The Lower Milford Board of Supervisors met Aug. 17 at the township building where the public works department reported the seal coat project will be underway shortly and the dirt and gravel road project, partially funded by the Lehigh County Conservation District Dirt and Gravel Road Program, will be completed in spring 2017.

Zoning has not received any new subdivision applications, but there have been 10 zoning permits and 10 building permits issued in July. The zoning report also included the work and review time dedicated to the draft outline of Southwest Lehigh County Comprehensive Plan Update prepared by the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission who was contracted by six municipalities; Lower Macungie, Upper and Lower Milford Townships, Alburtis and Emmaus to collaborate with the steering committee comprised of officials and staff from the six municipalities.

The Southern Lehigh Library presented its year in review report which included 3,049 volunteer hours, fundraising of over $53,000, events hosted and a 5 percent increase in funding from municipalities including Coopersburg, Lower Milford and Upper Saucon. All efforts helped ease the operating costs and increase of costs for health care for its employees as well as the projected $800,000 the library will need over the next 20 years for maintenance.

The board of directors is working with the municipalities and financial planner Scott Parry to prepare for physical plant costs. The library has also partnered with UST Environmental Advisory Committee to host a series of gardening and backyard conservation programs, most being presented by one of the Penn State Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners. The library also reported that while their printed circulation was down about four percent, electronic circulation had risen almost 25 percent likely in response to the new electronic resources the library now offers.

There was no police report, no fire company report and no actions on subdivisions and land developments.

The newly adopted Resolution of 2016-7 requested the inclusion of Josephine Bixels farm into the agricultural security area of Lower Milford Township. The Lehigh County Farmland Preservation Bureau is not involved until a property owner who is enrolled in the agricultural security area wants to preserve their farm through the county farmland preservation program by a permanent agricultural easement.

Lower Milford Township will hold the 14th annual fall festival 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 24, rain or shine at the Lower Milford Township grounds, 7607 Chestnut Hill Church Road, Coopersburg.

The festival features a wide variety of activities including crafts and games for kids, live music all day featuring Mike Metallia and Midnight Shift (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and The Peter Johan Band (1:30 to 4:30 p.m.), a book sale benefiting Friends of Southern Lehigh Library, a silent auction benefiting Lower Milford Township Park, free carriage and hay rides, kite building, an open entry vintage car show, a photo contest and live alpacas. Kathy Molitoris will judge this year’s photo contest, with winners receiving a ribbon, social media fame and bragging rights; any photo taken in Lower Milford Township is eligible for entry with framed submissions being accepted until 3 p.m. Sept. 23.

The next Lower Milford Township Board of Supervisors meeting is scheduled 7:30 p.m. Sept. 21 in the township building.

The next zoning hearing board meeting is scheduled 7 p.m. Sept. 22 in the township building.