EXETER TWP., Pa. – The big item under discussion at Monday night’s meeting of the Exeter Township Board of Supervisors was the 2026 budget.

By a 5-0 vote, the supervisors approved a motion to adopt and authorize the advertisement of the 2026 proposed budget. The advertisement will run for 20 days.

Township manager, Bill Heim, reported that the budget includes a overall real estate tax millage increase from 4.685 to 4.935 mills; 0.25 mills were added to go towards EMS funding. The general purpose millage increases from 3.62 to 3.870, while the fire services fund millage remains at 1.065 mills and the hydrant millage stays at .120 mills.

Also, the annual recycling fee is reduced to $137. The budget anticipates revenue to total $16,777,640 and expenditures to be $17,869,321, leaving a deficit of $1,091,681.

Heim told the supervisors that he is always asked, “Can’t we make more cuts?” He noted that the budget process started in June with the goal of a very lean budget.

Heim went on to say that 71% of the budget goes to personnel-related costs, leaving less than 30% for everything else. “Cuts in those areas would likely mean cuts in services and cuts in our ability to serve residents,” he said.

It was pointed out by department managers that the police force is down three people, and public works needs three vehicles. Also, public works is down a mechanic. Heim commented, “We’re running lean.”

Acknowledgements

The supervisors acknowledged township Police Officer Steve Long on his retirement after 30 years’ service with the police force. Also, JP Mascaro and Pioneer Crossing Landfill was acknowledged for their $15,000 per year sponsorship of the 2026-30 Glenn Hoover summer basketball program. In addition, the supervisors called for a moment of silence in remembrance of Sgt. Darrin Gartner, who recently suddenly passed away.

Zoning/planning

The supervisors approved Resolution #2025-31 to approve MS4 Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement. The agreement covers cooperative education with Berks County and other municipalities.

The MS4 agreement was founded by the Department of Environmental Protection to help local municipalities complete all the necessary requirements of the state’s stormwater permitting program. It is a cost-sharing program — traditionally costs have been $750 to $900. The agreement is for a five-year term.

Also, the supervisors approved a 90-day time extension for 3801 Perkiomen Ave. land development plans. The project is to remodel the existing Domino’s Pizza and add three commercial/store units. This is the second time extension request. The applicant has stated they are soon ready to submit final land development plans.

Liquor license transfer

Following a public hearing, the supervisors voted to approve the transfer of a liquor license from the City of Reading to Exeter Township. The current owner of license is Kurtz House d/b/a DeCarlo’s Bar & Grill, 240 Penn St., Reading. This location is closed. The license will be transferred to Bella Roma, 4212 St. Lawrence Ave., in St. Lawrence. The applicant is Gioachino Billeci.

Social media policy

A social media policy was approved by the supervisors. The policy establishes guidelines for content creation, posting authorization, employee conduct and the approval process for the township’s social media accounts. Only specific employees designated by the township manager are authorized to post content.

In addition, the supervisors approved an agreement with David Blackmore & Associates Inc. in the amount of $17,950 for geotechnical services for the new Emergency Services Center. The construction manager, Boyle, issued an RFP for geotechnical services which include determining the subsurface conditions of the EMS site for the design of the building foundations, stormwater management systems, and site features.