The Lower Milford Township Board of Supervisors met March 21 where it was announced there was an executive session to address litigation and personnel matters.

Next, Hayden Rinde spoke to the board, representing the Southern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce. Rinde is the assistant vice president of Affiliated Chambers, serving the East Penn, Western Lehigh and Southern Lehigh chambers. She provided a short update on chamber activities and, ultimately, requested further investment from the township, if possible. A decision was not made during the meeting.

The treasurer’s report, reflecting financial standings as of Feb. 29 indicated healthy balances across various funds, including the general fund, historical registry fund, sewer fund, capital reserve fund, fire fund, highway capital improvement, ARPA of 2021 fund, state liquid fuels tax account and developer escrow.

The board authorized the payment of bills for March and reviewed reports from the public works department, administrative assistant, Macungie Ambulance and the fire company. Of note, the ambulance corps responded to three calls to the township. A fire department representative gave an update on fundraising and potential equipment upgrades.

The first item in old business items was an update on the vacation of Janes Lane. Residents, with a representative, explained the closure of Janes Lane will not give them proper access to their property and they would like to halt the vacation of the road.

Supervisor Ellen Koplin explained the maintenance of Janes Lane has been a burden on the township public works department and would like to see the road vacated. The representative asked for more time to thoroughly look at what the residents should do, whether that be permits or approvals needed.

The board decided to table the vacation; however, the item will remain on the agenda moving forward. The expectations are the residents and their representative will follow up with more information.

The board also approved the over-the-cap payment request for the Behnke Farm. There are 18.33 acres located in Lower Milford. The over-the-cap cost is $100 for each acre, totaling $1,833 for the property.

In new business, the board started with a discussion on the 2024 lawn care quote. Township Administrator Emily Fucci said, although Little Creek Farm Lawncare had a higher quote, their past service was superior. She said there were past issues with other companies. Following this, they authorized the advertisement of 2024 road bids.

A recommendation from the township treasurer to transfer a portion of the Limeport Commons Sewer Tapping Fee payment to a Pennsylvania Local Government Investment Trust account was also approved.

The next point of discussion was on Docket 24-03, an appeal by Daniel Cottle for multiple variances relating to setbacks and disturbance of classified woodlands on Briar Hill Lane, Coopersburg. The parcel is just over a third of an acre. It will move on to the zoning hearing board.

The last item was a discussion on the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors 2024 proposed resolutions and nominations reports. Supervisor Tim Cougle expressed concern over a newly introduced resolution that wouldn’t require municipal employees to need a class A or B license to drive larger vehicles. The board agreed and decided to not support that resolution. There were also issues with a couple of new logging and timber harvesting resolutions.

Supervisors reviewed correspondence, including a sponsorship request and invitations to “A Night for the Vets” and “A Night for Kids” from the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, which they decided to decline. There were also updates from The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the County of Lehigh Board of Assessment Appeals. PennDOT notified the township they would be performing a traffic count on Lower Milford roads.

The meeting concluded with an opportunity for additional public comments. A question came from a local homeowners association representative on the status of the construction work that needs to be completed. Township Solicitor Mark Cappuccio said things are moving forward, but more information will be gathered at an upcoming meeting.

Another resident asked the board for support in getting permits to install digital speed signs at the Village of Hosensack. Fucci said the township was in support of this and is actively looking into placing these signs at important points in the township.

The Lower Milford Township Board of Supervisors next meet 6:30 p.m. April 18 at the municipal building, 7607 Chestnut Hill Church Road, Coopersburg.