Warrington Adopts 2023 Budget; Funds Additional Police Officer

WARRINGTON TOWNSHIP, PA — The Warrington Township Board of Supervisors voted at its November 22 meeting to approve the hiring of an additional police officer in 2023.

The decision is in direct response to the concerns of many residents who have contacted the township or attended meetings over the past several months to request that the township address safety issues such as speeding and increased traffic violations.

Warrington Township Police Department will hire three other officers in 2023. Two will replace officers who are retiring after being out on workers’ comp for the past two years. Another officer will be onboarded in 2023 to replace an officer who will retire in January 2024.

“In effect, there will be four additional Warrington Township Police Officers on patrol in 2023. Two of the officers will most likely be ‘on the streets’ by the end of the second quarter of 2023,” said Chief Daniel Friel.

“Our residents spoke, and we listened,” said Fred Gaines, Chairman, Warrington Township Board of Supervisors. “They brought their concerns to the Board of Supervisors from several neighborhoods across the township and provided speed studies and factual statements regarding speeding and violations by motorists that are occurring on a regular basis.”

Gaines added, “Our four new officers will be able to address our residents’ safety and traffic concerns as well as home invasions, retail theft, and car incidents.”

In order to cover the cost associated with hiring an additional officer and addressing other public safety matters, including fire apparatus for the future, the board approved the 2023 budget, which will include a tax increase of 1.5 mills. The increase equates to approximately $40 per household, according to township manager Barry P. Luber.

“While no one ever likes to see their taxes get raised, it was important that the board address the issues at hand, and with only 33 officers available for duty, it has put a strain on the police department," he said.

The board also approved an Automated Red-Light Enforcement (ARLE) program, which will enable the Warrington Township Police Department to monitor the intersections of Rte. 611 and Bristol Road and Rte. 611 and Street Road with cameras. Those two heavily-trafficked intersections were chosen due to the frequency of motorists who try to “beat the light.”

The program is currently operational in the City of Philadelphia and Abington Township.

“The Warrington Board of Supervisors heard presentations from Abington Township police officers and administrators who believe that this program has exponentially reduced the number of accidents at intersections where it was installed,” said Eileen Albillar, vice chair, Warrington Township Board of Supervisors.

Originally, Albillar was skeptical of the program, but once numerous residents came forward with their concerns, she realized that Rte. 611 and these two intersections were particularly dangerous and the sites of frequent fender-benders that could easily escalate to fatalities, so she voted
in favor of the program.

Supervisors Ruth Schemm, Vanessa Maurer, and Michael Diorka also expressed support of the new police officers and the ARLE program.

Warrington Township’s 2023 Capital Budget also includes several substantial capital projects for 2023 and beyond.

Some of the major projects include constructing a community room at Lions Pride Park, a feasibility study for the Mary Barness Community Pool and a design for expansion of Fire Station 78.

“These capital projects will allow for continued support of key areas of the township, including additional programming for residents via the community room, a possible new swimming pool and a safer space for firefighters that includes a state-of-the-art Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for use in the event of a natural disaster, major catastrophe, or serious incident in the township,” said Luber.

The community room at Lions Pride Park is phase four of an initial four-stage project planned over several years for the township. Phase one included construction of Lindy Properties Kids Mountain and the Toll Brothers Grove, which is currently enjoyed by thousands of children and families.

Phase two, a pond-to-wetland conservation area and a walkway for viewing wildlife, will be completed in 2023.

Phase three was the recent expansion and upgrade of the parking lot. Phase 4, the Lions Pride Park Community Room, will allow residents and employees a space for training, expanded recreational and educational programming, and community events. The facility will accommodate up to 75 people.

“According to the U.S. Census, Warrington Township has seen an enormous amount of growth in the past few years, and we have to be aware that as we grow, it is our responsibility to provide the same stellar services and maintain a safe environment for our residents,” said Gaines.

Township officials project that 0.25 mills of the 1.5 mill tax increase will fund the Warrington Volunteer Fire Company. The additional revenue will help provide funding for fire truck replacements.

The 2023 adopted budget changes have increased the structural funding gap, resulting in the need for an approximate six mill tax increase over the next five years. The increase is based on projections of economic conditions and current projections for current operations (not including any additional hires between 2024 and 2028).

The increase could be less if the township’s revenue exceeds its expenditures over the next five years. If the township deems it necessary to provide additional staff (including police and fire), the total millage increase projections will need to be revisited. Township staff will continue to review and present projections every year based on the most accurate data available at the time.

Anyone interested in reading the 2023 budget in its entirety can find it online on the township’s website www.warringtontownship.org or view a hard copy in the administration building at 852 Easton Road, Warrington 18976.

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