At the Sept. 16 meeting of the Upper Milford Township Board of Supervisors several new members were appointed to fill vacancies on the zoning hearing board.

The board unanimously voted to appoint Samuel Cohen to replace outgoing board member John Zgura who resigned to take a seat on the board of supervisors. Cohen’s term expires Dec. 31, 2024.

Aurora Pattishal was appointed to fill the alternate zoning hearing board seat vacated by Cohen. Her term expires Dec. 31, 2022. Frank Reith was also appointed to serve as an alternate zoning hearing board member. His term will expire Dec. 31, 2023.

During the public input portion of the meeting, resident Jim Krippe raised a question concerning the proposed 50 acre Buckeye Pipeline Solar Field in Lower Macungie. Krippe believes some of the land being used is actually in Upper Milford and if this is correct the township may be entitled to tax money generated from the use of the land. Planning Coordinator Brian Miller will check into this matter.

Keystone Consulting Engineer Sean Dooley, representing Kay Builders, petitioned the board to consider changing and expanding the zoning designation for the Engleman tract on Indian Creek Road from industrial to residential. Dooley came prepared with a map of the proposed housing units on the area in question.

After inspection of the map and the surrounding areas, Zgura said it appeared there were too many homes in a small area. He recommended at this time, the planning commission take a look at it. Supervisors Joyce Moore and Daniel Mohr agreed. Miller concurred and added there appears to be no room for a recreation area and he questioned the impact the project may have on environmental regulations.

Dooley said in no way is this a final plan and expressed Kay Builder’s desire to be proactive. At this point questions are being asked to determine the feasibility of utilizing this sites.

Following up on a recommendation from the Upper Milford Open Space Committee, the supervisors approved a motion to move forward in the process of purchasing the conservation easements on two parcels now that appraisals have been completed. The next steps in the process include completing surveys and baseline documents as well as drawing up legal agreements to finalize the purchases.

The first parcel is located on 4302 Main Road West/5760 Vera Cruz Road. The easement applied for is 43.7 acres and is valued at $3,210 per acre for a total of $140,277.

The second property is 40.5 acres located at 7447 Salem Bible Church Road. The conservation easement appraisal puts the value of this parcel at $4,930 per acre for a total of $199,665. Monies for the purchase of these easements will come out of the open space referendum fund.

During the meeting the board granted a 365 day extension for 6501 St. Peters Road land improvements at the behest of Domaine Pterion Vineyard and Winery owner Elizabeth O’Rourke. The extension will expire Oct. 15, 2022.

In the coming month the township has several community events taking place. A request was granted to detour traffic onto East Macungie Road during the Macungie Halloween parade 6-9:30 p.m. Oct. 23. Use of the special fire police was solicited to facilitate this. On Oct. 24 Trunk or Treat will be held 3-4:30 p.m. during the upcoming Light the Night Safe Zone Block Party. A request was made to have special fire police present during this event as well.

Mohr also outlined details for the Vera Cruz Halloween Parade which will take place 7 p.m. Oct. 13. Slated to perform are the Emmaus High School Band as well as the Allentown Hobo Band.