Upper Milford Township’s draft 2020 budget calls for $2,699,993.42 to meet the upcoming year’s expenses. This, according to Secretary Treasurer Jessi O’Donald, is a “no tax increase” budget.

Upper Milford Township is still without an emergency manager since the township supervisors dismissed James Krippe last month. Township Manager Bud Cole said he has that responsibility as an additional duty until a new emergency manager is named.

Emmaus Public Library Director Maryellen Kanarr presented the library’s 2019 report to the Upper Milford Township Supervisors Nov. 7.

“Thank you for your continued support of the Emmaus Public Library over the years,” Kanarr said.

The Upper Milford Township contribution requested for the Emmaus Public Library’s 2020 budget is $44,452, which is earmarked to “provide public library service to all residents of Upper Milford Township.” This, she said, is a 12 percent increase over last year.

She gave the supervisors an accounting of progress made this year to include a new children’s wing, a teen space, an adult reading area and a book sale nook.

Kanarr mentioned the partnership with the Lehigh-Carbon Library Cooperative which puts 12 libraries in an cooperative arrangement allowing them to share.

She said over 720 people attended the Summer Reading Club kickoff party and over 1,000 people signed up for the club.

Among the new services this year was the addition of The Great Courses on DVD and CD “due to a generous donation.” The library has over 80,000 books, according to Kanarr.

She said there are now book drops in Macungie Borough and in Upper Milford Township at the administration building.

In other business, Upper Milford Township Supervisors approved the release of secured funds in connection with the Phase III Final Plan of Fields at Indian Creek in two disbursements of $311,683 and $108,305.57.