After a lengthy discussion Sept. 1 about whether there should be sidewalks along Chestnut Street adjacent to the proposed reconstruction of the railroad bridge, Upper Milford supervisors took the advice of their solicitor, Marc Fisher, and said the decision should be up to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

Plans are in the works for a bridge over the Norfolk Southern railroad in the township south of Emmaus. There will be a sidewalk on one side of the new bridge and PennDOT has asked supervisors if they want the sidewalk to be extended along Chestnut Street north and south of the bridge.

Supervisors have discussed the possibility of a sidewalk in the past, noting the danger to pedestrians along that heavily traveled road.

Township Manager Daniel DeLong told supervisors at their Sept. 1 meeting the township would have to pay for a sidewalk if supervisors decide they want it. He also said PennDOT’s plans call for shoulders from 4 to 11 feet wide on the road leading up to the bridge.

If they decide they want a sidewalk, DeLong said, supervisors would have to pass a sidewalk ordinance.

Fisher, who arrived at the meeting part way through supervisors’ discussion, said the decision whether to put sidewalks along the road “is PennDOT’s call [because it is a state road]. They’re trying to pass the buck to you.”

Given his advice, supervisors quickly decided to refer the decision back to the agency.

Supervisors also voted not to adopt a sidewalk or dinance.

In other business, the board met at length with representatives of Kay Builders to discuss the developer’s request for waivers to the plans for a town home development of 125 units on the Kohler tract.

They approved some of the waiver requests, but raised concerns about access to the development for emergency equipment. Joe Sherman, chief of Citizens Fire Company, said he would have to review the latest revisions to the plan.

The discussion then turned to the park which is planned within the development. The park, which would be a township park, not restricted to residents of the proposed development, was part of the agreement between the board and Kay Builders to allow the development to proceed.

Supervisor Robert Sentner asked what kind of lighting the park will have so if someone is hanging out there after dark, they can be seen.

“I go back to when I was 16 years old,” he said, expressing concerns about teenagers possibly hanging out there.

DeLong noted as a township park, the facility would be closed at dusk.

Other issues were debated, such as whether the basketball court, which is proposed in the development, is the most appropriate use of the space. One resident of Salem Ridge, a neighboring development, said there are numerous kids in her development who play basketball who would use the court.

The Kay Builders representatives finally agreed to take the input received and come up with further recommendations, as well as present the revised plan to township fire personnel for comment.

In other business, DeLong announced prepping and paving of Vera Cruz Road South from Main Road to Kings Highway South will take place the week of Sept. 12. While the road will remain open, there may be some traffic delays, he said.

Assistant Manager Tim Haas noted, in his review of fire calls from the two fire companies for August, Citizens Fire Company had 31 calls while Western District had just four. Seventeen of the Citizens Fire Company calls came in the aftermath of the severe Friday storm three weeks ago. Sherman noted the storm appeared to have been fairly localized, with Upper Milford and Upper Saucon Township bearing the brunt of the damage.

In another weather-related note, Supervisor Daniel Mohr reported, “As usual [Vera Cruz] Homecoming was washed out.”