The Upper Milford Township board of supervisors met April 7.

The Pledge of Allegiance commenced before public input was welcomed.

Public input began with Macungie Ambulance Corps Operations Manager Christopher Greb’s discussion of the Macungie Ambulance Corps. He began by stating last year 4,456 calls for assistance were answered, a number that increased from the year prior. Of those calls, 312 were from Upper Milford Township. Greb provided a summary of the operations the Macungie Ambulance run on, some past response examples and descriptions of vehicular and emergency equipment.

After expressions of gratitude from the board and others present, a comment about the meeting minutes was made and concern was voiced about how they were reported.

Heavy truck traffic was the next concern voiced; tractor trailers have been seen overlapping the shoulder on sharp turns and speed limit concerns are a similar situation. A near-fatal accident amplified the sense of urgency in addressing dangerous driving conditions. It was reiterated energy should be dedicated toward enforcing the speed limit as opposed to lowering it, especially with the critical road already being 30 mph.

The minutes from the March 17 meeting were approved.

The approval of the payment of bills was seconded and passed. It included a general fund value of $123,728.22 as well as the streetlight fund of $2,234.51. No bank transfers were mentioned.

Upper Milford Township Manager Bud Carter kicked off the new business, starting with the discussion of the 2022 road bid awards. The price per yard is $3.48, an increase from the previous year. A motion to approve the Asphalt Maintenance Solutions LLC of Center Valley bid was motioned and seconded.

A memo from Upper Milford Township Secretary/Treasurer Jessi O’Donald about the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce agreement for grant work outlined elements like the small business and nonprofit grant program contingent upon the provision of an application, a letter detailing how the funds will be utilized, etc. A motion to approve the agreement for the grant program was seconded and passed.

Another memo from O’Donald conveyed the need to advertise the opportunity to volunteer for the formation of the grant committee; one member had already agreed to serve with another’s application having been received as well. A motion was seconded and passed.

A letter from Upper Milford Township Planning Coordinator Brian Miller brought attention to the Engelman Tract Zoning Overlay District.

The amendment has moved forward for the review of the board before continuing the adoption process, however, two concerns remain. The first involves fencing issues between properties, potentially prohibiting owners’ sufficient access to their yards. The second concern is the amendment requires stormwater management practices installed on private property. After conferring with township engineering, the discussion is projected to continue moving forward in about a week.

Miller introduced a letter and supporting documents requesting a waiver for the Buckeye Macungie Solar LLC.

The project municipal boundary line was inaccurately plotted. Because the property where the project is located is taxed in Lower Macungie Township, it is recommended the land development be approved. Plans were presented demonstrating the tree line and property boundaries in question.

After a bit of deliberation and questions, it was decided the matter will be tabled so further speculation may become more concrete. Supervisors requested a full set of scaled prints and more details generally.

Linda Feiertag’s letter of resignation from the zoning hearing board comprised the meeting’s correspondence. Her resignation was accepted and a note was made to send a letter back.

The emergency services call report is to be found on the website.

The Emmaus Library took a moment to remind the board of upcoming fundraisers mentioned at the March 17 meeting.

Upper Milford Township Supervisor John Zgura briefly thanked those who attended the Veterans Memorial.

“It did not go unnoticed,” he said.

He also thanked those hard at work to ensure roads across the area are safe when circumstances of inclement weather arise.