The March 20 Upper Milford meeting opened with Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong thanking the board of supervisors and the crowd of 30 residents who attended. Additional seating was acquired for the number of residents, most of them being from the two local fire departments.

Armstrong, along with 911 Director Don Smith Jr. and Consultant Craig Breneiser, were requested by the township to address concerns regarding the state-mandated purchase of new radios for the fire departments.

Supervisor John Zgura opened the discussion asking why it took so long for the cost of the radios to be brought to the board.

The state of Pennsylvania has issued a mandate all county systems be connected with a new digital system to allow for better communication for emergency personnel. However, the state is not paying for the new system; the local communities are responsible for the purchase of the new radios.

Zgura noted the conversations for the new radios began more than two years ago and the estimate mentioned had been about $200,000; however, two weeks ago, the supervisors were notified the cost will be about $600,000.

Smith explained the process including meetings held with fire companies and EMS staff to discuss the project. He relied on municipalities in late 2022 to explain where the county was with the project.

Armstrong supported Smith by stating Lehigh County is the only county to offer its municipalities a bond loan to purchase the radios at 0% interest. Armstrong added, “I’ve been begging for the money for these radios from all levels of politicians. We are fighting for it.”

Zgura was concerned because the estimate in 2022 was $100,000 then it became $200,000 and finally a few weeks ago $600,000. Zgura chastised the representatives from Lehigh County for not communicating directly with the boards and expecting the information to be relayed by the fire chiefs. Zgura noted Upper Milford Township recently added a fire tax to its residents to purchase a $1 million fire truck and now they have to find $600,000 to purchase state-mandated radios.

Armstrong countered county officials “did not know how much cost would be involved and agreed it is a lot of money.”

The funds will need to be in place for 2026.

Smith noted the towers being used for the communication will be finished by the end of 2025. They are currently securing permits to get the project moving.

“I understand it is a large cost, but we can barely hear them (the emergency workers) and that scares me,” Smith said.

He added when he became director he was committed to improving communication for the safety of first responders.

“There are areas in townships that are hard to hear from the first responders.”

Breneiser, consultant for the radio project, shared all the surrounding areas are using P25 systems except for the City of Allentown and are ending these systems. Smith added the P25 standard began in 2001 but today there is a need for all county radios to be able to effectively communicate with one another.

“The new radios will be set up for the future,” Breneiser said.

There was a concern for the Powder Valley area, specifically, in Lower Milford, that relies on a tower in Berks County.

Supervisor Angela Ashbrook questioned why it took so long for the board to receive the bill for the $600,000 radios.

Armstrong explained Council of Governments meetings were held to discuss the radios. Upper Milford Township Manager Bud Carter interjected he attended the first COG meeting but the first official notice from Lehigh County regarding the purchase of the radios being an expense of $600,000 was Feb. 27.

Carter added Old Zionsville will be “patched” through Berks County who will be able to connect no matter what system is used.

Smith clarified there will be more discussions but the radio system will need to meet Lehigh County specifications. He noted Berks County does not approve of Kenwood radios; therefore, something else would need to be used.

Upper Milford Western District Fire Chief Mike Kline said “patches seem like a Band-Aid and they (Berks County) never really answer us so we want Motorola so we can communicate with several counties.”

Resident Colt Hershinger questioned why Lehigh County is not paying for this. Armstrong clarified the state is dictating this and agreed with Hershinger. “Why isn’t the state paying for this?” Armstrong said.

Breneiser noted the county never provided a $200,000 estimate and the county’s estimate was $20 million.

Ashbrook inquired if the City of Allentown is being subsidized for this initiative. Allentown opted out because they currently have the P25 digital system which is the same as the county system. Armstrong noted it was purchased by the City of Allentown.

Hershinger asked if yearly maintenance charges and costs or monthly fees are being considered in this project.

Breneiser clarified there is a fixed 20-year period and some vendors are providing additional coverage.

Ashbrook asked if Upper Milford could opt out of this mandate but Armstrong said no because “you do not have a system supported by the county.”

Smith said the radio equipment will belong to the township and bulk purchase quotes will be passed onto the townships. Armstrong explained recently there has been a change to the taxing of bonds; however, the 0% interest will not change for the township.

Breneiser added the township will be given the better price. The quotes are due by March 31 but Carter was told by Director of General Services for Lehigh County Rich Molchany the board has until after the April 3 meeting to submit.

Lehigh County Commissioner Ron Beitler reminded the audience the mandate came from the state and “if the township wants to do this on their own, you can; but you still have to do it.”

Beitler explained the county wanted to use bulk purchasing to get a better price. Beitler also agreed official notification came late and some fire departments are making the purchase without the municipality being involved.

Ashbrook intervened stating the township was told they had to buy it.

Armstrong clarified the bond agreements will only be made with municipalities and not fire departments. He added “If fire departments want to purchase on their own, they can do that.”

Residents and the board seemed confused about where the $200,000 figure originated if the county never provided that number.

It appears when the emergency officials were asked for an estimate, one fire department provided an estimate of $200,000.

Upper Milford Township maintains two fire departments which means the $200,000 estimate now becomes $400,000. Given inflation over the past three years, the estimate now jumped to $500,000-600,000.

Kline asked the supervisors and residents not to “beat up on our guests” and explained the $200,000 estimate came from what they had paid prior.

Breneiser noted the first payment due for the radios will be in 2026 and supervisors will need to budget this for next year.

Smith added the county is not pushing any vendors and the township has to select the vendor that best fits the needs of the township. Ashbrook questioned why there is not a state communication system.

Armstrong added he questioned why there is not a district-wide system.

The state’s response is it is too big of an area and this would not happen for years.

Smith said the P25 digital system is a 20-year system with five year warranties for the radios.

Township resident Phil Casey asked about the system used by the Pennsylvania State Police. Breneiser noted it is a different system.

After the hour-long discussion, Armstrong shared he “will miss this. I’ve enjoyed this job and will continue to represent the Lehigh Valley for as long as I can.”

Smith added “Bud (Carter) has my office number and email. Filter any questions and clarifications to me. We are trying to get the right message out.”

Beitler noted “good government is that we are talking. Kudos to the board and residents for their efforts.”

No vote took place on the issue at the meeting.

Zgura said the board has to wait for information from the county regarding the quotes.

Kline differentiated that Kenwood radios go more into Berks County while more of Lehigh County uses Motorola.

Solicitor Marc Fisher reminded the board “quotes are quotes. The county will pay for radios and installation costs.”

Accessories will also need to be considered.

Carter noted at the next meeting supervisors will need to agree on the quotes the fire companies send to the county.

Supervisor chairman Dan Mohr thanked all the firefighters for taking care of the many recent brush fires.

“The recent winds could have made small situations far worse. Thank you to both fire stations for their work in containing the fires,” Mohr said.