(12/2022) Our budget planning process is complete and the proposed 2023 budget has been advertised for adoption in December. We are pleased to report that despite the rising costs or fuel, labor, and materials, we were able to make appropriate adjustments to balance the proposed 2023 General Fund budget at $559,185 with no tax increase.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has notified us that our estimated Act 44 Liquid Fuels Fund allocation for 2023 is $ 76,688. These State Funds combined with our General Funds and Reserve Funds, make up our proposed budget of $288,000 for road improvements. This is our maximum budget for road projects for the year.

The actual decisions to use the budgeted amount will be made after road project bids are received in the spring. We would also like to thank the Adams County Board of Commissioners for committing a portion of their American Rescue Plan Act funds to local municipalities. We were pleased to receive an email outlining their decision to provide funds to assist in the recovery of lost revenues based on the Liquid Fuels funds lost in 2020 and 2021 as compared to 2019 pre-pandemic revenues.

Liberty Township is ready to go in the case of winter weather. During the month of November, the township performed injector repairs on our big yellow dump truck. The truck is now back in service and equipped with snow chains. Plows, salt boxes, and spreaders, are mounted on all the trucks, and they have been loaded with ice melt/anti-skid mix. Recent deliveries of 100 tons of anti-skid, 45 tons of salt, and one and a half tons of magnesium chloride were made to the township. We will be testing out the magnesium chloride for the first time this year. Magnesium chloride added to our mix is expected to result in a fast-acting melt lasting for a longer time and at lower temperatures than salt alone.

We are following up with Fairfield Fire Chief Bill Jacobs to finalize our joint project to use Liberty Township ponds for fire suppression. The project began in as an idea during his presentation at the May 2022 meeting. The township then sent letters asking property owners for permission to use their ponds. After a great positive response, we provided Chief Jacobs with the contact information of the cooperative property owners. After assessing each pond for viability, the fire department would arrange an agreement with the property owner outlining the conditions of use.

Liberty Township is aware that additional assistance may be needed to complete the project. We are prepared to review cost proposals and consider funding to provide signs and other incidentals. We look forward to continuing to work with the Fire Department to improve the safety of our residents and the surrounding area.

Our committee volunteers have had a busy year. After several years of no Zoning Hearings, Liberty Township received three applications in a thirty-day period. The dedicated work of our residents who volunteer their time and guidance to serve our community is critical to maintaining a successful local government. We appreciate everyone who shares an interest in being involved.

Whether you are serving in appointed or elected position, or just turning out to vote, thank you for being involved in the governance of your local community. Who knows more what the neighborhood needs than the people who live there. Remember to support your local businesses especially during this busy holiday season. I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.