Party-Line Rift Over Engineering Services Continues In Upper Makefield

There is still tension over the engineering firms Upper Makefield Township will be using in 2024.

The Upper Makefield Township Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 last week to approve an amended consultant agreement with Tri-State Engineers.

Before the current Democratic majority took office at the start of January, the Republican majority supervisors employed Tri-State Engineers as the township’s chief engineering consultant.

The new majority earlier this month appointed Gilmore and Associates to serve as the township engineer.

However, due to ongoing litigation with Toll Brothers, the supervisors wanted Tri-State Engineering to stay on for a transitional period.

Gilmore and Associates charges a higher rate than Tri-State Engineering did, but the amended agreement passed last week will pay both firms the same rate of $160 per hour.

Tri-State Engineering previously charged the township $114 per hour, according to Supervisor Tim Thomas.

Thomas and Supervisor Thomas Cino, both Republicans, raised concern over the higher cost.

“We’re just making it more expensive,” Cino said.

Supervisor Chairperson Yvette Taylor said Gilmore and Associates will work within the township’s established budget. She added that supervisors’ job is to make sure the vendors stay within the budget.

Township Manager David Nyman said the increased hourly cost for the engineering firm will lead to an increase for the township fee schedule, which is passed onto residents.

The vote to approve the new fee schedule, which includes engineering services, was approved 3-2.

Amanda Fuller, who works for Gilmore and Associates, said she appreciates the township hiring her and that the firm is on the forefront of stormwater management issues.