At a meeting Oct. 15, Upper Milford Township supervisors considered what action to take as a result of the recent resignation of seven of the township’s most experienced firefighters.

Supervisor George DeVault read a letter from former firefighter Donald Smith detailing the reasons behind his decision to resign.

Smith cited among others a “breakdown of leadership” within the Citizens’ Fire Company and described several incidents where the fire chief had slandered and belittled other officers. Smith’s letter named the current leadership “unacceptable” and the direct cause of the resignation of multiple firefighters.

The letter concluded with a call for the township to intervene as the resignation of so many firefighters, and the leadership still in place, have compromised the safety of the township, and those who pass through it.

Smith’s letter also noted, upon a change of leadership, those firefighters who resigned would return to volunteer work for the township.

DeVault read the list of those who had resigned followed by the number of emergency calls each responded to as a percentage of the whole for this year. They are Capt. Kevin Kleinsmith, 55.48 percent; Kris Bawden, 38 percent; 2nd Lt. Karl Fegley 84.52 percent; 1st Lt. Jason Marsch, 44.52 percent; Donald Smith, 62.58 percent; Dakota Delong, 18.06 percent; Amy Schantz, 44.52 percent.

Collectively, DeVault explained, these firefighters responded to 49.68 percent– nearly half– of all 155 emergency calls in the township this year. DeVault questioned aloud the effectiveness of the force left to the township and reminded those present assuring public safety is the main concern of the board of supervisors.

Township solicitor Marc Fisher told the supervisors the Citizens’ Fire Company and the township are separate entities and the township does not hold sway over the fire company. Fisher advised the board it is incumbent on them to take some kind of action.

Fisher advised the supervisors to send a letter to the Citizen’s Fire Company requesting confirmation on the names of all remaining emergency responders and their addresses, the times during which each can respond to an emergency call and the qualifications of each responder. In so doing, the supervisors will be able to fulfill their obligation to the township of ensuring its safety and protection.

Fisher also advised the letter be sent immediately with a request for response no later than Oct. 23. Fisher suggested Citizens’ Fire Company be put on alert that should its response be found not satisfactory by the board of supervisors, help from outside fire companies will be called in.

Rob Sentner added Western District and other fire companies should be notified of a higher alert status until the situation is rectified.

Daniel Mohr expressed his thanks to the firefighters who served the township and noted this is not the first time such a situation has occurred. This is the first time he has seen it reach the township’s supervisors.

“It’s a shame it came to this,” Sentner remarked.

“The public doesn’t have a clue what the volunteers do,” DeVault said, “and that’s a shame.”

In regard to another aspect of fires and township safety, discussion continues regarding the ban of open burning under consideration.

The supervisors read a letter from Salvatore Verrastro emphatically opposing any kind of ban on open burning, which act he states would negate the advantages and maintenance requirements of the rural community of Upper Milford. Verrastro called any other options for removing natural waste an inconvenience and unnecessary cost to township residents.

Verrastro also suggested blaming a spread of fires on the burning of yard waste a “poor excuse” for making the change and the township should not rely on the opinion of the fire marshal in this matter, calling it “scare tactics.”

Verrastro made suggestions for minor regulations to open burning, including: a restriction on burning trash and construction materials; limiting the size of the burning area to 20 feet in diameter, at a minimum distance of 50 feet from the residence; restricting burning times to four in a year and making the fine for violation of the regulations “excessive,” suggesting $5,000.

Mohr remarked some of what Verrastro proposes is already in place, even more restrictive in some cases. But Sentner confirmed after speaking with several residents it is clear no one wants burning banned. Mohr said the current ordinance is strict but difficult to enforce.

In other business, the supervisors approved the advertisement of a false fire alarm ordinance and passed Resolution 2015-030 renewing the township’s lease contract with the United States Post Office.

During a workshop prior to the regular meeting, the supervisors heard from Aaron Sharper, a resident requesting the posting of a speed limit sign on Sweetwood Drive.

Sharper explained speeding has been a problem on that street, particularly since it has just been repaved. Mohr said the request is not a simple process. The township is required to go through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation which has to conduct a traffic study of the area. However, there are some default provisions in place, and if the speed limit and where a sign should be posted are listed on township records, the township can take more direct action.

The supervisors confirmed the request will be looked into.