The Lower Milford Township Board of Supervisors met Dec. 21, 2023. There was an executive session before the meeting for potential litigation.

The meeting began with a recognition of service for departing Supervisor Donna Wright, as she was acknowledged for her dedicated service to the township. She received a certificate of recognition from Supervisor Ellen Koplin, who commented, “Since she began, she has done great things for the township, specifically with her dedication toward preserving farmland.”

Wright received a nice ovation from the audience and thanked everyone for their well wishes.

Supervisors approved the minutes from the previous regular meeting held Nov. 16, 2023.

The treasurer’s report was read and the approval to pay the bills for December 2023 was granted.

Reports from the administrator, zoning, public works, administrative assistant, Macungie Ambulance and fire company were provided for November 2023.

Township Administrator Emily Fucci noted the township was happy to have successfully sold some items on Municibid. It was also reported Macungie Ambulance responded to three calls during the previous month.

In old business, the purchase of a dump truck for the public works department was the first item discussed. The board approved the purchase of a 2024 Del-Val International dump truck at a total of $133,880, with the plow costing an additional $92,284.

Next, a motion was granted to pursue an easement for access to a landlocked property on County Line Road. This is a large piece of land the public works department can use to store equipment, use as a dumping site for the road crew, as well as many other suggestions from the department. “This will do the township well,” Koplin said.

The last item was an authorization to close the Bank of America accounts upon successfully setting up the incoming procurement cards.

In new business, a series of resolutions were passed. Notably, Resolution 2023-15 set the tax millage for 2024 at .67756 mills, Resolution 2023-16 established the millage for a special tax for fire services at .33878 mills, Resolution 2023-17 appointed a CPA and Resolution 2023-18 adopted the annual municipal budget for the fiscal year 2024. There were no tax increases in the township.

Several contracts and appeals were approved, including the 2024 feral cat trap-neuter-release contract, the 2023 bridge and culvert inspection and roof-mounted solar special exceptions.

No Nonsense Neutering is the newly contracted clinic for stray or feral cats within the township. They will take in the cat and perform the proper surgery and initial care, but they are not a shelter, so the cats need to be released thereafter. The township has no animal control contract on stray dogs.

The bridge and culvert inspection showed nothing overly concerning. The only comments involved mild maintenance and watching for erosion.

Additional approvals included the payment of sewer fund invoices out of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 funds and the authorization to advertise a road vacation ordinance for the closing of Janes Lane as a public road alongside King’s Highway.

Under correspondence, the board acknowledged a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation notice of traffic data collection on municipal-owned roads from December 2023 through April and the December 2023 Social Security newsletter.

To close the meeting, Denise Holub received a warm recognition of service from Koplin. She was commended for her tremendous work with the landscape around the township building.

The meeting adjourned wishing all residents a happy holiday.