This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Politics & Government

Supervisors Discuss 5-Year Spending Plan

The Board of Supervisors heard a brief presentation on a five-year capital plan for township Tuesday evening.

The Board of Supervisors has a draft of the township's first-ever five-year capital spending plan whose priorities include an approximate $200,000 expenditure for emergency radios for police and firefighters.

Finance Director Ann Alker told the board Tuesday that other spending priorities include:

-- more space for the Licenses and Inspections department;

Find out what's happening in Upper Southamptonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • new vehicles and equipment for Public Works;

  • upgrading the Police Department's two holding cells;

Find out what's happening in Upper Southamptonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • community center improvements;

  • LED street lights; and

  • updating the township's road survey.

  • However, she offered no other financial estimates and said copies of the plan won't be available until later this week. She said the township is in the process of getting two price quotes for street lights.

    “This is only a draft,” she told the supervisors. “Comments and suggestions are welcome.”

    In addition, just because something is listed in the plan doesn't mean that project will necessarily be funded, Township Manager Joe Golden later explained.

    The radios are needed by 2013 because the county has changed its system, township officials said.

    The improvements to the holding cells are the last step required for the department to get accreditation, hopefully next spring, from the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, Chief Ron MacPherson explained after the meeting. They include fire suppression, toilets and potable water.

    Supervisor Chairwoman Lola Biuckians pointed out that the board had waited about a year-and-half for the plan and said Alker had done a “great job.”

    “This is a work in progress,” she said of the five-year plan. “It will have to be updated constantly.”

    Resident Robert Shaffer asked if in parks and other recreational areas, is included in the plan. Golden said no, but Supervisor Keith Froggatt said the Parks and Recreation Department will still look into that prospect, as it has been directed.

    We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

    The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?