The June Lower Milford Township Board of Supervisors meeting began with only two of the three supervisors present as Supervisor John Quigley was absent.

It was announced Lower Milford Township will receive $421,502.92 for various expenses related to the pandemic from the newly created American Rescue Plan Act. More planning needs to be done for the usage of the money, but the applications are in.

This money came to light as the township received information stating a lot of money was available through this new fund. The money will be tightly audited and can only be spent for specific reasons. If the money is not spent by late December, the funds should be allotted for a future time.

The full plan is still ongoing. Infrastructure renovations and road work were the foremost ideas for where the money could be spent. Approval was given by the board to create the appropriate accounts and move forward in pursuing the funding.

In the administrator’s report, Lower Milford Administrator Emily Fucci scheduled all employees to meet with the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors to discuss the new pension plan. The process of transitioning to PSATS was a large focus of her report. The last highlight was that the fall festival committee held a meeting June 2 and have contacted vendors, food trucks and entertainment.

The public works report focused on the large amount of road work, patchwork and piping on Chestnut Hill Church Road, School House Lane and Bell Gate Road. Crack seal was done on Judy Lane and Penns Way. Additionally, mowing and equipment repairs were highlighted in the report.

Fucci noted only a quarter of the allotted budget has been spent while they are halfway through the year.

The fire company representative announced hoagie sales have been phenomenal this year. The website sales are booming. They are averaging $1,200-$1,500 a month in profit. They will be selling through December.

A minor subdivision sketch plan was received for 7632 Kings Highway South.

Approval was given for the purchase of a new truck for the public works department. The new truck is a 2021 GMC 2500HD Sierra Utility Cab with an 8-foot Reading SL Body with Tommy Gate Lift. This was purchased through COSTARs, Pennsylvania’s cooperative purchasing program.

The next item was addressing a vacancy on the joint building board of appeals. This person needs to have architectural, construction and inspection experience. Advertisements will be posted online and a local search will be done to find the right person.

The planning commission will see a change as Alicia Johnson is resigning from the committee. John Bannon has submitted a letter of interest to join the committee. However, a decision will be made on a future date, so as to give time for additional applications.

Solar Energy World submitted an appeal for solar panels on township property. This was passed to the zoning hearing board.

A Chestnut Hill Church Road study update was the final item in new business. The township decided against a cursory review and chose to go with a weight study. An estimate for the study was requested by the board. They need this performed as soon as possible.

In correspondence, Berkheimer did an analysis of the fourth quarter of 2020 and it showed the COVID-19 economic impacts may now be in the past. Lower Milford showed they did not lose the estimated money as expected.

Supervisor Donna Wright surmised this could be from a large number of high earners in the township, specifically health care workers.

The next board of supervisors regular meeting will be held July 15 at the Lower Milford Township building. The meeting will begin 6:30 p.m. No masks are required for fully vaccinated residents.