October 7, 2026 Committee Meetings and Special Board of Commissioners Meetings

Lower Merion Township’s October 7, 2026 committee meetings and special Board of Commissioners meeting covered several purchasing and budget matters. The Finance Committee approved recommending a road-salt supply agreement through the Montgomery County Consortium of Communities at $73.44 per ton delivered and $73 per ton non-delivered; the revised arrangement gives each municipality direct enforcement remedies after prior supply problems. The Board also approved 36-month electricity supply agreements with apparent low bidders Freepoint Energy and Constellation Energy, with 100% renewable energy credits and rate limits of 9.35 cents/kWh for general-service accounts and 0.69 cents/kWh for lighting accounts. The committee advanced notice and public hearings for the proposed 2027 budget and 2027–2032 capital improvement plan. Township staff reported a Kinwood Trail sidewalk estimate exceeding $2 million, alongside a $100,000 grant, and agreed to pursue additional grant funding. A proposed $10,000 consultant study for the Merion-Kinwood business district was withdrawn after staff said an existing intern could undertake the work.

Budget discussions included a proposed Axon first-responder drone program at $75,000 annually for five years. Commissioners expressed differing views on the expense and privacy safeguards; the discussion was guidance on whether to include it in the draft budget, not a final purchase approval. The board also discussed temporary code-enforcement staffing, a one-year management fellow position estimated at about $89,000 including benefits, and other staffing and communications requests. A five-year police-services cooperation agreement with Narberth Borough was approved for recommendation, and the Board approved a police disciplinary action. No final adoption of the 2027 budget or capital plan occurred at this meeting.