and on that night the board voted unanimously to allow the brewery to go ahead — now, they’ve put it in writing. “The opinion and order is the formal written legal document that lists the approval and conditions announced on Oct. 11,” Ford said.
Waiver Denied
Tie vote: The supervisors cast a split vote on a request from Towamencin Youth Association to allow the group’s officers to use a classroom in the township administration building for monthly meetings. According to Ford, TYA had asked to use the room twice a month, for meetings of TYA’s board of directors and its soccer committee, and the group would have paid $25 per meeting or roughly $600 per year. The board split on whether to approve that request, with supervisors Dan Littley and David Mosesso voting against, supervisors Chuck Wilson and Laura Smith in favor, and supervisor Jim Sinz absent, according to Ford.
Grant update
Money secured: The township announced this week that funds have been awarded for a grant application seeking state money to widen Forty Foot Road where it narrows near Tomlinson and Heebner Roads. The road widening project has been discussed in conjunction with development of the nearby Towamencin Village Shopping Center, and the private developer that owns the shopping center has committed to providing the matching funds necessary for the state grants. The developer still intends to provide the funds, according to the manager, and the township announced this week that $825,000 has been awarded from the Commonwealth Financing Authority’s Department of Community and Economic Development multimodal grant program. “The project will eliminate a pinch point that is a source of significant traffic concerns from the motoring public, businesses, and residents in this area, by providing roadway widening for a second westbound through travel lane between the Detwiler Road intersection and the Newbury Way intersection,” Ford said. The grant funding will allow for a full five lane roadway the entire length of Forty Foot Road from Welsh Road to Sumneytown Pike, and Ford said the township estimates the total project cost at roughly $2.6 million, with word on a second grant application seeking funds from PennDOT expected in early 2018.
Turkey Trot
Coming soon: Towamencin’s annual Turkey Trot 5K race will be held starting at 9 a.m. on Nov. 18 at Fischer’s Park, with proceeds from race registration going to fund special events throughout the year. The chip-timed walk and run will present medals to the top three finishers in each race category, in addition to awards fro best costume, and a free “fun run” for children 10 years old and younger will take place at 8 a.m.
Pets and strollers are welcome, and light snacks will be served to runners after the race. Registration is $30 per runner, and must be done beforehand through the township’s website www.Towamencin.org.