The Upper Milford Township Board of Supervisors meeting Jan. 16 opened with a moment of silence for two individuals connected to the township who recently died.

Shirley Batman worked as secretary/treasurer for the township 1979 through 1997. In her time with the township, she made a lasting impression on those who worked with her and knew her. She died Jan. 14.

Harry D. Kleiner died Jan. 2. Kleiner was a former zoning officer for the township. He had a sense of humor that will be missed by those who knew and worked with him.

No public comments were brought to the board. However, discussion of the resolution regarding the tax collector commission engaged the handful of residents present with the board of supervisors.

Township Manager Bud Carter reminded supervisors the rate for the new year needs to be settled before the new tax collector taking office for the new term that takes effect in January 2026.

Supervisor John Zgura asked that instead of using a tax collector could someone else be chosen to do the business?

Secretary/Treasurer Jessi O’Donald clarified the township needs a tax collector because it is an elected position. She said should no one run for this elected position, the board of supervisors could appoint a tax collector such as Berkheimer. O’Donald continued if there is no tax collector, then there will be no person available to collect the taxes or answer questions in person. The tax payments would be by mail and online only.

O’Donald noted approximately one-third of township residents pay in person. If a company like Berkheimer would be used, their main office is in Slatington and they could provide office hours for a fee.

O’Donald clarified if supervisors chose the option to use a company like Berkheimer, they would still need to appoint someone as a deputy to sign off and collect the payments.

O’Donald appeared concerned for the taxpaying residents who often had “quite a few questions and concerns when they brought in their payments.”

The East Penn School District must also be a part of the discussion because taxes are collected for them as well.

The board of supervisors must set a rate for the tax collector by Feb. 15 so interested individuals can be made aware of the compensation for the position before the election.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average tax collector in 2023 earned $58,530 year or $28.14 an hour. The lowest salary earned appeared to be $37,690 while the highest earned $107,660.

In the state of Pennsylvania, the average tax collector earned $49,393 and $23.75 an hour in 2024. Ziprecruiter.com acknowledged an average state salary of $50,147 and $24.11 an hour for January 2025.

The current tax collector’s compensation from 2024 was approximately $32,800.

According to O’Donald, the tax collector received $20,800 from the township, approximately $9,000 from the East Penn School District and $3,000 from tax certifications and duplicate bill fees. This is about $16 an hour which appears to be significantly lower than the national and state averages.

However, the board has several options available.

Supervisor Angela Ashbrook stated going from $39,000 to $45,000 was a “huge jump.” One option provided for a 10% raise to $36,256.46. Board Chair Dan Mohr asked, “Is there more work?”

O’Donald confirmed there will be additional work given the recently approved fire tax the township implemented for 2025.

Mohr said “we definitely cannot go lower than the current rate.”

Ashbrook added there are benefits to having a person to talk to and there could be difficulties working with Berkheimer.

O’Donald added it can be challenging for residents who need a stamped receipt to get tax rebates if tax collection is outsourced to Berkheimer. This option could delay tax rebates for residents. O’Donald reminded supervisors the rate needs to be approved by Feb. 6 so it can be ready for the Feb. 15 deadline.

Longtime resident Phil Casey inquired about how many hours of work are involved that would command $35,000 a year salary. O’Donald commented current tax collector Deborah Schevet is “here over 40 hours a week.”

The tax collector maintains posted public office hours for 10 hours a week. The job includes additional work to be completed outside of office hours, though.

Carter added, “She spends more time here than she should be” meaning the amount of work is increasing for this position.

Ashbrook would like to keep the increase in compensation aligned with the recent tax increases which would be about 3.25%.

O’Donald said she would “do the math and send it” to the supervisors.

Casey also asked if the space used in the township office for tax collection is rented and supervisors noted the tax collector is not charged to use the space in the township building.

Mohr offered he is “tempted to go higher” because he does not want senior citizens having to drive to Berkheimer to pay their taxes. He supported a 3.5% increase in compensation due to additional fire tax. He said, we need to “entice someone” to avoid having to use Berkheimer.

Resident Russ Saminsky compared Macungie collections in 2024 at $4,288 and shared $4 per 1,060 bills.

Carter offered the board 3.25% or 3.5%. Zgura favored 3.5%. Carter and O’Donald said they will prepare numbers using 3.5% for the next meeting.

Individuals interested in the tax collector position can contact O’Donald at the township building, 5671 Chestnut St., for more information.

After that lengthy discussion, supervisors continued with new business.

