The Lower Milford Township Supervisors met virtually June 18 with supervisors John Quigley, Donna Wright and Ellen Koplin in attendance.

Quigley began by expressing his abhorrence to the hiring of the current township bookkeeper, Stacy Smith and said he had been vocal against the hiring from the beginning.

He then stated Smith, at the end of her 90-day probation period, allegedly made covert racist threats toward former Township Manager Zachary Cooperman’s African American wife and infant children in March. These threats were immediately reported to the township supervisors and solicitor, but Quigley said nothing was done by the township.

Quigley called out the township supervisors for condoning such a racist act and absolutely objected to Smith being allowed in the building.

“I object to her ... being ... here because an act of racism and a threat against somebody is something that should never be accepted,” Quigley said. He said he felt since he was outnumbered, he had to make a stand externally.

Quigley, before the meeting, had informed the Black Lives Matter groups in the Lehigh Valley and Philadelphia of the matter. Both groups agree action needs to be taken.

Quigley also said as soon as these threats were reported, Cooperman was fired as township manager.

Wright and Koplin said this was a personnel matter and that, as of now, this is “he said, she said.” An external investigation is now taking place.

Following this, Quigley was unwilling to approve any items and abstained from all decision making, citing Smith being an employee for the township as the main reason.

“I am abstaining on the grounds that I am not going to support a racist in any way while they’re involved with this township,” Quigley said.

Black Lives Matter representative Justan Fields showed his support toward the investigation and voiced encouragement into focusing on investigating racism, not retaliation against the township.

Almost immediately, another issue was brought to light.

Quigley said, without his knowledge, Wright and Koplin used township money to pay the firm Clark Hill $11,000 to investigate whether Quigley secretly placed recording equipment in the building. He said the investigation was baseless, and that both, Wright and Koplin, had broken the Sunshine Act. However, it was shown they had received approval for the bill, but Quigley argued it did not state the investigation was to be against one of their own supervisors.

Furthermore, he contended these decisions were made by Wright and Koplin against his knowledge and township money was being frivolously spent on an investigation of a township supervisor just to appease the two.

When questioned by Quigley, the two supervisors responded with, “no comment” and “I think thou dost protest too much.”

Quigley followed, stating Solicitor Mark Cappuccio told him he had no knowledge of this investigation. Cappuccio responded to Quigley but did so away from the microphone.

Wright, then motioned to pass the June bills with the $11,000 payment. Quigley objected, stating he would not pass a bill that is costing the township tens of thousands of dollars, as this investigation is still ongoing. Nonetheless, Wright and Koplin approved the bills.

Moving past this, Southern Lehigh Library representative Ryan Fields announced the library building is now open for curbside pick up.

Regarding the dirt bike usage petition, a letter was drafted with some possible regulations to the township resident who owns the dirt bike track, although the regulations were not accepted. Zoning Officer Emily Fucci researched other township ordinances on the matter. Many operate a dawn to dusk mandate, with some townships having a 9 a.m. to dusk policy.

After discussion, it was determined the current nuisance ordinance will be amended to remove the language authorizing the township to enforce the ordinance. This is so the residents can go directly to the district magistrate to have these issues addressed.

The next item was a discussion on the public works vehicles and equipment. Public Works Director Drake Brintzenhoff was in attendance to petition for a new truck for the department and to sell or scrap old equipment that is rusted and nonusable. A motion was made to sell the equipment, but not to purchase a new vehicle.

A member of the public commented a replacement program needs to be put into place because waiting for things to fall apart is absolutely detrimental to the department.

Supervisors then discussed the roadways needing work.

“This year we’re doing the first half of Wind Hill. Next year, we will be doing the second half and probably wrap around the bottom part of Bell Gate. Schoolhouse is on the list … Chestnut Hill Church is on that list also … There’s only so much we can do with the budget,” Brintzenhoff said.

In new business, language in the fire safety, protection and prevention ordinance was updated. Another small update was made to the solicitation ordinance.

Another small quarrel began when the supervisors discussed the township building security protocol. Quigley said the supervisors should all have keys and believed there was an attempt to keep him out of the building. After a long stipulation that involved specific hours and where they are allowed in the building, a motion was accepted for the supervisors to have keys.

Koplin was against this as she felt it risked the staff security. Wright said other townships have these rules and it makes sense because of the supervisors’ schedules.

“They may not have issues. We do,” Koplin said.

In other news, the township building is open to the public. COVID-19 stipulations from Gov. Tom Wolf are in place, including social distancing and wearing a mask.

The next meeting is scheduled 6:30 p.m. July 16 and will take place at the Lower Milford Township Building, although it was suggested residents check the website for updates at www.Lowermilford.org.