Committee authorizes advertisement to bid 2026 road program amid long‑term funding concerns

The Finance & Administration Committee voted to recommend advertising the 2026 road program, while staff and members discussed long‑term funding limits and options for economies of scale.

Staff described a projected $225,000 paving program, with $110,000 expected from the state liquid fuels allocation and the balance from the Highway Aid Fund. Doug (Treasurer) said the borough cannot assume liquid fuels revenue will increase and that relying on the Highway Aid Fund without replenishment would deplete that account in roughly two to three years if current spending continues.

Members debated whether to pursue larger aggregated projects to gain bidding economies of scale or consider borrowing at lower future rates. Staff cautioned that larger projects require more preparatory work (storm and sanitary sewer checks) and may stretch staff capacity and increase resident disruption, so the current plan to pave about a half‑mile per year is intended to balance cost competitiveness and minimize disruption.

The committee approved recommending advertisement to bid (voice vote 3–0). Staff said the project funding will combine liquid fuels and Highway Aid Fund distributions and that future budget cycles may require transfers from the general fund to sustain the paving program.