The Upper Milford Township budget meeting was held before the regular meeting to address the 2025 budget; however, the Jasper Ridge concerns from the last meeting emerged again during public comment.

Resident Jim Maley was concerned about the number of homes with multiple cars and not making use of the garage. He shared “there is one house that has five cars and the garage is not used for any of them.” He also informed the township of a car parked on the street for over a year with expired stickers.

Additionally, Maley said residents were concerned about “suspicious” activity regarding the dumping of condoms and the smoking of pot being done in the neighborhood. Another resident Ken Davis asked when the Jasper Ridge project will be completed and Manager Bud Carter said there is no completion date yet.

Both Maley and Davis inquired about noise ordinances for the township and Carter explained there is no noise ordinance on record. Both residents were concerned about early morning noise by loud car mufflers as well as the school bus pick ups. “Why can’t the bus stop in the new community? Why are they making the kids walk down to the neighborhood where the average age of these residents is 80 years old?”

Carter explained the roads in the new community are not yet dedicated; therefore, the bus cannot pick up students on roads not dedicated. He also encouraged the residents to address the East Penn bus schedule with the East Penn School Board.

The discussion of the 2025 draft budget followed. First on the list was the issue of the money for the 10-wheeler dump truck. Carter explained this new truck will replace the late 1990s truck that currently will not make another year. President of the Board John Zgura asked about the size of the plow and the axles. Carter explained the new truck can allow for heavier hauls of materials. He added more roads are being added to the township and the new truck will be able to maneuver the roads more efficiently. For example, instead of needing two workers with two trucks, this one truck will free up the second worker for additional duties. A resident inquired about the tires on the new truck and Carter said the tires have all been checked.

Supervisor Angela Ashbrook asked about discrepancies between the earlier budgets and the projected budget regarding amount totals. Secretary/Treasurer Jessi O’Donald explained she does not use amounts that are not guaranteed. For example, grant money could be possible, but if the grants are not secured, then the township would not be able to count on that money. Other discrepancies could involve the township budgeting a certain amount of money and then not using all of it. Carter explained the engineering fees depend on what projects are being done at the time.

Zgura was concerned about the generator for the public works garage. He does not want to buy something that does not work. “I’d rather spend more money for something that works than less money on something that doesn’t,” he said.

A resident suggested it could be more economically advantageous for the township to buy a welder for $6,000 to 7,000 rather than $60,000 if welding is an issue.

The next issue involved clothing provided to township public works employees. Carter said the workers are provided uniforms for the week. The shirts contain reflective stripes; however, the T-shirts and sweatshirts do not contain reflective stripes.

Resident Bill Casey asked why the fire tax issue is not being brought to the residents in the form of a referendum. O’Donald explained Pennsylvania tax law does not require a referendum until the township is over 3 mills. She said, “We are not near that.” Ashbrook commented this is a significant amount of money (resulting from this tax) and she would like the public’s input.

O’Donald said a referendum would not be able to be implemented until next year. Carter said “ultimately, the three board supervisors are responsible for the fire protection for the township residents. Volunteer fire departments serve the township residents. Taxes are the township’s source of income.” The fire tax is about $5.80 a month per person. Zgura noted he is against tax increases and he wants the taxpayer to be able to see the amenities being purchased with the tax dollars. He said he is “torn between something we have to do and something he does not want to do (raise taxes); but we can’t do what we have been doing.”

Zgura described this issue as a “double-edged sword.”

A resident asked why the developers are not being made to pay for these services since they are required to pay for playgrounds in communities. Carter explained developers would not be charged for fire taxes. Rather the developers build the homes and the homeowners will have to pay the fire taxes. Carter informed the audience if they want to change this policy, they would need to address the municipal planning code and legislate the state of Pennsylvania to change the code to include fire taxes.

Carter ended this discussion of the proposed draft budget reminding the board there are no proposed changes in this budget for the fire companies. A special budget meeting will be held 6 p.m. Oct. 24 in the township building, 5671 Chestnut St., Zionsville. Interested residents are encouraged to attend this meeting Zgura initiated for public discussion.