Upper Pottsgrove Township commissioners voted to advertise a $4.4 million budget for 2025 that includes a 3.75% tax increase. Commissioners Chairman Trace Slinkerd said the tax hike is needed to close a structural deficit of more than $300,000. Not included in the budget — again — is a payment to the Pottstown Regional Public Library, which is also working to close a budget deficit. The township is considered a partner in the library but has not made a supporting contribution in at least three years. Lower Pottsgrove and West Pottsgrove townships and the Borough of Pottstown are all partners in the library and are current in their contributions. The state recommends a contribution of $5 per person — that would put Upper Pottsgrove’s contribution at about $31,000. Angela Brown, executive director of the Pottstown Regional Public Library, appeared at the meeting to ask again for the township’s support. Brown was first stopped from presenting after Slinkerd asked her if she was a resident of Upper Pottsgrove Township — a requirement the board has in place for anyone making public comments. Brown is not a township resident, but Slinkerd said he would let her “present” for two minutes, provided she “follow the procedures everybody else does.” Brown requested Upper Pottsgrove reinstate its funding to the library. After the meeting, Brown told The Mercury she sent an email on Oct. 31 to all five Upper Pottsgrove commissioners alerting them to the library’s budget problems. She received no responses.
Source: Pottstown Mercury; 11/19/2024