The monthly Marlborough supervisors meeting dealt with a host of routine matters including issues related to the ongoing 2025 budget-shaping process. Township Manager/Secretary Marybeth Cody announced that there is currently a $200,000 deficit in the preliminary draft of the budget.

            "I'm still working on numbers, trying to shift things," Cody said.

            The tightness of the budget is creating a quandary about how to balance monetary concerns with the need to replace, repair or supplement township equipment including a truck, a chipper, a spreader, a loader and a diesel fuel tank for public works.

            "I would defer this to 2026," said Supervisor Brian Doremus about the truck, a Ford F-150. "This is more of a want than a need."

            Cody relayed that several minor problems with the truck have been cropping up. "You'll have to make a decision. When do you stop putting money into it versus let's start looking into a new one?"

            The second draft of the budget will be discussed at the work session to be held on at 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 28.

            The supervisors unanimously approved an amended version of the snow plowing agreement with the state. Marlborough will plow sections of some state roads in the township, including portions of Route 63, Upper Ridge Road, Swamp Creek Road and Miller Road. Part of Miller Road was substituted for a segment of Finland Road.

            Doremus voiced concern about plowing the length of Miller Road that has brush overhanging the roadway, creating a potentially dangerous situation, and he expressed the hope that PennDOT would trim it back before long.

            The amended version includes less mileage than had been proposed by Public Works Director Steve Fulmer and will result in less compensation for the township.

            The supervisors discussed re-signing a mutual aid agreement with Upper Hanover. Solicitor Mark Cappuccio said that there had been some changes from the last agreement noting that the revised document is much more specific.

            Cappuccio requested that Upper Hanover clarify some of the wording before an agreement is finalized and that insurance indemnification is agreed to by the township's insurer.  The agreement will be discussed again at the upcoming work session.

            The supervisors discussed the township property on Swamp Creek Road and whether, and how, to sell it. Cody said an informal appraisal of the tax sale acquired property put the as-is value at $80,000 to $100,000.

            Supervisors Bill Jacobs and Billy Hurst indicated a preference for selling the property while Doremus expressed reluctance to do so. If the property is going to be sold, Doremus pushed for an auction.

            Cappuccio reminded the supervisors that any sale has to be publicly advertised. Cody will do more research on the sale process.

            Escrow releases were approved for the Scaletti and the Haines Museum land development projects.

            The amended burn ordinance was discussed and sent on for professional review.

             The Marlborough police will be participating in Montgomery County's drug take-back day on Saturday, October 26. Unused and expired prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications can be turned in at the police department from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

            At the recent blood drive co-sponsored by the police department and St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, donations reached 160 percent of the goal with 32 donations.

            The department's annual holiday toy drive, which benefits the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the Valley's Open Link will begin in November.

            In her written report to the supervisors, Cody stated that the Heidelberg Materials quarry manager had apologized for the lack of communication about recent night operations at the plant. "To his knowledge, the night operations are completed," Cody wrote.

            Dollar General has begun constructing the storm system at its site on Sumneytown Pike.

The meeting started 12 minutes late while an executive session was held to discuss personnel and legal matters.

            The next monthly board of supervisors meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 13 at 7 p.m.