Birmingham Township now has its budget for 2014 and $20,000 of the anticipated $2 million in revenue is earmarked for a planned commemoration of the 1777 Battle of Brandywine to be held at Sandy Hollow.

The $20,000 earmarked is based on the amount anticipated to put on the event. The board already agreed to spend up to $5,000 during 2013 for any preliminary costs.

Supervisors passed the budget during their Dec. 16 meeting. There are no township tax increases.

The board also voted on some of the basics involved for the May 17-18, 2014 living history event that will include an estimated 500 re-enactors — with artillery pieces and cavalry — and members of the British regiment that traces its history to the battle.

Among the decisions made, a minimum of $500 or 49 percent of any revenue generated above the cost of the event will be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project.

Wounded Warrior Project is a veterans’ service organization that offers a variety of programs, service and events for wounded veterans of the military actions following the events of 9/11.

Other decisions involved how much to pay for specific re-enactors portraying Gen George Washington, Ned Hector and possibly one portraying the Marquis de Lafayette.

Any revenue generated from the event would come from contributions, sponsorships and grants. Supervisors have not yet decided to charge admission. At present there is a $10 parking fee.

The board also voted to make it a drone-free event, preventing any flyovers with video recording equipment.

Members of the Recreation Parks and Open Space Committee have been soliciting sponsors and have received $5,000 so far with an additional $7,000 promised. They are also looking for a variety of contributions in kind.

The major portion of the battle took place in Birmingham Township, most notably in the area between Meetinghouse and Wylie roads — known as Birmingham Hill — the Birmingham Friends Meeting House and Sandy Hollow. It was at Sandy Hollow where Lafayette was wounded.

The Battle of Brandywine, fought Sept. 11, 1777, was the largest land battle of the American War of Independence, involving an estimated 30,000 troops. It was a tactical defeat for the colonial troops under Washington, but it delayed the British of getting to Philadelphia for an extra five days, giving members of the Continental Congress the chance to vacate the city to avoid capture.

While the British won at Brandywine, their presence here cost them the Battle of Saratoga. Gen. Sir William Howe was to have taken his forces to reinforce Gen. John Burgoyne, but he decided to attempt taking the colonial capital instead.

The American victory at Saratoga is what convinced the French to enter the conflict on the American side.

Other business

Supervisors passed the 2014 budget with no tax increase. What will increase, however, is the quarterly sewer fee. That is going up by $10 to $145 every three months.