FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-Upper Pottsgrove Township, Jun 17th, 2025— Monday evening, after four years of careful planning, problem-solving, and persistence, the Upper Pottsgrove Township Board of Commissioners has officially approved the bid package for a new, long-awaited municipal complex. The entire project is fully funded without taking on any debt.
This milestone marks a major leap forward for the Township, bringing together the Police Department, Public Works Department, and Township Administration in a modern, efficient facility designed to serve the community for decades to come.
Strategic Plan, No Debt Goal
The Township realized this goal through the sale of the Township’s aging sewer system—a system encumbered with an overwhelming degree of risk that the Township could not afford. This sale, engineered through the work of Board Commissioners Trace Slinkerd, Renee Spaide, Cathy Paretti, Dave Waldt, and Township Manager Michelle Reddick as well as the former Township Sewer Committee members John Bealer and Don Read, of the system was sold at a value higher than projected in 2020.
The sale of the system closed in June of 2022 with the current Board’s majority—Commissioners Don Read, Hank Llewellyn, and Trace Slinkerd—orchestrating the intent of the sale with Township Manger Michelle Reddick coordinating the actions. The impact was transformative: elimination of sewer risk, the retirement of all debt, the restoration of all pension funds, and the creation of an investment account for the building of a Township municipal complex.
Bids Came In Low; Timing Couldn’t Be Better
After extensive design and engineering work, the Township issued bid packages for a combined Police and Administrative building, with the Public Works facility included as a project alternate. The response was overwhelming—more than 40 competitive bids were received, driving down costs well below projections.
The final projected budget includes:
- Police & Administration Building: $6,175,187 (includes all site work and owner contingency)
- Soft and Vendor Costs (incl. contingency, insurance, professional services, furniture, security, etc):$1,144,169
- Public Works Facility: $1,607,861
- Approved Enhancements (sally port, backup generator, security, access control wash bay, Moyer Rd. entrance): $320,347
- TOTAL PROJECT COST: ~$9,510,744
*This includes over $500,000 in contingency funds, ensuring flexibility to address any surprises without affecting taxpayers.
No Loans. Just Results.
Thanks to sound financial stewardship, interest earned from the sewer sale has already generated nearly $1 million in revenue. With the project funded upfront and Township debt eliminated, annual budgets are freed from loan payments—saving money long-term and preserving fiscal flexibility for the future.
A Critical, Long Overdue Upgrade
The Police and Public Works buildings have long been in dire condition—outdated, inefficient, and in some cases, hazardous. Continuing to operate these facilities would only waste money and increase liability.
“This is about more than just buildings,” said the Board in a joint statement. “It’s about making sure our dedicated staff—our Police, Public Works, and Township team—have the tools and safe working conditions they need to serve this community well. And it’s about being responsible stewards of public funds.”
Looking Ahead
Upper Pottsgrove has reached a defining moment. With the final approval of this fully funded project, the Township is taking a giant step forward—without compromising financial health. The project manager will control costs through a separate budget formalized through last night’s vote and it will not be part of the general fund. We thank all involved in this long journey.
UPPER POTTSGROVE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS