By Richard L. Gaw
Staff Writer

As she continues to sharpen, prepare and ultimately finalize Kennett Township’s 2025 complete budget in consultation with the township’s supervisors, Director of Finance and Human Resources Amy Heinrich introduced one component of next year’s fiscal outlook at the board’s Sept. 20 meeting: a wish list summary of capital projects totaling $875,000 that it proposes to invest in over the next year. 

Heinrich’s presentation included a diverse list of projects for the township’s main building; its public works and police departments; upgrades for its sewer system; paving and stormwater needs; and the construction of  Five Points intersection project at the union of Hillendale, Old Kennett, Kaolin roads and South Union Street.

Heinrich said that the township building -- where several departments currently share office space -- continues to fall short of meeting the township’s expanding administrative needs. She projected a budget between $100,000 and $113,000 for the building, which includes improvements to the police department such as new walls, storage cabinets, doors, an office, a mini kitchen and improvements to the locker room. 

Heinrich said that the building requires the installation of security camera upgrades, wireless technology and new furniture in its public meeting room, as well as the installation of new plumbing and HVAC units throughout the building.

The public works department is requesting about $130,000 in upgrades for its facility that include the installation of new garage doors; a new addition to its salt shed structure; the replacement of a garage furnace; and a new security camera. The department is also requesting a new utility truck – estimated at $90,000 – and a new loader – estimated at $180,000.

The township is also proposing several stormwater projects in 2025, the cost of which will be less due to using “in-house” labor who will be expected to make replacements. Key projects will include a pipe replacement along Davenport Road; drainage improvements along McFarlan Road from Hillendale to Rosedale roads; drainage improvements on West South Street; and culvert replacements at several locations in the township.

Heinrich’s presentation also touched on several paving projects needed in the township – not to exceed $538,000 -- that will include drainage, milling and paving on McFarlan Road; the installation of pipes followed by milling and paving on West South Street; and milling and paving on Bayard Road from Hillendale to Old Kennett roads.

In terms of its projected sewer projects for 2025, Heinrich said that the Rosedale Road pump station is in need of upgrade and will require the construction of a new force main at an estimated cost of $552,000.

$250,000 toward Five Points intersection

At the board’s June 19 meeting, the supervisors voted to scrap long-term plans for the construction of a roundabout at the Five Points intersection in favor of maintaining it as a signaled intersection that will include left-turn lanes on both sides of Hillendale Road, and on Kaolin Road and South Union Street. In 2025, Heinrich said that the township anticipates a $250,000 budget for the intersection – some of which will be paid for by grant funds -- that will go toward paying the engineering and construction costs for what will expect to be a five-month installation project.

The township also projects that it will need to spend $20,000 to replace outdated servers in the administrative department and the police department with two new servers that will provide the departments with additional network capacity for resources, data, services and programs. Other possible capital projects for the township for 2025 include the demolition of structures on a dilapidated property on Hillendale Road that may be used as open space in the future; the installation of two speed display signs; the installation of an upgraded traffic light at the intersection of Route 1 and McFarlan Road; and various signage improvements in the township.

Heinrich said that the township is projecting that it will dedicate $140,000 to develop a pedestrian walkway along West South Street as part of the Kennett Greenway and to pay for rental equipment and materials. The township is also budgeting $100,000 in improvements at the township-owned Spar Hill Preserve that will include building stabilization, farmhouse preservation and other potential capital improvements on the property. 

The township will continue to discuss its 2025 budget during public meetings on Oct. 2, Oct. 16 and Nov. 6, and is scheduled to reach final budget approval at its Dec. 4 meeting.

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email [email protected].