By Richard L. Gaw
Staff Writer

Mike Bontrager, the founder of Chatham Financial, a community leader and the key visionary behind the work of Square Roots Collective, became the newest recipient of Kennett Township’s Medal of Merit, which was announced at the township’s Board of Supervisors’ meeting on Oct. 8.

The son of a Mennonite minister, Bontrager left a position in finance on Wall Street and moved with his wife Dot and their family to Chatham, Pa., where he founded Chatham Financial in 1991, where for the next 30 years, he served as its Chief Executive Officer and Chairman. Today, the company is a global advisory and technology firm with a focus on risk management, with more than 750 employees at offices around the world, including Australia, Canada, Great Britain, India, the Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Singapore, Thailand and Kennett Square.

In 2019, Bontrager founded Square Roots Collective, a social impact venture that ignites systemic change in southern Chester County and connects for-profit agencies and non-profit organizations to effect positive transformation. Its many projects have included the establishment of the Kennett Creamery, Voices Underground, the Artelo Hotel and the Kennett Trails Alliance, as well as youth leadership and inclusive community programs.  

“Today, our organization builds local businesses as a force for good by creating community togetherness and economic sustainability to fund important non-profit work in Southern Chester County,” the organization’s website reads. “It might sound lofty, but we have a big vision: that the communities in our region work together intentionally to help everyone have the opportunity to thrive.”

“I have been on the board for the past 12 years, and during that time, Mike has been instrumental in connecting the township and the Kennett Square Borough, through Square Roots and Kennett Trails Alliance’s efforts,” said board Chairman Richard Leff. “It speaks to the advantages you create when you begin to put the pieces of the puzzle together, and find that when you connect people, they do more things together.”

Supervisor Patricia Muller said that Bontrager has been instrumental in improving the quality of life in Kennett Township.

“Mike has provided the vision for what we’re seeing now, in terms of connectivity between the township and the borough,” she said. “When we all work as an ecosystem, the residents’ experience – whether they live in the township or the borough - becomes so much better. Mike Bontrager has had that vision to see how we could all work together in creating a sense of place.”

“[Mike’s] most significant impact is through the organizations he has started,” Supervisor Geoff Gamble said. “While Mike’s accomplishments are numerous, one of his greatest contributions is having attracted many talented and community-oriented people to our township and to others.

“I can think of few, if any, more deserving [of this award].”

The township established its Medal of Merit in 2024 to recognize positive recognition of acts of valor and for meritorious service performed for or on behalf of the township. Previous award recipients include long-time township Director of Planning and Zoning Diane Hicks and former Manager Eden Ratliff.

Township forecasts operating budget for 2026

In other township business, Director of Finance and Human Resources Amy Heinrich presented her second overview of the township’s 2026 budget, with specific focus on projected expenditures coming from several departments.

Forecasting both sides of the township’s general fund ledger, Heinrich said that revenues for 2026 are projected to be $8,750,558, a 0.2 percent increase ($18,000) from 2025. Of the $7.4 million in taxes that are expected to be raised next year – a two percent increase over this year - 85 percent will come from various taxes. Topping the list for next year will be earned income taxes (EITs), which are forecasted to take in $3,869,483 – 44 percent – and real estate taxes, which will generate 2,964.085 – 33 percent – an average $756 per township household in 2026.

An additional $1,237,162 is anticipated to come from fees, fines, grants and interest, as well as $120,000 from a court ordered restitution recovery plan stemming from the township’s fraud case involving former Manager Lisa Moore, who plead guilty for stealing $3.2 million of township money and sentenced to prison in 2019.

The township’s planned operating expenses are anticipated to total $8,301,326 in 2026, about $56,000 less than the 2025 expenditures. The largest money projected to spent next year will be the $2,711,714 investment it will make in its police department – a $22,836 increase from 2025 - and the $1,963,682 it is targeting for the Fire & EMS Commission - a $131,00 increase from the current year. Kennett Township’s allocation to the Commission accounts for nearly 30 percent of its projected budget for 2026.

While the township’s Public Works department is projected to see $1,150,754 in operating expenses next year – a $66,878 increase from 2025 - Heinrich gave credit to Public Works Director Ted Otteni and his staff for its commitment to in-sourcing projects. In 2024, the department saved $896,868 in expenses – and $274,046 in 2025 - by avoiding out-of-house contractors on several township projects.

The next budget presentation will be held on Oct. 22, when Heinrich will forecast the township’s 2026 full operating and capital budgets, sewer and open space funds, which will be followed by overviews on Nov. 5 and Dec. 3, when the 2026 budget is expected to be approved by the board. 

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email [email protected].