Upper Milford supervisors are faced with replacing two of the township’s top administrators, after Assistant Manager Timothy Haas tendered his resignation last week. Township Manager Dan DeLong had already announced in the cover letter for the 2017 budget that he will be retiring by the end of 2017, at the latest.

DeLong’s intentions have been known to supervisors for some time, but is now overshadowed by Haas’s resignation. Haas is leaving for a similar position in Limerick Township, Montgomery County, where he had been employed prior to coming to Upper Milford. He gave two weeks’ notice; Dec. 9 will be his last day.

Supervisors accepted Haas’s resignation at the Dec. 1 meeting, and Chairman George DeVault praised his two-year tenure in the township. He said Haas made valuable contributions, and added, “We’re gonna miss you.”

Others in the audience also praised him. Emily Fair of the Vera Cruz Fire Company said they appreciated his advocacy for the township’s firefighters and Francis Caputo, chair of the open space committee and the zoning hearing board, said he thought Haas did an excellent job and “we really appreciated his help.”

Haas said he would miss the township and the relationships he has formed.

To address the situation, supervisors met in executive session with Haas, Planning Coordinator Brian Miller, Treasurer Jessi O’Donald and secretary Cynthia Kuhns to discuss personnel. After the closed door meeting, they announced Haas’s resignation, authorized staff to advertise for his replacement and elevated O’Donald to a full-time position.

DeLong, 66, has been with the township 14 years, after working as public works director in Emmaus.

He indicated last week it will probably be close to the end of next year before he will retire.