Rescue Squad Funding Approved In Bensalem: Unofficial Results

BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA —Two longtime Bensalem Township council members retained their seats while a ballot question to help fund the township's emergency rescue squads was also approved in unofficial results from Tuesday's general election.

With 100 percent of Bucks County's 306 precincts reporting, Council President Edward Kisselback and Councilman Joseph Knowles were re-elected, according to unofficial results from the Bucks County Board of Elections.

Knowles was the top vote-getter, garnering 7,034 votes. Kisselback received 6,983 votes.

Meanwhile, Democratic challengers Jason Mulvey finished with 6,091 votes and Marc S. Stolee garnered 6,084 votes.

Residents also voted on a ballot question during Tuesday's general election:

"Shall the Township Council of the Township of Bensalem be authorized to increase the real estate property tax for the operation and maintenance of the ambulance and rescue squads serving the Township by an additional one (1) mill?"

The ballot question was approved with 6,777 votes for yes and 6,101 for no.

In mid-August, the Bensalem Township Council approved the increase to go before voters.

At the time, Bensalem's Rescue Squad Director Thomas Topley said the cost might be as much as a plain pizza.

But that cost —possibly $25 a year for the average resident —would help fund the operations of the ambulance and rescue squad as it competes to attract candidates as its staffing continues to shrink and calls continue to rise.

Topley, who has led the rescue squad since 1994, said the squad has not had a tax increase since 2010. He said in 2020, a similar referendum was placed before voters, but rejected.

Voter turnout in Bucks County was 42.4 percent.