Upper Milford Township Supervisors confirmed Feb. 6 they are in no hurry to replace James Krippe the fired Upper Milford Township Emergency Management Coordinator. When asked by The Press if the supervisors were actively looking for an emergency management coordinator, Supervisor Robert Sentner said, “No, not right now.”

When asked “Why not?” he said, “Because we aren’t looking for one right now. The fire companies are handling it, so we aren’t looking for one right now.”

Earlier in the meeting, the supervisors had passed an amendment to the resolution which establishes an emergency management committee: “In the absence of the township emergency management coordinator and or his or her deputy or a vacancy in their office, the resident members shall appoint a vice-chairperson from one of the three resident members designated by the board and also appoint a secretary from the membership of the ESC [Emergency Services Committee].”

The resident members listed on the township’s website are: Joseph Terrible, Thomas Carl and Timothy Anger. The Upper Milford Township website lists the ESC’s next meeting as “TBA.”

In other meeting news, supervisors discussed a proposed intersection redevelopment at Adams Road and Interstate 78.

Supervisor Robert Sentner suggested the supervisors “go on record that before we build a new interchange (at Adams Road and Interstate 78) we need to take care of infrastructure we already have.” A motion to that effect passed 3-0.

According to Pennsylvania Department of Transportation spokesperson Ron Young, the new intersection project is only a proposal, not a plan. He said the proposal was originated by Upper Macungie Township.

Upper Macungie Township Manager Robert Ibach, in an interview, confirmed the township, Jaindl Land Co., National Freight Inc. and Liberty Property Trust comprise the partnership that requested the “point of access study” related to the Adams Road/Interstate 78 interchange possibility. Ibach said PennDOT had requested an additional study of traffic counts around the Route 100/Route 22 exchange be included in the point of access study. Ibach said Upper Macungie Township had contributed almost $35,000 to help fund the additional traffic study.

The project may cost as much as $229 million and may need federal dollars. About $48.5 million may be required in state and local money, according to published sources.

In other business, Upper Milford Township Supervisors honored Eagle Scout Conner John Nissen for his “exemplary service, discipline, skill and integrity by planning and constructing an outdoor seating area at Emmaus High School.”

Lisa Marten, of the Emmaus Public Library, said a year ago the library had joined with 11 other libraries to create the Lehigh Carbon Library Cooperative. She said since then 25,000 items had moved among members of the LCLC.