At its work session meeting on October 22, the Lower Frederick Board of Supervisors continued their discussion of the township's 2025 fiscal budget. Board Chair Marla Hexter expressed concerns that revenue projections remained relatively flat while expenses are projected to increase.

            Next year's revenue is projected to be $2.507 million while 2025 expenses are projected to be $2.488 million, resulting in a net income of $18,377 with no transfer of funds to the Capital Reserve fund. However projected revenue for the years 2026 – 2029 total $10.046 million while projected expenditures over the same period total $15.989 million.

            Hexter said, "I think we have to grapple with the fact that we are a modern community with a lot of demands for services that cost a lot of money and there's no place to shave the budget. We can say we are not going to hire more people, but we still need to repair the roads, we still have to fix things that break. The money coming in is not growing, but the money going out is growing, which means our deficit is going to get bigger and bigger every year. In five years, we'll literally be broke, so we have to think about how to resolve this."

            "We gotta slow up. Stop running, start walking. We're spending too much. We just want to buy, buy, buy," said Supervisor Terry Sacks.

            "Most of the expenses are on people and their wages and benefits, so we either raise taxes or start firing people. I don't see any other way around it," responded Hexter.

            The complete 2025 Fiscal Year Budget Presentation can be found on the township's website. Budget discussions will continue at the next general meeting scheduled for November 6.

            As requested by the board, Township Engineer Carol Schuehler prepared a preliminary estimate of probable costs for the installation of sidewalks along both frontages of Delphi Junction, a commercial property located at the eastern corner of Gravel Pike and Spring Mount Road. The goal of the project is to install a four-foot wide concrete sidewalk along Spring Mount Road and a six-foot concrete sidewalk along Gravel Pike.

            The preliminary estimated construction cost for such a project would be in the range of $350K - $375K. The costs are evenly split between the two frontages. Design, permitting, project management, and contingencies bring the estimated cost to $427K.

            If the township decides to move forward with the project, next steps would include communication with Montgomery County about the feasibility of the project being awarded funding under the Montco 2040 Grant Program. If the maximum grant of $250K was awarded, the township would be responsible for the balance of $177K.

            Board Chair Marla Hexter stated, "I don't know where we are going to get $177K for a sidewalk, that eventually will be a great asset to the community, but for a while it will be a very expensive sidewalk."

            Supervisor Noelle Halter expressed opposition to the project at this time due to the high cost, noting that the grant would be a reimbursement grant, and the township would need to pay for the entire project upfront.

            After discussing various options, the board decided to table the discussion until getting feedback from the county regarding its commitment to and timing for the completion of a pedestrian trail from Delphi Junction to Schwenksville.

            "We all think this is a great idea, but we need to know more from the county, and we're concerned about the cost, so for now we're going to table it," stated Hexter.

            The board discussed two applications for variances from Lower Frederick's zoning ordinances. The first variance would allow the construction of an accessory pole barn in the front yard of 44 Cepp Road.

            After a brief discussion, the board decided to remain neutral and leave the decision to the township's Zoning Hearing Board. The second variance would allow a 150-foot minimum lot width and a side yard setback of 30 feet for a residential addition in the township's R1 Residential district at 3 Gerloff Road. After a brief discussion, the board voted to approve this request.

            The board voted to rescind a previous resolution which had the wrong dollar amount and adopt a new resolution authorizing an application for a grant from the 2024 PECO Green Region Open Space Program for the Cuddy Park Stormwater Project and committing $2,651 as a 50% match for the project.