January 2, 2026
Dear Lower Makefield Township Community:
As we reflect on 2025, I am proud of the substantial progress made across Township operations and service delivery. One of the most significant accomplishments of the year was the selection and onboarding of Chief Joseph Kelly as Lower Makefield Township’s new Chief of Police. Under Chief Kelly’s leadership, the Township developed and implemented a new departmental staffing structure within the Police Department and successfully selected and onboarded new command officers to the ranks of Captain, Lieutenant, Sergeant, Detective Sergeant, and Corporal. These efforts strengthened leadership capacity, enhanced operational effectiveness, and improved long-term succession planning within the department.
The Township also made meaningful strides in long-range planning, financial stewardship, and environmental leadership. In 2025, Lower Makefield participated in the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Strategic Management Planning Program and adopted the resulting Phase 1 Plan, establishing a multi-year operational and financial framework and positioning the Township to pursue additional state funding. Reflecting the Township’s strong financial management, Moody’s Ratings upgraded Lower Makefield Township’s general obligation bond rating to Aa1, further strengthening our ability to fund future capital and infrastructure needs.
Voters also demonstrated strong support for preserving the Township’s character and natural resources through the passage of an Electoral Debt Open Space Ballot Referendum, authorizing up to $15 million for open space preservation. In addition, Lower Makefield Township was recognized in 2025 as both a Tree City USA and Bird Town Pennsylvania community, underscoring our commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability.
Additional accomplishments included the selection and onboarding of new professional service partners, including a new Township Engineer (HRG), Township Traffic Engineer (Pennoni), Township Solicitor (Curtin & Heefner), and Managed Information Technology Services Provider (ASK Technologies). These partnerships enhance the Township’s technical expertise, efficiency, and ability to respond to both day-to-day needs and long-term challenges.
The Township also made important investments in community amenities and infrastructure. Improvements to Memorial Park’s Secret Garden Playground and Basketball Courts were completed, and the Township was awarded $890,000 in Statewide Local Share Account grant funding to continue implementation of the Patterson Farm Master Plan. In addition, the Township developed a comprehensive 5-Year Capital Plan and 5-Year Budget Projections to better guide future infrastructure investment and financial decision-making.
From an organizational and workforce perspective, the Township successfully negotiated a new collective bargaining agreement with the Independent Association of Lower Makefield Public Works Employees. This agreement positions the Township to remain competitive in the labor market, provides additional development opportunities for public works employees, improves internal capacity, and addresses significant long-term cost drivers, including post-retirement medical insurance obligations. The Township also successfully onboarded new public works employees following the retirement of several long-tenured staff members, ensuring continuity of operations and service delivery.
Looking ahead to 2026, the Township has several important goals. These include the successful implementation of the stormwater utility fee program, which will establish a dedicated, recurring revenue stream to meet regulatory requirements and fund stormwater system improvements, repairs, and additions that protect public health and safety while enhancing community quality of life. The Township will continue implementing recommendations from the Strategic Management Planning Program, advance development of a planning and development framework for the SR 332/Stony Hill Road corridor, and begin identifying and securing open space preservation opportunities consistent with the voter-approved ballot referendum.
Other key priorities for 2026 include the successful negotiation of a new collective bargaining agreement with the Lower Makefield Township Police Benevolent Association and continued improvements to communication with residents, businesses, and other Township constituencies. This new bi-weekly e-newsletter is an important step toward providing more frequent, timely, and targeted information to the community.
As we begin 2026, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the Lower Makefield Township Board of Supervisors, our volunteer boards and commissions, and the dedicated and talented Township staff who serve this community every day. Most importantly, thank you to our residents and business community for your continued engagement, support, and partnership. I wish the entire Township a healthy, prosperous, and successful year ahead.
David W. Kratzer, Jr., Township Manager
