Tredyffrin Supervisors Vote 6-1 To Adopt Preliminary Budget

TREDYFFRIN, PA —Tredyffrin Township supervisors voted 6 to 1 to approve a preliminary budget that proposes new stormwater management and fire and emergency services funds.

Under the proposed spending plan the average taxpayer in Tredyffrin will pay a total of $924 in real estate taxes, an increase of $300 or 48 percent over the 2023 year spending plan.

The budget process is ongoing, with final approval set for Dec. 18. The township covers 19.8 square miles and has a population of 29, 482.

The decision to add the stormwater and emergency services follows two years of professional studies on both issues.

Broken down, the taxes include $624 to a general fund that includes police, parks, salaries, administrative costs, and libraries.

A total of $158 of the tax bill will go to a stormwater fund, which funds repairs from ongoing flooding issues most recently due to Tropical Storm Fred and Hurricane Ida in 2021.

An estimated $140 of the tax bill will go to an emergency services fund for fire and ambulance services. The proposed budget includes hiring a full-time fire administrator to begin midyear.

Supervisor Matt Holt voted against the preliminary budget, expressing concerns about the costs of staffing levels and projects. Holt noted that the township has been underfunded for years and will still be underfunded.

Paul J. Drucker, a retired state representative and township resident, said the police department is understaffed, the fire companies are in disrepair, and the library is falling apart.
Drucker said the township did not gradually respond to issues for many years.

Resident Michael Heaberg suggested that the township spend taxpayers' money like it's their money. He suggested cutting back on expenses.

Joseph F. DiRocco, township director of finance, said he would look at paring down the expenses and provide recommendations.

Overall, the proposed spending plan allocates $12.44 million for police; $1.2 million for parks and recreation; $1.56 million for libraries; $1.06 million for planning and zoning; $290,000 for engineering, and $3.22 million for administration.

DiRocco said the township was able to save an estimated $200,000 in spending in 2023 due to a mild winter.

Fire fund

The proposed budget also includes a new fund for fire and emergency services to help volunteer fire companies and emergency services in the wake of diminishing volunteers.
The $2.6 million fund will include adding a fire administrator for the second half of the year and increasing contributions to fire companies to $482,000.
The township is also allocating $3.15 million toward a project to replace the 93-year-old Berwyn Fire Co. station on Bridge Street, according to the proposed budget.
The township plans to continue to work with neighboring Easttown Township to address long-term funding for fire and emergency services.

Stormwater management fund

The spending plan also includes a fund for stormwater management following severe flooding in prior years. The proposed annual stormwater budget is $2.56 million.
The township this year was exploring the possibility of a separate stormwater management fee. The supervisors decided to wait until the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has ruled in a West Chester case if a separate fee based on impervious land is allowed by law.