ADAMS TWP — Township Supervisor Russell Ford stressed transparency Monday night while presenting a comparison of costs accrued in 2018 for mowing the township park versus the amount for 2019.

“The word that has been used over and over again is transparency,” Ford said. “Tonight, I’m here to give you some transparency.”

Ford explained that supervisors discussed ways to manage mowing the park in April 2018. While the township historically contracted mowers, it purchased two zero-turn Kubota tractors and hired a full-time employee to keep mowing in-house in 2019. Supervisors spent $29,051 for both tractors, a clippings bagger and wheel weights.

“We also decided that we needed a little more help on the Public Works committee,” Ford said.

The new hire will assist with winter maintenance.

Ford presented spreadsheets of township funds spent last year to mow the park. According to his information, it cost the township $665 to have a contractor mow three days in April; $4,905 to mow in May; and $4,445 to mow in June.

In 2019, the township spent $1,545 to mow in-house during all of April; $1,890 to mow in May; and $1,740 to mow in June. Ford said wages, benefits and tractor maintenance are reflected in the 2019 numbers.

“In the first three months of this year, we have a savings of over $4,835,” said Ford.

He added that bringing park maintenance in-house has cut down on weed eating. Ford estimates the township will save more than $12,000 by the end of the year.

“The life of this equipment is 15 years,” Ford added. “We will have paid for the equipment ... in less that two-and-a-half years by now maintaining the park in-house.”

Ford reminded residents that the township hasn’t hired anyone to its road crew in four years, despite the township’s physical and population growth.