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"I don't see any real issues," Allen, chairman of the board of supervisors, on which he's served 18 years, said Wednesday.
"Lancaster Township operates in the black. We work within our budget, and I constantly watch the budget to make sure we're not going over anywhere."
Benjamin H. Bamford is contesting Allen's claim — and his seat on the board — in Tuesday's election.
"The more I talk to residents, the more I realize they really don't understand what is happening at the township level, in terms of the decision-making process by supervisors," he said.
He offered as an example the new police contract with Manheim Township, which ends a 38-year-old pact with Lancaster city.
"There are a great many questions about that, but there is very little information coming out from supervisors … as to how they reached their decision," Bamford said. "It was not even included in the township newsletter."
Allen, 71, of 13 Parkside Ave., is a Republican and a retired industrial electrician. Bamford, a Democrat, is a 45-year-old real estate developer. He lives at 1031 Woods Ave.
Allen said the new police contract, which takes effect Dec. 31, is a win-win for township residents.
"We'll have 24-hour, seven-day coverage in all areas of Lancaster Township, which we never had before," he said. "And we're saving about half a million dollars. We're getting better coverage for the money."
The contract with city police, he added, "was adequate, but we needed more coverage."
Otherwise, Allen said, major concerns in the township include a pending relocation of the fire hall and storm-water issues that predate existing regulations.
"I keep track of the budget, and I keep track of what's going on. I'm here for everyone, and I represent all areas of the township," he said.
"We try to keep things going and keep abreast of things," Allen added. "Much of our job is the safety of the people, to keep the roads plowed and the garbage collected. This is where the rubber meets the road."
Allen said Bamford has promised not to raise taxes and find funding from other sources.
"But those other sources are taxed," Allen said. "I've reduced taxes three times in the last three terms, and I intend to keep taxes low."
While Allen has racked up three terms' worth of experience on the board, Bamford has served four years on the planning commission, is past chair of the park and recreation board and has worked on the township's strategic comprehensive plan and zoning.
Bamford said the township need to work more closely with its constituents.
"We need to engage the residents," he said. "It's difficult to run a township that's configured the way we are without engaging the residents … and finding out what people want on the other side of town.
"We have eight noncontiguous parts. We're dispersed, and we need to draw everyone in and hear their opinions."
With more input from residents, Bamford said, "I think we can come up with a much better township. The current chairman of the supervisors doesn't seem to want to do that, and I don't know why."
• In Conestoga Township, Republican incumbent Steven R. Charles Sr. faces a challenge from Democrat David W. Shertzer for a seat on the board of supervisors.
Charles, 49, of 1430 Long Lane, Millersville, is a part-time farmer. Shertzer, 44, of 239 Sandhill Road, Conestoga, works in construction.
Charles said six years of experience on the board gives him a clear edge in this campaign.
"I see the budget every year, and I deal with roads every year," he said. "I have a working relationship with the emergency services, and I've worked on (plans for) the low-grade rail-to-trail."
Charles said he helped tighten zoning to control development and has served on the Southern Regional Police Commission.
"The people here like to see the rural community stay a rural community, keeping the farms that we have with relatively little development," he said.
Shertzer, on the other hand, believes Conestoga residents are tired of business as usual and want action on the three R's: recycling, recreation and roads.
"We don't recycle in our township. We don't have a park. And our roads are in terrible shape," he said.
"The supervisors haven't done anything in the last 50 years. And I don't see them bringing anything new to the table now."
Shertzer said he is outnumbered 3 to 1, strictly following party lines, "but I'm finding I have a lot of support. … People are fed up with the township just not moving ahead. That's why I'll be a winner."
• In Conoy Township, the same three candidates who squared off in the May Republican primary are facing each other again.
In the race for a pair of six-year terms in Conoy, Republican incumbent Clyde Pickel and Kevin McKain, a challenger who won in the GOP primary, are facing a write-in challenge on the Democratic ballot from veteran supervisor Steve Mohr, a long-time Republican who was defeated in the spring.
McKain also filed as a Democrat.
Incumbent Pickel, 75, lives at 192 Falmouth Road, Bainbridge, and is retired.
McKain, 49, of 104 Fawn Drive, Elizabethtown, is a printing industry employee; and incumbent Mohr, 59, of 144 Race St., Bainbridge, is a farmer.
• In Mount Joy Township, Republican David Sweigart III faces a write-in challenge for a six-year seat from Democrat Peter Grieger.
Sweigart, 49, of 277 Ridgeview Road South, Elizabethtown, operates a leased commercial farming operation and also is a commercial pilot. He is filling the last five and a half years of another supervisor's term.
Grieger, 61, of 1810 Ridge Road, Elizabethtown, is a clinical pharmacist and a first-time candidate for office.
• Three candidates are vying for two seats on the Martic Township board.
Haines Henry Jr., the lone Democrat, is a 47-year-old construction manager from 18 Red Hill Road, Pequea.
His Republican opponents are Richard C. Drumm Jr., a 50-year-old farmer and landscaper from 40 Penncroft Drive, Holtwood, and Ted Irwin, a 61-year-old retiree from 75 Creamery Road, Pequea.
