(12/2023) I hope that everyone is having a great holiday season. Thank you to everyone who turned out to vote on November 7 and congratulations to the newly and re-elected public officials around the area. I also want to thank the Liberty Township residents for re-electing me for another term as Supervisor.

We are once again pleased to report that despite the rising costs of fuel, labor, and materials, we were able to make appropriate adjustments to balance the proposed 2024 General Fund budget at $561,265 with no tax increase and less than $2,000 over last year. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has notified us that our estimated Act 44 Liquid Fuels Fund allocation for 2024 is $76,827. These State Funds combined with our Reserve Funds, make up our proposed budget of $315,000 for road improvements. This is our maximum budget for road projects for the year. The use of the budgeted amount will be determined after road project bids are received in the spring.

We applied for a Local Share Account Statewide Grant for $225,000 for the purchase of a tractor and boom mower. The Township in previous years, including this year, has always rented a tractor with a boom mower attachment to use to cleanup the roadways. Our current mower will soon need to be replaced, and with the cost of equipment at almost half our annual budget it would be difficult for the township to replace our equipment without such an opportunity.

As a reminder, it is getting much colder out; please be mindful of the winter weather. The Road Department replaced a collapsed crossover pipe on Gladhill Road. The emergency repair was performed successfully in time before the cut off for using black top. We hope to be able to make a more permanent repair in the future. The International truck is currently getting a new clutch plate installed so it is ready to go for the winter season. The road department is planning to attend additional LTAP training during the winter months. We are also scheduling training for everyone to be able to use the new AED devices that we recently received.

Next year, there will be two electronic recycling events for Parks Garbage customers in Fairfield. Please check with your municipality to see if your area is included. The first event is scheduled for May 4 at Highland Township. Local events in December include the free horse carriage rides that will be offered at the Outlets at Gettysburg that began on November 24th and go on until December 23rd. See the Destination Gettysburg website for more information. Strawberry Hill will be hosting a Winter Solstice Celebration that is $30 per child. At this event you can make tree decorations, bird treats, s’mores, and much more.

Municipal and County Tax second notices went out in early November. Those taxes can be collected until December 31. We are in the penalty phase for school tax collection. Second notices for school taxes will be sent in early January. A drop box is located by the front door of the Township Municipal Building for tax payments and all municipal mail collection.

The Board of Supervisors will hold the Annual Organization meeting on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at 6 PM with the regular January monthly Board of Supervisors meeting immediately following. The Annual Auditors Organization meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 3, at 6 p.m.. Our monthly public meeting will continue to be held on the 1st Tuesday of each month at 6 PM except November. The November meeting will be held on Wednesday November 6. The Planning Commission meetings will be held as needed on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7:30 PM. All meetings will be held in the Township Building, 39 Topper Road, Fairfield.

Thank you to everyone for their continued support of Liberty Township. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!