The Upper Milford Township Board of Supervisors meeting opened with no public comments.

In old business, supervisors approved the bills for the streetlights and fire hydrants.

Manager Bud Carter began the discussion of new business regarding upgrading traffic lights to improve the safety plan for traffic lights between Routes 29 and 100. He stressed this was a onetime resolution with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and involved only the traffic lights. The motion was approved and passed with no comments from the public.

After having time to think about the pros and cons of the fire department accounts, Chair Supervisor John Zgura read from a paper continuing to stress the need for transparency for the taxpayers, the role the township plays in distributing funds and the need for the fire departments to discuss their concerns earlier.

Supervisor Dan Mohr continued to promote the idea of keeping separate accounts for each fire department while Supervisor Angela Ashbrook supported having one account. Ashbrook discussed concerns about grants and wondered if one fire department received a $1 million grant for a new truck, would this mean the township would have to give the other fire department $1 million to provide equity between both fire departments?

The discussion determined this would not be the case. Zgura did state the township might have to write grants for both companies, though, “to keep it fair.”

In addition, Zgura commented on the issue of fueling the fire department trucks and the reimbursements for fuel by command vehicles. “The township wants to know where that money ($35,000) is going and how they (the fire companies) spend it,” he said. Zgura continues to support transparency for the taxpayers. He concluded by saying the township will pay for the fuel for all the fire trucks that respond to the sites of the fires.

A member of the audience questioned if volunteer firefighters who use their personal vehicles during a call get reimbursed. The township response was they do not get reimbursed for using personal vehicles.

Zgura emphasized the township will only pay for fire truck fuel for this year and not command vehicles. Each department will maintain its own account. He wanted this information to be sent to the fire departments for their thoughts and for discussion at the meeting in September. It was noted the fire departments were not present at the meeting because they were involved in a training program.

Next on the agenda was Kay Builders’ request for a 365-day extension for the improvements agreement for the Fields at Indian Creek Major Subdivision Phase 4 and 5 to allow time for necessary improvements.

Ashbrook questioned the need for an additional year. Carter addressed the question stating there was still “a lot of work to be done that would require six months or more.” Carter noted it was beneficial to the township to provide the extension.

Zgura questioned if any residents voiced complaints about this area. Secretary/Treasurer Jessie O’Donald said no complaints have been received regarding this area. The motion was made to approve the extension request and was passed.

While the residents have not notified the township of their complaints, there were a couple of residents who shared their dissatisfaction and concerns about this area and will be reaching out to the township about them.

One resident who only wanted to be known as “John,” took the time to explain this project has been going on “for years.” John pointed out residents were promised the bridge was going to be built over the stream to connect the pathways around the development. He shared it was supposed to have been built three years ago. If you drive by the area, you will see the bridge lined up practically against the last homeowner’s residence.

David Skinner, president of the Homeowner’s Association for the Fields at Indian Creek, confirmed, via a phone interview, Kay Builders promoted the walkability of the community as a major marketing tool noting the complete loop of the property using old golf course paths. However, the loop has never been completed because Kay Builders never installed the final pedestrian bridge over Leibert Creek near the House and Barn Restaurant.

Skinner has been pressuring Kay Builders to install the bridge since 2020 but this bridge installation conflicted with running a 10-inch water line under the creek that Emmaus made a condition of development. Skinner noted the waterline was installed last month; but in this time, the creek has slightly widened and the bridge that sits on the property waiting to be installed for over three years is too small.

According to Skinner, a longer bridge is now necessary. But who will be responsible for this new bridge? The bridge is specified in the public offering statement for the community so Skinner is confident it will be installed at some point.

With approving the extension for Kay Builders, these residents will go an additional year of waiting for their pedestrian bridge and the promised walking path. For now, the walking paths have limited opportunities for the residents.

In addition, the community required Kay Builders install a new path from the existing path, going behind the apartments and coming out on Green Street behind Auto Zone, 1437 Chestnut St. This will allow residents to access the shopping area on Chestnut Street without walking on a 200-300 foot section of Chestnut Street that has no sidewalks.

Next to the bridge are mounds of stones as well as a huge digger. The residents along Daylily Street open their doors every day to a dump truck, construction vehicles, a portable toilet, metal structures and mounds of stones. John was not happy to learn they are now being given another year to fix the area. He was concerned for the safety issues for the residents. Similarly, Skinner confirmed the phase extension includes a large retention pond that currently has no fencing surrounding it. The HOA has notified Kay Builders numerous times the unfenced pond is a safety issue and requested temporary fencing. According to Skinner, these requests to the builder have been ignored. Skinner is concerned the approval of the extension means residents must live with this safety issue for another year.

Finally, resident Debbie Linfante shared numerous concerns with The Press because all of the construction phase lines up against her house and backyard. She said she will be reaching out to the township about concerns for water runoff.

According to Linfante, the excessive rains create a “lake” on the side of her house. Linfante pointed out the builders created a rock wall to slow the runoff, but growth in the drain is preventing the water from draining. Instead, it is creating a “lake” on the side of her house and the rushing water is damaging the grass and her backyard. Linfante hopes someone from the township can come out to see the damage being done with this project.

Kay Builders could not be reached for comment.

In other business, Mohr asked Carter about the Gray Drive concern Marilee Oplinger brought to them at the last meeting. Carter confirmed the debris was removed but they are waiting on the public works department to fill in the holes.

Mohr shared the Vera Cruz Homecoming was to be held Aug. 18 and the weather could impact it negatively. Zgura proposed future discussion about having a community day for the volunteers who serve the township to show appreciation for their service.

The next meeting will be held 7 p.m. Sept. 5 at the township building, 5671 Chestnut St., Zionsville.