The Lower Milford Township Board of Supervisors met Jan. 21 at the Lower Milford township building.

The meeting began with a conditional use hearing with Solicitor Mark Eastburn filling in for Attorney Mark Cappuccio.

The applicant’s proposal is at the corner of DeKrane Drive and Hoffman Lane. SJC Development Group plans to build two 6,000 square feet buildings for the purpose of warehouse and office space.

There were parties in attendance regarding this application and letters were submitted opposing the construction of the warehouses. They are concerned about the township’s ability to enforce the zoning restrictions on the warehouses. There were also concerns about increased tractor trailer traffic on the road.

Eastburn explained since this was a conditional use hearing, the applicant will still need to follow the zoning restrictions. Therefore, all of the concerns were covered in the application. Those in attendance mistakenly thought it was a variance hearing.

Chair Donna Wright thanked the parties for their contributions and noted the supervisors did have concerns about the availability of parking and driving in the area. The applicant stated they have a plan to build additional parking spots and further exits and roadways for turnaround spots so extreme congestion can be avoided.

The applicant stated they will resubmit their formal plans to include the revised areas.

After a small conversation regarding needed utilities, the supervisors approved the application.

The two buildings will look similar to the building at 6341 Hoffman Lane.

In other business, the minutes of Dec. 17, 2020 and Jan. 4 were approved. The township treasurer’s report was read and the January bills were also approved. Additionally, a new subdivision application was received to build a house on a one acre piece of land.

In new business, a pension surrender charge of $719 by the current holder, Zurich, was approved. Zurich needs to release current information to the new provider for the township. The new provider, PSATS, will be able to save the township around $1,500-$1,700.

Next, a motion was approved to waive the 2021 first-quarter late fees to the Limeport Wastewater Treatment Plant for residents unable to pay.

A letter of interest was received from Kara Stever to join the planning commission for a two-year term. Current Township Secretary Stacy Smith handed in a letter of interest for the recreation and open space board. Stever and Smith were appointed to their positions at the meeting.

Adoption of the CDL Personnel Policy was approved. The township enrolled in the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation CDL program and were required to have a personnel policy in place. It was said this will provide a valuable resource for township employees.

Resolution 2021-4 was approved for the addition of two new properties to the agricultural security area.

In correspondence, the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors is holding a youth awards contest for Boy/Girl Scouts and child volunteer groups. A link will be posted to the Lower Milford website for more information.

The 2021 Southern Lehigh municipal virtual update will be held March 4. Virtual tickets will include a gift card to a local restaurant.

Lastly, a rebuttal of comments made at the December 2020 board meeting was made by Supervisor John Quigley. Quigley rebutted the statements made about him stating he was responsible for the increased payment to the township solicitor.

Quigley said the legal bills were caused by the ongoing investigation by Supervisors Ellen Koplin and Wright going on behind his back. He said he has had to respond to several emails after not being provided any information prior.

He said Former Township Manager Zachary Cooperman never received a negative review, as stated in Koplin’s statement from December 2020. He continued with his concerns regarding the current township administrator and township secretary.

Koplin responded following Quigley’s claims.

She stated, as in previous meetings, the board, including Quigley, voted to hire Smith in January of 2020.

Koplin also responded to the increased legal bills stating an audio recording device was found in the township office, which prompted an investigation. It was discovered the audio device was purchased by the former township manager and public works director.

Koplin then defended the termination of the township manager, stating Cooperman did receive a 90-day review, although Quigley wasn’t present. She went on to defend the knowledge and abilities of current Township Administrator Emily Fucci.

Quigley and Koplinhave been accusing one another of being a problem since March 2020. The statements and accusations are pages long, with emails and legal notices also shared.

The next meeting will be held Feb. 18 at the Lower Milford Township municipal building. More information can be found on the township website.