The board adopted Resolution 2025-020 which Carter explained is the Hazard Mitigation Plan. The township would be assisted by Lehigh County in cases of hazards such as natural disasters (floods, tornadoes and ice storms).

Also in new business, the volunteer firefighter and EMS tax credit was discussed.

Carter noted any tax credits for real estate and EIT would be limited to those individuals who live only in the township. Unfortunately, only a handful of individuals would benefit from this credit.

Zgura wanted to make sure all individuals who currently serve could benefit and suggested a gift card instead. While exact numbers were not available because rosters have to be updated, it was determined that a rough estimate was about 20% of the volunteers live outside the township. If supervisors approved a gift card, Mohr was concerned this could be considered “pay.”

Solicitor Marc Fisher said it could be done if marked as donation. The township has always given donations to the fire companies. Carter said he and Fisher will work on something and bring it back to the board of supervisors.

Another new business item involved Lenape Park.

Carter read a memo from Office Assistant Kyle Walbert regarding Phase 1. This involves reconstruction of basketball, tennis courts and a walking trail.

Supervisors approved advertising for bids to take place Jan. 22 through Feb. 18, ending noon. O’Donald noted a grant will be used for the improvements to Lenape Park.

Carter also read a second memo from Walbert regarding writing for the DCNR grant for Phase 2 for Lenape Park. This phase would include a makeover of the playground. The cost of the grant would be about $250,000 and it would be a 50/50 match of $250,000 resulting in $500,000 to provide a permeable solid surfacing and trail that are true ADA compliant.

To secure the grant, all equipment must be ADA compliant, which means it would include slides and trails individuals in wheelchairs and others could enjoy.

Carter noted Lenape Park is heavily used by youth in the township. The motion passed to write the grant. This phase will only be done as long as the grant is secured. Because of the increasing costs, the improvements were divided into two phases with the first construction to begin in 2026.

In other business, Upper Milford Township Planning Coordinator Brian Miller shared updates regarding the Alburtis Borough Zoning Amendment. The board of supervisors will write a letter thanking Alburtis Borough.

Carter also shared a letter from residents Shelly Bik and Anthony Volpe. The residents were concerned about the intersection at Mill Road and Vera Cruz Road. Accidents have occurred in which cars are landing in their yard in the 4500 block. They have small children and are concerned for their safety with the incidents occurring at this intersection.

Carter suggested placing the stop sign on the left side. It currently is placed on the right side and as one drives on Mill Road approaching Vera Cruz Road, the stop sign is hidden from view by large pine trees. Drivers unfamiliar with the area coming down the hill on Mill Road are missing the stop sign and accidents are occurring at the intersection.

Mohr suggested trimming or moving the pine trees but Carter shared that would involve “a lot of trees to move.” Supervisors approved adding a stop sign on the left side of the road where it would be more visible to motorists.

The Vera Cruz Community Association requested special fire police for the Easter Egg Hunt at Mystic Chain Park 1 p.m. April 19; its Homecoming celebration scheduled noon-8 p.m. Aug. 17 and its Halloween Parade 7-9 p.m. Oct. 15. Supervisors approved all three requests.

Zgura requested the flag be raised in full Jan. 20 for the presidential inauguration. The flag has flown at half-staff since Dec. 28, 2024, for 30 days in respect of the death of former President Jimmy Carter as all federal buildings are required to do. The township building is not a federal building but participated in the 30 days out of respect for Carter.

A resident shared the flag at the U.S. Capitol will also be at full-staff Jan. 20.

Supervisors approved to raise the flag at the township building Jan. 20.

Mohr inquired about emails he received about fire company radios receiving mixed signals.

Carter commented each fire company or entity needs a radio. They were able to select a radio of their choice and the county will solicit bids from four vendors. They did not strictly want one vendor.

Mohr thought choosing one vendor would result in cheaper costs because they would buy the radios in bulk.

Ashbrook said Western wanted a specific brand and Citizens wanted a different brand. She also shared the Lehigh County system does not work and Motorola works across two counties.

Ashbrook commented there are “more questions than answers” concerning this issue.

A resident inquired if radios can be bought from fire tax money. Fisher addressed the question and believed the radios could be.

The approximate price of a radio is $5,000. The resident asked if Western received a grant for the radios and Mohr responded, “Not this one.”

A recreation meeting was scheduled for 7 p.m. Jan. 20.

The next township meeting is scheduled 7 p.m. Feb. 6 in the township building.