The Oct. 3 Upper Milford Township meeting began with resident Peter Henrico, of Zionsville, sharing his concern for excessive speeding through the village from the church to the train tracks. According to Henrico, “Cars are going too fast down the hill and motorcycles are going way too fast up the hill” and this has resulted in one fatality as well as four serious accidents.

Henrico, a Coast Guard veteran, shared he is hearing-impaired and cannot always hear the cars. When he mows his lawn, he said he has to be prepared “to jump off his mower if need be” to avoid being hit by a speeding vehicle.

From the Upper Milford Township Building to the train tracks, the speed limits are posted at 25 mph and 15 mph in front of the post office building. Then there is a bit of the road posted at 40 mph which decreases to 30 mph as the motorist approaches the train tracks. There are rolling hills and bends in the stretch of road. Should the entire stretch of the road be 25 mph?

Township Manager Bud Carter said an engineer traffic study would need to be approved by the board and there is a cost involved. “What’s the cost of a human life?” Henrico asked.

Henrico has put out small cones and he noticed most people tend to slow down; however, Chairman John Zgura said the township cannot put cones out due to liability issues. Carter reinforced that statement saying only a certified engineer can make cone placements.

Carter suggested adding pavement markings and additional signage. There are numerous signs already posting the speed limits as well as painted arrows on the road. Another resident suggested a gravel road could slow down the speeding cars. Carter also said the township could request state police presence in the area.

Supervisors decided to look into getting the cost for a traffic study of this area as well as put up additional signage and paint the road with “30 mph” and “slow” to remind drivers to slow down in this area. Zgura confirmed, “We will get something done.”

The second public comment came from a resident of the Jasper Ridge Community with her concern about parking on Mink Road. She said the parking on Mink and Stole roads leads to additional congestion and wait time for cars. She was concerned that recently an EMT vehicle was forced to park in the middle of the road to respond to an emergency. She favors no parking on both of these roads to increase the flow of traffic and allow for the safety of all residents.

Supervisors noted the homeowners association for Jasper Ridge Community had approached them regarding this issue and were told they needed to secure two-thirds of the community’s signatures. However, they never returned with the required signatures to allow this issue to move forward.

This resident said she will provide pictures of the areas of concern to the township. The newly constructed homes on Mink Road are a block of homes on both sides. Garages are provided; however, one neighbor commented the garages are used for storage rather than for vehicles. “Even though they have garages, they still park on the street,” she said.

This neighbor also shared numerous people live in the houses and there are multiple cars needing space for parking. With car parking permitted on both sides of the street, only one car can navigate the road at one time. If a car is driving down the street, the other car needs space to pull into to let this car pass before the other car can proceed, thus causing the congestion.

This neighbor supported parking on one side of the street but appeared concerned the cars would then be parked in front of the homes farther down the street creating a newer problem for those residents.

In new business, Michael Kline of the Western District Fire Company requested $42,000 be used to purchase a 2006 FI 50 diesel truck with custom fire body to replace the 1996 van currently used. While the fire company awaits the newer multimillion dollar vehicle, Kline noted not all emergencies need to be addressed with this specific anticipated truck. Rather, this vehicle could be used for the smaller emergencies.

Kline also asked for $4,000 for the lettering and other modifications for this new truck. Zgura questioned the type of engine in this specific vehicle. Kline assured him the engine was fixed and approved.

Supervisor Angela Ashbrook questioned why the funds from the sale of the old van are not going into the general fund. Kline noted the 1996 van was purchased with money the fire company raised and therefore money from this sale should be returned to the fire company’s savings account.

Kline also shared the new 2006 truck contains a compressed fire extinguisher system. He noted volunteers will be trained to use it or they will get rid of it.

So there would not be a delay in the purchase of this needed vehicle, supervisors approved $42,000 to purchase this new vehicle.

Carter presented the 2025 draft of the budget to supervisors. This draft proposal will be discussed publicly beginning 6 p.m. Oct. 17. A special meeting will be held 6 p.m. Oct. 24 so the public can bring any concerns they have to this specific meeting.

A resident asked if a detailed budget will be provided and supervisors responded it will be provided. This draft proposes an increase from .45 to .75 millage, which means a $69 average per parcel that includes $52 for the township with a $17 fire tax.

Carter provided supervisors with the proposed draft for review before the Oct. 17 meeting. Residents interested in learning more about the township budget should attend the Oct. 17 and Oct. 24 meetings.

Zgura inquired how the township could put a referendum on the ballot. Solicitor Marc Fisher said it must be presented during a municipal election.

Also in new business, Shelley Zgura was approved to fill the remaining vacant term on the zoning hearing board through Jan. 2, 2025. The vacancy was created by Michael Grey resigning last month due to his relocation to the Harrisburg area. Zgura, husband of Shelley, recused himself from this vote. Ashbrook thanked Shelley Zgura for volunteering for this committee.

Supervisor Dan Mohr announced the Vera Cruz Halloween Parade will be held Oct. 16 with a rain date of Oct. 17. Set up begins 6 p.m. with a parade start time of 7 p.m. and will go through the center of town. DJ Cesar Rosado will be stationed at the Vera Cruz Hotel and will highlight the floats. Hot dogs and drinks will be for sale near the hotel. The community hopes to raise money from these sales to help offset the losses incurred from the Homecoming event in August.

Finally, the last public comment included concerns for mosquitoes breeding near the retention pond at Benjamin Court in the Jasper Ridge community. The resident noted 29 vertical pylons are embedded in circular containers along the metal fence on the street provided by Kay Builders. These containers are not filled and rain water has collected in them and mosquitoes appear to be breeding. In addition, grass is also growing in them. Carter said he will look into this issue.

The next meeting will take place 6 p.m. Oct. 17 in the township building on Chestnut Street. Note this is an earlier time due to the discussion regarding the proposed 2025 budget.